Here, a new naturally-inspired stochastic nonlinear joint and individual inversion technique for integrating direct current (DC) and magnetotelluric (MT) data interpretation-based simulation of a ...swarm intelligence combo with specific capabilities for exploitation of the variable weight particle swarm optimizer (vPSO) and exploration of the grey wolf optimizer (GWO), vPSOGWO, is used. They are particularly notable for their capacity for information exchange while hunting for food. Through synthetic MT and DC data contaminated with various sets of random noise, the applicability of the anticipated vPSOGWO algorithm based joint and individual inversion algorithm was assessed. The field examples, collected from diversified different geological terrains, including Digha (West Bengal), India; Sundar Pahari (Jharkhand), India; Puga Valley (Ladakh), India; New Brunswick, Canada; and South Central Australia, have shown the practical application of the proposed algorithm. Further, a Bayesian probability density function (bpdf) for estimating a mean global model and uncertainty assessment in posterior; and a histogram for model resolution assessment have also been created using 1000 inverted models. We examined the inverted outcomes and compared them with results from other cutting-edge methodologies, including the GWO, PSO, genetic algorithm (GA), Levenberg-Marquardt (LM), and ridge-regression (RR). Our findings showed that the current methodology is more effective than the GWO, PSO, GA, LM, and RR techniques at consistently improving the convergence of the global minimum. In contrast to earlier approaches, the current cutting-edge strategy vPSOGWO offers an improved resolution of an additional significant crustal thickness of about 65.68 ± 1.96 km over the Puga Valley, in which the inverted crustal thickness determined by vPSOGWO agrees well with the published crustal thickness over the Puga Valley. The new technology brings simulations closer to genuine models by significantly reducing uncertainty and enhancing model resolution.
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is recognized as a major environmental challenge in the Western United States, particularly in Colorado, leading to extreme subsurface contamination issue. Given Colorado's ...arid climate and dependence on groundwater, an accurate assessment of AMD-induced contamination is deemed crucial. While in past, machine learning (ML)-based inversion algorithms were used to reconstruct ground electrical properties (GEP) such as relative dielectric permittivity (RDP) from ground penetrating radar (GPR) data for contamination assessment, their inherent non-linear nature can introduce significant uncertainty and non-uniqueness into the reconstructed models. This is a challenge that traditional ML methods are not explicitly designed to address. In this study, a probabilistic hybrid technique has been introduced that combines the DeepLabv3+ architecture-based deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) with an ensemble prediction-based Monte Carlo (MC) dropout method. Different MC dropout rates (1%, 5%, and 10%) were initially evaluated using 1D and 2D synthetic GPR data for accurate and reliable RDP model prediction. The optimal rate was chosen based on minimal prediction uncertainty and the closest alignment of the mean or median model with the true RDP model. Notably, with the optimal MC dropout rate, prediction accuracy of over 95% for the 1D and 2D cases was achieved. Motivated by these results, the hybrid technique was applied to field GPR data collected over an AMD-impacted wetland near Silverton, Colorado. The field results underscored the hybrid technique's ability to predict an accurate subsurface RDP distribution for estimating the spatial extent of AMD-induced contamination. Notably, this technique not only provides a precise assessment of subsurface contamination but also ensures consistent interpretations of subsurface condition by different environmentalists examining the same GPR data. In conclusion, the hybrid technique presents a promising avenue for future environmental studies in regions affected by AMD or other contaminants that alter the natural distribution of GEP.
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•Acid mine drainage (AMD) causing subsurface contamination in Colorado.•Study uses novel data-driven ensemble approach for assessing AMD contamination.•MC dropout addresses uncertainty in prediction of subsurface contamination.•Rapidly assess contamination resulting in alteration of ground electrical properties.•Study proposes a promising solution for environmental studies.
Antimicrobial peptides are a potent group of defense active molecules that have been utilized in developing resistance against a multitude of plant pathogens. Floral defensins constitute a group of ...cysteine-rich peptides showing potent growth inhibition of pathogenic filamentous fungi especially Fusarium oxysporum in vitro. Full length genes coding for two Petunia floral defensins, PhDef1 and PhDef2 having unique C-terminal 31 and 27 amino acid long predicted prodomains, were overexpressed in transgenic banana plants using embryogenic cells as explants for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. High level constitutive expression of these defensins in elite banana cv. Rasthali led to significant resistance against infection of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense as shown by in vitro and ex vivo bioassay studies. Transgenic banana lines expressing either of the two defensins were clearly less chlorotic and had significantly less infestation and discoloration in the vital corm region of the plant as compared to untransformed controls. Transgenic banana plants expressing high level of full-length PhDef1 and PhDef2 were phenotypically normal and no stunting was observed. In conclusion, our results suggest that high-level constitutive expression of floral defensins having distinctive prodomains is an efficient strategy for development of fungal resistance in economically important fruit crops like banana.
High soil salinity constitutes a major abiotic stress and an important limiting factor in cultivation of crop plants worldwide. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a aquaporin ...gene,
MusaPIP2;6
which is involved in salt stress signaling in banana.
MusaPIP2;6
was firstly identified based on comparative analysis of stressed and non-stressed banana tissue derived EST data sets and later overexpression in transgenic banana plants was performed to study its tangible functions in banana plants. The overexpression of
MusaPIP2;6
in transgenic banana plants using constitutive or inducible promoter led to higher salt tolerance as compared to equivalent untransformed control plants. Cellular localization assay performed using transiently transformed onion peel cells indicated that MusaPIP2;6 protein tagged with green fluorescent protein was translocated to the plasma membrane.
MusaPIP2;6
-overexpressing banana plants displayed better photosynthetic efficiency and lower membrane damage under salt stress conditions. Our results suggest that
MusaPIP2;6
is involved in salt stress signaling and tolerance in banana.
The deteriorated oral hygiene in visually impaired individuals has paved way for the emergence of different interventions for oral health promotion. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness ...of different interventions in improving the oral hygiene of visually impaired individuals. A search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Wiley online and Scopus search engines published before September 2020 was carried out. Dental plaque, gingival status, oral hygiene status and improvement in knowledge status were assessed. The systematic review consisted of nine studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria and seven studies after checking for quality of evidence. The interventions significantly improved plaque scores, gingival and oral hygiene status, as well as the knowledge of visually impaired individuals. The combination of two or more interventions was reported to be better in improving oral health when compared with the individual interventional techniques for visually impaired individuals.
Individuals with bleeding disorders have been reported to have a number of oral health issues due to varying conditions. A comprehensive evaluation of the different oral health conditions has not ...been carried out in the past. This systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to collate and critically analyse existing research, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on oral health.
A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Embase, in October 2023. No restriction on time frame or language was applied. The risk of bias for cross-sectional studies was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) tool, and case control studies were assessed using the New Castle Ottawa Scale (NOS).
Twenty-two articles were included in the final analysis with a total sample size of 2422 subjects. Of the 22 articles assessed, nine quantitative assessments were included in the Meta analysis. Pooled data analysis was carried out. A total of 13 studies reported medium risk whereas the remaining nine studies showed low risk of bias. The weighted mean DMFT scores in individuals with bleeding disorders were found to be 2.43 0.62. 4.24, mean dmft was 2.79 1.05, 4.53 and mean OHI-S was reported to be 1.79 1.00, 2.57, respectively.
The findings emphasize that these individuals have fair oral hygiene and lower dmft/DMFT scores. Oral bleeding emerged as an important oral health component to be cautiously dealt with particularly during the stages of exfoliation/shedding.
This systematic review aims to determine the association between the consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs) and periodontal disease. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and ...Meta‐Analyses guidelines were followed to conduct a literature search on five electronic databases till January 2022. Systemically healthy individuals consuming SSBs and presenting periodontal disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) were included. The modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendation Assessment Development and Evaluation criteria were respectively used to assess the risk of bias and the evidence's quality. Of the 1303 eligible records identified in the initial search, ten studies (nine cross‐sectional and one case–control) were selected for the final review. Among the included articles, five reported SSBs intake in the form of carbonated soft drinks, two as sugary drinks, two as soft drinks, and one as coffee with added sugar. Four studies reported gingivitis as an outcome, while the remaining six studies reported periodontitis using validated indices. The included studies were of medium to high quality. Consumption of SSBs may increase gingival bleeding, thereby gingivitis and the risk of periodontitis. Intake of added sugars like SSBs should be considered as a potential factor during gingival/periodontal risk assessment. Further studies are warranted to establish additional evidence of association.
Predicting rice (Oryza sativa) productivity under future climates is important for global food security. Ecophysiological crop models in combination with climate model outputs are commonly used in ...yield prediction, but uncertainties associated with crop models remain largely unquantified. We evaluated 13 rice models against multi‐year experimental yield data at four sites with diverse climatic conditions in Asia and examined whether different modeling approaches on major physiological processes attribute to the uncertainties of prediction to field measured yields and to the uncertainties of sensitivity to changes in temperature and CO₂concentration CO₂. We also examined whether a use of an ensemble of crop models can reduce the uncertainties. Individual models did not consistently reproduce both experimental and regional yields well, and uncertainty was larger at the warmest and coolest sites. The variation in yield projections was larger among crop models than variation resulting from 16 global climate model‐based scenarios. However, the mean of predictions of all crop models reproduced experimental data, with an uncertainty of less than 10% of measured yields. Using an ensemble of eight models calibrated only for phenology or five models calibrated in detail resulted in the uncertainty equivalent to that of the measured yield in well‐controlled agronomic field experiments. Sensitivity analysis indicates the necessity to improve the accuracy in predicting both biomass and harvest index in response to increasing CO₂ and temperature.
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•Enhancement of orientational order of Liquid Crystal due to SWCNTs.•Reorientation process of molecules under the electric field improves due to SWCNTs.•The results confirm ...improvement of the display parameters of composites.•The findings help for design of low energy display devices.
Composites were prepared by inserting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) in the Nematic Liquid Crystal (NLC) to fasten the reorientation dynamics of the system under the electric field. Dispersion of SWCNTs in NLC medium enhanced the orientational order and consequently the display parameters of composite systems improved. Various display parameters such as orientational order, dielectric anisotropy, threshold voltage and splay elastic constant were explored for pure and composite systems.
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