The nutritional composition, antioxidant, and biological properties of Terfezia boudieri Chatin, a desert truffle largely distributed in Egypt were evaluated. Carbohydrates were the most abundant macronutrients (15.4 g/100 g) followed by proteins (9.04 g/100 g), and ash and fat contents were 4.47 and 3.82 g/100 g, respectively. Arabinose was recorded in a high amount (3.02 g/100 g) while fructose was found in a small amount (0.2 g/100g). Citric acid is considered the main organic acid (5.03 g/100 g) while p-Hydroxybenzoic acid is considered the main phenolic acid (10.65 g/100 g) in T. boudieri (dry mass). Also, higher content of the essential linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids (44.9%, 19.05%, and 11.38% respectively) were determined. Furthermore, the truffle extracts were tested for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Aqueous extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 value =221.9 µg) more than organic solvent extracts. Also, all Gram-positive and unicellular fungi (yeasts) exhibited the highest sensitivity to aqueous extract of T. boudieri while organic solvent extracts had great ability to inhibit the growth of Gram-negative and filamentous fungi.

Malaysia has become a major refugee-hosting country in ASEAN, facing considerable strain as it shoulders a disproportionate burden of refugee protection despite the absence of a formal legal framework for refugee status. This paper examines the mounting challenges Malaysia faces at the intersection of increasing climate-induced displacement and the vulnerabilities of these populations. Malaysia is also struggling with severe climate change impacts, such as flooding, while managing growing refugee populations. Recurrent climate threats, notably severe monsoon flooding which disproportionately impacts refugees and asylum seekers residing in flood-prone, affordable areas, exacerbate these vulnerabilities. This research investigates the interplay between humanitarian protection and climate vulnerability, highlighting the precarious livelihoods and housing conditions of displaced individuals in Malaysia, and how the absence of legal recognition compounds their susceptibility to climate extremes, creating a dual crisis. Analyzing the dynamic relationship between climate threats, refugee vulnerability, and the resultant strain on Malaysia, this study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate action and a collective response within ASEAN to mitigate these challenges. Furthermore, it includes a comparative analysis of Malaysia's challenges with other ASEAN countries. By examining the causal links between these factors and analyzing Malaysia's current situation, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the necessity for robust regional and national frameworks. These frameworks must not only address the immediate needs of displaced populations but also prioritize longterm climate resilience and sustainable development strategies across the ASEAN region.

This paper formalizes non-commutative tensor calculus applied to evolving neurosemantic fields. We introduce a novel computational framework where quantuminspired synaptic operators drive the evolution of fractal cognition patterns. We extend classical commutator structures into neural space using geometric algebra, yielding new insights into phase-encoded neural structures. Implementation is computationally achieved through PyTorch, deriving effective field equations via neuro-geometric programming. Applications encompass advanced artificialintelligence cognition, quantum computing, and non-commutative gravity.

When configuring RFID tag identification (ID) processes using the FSA protocol without the muting option, it is fundamentally necessary to determine the optimal values for frame size and the process termination time (TT) so that an RFID reader can identify all tags in its interrogation zone with a preassigned level of confidence and minimum delay. In this Letter, we show that for given tag population N and confidence level (CL) α, the optimal frame size is N/ ln 2 in the context of minimising the ID delay for given CL, and the TT increases logarithmically with N and 1/(1 − α); more specifically, the TT is simply given by ⌈log2 N − log2 (1 − α)⌉ when the optimal frame size is used. Through computer simulations, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed formulas in optimally configuring ID processes.

1. Imagine solving a puzzle where half the pieces are missing: Acoustic bat monitoring, a key method for studying species distribution and population shifts, depends on purpose-specific parameters and clear documentation. Without detailed information on these specific parameters, mainly employed hard- and software, reproducibility and cross-study comparability is not given. This comparability is imperative to address the gaps in bat population data, which have been described as one of the major threats to global bat biodiversity. 2. We aimed to identify the parameters critical for the accurate interpretation and reproducibility of acoustic bat monitoring and assess how these parameters are communicated in existing studies. 3. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed studies that employed acoustic bat monitoring in European forests since 2008. Our review focused on three primary components: (1) recording devices and their settings, (2) call identification protocols, and (3) bat activity interpretation methods. 4. Over 90% of the reviewed studies lacked basic methodological parameters. In all areas, we observed incomplete reporting of settings, unreproducible call identification protocols, and data interpretation methods that did not provide access to underlying data. 5. We found a wide range of acoustic bat monitoring methods applied to diverse research questions. This variability underscores the fact that recommending a single approach is neither practical nor desirable. However, consistent reporting of equipment and methods is essential for improving transparency across studies. A standardized framework specifying key parameters for reporting would enhance comparability, support data reuse, and promote more robust bat monitoring and acoustic research. 6. The lack of standardization does not reflect poorly on the researchers’ competence or intent but emphasizes the need for a unified approach to bioacoustics methodology. We propose a standardized framework for reporting methodological parameters in acoustic bat monitoring to improve comparability, reproducibility, and transparency across studies.

5-year-old’s (N=51, 26 female, 46 White, mean age 65;6 months) were taught novel word-object pairs from two child informants, an ingroup member and an outgroup member, as determined by gender. Children’s learning was assessed in two tests, (1) immediately after learning and (2) after a 10-minute delay. Participants demonstrated above-chance recall of the novel word-object pairs during the immediate test (p<.001) and the delayed test (p<.001), regardless of informant group membership. Despite previous work highlighting children’s preferences for befriending and learning from ingroup social members, the present findings highlight that children’s preferences based on gender may not align with children’s actual learning when both informants have demonstrated that they are equally knowledgeable.

Human exposure to SARS-CoV-2 has a multifaceted impact on the immune system and may influence its ability in responding to other pathogens or immune stimulus. This study examined the effect of SARS-CoV-2 immunity on the clinical severity of dengue in 62 confirmed dengue patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in North India between September and December 2021. The median age of the cohort was 27 years, and clinical outcomes were categorized per WHO criteria: 30.6% had mild dengue, 50% dengue with warning signs, and 19% severe dengue. All patients were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, with a median titer of 2700 AU/ml. There was no significant modulation of the antibodies or T cells specific to dengue virus or SARS-CoV-2 across dengue disease outcome. Additionally, the serum immune markers remain insignificantly regulated in the mild or moderate disease in dengue patients, regardless of the COVID-19 vaccination status. In conclusion, this study found no significant association between SARS-CoV-2 immunity or COVID-19 vaccination and dengue severity. These findings suggest that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination does not influence the clinical course of dengue.

Recent advances in DNA sequencing and genotyping technologies are rapidly building our capacity to address ecological, evolutionary, and conservation questions for wildlife. However, wildlife genetic research increasingly relies on samples containing low quantities and quality of DNA, such as non-invasive, archival, and environmental DNA. These samples present unique methodological challenges; for samples collected in the wild, it is important to understand the impact of environmental exposure time or sample ’age’ on DNA quality and downstream genetic analyses. Here, we aged koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) scats under natural conditions and quantified DNA degradation. We assessed the effect of age on genetic data quality by measuring the proportion of missing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data using DArTCap, a targeted genotyping methodology hypothesised to tolerate degraded DNA. Contrary to other studies, we found koala scat age was not a significant predictor of genotyping quality (i.e., rate of missing SNP calls) in the first 10 days of environmental exposure. We yielded high quality data from 10-day-old scats, but also low-quality data from fresh scats. This study is the first to investigate the effect of scat age on genotyping success using a targeted approach, and DArTCap specifically. These findings support the use of targeted genotyping (such as DArTCap) from scats and provide insights for future research using DNA from non-invasive samples. Targeted genotyping may extend the timeframe from which accurate data can be obtained from non-invasive samples, increasing potential sample sizes and enhancing our ability to address important questions in population ecology, conservation genetics, and population management.

Heterosis refers to the phenomenon whereby the performance of F 1 hybrids exceeds their parents in yield and stress tolerance, yet the underlying mechanism under abiotic stress remains further elucidated in maize. This study conducted an integrated physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis for the hybrid Zhengdan958 (ZD958) and its parents under cadmium (Cd) stress. ZD958 exhibited consistently superior performance across all morphological traits under Cd stress. Additionally, ZD958 demonstrated significant heterosis in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase under Cd stress. Further analysis revealed 904 unique differentially expressed genes in ZD958 under Cd stress, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis of these genes identified two modules. Metabolomic analysis identified 902 metabolites, and the differentially accumulated metabolites in ZD958 primarily enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor biosynthesis. Analysis of non-additive expression (NAE) genes identified one gene under both control and Cd stress, which was also specifically down-regulated in ZD958 under Cd stress. Analysis of allele-specific expression (ASE) genes identified 12 genetically over-dominant genes in ZD958. Integrated analysis highlighted the critical roles of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism in the heterosis of ZD958 to Cd stress. Our study would deepen the understanding of the mechanism underlying heterosis to Cd stress, and offer potential target genes for improving Cd tolerance in maize.

This study investigated Acer campestre physiological responses to heat stress using a two-phase approach across 2022-2023 seasons. Initially, controlled laboratory measurements established baseline data on chlorophyll content, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and electron transport rate (ETR max) isolated from environmental influences. The following year, field data collection from tree canopies captured natural dynamics including fluctuations in leaf temperature and responses to weather variations. Analysis revealed significant time-lag effects between leaf temperature and physiological parameters. Morning measurements showed NPQ lags at multiple time points, with a negative correlation (β = -0.03, p = 0.026) between same-day leaf temperature and NPQ indicating compromised heat dissipation under thermal stress. ETR max exhibited a negative two days’ lag (p = 0.046), suggesting anticipatory downregulation of photosynthesis. Evening measurements demonstrated synchronized responses without significant lag. Seasonal comparisons revealed a five-day lag in chlorophyll fluorescence recovery following extreme heat events in 2022, while 2023 responses remained more stable under moderate conditions. These findings emphasize both immediate and delayed physiological responses in urban trees and highlight the importance of integrated forestry strategies for enhancing climate resilience in urban ecosystems.

In this paper, we provide the sufficient conditions of mean square and quasi-sure exponential stability of stochastic differential equations driven by G-Lévy process based on discrete-time feedback observations. We design a discrete-time feedback control in the drift part and prove the stability by adopting a comparative method rather than the Lyapunov arguments. An example is provided to show the validity of the control strategy.

Recently, a massive amount of critical data and immense sensitivity stemming from the interconnectivity of billions of devices (such as wireless sensing, embedded technologies, and radio frequency identification) have leveraged the diverse capabilities of modern technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT). Owing to their limited capabilities, it is crucial to prioritize protecting the sensitive data generated by these devices. Traditional encryption methods, such as AES and RSA, often take too long to run and require excessive memory for devices with limited resources to handle well. In addition, designing a simple encryption algorithm should not affect the integrity and security of the data. To this end, the proposed algorithm uses an 80-bit cipher key to encrypt a 64-bit data block. In addition, it improves the complexity of security by using Feistel and Substitution-Permutation (SP) architectures to achieve complex encryption in only six rounds. The proposed algorithm was simulated using MATLAB and FELICS tools. The algorithm was implemented on both image and text data. Simulations demonstrated that the proposed algorithm achieves superior complexity, security, and robustness against various attack types, making it highly suitable for IoT environments.

Infectious diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The lack of vaccines against some major pathogens and the acquisition of resistance to current treatments by others highlight the importance of developing novel therapeutics against clinically relevant microbes. In this context, identifying relevant host-derived proteins involved in host defense is key to designing therapeutic strategies to improve the host’s immune response during infection. Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), a homotrimer host glycoprotein expressed in the extracellular matrix, is involved in several biological and cellular processes, including host defense during infection. The structure of TSP-1 comprises five domains that allow its interaction with diverse ligands. Here, we first analyze how TSP-1 interacts with different ligands involved in immunity. Then, we discuss the role of TSP-1 during different in vitro and in vivo infection models. Finally, we examine the therapeutic potential of TSP-1, revisiting therapeutic approaches based on TSP-1 and their protection mechanisms in response to different infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the administration of continuous nitrate significantly affects the activity of hepatic cytochrome-P450. In this pilot study, we assess the impact of intravenous nitrate treatment on the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI). Method: We included 20 non-STEMI patients: 15 in the nitrate group and five in the control group. All patients received a 300 mg acetylsalicylic acid and a 600 mg clopidogrel loading dose. The nitrate group was administered an intravenous glyceryl trinitrate infusion at 10 µg/min for 48 hours. The antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel was evaluated using the platelet-reactivity-unit (PRU) from the Verify-Now P2Y12 assay. Result: The PRU values at baseline and the 30 th, 60 th, 120 th minutes, and 48 th hour were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). However, PRU values at the 4 th and 6 th hours were significantly higher in the nitrate group than in the control group (274.1±53.9 vs. 162.4±39.9; p=0.002 and 272.0±67.0 vs. 185.6±18.1; p=0.03, respectively). Conclusion: The administration of intravenous nitrate treatment to acute coronary syndrome patients delayed the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in the early phase. Direct-acting P2Y12 inhibitors may be a more reliable option for patients receiving nitrate treatment to prevent thrombotic complications(NCT06878638).

Mastitis is a major health and economic threat to the dairy industry, causing massive losses every year worldwide. Staphylococcus aureus is the chief pathogen responsible for most of the subclinical as well as a considerable portion of the clinical cases. Conventional control strategies, including antibiotic treatment and genetic selection for resistance, have limited success due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and low heritability of mastitis susceptibility. This calls for the exploration of novel approaches like epigenetics, which offers insights into host-pathogen interactions beyond the genetic variations. This review focuses on DNA methylation changes in the mammary gland that occur during S. aureus mastitis. Recent research works have identified immune suppression and pathogen persistence in relation with DNA methylation during the disease. The microbe has been reported to alter the methylation status of regulatory regions for many immune genes like CXCR1, TNF-α, IL6R, IL10, and C3, resulting in dysregulation of immune responses in the host, and thereby facilitating pathogen persistence and chronic infection. Along with its own virulence factors, differential DNA methylation status of such genes during infection helps the pathogen to escape host defence, and decreases the intensity of inflammation. Thus, understanding these mechanisms can open new avenues in the field of disease detection, animal selection, and immunotherapy among others. Such an integrative approach offers a revolutionization of mastitis control strategies, ensuring better health and productivity in dairy animals.

Objective: Pregnancy loss is an emotionally complex experience that impacts mental health, requiring both medical and psychological support. This study explores the role of Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) in addressing grief, depression, and anxiety through trauma-sensitive care. Design: A qualitative research design was employed, using an extensive literature to analyze therapeutic effects of pregnancy loss. Setting: This study was conducted as part of an academic capstone project under faculty supervision with a focus on clinical applications in gynecological and therapeutic settings. Population/Sample: The research centers on women who have experienced pregnancy loss, emphasizing the potential of Medical Family Therapists. No direct human participants were involved. Methods: A comprehensive ;literature review was conducted examining studies on pregnancy loss and MedFT interventions. Clinical conversation models were developed to illustrate the application of the biopsychosocial model in supporting bereaved women. Main Outcome: The study evaluates the psychological impact of pregnancy loss- including grief, depression and anxiety- and explores how MedFT interventions can help women process their experiences and develop coping strategies. Results: Findings underscore the importance of MedFT in providing emotional support. Narrative Therapy, Experiential Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers effective tools for helping women reframe their experiences, process grief and improve mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Medical Family Therapy plays a vital role in addressing the emotional toll of pregnancy loss. Specialized therapeutic approaches provide much needed support, particularly for marginalized populations feeling additional barriers to care. Funding: No external funding was received.

TitleConservation implications of the current population structure of Malagasy baobab Adansonia suarezensis (Malvaceae) using genomics and habitat survey data

Macrophages are an indispensable type of immune cells in the body’s immune system, which play an essential role in invading external pathogens or organisms’ renewal, metabolism, and repair. Recent years have seen researchers gradually focus on the researches of tumor cells and TAMs in TME due to the increasing incidence of cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are pivotal regulators of tumor progression, dynamically adapting their phenotypes to metabolic cues within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies highlight that lipid metabolic reprogramming—driven by tumor cells’ insatiable demand for energy and biomass—orchestrates TAMs polarization, shifting them from anti-tumor M1 to pro-tumor M2 states. This metabolic symbiosis not only fuels tumor growth but also establishes an immunosuppressive niche. Here, we dissect the interplay between lipid metabolism and TAMs polarization, emphasizing its therapeutic implications.

The energy sector is experiencing a paradigm shift with the swift adoption of distributed energy sources, renewables, electric vehicles, and an evolving consumer-utility relationship. This necessitates the strategic integration of advanced Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to address the emerging challenges. Grid resilience is paramount, as a dependable energy supply is the cornerstone of societal well-being and economic activity. The primary contribution of this research is to investigate the implementation of a novel grid resiliency strategy for the Irish context, employing Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration (FLISR) techniques in conjunction with Edge Computing. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, original research activities, and meticulous data analysis, we aim to develop a solution that bolsters grid resilience and mitigates the impact of service disruptions for both consumers and utilities. Additionally, our work delves into the specific context of the Irish energy grid, including relevant policies and regulations, to ensure the proposed FLISR strategy is not only effective but also readily implementable.

This examniation is interested with the study of time-dependent magnetized free convection flowing via an infinite vertical permeable surface in the existence of viscous dissipative fluxing. The fundamental flow regulating formulas for this investigation are resolved computationally by applying the finite element methodology. The speed, temperature in addition to concentricity are determined systematically and numerically analyzed for several governing parameters through graphically. Also, Nu , Sh , and C f by the combinations of different flow pertinent parameters are demonstrated in tabular forms, as well as physical features of the problem are examined. The obtained results are compared with earlier work with some limitations. The outcomes are in good concurrence with the existing ones. The outcomes of the research may be valuable in various industrial applications.

Flooding has become an escalating threat over the past years, driven by climate and socio-economic changes. In Europe, floods now surpass other natural disasters in severity, causing substantial economic losses, particularly in the commercial sector. While river flood impacts on agriculture and residential properties have been extensively studied, research on commercial sector losses remains limited despite their significantly high financial burden. This study enhances river flood risk assessment for commercial assets by integrating flood hazard scenarios with state-of-the-art Bayesian Network-based flood loss model with object-specific exposure data. It estimates the expected annual damage (EAD) to commercial properties across Europe under a baseline and potential future scenarios shaped by climate change, exposure dynamics, and their combined effects. Additionally, the study assesses the potential of property-level precautionary measures to mitigate flood risks. Results indicate that, compared to the baseline (year - 1995), the EAD values could rise more than 5-fold under RCP4.5 scenario and 7-fold under RCP8.5 scenario by the end of the century. However, a policy scenario in which all companies implement at least one precautionary measure (”measures for all”) effectively offsets these projected losses. This underscores the crucial role of individual actions in reducing future flood impacts.

This preprint is the original submitted manuscript. The final published version is available open-access in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface at:  doi.org/10.1029/2025JF008424   Most of Earth's present-day terrestrial surface is covered by regolith --- the layers of soil, saprolite, and weathered bedrock that together comprise the critical zone. Recent research has focused on understanding fluxes of minerals, water, and energy through the critical zone under steady state assumptions. However, in eroding landscapes, regolith and soil are produced from the bedrock as it is exhumed. Therefore, at some point in time, every location on the Earth's surface currently mantled by regolith experienced an onset of weathering processes. This initial creation of a critical zone from rock is poorly understood. Here we study initial critical zone formation from exposed bedrock by combining surface and subsurface geophysical observations at a site where regolith appears to be forming from bedrock on a granodiorite outcrop in Panola Mountain State Park, Georgia, USA. Vegetation gains an initial foothold on the outcrop by colonizing microtopographic depressions created by differential weathering of contrasting bedrock compositions. We observe a range of colonization stages, from moss to grasses to small bushes and eventually to large trees. Subsurface signatures of the vegetation include enhanced radar reflectance and reduced seismic velocities, with larger vegetation associated with stronger subsurface signals. Using a space-for-time substitution approach, we propose an evolutionary sequence for critical zone development. While disentangling the chicken-and-egg questions that pervade this topic remains challenging, our results suggest that geological heterogeneity can provide the initial catalyst for colonization, but ultimately vegetation itself plays a strong role in producing subsurface structures we associate with the critical zone.

Sabin Kandel1, Nikita Shah2, Aayush Bist3ABSTRACT Lupus vulgaris is the most prevalent form of cutaneous tuberculosis in adults, arising from re-infection or spreading through lymphatic, hematogenous, or direct transmission in individuals with moderate immunity and heightened tuberculin sensitivity. It is more frequently observed in females and accounts for 1-2% of all extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases. The most commonly affected areas are the face and neck. Here, we present a case of lupus vulgaris in a 66-year-old female patient.Keywords: Facial involvement, Granulomatous inflammation, Lupus vulgaris, Tuberculin sensitivity

Complex lymphatic anomalies are a morbid group of overlapping disorders associated with lymphatic malformations. Advancement in genetic testing has led to greater understanding of the etiologies of these diseases and other vascular malformations. The somatic activating variant in BRAF (p.V600E) was recently described as a novel cause of head and neck lymphatic malformations and attributed to more complex lymphatic anomalies. Here, we define the phenotype of complex lymphatic anomalies attributed to the somatic BRAF p.V600E variant in six individuals. These cases further highlight the phenotypic heterogeneity associated with this variant and suggest the value of molecular targeted pharmacotherapy.