Climate Data to Predict Geometry of Cracks in Expansive Soils in a Tropical Semiarid Region

The nonlinear dynamics of the determining factors of the morphometric characteristics of cracks in expansive soils make their typification a challenge, especially under field conditions. To overcome this difficulty, we used artificial neural networks to estimate crack characteristics in a Vertisol under field conditions. From July 2019 to June 2020, the morphometric characteristics of soil cracks (area, depth and volume), and environmental factors (soil moisture, rainfall, potential evapotranspiration and water balance) were monitored and evaluated in six experimental plots in a tropical semiarid region. Sixty-six events were measured in each plot to calibrate and validate two sets of inputs in the multilayer neural network model. One set was comprised of environmental factors with significant correlations with the morphometric characteristics of cracks in the soil. The other included only those with a significant high and very high correlation, reducing the number of variables by 35%. The set with the significant high and very high correlations showed greater accuracy in predicting crack characteristics, implying that it is preferable to have fewer variables with a higher correlation than to have more variables of lower correlation in the model. Both sets of data showed a good performance in predicting area and depth of cracks in the soils with a clay content above 30%. The highest dispersion of modeled over predicted values for all morphometric characteristics was in soils with a sand content above 40%. The model was successful in evaluating crack characteristics from environmental factors within its limitations and may support decisions on watershed management in view of climate-change scenarios.

Vermicompost humates as a salinity mitigator in the germination of basil

ABSTRACT: This study determined the effect of vermicompost humates as salinity mitigator in germination and morphometric characteristics of basil varieties seedlings, tolerant and sensitive to salinity, subjected to vermicompost humates diluted 1/60 (v/v) and 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl in a completely randomized design with four replications. The rate and percentage of germination, root length, shoot height, root and shoot fresh and dry-weight were measured. The varieties showed differential response, highlighting Napoletano as the most tolerant. Vermicompost humates showed biostimulant effects on variables evaluated, allowing that tolerant variety to improve germination and growth, and increasing the salinity tolerance of the sensitive variety.

Morphometric characteristics of the mucous membrane and the cartilaginous component of the larynx are normal at different times during the experimental opioid effect and during withdrawal

Background. The problem of uncontrolled use of opioid drugs is extremely relevant based on the data of domestic and world statistics which are covered in the scientific literature. That is why the study of indicators of morphometric characteristics of the laryngeal mucosa under opioid exposure under experimental opioid exposure will be of interest to both morphologists and practical otorhinolaryngologists. Objective: To study the morphometric parameters of the laryngeal mucosa in normal at different times of the experimental opioid effect and its cancellation. Methods. The material of the study were sexually mature, outbred rats - males in the amount of 61 animals, weighing 80 - 135 g, aged 4.5 - 7.5 months. Histological specimens were prepared according to conventional methods. All morphometric studies were performed using primary (unedited) photographs taken on a Meiji MT4300 LE microscope, Canon EOS 550D x100 lens. All statistical calculations were performed using RStudio v. 1.2.5042. Results. Throughout the experiment, the change of morphometric parameters of the laryngeal mucosa with signs of wavy growth and decline was clearly observed at all times. More positive was the dynamics of morphometric parameters after the abolition of the opioid analgesic, which hypothetically suggests the process of recovery of the mucosa, even after prolonged administration of the opioid.

Morphometric characteristics of the structural components of the intervertebral disc in rats at different times of the experimental opioid exposure and after its withdrawal

Background. The world and domestic literature from time to time report about the problems of uncontrolled drug abuse. This problem is associated not only with the negative impact on the morphological structure, but also is a serious factor which, if it has been exposing for a long time, leads to disability and death. Despite a significant number of studies in this area, the problem of changes in the morphometric parameters of the intervertebral disc’s structural components under chronic exposure of opioid agents still remains unresolved. That is why the study of morphometric characteristics of the intervertebral disc’s structural components under experimental opioid exposure will be interesting for both - morphologists and practical traumatologists. Objective. To study the morphometric parameters of the structural components of the intervertebral disc in rats at different times of the experimental opioid exposure and after its withdrawal. Methods. The objects of the study were 61 mature outbred male rats, weight - 80-135g, age - 4.5-7.5 months. Animals were injected with nalbuphine intramuscularly once daily (at 10-11 am) for 42 days. Histological specimens were stained with alcyan blue (for the study of the collagen fibers thickness of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments) and PAS-reaction (for the study of the gelatinous nucleus and its capsule thickness). For measurements of collagen fiber thickness, were taken images at x100 magnification, for measurements of the gelatinous nucleus and its capsule thickness - at x40 magnification. Measurements were performed with ImageJver software. 1.51 using the tool "straight" for linear measurements. Results. Thus, changes in the collagen fibers thickness of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments during the experiment were uneven and had different tendencies. The thickness of the posterior longitudinal fibers changed mostly within the central trend of the control group with a significant decrease only at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks. However, more significant, as for pathogenetic changes, was a sharp decrease in the number of fibers thicker than 25 μm in animals of the experimental group after 2 weeks of the study, and the maximum thickness at 5th and 6th week was only 31.41 μm and 35.24 μm whereas the maximum thickness of the control group was 81.48 μm. In the withdrawal group, only a decrease in sites with nuclear edema can be considered positive, which is displayed by morphometrical decrease in the maximum value, but the central trend remains much lower than in the control group, which also indicates the predominance of decompensatory changes. Conclusion. During the whole experiment, we observed similar changes in the nucleus capsule thickness: non-systemic fluctuations of the central parameters ​​up to the 5th week and a sharp decompensation at the 6th week, which was manifested by a sharp decrease in thickness. Simultaneously, we observed numerous sites of edema and thickening by more than 100 μm on the 2nd week. Despite a general decrease in median and quartile at this time, such sites were also noted at the 6th week. Thickness of the nucleus capsule in the withdrawal group did not demonstrate significant dynamics and remained similar to those at the 6th week. Although, this can be interpreted as the stabilization at a certain level without further negative dynamics.

The Shape of Nasopalatine Canal as a Determining Factor in Therapeutic Approach for Orthodontic Teeth Movement—A CBCT Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) shape and its morphometric characteristics on expected teeth movement by assessing the distance to maxillary central incisors (MCIs) according to NPC type. The retrospective study was performed on 133 CBCT images. The following parameters were obtained: the antero-posterior diameter (A-P) of the nasal foramen (NF), canal length, A-P and mediolateral diameter (M-L) of the incisive foramen (IF), and the distance between NPC and MCIs. With the exception of being hourglass-shaped, each NPC shape showed specific impacts of NPC shape on the relationship between NPC diameters at different sections and distances to MCIs. In banana-shaped NPC, a significant correlation was observed for A-P NF diameter, while in cylindrical-shaped NPC, a significant correlation was observed for NPC length. The increase in M-L IF, A-P IF, A-P NF, and NPC length in funnel-shaped NPC may be a risk factor for interventions that could result in teeth movement. According to the results, it seems that the proposed methodological approach for analysis of CBCT slices in the anterior maxilla may offer detailed information that could be an additional tool in planning the procedures that result in expected teeth movement.