Excessive mistletoe ( Viscum album) proliferation is considered dangerous for the survival of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris) stands, as mistletoe increases their sensitivity to drought stress. In order to better understand this sensitivity, the aim of this study was to explore in depth the hydraulic and gas exchange performance of V. album in relation to its host P. sylvestris during summer drought. We selected one of the Scots pine southernmost habitats that features oro-Mediterranean climatic conditions. Here we measured hydraulic traits, xylem embolism, water potential, gas exchange, plant conductance and branch transpiration in non-infected and infected pine branches and mistletoe. We concluded that 1) both species have similar xylem specific hydraulic conductivity, leaf specific conductivity, vulnerability to drought-induced cavitation and plant conductance, but the higher transpiration of V. album resulted in more negative shoot water potentials that entailed a higher risk of xylem cavitation; 2) infected pine branches adjusted stem conductivity to the supported leaf area, that could explain the lack of differences in leaf specific conductivity, gas exchange, water potential and branch conductance with non-infected pine branches; and 3) despite the pine hydraulic adjustment, V. album caused a water uncoupling, exacerbated with soil water deficit, in infected pine branches above an infection threshold.

Background There is an increasing number of tools that use AI to carry out assessments of published clinical research. Objective We set out to address the question: “Which AI-enhanced tools have been developed or used to help with evaluation of the trustworthiness of clinical trial publications?” Methods We searched five databases for publications of tools, checklists or methods irrespective of how many items they had (Epistemonikos, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science). We excluded studies if they did not apply the tool to publications of randomised clinical trials. Our search was restricted to publications in English. The date of the last search was 27 March 2025. For each identified tool we identified the domains and questions for which they had been used. If reported, we extracted information on accuracy. Results We identified 16 publications describing 17 tools tackling 4 different domains (governance, plausibility, plagiarism, reporting). We found no papers/tools addressing specific questions in the domain of statistics, but one tool was used to prepare data for statistical trustworthiness assessment. Four papers checked adherence to CONSORT and PRISMA guidelines. Four papers looked for evidence of manipulation or duplication of images; seven papers used various tools to look for suggestions that the publication may not be authored by the named authors (e.g. AI-generated); one paper checked four other governance questions, two other reporting questions, and evaluated whether data could be extracted for statistical trustworthiness assessment. Conclusion If used in conjunction with traditional software/human trustworthiness checks, AI-assisted tools can be relevant as an aid to assessment. We suggest that assessors must have realistic expectations about the capabilities and limitations of AI. Any AI-assisted assessment must align with established guidelines and research practices and outputs must be checked carefully, as only humans should make final judgements on clinical and methodological relevance and plausibility. With this proviso, we predict that with the increasing quality and user-friendliness of AI, and an ever-growing demand for trustworthiness assessment, the use of AI in this area will grow exponentially.

A document by M. Parsanasab. Click on the document to view its contents.

When compared to nature sounds, exposure to mechanical sounds evokes higher levels of perceptual and physiological arousal, prompting the recruitment of attentional and physiological resources to elicit adaptive responses. However, it is unclear whether these attributes are solely related to the sound intensity of mechanical sounds, since in most real-world scenarios, mechanical sounds are present at high intensities, or if other acoustic or semantic factors are also at play. We measured the Skin Conductance Response (SCR), reflecting sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity as well as the pleasantness and eventfulness of the soundscape across two passive and active listening tasks in (N = 25) healthy subjects. The auditory stimuli were divided into two categories, nature, and mechanical sounds, and were manipulated to vary in three perceived loudness levels. As expected, we found that the sound category influenced perceived soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness. SCR was analysed by taking the mean level across the stimulus epoch, and also by quantifying its dynamic. We found that mean SCR was modulated by loudness only. SCR rise-time (a measure of speed of the skin response) correlated significantly with soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness for nature and mechanical sounds. This study highlights the importance of considering both loudness level and sound category in evaluating the perceptual soundscape, highlighting SCR as a valuable tool for such assessments.

Social anxiety is linked to ruminative thoughts that impair the efficiency of mental state processing while also enhancing the processing of emotional faces. Although paradoxical at first glance, this may reflect socially anxious individuals allocating more processing resources to social cues, facilitating early perceptual processing but inducing ruminations during deliberation. To examine this possibility, we developed a modified version of the Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RME) test and tested European American young adults ( n = 57) varying in social anxiety. Participants viewed different gaze patterns, immediately followed by a word that was either congruent or incongruent with the culturally recognized meaning of the gaze. During this task, their electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. We found a negative deflection of event-related potential (ERP) approximately 400ms after the stimulus word (referred to as N400, indicating the detection of semantic incongruity). As expected, the N400 amplitude was greater for incongruent (vs. congruent) stimulus words, reflecting the detection of semantic mismatch. Notably, this N400 incongruity effect increased significantly with social anxiety, indicating enhanced early mental state processing. However, social anxiety did not improve accuracy in subsequent mental state identification. Moreover, the social anxiety effect on N400 was absent in a control condition assessing semantic incongruity involved in the conceptions of various animals ( n = 50). Our findings support the idea that socially anxious individuals allocate more processing resources to social cues, enhancing early-stage perception but not later deliberative judgment. These findings suggest that interventions for social anxiety could benefit from targeting early-stage perceptual processing to mitigate later-stage ruminative effects.

This study aims to improve financial education nationwide. Using a natural language processing approach, the researcher converted state financial literacy standards and the National Standards for Personal Financial Education developed by the Council for Economic Education (CEE) into machine-readable formats and applied OpenAI's text-embedding-ada-002 model to calculate cosine similarity scores between state and national standards. A random sample of 100 scores was manually inspected, yielding a precision rate of 85-96% through a 95% confidence interval. Results show significant variation in alignment across states and subjects, with categories like investing and managing credit being the most underrepresented. This scalable, semi-automated procedure offers a replicable framework for curriculum writers and evaluators to find specific gaps in the material, allowing them to improve financial education.

We explore a quantum mechanical framework for modeling mutation dynamics in viral genomes. Motivated by experimental observations, such as interference-like mutation patterns and an inverse relationship between genome size and per-site mutation rate, we represent the viral genome as a superposition state in a high-dimensional Hilbert space, and model mutations as quantum operators acting on this state. This is not a microscopic theory of replication but an effective, physically inspired model aimed at capturing non-classical features such as interference and entanglement in sequence evolution. We introduce structured mutation operators diagonal, random, and spatially correlated, and study their action on quantum sequence states using numerical simulations. Correlated operators with phase structure produce interference patterns in mutation probabilities, analogous to the electron double-slit experiment. Entangled mutation dynamics, modeled via cluster-state-like correlations, alter the scaling behavior of the per-site mutation rate with genome size. We show that while classical models predict a constant per-site mutation rate for small genomes, entangled models yield size-dependent rates that decrease as L −α , where α > 0 reflects the strength of correlation. This matches trends observed in RNA viruses with genomes below ∼ 30 kb. Finally, we propose two experimental tests: (1) detection of replication-speed-dependent interference fringes using modified viral polymerases, and (2) ensemble-level coherence signatures measurable by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results offer a testable hypothesis that quantum correlations may influence mutation dynamics in viral genomes below 30 kb in size.

This letter proposes a semi-supervised identification method to address the challenge of ineffective identification of unknown radiation sources in communication emitter individual identification. The method involves multi-feature transformation and feature fusion of radiation source signals, followed by training an optimal closed-set model and feature extractor using a ConvNeXt network combined with an attention mechanism. The K-means clustering algorithm is then employed to classify and identify unknown radiation source signals. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through various evaluation metrics and feature visualization. Experimental results demonstrate that the method achieves a classification recognition rate of up to 95% for three types of unknown radiation source signals and exceeds 70% for four types, further confirming its effectiveness in the classification and identification of unknown radiation sources.

1. Introduction: The importance of steep slope viticulture and the challenges of neglect in the Mosel regionThe steep-slope vineyards of the Mosel valley are of outstanding importance for the production of high-quality Riesling wines and, to a lesser extent, Pinot Noir. These sites benefit from optimal sun exposure and a unique terroir that characterizes the region's wines. However, the neglect of such vineyards leads to soil erosion, nutrient depletion and an impairment of the health and productivity of the vines, especially in the labor-intensive steep slopes. The historical and economic relevance of steep-slope viticulture on the Mosel therefore requires effective revitalization strategies in order to preserve the unique character of the regional wines and the characteristic landscape. The steep slopes define the identity of Mosel wines and contribute significantly to their special characteristics. Neglecting these areas not only impairs wine quality, but also threatens the cultural heritage and economic sustainability of the region. Consequently, revitalization is essential to secure the Mosel's position on the global wine market.The Mosel region is affected by a worrying trend of vineyard decline, which particularly affects steep slopes. This is due to high labor costs and low grape prices. Factors contributing to vineyard abandonment include an ageing working population, a lack of succession on family farms and economic pressures that make steep slope viticulture less profitable than cultivation on flatter terrain. The consequences of vineyard decline are the loss of agricultural land, increased soil erosion, negative effects on tourism and a decline in wine production and the region's reputation. The economic unprofitability of traditional steep-slope viticulture combined with demographic changes poses a significant threat to the Mosel wine landscape and requires innovative revitalization approaches. The high costs associated with manual labor on steep slopes, combined with fluctuating market prices for grapes, make it difficult for small vineyard owners to remain profitable. The lack of interest from younger generations in taking over these labor-intensive vineyards further exacerbates the problem, leading to a cycle of abandonment and decline.The revitalization project of the Pinot Noir steep slope Briedeler Nonnengarten, which was neglected for over two years, represents a typical case of vineyard decline on the Mosel. Karl Dobrinski's project aims to restore the health and productivity of this vineyard through a combination of soil improvement measures and sustainable practices. This project serves as a valuable case study to understand the scientific basis and practical challenges of revitalizing abandoned steep slope vineyards in the region. Analyzing the specific interventions applied in the Briedeler Nonnengarten project can provide valuable insights into effective strategies for addressing vineyard decline in similar contexts across the Mosel. By studying the specific interventions and their effects on soil and vine health, we can gain a deeper understanding of which techniques are most effective in revitalizing neglected steep slopes. This knowledge can then be applied to other similar situations in the Mosel region.2. The science of soil degradation in unmanaged steep-slope vineyardsSteep slopes are naturally susceptible to soil erosion due to gravity and rainwater runoff. The lack of management exacerbates erosion and leads to the loss of topsoil, organic matter and essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nutrient depletion has a direct impact on the health and productivity of the vines, leading to reduced yields and lower quality grapes. The challenging topography of steep slope vineyards makes them highly susceptible to soil degradation if neglected, leading to a cascade of negative effects on the entire vineyard ecosystem. The steep slope increases the speed and force of rainwater runoff, removing valuable topsoil and nutrients. Without a regular supply of organic matter and nutrients through management practices, soil fertility declines, directly impacting the health and vitality of the vines. \cite{avenues,grapes,growers,vineyard,soils,vineyards,enology}The soil structure deteriorates due to erosion and a lack of organic matter, which leads to compaction and reduced aeration. The pH value of the soil can become unbalanced and affect the availability of nutrients for the vines. Water infiltration and storage are reduced in degraded soils, making the vines more susceptible to drought stress, which is particularly critical on steep slopes with limited water access. The activity of beneficial soil microorganisms decreases in depleted and compacted soils, which further impairs nutrient cycling and plant health. Neglect triggers a decline in several interrelated soil properties and creates an unfavorable environment for grapevine growth, increasing their susceptibility to environmental stress and disease. The loss of topsoil and organic matter disrupts the physical structure of the soil, making it dense and poorly aerated. This compaction hinders root growth and reduces the soil's ability to absorb and retain water. Imbalances in pH can bind essential nutrients and prevent the vines from accessing them. The decline in microbial life further weakens the soil's ability to support healthy plant growth. \cite{soils,vineyards,enology,growersa,center,stone}Pinot Noir is a demanding grape variety that requires specific soil conditions and nutrient availability for optimal growth and quality. Neglected soils may not provide the necessary balance of nutrients, which particularly affects the color, tannin structure and aromatic development of Pinot Noir. Water stress on steep slopes can severely impair the sensitive physiology and fruit quality of Pinot Noir. The specific requirements of Pinot Noir make it particularly susceptible to the negative effects of soil degradation in neglected steep-slope vineyards, potentially leading to significant losses in quality and yield. Pinot Noir's sensitivity to soil conditions means that any imbalance in nutrient or water balance can have a pronounced effect on its growth and the quality of the resulting wine. The lack of proper soil management in neglected vineyards can prevent Pinot Noir from reaching its full potential, affecting its characteristic flavor profile and overall quality.\cite{one,pubmed,5ijbdg,Rodrigo_Comino_2016}3. Scientific analysis of the revitalization techniques in the Briedeler Nonnengarten projectThe planned intervention strategy includes a series of measures aimed at restoring the health and productivity of the neglected Pinot Noir steep slope.Dolomitic lime helps to restore the pH balance and supply essential nutrients. Dolomite lime contains calcium and magnesium, which are essential for the health of the vines. It helps to raise the soil pH in acidic soils, improving nutrient availability. The application of dolomitic lime corrects potential pH imbalances and magnesium deficiencies that are common in neglected soils, creating a more favorable environment for nutrient uptake by Pinot Noir vines. Acidic soil can hinder the uptake of vital nutrients by the vines. The dolomite lime application helps to neutralize the soil pH and makes essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium more accessible to the Pinot Noir roots. The additional magnesium it contains is also crucial for chlorophyll production and the general health of the vines. \cite{soils,growersa,center,stone} Biochar improves soil structure, water retention and carbon sequestration. It increases the porosity and water capacity of the soil. It can also improve nutrient retention and availability in the soil and contribute to carbon sequestration, which is a long-term environmental benefit. The application of biochar can significantly improve the physical and chemical properties of degraded vineyard soil, promoting the long-term health and resilience of Pinot Noir vines. The porous structure of biochar acts like a sponge, storing water and nutrients and making them available to the vines over a longer period of time, which is particularly important on dry steep slopes. It also improves soil aeration and thus enables better root growth. In addition, its ability to store carbon helps to mitigate climate change.\cite{sustainability,initiative,wey7u9,green}Pumice granules improve aeration and drainage in compacted soils. Pumice is a lightweight volcanic rock that improves soil aeration and drainage. It helps prevent soil compaction, a common problem in degraded vineyard soils. Pumice can also improve water retention in certain soil types. The incorporation of pumice granules can reduce soil compaction and improve drainage, creating a better rooting environment for Pinot Noir vines, especially in the heavy clay soils often found in the Mosel. Compacted soil hinders root growth and can lead to waterlogging. Pumice granules create air pockets in the soil, improving drainage and aeration and allowing Pinot Noir roots to breathe and grow better, resulting in better nutrient uptake and overall vine health. \cite{gardening,applications,pumice}Premium Potting Soil introduces organic matter and initial nutrient availability. It is rich in organic matter, which improves soil structure and water retention and provides an initial supply of essential nutrients for the vines. The addition of Premium Potting Soil provides a readily available source of nutrients and improves the overall quality of the degraded soil, giving the Pinot Noir vines a good start in their recovery. Potting soil contains decomposed organic matter that enriches the soil and improves its ability to retain water and nutrients. This readily available source of nutrients gives stressed Pinot Noir vines an immediate boost, helping them to establish themselves and begin their recovery process.\cite{growing,growth,winemakermagcom} Rock flour provides essential trace elements for plant health. It contains a wide range of trace elements and micronutrients that are essential for plant health. These minerals support various physiological processes in grapevines, including enzyme production and disease resistance. The application of rock flour replenishes essential trace elements that may be depleted in neglected vineyard soil, promoting the overall health and resilience of Pinot Noir vines. While macronutrients are crucial for basic growth, trace elements play an important role in various metabolic pathways within the vine. Rock flour provides a broad spectrum of these minerals, ensuring that Pinot Noir vines have all the necessary building blocks for optimal health and function, including increased resistance to disease and pests. \cite{fertiliser,a,soil}Horn meal and shavings provide a slow-release source of nitrogen and improve soil structure. They are organic fertilizers that provide a slow-release source of nitrogen and also help improve soil structure over time. The use of horn-based fertilizers offers a sustainable way to provide Pinot Noir vines with a gradual and long-lasting supply of nitrogen, which is crucial for vegetative growth and fruit development, while improving soil health. Nitrogen is a key element for the growth of vines, especially for the development of leaves and shoots. Horn shavings and horn clippings decompose slowly in the soil and release nitrogen gradually, ensuring a constant supply to Pinot Noir vines throughout the growing season without the risk of nutrient burn from synthetic fertilizers. Their organic nature also helps to improve soil structure and water retention capacity over time. \cite{vines,Lanauskas_2021,news}Mycorrhizal fungi promote nutrient and water uptake through symbiotic relationships with the roots of vines, particularly the uptake of phosphorus. They can extend the reach of the plant's root system, improving access to resources, which is particularly important in challenging environments such as steep slopes. Mycorrhizae can also increase the resistance of vines to drought and certain diseases. The introduction of mycorrhizal fungi can significantly benefit Pinot Noir vines by improving their ability to take up essential resources from degraded soil and increasing their resistance to drought and disease, which are common in neglected vineyards. Mycorrhizal fungi act as an extension of the vine's root system, forming a network of fine filaments that explore a larger volume of soil and allow the vines to access water and nutrients that would otherwise be unavailable. This symbiotic relationship is particularly beneficial in nutrient-poor and drought-prone environments, helping Pinot Noir vines to thrive in challenging conditions. \cite{grapevines,fungi,ag,applicationsa}Cover cropping improves soil health, prevents erosion and increases biodiversity. Cover cropping protects the soil from erosion, which is particularly important on steep slopes. It adds organic matter to the soil and thus improves its structure and water storage capacity. Legumes in green cover can fix nitrogen in the soil and thus reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. Grass cover can suppress weeds and provide habitat for beneficial insects, increasing biodiversity. Establishing a cover crop provides a holistic approach to revitalizing the vineyard by combating soil erosion, improving soil health naturally and creating a more biodiverse and resilient ecosystem for Pinot Noir vines. Sowing green cover between the rows of vines helps to bind the soil and prevent erosion from rainwater runoff on the steep slopes. As this cover crop rots, it adds valuable organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and its ability to retain water.Legumes in the revegetation also contribute nitrogen to the soil, an important nutrient for vine growth, reducing dependence on external inputs. In addition, the presence of green cover creates a more diverse habitat that attracts beneficial insects that can help control pests and further improve the health of the vineyard. \cite{avenues,grapes,vineyards,enology,university}The 45-degree slope significantly influences the application and effectiveness of the revitalization measures. The steep incline makes the application of soil amendments difficult and requires careful methods to prevent washaway. Erosion control measures are particularly critical on such slopes to ensure the long-term success of the revitalization project. Water management is crucial on steep slopes, as water can run off quickly and lead to drought stress. The considerable incline of the vineyard requires tailored application techniques for the revitalization measures, with a strong focus on erosion control and efficient water management to maximize their effectiveness. The steepness of the slope requires careful consideration when applying soil amendments to prevent them from being washed away by rainwater. Erosion control measures, such as cover crops and terracing (where feasible), are essential to stabilize the soil and retain the applied amendments. https://naparcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Chapter5_ManagingErosionInVineyardBlocksAndAvenues.pdf\cite{avenues,grapes,growers,Gall_2025}4. Contextualization of revitalization in the broader context of vineyard decline on the MoselVineyard decline in the Mosel is a documented trend, particularly affecting steep slopes. Mosel winegrowers face significant economic challenges, including low grape prices and high production costs on steep slopes. Added to this are demographic shifts and a lack of succession in vineyard management. The Briedeler Nonnengarten project takes place in a context of significant challenges for the Mosel wine region, with economic and social factors contributing to widespread vineyard decline, particularly affecting traditional steep-slope viticulture. The revitalization of the Briedeler Nonnengarten is not an isolated event but part of a larger effort to address the persistent problem of vineyard abandonment in the Mosel. Understanding the broader context of economic pressures and demographic changes helps highlight the importance and potential impact of such revitalization initiatives. \cite{Strub_2021,Wersebeckmann_2023}The specific revitalization techniques employed in this matter aim to address the main problems of soil degradation in neglected steep-slope vineyards (as discussed in Section 3). However, the scalability and economic feasibility of applying these techniques to other abandoned steep-slope vineyards in the Mosel region must be assessed, taking into account the high labor costs in such terrains. The success of the Briedeler Nonnengarten project could provide a model for other Mosel winegrowers facing similar challenges and point the way to the sustainable revitalization of abandoned steep-slope vineyards, provided economic realities are carefully considered. If the revitalization efforts at the Briedeler Nonnengarten prove effective in restoring the vineyard's health and productivity in a cost-effective manner, the techniques applied could serve as a blueprint for other winegrowers struggling with neglected steep slopes. However, the economic viability of these methods, given the inherently high costs of working in such terrain, must be carefully examined. \cite{Strub_2021,Seeger_2020}The revitalization of abandoned vineyards can contribute to the economic viability of the Mosel wine region by increasing the production of high-quality wines and attracting wine tourism. Vineyard revitalization plays an important role in preserving the unique cultural landscape of the Mosel, characterized by its steep, terraced vineyards. Government support and regional initiatives could encourage and facilitate the revitalization of abandoned vineyards in the Mosel. The reactivation of abandoned vineyards, particularly on steep slopes, is of significant regional importance for the economic sustainability of the Mosel wine industry and the preservation of its iconic landscape and may require community efforts and political support. By reactivating abandoned vineyards, the Mosel region can increase its overall wine production and potentially improve its economic returns. Furthermore, the preservation of traditional steep-slope vineyards is crucial for maintaining the region's unique cultural identity and attracting tourists drawn to its picturesque landscape. State and regional support can play a critical role in incentivizing and facilitating these revitalization efforts. \cite{borders,bender,vomboden}5. Fallow Land Revitalisation: Findings from the Zeller JungfernbergAgricultural fallow land can suffer soil degradation and weed infestation over time. Restoring fallow land to viticulture requires careful site preparation, including vegetation removal, soil testing, and soil improvement measures. The choice of grape variety and rootstock should be tailored to the specific soil conditions of the reclaimed land. Revitalizing fallow land to viticulture presents both opportunities and challenges and requires a scientific understanding of soil dynamics and careful planning to ensure successful vine establishment and productivity. Land that lies fallow can experience a decline in soil health due to lack of management and the growth of weeds. Returning this land to viticulture requires a systematic approach, beginning with clearing existing vegetation and assessing soil properties. Selecting appropriate grape varieties and rootstocks well-suited to the specific conditions of the reclaimed land is critical to long-term success. \cite{agency,prairie,agricology,ecosystems,advocate,roctaiwan}The project at Zeller Jungfernberg involves planting fruit trees on brownfield land with the potential for future vine restoration. Fruit trees can help improve soil health, prevent erosion, and create a more diverse ecosystem on the brownfield land, potentially preparing it for future vineyard establishment. The integration of fruit cultivation into the Zeller Jungfernberg project represents an innovative approach to brownfield revitalization and potentially offers a transitional strategy toward the eventual restoration of vineyards. Planting fruit trees on the brownfield land can provide several benefits, including improving soil structure through their root systems, preventing soil erosion on slopes, and increasing the area's overall biodiversity. These positive changes can help create a more favorable environment for the eventual planting of grapevines. \cite{agriculture,Favor_2023,Wyckhuys_2025,vineyarda,vignes,nages,foundation}Fruit trees can provide short-term economic returns while the land is being prepared for vines. The choice of fruit species should be carefully considered to minimize competition with future grapevines for resources. However, the long-term suitability of land previously used for fruit trees for the production of high-quality Pinot Noir has yet to be assessed. While incorporating fruit trees into fallow land can offer several benefits in preparing for vineyard restoration, careful planning is required to ensure that the chosen tree species and management practices do not negatively impact the long-term potential for high-quality wine production. Fruit trees can provide the landowner with interim income while the fallow land is being improved for future vineyard use. However, it is important to select fruit species that will not excessively compete with grapevines for water, nutrients, and sunlight once they are planted. Furthermore, soil conditions ideal for fruit trees may not be perfectly suited to Pinot Noir, so this aspect must be considered in long-term planning. \cite{agriculture,Favor_2023,Wyckhuys_2025,vineyarda,vignes,nages,foundation}6. The ecological importance of fruit trees in vineyards: A nature conservation projectFruit trees increase the diversity of plant species in vineyard landscapes and provide food sources (fruits, nuts, pollen, nectar) and shelter for various insects, birds, and other wildlife. This increased biodiversity can contribute to a more resilient and balanced ecosystem. The inclusion of fruit trees in vineyard sites can significantly enhance ecosystem biodiversity, creating a more complex and stable environment that supports a wider range of plant and animal life. Monocultural vineyards, with their focus on a single crop, often lack the diversity to support a wide range of wildlife. The introduction of fruit trees creates a more diverse habitat with distinct food sources and shelter options, attracting a greater number of insects, birds, and other animals and contributing to a richer and more balanced ecosystem. \cite{agriculture,Favor_2023,Wyckhuys_2025,vineyarda,vignes,nages,foundation}\cite{agriculture,Favor_2023,Wyckhuys_2025,vineyarda,vignes,nages,foundation}Tree root systems help bind soil, reducing the risk of erosion on steep slopes. This is particularly important in the Mosel region, which experiences significant rainfall. Fruit trees can complement the erosion control provided by cover crops and other vineyard management practices. Integrating fruit trees into vineyard sites can provide an additional layer of protection against soil erosion, which is particularly crucial on the steep slopes of the Mosel region, helping to preserve valuable topsoil and prevent land degradation. Trees' extensive root systems act as natural anchors, holding soil particles together and making them less susceptible to being washed away by rainwater. This is especially important on the steep slopes of the Mosel, where erosion is a significant problem. Fruit trees can be used in conjunction with other erosion control measures, such as cover crops, to provide a more comprehensive and effective solution. \cite{avenues,grapes,growers,Gall_2025,method}The integration of fruit trees adds visual diversity to the vineyard landscape, which can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area for tourists and locals. In addition to providing ecological benefits, the inclusion of fruit trees enhances the visual appeal and landscape diversity of the Mosel region, contributing to its overall charm and appeal. The traditional landscape of the Mosel is characterized by its vineyards. The integration of fruit trees adds another element of visual interest, creating a more diverse and appealing landscape for residents and visitors. This can contribute to the tourist appeal and overall quality of life of the area. \cite{foundation,nages,vignes,vineyardb,Wyckhuys_2025,agriculturea,agriculture,Favor_2023,bordeauxcom}The planned planting of various fruit varieties in Zell's Jungfernberg demonstrates a commitment to nature conservation. This initiative can serve as an example for other vineyard owners in the Mosel region interested in improving biodiversity and ecological sustainability on their land. The project in Zell's Jungfernberg highlights the potential of vineyard owners to actively contribute to nature conservation efforts in the Mosel region by incorporating fruit trees into their land management practices. By intentionally planting a variety of fruit trees, This project is not only revitalizing fallow land but also creating a more biodiverse habitat. This initiative can inspire other vineyard owners in the Mosel to consider similar measures, thus contributing to a broader movement toward ecological sustainability in viticulture in the region. \cite{weinberg,welt}7. Summary: The combination of scientific understanding, practical application and regional requirements for resilient viticulture on the MoselThe revitalization measures in the Briedel Nonnengarten, including the application of dolomite lime, biochar, pumice granules, premium potting soil, primary rock flour, horn shavings, mycorrhiza, and seeding, are based on scientific findings on soil degradation in neglected vineyards and the positive effects of these measures on soil structure, pH, nutrient availability, water retention, and the promotion of soil biodiversity. The revitalization of fallow land, as in the Zeller Jungfernberg project through the combination of fruit cultivation and potential vine recultivation, requires careful site preparation and the adaptation of grape varieties to the specific soil conditions. The integration of fruit trees into vineyard sites, as planned in the Zeller Jungfernberg, offers scientifically proven benefits for nature conservation, including the promotion of biodiversity, erosion control, and the enhancement of the landscape.The revitalization projects take place in a regional context characterized by vineyard decline in the Mosel region. His initiatives can serve as examples or solutions for the revitalization of abandoned steep slopes and contribute to the region's economic viability and the preservation of its unique cultural landscape. Combining scientific understanding, practical measures, and the socioeconomic context of the Mosel wine region is crucial for a holistic approach to addressing the challenges of vineyard decline and promoting sustainable revitalization efforts. The long-term benefits of adopting sustainable and regenerative viticulture practices for the health of the vineyard ecosystem and the resilience of the Mosel wine region in the face of climate change and other challenges are crucial. Initiatives such as the Briedel Nonnengarten and the Zeller Jungfernberg can contribute to a more vibrant and sustainable future for viticulture in the Mosel region.Table 1: Planned impact of revitalization measures on soil propertiesRevitalisation MeasureEffect on Soil StructureEffect on pH ValueEffect on Nutrient AvailabilityEffect on Water StorageEffect on Soil LifeDolomitic LimeImproved (in clay soils)Increased (in acidic soils)Increased (Ca, Mg, P, N)ImprovedPromotesBiocharImprovedNeutralIncreasedIncreasedPromotesPumice GranulateImproved (Aeration, Drainage)NeutralNo direct effectImproved (in heavy soils)PromotesPremium Potting SoilImprovedSlightly acidicIncreased (initially)ImprovedPromotesRock FlourNo direct effectNeutralIncreased (Trace Elements)No direct effectPromotesHorn Meal and ShavingsImproved (slowly)Slightly acidicIncreased (N, slow release)Improved (slowly)PromotesMycorrhizal FungiImprovedNo direct effectIncreased (P, N, Water)ImprovedPromotesCover CroppingImprovedNo direct effectIncreased (N in legumes)ImprovedPromotes

BACKGROUND: The pathological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include synovial pannus and inflammatory responses, which in turn lead to joint destruction.Neovascularization has a significant impact on synovia vascular opacification formation, while RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) are pivotal in synovial proliferation and joint degradation. Long-stranded noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are crucial regulators across various diseases, but their role in RA remains incompletely understood. In the present investigation, we examined the involvement of LncRNA EBLN3P in RA synovial angiogenesis via modulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, mediated by the miR-369-3p/NFIX axis.LncRNAs serve as crucial regulators in a wide range of diseases, but the precise mechanisms underlying their involvement in RA remain incompletely elucidated. This study reveals the potential mechanism of LncRNA EBLN3P in RA synovial angiogenesis through miR-369-3p/NFIX molecular axis-mediated modulates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. METHODS: The interplay among LncRNA EBLN3P, miR-369-3p, and NFIX was confirmed via a dual-luciferase reporter assay.Through qRT-PCR, Western blotting, EdU proliferation detection, scratch migration assay, Transwell invasion assay and ELISA technology, modulating RA-FLS proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis-related factor secretion, matrix degradation activity, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway activation by LncRNA EBLN3P was systematically resolved. Role. In the current study, we further combined in vitro lumen formation assay and immunofluorescence staining technique to investigate the effects of lncRNA EBLN3P on RA-FLS-induced HUVEC angiogenic capacity and endothelial marker expression. RESULTS: LncRNA EBLN3P overexpression promotes angiogenic function by regulating the biological behavior (proliferation, migration, invasion) and the levels of angiogenic factors of RA-FLS, forming a pro-angiogenic microenvironment, which in turn promotes angiogenic function, as well as RA-FLS-induced enhancement of the tube-forming capacity and endothelial marker CD34 in HUVEC, CD105 expression was upregulated. In addition, LncRNA EBLN3P overexpression activated the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by suppressing miR-369-3p expression and upregulating NFIX expression, which in turn activated the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In contrast, knockdown of the LncRNA EBLN3P significantly suppressed these effects. CONCLUSION:LncRNA EBLN3P stimulates the JAK/STAT signaling pathway via the miR-369-3p/NFIX axis, thereby enhancing synovial neovascularization in RA

The development of industrial bioprocesses requires reliable mathematical models that describe microbial growth, substrate consumption, and product formation. These models must provide precise simulations of bioprocesses to aid in the development of design equations for biological reactors. This work introduces integral forms of the Pirt and Luedeking-Piret models. With the specific biomass growth rate estimated by any model, these expressions can be used to simulate substrate uptake and product formation. They were validated using the Gompertz model as a particular case study. The analytical solutions obtained were used for simulating lactate uptake and acetate formation during Megasphaera elsdenii culturing. The experimental data on biomass growth were accurately fitted to the Gompertz model ( R adj 2 = 0.985). Similarly, coupled models were used to simulate lactate uptake and acetate formation, with a high goodness of fit ( R adj 2 > 0.969). Therefore, the models accurately simulate the lactate and acetate concentrations and their respective instantaneous and specific rates. Additionally, the analysis revealed that biomass growth is proportional to lactate-to-acetate conversion, indicating that most of the energy from substrate consumption is directed to biomass growth. The developed models are helpful tools for obtaining accurate information for designing, optimizing, and scaling various

Transcript levels of cellular senescence marker genes are increased based on high expression of gasdermin family of genes in breast cancer

We propose a unified method for formulating matrix population models in wildlife and fisheries management, adaptable to variations in population measurement timing and natural and human-induced mortality. For populations with a common and short breeding season, this approach applies to age-, size-, and stage-structured populations. The process is considered separately as three: survival, reproduction, and age increment or growth, with the respective matrices designated as S, B, and G. In the age-structured model, reproduction and age increment occurs simultaneously, and are expressed as a matrix model of S(BG) if the population census is taken immediately before the parturition, and (BG)S if it is taken immediately after the parturition. In the size- or stage-structured model, growth and survival proceed in parallel, and are expressed as a matrix model of (GS)B if the population census is taken just before the parturition, and B(GS) if it is taken just after the parturition. When the population census is taken at any other time, the survival rate from the parturition to the census and the survival rate from the census to the parturition can be considered separately. Furthermore, even when capture mortality is given as the number of individuals rather than a rate, a unified formulation by capture time is possible by expressing the number of captures as a vector.

A document by Parvaneh Nikrou. Click on the document to view its contents.

Roadway infrastructure is a dominating feature of landscapes across the globe and the ecological and evolutionary impacts of these roadways are leading to declines in many natural populations. To date, research on the genetic impacts of roadways on bird populations has produced mixed results, with some studies revealing significant correlations between roads and genetic differentiation and others failing to resolve a significant relationship. Here, we generate a whole-genome dataset to quantify the impacts of roadway infrastructure on the population genetic differentiation of California quail (Callipepla californica), a ground-dwelling and ground-nesting bird species. We non-lethally sampled wild quail from populations located on either side of major and minor roadways in Southern California, a region with the densest road network in the United States. Using a variety of landscape genetic and statistical models, we demonstrate that roadways are the most important factor shaping patterns of genomic differentiation in southern California quail populations. We also show that quail populations sampled alongside the two busiest roadways traversing California have higher levels of inbreeding than other populations within the region, likely resulting from close kin matings within the last 10 generations. Results of this study highlight the importance of roads as major disturbances to genetic connectivity of wild populations and can help inform regional connectivity conservation efforts, including the construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the US 101 freeway.

Dispersal among populations is crucial both for demographic stability and for evolutionary potential of species through the resulting gene flow. In marine organisms, dispersal is assumed to be prevalent during pelagic early life stages. Consequently, pelagic larval duration (PLD) has been proposed as a key driver of genetic population structure of marine species. Despite this prediction, empirical studies have reported inconsistent correlations between PLD and genetic structure. This inconsistency could arise either because PLD is a poor predictor of gene flow or because of differences in methodology, oceanography or sampling design across studies obscure the underlying mechanisms of gene flow. In the present study, we address these issues by using a consistent sampling design for multiple coastal species that differ in PLD. We utilize ddRAD sequencing to analyze our target species, Littorina littorea (common periwinkle), and compare with previously published genetic data (ddRAD and microsatellites) from nine other species, collected through related projects over the last few years. We investigate spatial genetic structure using an isolation-by-distance (IBD) model with pairwise FST-estimates regressed against shortest distances following the prevailing along the coastal ocean current in the study region. We find a significant (p<0.05) correlation between species’ PLD and IBD slopes, with a moderately strong correlation (r2>0.5), These finding supports the notion of PLD as key factor shaping genetic population structure in coastal species. Our findings reiterate genetics as a useful tool for inferring population dispersal in coastal species when potentially confounding factors are eliminated by adopting a consistent sampling design.

This article develops a variational formulation for modeling a compressible electronic fluid motion. The results are based on standard tools of calculus of variations and optimization theory. The context here addressed is essentially an Euler-Bernoullian one and includes also a new approximate Bernoulli-perfect-gas equation.

Mycorrhizal fungi play a key role in supporting plant communities in nutrient-poor environments, yet their diversity and distribution in Amazonian floodplain forests remain poorly understood. In this study, we assessed mycorrhizal fungal communities across three blackwater igapó forests in Central Amazonia—RDS Uatumã, RDS Rio Negro, and PARNA Jaú—using DNA metabarcoding of root samples. We examined how flood regimes and local environmental conditions influence the richness and composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM). We found 568 mycorrhizal ASVs, including 307 ECM and 238 AMF. Mycorrhizal richness was higher in low igapós, which experience prolonged inundation. However, ECM richness showed site-specific patterns. Community composition varied across sites and flood levels, with distinct fungal assemblages associated with different host trees. Our results suggest that a complex interplay of flood dynamics, local characteristics, and plant-fungal interactions shapes the structure of mycorrhizal communities in igapós. Despite the harsh conditions of seasonal flooding, these forests harbor a diverse and specialized mycorrhizal biota, including a high number of ECM lineages rarely documented in tropical wetlands. This study contributes with novel insights into Amazonian belowground biodiversity and highlights the importance of topographic and hydrological heterogeneity in maintaining adapted fungal diversity and function. Understanding these patterns is critical for forecasting the ecological impacts of climate-driven changes to Amazonian flood regimes.

Over the past few decades, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway has emerged as a focal point in the fields of cell biology and pathology. This pathway is considered one of the central communication nodes in cellular function, playing a crucial role in pro-cesses such as cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. It also me-diates immune dysregulation and tumor development. Dysregulated JAK-STAT sig-naling and related gene mutations are carefully associated with the development of hematological malignancies. Therefore, in-depth research into the regulatory mech-anisms of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and the discovery of new therapeutic targets are of great significance for the development of safer and more effective treatment strategies. Currently, the field of JAK-STAT signaling in the treatment of hematological malignancies is rapidly evolving, making it necessary to summarize this rapidly changing area so that clinicians can promptly access new strategies for disease treatment. In this review, we have revisited the current understanding of the composition, activation, and regulation of the JAK-STAT pathway and elucidated the relationship between JAK-STAT signaling components and hematological malig-nancies. The review also focuses on introducing currently FDA-approved and pre-clinical drugs designed to target this pathway, as well as discussing the current chal-lenges and directions in this field.

Background: In some individuals, opioid use leads to a decreased interest in socially relevant rewards. Recent studies showed that after extended-access heroin self-administration rats strongly prefer social interaction over single unit-dose heroin infusions. We hypothesized that this strong social preference results from access to a suboptimal heroin dose during testing, and individual differences in heroin versus social choice would emerge if rats were given access to their ‘preferred’ heroin dose. Methods: In Experiment 1, we trained male rats to lever-press for social interaction, followed by heroin self-administration under continuous-access, no-timeout schedule, which promotes burst-patterned (or binge-like) heroin intake. We then tested the rats for choice between single-unit heroin dose and 1-minute full-contact social interaction, or 5-minute heroin-access (sufficient for binge-like intake) and 5-minute social interaction. In Experiment 2, we extended the 5-minute access procedure to female rats and tested heroin versus limited-contact (screen-based) social interaction. We also manipulated response requirements (effort) for heroin. Results: When rats were given a single-unit heroin dose during choice testing, they strongly preferred social interaction. In contrast, when given 5-minute heroin-access, large individual differences in heroin preference emerged. These differences were independent of sex, social-interaction conditions, and effort manipulations. High heroin intake and binge-like intake during self-administration, and high heroin seeking during abstinence predicted individual differences in heroin preference. Conclusions: Access to ‘preferred’ heroin doses during the choice tests leads to stable and effort-independent individual differences in heroin preference. This procedure provides a platform to study mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability to opioid addiction.

MOTIVATION When I read a book on general relativity, I learned that when a star becomes a black hole, it collapses and its radius shrinks, forming an event horizon. But I had a question: _Where does that collapsed radius go?_ After thinking deeply, I came up with an idea — maybe the collapsed radius doesn’t just disappear, but forms new space inside the black hole. If this idea is true, it could be related to an interesting hypothesis: what if our universe exists inside a black hole? INTRODUCTION In classical general relativity, the gravitational collapse of a massive star leads to the formation of a black hole. As the star shrinks under its own gravity, its radius decreases toward the Schwarzschild radius. At this stage, an event horizon forms, and according to classical understanding, all matter collapses toward a singularity. However, what happens to the “space” that once existed inside the star? Does it disappear? Or could it, under the right description of spacetime, be transformed into a different structure? CONCEPTUAL HYPOTHESIS We propose that as the star collapses and its radius shrinks, the spatial region that the star once occupied is not annihilated. Instead, that spatial information may be encoded or “re-created” inside the event horizon as a new internal space. This is not to say that a volume is preserved in a Euclidean sense, but rather that spacetime curvature and topology might rearrange in such a way that the interior structure becomes larger than suggested by the external Schwarzschild radius. This idea resonates with some speculative models in theoretical physics, such as: - The hypothesis that our universe could lie inside a black hole - Bounce cosmologies where singularities are avoided - The concept of emergent geometry in quantum gravity QUALITATIVE FRAMEWORK Assume a star of mass M collapses into a Schwarzschild black hole with radius $r_s = {c^2}$. The spatial volume occupied by the original star (V₀) becomes smaller as the radius contracts. However, we hypothesize that the collapse reorganizes the topology of spacetime such that a new volume Vin forms inside the black hole: \[ V_{} \sim f(V_0, r_s) \] where f is an unknown mapping potentially defined by a future quantum gravity theory. CONCEPTUAL VISUALIZATION OF INTERNAL SPACE GENERATION When a massive star collapses under its own gravity and passes within its Schwarzschild radius, it forms a black hole. The standard interpretation of general relativity suggests that anything inside the event horizon becomes causally disconnected from the outside universe. However, the fate of the “lost” volume — the space the star originally occupied — is not directly addressed. In this study, we hypothesize that the collapsing matter does not destroy the original volume, but instead reorganizes the topology of spacetime, forming an internal region within the black hole that preserves or transforms the spatial volume into a new structure. Assume a star of initial volume \( V_0 \) and mass \( M \) collapses to a Schwarzschild black hole with radius: \[ r_s = {c^2} \] We propose that an internal volume \( V_{} \) is created according to an unknown mapping: \[ V_{} \sim f(V_0, r_s) \] where \( f \) is a function to be determined by a future theory of quantum gravity or topological extension of spacetime. This idea resonates with certain cosmological models that posit our universe as residing inside a black hole. The core hypothesis encourages new ways to think about spacetime structure under extreme gravitational collapse. DISCUSSION Although this idea is speculative and lacks a concrete metric description, it suggests a new way of interpreting black hole interiors. Instead of a singular point, the core of the black hole might contain extended structure—possibly even large enough to host an entire universe, consistent with some cosmological models. CONCLUSION This work presents a conceptual perspective on gravitational collapse, where the shrinking of stellar radius gives rise to an emergent inner space. While the idea is not formalized mathematically, it provides an intuitive motivation for deeper studies in quantum gravity and black hole topology. REFERENCES - S. Carroll, _Spacetime and Geometry_, Addison-Wesley (2004) - L. Susskind, _The Black Hole War_, Little, Brown (2008) - C. Rovelli, _Planck Stars_, Int. J. Mod. Phys. D 23, 1442026 (2014) - M. Boas, _Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences_, Wiley (2006)

Atypical location of a complex odontoma in an 11-year-old girl: a case report with a 2-year follow-upZalane Melissa1, Moulart Cyril2, Evrard Laurence1, Fallas Jennifer3, Vilbi Marino1, Dahdouh Nadia1

Altitudinal visual field defect as the presenting sign of a brain tumor: A case report

Abstract Background: Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) influence cellular energy metabolism through the regulation of fatty acid kinetics and play a crucial role in neuronal apoptosis following cerebral infarction. Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to mediate neuroprotective effects in ischemic stroke; however, its regulatory impact on FABPs and associated pathways remains to be elucidated. Methods & Results: WGCNA analysis reveals that FABP5 was significantly enriched in fatty acid metabolism-related pathways in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats. Modulating FABP5 expression may influence post-infarction neuronal recovery. Molecular docking experiments demonstrated that resveratrol (RSV) exhibits strong binding affinity with FABP5. After administering different doses of RSV to MCAO rats, the cerebral infarct area significantly decreased, and neurological function improved with increasing doses. Concurrently, the expression of FABP5 and NSE in brain tissue was downregulated, while BDNF expression was upregulated, and neuronal morphology improved. Further experiments using FABP5 overexpression and inhibition models revealed that FABP5 overexpression exacerbated neuronal apoptosis and suppressed AMPK protein expression, whereas FABP5 inhibition reduced neuronal apoptosis and enhanced AMPK protein expression. Conclusion:RSV down-regulates FABP5 expression in cerebral infarction tissues and potentially mediates the AMPK-related pathway to ameliorate neuronal apoptosis.