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Ensuring the promptly removal of foreign objects from transmission lines is crucial for electricity safety. However, the existing object detection algorithms exhibit low precision and recall due to factors such as uncertainty in the type of foreign objects, imbalance of positive and negative samples, and the complexity of aerial photography backgrounds. Therefore, in this paper, an algorithm called DF-YOLO (Deformable Faster-You Only Look Once) for transmission line foreign object detection is proposed to resolve these problems. The algorithm is based on YOLOv7-Tiny and tailored to the dataset’s characteristics to achieve high precision along with excellent recall. The Focal-DIoU loss function is utilized to balance positive and negative sample proportions during training. Additionally, the algorithm incorporates the deformable convolution (DCN) module and the SimAM attention mechanism to enhance model performance, particularly in terms of foreign object recall and detection accuracy. Moreover, we optimized the network inference speed with the improved SPPCSPC_S-F module. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved DF-YOLO network achieves a 2.04% increase in mAP@.5 compared to the original YOLOv7-Tiny network. The recall rate also improves from 89% to 91.51%. Additionally, the inference speed of the network rises from 130 to 140 FPS, which enhances detection effectiveness and reduces the frequency of transmission line leaks triggered by foreign object incursion.

The insulator defect targets in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) images are often small and set against complex backgrounds. Consequently, traditional object detection algorithms commonly struggle to identify these minor defects. To enhance precision and recall in detecting insulator defects, a novel model, GC-YOLO (ghost convolution and centralized feature pyramid -You Only Look Once), based on YOLOv5s, has been introduced. GC-YOLO incorporates the Ghost convolution module in the backbone network, reducing feature redundancy and improving the inference speed of the feature extraction network. Moreover, an attention mechanism based on Coordinate Attention (CA) is integrated at the terminal of the backbone network, aimed at emphasizing the extraction of crucial information from target features. The Explicit Visual Center Block (EVCBlock) module from Centralized Feature Pyramid Network (CFPNet) is introduced in the neck layer to effectively fuse multi-scale features and enhance the feature map’s characterization capability. Furthermore, in order to enhance the precision in detecting small-sized defects, a small object detection head is also added to the detection layer based on CFPNet. Experimental results demonstrate that GC-YOLO achieves a recall of 89.7% and mAP@0.5 of 94.2%, surpassing YOLOv5s by 7% and 6.5%, respectively. The proposed algorithm exhibits superior detection precision in complex scenes, providing a theoretical basis for intelligent and mechanized railway monitoring systems.

IntroductionBipolaris sorokiniana is the popular pathogenic fungi fungus which lead to common root rot and leaf spot on wheat. Generally, chemical fungicides are used to control diseases. However, the environmental pollution resulting from fungicides should not be ignored. It is important to study the mode of antagonistic action between biocontrol microbes and plant pathogens to design efficient biocontrol strategies.ResultsAn antagonistic bacterium DB2 was isolated and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The inhibition rate of cell-free culture filtrate (CF, 20%, v/v) of DB2 against B. sorokiniana reached 92.67%. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the CF significantly altered the mycelial morphology of B. sorokiniana and disrupted cellular integrity. Fluorescence microscopy showed that culture filtrate destroyed mycelial cell membrane integrity, decreased the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and nuclear damage which caused cell death in B. sorokiniana. Moreover, the strain exhibited considerable production of protease and amylase, and showed a significant siderophore and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. In the detached leaves and potted plants control assay, B. amyloliquefacien DB2 had remarkable inhibition activity against B. sorokiniana and the pot control efficacy was 75.22%. Furthermore, DB2 suspension had a significant promotion for wheat seedlings growth.ConclusionB. amyloliquefaciens DB2 can be taken as a potential biocontrol agent to inhibit B. sorokiniana on wheat and promote wheat growth.

Low density polyethylene is widely used in agricultural production. It is of low cost and able to significantly improve the quality of fruits. However, its decomposition under natural circumstances needs more than one hundred of years. If not removed in time, it is hazardous to the ecological environment and crops. Up to now, the removal techniques of polyethylene films are polluted, expensive, and difficult to employ. A novel method is proposed for in situ removal of polyethylene by an effective and environmental friendly technique with low cost. The Nb-modified SnO2 quantum dots are prepared for the efficient photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene under visible light. The green synthesis of the photocatalyst includes the procedures of hydrolysis, oxidation, and hydrothermal treatment in aqueous solution. The Nb-modified SnO2 has a band gap of 2.95 eV, which enhances its absorption of visible light. A degradation efficiency of 29% is obtained within 6 h under visible irradiation. The hydroxyl radicals (•OH) are main active species in the degradation process. The prepared Nb-SnO2 quantum dots demonstrate a promising application in the photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene, contributing a novel strategy for the in situ treatment of agricultural wastes.

Sesame is an important food which is homology of medicine and food and has a high nutritional value.Recently studies showed that the active components in sesame had a lot of functional value.The nutrient components of sesame and the functional value of sesame lignan substances such as sesamin and sesamol researched by modern life sciences were reviewed.The development in future on sesame is prospected to provide support for further research and development of sesame.

Abstract Background Iodine deficiency is one of a major nutritional problem. The study aimed to assess the iodine status of populations in Dabat district using median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in school-age children (6–12 years) and compared the results with goiter prevalence. Methods The study used a cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted in Dabat district, northwest Ethiopia in May 2016. Spot urine samples were used for the determination of UIC. Manual examination of the thyroid gland was performed to assess presence of goiter. The MBI international Rapid Test Kits (RTK) were used to determine the level of salt iodine content. Children aged 6–12 years were recruited from schools using a multistage stratified sampling. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean of log-transformed UIC values among key variables. Significant was determined at P-value less than 0.05. Results A total of 358 school age children enrolled to the study. The mean age of children was 10.8((Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.45) years and 56.7% were males. The median UIC was 235 μg/l ((Inter Quartile Range (IQR): 161, 320]. Excessive iodine intake and inadequate iodine intake was observed on 29.1 and 8.7% of school aged children, respectfully. The coverage of iodized salt use in school-age children were 66.8%. The UIC was higher in urban children than rural counterparts and in those used adequately iodised salt than inadequately iodized salt (P

Rhizoctonia cerealis is a major fungal pathogen of wheat that causes great yield losses in all wheat-growing regions of the world. The biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis XZ18-3 was investigated for inhibiting R. cerealis growth in wheat. The results of the mycelial growth test showed that the sterile filtrate of B. subtilis XZ18-3 could significantly inhibit the mycelial growth of R. cerealis and cause swelling and rupture of the mycelium. Observation by transmission electron microscopy indicated that the sterile filtrate could penetrate the cellular membrane of Rhizoctoniacerealis, resulting in organelle destruction. The effect of the sterile filtrates on the pathogen cells, shown through fluorescent microscopy using different stains, revealed the mechanism by which the sterile filtrate caused DNA fragmentation, accumulation of ROS and changes in cell membrane permeability. To reach a better treatment of the soil-borne fungi, the components of a wettable powder were screened and an optimised formula determined (30.0% kaolin, 4.0% polyvinyl alcohol, 8.0% Tween-80, 2.0% polyethylene glycol and 100% fermentation broth). A quality index analysis revealed that the wetting powder reached acceptable biological pesticide standards. Pot control experiments showed that the wettable powder of B. subtilis XZ18-3 effectively controlled the pathogens with an efficacy of 88.28%. This study has provided the potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) for wheat sharp eyespot disease.

Abstract Background Twelve of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are related to malnutrition (both under- and overnutrition), other behavioral, and metabolic risk factors. However, comparative evidence on the impact of behavioral and metabolic risk factors on disease burden is limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Ethiopia. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, we assessed mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to child and maternal undernutrition (CMU), dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity for Ethiopia. The results were compared with 14 other Eastern SSA countries. Methods Databases from GBD 2015, that consist of data from 1990 to 2015, were used. A comparative risk assessment approach was utilized to estimate the burden of disease attributable to CMU, dietary risks, metabolic risks and low physical activity. Exposure levels of the risk factors were estimated using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) and Bayesian meta-regression models. Results In 2015, there were 58,783 [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 43,653–76,020] or 8.9% [95% UI: 6.1–12.5] estimated all-cause deaths attributable to CMU, 66,269 [95% UI: 39,367–106,512] or 9.7% [95% UI: 7.4–12.3] to dietary risks, 105,057 [95% UI: 66,167–157,071] or 15.4% [95% UI: 12.8–17.6] to metabolic risks and 5808 [95% UI: 3449–9359] or 0.9% [95% UI: 0.6–1.1] to low physical activity in Ethiopia. While the age-adjusted proportion of all-cause mortality attributable to CMU decreased significantly between 1990 and 2015, it increased from 10.8% [95% UI: 8.8–13.3] to 14.5% [95% UI: 11.7–18.0] for dietary risks and from 17.0% [95% UI: 15.4–18.7] to 24.2% [95% UI: 22.2–26.1] for metabolic risks. In 2015, Ethiopia ranked among the top four countries (of 15 Eastern SSA countries) in terms of mortality and DALYs based on the age-standardized proportion of disease attributable to dietary and metabolic risks. Conclusions In Ethiopia, while there was a decline in mortality and DALYs attributable to CMU over the last two and half decades, the burden attributable to dietary and metabolic risks have increased during the same period. Lifestyle and metabolic risks of NCDs require more attention by the primary health care system of the country.

Imbalanced maternal micronutrient status, poor placentation, and oxidative stress are associated with greater risk of pregnancy complications, which impact mother and offspring health. As selenium, iodine, and copper are essential micronutrients with key roles in antioxidant systems, this study investigated their potential protective effects on placenta against oxidative stress. First trimester human placenta explants were treated with different concentrations of selenium (sodium selenite), iodine (potassium iodide), their combination or copper (copper (II) sulfate). The concentrations represented deficient, physiological, or super physiological levels. Oxidative stress was induced by menadione or antimycin. Placenta explants were collected, fixed, processed, and embedded for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA ICP-MS) element imaging or immunohistochemical labelling. LA ICP-MS showed that placenta could uptake selenium and copper from the media. Sodium selenite and potassium iodide reduced DNA damage and apoptosis (p < 0.05). Following oxidative stress induction, a higher concentration of sodium selenite (1.6 µM) was needed to reduce DNA damage and apoptosis while both concentrations of potassium iodide (0.5 and 1 µM) were protective (p < 0.05). A high concentration of copper (40 µM) increased apoptosis and DNA damage but this effect was no longer significant after induction of oxidative stress. Micronutrients supplementation can increase their content within the placenta and an optimal maternal micronutrient level is essential for placenta health.

C9H6Cl2N2O, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 15.597(6) Å, b = 3.9346(16) Å, c = 15.614(6) Å, β = 101.834(4)°, V = 937.8(6) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0360, wRref(F2) = 0.1019, T = 296(2) K.

Diagnostic testing on entry to university provides an opportunity for students to ascertain individual strengths and weaknesses and allows course teams to gain insight into the competencies of the whole cohort. Coventry University has been using the same diagnostic test since 1991 and a previous analysis showed students coming to Coventry University in 2001 were performing considerably worse than their counterparts in 1991. Given the changes to A level Mathematics that have taken place since 2001 and the recently implemented reforms to A level Mathematics in the UK, it is timely to review performance in the diagnostic test and to create a benchmark before students enter higher education with the new (linear) A levels. This paper therefore reports on the changing entry competencies of students at Coventry University from 2001 to 2017 and shows that there has been a general improvement in performance across all entry grades. However, students are still not performing at the same level as they were in 1991 and the gap between students with higher entry grades (A level A*-C) and lower entry grades (A level D-E) is getting wider.