This investigation introduces an uplink frequencytime (FT) index modulation multiple access (IMMA) (FT-IMMA) scheme designed to augment the spectral efficiency (SE) of conventional orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). The fundamental principle of this approach involves allocating FT resources within OFDMA to users through twodimensional index modulation (IM). A subset of input bits from each user dictates the indices of subcarriers and time slots within the FT resources of OFDMA, while the remaining bits undergo a conventional 𝑀-ary modulation. FT-IMMA obviates the necessity for a prior scheduling mechanism, thereby reducing communication overhead. While this grant-free access approach may potentially introduce data collisions within the system, the collision probability of the proposed model is observed to be markedly lower compared to traditional IMMA systems. However, the two-dimensional IM approach increases the computational complexity of conventional maximum likelihood detection. To address this, the authors propose using orthogonal matching pursuit, a compressive sensing technique that effectively reduces the computational burden. Through analytical investigation and simulation results, FT-IMMA demonstrates superior performance compared to its counterparts, showcasing notable advantages in both bit error rate and SE.

Text:Supercapacitors, known for their rapid charge/discharge rates and excellent cyclic stability. The doping of two-dimensional (2D) graphene (G) nanosheets can alter the bonding type of carbon atoms and electronic configuration of carbon atoms, and affects the physical and chemical properties of G, which can effectively alleviate the stacking problem of G-based materials, it can be an ideal choice for supercapacitors. In this work, we focused on an one-step green scalable electrochemical exfoliation strategy for the rapid preparation of high-quality thin-layer graphene nanosheets with double halogen doping during synthesis. The as-made chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) dual-doped G (Cl/Br-G) nanosheets exhibits the transparent feature with large lateral size. Density functional theoretical calculations brought out that the introduction of Br can enlarge the layer spacing of graphene, and the introduction of Cl can enhance charge distribution. The flexible supercapacitor constructed with electrodes, demonstrates remarkable charge storage performances and impressive mechanical flexibility. In particular, the Cl/Br-G-MSC displays the much higher specific capacitance and long-term cycling stability for 300,000 cycles compared with the single-doping counterparts. This innovative approach to dual halogen doping in G holds significant promise for energy storage, while the electrochemical exfoliation technique offers valuable insights for producing other 2D layered materials.

Ti-6Al-4V alloy is a light alloy widely used in aerospace and other industries, with its excellent mechanical properties, it has more and more good prospects for development. Fatigue fracture is one of the main reasons for the failure of key aerospace structural components. Fatigue failure is obviously uncertain and sudden. Therefore, the evaluation and prediction of fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy has become a research hotspot. In this study, fatigue tests involving stress ratio, stress concentration coefficient and temperature factors were carried out on Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and S-N curves of 8 groups of samples under different working conditions were obtained. The influence of related factors on fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was analyzed. Aiming at the problems of time-consuming and costly S-N curve acquisition in traditional fatigue experiments, a hybrid neural network model was proposed. The model was trained by using the relatively low-cycle fatigue test data of the samples, and the data was successfully derived, so that the fatigue properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy samples under different working conditions could be evaluated quickly and accurately.

The article focuses on the problem of changes in flow capacity caused by channel bottom slopes, and designs a U-shaped channel measurement and control integrated sluice. By combining model experiments and numerical simulations, the flow capacity and corresponding flow patterns of the integrated sluice under different inflow rates, opening degrees, and five different bottom slope conditions are studied. The results show that the water flow in front of the integrated measurement and control sluice is more stable, and the upstream water depth increases with the increase of flow rate, and decreases with the increase of opening and bottom slope. The downstream water surface profile shows an opposite pattern to the upstream when the flow rate and opening change, and the length of the water jump increases significantly when the bottom slope increases. When the inflow rate remains constant, the downstream water depth conforms to the water jump function curve. The threshold for distinguishing dam flow is affected by the bottom slope. The gentler the bottom slope, the smaller the threshold discrimination range, with a minimum value of 0.61. The steeper the bottom slope, the larger the threshold discrimination range, with a maximum value of 0.75. Summarizing the flow formulas under different flow states, the measurement formula for free outflow has a higher correlation coefficient and accuracy, with a relative error of less than 5%, all of which meet the accuracy requirements for water measurement in irrigation channels. The integrated measurement and control sluice proposed in the article can adapt to changes in the bottom slope to achieve the function of integrated measurement and control, while ensuring the accuracy of flow measurement. It can provide reference for the research and application of water measurement facilities in irrigation areas.

Bacterial vaccines using recombinant antigens displayed on the bacterial surface represent a major advancement in vaccine development. This approach leverages bacteria’s natural ability to induce immune responses while improving vaccine targeting and efficacy. Existing platforms, such as live bacterial vaccines, inactivated bacterial vaccines, and bacterial-like particles (BLPs), face challenges like genetic modifications, antigen dilution, and degradation. To address these limitations, a novel system called Coated Bacterial Vaccine (CBV) is proposed, combining the benefits of inactivated bacterial vaccines and BLPs technology. The recombinant antigen is fused to the carboxy-terminal cell wall-binding domain of the Lactobacillus SlpA protein (dSLPA) and anchored in vitro on chemically inactivated Gram-positive bacteria. To validate this system, CBVs were created using inactivated B. subtilis 15245 and the TTFC antigen, a fragment of tetanus toxin (TeTx) fused with dSLPA. CBVs were used to immunize BALB/c mice, and anti-TTFC IgG antibodies were measured. Mice were then challenged with TeTx to assess the protective effects of CBVs. Results showed a 100% survival rate in vaccinated mice after TeTx challenge, driven by a robust anti-TTFC IgG response, particularly elevated IgG1 levels. Additionally, macrophage stimulation assays showed increased mRNA levels for IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, along with significant IL-6 secretion. These findings demonstrate that CBVs based on B. subtilis can provide effective immune protection through a Th2-polarized response, highlighting the potential of CBVs as a versatile tool for developing new-generation vaccines.

Circadian rhythms are intrinsic 24-hour cycles regulating physiological and behavioral processes, including sleep, hormone release, and neurogenesis. Disruptions to these rhythms have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This paper explores animal models to examine the effects of FXS on circadian rhythms and their neurobiological underpinnings. The Drosophila melanogaster dFMR1^B55 mutant model and FMR1-KO mouse model were utilized. The dFMR1^B55 model, studied using video-based behavioral systems, revealed increased sleep duration and fragmentation during light-dark cycles, indicating circadian rhythm disturbances. The FMR1-KO mouse model demonstrated reduced REM sleep and hyperactivity in hippocampal circuits, consistent with human FXS findings. These models highlight parallels between FXS-related circadian disruptions and neurological impairments, emphasizing their utility in understanding molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions. Future research could reveal how these disruptions affect neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, providing avenues for addressing FXS-linked disorders.

This research proposes an automatic approach for classifying pigeon pox lesions using the DenseNet model, a deep learning architecture renowned for its dense connectivity patterns and efficient feature reuse. Pigeon pox, caused by the avipox virus, poses significant threats to avian populations and the poultry industry worldwide. Traditional diagnostic methods are laborious and time-consuming, prompting the exploration of machine learning techniques for automated disease diagnosis. The proposed approach leverages DenseNet for feature extraction from pigeon pox images, aiming to develop a robust and accurate classification system capable of distinguishing between healthy and infected birds based on visual features extracted from skin lesions. The study systematically evaluates the performance of the DenseNet model, demonstrating exceptional discriminatory power with an AUC of 0.99, accuracy of 0.98, and F1-score of 0.98. Comparative analysis with other deep learning models further validates DenseNet's superiority in pigeon pox classification. Overall, the proposed approach offers a promising solution for the early detection and control of pigeon pox, thereby improving bird health and welfare while mitigating economic losses in the poultry industry.

As the world confronts the pressing demand for sustainable development, the significance of engineering simulations in creating environmentally conscious products and systems has gained momentum. This paper delves into the intricate interplay between computational simulations and sustainability and examines some case studies in the discipline. It promotes computational simulations as valuable tools for reducing environmental damage by enabling optimized designs, reducing material waste, improving energy efficiency, and making predictions for ecological, societal, and economic challenges. Through an analysis of literature and case studies, the article clarifies how simulation methodologies can support a more sustainable world. The financial ramifications of sustainable computational simulations are also explored in the article. Simulation technologies for sustainability promote environmental management and offer long-term economic benefits by minimizing resource consumption and optimizing operational efficiency. Decision-makers can drive transformative change toward a more sustainable future by utilizing the latest simulation technologies and proactively committing to environmental management. This study adds to the expanding knowledge base that strives to harmonize computational tools with worldwide sustainability objectives and highlights the necessity for uninterrupted innovation and cooperation within this domain. Case studies revealed that designing and optimizing sources with engineering simulations in industries from aerospace to agriculture is possible. Simulations can help reduce materials usage in manufacturing while they can help support biodiversity in rural areas and oceans. In aerospace, Finite Element Method has been used to reduce material waste during aircraft component manufacturing, significantly improving resource efficiency. In the same line, improvements in Computational Fluid Dynamics have resulted in sustainable manufacturing processes with less power used by optimizing airflow and thermal management systems. In materials discovery, Molecular Dynamics has assisted in the creation of eco-friendly plastics which has reduced the time taken in development processes and improved the ecology of the materials. Furthermore, tools powered by artificial intelligence have greatly influenced the fields of agriculture, where they have helped utilize water and fertilizers efficiently by means of forecasting, leading to less resource use. These examples show the importance of engineering simulations not only in improving operational productivity but also causing an effect on the environment. The paper ends with future prospects in the use of computational tools for the achievement of sustainability in different sectors.

Department of CardiologyThe Prince Charles HospitalRode RdChermside Qld 4032AustraliaAuthor NoteConflicts of Interest: Institution received research funding for EV FIH study from Medtronic.Funding: NilORCID Number: 0000-0003-4819-6922Removal of EVICD leads are specialized tools required?Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs) have improved the survival of patients at risk of sudden death and are widely indicated1]. Up until recently ICDs have been implanted transvenously and unfortunately been associated with a relatively high rate of lead complications during follow up 2. This often requires lead extraction which incurs some risk and is only available at specialized centers3. To overcome some of the limitations of the transvenous lead, Extravascular ICD (EVICD) systems have been developed over the last 15 years. First with a lead placed in the subcutaneous tissues above the sternum4and more recently in the retrosternal extravascular space above the pericardium 5 . Like all implantable cardiac devices these systems do fail and may require removal usually for either infection or lead related issues. Given the limited experience and the unique location of the EVICD lead in the retrosternal space the optimal management and risks associated with removal are still well defined.Sagi et al 6recently reported the largest clinical experience to date with removal of the EVICD lead from the retrosternal space. In 347 patients enrolled in three pre-market approval studies, lead removal was performed in twenty-nine patients at a mean of 12.6 months post implant. The overall success rate was 93.1%. (27/29). Leads with a dwell time of less than one year had a 100% success rate of removal (19/19) and required only simple traction in all cases. Leads with a dwell time of greater than 12 months had a lower success rate of 80% (8/10). Simple traction failed in six cases and extraction tools (laser or mechanical) were used in five cases with a success rate of 80%. One lead was abandoned. The longest dwell time for a successfully removed lead was 36.8 months. Importantly there were no procedural related complications.The paper by Sagi suggests that early removal of the EVICD lead within 12 months of implant is a safe and simple procedure requiring no more that simple traction. For leads longer than 12 months, however the optimal technique is still not clear and simple traction alone was not always successful. Delving into the reasons for failure of simple traction and the use of extraction tools, all appear to be related to the presence of dense adhesions at the sub xiphiod incision or diaphragmatic insertion area rather than the retro sternal space. This suggests that extensive dissection along the lead body to the level of the diaphragmatic insertion may be required before an extraction tool is used. Furthermore, if an extraction tool is used it is likely to be particularly important that the lead and tool be always kept coaxially. The angulation often seen as the lead passes under the sternum may result in the extraction tool damaging the outer insulation, which will cause significant weakening of the tensile strength of the lead which may result in it breaking and failure of removal. In the series by Sagi et al the longest dwell time was 58 months, and this lead was not successfully removed. The premature use of both a laser sheath and mechanical tool to assist the removal procedure, prior to adequate dissection of the sub diaphragmatic space resulted in disruption of the outer insulation, loss of tensile strength and subsequent breaking of the lead which left 6.4 cm remaining in situ. It should be noted the EVICD lead, unlike traditional transvenous leads, is lumenless and hence a locking stylet cannot be used to create a rail and assist with use of extraction tools.In this issue of the journal two case reports from Chauhan7 and de Veld [8] extended the dwell times of EVICD leads successfully removed to 43 and 49 months, respectively. In both reports, the leads were removed with simple traction after the suture sleeve was released and dissection was performed along the lead towards the sub diaphragmatic surface. Both these cases highlight the importance of adequate dissection in the sub diaphragmatic space as most adhesions associated with this lead appear in this region rather than the retrosternal space. It may be best to avoid the use of extraction tools which are not design for the lumenless EVICD lead until adequate dissection has been performed The premature use of the tools prior to adequate dissection of the sub diaphragmatic space may in fact hinder the removal of the lead due to disruption of the outer insulation and loss of tensile strengthThese reports add to the evidence suggesting these leads can be removed safely with simple techniques at a medium term follow up of 4 years, while this is reassuring it must be remembered the experience with removal of these leads is still small and with short dwell times. It is reassuring that the site of all adhesions to date appear to be in the sub xiphiod and sub diaphragmatic space rather than the retrosternal space. Hopefully, this means potentially more serious complications related to cardiac injury during lead removal from adhesions related to the pericardium remain rare. The optimal personnel to perform this procedure (electrophysiologist or cardiac surgeon), location (EP lab or operating room) and even the need for pre removal imaging if any is still not clear. Will leads with dwell times of 10 years or more be as easy to remove. These are all unknowns at present and the answers will only become clearer as the experience grows. For the time being the removal of these leads, especially if older than 12 months, should probably continue to be undertaken, by cardiac teams experienced in implanting the device with a good understanding of the sub diaphragmatic space. With adequate dissection of the lead, transvenous lead extraction tools may be rarely required. To date there continues to be no procedural complications reported with removal of the EVICD lead and with time this may prove to be yet another advantage of the EVICD over traditional transvenous ICD even when implanted in the novel retrosternal space.References1. Zeppenfeld K, Tfelt-Hansen J, De Riva M, et al. 2022 ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death. Eur Heart J . 2022;43(40). doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac2622. Koneru JN, Jones PW, Hammill EF, Wold N, Ellenbogen KA. Risk factors and temporal trends of complications associated with transvenous implantable cardiac defibrillator leads. J Am Heart Assoc . 2018;7(10). doi:10.1161/JAHA.117.0076913. Bongiorni MG, Kennergren C, Butter C, et al. The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled (ELECTRa) study: A European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Registry of Transvenous Lead Extraction Outcomes.Eur Heart J . Published online 2017. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx0804. Bardy GH, Smith WM, Hood MA, et al. An Entirely Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator. New England Journal of Medicine . Published online 2010. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa09095455. Friedman P, Murgatroyd F, Boersma LVA, et al. Efficacy and Safety of an Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator. New England Journal of Medicine . 2022;387(14). doi:10.1056/nejmoa22064856. Sagi V, Murgatroyd F, Boersma LVA, et al. Comprehensive analysis of substernal lead removal: experience from EV ICD Pilot, Pivotal, and Continued Access Studies. Europace . Published online August 30, 2024. doi:10.1093/europace/euae2257. Chauhan K, Royse A, Goh I, Crozier I, Wynn G. Oldest-in-Human Successful Extraction Experience of a Novel Substernal Extravascular Defibrillator. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol . Published online November 22, 2024. doi:10.1111/jce.165118. de Veld J, Kooiman K, Knops. Uncomplicated extravascular implantable cardioverter extraction after four years dwell time: a case report. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol

Historically, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been observed at a higher rate in boys compared to girls with some traits being more typical for certain ages than others. Furthermore, studies show that parental reporting of psychopathological symptoms plays a significant role in the diagnostic process, and its accuracy may be affected by a range of sociodemographic factors. The current research investigates whether parental endorsement of children’s ADHD symptoms based on DSM-5 criteria is uniquely influenced by child gender and developmental stage (age), while controlling for subjective social status and validated measures of cognitive self-regulation, such as negative affectivity, surgency, and effortful control. The study included a cross-sectional, non-clinical sample of parents ( N = 132) with children aged 3-6 years (66 girls and 66 boys). It was hypothesized that, accounting for control variables, parent endorsement of ADHD symptoms would be higher for boys compared to girls and higher for younger compared to older children. The data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression, with negative affectivity, surgency, effortful control, subjective social status, gender, age, and age-gender interaction as predictors. Overall ADHD symptom endorsement, hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention were fit as the outcomes. The resulting three models were statistically significant showing that parents’ endorsement of ADHD symptoms was higher for boys than girls and lower for older than younger children. These findings emphasize the importance of considering a variety of self-regulation measures to produce a more objective diagnosis of ADHD.

Chemical plant inspection robots play a crucial role in industrial production. They can efficiently conduct inspections in hazardous or unsuitable chemical environments for direct human operation, monitor equipment status and environmental parameters in real time, ensure production safety. However, the chemical plant inspection robot is often affected by uncertainties such as external interference and load changes. Due to the influence of these uncertain factors, the expected trajectory tracking cannot be achieved when executing the trajectory tracking task. To address this issue, an adaptive robust control method based on Udwadia Kalaba (U-K) theory is proposed in this study, the constraint problem at the kinematic level is transformed into the trajectory tracking problem at the dynamic level. Firstly, the dynamic model of the chemical plant inspection robot is established. Secondly, an adaptive robust controller is proposed. Thirdly, its stability is verified by the Lyapunov method. Finally, the simulation experiment is carried out to demonstrate it. Compared with the traditional PID control method, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control method are verified.

The coverage problem is relevant to numerous real-life applications such as agriculture, search and rescue, and demining. The primary objective of this problem is to cover as many positions as possible in an unknown environment. Utilizing multiple robots can significantly reduce the total time required for coverage while enhancing overall efficiency. In this paper, we introduce a novel Distributed Coverage Algorithm (DCA) utilizing multiple robots which is also scalable. This algorithm can be used in various real life situations like for agricultural field work, for search and rescue, etc. We formally prove termination, no overlap, correctness and time complexity of the DCA algorithm. We have simulated the DCA algorithm using the Webots multi-robot simulator and compared its performance with existing approaches. The simulation results reveal that the DCA algorithm significantly outperforms the existing approaches. DCA algorithm achieves a maximum coverage time reduction of 31.51% to 70.73% while also offering enhanced coverage efficiency in all environmental conditions.

In recent years the use of delayed controllers has increased considerably, since they can attenuate noise, replace derivative actions, avoid the construction of observers, and reduce the use of extra sensors. Also, delayed controllers have been shown to be more insensitive to high-frequency noise. However, currently, there are few criteria for tuning this type of controllers. This manuscript presents a rigorous study of performance, fragility, and robustness for a first-order system in closed-loop with a delayed controller, which leads to consider a quasi-polynomial q( a, k, s), where a ∈ R m denotes the system parameters, k ∈ R n are the controller gains, and s∈C. The best performance gains k ∗ , p are obtained for a fixed a. These gains provide the maximum exponential decay achievable in the system response to guarantee exponential convergence to a desired trajectory. Also, for a fixed a, criteria are given to obtain the least fragile gains k ∗ , f that ensure the desired trajectory tracking in the presence of controller’s gains variations. Meanwhile, for a fixed gains k, the greatest robustness parameters a ∗ , r are obtained. Thus, the desired trajectory tracking of the systems is ensured in the event of parametric variations. Finally, to illustrate and corroborate the proposed theoretical results, a real-time implementation is presented on a mobile prototype, known as omnidirectional mobile robot, studying a quasi-polynomial of degree 9 with three commensurable delays. These results offer convincing reasons to implement controllers with delayed-action and take into account an analysis of performance, fragility, and robustness to tune this type of controllers.

Aim. This study aimed to assess medication adherence among older people with coronary heart disease and its relationship with hospitalizations. Methods. This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the outpatient clinics of a major hospital in Vietnam from November 2022 to June 2023. Consecutive older patients with coronary heart disease were recruited and followed for 6 months. Medication adherence was defined using the five‐item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to examine the impact of medication adherence on hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause hospitalization. Results. There were 643 participants. They had a mean age of 73 (SD 8), and 74.3% were male. Overall, 76.4% (491/643) were classified as “adherence”. Over 6 months follow-up, 23.3% of the participants admitted to hospital and of these, 9.2% were due to CVD. The CVD hospitalization rate was significantly lower in the adherence group compared to the non-adherence group (7.7% versus 13.8%, p = 0.023, respectively). In logistic regression models, medication adherence was associated with a significant reduced likelihood of CVD hospitalization (adjusted OR 0.48, 95%CI 0.27 – 0.86). Medication adherence was also associated with a trend of reduced all-cause hospitalization (adjusted OR 0.75, 95%CI 0.49 – 1.15). Conclusions. This study showed a positive relationship between medication adherence and reduced risk of CVD hospitalization in older people with coronary heart disease. Healthcare providers should consider incorporating adherence assessment into the long-term care for older patients with coronary heart disease.

With the development of industrial automation and intelligent logistics, the application of unmanned forklifts in warehousing and production environments has become increasingly widespread. However, the decline in positioning accuracy and the problem of drift seriously affect their stability and safety. Although existing LiDAR and inertial navigation systems have improved, they still face challenges related to cumulative errors during operation. This paper proposes a new algorithm called Aruco-LOAM, which significantly improves the positioning accuracy of unmanned forklifts by combining Aruco markers with LEGO-LOAM's LiDAR point cloud data and utilizing visual constraints during the graph optimization process. The research results indicate that this method suppresses cumulative errors and enhances the robustness of unmanned forklifts in complex environments, providing a more reliable navigation solution for warehousing systems.

Introduction: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) remain at higher risk for invasive infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae compared to the general pediatric population. Penicillin prophylaxis, pneumococcal conjugate (PCV), and polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV) have reduced the incidence of pneumococcal disease. Methods: A single institution cohort of children with SCD aged <19 years was reviewed over the 14-year period after PCV13 licensure (January 2010 – December 2023) to identify and characterize the clinical features and outcomes of S. pneumoniae bacteremia, including serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility. Results: The cohort included 4,356 children with SCD (24,076 person-years). Thirty-eight pneumococcal bacteremia cases were identified (32 HbSS, 5 HbSC, 1 HbSβ +-thalassemia), 21 (55%) in children age ≥5 years. The median time to culture positivity was 10.6 hours (range 3.4–20.2) from collection. Meningitis occurred in 4 (11%) and acute chest syndrome in 13 (34%). Serotype information was available for 36 (95%) isolates, which included 16 (44%) PPSV23 serotypes and 1 (2.6%) PCV13 serotype (serotype 3). Penicillin nonsusceptibility occurred in 12/31 (39%) at meningitis and 1/31 (3%) at non-meningitis breakpoints. Three (8%) deaths occurred (serotypes 12F, 23B, and 15B), all in children age ≥5 years, who had discontinued prophylactic penicillin. Long-term sequelae occurred in 5 (14%) surviving children, including hearing loss, limb amputation, motor and neurocognitive defects. Conclusion: Pneumococcal bacteremia continues to occur in children with SCD, with a risk of rapid progression to severe disease. Pneumococcal prevention strategies and urgent empiric treatment for fever remain important for children and adolescents of all ages with SCD.

Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) is a high-quality forage crop and an essential resource for livestock. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying male sterility in alfalfa is pivotal for the development of superior forage varieties. Despite the critical role of anther development in plant reproduction, its molecular regulation—particularly the involvement of transcription factors in M. sativa—remains insufficiently explored. This study bridges this gap by isolating and characterizing an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, MsMYB35, and unveiling its regulatory role in anther development. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that MsMYB35 is predominantly expressed during early anther development and is homologous to AtMYB35. MsMYB35 was found to localize in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. DNA affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) identified 3,647 target genes of MsMYB35, with enrichment analysis uncovering three recognition motifs. Integrated DAP-seq and RNA-seq analyses revealed that MsMYB35 directly regulates two key anther development-related genes. Functional analyses showed that overexpression of MsMYB35 promotes anther development, while silencing MsMYB35 leads to defective anther sacs and wrinkled pollen grains. Proper MsMYB35 expression ensures the formation of viable and fertile pollen grains, solidifying its role as a critical regulator of anther development. These findings provide a novel perspective on the molecular mechanisms regulating anther development in M. sativa and offer valuable insights for improving molecular breeding and hybrid seed production strategies. By advancing the fundamental understanding of transcriptional regulation in anther development, this study sets the stage for innovative approaches to alfalfa crop improvement.

Vegetation productivity in India varies at intraseasonal to interannual time scales, influenced by meteorological factors sensitive to large-scale climate teleconnections. While the impact of global climate variability on Indian monsoon and its extremes is well known, their effects on Indian vegetation productivity are relatively less understood. This study addresses this gap by decomposing dominant modes of spatio-temporal variability of gross primary productivity (GPP) over India and examining their dependence on climate teleconnections. We found that El-Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM) significantly impact GPP, especially in western and southern peninsular India during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. However, there is an east-west asymmetry in the PMM-GPP correlation. The western region and southern peninsula are negatively correlated, while northeast India positively correlates with PMM. Using wavelet decomposition, we show that more than half of temporal variability in the GPP comprises low-frequency components. These low-frequency signals primarily drive the relationship between GPP and climate teleconnections. Next, we identify the dominant spatial modes of low-frequency signals of GPP. We tested the predictability of the principal components of GPP using teleconnections and hydrometeorological variables. While most of the predictive skill of GPP comes from its past (memory up to 5 months, R2 score of up to 0.5), adding teleconnection indices as predictors improves the prediction skill at lead times (with an increase of 0.1-0.2 in R2 values). Our results underscore the utility of using hydrometeorological and distant climate teleconnection in GPP prediction for longer lead times.

Biotite weathering in granite is known to induce micro-crack propagation. Conversely, fracture propagation exposes fresh surfaces to percolating fluids and enhances fluid flow, which accelerates chemical weathering. These feedback mechanisms between weathering, microcracks and larger fractures remain under-explored. To bridge this gap, a weathering-induced damage model is coupled with a cohesive fracture model to study the joint effects of topographic, tectonic, and weathering stresses in granite. Weathering is simulated over 250 years in sinusoidal topographies. Numerical results suggest that without pre-fracturing, horizontal tectonic stresses are needed to trigger weathering. Under tensile horizontal tectonic stress, simulations indicate that weathering advances vertically beneath the valleys, consistent with field observations. High-compression tectonic stresses transmit forces through valley bottoms and side slopes, which provides the mechanism for surface-parallel fracturing, and weathering regions spreading laterally beneath both the valleys and ridges, in conformity with fractures observed parallel to the surface and slightly dipping. Simulations also indicate that the presence of a valley incision enhances the mechanism of mode-I fracture propagation under tensile horizontal tectonic stress, but does not significantly impact the mixed-mode fracture propagation sub-parallel to the surface under compressive horizontal tectonic stress.

The important early declining part of the main phase (MP) of geomagnetic storms in SYM-H (and Dst) from positive main phase onset (MPO) to 0-level of SYM-H was somehow missed in the treatment of the storms. We included the missed part (or revised the storms) by raising the 0-level of SYM-H to MPO-level, and showed that the inclusion is important for most aspects of global space weather. However, what drives the missed part is not yet understood. We take up such a study using data and a SYM-H model. The relative contributions of the solar wind dynamic pressure P and interplanetary electric field IEFy on the missed part are studied statistically using good quality P and IEFy data available for 116 revised intense storms in 1998–2024. The results reveal that (a) the missed part in majority (62%) of storms is mainly (≥75%) due to positive IEFy; (b) in a small number of storms (12%), it is mainly (≥75%) due to decrease in P; and (c) in the remaining 26% of storms, it is due to both decrease in P and positive IEFy. The SYM-H model is developed from the existing Dst models and incorporates the delay of SYM-H response to IEFy turning positive. The model reproduces the combined effect of P and positive IEFy nearly agreeing with SYM-H data, and illustrates their relative contributions for one storm each in the three groups. In short, the missed positive part in majority of storms seems due to positive IEFy.

This study explores the integration of Scrum methodologies with artificial intelligence (AI) in project management, focusing on the use of data analysis to optimize team performance. By simulating a Scrum project in Python, we analyzed task distribution, completion times, and team velocities using various visualizations. The results reveal key insights into task bottlenecks, workload distribution across sprints, and team members’ efficiencies. Additionally, a machine learning model was developed to predict task completion times, showing significant accuracy improvements. These findings demonstrate the potential of AI in enhancing planning processes for future sprints.

In broadband power line carrier communication in new energy grid connection, phase distortion and time delay distortion may occur when signals of different frequencies propagate in the power line. The existence of noise will affect the clarity and stability of the signal, and a series of problems such as packet loss or error. In order to reduce the influence of noise interference on broadband power line carrier communication in new energy gridconnected, this paper proposes an improved compressed sensing denoising method based on new energy grid-connected power line communication. This method takes the compressed sensing theory as the core, compresses and collects the field signal and transmits it to the terminal sparse reconstruction, and filters out the noise at the same time. The algorithm uses spectral decomposition to increase the column independence of the observation matrix. At the same time, the optimized H-Toeplitz observation matrix design method is used to reduce the cross-correlation between the observation matrix and the sparse base. The observation matrix that strictly satisfies the RIP condition is constructed instead of the Gaussian matrix, which improves the robustness of the method. The experimental results show that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the optimized observation matrix is 5.45 dB higher than that of the Gaussian observation matrix, and the root mean square error (RMSE) is reduced by about 32.67 % on average. The algorithm in this paper has better denoising effect. It can be adjusted and optimized more flexibly for colored background noise, effectively reduce the noise components in the signal, improve the signal-to-noise ratio, and make the signal clearer and easier to identify and analyze. It ensures that the signal is more stable in different environments, better resists the influence of noise and interference, improves the robustness of the system and the reliability of data transmission.

Flood risk perception and preparedness intention are critical intrinsic drivers of private flood protection behaviors. This study highlights that governance factors, such as trust and risk communication, play a significant role in shaping these perceptions and intentions. Despite their importance, limited research has examined how these governance dynamics influence individual's understanding of flood risk mitigation. To address this gap, the study develops a conceptual model to explore the interaction mechanisms among key variables, including flood risk perception, flood preparedness intention, trust in public flood protection capacity, and risk communication. These relationships are empirically tested using

IntroductionEnterococci are important foodborne pathogens and inhabitants of gut flora in chicken which may readily penetrate and spread within the food chain through contaminated poultry commodities [1]. The pathogenic potential of Enterococci may cause a variety of health problems in humans such as urinary tract infection, bacteraemia, intra-abdominal infections, and endocarditis [2]. This pathogenic potential is augmented by virulence factors asa (aggregation substance),esp (enterococcal surface protein) and ace (collagen-binding adhesin) due to their association with colonization ofEnterococcus [3], [4]. Furthermore, other virulence factors like gelatinase, DNase, haemagglutinin, lipase and haemolysin had been critical in virulence and pathogenicity of infection in human and animal models [5].Being pathogen of public health importance, emergence of AMR in Enterococci against several critical antibiotics of human medicine such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, semisynthetic penicillin probably due to indiscriminate and irresponsible use of large quantity of antimicrobial agents in commercial poultry for disease prevention, treatment and growth promotion is worrisome [6], [7]. Resistant Enterococci present a substantial threat to human health owning to their potential to be transmitted to humans[8] through food chain which may lead to treatment failure and complicated enterococcal infections in humans.Generally, Enterococcus infections are treated by a synergistic combination of a cell wall mediating glycopeptide along with an aminoglycoside such as gentamicin [9]. However, high level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) phenomenon in Enterococci mainly conferred by gene aac(6´)Ie-aph(2˝)Ia , inactivates gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, netilmicin and amikacin [10]. Though β-lactam antibiotics are the first line of treatment for humanEnterococcal infections, However, vancomycin is used under conditions of penicillin and β-lactam resistance and allergy [9], [11].Recent studies have reported notable AMR in Enterococci against several antimicrobials in humans, poultry, and food samples [8], [9], [12], [13], [14], [15]. Although, the role of certain antimicrobial resistant Enterococci has been demonstrated in clinical cases in human population in India [15], [16], [17]. However, such information on the Enterococcus isolates of poultry origin is not readily available. The goal of the current investigation was to identify and isolate Enterococcus species from meat samples from chickens and quails. It also aimed to identify important virulence genes, phenotypic virulence factors, and antibiotic-resistant genotypes (vancomycin resistance, high-level aminoglycoside resistance, and β-lactamase resistance) of Enterococcus species of global public health significance.