Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a challenge to biological researchers and clinicians involved in patient diagnosis and treatment due to an increase in SARS-COV-2 mutations. This demonstrated the necessity of a thorough molecular understanding of the disease to categorize various patient groups. Methods: LC–MS/MS-based untargeted proteomics analysis was performed to profile the changes in saliva proteins of COVID-19 patients with different laboratory results. Herein, we performed differential proteomic analysis of RT-PCR negative saliva samples with two groups of patients- (1) TG(test group)1: RT-PCR positive and antibody positive (2) TG2: RT-PCR positive and antibody negative. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was performed using a web-based program, MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Results: In total, 2784 proteins were identified in analysed saliva samples. Compared to RT-PCR negative samples, a total of 62 and 372 proteins were found differentially expressed in TG1 and TG2 groups, respectively. Aminopeptidases and clathrins, which are both involved in viral entry, were found upregulated in both test groups. Down regulated proteins were abundant and included proteins like aminotransferases, which could be attributed to activation of alternate metabolic pathways. PLS- DA analysis based on protein expression clearly separated both test groups from controls. However, separation was not as robust when the test groups were compared with each other. Conclusion: Differential expression of proteins has the capability of classifying different COVID-19 patient groups.

Aim: In 2016, the Access and Waiting Time Standard (AWTS) was introduced in England, UK, outlining that people with first-episode psychosis should receive treatment from an early intervention for psychosis (EIP) service within two weeks. We examined sociodemographic, pathways to care (PtC), and clinical factors associated with EIP service wait time. Method: We collected de-identified data from a large mental health provider in South London, UK. We included patients referred and accepted to EIP services as inpatient or community contacts between 1st May 2016 and 30th April 2019, providing 3 years of data from the introduction of AWTS. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression were performed. Results: A total of 1806 patients were identified with a mean age of 30 (SD:10.7) years, of whom 86.3% (n=1559) accessed community EIP and 13.7% (n=247) accessed inpatient EIP; of these, 26.7% were not seen within 2 weeks. Community EIP patients waited longer adj.β =2.21 days (95% CI: 2.05 – 2.37) compared with inpatient EIP patients, and being older was associated with longer wait time. Conversely, a shorter wait time was associated with A&E [adj.β = -0.22 days (95% CI: -0.36, -0.10)] and ‘other’ [adj.β = -0.21 days (95% CI: -0.36, -0.03)] PtC. White non-British and South Asian patients had shorter wait times compared with White British patients; however, this difference diminished after adjusting for PtC and clinical factors. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that individual factors, PtC, and mode of contact influence wait time for EIP services. More than a quarter of patients were not seen within 2 weeks, indicating that targeted support in community EIP services is needed to meet clinical guidelines.

Yellow fever (YF) is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Although there is a safe and effective vaccine that has been available for over 75 years, YF remains a public health problem in endemic areas and areas with sporadic YF transmission. Immune responses elicited by natural infection with yellow fever virus and vaccination are marked by production of neutralizing antibodies. Serological cross-reactivity exhibited by flaviviruses poses challenges to the diagnostic tests for detection of YF-specific antibodies. The most specific plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the “gold standard” test for detecting and measuring the neutralizing antibodies. This study was undertaken to develop and validate PRNT test for measurement of YF specific neutralizing antibodies. We validated PRNT test using different parameters including specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness. The YF PRNT assay was shown to be specific, robustness, precise and accurate. Thus, we have proven suitability of this assay for evaluation of neutralizing antibodies in response to YF vaccination as well as for diagnostic purpose in case of natural infections.

SARS-CoV-2 has been reported as one of the deadliest viruses in history. Currently, few antiviral treatments are available to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and progression to severe disease, especially in low-income countries. Natural products stand as a potential source of bioactive compounds. The antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae has been demonstrated, however, the nature of its antiviral compounds remains unexplored. In this study, the in vitro antiviral activity of extracts and fractions derived from C. vulgaris algae dry powder, produced as a food supplement, was assessed. To determine the in vitro antiviral activity Vero cells were incubated with different concentrations of extracts and fractions against 100 TCID50/ml of SARS-CoV-2 variants. C. vulgaris ethanolic and diethyl ether extracts showed no cytopathic effect in 100% of the replicates. Fractions F11, F12, and F21, composed of high-weight polysaccharides and small proteins, partially protect against viral infection. These results suggest that polysaccharides, proteins, and pigments are related to antiviral activity.

Vaccines are living or inactivated substances that help the body produce immune responses that may prevent a disease or reduce the severity of the illness. Vacines are primarily used for viral infections like measles, mumps, COVID-19 and polio etc. Conventional vaccines do work, but problems exist that they do not have ideal delivery methods, can degrade before reaching to target site and may have side effects. In response to these challenges, liposomal vaccines that have incorporated lipid based nanoparticles have been developed. Antigens and adjuvants encapsulated in liposomes induce the same immune responses as in case of infection and in this way liposomes work as adjuvant of vaccines. Liposome-based vaccines are being developed to address new infectious diseases, improve immunogenicity, and enhance administration methods. They target viral diseases like SARS-CoV-1, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, HIV dengue fever and Alzheimer's disease. Several formulations that are in clinical trials affirm the prospect of liposomes in forming prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against the diseases. Currently, liposomal vaccines such as Epaxal for hepatitis A and DepoVax for various diseases are commercially available. These vaccines show that liposomes can be a promising tool for boosting the safety of immunization methods as well as their efficacy thus, liposomes might be used as an improved solution to traditional types of vaccines.

This paper proposes a novel nonlinear H∞ control strategy for the suspended transport system of dual quadrotor UAVs, aimed at achieving precise trajectory tracking under unknown disturbance. First, based on the Euler-Lagrange method, a non-redundant model of the dual quadrotor UAVs’ suspended transport system is established. Then, a hierarchical control structure is designed. For the outer loop subsystem, a new nonlinear H∞ control strategy is proposed, where the integration effect of the all DOF is considered in the state space, and a nonlinear H∞ controller is designed in the weighted Sobolev space. The stability of the closed-loop system is then proved through the Lyapunov theorem. For the inner loop subsystem, Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) is employed. Finally, comparative simulation results highlight that the proposed controller outperforms existing methods in terms of control performance and robustness.

Background and purpose: Ischemic stroke in one of the leading causes of acquired disability worldwide. While studies on left atrial function as a risk factor for stroke have been conducted, data on right atrium and right ventricle function are scant. The present study aims to compare the left and right atria and the right ventricle echocardiographic indices between anterior (ACI) and posterior (PCI) circulation stroke patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 102 patients with confirmed anterior or posterior ischemic stroke between 2022 and 2024. Baseline characteristics, clinical and laboratory data were obtained and 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed for all patients. Differences between the two stroke groups were investigated. Results: ACI patients had significantly higher National institute of health stroke scores (NIHSS) and right ventricular fractional area change was significantly higher in PCI patients ( P-value=0.036 and 0.005 respectively). Among initial laboratory data aspartate aminotransferase and C-reactive protein levels were significantly different between the two groups ( P-value=0.022 and 0.025, respectively). Aortic annulus (aortic AA), aortic stenosis junction (aortic STJ) and pulmonary artery mean pressure gradient (PA MG) were also significantly different among two groups (P-value= 0.002, 0.016 and 0.006 respectively). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients with ACI may have a slightly different pattern of right ventricular remodeling compared to patients with PCI, which may be associated with differences in cardiac structure and function.

The seed size/number trade-off is a central topic in plant biology, reflecting ecological and evolutionary aspects of plant species. Despite theoretical and experimental evidence supporting this trade-off, it can be influenced by local variations in resource availability. We investigated the seed size number trade-off in a polyspermic perennial tree (Hymanaea stigonocarpa) at the individual plant and fruit levels. This plant species is endemic to the Brazilian semiarid, occurring on soils with low levels of water and nutrient availability. The study was conducted in the Caminho dos Gerais State Park, southeastern Brazil. Both, seed and fruit mass per plant showed a positive relationship with plant size but were not affected by seed number nor by fruit number, respectively. The absence of a trade-off mass/number of seeds and fruits is probably related to the low number of fruits produced by H. stigonocarpa: abortion of self-pollinated pistils and flowers regulates the fruit number, ensuring greater availability of resources for fruits and seeds of allogamous origin. At the fruit level, the average seed mass per fruit was not affected by the number of seeds per fruit but showed a positive relationship with fruit mass. The interaction between seed number and fruit mass indicates that fruits with lower seed number and higher mass should produce larger seeds. These results suggest the existence of asymmetric competition only between seeds that develop into small fruits. The strategy of producing large seeds at the expense of seed number by plant species adapted to harsh, fire-prone environments is discussed.

Dinoflagellates are a diverse class of algae, acting as endosymbionts in corals and forming toxic red tide blooms. As oceans warm, coral bleaching and red tide events have been exacerbated, threatening marine biodiversity and human health. The study of these organisms has been hindered by challenges in genome sequencing and a lack of commercially available tools, and scientists are still in the early stages of testing, optimizing, and redesigning existing techniques. Dinoflagellate bioluminescence is a topic of interest for many scientists and a starting point for novel red tide control methods. The underlying mechanism for dinoflagellate bioluminescence is still a mystery—but recent studies implicate G Protein-Coupled Receptors as the “triggers” for this unique shear-stimulated pathway. GPCRs are ubiquitous in multicellular life: GPCRs in humans control several systems, from sight and taste to neurons and drug activity. Understanding bioluminescence in dinoflagellates will lead to species-specific methods of red tide control, and dinoflagellate GPCR studies may have applications in receptor research and drug design. Here we synthesize current knowledge on dinoflagellates and bioluminescence, discuss recent breakthroughs and pitfalls in dinoflagellate research, and present theoretical mechanisms for bioluminescence with far-reaching implications for molecular biology and ecology.

Biting strength combined with exploratory behavior gives animals the ability to interact with their environment. African mole rats have a well-developed biting apparatus and perform cooperative tasks that are mostly related to their exploratory behavior. However, the hypothesis that body mass and strength are related to activity and exploration remains to be confirmed in this taxon. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between bite force and body mass, as well as to explore potential correlations between these factors and exploratory behavior in Heterocephalus glaber. To do so, we measured the bite force and body mass of 79 young adult male and female naked mole rats from a single captive colony, including the queen. We then observed and quantified their exploratory behavior using an open field test during which they could freely enter a new environment, in the form of a new pipe linked to the housing colony. We showed that strength was correlated with mass, which in turn was associated to age. Our observations revealed that not all individuals engaged in exploration, and that those who did tended to be the strongest. We found that stronger and heavier individuals exhibited shorter entry latencies while those who explored most extensively were typically weaker, lighter and younger. Moreover, stronger and younger individuals frequently made more trips back and forth. We compare these results with findings in other species and discuss their implication in relation to interindividual variability, boldness, and social organization within this species.

Co-developed conservation programs for Species At-Risk, created in partnership between Indigenous Nations and non-Indigenous researchers, represent a vital shift toward effective species recovery strategies that are culturally respectful, and contribute to reconciliation within the natural sciences. By weaving together diverse knowledge systems and prioritizing Indigenous laws, knowledge values, and community priorities, these collaborations aim to restore species at-risk populations and prevent species extirpation—a task of increasing urgency amid the global biodiversity decline. As similar partnerships gain momentum across Canada, it is critical to reflect on approaches that honor Indigenous perspectives and actively avoid the historical harms associated with colonial research practices on Indigenous lands. This paper presents six key themes for meaningful collaboration, informed by experiences from Whitefish River First Nation, or Wiigwaaskingaa (Elder Arthur McGregor baa, 2000) in Northern Mnidoo Gamii (Georgian Bay), Ontario, Canada, where community members and researchers co-developed a mshiikenh (freshwater turtle) conservation initiative. We focus on the importance of co-developing project objectives, honouring community priorities, respecting data sovereignty, the journey of learning and unlearning, focusing on a community-guided trajectory, and promoting tangible outcomes. By highlighting specific examples from Whitefish River First Nation’s mshiikenh conservation project, we demonstrate the value of community-engaged research as a pathway forward for Species At-Risk conservation in Canada and beyond.

Kelp forests are susceptible to climate change as their sessile nature and low dispersal capacity hinders tracking of suitable conditions. The emergence of a wide array of approaches to increasing thermal tolerance seeks to change the outlook of biodiversity in a changing climate but lacks clear targets of impactful thermal resilience. Here, we utilize species distribution models (SDMs) to evaluate the potential of enhanced thermal tolerance to buffer the effects of climate change on cold-adapted kelp species: Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta, Laminaria hyperborea, and Laminaria digitata. For each species, we compared a baseline model - where the thermal niche remained unchanged - to models where the simulated maximum sea surface temperature tolerance was increased by 1-5°C. These models were projected into three climate change scenarios: sustainability (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 1-1.9, Paris Agreement), regional rivalry (SSP3-7.0) and fossil-fuel development (SSP 5-8.5). Our SDMs demonstrate that an increase of 1-2°C in thermal tolerance could recover over 50% of predicted losses of suitable habitat for cold-adapted kelps. However, A. esculenta and L. digitata still faced persistent habitat reductions (up to 20%) under SSP1-1.9 and SSP3-7.0, even with a simulated 5°C increase in thermal tolerance. Furthermore, A. esculenta, a species of growing commercial interest, showed disproportionate habitat contraction across all climate change scenarios and simulated tolerance increases. Our findings highlight the need for a two-pronged approach to conserve cold-adapted kelp forests: stringent reductions in greenhouse gas emission reductions in line with the SSP1-1.9 scenario, and strategies to boost kelp thermal tolerance by at least 1-2°C. This dual approach is crucial to maintain 90% of the current suitable habitat of S. latissima and L. digitata, and 70% for A esculenta and L. hyperborea. Relying on mitigation or adaptation alone will likely be insufficient to maintain their historic range under projected climate change.

Lipoylation is a post-translational modification in which lipoic acid is attached to specific apoproteins of enzyme complexes, like E2 subunits of dehydrogenases or GcvH of the glycine cleavage system. A defining feature of organisms with a lipoyl-relay system is the presence of amidotransferase activity, which enables the transfer of lipoyl groups attached to intermediary proteins to the E2 subunits. In this study, we characterized the lipoate metabolism of Capsaspora owczarzaki and Plasmodium falciparum. Both organisms utilize amidotransferases in their lipoylation pathways, with the filasterian enzyme playing a key role in lipoate synthesis, while the apicomplexan counterpart, previously considered a lipoyltransferase, is essential in its lipoate salvage pathway. We also discovered that specific structural features and certain conserved domains in eukaryotic amidotransferases can significantly influence their mechanism of action and susceptibility to the lipoate analog bromooctanoate. Overall, this study highlights the metabolic strategies of C. owczarzaki and emphasizes the critical role of amidotransferases as ancestral enzymes in the evolution of lipoate metabolism, suggesting that the lipoyl relay may represent a universal pathway across diverse clades.

Electric power grids are crucial for providing power to various sectors, but they also generate power line emissions (PLEs) at 50/60 Hz and harmonic radiation (PLHR) up to ~5 kHz or higher due to nonlinear loads and switching transients. These emissions can propagate as whistler waves into the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Observations of PLEs and PLHR have been made by the Chibis-M and DEMETER microsatellites. Understanding their generation, propagation, and interaction with the ionosphere is important for improving our understanding of the near-Earth electromagnetic environment.Raytracing is commonly used for ionospheric studies because it is computationally inexpensive. However, as the frequency decreases and wavelength increases, raytracing results deviate from reality due to its reliance on short-wavelength assumptions. Other more recently-developed frequency domain full-wave calculations that do not employ a spatial grid are not able to account for the complex ionospheric details between the ground and the upper ionosphere. We address this with a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model, solving Maxwell’s equations and plasma momentum equations over a 3-D grid and accounting for ionospheric plasma variations and inhomogeneities. We simulate a VLF wave in the range of PLHR emissions from ground level to satellite altitudes using a 3-D ionospheric profile of electron densities from the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). We also study the impact of spatial inhomogeneities on the propagation PLHR.This presentation will describe the model, its validation, and its application to PLHR propagation in various regions, including polar, mid-latitude, and equatorial areas. Lastly, we will discuss the FDTD method's advantages in simulating PLHR propagation through a polar cap patch with sub-wavelength inhomogeneities. In conclusion, our approach can serve as a useful tool for better tracking and studying ELF / VLF electromagnetic wave propagation through the ionosphere and will provide clearer insights into ELF/VLF wave behavior, thereby advancing our ability to track and understand electromagnetic wave interactions in the ionosphere.

Abstract Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, competing narratives emerged regarding which measures would most effectively prevent and treat the disease. Beyond denialist groups, the support from medical entities for unproven preventive treatments and scepticism towards the safety of vaccines developed under emergency protocols stood out, clashing with the scientific mainstream. What underpins this opposition? To explore this, we analysed the academic and scientific production of members of the Brazilian association "Doctors for Life" (Médicos pela Vida - MPV), a group known for its vaccine hesitancy and promotion of treatments lacking proven efficacy. Our findings reveal that these authors primarily focus on two central themes: preventive treatments and complications related to COVID-19 and vaccination. We conclude that the type of evidence presented by these authors, particularly case reports, is insufficient to justify their approaches. By opposing vaccination and advocating ineffective treatments, MPV cannot be considered a voluntary or reflective movement genuinely aimed at benefiting the population. Their actions undermine both science and medical practice. IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil reflected disputes between different rationalities about the disease, and possible methods of care, prevention and cure in medical practice, echoing political discussions and mobilising various actors in the social context of the health crisis. In this scenario, movements such as “Doctors for Life” (MPV) have emerged, which is an association consisting of a group of Brazilian professionals who advocated for the so-called "early treatment" 1  for COVID-19 and denied the effectiveness of vaccination against the disease, raising questions ranging from the technological innovation of "mRNA" 2 vaccines to the motivations “behind” the widespread use of vaccines around the world. This group of doctors formed part of the pandemic scenario in Brazil, moving between the legitimacy that medical practice enjoys (Machado, 1997) and the denial of evidence, contradicting the statements and regulations issued by government agencies and scientific institutions, both at the national and global levels. Research that identifies the members of the MPV and their academic and professional backgrounds requires in-depth theoretical studies and empirical advances. In this regard, the following questions should be highlighted: what are the main subjects that the MPV have addressed? In terms of academic-scientific production, how are they organised and what are their contributions? These are crucial questions to understand their arguments, justifications, and how the hesitant position regarding vaccination against COVID-19 is maintained. The article raises relevant questions about the social relations influencing medical practice in Brazil, such as: who are the subjects involved in the dynamics with the MPV Association? How do vaccine hesitancy and different therapy debates reflect broader discussions on medical care models, the medical profession, and political disputes? What specific symbolic and structural contexts (Donati; Ruiz, 2021) in Brazil fuel this issue?

Background: Defects affecting the horse’s neck and limb conformation can negatively impact a horse’s performance and suitability for equestrian activities. Objectives: to assess the prevalence of the simultaneous occurrence of defects in the limbs and neck and to estimate the genetic correlations between these defects Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Prevalence and genetic correlations between 12 conformational limb defects and 2 neck defects were analyzed in 56644 Pura Raza Española horses. Different approaches were used: A) two-class for neck and limb defects (0-no defect, 1-presence of defect); B) three-class for limb defects (0-no defect, 1-slight defect, 2-serious defect) and four-class for neck defects (0-no defect, 1-slight defect, 2-serious defect, 3-disqualifying defect). Genetic correlations between conformational defects were estimated using a multivariate animal model within a Bayesian framework with the BLUPF90 software family, including age as a covariate, and gender, coat color, management of breeder’s stud farm and inbreeding as fixed effects Results: The most prevalent limb defect in horses affected with Cresty neck (CN) and Ewe neck (EN) was Splay-footed rear limb (SFR) (80.2% and 72.5%, respectively). The genetic correlations ranged from -0.22 + 0.090 for EN- SFR to 0.44 + 0.123 for CN-Divergent hock, and in approach B, -0.25 + 0.028 for CN-Convergent hock to 0.51 + 0.228 for CN- Splay-footed forelimb Main limitations: The veterinarians responsible for evaluating the horses are unknown. Data were only collected once during the animal’s lifetime, making it impossible to determine how the defects evolved over time. Conclusions: This study revealed a moderate relationship between limb and neck defects, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning to improve these defects in the PRE breed.

The structure of trophic pyramids is fundamental to understanding ecosystem functioning, with primary production and ecosystem size serving as two primary determinants. Previous research often adopted an ecosystem perspective, focusing solely on the total biomass of trophic levels while ignoring potential shifts of species richness and composition as ecosystems became more enriched or larger. Here, we first use model simulations to illustrate when and how adopting a community perspective leads to different predictions of how trophic structure changes with both environmental factors. These results highlight richness changes as a putative causal factor contributing to shifts of trophic structure. We then studied 188 natural lakes, showing that these two factors have smaller effects on top-heaviness when they positively affect richness. Our results emphasize the significance of adopting a community-level perspective in predicting energy flow and ecosystem functioning in the face of global change.

Intraspecific chemodiversity is common among plant species. Frequency-dependent selection (FDS), combined with chemotype-specific costs and benefits may be drivers maintaining chemodiversity. Here, we tested the effect of heritable steroidal glycoside (SG) chemotypes on herbivory, plant performance and pollinator visits. We manipulated plot-level SG chemodiversity using a replacement series of two Solanum dulcamara chemotypes accumulating predominantly saturated (S) or unsaturated (U) SGs, creating homogeneous (4S+4U), heterogeneous (3S+U, 3U+S) and balanced (2U+2S) plots. Herbivory, and reproductive output were interactively affected by SG chemodiversity and chemotype, with the highest fruit counts in 2U+2S plots. U-chemotype plants had longer stems, more and faster ripening berries, received more visits from Bombus lapidarius, but were more damaged by leaf-chewers and produced fewer seeds with higher germination rates. Our results indicate that the level of plot chemodiversity differentially affects reproductive output of the two chemotypes, suggesting that FDS may contribute to the maintenance of heritable chemical polymorphisms.

We consider a parabolic equation with a singular potential: ∂ t u − div ( p ( x ) ∇ u ) − µ | x | 2 u = f ( x ) R ( x , t ) , ( x , t ) ∈ Ω × ( 0 , T ) , where Ω is a bounded domain in R n . The main result is a Lipschitz stability estimate for an inverse source problem of determining a spatial varying factor f( x) of the source term R( x,t) f( x) . We obtain a consistently stability result for any µ ≤ p 1 µ ∗ , where p 1 > 0 is the lower bound of p( x) and µ ∗ = ( n − 2 ) 2 / 4 , and this condition for µ is also almost an consistently optimal condition for the existence of solutions. The method we used is based on a improved Carleman estimate, which is the key to derive the consistent result for the choose of parameter µ. In fact, a more general case { a ij ( x ) } 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n instead of p( x) in the principal part could be solved with a similarly idea. MSC 35K05; 35K67; 35Q40; 35N30; 35A23.

Lei Bamboo ( Phyllostachys violascens), a prevalent economic bamboo species in subtropical China, is subjected to periodic mulching practices (hereinafter ”mulching”) to increase the soil temperature and increase bamboo shoot production. While increasing yield, these practices may contribute to bamboo forest degradation in soil quality and substantial greenhouse gas emissions from the soil. Research on the temperature sensitivity of soil CO 2 emissions from bamboo forests subjected to various mulching treatments remains scarce. This study focused on four bamboo forest stands under different mulching histories in Nanjing China: S1 (abandoned after 8 years of winter rice husk mulching and 2 years without), S2 (10 years of continuous mulching), S3 (5 years of mulching followed by 5 years without), and CK (no mulching). Soil samples from various depths(0-10cm,10-20cm,20-30cm) were incubated at different temperatures(5-35℃) to assess the effects of mulching on soil CO 2 emissions, temperature sensitivity ( Q 10), and soil properties, including organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and water content (SWC).. The findings revealed the following: Mulching notably increased the soil temperature, fertility, and CO 2 emissions, with S3 resulting in the greatest improvement in fertility and S1 resulting in the highest CO 2 emission flux and soil CO 2 production response ( Q 10); Q 10 decreased with increasing soil depth, with S1’s Q 10 in the 0–10 cm layer significantly elevated by 72.91%, 66.41%, and 82.56% compared to S2, S3, and CK, respectively, and mulch treatment interacting with soil depth to cause greater Q 10 increases in shallower layers; Mulching altered the Q 10 by modifying the annual average soil temperature, SOC, TN, and SWC, thereby increasing CO 2 emissions. Among the treatments, S2 minimized CO 2 emissions, whereas S3 maximized them. In conclusion, relative short periodic mulching in bamboo forests significantly increased more soil CO 2 emissions and temperature sensitivity than long-term mulching by altering the soil temperature, SOC, TN, and SWC. This study provides new references and data support for the sustainable and environmentally friendly management of bamboo forests in the context of future global warming and anthropogenic N loads

Pulse field ablation (PFA) has shown great promise as a non-thermal approach for atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial tachycardias ablation, avoiding complications faced with traditional radiofrequency (RF) and cryoablation techniques. In this case report, we detail the effective ablation using the FARAWAVE PFA system to ablate a focal atrial tachycardia originating from the superior vena cava (SVC) in a 60-year-old male patient with a history of paroxysmal AF and prior RF ablation. Despite adhering to his medical therapy, the patient continued to experience symptoms. The catheter ablation done under general anesthesia involved multiple ablations in a basket configuration to isolate the SVC, successfully eliminating the tachycardia. This case underscores the adaptability of PFA in treating complex arrhythmias beyond pulmonary vein isolation and its potential to minimize procedural complications compared to conventional ablation methods. The safety and efficacy of PFA, particularly in challenging anatomical areas like the SVC, are highlighted by this case. Further studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes and establish the FARAWAVE catheter in the PFA as a safe and effective treatment for atrial tachycardias in hard-to-reach locations.

Aim. Pregnant women require different nutritional intake such as folic acid, iron and cholecalciferol, and specific vaccination to prevent fetal abnormalities and improve outcomes.. This study aims to analyze usage trends for these recommended drugs over the last decade, and to identify maternal factors associated with their use. Methods. The nationwide cross-sectional study is based on data from the French national administrative health database, including pregnancies from 2012 to 2022. Folic acid, iron, cholecalciferol, and influenza vaccination use were analyzed according to the relevant periods based on WHO and French guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression assessed maternal characteristics associated with drug use. Results. Analyzing 8,979,173 pregnancies, the study found that 46.0% of pregnancies used folic acid during the periconceptional period, rising from 33.8% in 2012 to 52.6% in 2022. Women with chronic disease and higher financial resources were more likely to use it. 64.1% used iron during pregnancy with exposure increasing with age. 35.5% used cholecalciferol, with higher socioeconomic status associated with increased use. Only 5.1% were vaccinated against influenza, with the rate increasing until 2020, before declining. Vaccination was positively associated with maternal age, the presence of a chronic disease, and higher financial resources. Conclusion. This study revealed increasing trends of use in recommended drugs during pregnancy over the last decade, although overall prevalence remains not optimal, and concerning for influenza vaccination. The identified risk factors for non-use include young maternal age, low income, and deprived areas, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve maternal health outcomes.

Although season-long cotton flower counts have value to breeders and growers, a manual data collection process is too laborious to be practical in most cases. In recent years, several fully automated flower counting approaches have been proposed. However, such approaches are typically designed to run offline and require a significant amount of computation. Furthermore, little thought has gone into developing convenient interfaces and integrations so that a layperson can use such systems without extensive training. The goal of this study is to develop a lightweight flower tracking system that is deployable on a ground robot and can operate in real-time. We modify a previous GCNNMatch++ approach to increase the inference speed. Additionally, we fuse data from multiple cameras in order to avoid canopy occlusions, and extract three-dimensional flower locations by integrating GPS data from the robot. We show that our approach significantly outperforms UAV-based counting and single-camera counting while running at above 40 FPS on an edge device, achieving a counting error of 15% and an average localization error of 19 cm. This level of performance is enough to observe significant differences in flowering behavior between genotypes. Overall, we believe that our highly-integrated, automated, and simplified flower counting solution makes significant strides towards a practical commercial cotton phenotyping platform.

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Student Engagement and Performance: A Case Study in Eswatini Secondary School Educational Settings