Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and deficit irrigation (DI) play a crucial strategic role in sustaining agricultural yield and reducing water stress in drought prone areas. The study was carried out in 2021-2022 to assess the impact of various PGRs (SA & NAA) & irrigation levels (60% Epan, 80 % Epan, and 100 % Epan) with DI & partial root drying (PRD) irrigation strategies. PGR application boosted fruit yields and demonstrated its significance in reducing water stress by lowering canopy temperature, maintaining higher relative water content in the leaves, modifying stomatal opening, and increasing photosynthetic rate. PGRs were used to assess the increased accumulation of total phenols, flavonoids, and improved antioxidant activity. Results indicated that exogenous use of PGRs like SA+NAA in conjunction with 80% irrigation levels increased fruit yield (31.97 and 40.38%) and water productivity (64.92 and 75.39%) for DI and PRD treatments, respectively. Thus standardizing irrigation and crop management practices including PGR application can be recommended to boost pomegranate productivity particularly in water-scarce environments.

Phosphite (Phi) has gained attention in agriculture due to its biostimulant effect on crops. This molecule has been found to benefit plant performance by providing protection against pathogens, improving yield and fruit quality, and improving nutrient and water use efficiency. It is still unclear how Phi enhances plant growth and protects against multiple stresses. It has been hypothesized that Phi acts by directly affecting the pathogens and interacting with the plant cellular components and molecular machinery to elicit defense responses. This study delves into elucidating the mechanisms underlying Phi’s beneficial effects on plants, revealing a complex interplay with fundamental signaling pathways. A RNA-seq study of Arabidopsis seedlings under optimal and limiting phosphate conditions helped us unveil Phi’s role in promoting plant growth by activating the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis and signaling pathways associated with abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA). Expression of ABA-related genes, known for their involvement in stress response and development regulation, is triggered by Phi treatment, contributing to enhanced resilience and growth. Simultaneously, the activation of the SA pathway, associated with defense responses, suggests Phi’s potential in bolstering plant immunity. Moreover, Phi influences JA biosynthesis and signaling, which are crucial for defense against herbivores and pathogens, thereby strengthening plants’ defenses. Our findings reveal a multifaceted mechanism through which Phi benefits Arabidopsis development. Understanding its intricate interplay with key signaling pathways opens avenues for leveraging Phi as a strategic tool to enhance plant resilience, immunity, and growth in agricultural and ecological contexts.

To enhance pomegranate production on marginal gravelly lands, standardized planting techniques were evaluated in an 8-year-old orchard. Trenching, wider pit excavation, pit digging, and auger digs with dimensions of 1 and 2 m were employed. Utilizing native soil from barren land, with or without spent wash, and mixing it with black soil up to 1 m deep, growth parameters, leaf nutrients, fruit production, and fruit quality were assessed. The trench and wider pit methods outperformed others, yielding greater above-ground biomass (>70.3 kg tree⁻¹), root biomass (>24.5 kg, tree⁻¹), and cross-sectional area (>3.30 m² tree⁻¹). These methods also produced longer roots (>4.0 m tree⁻¹) and higher leaf phosphorus (>0.28%) and potassium (>1.81%) levels, fruit juice content (>48.50%), and total soluble solids (>16.05°) compared to other planting methods. This resulted in higher and more sustainable fruit yield production under the trench and wider pit planting methods (>7.21 t ha⁻¹). Similarly, the native and black soil mixture produced healthy fruit trees, improved fruit quality, and sustainably higher fruit yield over the native soil alone. In summary, the trench and wider pit methods (2–3 m³), combined with a soil mixture, are recommended for sustainable, high-quality fruit production in shallow gravelly terrains, thereby improving food security and the livelihoods of farmers in arid regions.

Ectopic expression of the MYB transcription factor of AmROSEA1 from Antirrhinum majus has been reported to change anthocyanin and other metabolites in several species. In this study, we found that overexpression of AmRosea1 significantly improved the tolerance of transgenic rice to drought and salinity stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a considerable amount of stress-related genes were affected by exogenous AmRosea1 during both drought and salinity stress treatments. These affected genes are involved in stress signal transduction, the hormone signal pathway, ion homeostasis and the enzymes that remove peroxides. This work suggests that the AmRosea1 gene is a potential candidate for genetic engineering of crops.

Powdery mildew is a severe disease causing substantial yield losses in wheat production worldwide. The Chinese wheat landrace Changanhongmai (CAHM) exhibits high resistance to the physiological race E09 of powdery mildew. This study aims to characterize the powdery mildew resistance gene in CAHM, and develop molecular markers for marker-assisted selection of wheat. To investigate the genetic characteristics of this resistant gene, we developed F1 plants, F2 generation population, and F2:3 families from a cross between CAHM and SY225. Genetic analysis demonstrated that all F1 plants were resistant to the disease, while the ratio of resistant to susceptible plants was 3: 1 in both the F2 population and F2:3 families, indicating that CAHM is inherited in a manner of single dominant powdery mildew resistance gene, which was tentatively designated as PmCAHM. By using bulk segregation analysis, we constructed a genetic map encompassing Xgwm273, Xwmc626, Xgwm11, Xgwm18, Xgdm28, Xgpw7812, Xgpw5195, Xwmc694 and PmCAHM. Among these markers, Xgpw7812 and Xgpw5195 were flanking markers tightly linked to PmCAHM at a genetic distance of 2.5 cM and 8.4 cM, respectively. Furthermore, nullisomic-tetrasomic analysis revealed that PmCAHM is located on chromosome 1B. These results indicate that PmCAHM differs from the internationally recognized powdery mildew resistance genes in both location and source. In addition, a new germplasm/line NW1748 with large seeds and powdery mildew resistance was developed from the cross and back cross populations of Fengyou 1718 (FY1718)/CAHM//FY 1718. Therefore, PmCAHM can serve as a novel powdery mildew resistance source for breeding of wheat by using NW1748 as the donor in the future.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid growth in telemental health services and investment in digital mental health technologies. Digital mental health technologies could expand access to mental health care amid increasing provider deficit by providing tools for expedited psychiatric symptom assessment and treatment augmentation. This systematic review explores the recent evidence for the use of scalable digital tools, including virtual reality, neurofeedback training, wearables, mobile apps, digital phenotyping, and machine learning for PTSD symptom assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: A PubMed search identified studies on digital technologies with current or future potential for scalability (accessible through a small, digital device without the virtual or in-person presence of a mental health care provider)–and PTSD diagnosis, symptom assessment, or symptom treatment as the primary outcome. Thirty-five studies inform this review. Results: Virtual reality exposure therapy is efficacious for combat-related PTSD treatment. Conclusions of studies investigating apps and neurofeedback training are limited by low sample size and methodological heterogeneity. Machine learning models demonstrate capability in detecting PTSD symptoms via passively collected data from smartphones, wearables, and actively collected data from patient speech, writing, and videos, but standardization of data collection and modeling are needed before application to clinical settings. Conclusions: Advancements in scalable digital tools could address barriers in healthcare access and improve patient engagement by providing asynchronous assessment and treatment augmentation. Future research utilizing diverse patient populations in standardized controlled trials is needed to determine evidence-based protocols for implementation.

Tsallis entropy has been widely used in image thresholding because of its non-extensive properties. The non-extensive parameter q contained in this entropy plays an important role in various adaptive algorithms and has been successfully applied in bi-level image thresholding. In this paper, the relationships between parameter q and pixels’ long-range correlations have been further studied within multi-threshold image segmentation. It is found that the pixels’ correlations are remarkable and stable for images generated by a known physical principle, such as infrared images and medical CT images. And the corresponding non-extensive parameter q can be evaluated by using self-adaptive Tsallis entropy algorithm. The results of this algorithm are compared with those of Shannon entropy algorithm and the original Tsallis entropy algorithm, in terms of quantitative image quality evaluation metrics PSNR (Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and SSIM (Structural Similarity). Furthermore, we observed that for image series with the same background, the q values determined by the adaptive algorithm are consistently kept in a narrow range. Therefore, similar or identical scenes during imaging would produce similar strength of long-range correlations, which provides potential applications for unsupervised image processing.

While numerous studies have explored the correlation between the built environment and ride-hailing demand, few have assessed their nonlinear interplay. Utilizing ride-hailing order data and multi-source built environment data from Nanjing, China, this paper uses the machine learning method, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), combined with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and Partial Dependence Plots (PDP) to investigate the impact of built environment factors on ride-hailing travel demand, including their non-linear and threshold effects. The findings reveal that dining facilities have the most significant impact, with a contribution rate of 30.75%, on predicting ride-hailing travel demand. Additionally, financial, corporate, and medical facilities also exert considerable influence. The built environment factors need to reach a certain threshold or within a certain range to maximize the impact of ride-hailing travel demand. population density, land use mix and distance to the subway station collectively influence ride-hailing demand. The results are helpful for TNCs to allocate network ride-hailing resources reasonably and effectively.

Statistical denoising techniques have been well studied, however many challenges still remain. This 9 article focuses on determining the least necessary number of significant samples in a statistical pop-10 ulation sampling, while minimizing the impact on the statistical detection of the fiber Bragg grating 11 (FBG) power spectra. This is achieved by using Bayesian decision making, small population statis-12 tics while excluding false detection. First, we investigate the impact of two-sided sliding window 13 technique applied near the cell under the test. The window size varies from 8 to 60 samples. The 14 considered maximum size of population sampling is connected with the number of wavelength 15 samples within the bandwidth of the symmetrical FBG power spectra peaks. Regarding the sym-16 metry of FBG power spectra peaks and the possible reduction of computational demands, we inves-17 tigate the impact of a one-sided sliding window. This enables to achieve less processing latency for 18 real time applications thus brings benefits to FBG-based fiber optical sensing. Both, two- and one-19 sided small population sampling techniques are then experimentally verified. Detection results are 20 analyzed in depth via calculating detection thresholds by using the small size window sliding along-21 side the waveband. From results achieved, it was found that the normality three-sigma rule does 22 not need to be followed while using the small population sampling. Experimental demonstrations 23 and analyses showed that the proposed concept of denoising and statistical threshold detection 24 based on the sliding window does not depend on the prior knowledge of probability distribution 25 functions of the FBG power spectra peaks level and background noise. We have also found that the 26 thresholds’ adaptability mainly depends on the statistical numerical characteristics of the above ad-27 ditive mixture of the FBG power spectra peaks signals and background noise.

The impact of the agriculture net carbon effect is crucial for climate change mitigation, yet research on this topic in China is currently insufficient. In this study, the carbon balance ratio (CBR) is used to characterise the net carbon effect of agriculture, and the spatial Durbin model and threshold regression model were used to empirically analyse the CBR with a sample of 30 provincial-level regions in China from 2004 to 2019. The aim was to investigate the mechanism of the influence of the land management scale (SCALE) of farming on the CBR. The results of the study indicate that national farming generally has a net sink effect, with large changes in interannual fluctuations; the expansion of SCALE has an obvious role in increasing sinks and reducing emissions, and has a positive spatial spillover effect on CBR, with significant spatial heterogeneity. Furthermore, as the SCALE expands, the direction of the influence of rural residents’ income and education level on CBR changes in the opposite direction, showing a significant non-linear relationship characteristic. However, in most areas, the SCALE threshold has not yet been reached, suggesting that the improvement in education levels can still offset the negative impact of economic income growth in the short term. The study recommends paying attention to the role of farmers’ human capital, changing production methods, and implementing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals to enhance the net sink effect of the farming industry, which would be achieved by increasing land management scale.

This paper presents a comparative study of fundamental similarity functions for Siamese networks in semantic textual similarity (STS) tasks. We evaluate various similarity functions using the STS Benchmark dataset, analyzing their performance and stability. Additionally, we introduce a multi-objective approach for optimal threshold selection. Our findings provide insights into the effectiveness of different similarity functions and offer a straightforward method for threshold selection optimization, contributing to the advancement of Siamese network architectures in STS applications.

Researches on the runoff and sediment reduction effects of soil and water conservation measures are being on the rise, which is of great significance for carrying out strategic on soil and water conservation in the Yellow River Basin. Through the analysis of various soil and water conserva-tion measures, runoff, sediment, and rainfall datas in the Sanchuan River Basin from 1960 to 2019, we use the lagrange multiplier method to determining the threshold year of soil and water con-servation measures on runoff and sediment processes. The preliminary conclusion is as follows: The trend of flood season rainfall and annual rainfall in the Sanchuan River Basin is consistent. The 10-year average rainfall in each periods indicates that before 2000, it gradually decreased and then significantly increased. The 10-year average runoff showed a gradual decrease before 2010, followed by a sudden increase, while the 10-year average sediment has shown a decreasing trend years by years, especially after the centralized treatment period. Terrace and dam measures show a trend of first decreasing, then increasing, and then approaching stability during different treat-ment periods, while the trend of forest and grass measures is slightly decreasing and then in-creasing rapidly. The runoff and sediment reduction effects of various soil and water conservation measures during different treatment periods indicate that the runoff reduction effect reached its peak in 2005, while the sediment reduction benefit reached its best in 2015. Based on the compre-hensive benefits of runoff and sediment regulation, 2015 are considered as the threshold year for various soil and water conservation measures, with each measure areas being 4.86 × 104, 17.91 × 104, 1.20 × 104, and 0.83 × 104hm2, respectively. The research results will have certain reference significance for the high-quality development of soil and water conservation in the Yellow River Basin.

Surface water distribution extracted from remote sensing data has been used in water resource assessment, coastal management, and environmental change studies. Traditional manual methods for extracting water bodies cannot satisfy the requirements for mass processing of remote sensing data; therefore, accurate automated extraction of such water bodies has remained a challenge. The histogram bimodal method (HBM) is a frequently used objective tool for threshold selection in image segmentation. The threshold is determined by seeking twin peaks, and the valley values between them; however, automatically calculating the threshold is difficult because complex surfaces and image noise which lead to not perfect twin peaks (single or multiple peaks). We developed an operational automated water extraction method, the modified histogram bimodal method (MHBM). The MHBM defines the threshold range of water extraction through mass static data; therefore, it does not require the identification of twin histogram peaks. It then seeks the minimum values in the threshold range to achieve automated threshold. We calibrated the MHBM for many lakes in China using Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images, for which the relative error (RE) and squared correlation coefficient (R2) for threshold accuracy were found to be 2.1% and 0.96, respectively. The RE and root-mean-square error (RMSE) for the area accuracy of MHBM were 0.59% and 7.4 km2. The results show that the MHBM could easily be applied to mass time-series remote sensing data to calculate water thresholds within water index images and successfully extract the spatial distribution of large water bodies automatically.

In view of the fact that the field monitoring information can more intuitively and accurately reflect the stability state of slopes, this paper takes the warning threshold of slope deformation rate monitoring as the slope stability evaluation standard, and puts forward a method for solving the safety coefficient of rocky slopes. The discrete element method 3DEC, which is suitable for rocky slopes, is selected as the numerical calculation tool, and the convergence criterion of its strength reduction method is modified to the slope deformation rate threshold, and the method is realized by the bifurcation method through its built-in FISH programming language. The results of the classical case show that, by selecting the slope deformation rate threshold in the appropriate interval, the results of this paper's method are very close to those of the finite unit stress method and the limit equilibrium method, which verifies the reliability of this paper's method. Further, the method of this paper is applied to an open-pit mine slope project, based on the slope deformation on-site monitoring data, through the time series prediction method to determine the slope deformation rate warning threshold, using the threshold as an evaluation criterion to solve the slope's coefficient of safety, the calculation results show that: the slope's coefficient of safety in natural working conditions is 1.086, basically stable, suffered from continuous rainfall, the slope body is gradually saturated, the slope's coefficient of safety is reduced to 0.987, the slope's safety is reduced to 0.987. After continuous rainfall and gradual saturation of the slope, the coefficient of safety decreased to 0.987, destabilizing and destroying, which is consistent with the site conditions.

In this paper, the mechanism of combined process of ion beam sputtering (IBS) and HF acid etching on the chemical structure defects of fused silica and its laser damage resistance perfor-mance were investigated. During the removal process of surface material, the sputtering effect causes lattice atoms to detach from their original positions, forming a large number of unsaturated structures on silica surface, which improves the chemical activity of Si and O atoms, accelerates the chemical reaction process between surface atoms and water molecules, increases the content of hydroxyl (OH-) groups in the shallow layer, and enhances the photothermal weak absorption intensity. However, the presence of OH- groups reduces the bonding strength of Si-O, destroys the spatial network structure of silica bulk, and reduces the mechanical strength of silica surface, resulting in a decrease in its laser damage resistance performance. The paper reveals for the first time the mechanism of IBS to change the structure characteristics of silica material, accelerate the surface hydroxylation process, and thereby reduces the laser damage resistance performance. This work provides technical guidance for effectively suppressing chemical structure defects on silica surface and improving laser damage resistance performance of optical components under high-flux laser irradiation.

Age-related diseases place an intense and growing stress on healthcare systems. Numerous theories of ageing exist. Yet prediction, prevention and treatment limitations of age-related disease persist because we lack a complete aetiological understanding of their origins. Here we propose a new theory that aims to provide a blueprint-type understanding of ageing and disease aetiology, working across multiple scientific disciplines. Supported by specific examples, we demonstrate that the primary driver of much of age-related diseases is the futile triggering of specific molecular pathways in a pathological manner, which we term patho-pathways. Patho-pathways induce pathological cell, tissue and system changes in the form of hyperactivity (undesirable increased and new biological activities that are typical of age related disease). As part of patho-pathways, all wild-type (normal) genes have the potential to contribute to age-related diseases (though specific risk varies and can be formularised). In a domino-style effect, one patho-pathway typically triggers others, resulting in complex, but traceable, cascades. Utility, in terms of changing clinical and scientific practice, is derived from mapping these cascades to create Blueprint Maps that allow identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets far upstream in the causal chain of events. Finally, our theory provides testable hypotheses concerning predictions of links between otherwise seemingly disparate diseases as well as new interventions into ageing.

In this study, in order to determine the effect of matrices shape on percolation threshold values, computer simulations were performed using the Monte Carlo method for a 200x200 square-shaped matrix and rectangular matrices containing the same number of nodes as the square matrix. Based on the simulations, the average values of percolation thresholds and standard deviations for current flow along and across the matrices were determined. It was determined that for a square-shaped matrix, the average values of percolation thresholds in both directions of current flow were the same. Extending the rectangular matrix while reducing its height causes the average value of the percolation threshold in the direction of current flow along the matrix to increase from 0.592740 to 0.759847, while in the transverse direction it decreases from 0.592664 to 0.403614. The values of the classical asymmetry coefficients of the probability distributions of percolation thresholds for both directions of current flow were determined. Histograms of the probability distributions of percolation threshold values for square-shaped matrix and rectangular matrices were made and compared with normal distributions. It was found that the occurrence of two percolation thresholds in rectangular layers should be considered when analyzing electrical conductivity measurements of nanocomposite thin films.

There have been exciting advances in our knowledge of primary glomerular diseases and nephrotic syndromes in recent years. Beyond the histological pattern from renal biopsy, more precise phenotyping of the diseases and the use of modern nephrogenetic helps to improve treatment decisions and sometimes also to avoid unnecessary exposure to potentially toxic immunosuppression. New Biomarkers led to easier and more accurate diagnoses and more targeted therapeutic decisions. The treatment landscape is getting wider with a pipeline of promising new therapeutic agents with more sophisticated approaches. This review focuses on all aspects of entities that are associated with nephrotic syndromes with updated information on recent advances in each field. This includes podocytopathies (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Minimal-Change Disease), Membranous Nephropathy, Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, IgA-Nephropathy, Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis, Amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance in the context of the nephrotic syndrome, but also renal involvement in systemic diseases, diabetic nephropathy, and drugs that are associated with nephrotic syndromes.

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation about target detecting with passive sonar in Persian Gulf. Detecting propagated sounds in the water is one of the basic challenges of the researchers in sonar field. This challenge will be complex in shallow water (like Persian Gulf) and noise less vessels. Generally, in passive sonar the targets are detected by sonar equation (with constant threshold) which increase the detection error in shallow water. Purpose of this study is proposed a new method for detecting targets in passive sonars using adaptive threshold. In this method, target signal (sound) is processed in time and frequency domain. For classifying, Bayesian classification is used and prior distribution is estimated by Maximum Likelihood algorithm. Finally, target was detected by combining the detection points in both domains using LMS adaptive filter. Results of this paper has showed that proposed method has improved true detection rate about 27% compare other the best detection method.

This article presents a new method of segmenting images with gray levels. The method is based on determining several thresholds for separation of gray levels. The determination of these thresholds is done using the certainty of the neutrosophic information. The concept of this method can be stated simply: to choose the local maximums for the neutrosophic certainty.

This paper compares the finite sample performance of three non-parametric threshold estimators via Monte Carlo method. Our results show that the finite sample performance of the three estimators is not robust to the relative position of the threshold level along the distribution of threshold variable, especially when a structural change occurs at the tail part of the distribution.

The temporary immersion system bioreactor named GreenTray®[2], [3]presents advantages over the existing ones. Firstly, there is no need to use forceps to move the shoots or plantlets in or out of the recipient, neither the use of scalpel to divide them. Secondly, the basis of the shoot can remain in the GreenTray® and can sprout again in several cycles of growth. These two characteristics reduce the costs in the process of micropropagation. Besides, shoots or plantlets development is enhanced by the aeration of the recipient, thus enriching with CO2 the recipient atmosphere. The chapter describes and provides images and values of interest in (1) the micropropagation process of some commercial Prunus or Pyrus rootstocks; (2) the plantlet growth under autotrophic conditions; and (2) the inoculation of plants with pathogens that reproduce in vitro the symptoms observed in vivo, using the GreenTray® bioreactor.

(1) Background: Although diagnostic criteria for massive hemorrhage with organ dysfunction such as disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with delivery have been empirically established based on clinical findings, strict logic has yet to be used to establish numerical criteria. (2) Methods: A dataset of 107 deliveries with ≥2,000 g of blood loss, among 13,368 deliveries from nine national perinatal centers in Japan between 2020 and 2023 was obtained. Twenty-three patients had fibrinogen levels <170 mg/dl, which is the initiation of coagulation system failure per our previous reports. Three of these patients had hematuria. We used six machine learning methods to identify the borderline criteria dividing the fibrinogen/fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) planes, using 15 coagulation fibrinolytic factors. (3) Results: The boundaries of hematuria development on a two-dimensional plane of fibrinogen and FDP were obtained. If the FDP–fibrinogen/3–60 (mg/dl) value is positive, this indicates hematuria; otherwise, the case is non-hematuria, as demonstrated by the support vector machine method that seemed the most appropriate. (4) Conclusions: The borderline criterion dividing the fibrinogen/FDP plane for patients with hematuria that could be considered organ dysfunction in massive hemorrhage during delivery was obtained using artificial intelligence, and this method seemed to be useful.

Worldwide the severity of abiotic stress like heat, drought, salinity, cold, waterlogging, etc. are being increased because of global warming. Wheat crops must adapt to harsh environments through physiological, molecular, and genetic manipulation. Because of abiotic stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) produced in wheat plants break down DNA and RNA bases, protein, lipid, and other macro- and micromolecules, resulting in stunted growth and yield decline. Abiotic stress also induces the crop's molecular functions, physiological, biological, and cellular processes, and their compositions. Different stressors like high light intensity, heat, drought, and salinity also impair photosynthesis damaging various pigments. Antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), etc. synthesized in harsh environments can ameliorate ROS/RNS produced in oxidative stress. Under abiotic stress, heat shock proteins (HSPs) heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) in heat stress, and dehydration-responsive element binding proteins (DREBs) in drought stress are activated to synthesize proteins to mitigate the deleterious effects of those stressors. Na⁺ exclusive genes (NAX1, NAX2) and Na⁺/H⁺ (K⁺) antiporter genes (NHX1, NHX2) hinder those ions from uptake into leaf sheaths and blades of wheat resulting in the declination of salinity in plants. Exogenous hormones like gibberellic acid, salicylic acid, and melatonin, etc., and osmoprotectants like proline, and gene manipulation in plants through genetic engineering are being employed to mitigate the toxic effects of abiotic stress on plants, as portrayed in many literatures. The review depicts how abiotic stress affects phenotypic, physiological, and molecular structures and functions of wheat crops, and their mitigation strategies to lessen their noxious effects on wheat.

Drought negatively affects the growth and development of barley. To explore the genetic variation in barley under drought stress, ten breeding genotypes were tested using polyethylene glycol-6000 to simulate drought conditions. We observed that drought stress adversely affected germination-related traits across all barley genotypes and this impact varied between genotypes, suggesting genotype-specific drought tolerance. The drought tolerance index was an ideal criterion for selecting drought-tolerant genotypes as it well characterized the gradient responses of barely genotypes to drought stress. Based on this indicator, genotype OB1878-ON-50 is recommended as a significant germplasm resource for breeding programs under lower precipitation conditions due to its superior tolerance to drought stress.

Segregating one space from another is a rudimentary act of architecture and the basic principle of this act is creating differentiation between outside and inside. Thresholds, in their expanded or summed form, also produce spaces. They establish the staging for threshold areas in conjunction with space-defining elements. Threshold spaces are typically complicated spatial formations that serve as transition points. They pose a challenge to the interacting human senses in terms of perception. In this research threshold areas have been studied under a specific typology of architecture i.e the traditional housing in historic cities of India. The traditional dwelling settlements have evolved and grown over multiple layers of history, influenced by the culture, society, economy, climate and topography. The purpose of this research is to examine the characteristics of these transition spaces of the traditional dwelling units in relation to the symbolic reference and social meanings assigned to them that influence the architectural and urban spaces attached to them. It seeks to describe transition space in terms of its nature, character, morphology, and social significance. Transparency and material articulation, as well as hierarchy and enclosure, will be investigated. The importance and quality of the nature of "transition" will be examined from the inside to the outside. The research reveals that the space has great functional and socio-cultural importance. It allows multiple activities, provides protection from sun and rain, defines boundaries, connects people within the neighborhood, enhances security and gives an identity to the owner. The contributions made by this research have the potential to improve design considerations for transition areas between the dwelling units and the street.

This literature review provides an in-depth exploration of the research conducted on the investigation and measurement of residual stress (RS) in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) products, particularly focusing on how process parameters influence the phenomenon. RS plays a crucial role in determining the mechanical behavior and structural integrity of WAAM components. This review article gives an understanding of the relationship between process parameters and RS to optimize the WAAM processes and ensure the durability of the final products. It also summarizes key findings, measurement techniques, challenges, and future directions in this evolving field. The review also analyzes a measurement of RS in the products of WAAM as a function of process parameters depending on examining various research studies, techniques, and methodologies employed in their studies. Experimental measuring techniques and numerical analysis of RS to determine the impacts of RS in mechanical response in products of WAAM were discussed. By offering a comprehensive overview of current research trends and insights, this review serves as a valuable resource to guide future investigations, fostering the advancement of WAAM as a robust and efficient manufacturing technology.

The International Roughness Index (IRI) is the standard scale for evaluating road roughness in many countries in the world. The Taipei City government actively promotes a Road Smoothing Project and plans to complete the rehabilitation of the main and minor roads within its jurisdiction. This study aims to detect the road surface roughness in Taipei City and recommend appropriate IRI thresholds for road rehabilitation. A total of 171 asphalt concrete pavement sections in Taipei City with a total length of 803.49 km were analyzed and compared by IRI. The longitudinal profile of the detected road sections was measured using an inertial profiler. The statistical analysis showed that the IRI value prior to road leveling was mainly distributed between 5 and 8 m/km, while the IRI value after road leveling was mainly distributed between 3 and 4.5 m/km. This confirms that the implementation of the Road Smoothing Project has a significant effect on improving road smoothness. Moreover, based on the analysis results, it is recommended that the IRI threshold value for road rehabilitation in Taipei City be set at 4.50 m/km.

This review aims to explore the intricate relationship between epigenetic mechanisms, stress, and affective disorders, focusing on how early life experiences and coping mechanisms contribute to susceptibility to mood disorders. Epigenetic factors play a crucial role in regulating gene expression without altering the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequence, and recent research has revealed associations between epigenetic changes and maladaptive responses to stress or psychiatric disorders. A scoping review of 33 studies employing the PRISMA-S (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Statement) guidelines investigates the role of stress-induced epigenetic mechanisms and coping strategies in affective disorders' occurrence, development, and progression. The analysis encompasses various stress factors, including childhood trauma, work-related stress, and dietary deficiencies, alongside epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation and altered gene expression. Findings indicate that specific stress-related genes frequently exhibit epigenetic changes associated with affective disorders. Moreover, the review examines coping mechanisms in patients with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, revealing mixed associations between coping strategies and symptom severity. While active coping is correlated with better outcomes, emotion-focused coping may exacerbate depressive or manic episodes. Overall, this review underscores the complex interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, coping mechanisms, and affective disorders. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing targeted interventions and personalized treatment strategies for individuals with mood disorders. However, further research is needed to elucidate specific genomic loci involved in affective disorders and the clinical implications of coping strategies in therapeutic settings.

The arsRBC operon encodes a 3-protein arsenic resistance system. ArsR regulates the transcription of the operon, while ArsB and ArsC are involved in exporting trivalent arsenic and reducing pentavalent arsenic respectively. Previous research in Agrobacterium tumefaciens 5A demonstrated ArsR has regulatory control over a wide range of metal related proteins and metabolic pathways. We hypothesized that ArsR has broad regulatory control in other Gram-negative bacteria and set out to test this. Here, we use differential proteomics to investigate changes caused by the presence of the arsR gene in human microbiome-relevant Escherichia coli during arsenite (AsIII) exposure. We show that ArsR has broad-ranging impacts such as the expression of TCA cycle enzymes during AsIII stress. Additionally, we found that the Isc [Fe-S] cluster and molybdenum cofactor assembly proteins are upregulated regardless of the presence of ArsR under these same conditions. An important finding from this differential proteomics analysis was the identification of response mechanisms that were strain, ArsR, and arsenic specific, providing new clarity to this complex regulon. Given the widespread occurrence of the arsRBC operon, these findings should have broad applicability across microbial genera, including sensitive environments such as the human gastrointestinal tract.

Stress is a natural yet potentially harmful aspect of human life, necessitating effective management, particularly during overwhelming experiences. This paper presents a scoping review of personalized stress detection models using wearable technology. Employing the PRISMA-ScR framework for rigorous methodological structuring, we systematically analyzed literature from key databases including Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and PubMed. Our focus was on biosignals, AI methodologies, datasets, wearable devices, and real-world implementation challenges. The review presents an overview of stress and its biological mechanisms, details the methodology for the literature search, and synthesizes the findings. It shows that biosignals, especially EDA and PPG, are frequently utilized for stress detection and demonstrate potential reliability in multimodal settings. Evidence for a trend towards deep learning models was found, although the limited comparison with traditional methods calls for further research. Concerns arise regarding the representativeness of datasets and practical challenges in deploying wearable technologies, which include issues related to data quality and privacy. Future research should aim to develop comprehensive datasets and explore AI techniques that are not only accurate but also computationally efficient and user-centric, thereby closing the gap between theoretical models and practical applications to improve the effectiveness of stress detection systems in real scenarios.

Undoubtedly, there is a potential impact of large language models like ChatGPT in revolutionizing information retrieval and knowledge discovery, particularly in the context of the vast amount of electronic material available. On another strong note, the current work offers a first time ever mathematical approach to accurately fine tune perplexity AI, which sets a giant step ahead towards accurate next generations AI. Having started this world leading discovery, the upper and lower bounds of perplexity AI, namely , , respectively, are obtained for the first-time ever. Concluding remarks combined with emerging open problems and next research phase are provided.

This article presents a new method of segmenting grayscale images by minimizing Shannon's neutrosophic entropy. For the proposed segmentation method, the neutrosophic information components, i.e., the degree of truth, the degree of neutrality and the degree of falsity are defined taking into account the belonging to the segmented regions and at the same time to the separation threshold area. The principle of the method is simple and easy to understand and can lead to multiple thresholds. The efficacy of the method is illustrated using some test gray level images. The experimental results show that the proposed method has good performance for segmentation with optimal gray level thresholds.

According to previous studies the median raphe region (MRR) is known to contribute significantly to social behavior. Beside serotonin, there are reports of a small population of dopaminergic neu-rons in this region. Dopamine is linked to reward and locomotion, but very little has been known about its role in the MRR. To address that, we first confirmed the presence of dopaminergic cells in the MRR of mice (immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR) and humans (RT-PCR). Next, we used chemogenetic technology in mice containing Cre enzyme under the promoter of the dopamine transporter (DAT). With the help of an adeno-associated virus, artificial receptors were expressed in the dopaminergic cells of the MRR (DAT-MRR). Four weeks later, extensive behavioral charac-terization started 30 minutes after the injection of the artificial ligand (Clozapine-N-Oxide). Stimu-lation of DAT-MRR decreased social interest without influencing aggression and with an increase in social discrimination. Additionally, inhibition of the same cells increased the friendly social be-havior during social interaction test. No behavioral changes were detected in anxiety, memory and locomotion. All in all, dopaminergic cells were present both in the mice and human MRR, and manipulation of dopaminergic neurons of the MRR elicited a specific social response.

Microsporidia are intracellular parasites infecting a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. In bees, they cause a diarrheal disease called nosematosis, which represents a growing problem contributing to the decline of bee colonies. This parasitic disease infects the gastrointestinal tract of bees, disrupts their immune system, weakens them, and shortens their lifespan. There are two known species of this microsporidial parasite with a global distribution: Vairimorpha apis and Vairimorpha ceranae, with current research indicating that the species V. ceranae is gradually replacing V. apis. In this study, we focused on the detection and occurrence of Vairimorpha spp. in bee colonies kept in different environments, as well as on comparing the impact of hive location on its occurrence. The methods used included sampling from winter bee carcasses, microscopic examination of bee gut contents, and subsequent molecular duplex PCR analysis. Altogether, we examined 82 hives located at 4 different sites and focused on the impact of transportation as an abiotic factor disturbing bees leading to the development of Vairimorpha spp. disease. The results indicate an increased occurrence of this parasite in hives located in urban sites and hives situated in intravillage locations, which may be attributed to transportation and associated vibrations as an abiotic stress factor. Detection revealed that all samples were positive for Vairimorpha ceranae.

This study investigates stress perceptions, somatization, and coping strategies among 271 nursing and dentistry (n=126 and n=145, respectively), undergraduate and postgraduate students. For the study, an e-questionnaire was designed in a two-step process, uploaded in Google Forms and staying open for submissions during February 2024 in the School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. In our sample, predominantly female (68.60%), the majority were undergraduates (80.10%). Females reported higher stress somatization (M=10.22, SD=5.23) compared to males (M=7.94, SD=6.14), with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d=0.412, p

The problems of modeling the human bladder and its stress-strain state under external static influence were considered. A method for identification of the anisotropic biomechanical characteristics of bladder tissue was proposed. A FEM model was created, which accepts into regard that the bladder is surrounded by fiber and affected by surrounding organs, and partially protected by pelvic bones. The model considered the presence of constant hydrostatic pressure on the walls of the bladder when it is full. It has been shown that isotropic mechanical characteristics of biological tissue can be used for studying the deformed state of a filled bladder if the filled bladder 300 ml is considered as initial non-deformed stage. This was shown by modeling and verification the effect of the external static force on the bladder. Numerical experiments were conducted based on the constructed model. To validate the results obtained, a series of natural experiments on the effect of external pressure on the bladder under ultrasound control was conducted. In the future, it is planned to use the constructed model to study rupture deformations of the bladder under the influence of static and dynamic loads.

The amino acid proline accumulates in plants during abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity and is considered a reliable marker of environmental stress. While its accumulation is well established, its precise role in stress tolerance and its underlying molecular mechanism remain less clear. To address these issues, we performed a meta-analysis - a robust statistical technique that synthesizes results from multiple independent studies while accounting for experimental differences. We focused on 16 physiological and morphological parameters affected by drought and salt stress in transgenic plants expressing proline metabolic genes. For each parameter, we calculated the effect size as the response ratio (RR), which represents the logarithm of the mean value in the transgenic group over the mean value of the control group (lnRR). Under stress, most parameters exhibited significantly higher response ratios in the transgenic group, confirming the beneficial effects of proline during drought and salt stress. Surprisingly, under non-stressed conditions, most stress markers showed no significant differences between transgenic and non-transgenic plants, despite elevated proline levels in the former. These results suggest that the benefits of proline may be related to proline catabolism or may only become apparent during stress, possibly due to interactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accumulate predominantly under stress conditions.

Students studying dentistry and nursing experience anxiety daily, which affects both their general well-being and academic achievement. Anxiety is exacerbated by several circumstances, such as stressors in one's personal life, clinical environment exposure, and academic expectations. To effectively regulate anxiety and support students' achievement, treatments that take these elements into account must be designed. In this study, 271 students from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece's departments of dentistry and nursing were polled. Being the following resources, participants filled out an electronic questionnaire that was uploaded to Google Forms and assessed their levels of stress, anxiety, depression, resilience, hope, and spiritual well-being: a) the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21), b) the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-12), c) the Adult Hope Scale (AHS), d) the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire (RAQ8), and e) the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Additionally, demographic data was gathered, such as gender, educational attainment, family income, and country of origin. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between the variables, including hierarchical multiple linear regression and t-tests. The sample consisted of 271 students from the Department of Nursing (n=126, 46.5%) and Dentistry (n=145, 53.5%), with 68.60% of them being female, 80.10% being undergraduate students, and 48.30% being from Athens, the country's capital. Comparatively speaking, 74.50 percent of nursing students were female, while 62.80% of dental students were. Compared to dental students (2.10%), nurses (40.50%) participated in postgraduate studies at a higher rate. Compared to dental students (44.80%), nursing students reported a household income of just 13.90%, which is much less than €35,000. Anxiety was reported by 51.30% of participants overall, with dental students reporting higher anxiety than nursing students. Higher family wealth was associated with reduced stress levels, while female undergraduate students reported higher levels of anxiety than their male counterparts. Hope was a strong predictor of resilience, but stress and worry had a negative correlation. Promoting students' well-being and academic success requires effective stress-reduction and resilience-building techniques aimed to not only improve student performance but also support future healthcare professionals' personal sustainability and holistic growth.

Chronic stress, culminating in burnout, evolves gradually and is notoriously difficult to detect due to vague symptoms and individuals' hesitance to acknowledge their struggles. To expedite the identification and recognition of this condition, enabling timely psychological intervention, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly considered. This research does not assert the feasibility of an AI system managing all aspects of chronic stress's impact. However, it highlights the capability of current technology to detect stress indicators based on quantifiable data like Heart Rate (HR) and organizational climate dimensions. Although other physiological markers such as oximetry, skin galvanic response, and EKG have been explored, they have not shown reliable differentiation between stress and joy. Focused on the unique context of school principals in the Bedouin regions of Israel, this study investigates the interplay between HR, organizational climate, and stress levels. It introduces a novel application of a fuzzy logic tool that combines HR and organizational climate metrics to aid in stress diagnosis. This tool incorporates the psychologist's expertise to provide real-time data crucial for developing effective coping strategies. While the AI-supported fuzzy system does not replace professional psychological intervention, it significantly enhances the speed of condition identification and intervention planning, thus shortening the response time to stress-related issues in educational leadership within culturally specific settings. The application of such AI-driven tools is pivotal for sustaining the well-being and effectiveness of educational leaders, thereby supporting the broader goal of educational sustainability.

There are several pathologies that can change the anatomy of the otic capsule and that can distort the bone density of the bony structures of the inner ear, but otosclerosis is one of the most frequent. Similar behavior has been shown in patients affected by osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disease due to a mutation in the genes coding for type I (pro) collagen. In particular, we note that otosclerosis and OI can lead to bone resorption creating pericochlear cavitations in contact with the internal auditory canal (IAC). In this regard, in our experience we have collected 5 cases presenting this characteristic and their audiological data and clinical history were analyzed. This feature can be defined as a potential cause of a third-window effect, because it causes an energy loss during the transmission of sound waves from the OW away from the basilar membrane.

Cadmium (Cd) is a pervasive, toxic environmental pollutant that preferentially accumulates in tubular epithelium of the kidney. Current evidence suggests that the cumulative burden of Cd here leads to progress loss of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this study, we have quantified changes in estimated GFR (eGFR) and albumin excretion (Ealb) in according to levels of blood Cd ([Cd]b) and excretion of Cd (ECd) after adjustment for confounders. ECd and Ealb were normalized to creatinine clearance (Ccr) as ECd/Ccr and Ealb/Ccr. Among 482 residents of Cd-polluted and non-polluted regions of Thailand, 8.1% had low eGFR and 16.9% had albuminuria, (Ealb/Ccr)×100 ≥ 20 mg/L filtrate. In the low Cd burden group, (ECd/Ccr) ×100 < 1.44 µg/L filtrate, eGFR did not correlate with ECd/Ccr (β = 0.007), while an inverse association with ECd/Ccr was found in the medium (β =−0.230) and high-burden groups (β =−0.349). Prevalence odds ratios (POR) for low eGFR were increased in the medium (POR 8.26) and high Cd burden groups (POR 3.64). Also, eGFR explained a significant proportion of Ealb/Ccr variation among those with middle (η2 0.093) and high [Cd]b tertiles (η2 0.132), but did not with low tertile (η2 0.001). With adjustment of eGFR, age and BMI, POR values for albuminuria were increased in the middle (POR 2.36) and high [Cd]b tertiles (POR 2.74) and those with diabetes (POR 6.02) and hypertension (2.05). These data argue that ECd/Ccr of 1.44 µg/L filtrate (0.01−0.02 µg/g creatinine) could determine a Cd threshold level from which protective exposure guidelines should be formulated.

This paper details the comprehensive activities conducted in a laboratory setting to assess the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of prefabricated building envelopes. Aimed at enhancing the structural evaluation of buildings, the focus of this research lies in employing nondestructive sensors for SHM with the objective to advance in the understanding and assessment of facade conditions. The paper outlines the methodologies employed, starting with a modal analysis to define the structural vibration's modal frequency. Subsequently, tests were defined and executed to validate building envelope compliance in case of stress typical of high-rise building. Throughout these tests, continuous monitoring of the façade was conducted using both conventional (accelerometers, extensimeter washers) and non-conventional sensors (Fiber Optic Sensing) The gathered data underwent thorough processing and analysis to provide an overall perspective on the structure's behavior during the stress test. The investigation aimed to identify whether specific physical phenomena correlate with distinct signals and to evaluate if continuous façade monitoring over the building's lifespan aids in preventing potential structural damage. Moreover, two modal analyses were conducted to compare final data and frequencies with earlier data, enabling the detection of any structural alterations. The results from compliance testing and structural analysis yielded noteworthy insights contributing to the evolving field of structural health monitoring, offering valuable findings that advance our ability to proactively manage and maintain the integrity of building structures.

The scale of China's floating population is very large, and it is a key group that needs attention in promoting the equalization of basic public services. This study explores the impact and mechanism of adjusting the urban household registration threshold on the acquisition of citizenship status by the "rural-urban" floating population, with the household registration threshold as the link. It was found that the threshold for household registration has an impact on the willingness of rural urban migrant population to settle down from two aspects. On the one hand, a high threshold for household registration implies the unaffordability of obtaining citizenship status for the "rural-urban" migrant population, which has a significant crowding out effect on their willingness to settle down. Moreover, the high skilled "rural-urban" migrant population without housing is more sensitive to the high threshold for household registration. On the other hand, from the perspective of urban scale, the increase in the threshold for household registration has had a crowding out effect on the floating population for Type I large cities, mega cities, and super large cities. The increase in the threshold for settling in mega cities has the strongest crowding out effect on the floating population, which means that as the urban population expands, the welfare benefits enjoyed by the floating population in these cities will decrease, leading them to be more inclined to leave these cities and seek development opportunities in other cities. This study effectively answers how the threshold for household registration affects the willingness of rural urban migrant population to settle, providing mathematical support for urban development.

Pregnancy is a complex biological process which is associated with significant metabolic and hemodynamic changes of the maternal body which allow a normal fetal growth. The inability to adapt to these changes can affect the cardiovascular health. During pregnancy, women may experience mood swings, anxiety and emotional ambivalence. These symptoms can lead to stress and have a negative impact on the mental well-being of expectant mothers. It is crucial to know the aspects that can influence the development of cardiovascular problems among pregnant women in order to manage these cases properly. The current narrative review explores and summarizes the evidence regarding the impact of stress and anxiety on cardiovascular health in pregnant women. Understanding the physiological adaptations that the body undergoes throughout pregnancy is crucial for educating and supporting individuals as well as healthcare professionals. This enables them to recognize any risk factors or pathological conditions that may exacerbate pregnant women's health. In order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, a psychological and cardiovascular risk factor screening that is done either before or during pregnancy may be able to identify situations that call for particular medical and/or psychological therapies.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment and memory loss. Oxidative stress (OS) has emerged as a central element in the pathophysiology of AD, linking various pathological features including amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque formation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and synaptic dysfunction. This review comprehensively examines the role of OS in AD, focusing on the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and their impact on neuronal integrity. Additionally, the review highlights recent advances in antioxidant therapy. Elevated ROS levels in the aging brain exacerbate oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, contributing to neuronal atrophy and synaptic loss. Mitochondrial dysfunction further amplifies OS, disrupting cellular energy metabolism and promoting neurodegeneration. Despite the strong association between OS and AD, antioxidant therapies have shown inconsistent clinical outcomes. Emerging strategies targeting offer promising avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights the need for a multifaceted approach in understanding and mitigating OS-related damage in AD, aiming to pave the way for more effective treatments and improved patient outcomes.

Nociceptive threshold (NT) testing is widely used for the study of pain and its alleviation. The end point is a normal behavioural response which may be affected by restraint or unfamiliar surroundings leading to erroneous data. Remotely controlled thermal and mechanical NT testing systems were developed to allow free movement during testing and were evaluated in cats, dogs, sheep, horses and camels. Thermal threshold (TT) testing incorporated a heater and temperature sensor held against the animal’s shaved skin. Mechanical threshold (MT) testing incorporated a pneumatic actuator attached to a limb containing a 1 - 2mm radiused pin pushed against the skin. Both stimuli were driven from battery powered control units attached on the animal’s back, controlled remotely via infra-red radiation from a hand held component. Threshold reading was held automatically and displayed digitally on the unit. The system was failsafe with a safety cutout at a preset temperature or force as appropriate. The animals accepted the equipment and behaved normally in their home environment enabling recording of reproducible TT (38.5 – 49.8°C) and MT (2.7 – 10.1N); precise values depended on species, the individual and the stimulus characteristics. Remote controlled NT threshold testing appears to be a viable refinement for pain research.

Salinity stress emerges as an important menace to global food security, particularly affecting susceptible crops such as common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The disruption of ion balances caused by salt stress withing plants cells reduces water and nutrient absorption, and hampers growth and productivity. Sacchorhiza polyschides, a brown macroalga rich in essential elements, and macrominerals, has drawn attention as a natural biostimulant, being a potential remedy to bolster crop resilience against salt stress. This study delves into the effect of water extracts of Sacchorhiza polyschides (SPE) across varying concentrations (1%, 2%, and 5%) in common bean plants under salt stress (68.4 mM NaCl) conditions. Two different methods of application were used: by spraying the aerial part of the plant or by irrigation together with the watering solution. The effects of both systems of application were studied on the aerial parts of the plants. SPE exhibited significant enhancements in morphological parameters, chlorophyll content, carbon-nitrogen activities, and antioxidant enzymatic system activities, alongside increasing osmolyte accumulation, compared to salt-stressed plants without biostimulation. Moreover, SPE reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels caused by salt stress, mitigating lipid peroxidation. The concentrations of 2% and 5% SPE applied by spraying showed the most significant results in most of the parameters analyzed. By shedding light on the underlying science behind this biostimulant effect, this research underscores the potential of SPE to enhance crop resilience and augment food production in salt-challenged environments.

In steel structures, oblique thin steel plates serve as panel zones in structures spanning large spaces (e.g., warehouses and gymnasiums). Considerable research has been conducted on the shear buckling of panels due to seismic loads acting on a structure. Conversely, under snow or wind loads, the panel zone may experience compressive and tensile stresses simultaneously from two directions. Considering the economic preference for thin steel plates, evaluating the elastic critical local buckling stresses in the panel zone under biaxial normal stress may provide essential information to structural engineers. In this study, an elastic buckling analysis based on the energy method is performed to clarify the impact of panel geometry and boundary conditions on the elastic local buckling stresses of oblique panel zones. As confirmed, the buckling stresses derived from the energy method could simulate the local buckling stresses with accuracy comparable to that of finite element analysis, and an engineer-friendly design formula was proposed. Finally, we determined the correlation of the buckling stresses under biaxial stresses and presented a method for evaluating this correlation. Engineers can utilize the provided design equations to more efficiently and accurately calculate buckling loads, facilitating safer and more economical design of structures with oblique plates.

Bicarbonate and CO2 are essential substrates for carboxylation reactions in bacterial central metabolism. In Staphylococcus aureus, the bicarbonate transporter, MpsABC (membrane potential-generating system) is the only carbon concentrating system. A mpsABC deletion mutant can hardly grow in ambient air. In this study, we investigated the changes that occur in S. aureus when it suffers from CO2/bicarbonate deficiency. Electron microscopy revealed that mpsABC has a twofold thicker cell wall thickness compared to the parent strain. The mutant was also substantially inert to cell lysis induced by lysostaphin and the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100. Mass spectrometry analysis of muropeptides revealed the incorporation of alanine into the pentaglycine interpeptide bridge, which explains the mutant’s lysostaphin resistance. Flow cytometry analysis of wall teichoic acid (WTA) glycosylation patterns revealed a significantly lower -glycosylated and higher ß-glycosylated WTA, explaining the mutant’s increased resistance towards Triton X-100. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed altered gene expression profiles. Autolysin-encoding genes such as sceD, a lytic transglycosylase encoding gene, were upregulated, while genes related to cell wall-anchored proteins, secreted proteins, transporters, and toxins were downregulated. Overall, we demonstrate that bicarbonate deficiency is a stress response that causes changes in cell wall composition and global gene expression resulting in increased resilience to cell wall lytic enzymes and detergents.

Abiotic stress, especially drought stress poses a significant threat to the terrestrial plant growth, development, and productivity. Although mulberry have great genetic diversity and extensive stress tolerant traits in agroforestry systems, only a few reports offer preliminary insight into biochemical responses of mulberry leaves under drought conditions. In this study, we performed a comparative metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis on the “drooping mulberry” (Morus alba var. Pendula Dippel) under PEG-6000-simulated drought stress. Our research revealed that drought stress significantly enhanced flavonoid accumulation and up-regulated the expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were elevated. In vitro enzyme assays and fermentation tests indicated the involvement of flavonol synthase/flavanone 3-hydroxylase (XM_010098126.2) and anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase 5 (XM_010101521.2) in the biosynthesis of flavonol aglycones and glycosides, respectively. The recombinant MaF3GT5 protein was found to recognize kaempferol, quercetin, and UDP-glucose as substrates, but not 3-/7-O-glucosylated flavonols and UDP-rhamnose. MaF3GT5 is capable of forming 3-O- and 7-O-monoglucoside, but not di-O-glucosides, form kaempferol. This implies its role as a flavonol 3, 7-O-glucosyltransferase. The findings from this study provided insights into the biosynthesis of flavonoids and could have substantial implications for the future diversified utilization of mulberry.

Fiber aggregation in nanocomposites has an important effect on the macroscopic electrical performance. To quantitatively evaluate its effect, an index to characterize the degree of aggregation is imperative, and ideally it should have three features simultaneously, i.e., single-parametric, dimensionless and physically meaningful, applicable to different aggregation topologies, and one-to-one corresponding to material electrical properties. To this end, a new aggregation degree is proposed, which is defined as the average increased number of fibers that connect with each one when fibers aggregate from a uniformly distributed state. This index is applicable to different aggregation topologies from lump-like aggregating clusters to network-like aggregating clusters. This index is proven to only depend on the local features of aggregating clusters, and can be concisely expressed by the characteristic parameters of local structure, via geometric probability analysis and numerical validations. Further, a one-to-one linear relation between the aggregation degree and percolation threshold is established by Monte Carlo simulations, which is independent of the distribution law of the fibers. This work provides a guide to the property characterization, performance prediction and material design of nanocomposites, and also gives a physical insight into the understanding of systems with similar non-uniform distributions.

The present work is a theoretical and experimental study of temperature effect on wavelength and threshold current. Since Semiconductor lasers are the type of lasers which uses semiconductor material as a gain medium to achieve stimulated emission of radiation. In this module, the type of semiconductor lasers use is VCSEL and laser diode. Temperature change cause Semiconductor lasers to shift its threshold current, this variation also causes a shift in output wavelength. The experimental results highly agreement with the theoretical calculations.

Saikosaponin (SS) a is a compound with various pharmacological properties and easily degraded into SSb1 and SSg in acid condition. In present work another two new degradation products of SSa formed under acid hydrolytic condition were detected and isolated by analytical and semi-preparative liquid chromatography technology, furthermore their structures were characterized as hydroxyl-saikosaponin a and SSb2 by spectral analysis, which is not only essential in stability-indicating method development and validation but also could be used as a worst case to assess the analytical method performance of SSa. Moreover their structural transformation pathways were also proposed.

Plant cells' ability to withstand abiotic stress is strongly linked to modifications in their mechanical characteristics. Nevertheless, the lack of a workable method for consistently tracking plant cell mechanical properties severely restricts our comprehension of the mechanical alterations in plant cells under stress. With Polyethylene Glycol (PEG6000), we created a drought-like environment, and we used the Double Resonator Piezoelectric Cytometry (DRPC) method to dynamically and non-invasively track changes in the stress (ΔS) created and viscoelasticity (storage modulus G' and loss modulus G") of protoplasts and suspension cells of rice during drought stress. The findings demonstrate that, rice suspension cells and protoplasts react mechanically differently to 5%–15% PEG6000 stress, implying distinct resistance mechanisms. However, neither of them can withstand 25% PEG6000 stress, they respond mechanically similarly to 25% PEG6000 stress. The results of DRPC are further corroborated by the morphological alterations of rice cells and protoplasts observed under an optical microscope. To sum up, the DRPC technique functions as a precise cellular mechanical sensor and offers novel research tools for the evaluation of plant cell adversity and differentiating between the mechanical reactions of cells and protoplasts under abiotic stress.

This study examines stress distributions in adhesive joints under various loading and temperature conditions. Finite element analysis (FEA) was employed to compute the peel and shear stresses at the adhesive interface and bondline mid-section. Dependency analysis shows that mid-section peel stress significantly impacts the experimental shear strength of SLJs more than shear stress. This insight highlights the need to carefully analyze peel stress and bending moment factors. The analytical solutions proposed by Goland and Reissner were analyzed with modifications by Hart-Smith and Zhao. Hart-Smith’s approach performed more effectively, especially when the adhesive layer thickness (t_a) is 0.5 mm and the overlap length to thickness ratio (c/t_a) is ≥20. FEA revealed stress distributions at the adhesive/adherend interface and bondline mid-section. DP490 adhesive joints exhibited lower stresses than EA9696. Temperature variations significantly affected joint behavior, particularly above the adhesive’s glass transition temperature (T_g). Both EA9696 and DP490 adhesive joints displayed distinct responses to stress and temperature changes. The parabolic and biquadratic solutions for functionally graded adhesive (FGA) joints were compared. The biquadratic solution consistently yielded higher shear and peel stress values, with an increase ranging from 15% to 71% compared to the parabolic solution at various temperatures because of larger gradient of the Young's modulus distribution near the overlap ends. The ratio of peak peel stress to peak shear stress suggests selecting an adhesive with a superior peel strength or primarily reducing the peak peel stress by functionally grading is advisable, particularly if the adhesive is brittle. Comparison of stress distributions emphasize the importance of selecting adhesives based on stress type, temperature, and solution methods in optimizing adhesive bonding applications. These findings provide valuable insights for thermomechanical applications where thermal stimuli may be used for controlled debonding.

Heat stress (HS) is a strong stress factor that significantly affects the metabolism of dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to investigate how HS affects some biochemical indicators in the blood of dairy cows reared in Bulgaria. The study was conducted on a cattle farm with a capacity of 500 Holstein cows, loose housed in a free stall barn shed type. The research was carried out in three seasons - summer, autumn and winter, and a total of 77 samples were taken from the cows of the farm - 30 blood samples for each season. The cows included in the study were from 30 to 60 days in milk (DIM). Temperature and humidity data were taken from the closest to the farm weather station. Based on the conducted research, it was found that the HS reported during the summer season had a significant impact on the following blood parameters: glucose, urea, total protein and cortisol. In summer, blood glucose values were low and ranged from 1.32 to 1.63 mmol/l in cows on different lactations. Probably because of these low glucose levels, high levels of total protein, ranging from 76.92 to 86.10 g/l, were reported in cows from the first to third lactation. This protein was used by cows to provide energy from non-carbohydrate sources and as a residual product, higher blood urea levels were reported in summer, ranging from 4.79 to 5.23 mmol/l. As proof of the stressful influence of heat on the metabolism of the examined cows, the cortisol values in the summer were in the upper reference norms - 38.44 nmol/l or higher and reached 59.09 nmol/l.

According to Quantum Mechanics a narrow wave-package of the center of mass of macroscopic objects, due to their heavy mass, remains stable over astronomical times. However Quantum Mechanics allows and energetically even prefers largely smeared out c.m. states that never been seen. Why is this the real state of the world we know? Does it suggest a micro-macro threshold with different theoretical descriptions?

The identification of bloodstain is one of the most important approaches in obtaining evidence in criminalistics. A threshold method based on spectral co-efficient and interclass variance is proposed in this paper, it is a non-contact, non-destructive method for quickly identifying bloodstains. The spectra of bloodstains and other suspected substances were all extracted from their hyper-spectral image. Then calculate the correlation coefficients of these spectral and interclass variances, analyze the differences between substances. The best blood recognition threshold was determined as 0.9. After preprocessing for eliminating systematic errors, experiments with the threshold 0.9 are carried out to identify bloodstains on the calico and red T-shirt. The method can remarkably identify the bloodstain from other non-blood substances both quickly and efficiently. The blood extraction rate can reach to 93.35% and 89.19%, respectively. It is an important step toward the implementation of bloodstain non-contact and non-destructive identification in forensic casework.

Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall., live in Changbai Mountain being exposed to chilling temperature, high light intensities and water scarcity condition. To adapt to the harsh environment, the cold resistance mechanisms of R. chrysanthum have been successfully evolved in the long-term adaptive process. In our present work, the methods of proteomics combined with physiological and biochemical analyses were used to investigate the effects of cold stress on the photosynthesis and antioxidant system of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. and the molecular mechanisms involved in cold resistance of plants. A total of 153 photosynthesis related proteins were identified in present work, of which 7 proteins including Rubisco large subunit (rbcL) were up-regulated in experiment group (EG) compared with control group (CG). Simultaneously, four chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in present study. The results showed that the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), actual quantum yield of PSII (Y(II)) and photochemical quenching (qP) were significantly higher in EG, whereas the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was notably decreased. Cold stress could lead to a significant reduction in electron transport rate (ETR) accompanied with an increase in excitation pressure (1-qP). The abundance of PetE which involved in the plants photosynthetic electron transfer was also significantly influenced by cold stress. Moreover, the up-regulated expressions and higher levels of enzymatic activities of Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Ascorbate peroxidases (APXs) were detected in EG. All these changes which can help plants to survive in low temperature are considered as the crucial parts of cold tolerance mechanisms. These results revealed that photosynthesis and redox adjustment play significant roles in the defense of cold-induced damage.

Purpose: Arab Americans are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. The mental health of Arab Americans and opinions on mental health, however, remain understudied despite higher rates of mental illness and lower rates of treatment. Unique cultural conceptualizations of mental illness may generate stigma, contributing to disparities in treatment. This study aimed to assess the attitudes and perspectives of Arab Americans regarding mental illness in order to address barriers to treatment. Methods:Using an anonymous bilingual Qualtrics survey, we assessed Arab and non-Arab participants (n = 294; ages 18+) on their conceptualizations of the causes of mental illness and on their stigma towards mental illness and mental health treatments. Comparisons were performed between Arabs and non-Arabs, as well as among Arabs. Results:Compared to non-Arabs, Arabs reported higher average mental illness stigma and were more likely to rate psychiatric medications as addictive and unhelpful. Among Arabs, being Christian, male, and older (>29 years old) were each associated with higher stigma. Arabs were less likely than non-Arabs to believe in a biological explanation for mental illness. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate higher levels of stigma towards mental illness among Arab Americans, especially Christian, male, and older Arabs, potentially related to a weaker belief in a biomedical model for mental illness. These are among the first findings describing mental illness stigma and beliefs about mental health in an Arab American community and may inform future interventions providing culturally competent care to Arab Americans.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GL18 has been proven to have good resistance ability and can promote the growth of Avena sativa cultivar ‘Qingyan 1’. Herein, Illumina high-throughput transcriptome sequencing technology was used to analyze the differential expression of genes between the interaction group (LB) and the control group (LCK) when ‘Qingyan 1’ roots interacted with GL18 bacterial suspension or sterile water for 12 h under 4 °C low-temperature stress. The gene function annotation information was obtained using Gene Ontology (GO) functional classification and enrichment analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and annotation of differentially expressed genes was used to explore the related signal transduction pathway of ‘Qingyan 1’ response to cold stress induced by Bacillus GL18. The results showed that after ‘Qingyan 1’ seedlings interacted with GL18 bacterial suspension or sterile water for 12 h, comparing the LB with the LCK or CK (the control group at 26 °C), there were 12,061 and 25,489 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Their functions were mainly related to metabolic process, cellular process, catalytic activity, binding, and cellular parts, and they were significantly enriched in plant tissue growth and development, cell wall, organelle membrane synthesis, thiamine and its compounds, biosynthesis, polyamine decomposition, and other metabolic processes. Signal transduction was detected through KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and corresponding genes, such as AUXI, PP2C, SNRK2, ABF, BRI1, and PIF4, were expressed. The expression of genes directly involved in plant growth was upregulated in the presence of GL18, as shown by real-time quantitative PCR analysis. It was speculated that the normal growth and development of ‘Qingyan 1’ under low-temperature stress promoted by GL18 is a result of the integration of multiple pathways in terms of regulating endogenous hormone metabolism, secondary metabolite synthesis, and photosynthesis.

Plant hormones regulate the adaptive responses to various biotic and abiotic stress factors. Applied exogenously they trigger the natural plant defense mechanisms, a feature that could be implemented in strategies for supporting crop resilience. The potential of exogenous cytokinin-like acting compound (kinetin), the auxin analogue 1-naphtyl acetic acid (NAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and the ethylene-precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to mitigate dehydration was tested on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) grown on 12% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Priming with different blends containing these plant growth regulators applied in bioequivalent concentrations was evaluated through biometric measurements and biochemical analyses. The combined treatment with the four plant hormones exhibited the best dehydration protective effect. The antioxidative enzyme profiling of the PGR-primed individuals revealed increased SOD, catalase and peroxidase activity in the leaves. Immunodetection of higher levels of the rate-limiting enzyme for proline biosynthesis (delta-pyroline-5-carboxylate synthase) in the primed plants coincided with a significantly higher content of the amino acid measured in the leaves. These plants also accumulated particular dehydrin types, which may have contributed to the observed stress-relieving effect. The four-component hormonal mix applied by spraying or through the roots exerted similar stress-mitigating properties on soil-grown lettuce subjected to moderate drought.

Structural health monitoring has been studied by a number of researchers as well as various industries to keep up with the increasing demand for preventive maintenance routines. This work presents a novel method for reconstruct prompt, informed strain/stress responses at the hot spots of the structures based on strain measurements at remote locations. The structural responses measured from usage monitoring system at available locations are decomposed into modal responses using empirical mode decomposition. Transformation equations based on finite element modeling are derived to extrapolate the modal responses from the measured locations to critical locations where direct sensor measurements are not available. Then, two numerical examples (a two-span beam and a 19956-degree of freedom simplified airfoil) are used to demonstrate the overall reconstruction method. Finally, the present work investigates the effectiveness and accuracy of the method through a set of experiments conducted on an aluminium alloy cantilever beam commonly used in air vehicle and spacecraft. The experiments collect the vibration strain signals of the beam via optical fiber sensors. Reconstruction results are compared with theoretical solutions and a detailed error analysis is also provided.

In order to meet the military requirements of the fuze, such as precision strike, efficient mutilates ability and low collateral damages, the microminiaturization is an inevitable trend of secure system. Based on the silicon-based MEMS S&A device designed by our term, the design principles of each module and fabrication process are introduced. The average fracture strength and Young's modulus of the silicon are 726 MPa and 175 GPa from the tensile test, respectively. From Hopkinson impact experiment, we can get the threshold-value judging mechanism being safety under the impact overload of 20526 g, and this value is much more than the standard of the drop overload 12000g; the arming value under the centrifugal overload obtained from theory, simulation and experiment is at the range of 28200 g and 32000 g, it shows that the threshold-value judging mechanism can be arming compared with the value 35951g of design principle. Therefore, the threshold-value judging mechanism can meet the design requirements of overload. Furthermore, the relationship of fracture threshold-values obtained by different theories is found out through parametric design method, as shown in Figure 14, it provides the theory evidence to the follow parametric design.

Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms lasting from weeks to several months following initial infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), significantly impacts individuals' quality of life and poses a potential long-term burden on global healthcare systems. Clinical manifestations of Long COVID are diverse, affecting multiple systems including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal. While the precise mechanisms underlying Long COVID remain unclear, emerging evidence suggests involvement of various bodily pathways. This study employs bioinformatics tools to investigate the mechanisms of Long COVID and identify potential drug targets associated with key pathways, including inflammation, cytokines, immune response, coagulation, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and autonomic dysfunction. Tools such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, PubChem, UniProt, and iGEMDOCK were utilized for pathway analysis and molecular docking. The analysis aimed to identify drug molecules that may interact with target proteins to regulate or inhibit pathway activity, yielding several potential drug candidates for further investigation.

Dental implantology has evolved greatly as a result of the application of biomechanical engineering concepts, notably the utilization of additive manufacturing technologies that recreate the intricate architecture of real bone. This technique intends to improve functional compatibility with bone tissue while also addressing continuing problems of stress distribution inside dental implants. The research examines two types of dental implants: fully gyroid latticed and hybrid gyroid latticed with a solid neck, comprising three different cell sizes—FI-111, FI-222, FI-333, and their hybrid equivalents HI-111, HI-222, and HI-333. Traditional solid implants often cause stress shielding, which reduces long-term osseointegration and implant durability. Developed using nTopology for lattice configuration and meshing, this design undergoes a comprehensive stress analysis using finite element analysis (FEA). The study seeks to determine the most efficient implant design by maximizing stress distribution and mechanical stiffness. Analyses suggest that hybrid latticed implants, notably the HI-222 type, possess superior mechanical characteristics. These implants successfully balance stiffness and flexibility, reducing stress concentrations and improving stress distribution throughout the implant structure. This balance is critical for decreasing micromotions at the bone-implant interface, boosting osseointegration, and, ultimately, increasing implant longevity and success rates in clinical settings. The paper describes a substantial redesign of dental implants by combining biomechanical engineering and modern additive manufacturing. The novel proposed hybrid structure not only addresses typical challenges such as stress shielding, but it also establishes new standards in implantology, potentially leading to better clinical results and patient quality of life. This complete approach emphasizes the ability of personalized implant designs to fulfill individual clinical demands, indicating a significant improvement in dental treatment technology.

An eight-sided prism sample, obtained from a hot-rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet, was compressed at room temperature along the transverse direction to investigate the influence of local strain on twinning behavior using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements. The octagonal surface of the sample was divided into distinct regions based on hardness distribution and metallographic observations. The EBSD maps of different areas show significant variations, suggesting that these areas experienced different local strain conditions. The EBSD measurements provided detailed data from three distinct regions, with the strain state known in two regions and uncertain in the third. The combined analysis of the Schmid factor (SF) and the strain compatibility factor (m') was employed to study twin variant selection. The comparison of twinning behavior in different regions showed that the strain compatibility factor offered a more comprehensive explanation for the observed twinning pattern in the region with local shear strain.

Analyzing horse behavior is crucial for assessing training quality, particularly in accurately identifying actions like standing, walking, and running. Research has been conducted both domestically and internationally in this regard; however, challenges persist, including reliance on single sensors, poor real-time performance, and low identification accuracy. In view of these challenges, this study investigated real-time identification of horse behavior based on wearable devices. The system, centered around a microcontroller and utilizing a 4G network as a carrier, employs multi-axis IMU sensors as input sources to perceive horse posture. The study proposed a behavior classification method based on analysis of acceleration thresholds. The method consists primarily of two sequential stages: first, the resultant acceleration interval counting method, which employs a nonlinear segmentation approach for initial behavior classification; and second, the statistical analysis of variance parameters between segments, which when coupled with multi-level threshold processing, achieves a refined classification. Experimental results indicated that the interval counting method alone achieved an accuracy of 87.55%, while for the variance analysis method alone the accuracy was 90.87%. The proposed method, comprising the two stages, reached a classification accuracy of 91.57%, underpinning its usefulness in supporting future equine research.

Economists have long been interested in examining inflation-growth nexus. Nevertheless, the nature of their relationship and the optimal level of inflation threshold for economic growth have still remained controversial in both theoretical and empirical works. Accordingly, this study investigates the existence of threshold effects of inflation on economic growth in Ethiopia over the period 1975-2018 using a Two-regime Threshold Auto-regressive (TAR) model. The study mainly departs from previous works since it estimates sector-specific inflation threshold level in food and non-food sectors. Our preliminary analyses clearly reveal that inflation in food sector has become more volatile, less-persistent and key contributor to the general inflation as compared to its non-food counterpart. Further, The TAR model results and robustness checks indicate the existence of inflation threshold in a range of 9-10%. In particular, the threshold level for food inflation is 10% and 8% for non-food inflation. In all cases, our results robustly confirm growth-detrimental effects of inflation after the threshold levels. After all, this study suggests the need for considering specific behaviors of food and non-food prices, and implementing appropriate fiscal and monetary policies to bring inflation down to a single-digit level.

Background: Traditional omic analysis relies on p-value and fold change as selection criteria. There is an ongoing debate on their effectiveness in delivering systemic and robust interpretation, due to their dependence on assumptions of conformity with various parametric distributions.Here, we propose a threshold-free selection method based on robust, non-parametric statistics, ensuring independence from the statistical distribution properties and broad applicability. Such methods could adapt to different initial data distributions, contrary to statistical techniques based on fixed thresholds. Methods: Our work extends the Rank Products methodology with a neutral selection method of high information-extraction capacity. We introduce the calculation of the RP distribution’s entropy to isolate the features of interest by their contribution to the distribution’s information content. The aim is a methodology performing threshold-free identification of the differentially expressed features, which are highly informative about the phenomenon under scrutiny. Conclusions: Applying the proposed method on microarray (transcriptomic and DNA methylation) and RNAseq count data of varying sizes and noise presence, we observe robust convergence for the different parameterisations to stable cutoff points. Functional analysis through BioInfoMiner and EnrichR was used to evaluate the information potency of the resulting feature lists. Overall, the derived functional terms provide a systemic description highly compatible with the results of traditional statistical hypothesis testing techniques. The methodology behaves consistently across different data types. The feature lists are compact and information-rich, indicating phenotypic aspects specific to the tissue and biological phenomenon i nvestigated. Selection by information content measures efficiently addresses problems, emerging from arbitrary thresholding, thus facilitating the full automation of the analysis.

Current pharmacological treatments of Fibromyalgia (FM) are merely symptom palliative, as clinical trials have so far failed to provide overall benefits without associated harms. Polypharmacy often leads to patient´s health deterioration and chronic drug use to an eventual lack of patient´s response. Emerging evidence support that physiotherapy treatments based on mechanical triggers improve FM symptoms and therefore could be used for therapeutic purposes by themselves, or in combination with current pharmacological treatments, as part of integrative medicine programs. However, a paucity of studies rigorously and systematically evaluating this possibility exists. This study uses scores from validated standardized questionnaires, algometer pressure point threshold (PPT) readings and responses from a custom self-developed questionnaire to determine the impact of a pressure-controlled manual protocol on FM hyperalgesia/allodynia, fatigue and patient´s quality of life. The results show that patient´s baseline sensitivity to pain inversely correlates with treatment response in FM. Moreover, patients presenting comorbid ME/CFS do not seem to respond to the applied therapy as those presenting FM only. Thus, pre-treatment PPTs and ME/CFS comorbidity may serve as indicators to predict patient´s response to physiotherapy programs based on mechanical triggers, as the one evaluated here. These unexpected findings grant further explorations including the study of gene expression profiles associating to patient´s treatment response in the blood collection of samples generated by this study.

Automated medical diagnosis is one of the important machine learning applications in the domain of healthcare. In this regard, most of the approaches primarily focus on optimizing the accuracy of classification models. In this research, we argue that unlike general-purpose classification problems, medical applications, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis, require special treatment. In the case of CKD, apart from model performance, other factors such as the cost of data acquisition may also be taken into account to enhance the applicability of the automated diagnosis system. In this research, we have proposed two techniques for cost-sensitive feature ranking. An ensemble of decision tree models is employed in both the techniques for computing the worth of a feature in the CKD dataset. An automatic threshold selection heuristic is also introduced which is based on the intersection of features’ worth and their accumulated cost. A set of experiments are conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed techniques on both tree-based and non-tree based classification models. The proposed approaches are also evaluated against several comparative techniques. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the proposed techniques select around 1/4^th of the original CKD features while reducing the cost by a factor of 7.42 of the original feature set. Based on the extensive experimentation it is concluded that the proposed techniques employing feature-cost interaction heuristic tend to select feature subsets that are both useful and cost-effective.

Epidemiological studies indicate an increased risk of cancer from the consumption of very hot foods and beverages. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has already recommended threshold values for the maximum drinking temperature of very hot beverages. The contact time and the contact temperature are decisive for the risk of injury when hot media come into contact with human skin. However, measuring the contact temperature is not easily possible in practice. In the present study, a numerical simulation based on the solution of the heat conduction equation was initially used to investigate whether and for what period of time a constant contact temperature is to be expected under oral conditions. For small circular 3-cm food samples (e.g., cooked potatoes) with 2.5 mm thickness in contact with the tongue, the simulation results in a constant contact temperature of 10 s before cooling. With a thickness of 0.5 mm, the contact temperature is only maintained 1 s. Hot beverages, which spread as a thin film and thereby increase their surface area, can therefore be consumed at higher temperatures than solid foods. Furthermore, a simple test technique with a "measuring spoon" was developed. A hot sample is placed on the tongue. Orientating measurements were used to determine which contact temperature was considered to be just comfortable for any period > 10 s and for which period of less than 10 s it was still just bearable. The contact temperature, which was still perceived as tolerable for periods > 10 s, was 46.5 °C. The time spans for the higher contact temperature 48 °C were between 2 and 4 s and for 49 °C between 1 and 2 s. The course of the contact temperatures determined in the experiment over time allows to calculate the corresponding threshold values of consumption temperatures for various foods. Consumption temperatures of about 56 °C for potatoes and 60 °C for cheese are still perceived as tolerable. In view of the fact that the contact temperature is obviously the determining factor for the risk of injury from burns in the oral cavity in addition to the contact time, it makes sense to reference threshold values to the contact temperature rather than to the surface or consumption temperature of a food product, which is current customary practice. If this contact temperature is defined as a threshold value, the surface or consumption temperature for any other food can be calculated.

Australia’s avian species are unique and diverse. Due to the dramatic changed in distribution, physiology, and behaviour caused by both changing climatic conditions and human activities, Australian bird species becomes highly vulnerable to health-related factors such as impact injury and vehicle trauma, as well as environmental-related stressors such as animal attack and abnormal behaviours. This is reflected in increasing number of avian patients received by wildlife hospitals. The most common outcome of avian species in wildlife hospitals was euthanasia, only few of them were released back into their ecosystem. During the process of bird rescue and rehabilitation, stress can be caused by various stressors such as injury, infection, trauma, shock and stressful environment in wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Therefore, in order to better understand the causes of the high rates of mortality and improve the management and conservation strategies, it is important to study the species responses to environmental changes. Similar with other species, in birds, the HPA axis plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis by producing glucocorticoids (corticosterone in birds). In this study, we sampled a total of 30 individuals humanely euthanised at the Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Centre (AKWC), and noted their clinical information. Feather samples were collected from all 30 individuals, and then were processed and analysed for corticosterone levels using enzyme-immunoassay (EIA). The biological relevance of feather CORT assay was evaluated by comparing the absolute levels of CORT between birds. We also analysed the effects of different stressors by grouped the diagnosis into acute and chronic categories. Although results suggest that stress levels were variable between the diagnosis, no statistically significant difference was found between these two categories in this study due to the limited sample size. We also obtained patient records from the 2022-2023 period from AKWC for retrospective analysis. Records were categorized and analysed based on the diagnoses, species and admission dates. Retrospective analysis suggests that in 2022, the Rainbow Lorikeet had the highest admission rate (192/544, 35.29%), followed by Magpie (124/544, 22.79%). Most admissions occurred in Summer. Musculoskeletal injury was the most prevalent diagnosis across all species with Magpies having the highest rates (73.39%) across all diagnoses and Rainbow Lorikeets the second highest (36.46%). Beak and Feather disease (BFD) was another common diagnosis for lorikeets. Data collected at 2023 followed the similar trend. This is the first study that uses non-invasive method to determine stress levels of rescued Australian native avian species, aims at improving and implementing native avian species management and conservation initiatives. This research also provides a basis for future studies which allow for more detailed analyses of wild populations and a broader range of species.

Abstract: Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks as the fifth most common cancer among women in the United States and globally, posing a significant health threat. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as critical factors in the pathophysiology of this malignancy. ROS, characterized by their instability due to an unpaired electron, are involved in essential cellular functions and play a crucial role in the immune response under normal physiological conditions. However, an imbalance in ROS homeostasis, leading to excessive ROS production, results in oxidative stress (OS), which can cause indiscriminate damage to cellular structures and contribute to the pathogenesis of specific diseases, including OC. OC is primarily classified based on the originating cell type into epithelial, stromal, and germinal tumors, with epithelial tumors being the most prevalent. Despite advancements in medical technology, early detection of OC remains challenging, often leading to delayed treatment initiation. Current therapeutic approaches include surgical excision of tumor tissue, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. While these treatments are effective in early-stage OC, high mortality rates and frequent relapse underscore the urgent need for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This review aims to elucidate the role of ROS in OC, emphasizing the potential for developing innovative diagnostic tools and treatments that target ROS-mediated pathways. Given the critical impact of early detection and effective treatment, advancing our understanding of ROS in the context of OC could significantly enhance patient outcomes.

According to many research groups, high glucose induces over production of superoxide anions, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in general is the link between high glucose levels and the toxicities seen at cellular levels. Respiratory complex anomalies could lead to the production of ROS. Calcium [Ca2+], at physiological levels serves as a second messenger in many physiological functions. Accordingly, mitochondrial calcium [Ca2+]m overload leads to ROS production which could be lethal to the mitochondria through various mechanisms. The F1F0-ATPase (ATP syn-thase or complex V) is the enzyme that is responsible for catalyzing the final step of oxidative phosphorylation. It does so by coupling the translocation of protons in the mitochondrial in-termembrane space and shuttling them to the mitochondrial matrix for ATP synthesis to take place. Mitochondrial complex V T8993G mutation specifically blocks the translocation of protons across the intermembrane space thereby blocking ATP synthesis leading to Neuropathy, Ataxia and Retinitis Pigmentosa Syndromes (NARP). This study seeks to explore the possibility of [Ca2+]m overload mediating the pathological roles of high glucose in defective respiratory chain mediated mitochondrial stress. The NARP cybrids are the in vitro experimental models for the cells with F1FO-ATPase defects, these cells harbor 98% of mtDNA T8993G mutation. Their coun-terparts 143B osteosarcoma cell lines are the parental cell lines used for comparisons. We uncov-ered that, NARP cells mediated and enhanced the death of the cells (apoptosis) when incubated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and high glucose respectively as depicted by the MTT assay of cell viability. Furthermore, using the fluorescence probe-coupled laser scanning confocal imag-ing microscopy, NARP cells significantly enabled mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) formation and enhanced the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Elucidating the mechanisms of sugar enhanced toxicity on mitochondria would help in the fu-ture to alleviate the symptoms of patients associated with (NARP) syndromes.

This study explored differences in student-athletes’ symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress pre- to post-COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO reported a 25% increase in depression and anxiety rates worldwide with young people disproportionately affected. Student-athletes face many stressors related to their sporting and academic feats but what is not known is how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their experiences of mental illness. A multiple cohort cross-sectional study design was employed, and data collected using physical and online surveys. Participants (M age = 19.98 years, SD = 1.50) were recruited from UK universities (N = 807; 427 pre-pandemic cohort, 380 post-pandemic cohort). Results revealed statistically significant differences in mean depression, anxiety, and stress scores between cohorts. Scores for the post-pandemic cohort were significantly higher than pre-pandemic, suggesting a worsening of symptom severity. Distributions of student-athletes across categories of symptom severity also worsened for depressive and anxiety symptoms post-pandemic and were skewed towards more severe categories. Symptoms of de-pression, anxiety, and stress were a concern pre-pandemic. Rates are higher in the post-pandemic cohort, suggesting a worsening of symptoms. This data adds to evidence on student-athletes’ symptoms of mental illness by exploring a UK sample and comparing scores pre- and post-pandemic.

The pursuit of materials that offer both wear comfort and protection for functional and protective clothing has led to the exploration of weft-knitted spacer structures. Traditional cushioning materials such as spacer fabrics and laminated foam often suffer from deformation under compression stresses, thus compromising their protective properties. This study investigates the enhancement of the force absorption, stress-strain and thermal properties of weft-knitted spacer fabrics with inlays. Surface yarns with optimal stretchability and thermal properties are used and combined with elastic yarns in various patterns to fabricate nine different inlay samples. The mechanical and thermal properties of these samples are systematically analyzed, including their compression, stretchability, thermal comfort and surface properties. The results show that the inlay spacer fabric exhibits superior compression properties and thermal conductivity compared to traditional laminated foam and spacer fabrics, while maintaining stretchability, thus providing a better performance than traditional fabrics for protective clothing and wearable cushioning products. This study further confirms that the type of inlay yarn and inlay structure are crucial factors that significantly influence the thermal, tensile and compressive properties of fabric. This research provides valuable insights into the design and development of advanced textile structures to improve wear comfort and protection in functional garment applications.

Channel estimation is an important module to enhance the performance of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. However, the presence of a large amount of noise in multipath fading time-varying channels significantly affects the channel estimation accuracy and thus the recovery quality of the received signals. Therefore, this paper proposes a double-threshold (DT) channel estimation method based on adaptive frame statistics (AFS). The method first adaptively determines the number of statistical frames based on the temporal correlation of the received signals, and preliminarily detects the channel structure by analyzing the distribution characteristics of multipath sampling points and noise sampling points during adjacent frames. Subsequently, a multi-frame averaging technique is used to expand the distinction between multipath and noise sampling points. Finally, the DT is designed to better recover the channel based on the preliminary detection results. Simulation results show that the proposed adaptive frame statistics-double-threshold (AFS-DT) channel estimation method is effective and has better performance compared with many existing channel estimation methods.

The biological aging, characterized by changing in metabolism and physicochemical properties of cells, has an impact on public health. Environment and lifestyle including factors like diet and physical activity seems to play a key role in healthy ageing. Several studies have shown that regular physical activity can enhance antioxidant defence mechanisms, including the activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, intense or prolonged exercise can also lead to an increase in ROS production temporarily, re-sulting in oxidative stress. This phenomenon is referred as "exercise-induced oxidative stress". The relationship between physical activity and oxidative stress in aging is complex and depends on various factors such as the type, intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise, as well as in-dividual differences in antioxidant capacity and adaptation to exercise. In this review, we ana-lyzed what is reported from several authors regarding the role of physical activity on oxidative stress in aging process as well as the role of hormesis and physical exercise as tools for preven-tion and treatment of sarcopenia, an aging related disease. Finally we reported what has recently been studied in relation to the effect of physical activity and sport on aging in women

Background: This study aimed to identify the association between occupational stress and depression-well-being by proposing a comprehensive and flexible job burden-capital model with its corresponding hypotheses. Methods: For this research, 1618 valid samples were gathered from the electronic manufacturing service industry in Hunan Province, China; self-rated questionnaires were administered to participants for data collection after obtaining their written consent. The proposed model was fitted and tested through structural equation model analysis. Results: Single-factor correlation analysis results indicated that coefficients between all items and dimensions had statistical significance. The final model demonstrated satisfactory global goodness of fit (CMIN/DF=5.37, AGFI=0.915, NNFI=0.945, IFI=0.952, RMSEA=0.052). Both the measurement and structural models showed acceptable path loadings. Job burden and capital were directly associated with depression and well-being or indirectly related to them through personality. Multi-group structural equation model analyses indicated general applicability of the proposed model to basic features of such a population. Gender, marriage and education led to differences in the relation between occupational stress and health outcomes. Conclusions: The job burden-capital model of occupational stress-depression and well-being was found to be more systematic and comprehensive than previous models.

Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are the main research targets for investigating the hosts and helminths interaction. Parasitic worms can migrate to parasitic sites and avoid the host immune response by secreting this product. Angiostrongylus cantonensisis an important food-borne zoonotic parasite that causes severe neuropathological damage and symptoms, including eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis in humans. Benzaldehydes are organic compounds composed of a benzene ring and formyl substituents. This compound has anti-inflammatory and antioxidation properties. Previous studies showed that 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3-HBA) and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) can reduce apoptosis in A. cantonensis ESPs treated astrocytes. These results on the protective effect underlying benzaldehyde have primarily focused on cell survival. The study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and oxidative stress in astrocytes in A. cantonensis ESPs treated astrocytes and to evaluate the therapeutic consequent of 3-HBA and 4-HBA. First, we initially established the RNA-seq dataset in each group, including Normal, ESPs, ESPs+3-HBA, and ESPs+4-HBA. We also found that benzaldehyde (3-HBA and 4-HBA) can stimulate astrocytes to express ER stress-related molecules after ESP treatment. The level of oxidative stress could also be decreased in astrocytes by elevating antioxidant activity and reducing ROS generation. These results suggested that benzaldehyde may be a potential therapeutic compound for human angiostrongyliasis to support brain cell survival by inducing the expression levels of ER stress- and oxidative stress-related pathway.

The objective of this paper is to research the impact of electrical and physical parameters that characterize the complementary MOSFET transistors (NMOS and PMOS transistors) in the CMOS inverter for static mode of operation. In addition to this, the paper also aims at exploring the directives that are to be followed during the design phase of the CMOS inverters that enable designers to design the CMOS inverters with the best possible performance, depending on operation conditions. The CMOS inverter designed with the best possible features also enables the designing of the CMOS logic circuits with the best possible performance, according to the operation conditions and designers’ requirements.

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is a lipid kinase that phosphorylates diacylglycerol (DAG) to generate phosphatidic acid (PA). Based on converting one important signaling molecule (DAG) to another (PA), DGK plays an important role in plant responses to abiotic stress including waterlogging stress. However, no studies have been reported on the characterization of the DGK gene family in the waterlogging-tolerant kiwifruit germplasm, Actinidia valvata Dunn. Here, we identified 18 AvDGK genes in the A. valvata genome. The phylogenetic analysis showed that AvDGKs can be classified into three clusters, and members within the same cluster have similar domain distribution, exon-intron structures and conserved motif compositions. Chromosome localization analysis revealed that all the AvDGK genes are located across 18 different chromosomes. There were 29 duplicated gene pairs in kiwifruit and all had undergone purifying selection during evolution. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed that the cis-elements within AvDGK genes are associated with multiple functions, including phytohormone signal transduction, stress response, and plant growth and development. The expression pattern analyses indicated that AvDGK play an important role in the fruit development and plant response to waterlogging stress. AvDGKs gene family in the tetraploid A. valvata genome might promote PA synthesis and subsequent signal transduction both under short-term and long-term waterlogging stress. These results provide information regarding the structural characteristics and potential function of DGK genes within kiwifruit and lay a fundamental basis for further research into breeding for enhancing the kiwifruit’s tolerance to waterlogging stress.

Our hypothesis that controlled ozone applications interfere into the redox balance of the biological organism (first published in 1998 with a preclinical trial on protecting the liver from CCl4 intoxication), has been verified over the last 2 decades in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced mitochondrial pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, aging processes, diabetes-2 and in prevention of intoxications. Low-dose ozone acts as a redox bioregulator: The restoration of the disturbed redox balance is comprehensible in a number of preclinical and clinical studies by a remarkable increase of the antioxidant repair markers, here mainly shown as glutathione increase and a reduction in oxidative stress markers, mainly malondialdehyde. The mechanism of action is shown, relevant data are displayed, evaluated and comprehensively discussed: The repair side of the equilibrium increases by 21% up to 140% compared to the non-ozone treated groups and depending on the indication; the stress markers are simultaneously reduced, the redox system regains its balance.

Plant-microbe interactions play a crucial role in shaping plant health and survival. In recent years, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in mediating intercellular communication between plants and microbes has emerged as an intriguing area of research. EVs, serve as important carriers of bioactive molecules and genetic information, facilitating communication between cells and even between different organisms. Pathogenic bacteria leverage extracellular vesicles (EVs) to amplify their virulence, exploiting their cargo rich in toxins and virulence factors. Conversely, beneficial microbes initiate EV secretion to stimulate plant immune responses and nurture symbiotic relationships. The transfer of EV-packed small RNAs (sRNAs) has been demonstrated to facilitate the modulation of immune responses. Furthermore, harnessing the potential of EVs holds promise for the development of innovative diagnostic tools and sustainable crop protection strategies. This review highlights the biogenesis and functions of EVs in bacteria, and their importance in plant defense and paves the way for future research in this exciting field.

The neuronal etiology of obesity is centered around diet-induced inflammatory state in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus which impairs the functionality of pro-opiomelanocortine neurons (POMCs) responsible for whole-body energy homeostasis and feeding behavior. Intriguingly, systemic salt inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) knockout mouse demonstrated reduced food intake and energy expenditure along with modestly dysregulated metabolic parameters suggesting a causal link between the absence of SIK2 activity in POMCs and the observed phenotype. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a comparative secretomics study from POMC neurons following pharmacologically induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induction, a hallmark of metabolic inflammation and POMC dysregulation in diet induced obese (DIO) mice. Our data provide significant in vitro evidence for the POMC specific SIK2 activity in controlling the energy metabolism and feeding in DIO mice by regulating the nature of related POMC secretome. Our data also suggests that under physiological stress conditions SIK2 may act as a gatekeeper for the secreted inflammatory factors and signaling molecules critical for cellular survival and energy homeostasis. On the other hand, in the absence of SIK2 gate opens leading to surge of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic cues concomitant with the dysregulation of POMC neurons.

Extremely sensitive food-allergic patients may react to very small amounts of allergenic foods. Precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) warns from possible allergenic contaminations. We explored the ability of proteomic methods to identify minute amounts of milk/egg allergens in a brand of PAL-labelled milk- and egg-free biscuits. We evaluated the reactivity of children with severe milk and egg allergy, by oral food challenge. Traces of milk and/or egg allergens in biscuits were measured by two different liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. The binding of patient's serum with egg/milk proteins was assessed at immunoblotting. None of the patients reacted to biscuits. Egg and milk proteins were found under the limit of detection of 0.6 µg/g for milk and egg (method A), and of 0.1 and 0.3 µg /g for milk and egg, respectively (method B). The immunoblots did not show milk/egg proteins in the studied biscuits. Our biscuits did not contain allergens of clinical significance. Their milk/egg content is far lower than 4 µg of milk or egg protein per gram of product, the minimal doses considered theoretically capable of causing reactions. With high sensitivity, proteomic assessments predict the harmlessness of very small amount of allergenic foods and can be used to avoid unnecessary PAL.

Data is present in the data sources like Files and Data bases, Retrieval of information from that data sources is one of the important issue nowadays. So for retrieval information from the data sources clustering is used. In the present market different types of clustering algorithms were available. But opting of the clustering is based on user requirements. This paper focuses on the study of hierarchical clustering approach on different conditions or measures or with customer choices like clustering process number of clusters generated at each level, number of levels, attributes range for performing the clustering on the given data set. In brief overview we discuss the hierarchical approach for clustering algorithm with the user opting choices.

Exosomes, natural nanovesicles that contain a cargo of biologically active molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, are released from cells to the extracellular environment. They then act as autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine mediators of communication between cells by delivering their cargo into recipient cells and causing downstream effects. Exosomes are greatly enriched in miRNAs, which are small non-coding RNAs that act as cytoplasmic posttranscriptional repression agents, modulating the translation of mRNAs into proteins, as well as nuclear transcriptional gene activators. Neuronal exosomal miRNAs have important physiologic functions in the Central Nervous System (CNS), including cell-to-cell communication, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis, as well as modulating stress and inflammatory responses. Stress-induced changes of exosomal functions include effects on neurogenesis and neuroinflammation, which can lead to the appearance of various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's and Huntington’s's diseases. The current knowledge regarding the roles of exosomes in the pathophysiology of common mental disorders is discussed in this review.

This manuscript employs a surface stress-driven nonlocal model to explore the combined effects of long-range interaction and surface energy on higher vibration modes of functionally graded nanobeams. The nanobeam theory, based on Bernoulli-Euler kinematics, incorporates surface effects such as surface elasticity, surface residual stresses, surface density, and rotary inertia. Hamilton's principle is applied to derive the governing equation with size-dependent considerations. The main outcomes of a parametric investigation, considering four different kinematic boundary conditions (Cantilever, Simply-Supported, Clamped-Pinned, and Doubly-Clamped) while varying the nonlocal parameter and material gradient index, are presented and discussed. Additionally, the normalized natural frequencies for the second, third, fourth and fifth modes of vibrations are provided and analyzed for each case under study. The results underscore the model's effectiveness in capturing surface energy effects on the overall dynamic behavior of functionally graded Bernoulli-Euler nanobeams, offering a cost-effective approach for designing and optimizing nano-scaled structures.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty maintaining attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Although the cause of this disorder is still unclear, recent studies state that heredity is important in the development of ADHD. This is linked to a few comorbidities: depression, criminal behavior and anxiety. Although genetic factors play a major role in the pathogenesis of ADHD, there are also non-genetic factors, one of which would be oxidative stress (OS) that are associated with ADHD. OS is implicated in the pathogenesis of ADHD, through lower levels of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as a lower total antioxidant status (TOS) compared to control groups. Moreover, there is a close bidirectional connection between the nervous system and the intestinal microbiota, and the communication between the two systems is carried out through the gut-brain axis (GBA). A thorough review of diet, OS implications, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and drug-drug interactions are reviewed here, with a special focus on treatment in adults with comorbid conditions.

Abstract: In recent years, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in China has decreased significantly, whereas the concentration of surface ozone (O3) has increased. The formation regime of ozone is closely related to the ratio of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to nitrogen oxides (NOx). To reveal the reasons for this increase in ozone, we determined the sensitivity of ozone generation by determining the regional threshold of the ratio of formaldehyde to nitrogen dioxide (HCHO/NO2) in the satellite troposphere. The different FNR(HCHO/NO2) ratio ranges indicate three formation regimes: VOC-limited, transitional, and NOx-limited. The range of the transitional regime plays a crucial role in identifying the regime of ozone formation. Currently, the key threshold for ozone generation in China remains unclear. Polynomial fitting models were used to determine the threshold range for the transitional regime in the BTH region [2.0,3.1]. The ozone formation regime in the BTH region mainly exhibited a transitional and NOx-limited regime, and the overall concentration changes of the HCHO and NO2 columns in the BTH region showed a fluctuating trend from 2019 to 2022. However, compared to 2019, the ozone precursors and FNR showed varying degrees of decline in 2022. The concentration changes of NO2 were high in winter and low in summer, whereas the trend of HCHO and FNR changes was the opposite to that of NO2, being high in summer and low in winter. The concentrations of HCHO and NO2 in the BTH region showed a trend of urban agglomeration areas>urban expansion areas>non-urban areas in different land types from 2019 to 2022, whereas the FNR showed an opposite trend in urban agglomeration areas<urban expansion areas<non-urban areas.

Fog computing is a potential solution to overcome the shortcomings of the cloud computing processing of IoT tasks. These drawbacks can be high latency, location awareness and security, and it is attributed to the distance between IoT devices and servers, network congestion and other variables. Although fog computing has evolved as a solution to these challenges, it is known for having limited resources that need to be consciously utilised, or any of its ad-vantages would be lost. Computational offloading and resource management are critical concerns to be considered to get maximum benefit of the available resource at fog computing systems and benefit from its advantages. Computational offloading and resource management are important issues to be considered to get maximum benefit of the available resource at fog computing systems and benefit from its advantages. In this article, in vehicular traffic applications, we introduce a dynamic online offloading scheme that involves the execution of delay-sensitive ac-tivities. This paper proposes an architecture of a fog node that enables a fog node to adjust its offloading threshold dynamically (i.e., the criteria by which a fog node decides whether tasks should be offloaded rather than executed locally) using two algorithms: dynamic task scheduling (DTS) and dynamic energy control (DEC). These algorithms seek to solve an optimisation problem aimed at minimising overall delay, improving throughput, and minimising energy consumption at the fog layer, while maximising the use of resource-constrained fog nodes. Compared with other benchmarks, our approach can reduce the delay by up to 95.38% and reduce energy consumption by up to 67.71% in fog nodes. Additionally, this approach enhances throughput by 71.08%.

Then the purposes of this study were to compare and correlate the aerobic threshold (TH_aer) and anaerobic threshold (TH_anaer) measured during a new single judo specific incremental test and Treadmill Test for aerobic demand evaluation. Eight well-trained male competitive judo players (24.3±7.9 years; height of 169.3±6.7cm; fat mass of 12.7±3.9%) performed a maximal incremental specific test for judo mimicking the UchiKomi drills and on treadmill in different days. There was difference between specific and general TH_aer (P=0.0006) as well as weak correlation for TH_aer (r=0.32; R²=0.1; P=0.2) and TH_anaer (rs=-0.31; R²=0.1; P=0.12). When correlation was applied with normalized data (percentage of peak load) we observed moderate correlation for TH_aer (r=0.76; R²=0.58; P=0.027), but the same was not observed for TH_anaer. We conclude that there is a need of TH_aer and TH_anaer evaluation through a specific test for Judo.

Durum wheat (DW) is one of the major crops grown in the Mediterranean area, a climate-vulnerable region where the increase in day/night (d/n) temperature are severely threatening DW yield stability. In order to improve DW heat tolerance, the introgression of chromosomal segments derived from the wild gene pool is a promising strategy. Here, four DW-Thinopyrum spp. near-isogenic recombinant lines (NIRLs) were assessed for their physiological response and productive performance after an intense heat stress (IH, 37/27°C d/n) applied for 3 days at anthesis. The NIRLs included two primary types (R5, R112), carriers (+) of a differently sized Th. ponticum 7el1L segment on DW 7AL arm, and two corresponding secondary types (R69-9/R5, R69-9/R112), possessing a Th. elongatum 7EL segment distally inserted into the 7el1L ones. Their response to the IH stress was compared to that of corresponding non-carrier sib lines (−) and of the heat tolerant cv. Margherita. Overall, the R112+, R69-9/R5+ and R69-9/R112+ NIRLs exhibited a tolerant behaviour towards the applied stress, standing out for maintenance of leaf relative water content, but also for accumulation of proline and soluble sugars in flag leaf and for preservation of photosynthetic efficiency. As a result, all the above three NIRLs (R112+ > R69-9/R5+ > R69-9/R112+) displayed good yield stability under the IH, also in comparison with cv. Margherita, R112+ particularly relying on strength of spike fertility/grain number traits, R69-9/R5+ on efficient compensation by grain weight increase. This work largely confirmed and further substantiated the value of exploiting the wild germplasm of Thinopyrum species as useful source for the improvement of DW tolerance to even extreme abiotic stress conditions, such as the severe heat treatment throughout day- and night-time applied here.

Climate change has resulted in increased incidences of abiotic stresses, such as heat, drought, salinity, and waterlogging. These stressors have a negative impact on the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop and cause significant yield losses. Each stressor induces specific physiological and metabolic alterations interconnected with the complex changes at molecular levels. Understanding the molecular pathways that govern the cotton plant's stress responses is crucial to develop stress-tolerant cotton cultivars that can withstand different stresses. Molecular investigations have mapped the changes in the expression of stress-responsive genes, encompassing heat shock proteins and ion transporters, which play a vital role in facilitating adaptive responses. These approaches have been shown to help identify dynamic gene expression patterns and elucidate intricate regulatory networks using advanced metagenomics and multi-omics techniques. By leveraging genetic diversity and utilizing advanced molecular methods, it would be possible to develop stress-resilient cotton varieties to ensure sustainable cotton production in the face of abiotic stresses. This review provides an overview of the effects of various abiotic stressors on cotton plants, including drought, salt, heat, and waterlogged soil. We also explore the extensive network of stress-responsive genes, proteins, and signaling pathways in cotton by summarizing the studies on gene expression regulation, proteins involved in stress response, and biochemical characteristics.

Abstract: Brassinosteroids (BR) are essential plant hormones that play a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development, as well as their resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, including pathogen infections. In the context of plant im-munity, BR influence various processes such as the expression of genes related to pathogen defense, the production of antimicrobial compounds, and the re-inforcement of the plant cell structure. The aim of work is understand the role of BR in plant defense against abiotic and biotic stresses. BR are involved in the regulation of metabolic processes, water economy, and photosynthesis, contributing to increased plant resistance to abiotic stresses. The study discusses various mechanisms of BR action on plant immunity, including the regulation of gene expression related to defense, activation of the plant defense system, in-teraction with other plant hormones, regulation of water and salt balance, and influence on photosynthetic processes. In the context of plant immunity, BR influence various processes, including the expression of genes related to pathogen defense, the production of antimicrobial compounds, and the reinforcement of the plant cell structure. Additionally, BR are involved in the regulation of metabolic processes, water economy, and photosynthesis, con-tributing to increased plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The paper emphasizes the importance of further research on the role and mechanisms of action of BR in plant immunity, which may contribute to the development of more effective strategies for the use of BR in agriculture, horticulture, and plant protection.

Increased norepinephrine (NE) release from the sympathetic nerves during pregnancy in women or animal models, as occurs during stress, modifies the fetal environment and increases flow of NE to the fetus, programing the progeny and affecting its cardiovascular and metabolic function in adulthood. In the present work, gestating rats were exposed to stress during gestation and the female progeny was analyzed for heart and metabolic function. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to cold stress (4 °C/3 h/day); rats’ female progeny were euthanized at 4, 20 and 60 days old and their hearts evaluated to determine the β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) mRNA, abundance and affinity to agonists and NE concentration. The in vivo response to glucose overload and the arterial pressure response to isoproterenol (ISO, 125 µg/kg weight/day/10 days) were monitored. Results: At 20 and 60 days old, stressed female progeny presented an increase in ventricular weight and no changes in the cardiac NE as compared with their age-matched controls. The β1AR mRNA in control rats decreased between 4 and 20 days of age, but stressed rats maintained 50% higher levels of mRNA as compared with their age-matched controls. This difference was also found in the protein abundance of β1AR. No differences were found at 60 days old. The β2AR mRNA levels were higher than in controls at both 4 and 20 days old, but not expressed in the amount of protein. An increase in the ratio of β1/β2 receptors was found at 20 days old but not at 60 days old. The displacement of 3H-dihydroalprenolol (DHA) from a membrane fraction with propranolol (β antagonist) showed decreased affinity (at 60 days old) but no changes in the βAR number. In vivo exposure to ISO induced a β-adrenergic overload and provoked death in 40% of stressed females by day 3 of ISO treatment. Regarding metabolic function, we found that stressed rats presented insulin resistance when adults. These data suggest permanent changes to the heart’s adrenergic response and metabolic function after rat progeny were stressed in the uterus.