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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the everyday life of affected patients. Though it is considered hard to completely eradicate this disease, disease severity can be mitigated by taking early interventions. In this paper, we propose an effective framework for the evaluation of various Machine Learning (ML) techniques for the early detection of ASD. The proposed framework employs four different Feature Scaling (FS) strategies i.e., Quantile Transformer (QT), Power Transformer (PT), Normalizer, and Max Abs Scaler (MAS). Then, the feature-scaled datasets are classified through eight simple but effective ML algorithms like Ada Boost (AB), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Gaussian Naïve Bayes (GNB), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). Our experiments are performed on four standard ASD datasets (Toddlers, Adolescents, Children, and Adults). Comparing the classification outcomes using various statistical evaluation measures (Accuracy, Receiver Operating Characteristic: ROC curve, F1-score, Precision, Recall, Mathews Correlation Coefficient: MCC, Kappa score, and Log loss), the best-performing classification methods, and the best FS techniques for each ASD dataset are identified. After analyzing the experimental outcomes of different classifiers on feature-scaled ASD datasets, it is found that AB predicted ASD with the highest accuracy of 99.25%, and 97.95% for Toddlers and Children, respectively and LDA predicted ASD with the highest accuracy of 97.12% and 99.03% for Adolescents and Adults datasets, respectively. These highest accuracies are achieved while scaling Toddlers and Children with normalizer FS and Adolescents and Adults with the QT FS method. Afterward, the ASD risk factors are calculated, and the most important attributes are ranked according to their importance values using four different Feature Selection Techniques (FSTs) i.e., Info Gain Attribute Evaluator (IGAE), Gain Ratio Attribute Evaluator (GRAE), Relief F Attribute Evaluator (RFAE), and Correlation Attribute Evaluator (CAE). These detailed experimental evaluations indicate that proper finetuning of the ML methods can play an essential role in predicting ASD in people of different ages. We argue that the detailed feature importance analysis in this paper will guide the decision-making of healthcare practitioners while screening ASD cases. The proposed framework has achieved promising results compared to existing approaches for the early detection of ASD.

Abstract This investigation was carried out to explore G × E interaction for yield and its associated attributes in 30 Bambara groundnut genotypes across four environments in tropical Malaysia. Such evaluations are essential when the breeding program's objective is to choose genotypes with broad adaption and yield potential. Studies of trait relationships, variance components, mean performance, and genetic linkage are needed by breeders when designing, evaluating, and developing selection criteria for improving desired characteristics in breeding programs. The evaluation of breeding lines of Bambara groundnut for high yield across a wide range of environments is important for long-term production and food security. Each site's experiment employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data on vegetative and yield component attributes were recorded. The analysis of variance revealed that there were highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among the 30 genotypes for all variables evaluated. A highly significant and positive correlation was identified between yield per hectare and dry seed weight (0.940), hundred seed weight (0.844), fresh pod weight (0.832), and total pod weight (0.750); the estimated correlation between dry weight of pods and seed yield was 1.0. The environment was more important than genotype and G × E in determining yield and yield components.A total of 49% variation is covered by PC1 (33.9%) and PC2 (15.1%) and the genotypes formed five distinct clusters based on Ward hierarchical clustering (WHC) method. The genotypes S5G1, S5G3, S5G5, S5G6, S5G8, S5G7, S5G2, S5G4, S5G10, S5G13, S5G11, and S5G14 of clusters I, II, and III were closest to the ideal genotype with superior yield across the environments. The PCA variable loadings revealed that an index based on dry pod weight, hundred seed weight, number of total pods and fresh pod weight could be used as a selection criteria to improve seed yield of Bambara groundnut.

Abstract In a breeding program, studies of genotypic and phenotypic relationships among agricultural crop traits are useful to design, evaluate, and develop selection criteria for desirable traits. Using path coefficient analysis, the present study was executed to estimate the phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental correlation coefficients between yield and yield-related traits and to determine the direct and indirect effects of yield-related traits on yield per plant. A total of 30 genotypes of Vigna subterranea were studied under tropical conditions at two sites over two planting seasons (considered as four environments). The experiment at each site used a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on vegetative and yield component attributes. Based on analysis of variance, pooled results showed that there were positive and highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among the 30 genotypes for all attributes studied. Highly significant and positive strong correlation at phenotypic level was observed for dry seed weight (0.856), hundred seed weight (0.754), fresh pod weight (0.789), and total pod weight (0.626) with yield in kg per hectare, while moderate positive correlations were observed for harvest cut (0.360) and days to maturity (0.356). However, a perfect positive correlation was observed for the dry weight of pods with seed yield. In contrast, days to 50% flowering (− 0.350) showed a negative significant relationship with yield per hectare. The dried pod weight attribute (1.00) had a high positive direct effect on yield. Fresh pod weight had the greatest indirect effect on yield per hectare, followed by the number of total pods by dry pod weight. As a result, dry pod weight, hundred seed weight, number of total pods, and fresh pod weight could be used as selection criteria to improve the seed yield of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea).

Abstract The stability and high yielding of Vigna subterranea L. Verdc. genotype is an important factor for long-term development and food security. The effects of G × E interaction on yield stability in 30 Bambara groundnut genotypes in four different Malaysian environments were investigated in this research. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with three replications in each environment. Over multiple harvests, yield component traits such as the total number of pods per plant, fresh pods weight (g), hundred seeds weight (g), and yield per hectare were evaluated in the main and off-season in 2020 and 2021. Stability tests for multivariate stability parameters were performed based on analyses of variance. For all the traits, the pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant (p

Abstract As a new crop in Malaysia, forty-four Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. verdc.) genotypes were sampled from eleven distinct populations of different origins to explore the genetic structure, genetic inconsistency, and fixation index. The Bambara groundnut, an African underutilized legume, has the capacity to boost food and nutrition security while simultaneously addressing environmental sustainability, food availability, and economic inequalities. A set of 32 ISSRs were screened out of 96 primers based on very sharp, clear, and reproducible bands which detected a total of 510 loci with an average of 97.64% polymorphism. The average calculated value of PIC = 0.243, RP = 5.30, H = 0.285, and MI = 0.675 representing the efficiency of primer set for genetic differentiation among the genotypes. The ISSR primers revealed the number of alleles (Na = 1.97), the effective number of alleles (Ne = 1.38), Nei's genetic diversity (h = 0.248), and a moderate level of gene flow (Nm = 2.26) across the genotypes studied. The estimated Shannon’s information index (I = 0.395) indicates a high level of genetic variation exists among the accessions. Based on Nei’s genetic dissimilarity a UPMGA phylogenetic tree was constructed and grouped the entire genotypes into 3 major clusters and 6 subclusters. PCA analysis revealed that first principal component extracted maximum variation (PC1 = 13.92%) than second principal component (PC2 = 12.59%). Bayesian model-based STRUCTURE analysis assembled the genotypes into 3 (best ΔK = 3) genetic groups. The fixation-index (Fst) analysis narrated a very great genetic diversity (Fst = 0.19 to 0.40) exists within the accessions of these 3 clusters. This investigation specifies the effectiveness of the ISSR primers system for the molecular portrayal of V. subterranea genotypes that could be used for genetic diversity valuation, detection, and tagging of potential genotypes with quick, precise, and authentic measures for this crop improvement through effective breeding schemes.

Abstract As a crop for the new millennium Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.) considered as leading legumes in the tropical regions due to its versatile advantages. The main intent of this study was to find out the high yielding potential genotypes and considering these genotypes to develop pure lines for commercial cultivation in Malaysia. Considering the 14 qualitative and 27 quantitative traits of fifteen landraces the variation and genetic parameters namely, variability, heritability, genetic advance, characters association, and cluster matrix were determined. ANOVA revealed significant variation for all the agronomic traits (except plant height). Among the accessions, highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found for almost all the traits excluding fifty percent flowering date, seed length, seed width. The 16 traits out of the 27 quantitative traits had a coefficient of variation (CV) ≥ 20%. A positive and intermediate to perfect highly significant association (r = 0.23 to 1.00; P

To characterize cultivar variations in hormonal regulation of the transition between pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity or susceptibility (ETI or ETS), the responses of resistance (R-) genes, hydrogen peroxide, and proline metabolism in two Brassica napus cultivars to contrasting disease susceptibility (resistant cv. Capitol vs. susceptible cv. Mosa) were interpreted as being linked to those of endogenous hormonal levels and signaling genes based on a time course of disease symptom development. Disease symptoms caused by the Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) infections were much more developed in cv. Mosa than in cv. Capitol, as shown by an earlier appearance (at 3 days postinoculation [3 DPI]) and larger V-shaped necrosis lesions (at 9–15 DPI) in cv. Mosa. The cultivar variations in the R-genes, hormone status, and proline metabolism were found in two different phases (early [0–3 DPI] and later [9–15 DPI]). In the early phase, Xcc significantly upregulated PTI-related cytoplasmic kinase (Botrytis-induced kinase-1 [BIK1]) expression (+6.3-fold) with salicylic acid (SA) accumulation in cv. Capitol, while relatively less (+2.6-fold) with highly increased jasmonic acid (JA) level in cv. Mosa. The Xcc-responsive proline accumulation in both cultivars was similar to upregulated expression of proline synthesis-related genes (P5CS2 and P5CR). During the later phase in cv. Capitol, Xcc-responsive upregulation of ZAR1 (a coiled-coil-nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat [CC-NB-LRR-type R-gene]) was concomitant with a gradual increase in JA levels without additional proline accumulation. However, in cv. Mosa, upregulation of TAO1 (a toll/interleukin-1 receptor-nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat [TIR-NB-LRR-type R-gene]) was consistent with an increase in SA and abscisic acid (ABA) levels and resulted in an antagonistic depression of JA, which led to a proline accumulation. These results indicate that Xcc-induced BIK1- and ZAR1-mediated JA signaling interactions provide resistance and confirm ETI, whereas BIK1- and TAO1-enhanced SA- and/or ABA-mediated proline accumulation is associated with disease susceptibility (ETS).

BackgroundMass spectrometry (MS) analysis using direct infusion of biological fluids is often problematic due to high salts/buffers. Iodinated contrast media (ICM) are frequently used for diagnostic imaging purposes, sometimes inducing acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with reduced kidney function. Therefore, detection of ICM in spent hemodialysates is important for AKI patients who require urgent continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) because it allows noninvasive assessment of the patient's treatment. In this study, we used a novel desalination tube before MS to inject the sample directly and detect ICM.MethodsFirstly, spent hemodialysates of one patient were injected directly into the electrospray ionization (ESI) source equipped with a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Q-TOF MS) coupled to an online desalination tube for the detection of ICM and other metabolites. Thereafter, spent hemodialysates of two patients were injected directly into the ESI source equipped with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQ-MS) connected to that online desalination tube to confirm the detection of ICM.ResultsWe detected iohexol (an ICM) from untreated spent hemodialysates of the patient-administered iohexol for computed tomography using Q-TOF MS. Using MRM profile analysis, we have confirmed the detection of ICM in the untreated spent hemodialysates of the patients administered for coronary angiography before starting CHDF. Using the desalination tube, we observed approximately 178 times higher signal intensity and 8 times improved signal-to-noise ratio for ioversol (an ICM) compared to data obtained without the desalination tube. This system was capable of tracking the changes of ioversol in spent hemodialysates of AKI patients by measuring spent hemodialysates.ConclusionThe online desalination tube coupled with MS showed the capability of detecting iohexol and ioversol in spent hemodialysates without additional sample preparation or chromatographic separation. This approach also demonstrated the capacity to monitor the ioversol changes in patients' spent hemodialysates.

In plants, prolonged drought induces oxidative stress, leading to a loss of reducing potential in redox components. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a representative hormonal signal regulating stress responses. This study aimed to investigate the physiological significance of dimethylthiourea (DMTU, an H2O2 scavenger) in the hormonal regulation of the antioxidant system and redox control in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) leaves under drought stress. Drought treatment for 10 days provoked oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increase in O2•− and H2O2 concentrations, and lipid peroxidation levels, and a decrease in leaf water potential. Drought-induced oxidative responses were significantly alleviated by DMTU treatment. The accumulation of O2•− and H2O2 in drought-treated plants coincided with the enhanced expression of the NADPH oxidase and Cu/Zn-SOD genes, leading to an up-regulation in oxidative signal-inducible 1 (OXI1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MAPK6), with a concomitant increase in ABA levels and the up-regulation of ABA-related genes. DMTU treatment under drought largely suppressed the drought-responsive up-regulation of these genes by depressing ABA responses through an antagonistic interaction with salicylic acid (SA). DMTU treatment also alleviated the drought-induced loss of reducing potential in GSH- and NADPH-based redox by the enhanced expression of glutathione reductase 1 (GR1) and up-regulation of oxidoreductase genes (TRXh5 and GRXC9). These results indicate that DMTU effectively alleviates drought-induced oxidative responses by suppressing ABA-mediated oxidative burst signaling in an antagonistic regulation of SA.

Drought alters the level of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hormonal status, which are both involved in the regulation of stress responses. To investigate the interplay between ROS and hormones in proline metabolism, rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) plants were exposed to drought or exogenous H2O2 (Exo-H2O2) treatment for 10 days. During the first 5 days, the enhanced H2O2 concentrations in drought treatment were associated with the activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and NADPH oxidase, with enhanced ABA and SA levels, while that in Exo-H2O2 treatment was mainly associated with SA-responsive POX. During the latter 5 days, ABA-dependent ROS accumulation was predominant with an upregulated oxidative signal-inducible gene (OXI1) and MAPK6, leading to the activation of ABA synthesis and the signaling genes (NCED3 and MYC2). During the first 5 days, the enhanced levels of P5C and proline were concomitant with SA-dependent NDR1-mediated signaling in both drought and Exo-H2O2 treatments. In the latter 5 days of drought treatment, a distinct enhancement in P5CR and ProDH expression led to higher proline accumulation compared to Exo-H2O2 treatment. These results indicate that SA-mediated P5C synthesis is highly activated under lower endogenous H2O2 levels, and ABA-mediated OXI1-dependent proline accumulation mainly occurs with an increasing ROS level, leading to ProDH activation as a hypersensitive response to ROS and proline overproduction under severe stress.

We examine the impact of corporate risk-taking on firm-level real earnings management. We find that firms with higher risk-taking engage in higher real earnings management. Our results are robust to a series of robustness tests, including simultaneous least squares approach, firm fixed effect, change analysis, and pseudo difference-in-difference analysis. Additional analyses reveal that the impact of risk-taking on real earnings management is more pronounced among firms that experience prior-year loss and are run by top-echelons who are risk lovers. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) regulation does not attenuate the positive effect of risk-taking on real earnings management. However, external monitoring by institutional investors and takeover susceptibility curb the relation between risk-taking and real earnings management. Our study highlights that outsider, such as investors and regulators, should pay close attention to a firm’s risk-taking behavior to unravel the extent of real earnings management in the firm.

The aim of this study was to characterize hormonal crosstalk with the sugar signaling and metabolic pathway based on a time course analysis of drought intensity. Drought intensity-responsive changes in the assimilation of newly fixed carbon (C) into soluble sugar, the content of sugar and starch, and expression of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism were interpreted as being linked to endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) levels and their signaling genes. The ABA and SA levels in the drought-stressed leaves increased together during the early drought period (days 0–6), and additional ABA accumulation occurred with depressed SA during the late period (days 6–14). Although drought treatment decreased the assimilation of newly fixed C into soluble sugar, representing a 59.9%, 33.1%, and 62.9% reduction in 13C-glucose, 13C-fructose, and 13C-sucrose on day 14, respectively, the drought-responsive accumulation of soluble sugars was significant. During the early period, the drought-responsive accumulation of hexose and sucrose was concurrent with the upregulated expression of hexokinase 1 (HXK1), which, in turn, occurred parallel to the upregulation of ABA synthesis gene 9-sis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED3) and SA-related genes (isochorismate synthase 1 (ICS1) and non-expressor of pathogenesis-related gene (NPR1)). During the late period, hexose accumulation, sucrose phloem loading, and starch degradation were dominant, with a highly enhanced expression of the starch degradation-related genes β-amylase 1 (BAM1) and α-amylase 3 (AMY3), which were concomitant with the parallel enhancement of sucrose non-fermenting−1 (Snf1)-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2).2 and ABA-responsive element binding 2 (AREB2) expression in an ABA-dependent manner. These results indicate that the drought-responsive accumulation of sugars (especially SA-mediated sucrose accumulation) is part of the acclamatory process during the early period. Conversely, ABA-responsive hexose accumulation and sucrose phloem loading represent severe drought symptoms during the late drought period.

In Bangladesh, there are significant number of medicinal plants, but currently no comprehensive record of these valuable species is publicly available. Alarmingly, some of these plants are in a precarious state of endangerment. Therefore, we are creating a unique dataset of Bangladeshʼs rare, endangered, and threatened medicinal plants to support conservation efforts. It will help us to track and conserve endangered plant species, ensuring a more organized approach to research and preservation efforts. We conducted on-site visits to the National Botanical Garden and The Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College, capturing photographs of these plants in optimal sunlight conditions at various times of the day. This involved fieldwork, detailed image annotations, dataset organization, diversity augmentation, and contribution to the preservation of our natural heritage. We have collected a total of 16 types of rare and endangered medicinal plant leaf photos to create our unique dataset consisting of a total of 3494 images. This dataset will help researchers in biodiversity conservation through building efficient machine learning models and applying advanced machine learning techniques to identify rare and endangered medicinal plants.

We report a comprehensive analysis of sensitivity and specificity of immunochromatography kit (IC Kit) for the rapid detection of norovirus and rotavirus in Bangladesh. The IC kit (IP-Noro/Rota) provides highest sensitivity (100%) to both viruses compared to the reference method reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) for diagnosis. Furthermore, the test provides a high specificity of 98.9% and 88.5% to diagnose norovirus and rotavirus, respectively, as well as good agreement with the reference method. We also found high prevalence of rotavirus infection (74%) among Bangladeshi pediatric population, of which most of the patients were less than five years old, suffering from severe dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting. This study is the first to report the ease and rapid detection of norovirus and rotavirus by IC kits in Bangladesh. Therefore, IP-Noro/Rota kit is recommended for the rapid detection of these viruses in routine diagnosis as well as during outbreaks.

We report a comprehensive analysis of sensitivity and specificity of immunochromatography kit (IC Kit) for the rapid detection of norovirus and rotavirus in Bangladesh. The IC kit (IP-Noro/Rota) provides highest sensitivity (100%) to both viruses compared to the reference method reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) for diagnosis. Furthermore, the test provides a high specificity of 98.9% and 96.1% to diagnose norovirus and rotavirus, respectively, as well as good agreement with the reference method. We also found high prevalence of rotavirus infection (74%) among Bangladeshi pediatric population, of which most of the patients were less than five years old, suffering from severe dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting. This study is the first to report the ease and rapid detection of norovirus and rotavirus by IC kits in Bangladesh. Therefore, IP-Noro/Rota kit is recommended for the rapid detection of these viruses in routine diagnosis as well as during outbreaks.