Optimizing Corn Tar Spot Measurement: A Deep Learning Approach Using Red-Green-Blue Imaging and the Stromata Contour Detection Algorithm for Leaf-Level Disease Severity Analysis.

Visual detection of stromata (brown-black, elevated fungal fruiting bodies) is the primary method for quantifying tar spot early in the season because these structures are definitive signs of the disease and essential for effective disease monitoring and management. Here, we present the Stromata Contour Detection Algorithm version 2 (SCDA v2), which addresses the limitations of the previously developed SCDA version 1 (SCDA v1), without the need to empirically search for optimal decision-making input parameters (DMIPs) while achieving higher and consistent accuracy in tar spot stromata detection. SCDA v2 operates in two components: (i) SCDA v1 producing tar spot-like region proposals for a given input corn leaf Red-Green-Blue (RGB) image and (ii) a pretrained convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier identifying true tar spot stromata from the region proposals.

Nitric Oxide Plays a Dual Role in Cardiorenal Syndrome in Vitro Model.

Background/aims: Nitric oxide (NO) plays a dual role, acting as both an oxidant and a reducer, with various effects depending on its concentration and environment. Acute kidney injury's (AKI) pathogenesis observed in cardiorenal syndrome 3 (CRS 3) involves inflammatory responses and the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. However, the role of NO on the development of CRS 3 is still not completely understood.

Renocardiac Effects of p-Cresyl Sulfate Administration in Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Unilateral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury .

The precise mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular complications due to acute kidney injury (AKI) and the retention of uremic toxins like p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the renocardiac effects of PCS administration in animals subjected to AKI induced by ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury. C57BL6 mice were subjected to distinct protocols: (i) administration with PCS (20, 40, or 60 mg/L/day) for 15 days and (ii) AKI due to unilateral IR injury associated with PCS administration for 15 days.

Fundamentals of Skin Bioimpedances.

The bioimpedances of tissues beyond the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of skin, contain crucial clinical information. Nevertheless, bioimpedance measurements of both the viable skin and the adipose tissue are not widely used, mainly because of the complex multilayered skin structure and the electrically insulating nature of the stratum corneum. Here, a theoretical framework is established for analyzing the impedances of multilayered tissues and, in particular, of skin.

Progress and Challenges of Understanding Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 3.

The pathologies of the kidney and heart have instigated a large number of researchers around the world to try to better understand what the exact connectors responsible for the emergence and establishment of these diseases are. The classification of these pathologies into different types of cardiorenal syndromes (CRSs) over the last 15 years has greatly contributed to understanding pathophysiological and diagnostic aspects, as well as treatment strategies. However, with the advent of new technologies classified as "Omics", a new range of knowledge and new possibilities have opened up in order to effectively understand the intermediaries between the kidney-heart axis.

ZnO Nanowires for Feedback-Assisted Tuning of Electromechanical Resonators.

The fabrication of devices with accurately controlled properties almost invariably takes advantage of feedback so that, based on real-time measurements, process parameters can be automatically adjusted in order to obtain the desired characteristics. Nevertheless, despite the outstanding advantages of wet-chemistry methods (e.g.

Synthesis of Iron, Zinc, and Manganese Nanofertilizers, Using Andean Blueberry Extract, and Their Effect in the Growth of Cabbage and Lupin Plants.

The predominant aim of the current study was to synthesize the nanofertilizer nanoparticles ZnO_MnO-NPs and FeO_ZnO-NPs using Andean blueberry extract and determine the effect of NPs in the growth promotion of cabbage () and Andean lupin ( sweet) crops. The nanoparticles were analyzed by visible spectrophotometry, size distribution (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Solutions of nanoparticle concentrations were applied to cabbage, with solutions of 270 and 540 ppm of ZnO_MnO-NPs and 270 and 540 ppm of FeO_ZnO-NPs applied to Andean lupin.

The Interplay between Uremic Toxins and Albumin, Membrane Transporters and Drug Interaction.

Uremic toxins are a heterogeneous group of molecules that accumulate in the body due to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). These toxins are associated with kidney dysfunction and the development of comorbidities in patients with CKD, being only partially eliminated by dialysis therapies. Importantly, drugs used in clinical treatments may affect the levels of uremic toxins, their tissue disposition, and even their elimination through the interaction of both with proteins such as albumin and cell membrane transporters.

Available Strategies for the Management of Andean Lupin Anthracnose.

The lupin ( Sweet) is a legume domesticated and cultivated for more than 4000 years by the pre-Hispanic cultures of the Andean zone. Due to its good taste and protein content, the lupin seed contributes significantly to the food and nutritional security of the Andean population. However, lupin is susceptible to diseases, and of these, anthracnose is the most devastating as it affects the whole crop, including leaves, stems, pods, and seeds.

Twin-Wire Networks for Zero Interconnect, High-Density 4-Wire Electrical Characterizations of Materials.

Four-wire measurements have been introduced by Lord Kelvin in 1861 and have since become the standard technique for characterizing small resistances and impedances. However, high-density 4-wire measurements are generally complex, time-consuming, and inefficient because of constraints on interconnects, pads, external wires, and mechanical contacts, thus reducing reproducibility, statistical significance, and throughput. Here, we introduce, systematically design, analyze, and experimentally validate zero interconnect networks interfaced to external instrumentation by couples of twin wire.

Uremic Toxins: An Alarming Danger Concerning the Cardiovascular System.

The kidneys and heart share functions with the common goal of maintaining homeostasis. When kidney injury occurs, many compounds, the so-called "uremic retention solutes" or "uremic toxins," accumulate in the circulation targeting other tissues. The accumulation of uremic toxins such as -cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and inorganic phosphate leads to a loss of a substantial number of body functions.

The Gaucher earlier diagnosis consensus point-scoring system (GED-C PSS): Evaluation of a prototype in Finnish Gaucher disease patients and feasibility of screening retrospective electronic health record data for the recognition of potential undiagnosed patients in Finland.

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is a rare inherited multiorgan disorder, yet a diagnosis can be significantly delayed due to a broad spectrum of symptoms and lack of disease awareness. Recently, the prototype of a GD point-scoring system (PSS) was established by the Gaucher Earlier Diagnosis Consensus (GED-C) initiative, and more recently, validated in Gaucher patients in UK. In our study, the original GED-C PSS was tested in Finnish GD patients.

Bacillus subtilis CtpxS2-1 induces systemic resistance against anthracnose in Andean lupin by lipopeptide production.

Objective: To evaluate the role of the biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis CtpxS2-1 in inducing lupin systemic resistance against anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum by lipopeptide production.

Results: First, growth inhibition and thin layer chromatography-bioautography analysis confirmed that CtpxS2-1 cultures and their lipopeptide extracts, specifically fengycin, have strong antifungal activity against C. acutatum.

Fundamental Definitions for Axially-Strained Piezo-Semiconductive Nanostructures.

Piezoelectric nanotransducers may offer key advantages in comparison with conventional piezoelectrics, including more choices for types of mechanical input, positions of the contacts, dimensionalities and shapes. However, since most piezoelectric nanostructures are also semiconductive, modeling becomes significantly more intricate and, therefore, the effects of free charges have been considered only in a few studies. Moreover, the available reports are complicated by the absence of proper nomenclature and figures of merit.

Double-Framed Thin Elastomer Devices.

Elastomers and, in particular, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are widely adopted as biocompatible mechanically compliant substrates for soft and flexible micro-nanosystems in medicine, biology, and engineering. However, several applications require such low thicknesses (., <100 μm) that make peeling-off critical because very thin elastomers become delicate and tend to exhibit strong adhesion with carriers.

Distance learning and patient safety: Report and evaluation of an online patient safety course.

Patient safety is a critical topic in health care globally, with implications for nurses, physicians, administrators, and most importantly, patients and their well-being. Online distance learning (ODL) is widely accepted among most disciplines in higher education and has been used to promote patient safety knowledge among health care students and professionals in diverse contexts. This article reports on an online Nursing and Patient Safety course developed in 2012 by the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization and the International Network for Nursing and Patient Safety.

Following Coffee Production from Cherries to Cup: Microbiological and Metabolomic Analysis of Wet Processing of Coffea arabica.

A cup of coffee is the final product of a complex chain of operations. Wet postharvest processing of coffee is one of these operations, which involves a fermentation that inevitably has to be performed on-farm. During wet coffee processing, the interplay between microbial activities and endogenous bean metabolism results in a specific flavor precursor profile of the green coffee beans.

Length measurement and spatial orientation reconstruction of single nanowires.

The accurate determination of the geometrical features of quasi one-dimensional nanostructures is mandatory for reducing errors and improving repeatability in the estimation of a number of geometry-dependent properties in nanotechnology. In this paper a method for the reconstruction of length and spatial orientation of single nanowires (NWs) is presented. Those quantities are calculated from a sequence of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images taken at different tilt angles using a simple 3D geometric model.

Phytoplankton community and physical-chemical data measured in the Gulf of Trieste (northern Adriatic Sea) over the period March 2006-February 2007.

Biological, hydrological and chemical data were acquired at monthly intervals from March 2006 to February 2007, at the Long-Term Ecological Research site C1 in the Gulf of Trieste, in the northernmost part of the Adriatic Sea. The biological dataset comprises total chl and phaeopigment concentrations, and the distinction of the total phytoplankton biomass into three photoautotrophic community fractions, i.e.

High-Density ZnO Nanowires as a Reversible Myogenic-Differentiation Switch.

Mesoangioblasts are outstanding candidates for stem-cell therapy and are already being explored in clinical trials. However, a crucial challenge in regenerative medicine is the limited availability of undifferentiated myogenic progenitor cells because growth is typically accompanied by differentiation. Here reversible myogenic-differentiation switching during proliferation is achieved by functionalizing the glass substrate with high-density ZnO nanowires (NWs).

Rewritable ghost floating gates by tunnelling triboelectrification for two-dimensional electronics.

Gates can electrostatically control charges inside two-dimensional materials. However, integrating independent gates typically requires depositing and patterning suitable insulators and conductors. Moreover, after manufacturing, gates are unchangeable.

Evaluation of a Commercial Field Test to Detect African Swine Fever.

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most important and complex infectious diseases affecting pigs ( Sus scrofa ). The disease has been present in Sardinia, Italy, since 1978. Factors influencing the presence of the disease on the island are the presence of illegally bred pigs, uncontrolled movements of animals, and local traditions.

Antioxidant effects of supercritical fluid garlic extracts in sunflower oil.

Background: Lipid oxidation causes changes in quality attributes of vegetable oils. Synthetic antioxidants have been used to preserve oils; however, there is interest in replacing them with natural ones. Garlic and its thiosulfinate compound allicin are known for their antioxidant activities.

3D Reconstruction of Quasi-1D Single-Crystal Nanostructures.

The accurate determination of the 3D geometries of single-crystal quasi-1D nanostructures is described, including sidelengths, perimeters, areas, lengths, and azimuth and elevation angles. This is a major step toward the synthesis of quasi-1D nanostructures with superior uniformity, and tightly controlled geometrical or geometry-dependent properties.

Chromium inhibition and size-selected Au nanocluster catalysis for the solution growth of low-density ZnO nanowires.

The wet chemical synthesis of nanostructures has many crucial advantages over high-temperature methods, including simplicity, low-cost, and deposition on almost arbitrary substrates. Nevertheless, the density-controlled solution growth of nanowires still remains a challenge, especially at the low densities (e.g.