This paper deals with micromagnetic measurements for online detection of strain-induced α’-martensite during plastic deformation of metastable austenitic steel AISI 304L. The operating principles of the sensors are Barkhausen noise (MBN) and eddy currents (EC), which are suitable for detection of microstructure evolution due to formation of ferromagnetic phases. Nevertheless, the description of the calibration and transformation models of the micromagnetic measurements into quantitative α’-martensite fractions is beyond the scope of this paper. The focus will be put on the qualification of different micromagnetic methods as well as of different measurement systems under conditions similar to the real ones during production, which is crucial for implementation of a property-controlled flow forming process. The investigation was carried out on tubular specimens produced by flow forming, which have different content of α’-martensite. To characterize the sensitivity of the sensors, different contact conditions between sensors and workpieces were reproduced. MBN sensors are suitable for detecting amount of α’-martensite, but the measurements are affected by the surface roughness. This entails that the calibration models for MBN sensors must take account of these effects. EC sensors show a closer match with the amount of α’-martensite without having major affectation by other effects.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown A new pathogenic role for mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Lysine succinylation (Ksucc) is involved in many energy metabolism pathways in mitochondria, making Ksucc highly valuable for studying IPF. We used liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to perform the first global profiling of Ksucc in fibrotic lung tissues from IPF patients (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD054685). Selected candidate proteins were further verified by targeted proteomics using parallel reaction monitoring (PRM). Using an MS-based platform, we identified 1964 Ksucc sites on 628 modified proteins and 675 Ksucc sites on 124 modified proteins closely related to mitochondrial metabolism. 117 succinylated proteins were associated with energy metabolism in mitochondria by comparing these proteins with those previously reported in normal lung tissues. The Ksucc levels in KYAT3, HSD17B8, GRHPR and IDH2 were obviously different between control and IPF groups by Using PRM. This study provides insight into Ksucc profile alterations in IPF pathogenesis and Ksucc sites in proteins associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism can also serve as candidate molecules for future mechanism exploration and drug target selection in IPF.

Aim This pilot study aimed to explore if attending a training course on mindfulness impacted one's anxiety and search for meaning in life. Methods The study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic between September 2022 and December 2022. A convenient sample of six faculty members from a university in Canada who were experiencing anxiety and searching for meaning in life participated in the study. Participants were asked to fill in an electronic survey before and after taking an eight-week course on mindfulness. The mindfulness course was facilitated by an instructor who was certified and experienced in mindfulness. It was delivered online. Results Findings from this pilot study revealed that whilst the anxieties about the COVID pandemic had subsided at the time of the study, the pandemic did cause participants to ask questions about the meaning of life. Participants found the training course on mindfulness beneficial to resolve mental health issues and anxieties. It helped them develop a sense of meta-awareness, and an opportunity to refocus on what is important in life. Conclusion The findings of this study are limited to a pilot study and a larger scale study is needed to find out if mindfulness-based techniques have an impact on one's anxieties relating to existential issues and the search for meaning in life.

Pneumatosis intestinalis and concurrent focal diaphragmatic pneumatosis cystoides presenting with pneumoperitoneum in a 20 year-old male: a case report.Manal Fasih1 Patricia Colucci, D.O.,2 Kara Monday, M.D.2,3

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Personal recovery narratives in psychiatry have long been used to reduce public stigma. Nowadays, more and more such narratives are shared on social media and collected by content creators and journalists often without basic education in psychology. Although telling one’s story has positive effects on the person sharing, the question of adverse negative effects has been neglected so far. We investigated the impact, whether positive or negative, of telling one’s story in a narrative podcast with a wide audience. Participants (N = 27) were recruited from the guest pool of Les Maux Bleus podcast. They completed an online quantitative and qualitative ad hoc 15-question survey assessing the positive effects of their participation on their well-being, and asking for potential adverse effects they might have encountered after their participation. A third of the sample reported adverse effects of low-to-moderate severity, and 6 persons in the sample stated they felt the need to look for emotional and/or psychological assistance after their participation despite a very precautious process before and after recording. Those results highlight the necessity to elaborate guidelines for content creators collecting and broadcasting such narratives to make them beneficial and avoid potentially severe adverse events occurring.

Objective: Numerous studies have shown that stimuli associated with the self receive higher cognitive processing priority, known as the self-prioritization effect. Additionally, individuals with Eastern Asian cultural backgrounds often include their mother in their self-concept, resulting in a mother-prioritization effect. However, the impact of drug addiction on these prioritization effects remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate self- and mother-prioritization effects in Chinese abstinent heroin users (AHM). Methods: Study 1 employed a modified self matching task to investigate the matching level processing of self-relevant and mother-related information in individuals with heroin addiction. Study 2 integrated a self-referential task with a recognition task to replicate and extend the findings of Study 1 in the realm of memory. Study 3 further investigated the clinical significance of the impaired mother-prioritization effect. Results: Study 1 revealed that AHM exhibited a level of prioritization for self-related stimuli, albeit with a diminished mother-prioritization effect. Study 2 conceptually replicated these findings in the memory domain, revealing impaired mother-referential memory in AHM. Study 3 further demonstrated a positive correlation between the severity of drug addiction in AHM and the magnitude of the mother-prioritization effect. Conclusions: Individuals struggling with drug addiction demonstrated a robust self-prioritization effect but showed a reduced mother-prioritization effect. Importantly, this reduced mother-prioritization effect held clinical significance for addiction. These findings highlight a novel target for interventions aimed at strengthening associations between the self and salient stimuli. For instance, increasing concern for significant others could help mitigate the risk of relapse.

Research suggests that changes in functional connectivity contribute to age-related declines in response inhibition. Through a double-blind crossover study, we investigated the effects of dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) and pre-supplementary motor area (preSMA) on functional connectivity measured with electroencephalography and response inhibition (stop-signal task performance) in 15 older (aged 61-79 years) and 18 young (aged 18-34 years) adults. Two tACS conditions were administered in separate sessions: in-phase tACS, where electrical currents delivered to rIFG and preSMA had a 0° phase difference, and anti-phase tACS, where currents had a 180° phase difference. Resting-state beta band rIFG-preSMA connectivity significantly increased after in-phase tACS for older and young adults, and decreased after anti-phase tACS for older adults. This shows that tACS can modulate rIFG-preSMA connectivity in a phase-specific manner in the aging brain. However, response inhibition significantly improved after both in- and anti-phase tACS for young and older adults, indicating that inhibitory performance might not be directly regulated by resting-state rIFG-preSMA phase connectivity.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Following lung transplantation (LTx), an increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and the need for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are observed, and approximately half of all infections are caused by bacterial lung infections. The optimization of antibiotic dosage and selection is crucial for infection control and mortality reduction in patients with LTx receiving CRRT. Here we report a case that a 66-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who underwent bilateral lung transplant and received vancomycin for five days following the procedure. As he developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection and the fever persisted and was accompanied by bone marrow suppression, vancomycin was replaced with contezolid. Our case study indicates that contezolid may effectively treat pulmonary infections and can be cleared by CRRT in patients with LTx. Keywords: Lung transplantation; Continuous renal replacement therapy; Lung infections; Contezolid;

Objective Recent clinical case reports have been controversial regarding the adverse events(AEs) of amputation associated with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors(SGLT2i). We assessed the risk of osteomyelitis AE reporting associated with SGLT2i or SGLT2i-metformin co-medication. Method We queried the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) for SGLT2i-associated or SGLT2i-metformin co-medication osteomyelitis-relevant AEs from the second quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2023. The safety signals of osteomyelitis were detected using comprehensive disproportionality analysis by reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), multi-item gamma passion shrinker (MGPS), and Bayesian confidence propagation (BCPNN) methods. The additive interaction model (RERI), multiplicative interaction model (eβ3) and Ω shrinkage measures (Ω025) were employed to explore the latent interactions on osteomyelitis adverse events between SGLT2i and metformin. We also focused on the characteristics and correlation between SGLT2i-associated osteomyelitis and amputation by estimating the overlap rate of relevant AE records. Results Out of 2569 SGLT2i-associated osteomyelitis AEs investigated, we identified 2509 canagliflozin-associated reports (ROR 104.47, 95%CI 100.10-109.03; PRR 99.70, 95%CI 95.54-104.04, χ2=214840.90; EBGM 87.45, EBGM05=84.38; IC 6.45, IC025=4.78). There are 103 SGLT2i-metformin compound-associated reports. The outcomes of the drug-drug interaction assessment showed negative correlation(RERI=-21.73, eβ3=0.699, Ω025=-1.370). The concordance between SGLTi-associated osteomyelitis and amputation AE reports was 80%. Conclusion This study showed a significantly increased risk of SGLT2i-associated osteomyelitis, mainly focusing on canagliflozin, and presented a potential association between amputation and osteomyelitis, providing a reference for the clinical practice of diabetes with SGLT2i medication.

Maize is a vital staple crop that has been significantly affected by climate change, necessitating an urgent increase in its resilience against the changing climate. This review aims to address the need for climatic resilience of maize by analyzing advanced methodologies and innovations employed for maize improvement. This comprehensive analysis will provide data for developing more resilient maize varieties, ensuring food security in case of any climatic challenge. Furthermore, this review discusses the association studies for QTL identification, candidate gene mining, and GWAS data to identify the genetic determinants of key traits. Moreover, the transformative potential of gene editing, particularly CRISPR, for identifying key regulators in maize development, and examining the utility of virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) for functional genomics were also summarized. Breeding strategies based on the genetic diversity of maize wild relatives are significantly employed for their role in climate adaptation. This review also discusses innovations such as speed breeding and genomic selection for their ability to accelerate breeding cycles and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for its critical role in developing superior maize varieties. In addition, agronomic practices for climate mitigation and technological innovations to enhance resilience were also reviewed. High-throughput phenotyping and omics-based approaches, such as transcriptomics and metabolomics, are essential tools for developing climate-resilient maize. This review proposes to integrate the aforementioned advanced methodologies for revolutionizing maize breeding and ensuring sustainable food security amidst the growing challenges of climate change. This review highlights the necessity and potential of these innovations in breeding more resilient maize.

Background: We aimed to compare symptoms and EQ-5D-5L in acute and chronic phases between coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) patients and test-negative controls for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the Omicron-predominant period in Japan. Methods: Individuals aged ≥18 tested for suspected COVID-19 at a clinic in Tokyo, Japan, between January 2022 and January 2023 were invited to participate in an online survey. Participants were asked to recall and record physical and mental symptoms and EQ-5D-5L during the acute phase of illness, and at months 1, 3, and 6. We compared symptoms and EQ-5D-5L among COVID-19 patients and controls. The symptoms and EQ-5D-5L index values of male and female COVID-19 patients were also compared. Results: Overall, 302 COVID-19 patients and 77 test-negative controls were included; the median age was 42 years, and 41.2% were male. At month 3, 19.9% of the COVID-19 patients and 9.1% of the controls had symptoms. Mental symptoms and fatigue persisted for more than three months among COVID-19 patients. EQ-5D-5L mean index values of COVID-19 patients were lower than those of controls throughout the period. Female COVID-19 patients had lower EQ-5D-5L mean values than male patients over time. Conclusions: This study showed that COVID-19 patients had more symptoms at three months after testing than test-negative controls, the EQ-5D-5L mean index values of COVID-19 patients was lower than that of controls, and the decline persisted for more than six months. Female COVID-19 patients had lower EQ-5D-5L mean index values than male patients over time.

The long-term impact of COVID-19, particularly its association with neurodegenerative changes, has become a significant concern in the post-pandemic era. This Letter to the Editor highlights the increasing incidence of cognitive impairments, dementia, and other neurodegenerative conditions observed in patients with Long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent studies underscore the role of chronic inflammation, cerebrovascular alterations, and immune dysregulation in contributing to these conditions. In countries like Pakistan, where neurodegenerative diseases are prevalent and awareness of Long COVID is limited, there is an urgent need for public health education to address these issues. Educational initiatives should focus on debunking myths about vaccination, promoting early detection of neurodegenerative changes, and enhancing the management of Long COVID through advanced diagnostic technologies. By prioritizing these efforts, Pakistan can reduce the long-term impact of COVID-19 on neurodegenerative health and thus, improve overall public health outcomes.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Introduction: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system that usually occurs in children below 5 years of age. High-risk Neuroblastoma (HR-NB) has a poor prognosis despite several treatment strategies. Anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies (dinutuximab) have recently been added to the standard of care due to improved prognosis. We aimed to systematically assess the outcomes of HR-NB patients treated with anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies and compare them with those on other treatment regimens. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was used to search PubMed and the Cochrane Library for articles investigating the effect of dinutuximab on the outcomes of patients with HR-NB. Eligibility criteria included: 1) Diagnosis of HR-NB based on INSS and INRG staging, and MYCN status. 2) Dinutuximab or dinutuximab-beta as the primary agent used in intervention group. 3) Mean/median follow-up time greater than 6 months. Three investigators independently reviewed and extracted relevant articles. Any disagreements were addressed through consultation with other authors. Risk of bias assessment of the selected articles were conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies. Review Manager Software was used to obtain and display the meta-analysis estimates in forest plots. Random effects models were used to calculate the mean difference and overall estimated effects for continuous variables. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality and 5-years event-free survival (5-year-EFS), while the secondary endpoints were the incidence of complete remission and adverse events associated with dinutuximab therapy. Results: Five studies, including two RCTs, two secondary analyses of clinical trials, and one retrospective cohort study, comprising 1,393 participants were included in the analysis. 686 of the patients received dinutuximab while the remaining 707 patients were assigned to other therapies as controls. Dinutuximab was associated with lower all-cause mortality as compared to control [Pooled RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.22-0.75, P=0.004, I 2=31%]. 5-year-EFS was also greater for patients treated with dinutuximab [MD: 0.12; 95% CI, 0.09-0.16; P<0.001, I 2=98%]. Dinutuximab was associated with a nonsignificant increase in the incidence of complete remission (Pooled RR, 3.63; 95% CI, 0.64-20.53, P=0.15, I2=70%). The common adverse events associated with dinutuximab therapy included fever, fluid retention, hypotension, hypoxia, and diarrhea. Keywords: dinutuximab, anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody, High-risk Neuroblastoma (HR-NB).

Many children treated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators increase their body mass index (BMI). To extend this observation, we prospectively monitored rates of change for growth, body mass and composition indices and z scores, forearm strength, and FEV1 during ETI therapy for a cohort of 27 children, ages 6-11, assessed potential risk factors for concerning change rates; and documented variability of individual change rates. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Z score calculations used matched data from US children. Outcomes rates of change were analyzed using a linear mixed effects regression model. At enrollment, median BMI z-score was 0.6, percent body fat was 22.7, and percent predicted (pp) FEV1 was 100. During ETI treatment, mean z scores for annualized change rates of BMI (0.02±0.07), fat mass index (FMI) (0.02±0.08), and fat free mass index (-0.03±0.07) were not different from zero. Percent increase of FMI (mean:12.0±29.0) often exceeded that for skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI)(4.7±4.9). Older children and girls experienced the largest weight gain. Individual body mass and composition index rates of change varied extensively. FEV1 increase was independent of body composition and muscle strength change rates. Preadolescent children, as a group, experienced growth and body composition trajectories expected of US children, adding muscle mass, but preferentially adding fat mass when treated with ETI. Individual outcomes variation suggests potential benefit for body composition monitoring and interventions to promote healthy physical maturation during ETI therapy.

Seagrasses provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, sediment stabilisation and nursery habitat for juvenile fish. Zostera muelleri is ubiquitous within Australian and New Zealand estuaries however as a species is relatively understudied. We sourced seeds from a thermally-affected east Australian estuary and investigated if germination rates differed between ambient and thermally affected seeds over a variety of temperatures (16°C, - 28°C) to determine how seagrass systems might react in a warming climate. Germination for the experiment was low and totalled 5% of all seeds however similar numbers are typical in seed germination studies. Germination was highest at 16°C and was enhanced through the simulation of a 48-hour freshwater pulse. Thermally affected sites germinated faster and had greater mean maximum germination when compared to control sites regardless of experimental temperature. These findings indicate that Zostera muelleri in this system may be exhibiting transgenerational plasticity due to the thermal stress the parent experiences. This result provides an alternate viewpoint to current literature by suggesting that unknown transgenerational effects may provide Z. muelleri with greater germination plasticity against temperatures expected under predicted climate change scenarios than previously expected.

Priority effects, where the order and timing of species arrival influence the assembly of ecological communities, have been observed in a variety of taxa and habitats. However, the genetic and molecular basis of priority effects remains unclear, hindering the mechanistic understanding of priority effects. We sought to gain such an understanding for the nectar yeast Metschnikowia reukaufii, commonly found in the nectar of our study plant, the hummingbird-pollinated Diplacus (Mimulus) aurantiacus. In this plant, M. reukaufii experiences strong priority effects when it reaches flowers after other nectar yeasts, such as M. rancensis. After inoculation into two contrasting types of synthetic nectar simulating early arrival of M. rancensis, we conducted whole-transcriptome sequencing of 108 strains of M. reukaufii. We found that several genes were differentially expressed in M. reukaufii strains when the nectar had been conditioned by growth of M. rancensis. Many of these genes were associated with amino acid metabolism, consistent with our previous finding that early-arriving species limit late-arriving species’ growth by reducing amino acid availability. Furthermore, investigation of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) revealed that genes involved in amino acid transport and resistance to antifungal compounds were enriched in genetic variants, with differing effects on gene expression caused by M. rancensis. We also found that gene expression was associated with population growth rate, particularly when amino acids were limited. These results suggest that intraspecific genetic variation in the ability of nectar yeasts to respond to nutrient limitation and direct fungal competition underpins the molecular mechanisms of priority effects.

Key Clinical MessageThe occurrences of rhabdomyolysis after endoscopic submucosal dissection surgery were rarely reported. This is a case involving rhabdomyolysis affecting the muscles of the left buttocks and left hip following a prolonged endoscopic submucosal surgery.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Aim Objective To explore the category characteristics and influencing factors of early-onset PSD in patients with first-episode stroke. Methods 276 patients with first-stage stroke who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2021 to December 2021 were selected as subjects by cross-sectional investigation and convenience sampling method. General data questionnaire, self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used to investigate. Results Latent profile analysis showed that the characteristics of early-onset PSD could be divided into three Latent profiles: mild depression-weak somatization group (48%), moderate depression-moderate somatization group (36%), and severe depression-strong somatization group (16%). Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the mild depression-weak somatization group, the patients with no spouse, lethargy and poor muscle strength (P < 0.05) were more likely to be classified into the moderate depression-moderate somatization group and the severe depression-strong somatization group. Conclusion The early-onset PSD of first-episode stroke patients showed significant heterogeneity and could be divided into three Latent profiles.There were differences in population characteristics and social support among patients with different Latent profiles. According to the classification characteristics of early-onset depression in first-episode stroke patients, nursing staff should formulate personalized intervention strategies to improve their psychosocial adaptability and avoid adverse prognosis.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common comorbid diagnosis in psychotic disorders. However, little is known about the effect of comorbid PTSD in youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate group differences in symptom severity, risk for psychotic conversion, and functioning among youth at CHR for psychosis with and without PTSD. Methods: This longitudinal study utilized data from N = 693 individuals who met criteria for CHR as part of the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study 3 (NAPLS-3). Individuals who met criteria for PTSD were compared to those who did not meet criteria for PTSD on demographic, symptom and functional variables. Results: Individuals diagnosed with PTSD (N=54) reported more severe overall positive symptoms (p<0.001), negative symptoms (p<0.01), and general symptoms (p<0.001) compared to those without the diagnosis (N=639). These symptom differences were primarily accounted for by more grandiose (p<0.01) and perceptual symptoms (p<0.04), decreased experience of emotions (p<0.01) and occupational functioning (p<0.03), sleep disturbance (p<0.01), dysphoric mood (p<0.002) and impaired tolerance to stress (p<0.001) in those with PTSD. A diagnosis of PTSD was not associated with a greater rate of psychotic conversion or greater functional deficits. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a diagnosis of PTSD is associated with more severe overlapping symptoms in individuals meeting the criteria for CHR but not psychotic conversion. Our findings underscore the importance of recognizing and treating comorbid psychiatric conditions including PTSD in CHR populations as a means of reducing symptoms and improving outcome.

Motivation: One essential initial step in the analysis of ancient DNA is to authenticate that the DNA sequencing reads actually are from ancient DNA. This is done by assessing if the reads exhibit typical characteristics of postmortem damage, including cytosine deamination and nicks. We present a novel statistical method implemented in a fast multithreaded program, ngsBriggs, that enables rapid quantification of PMD by estimation of the Briggs ancient damage model parameters (Briggs parameters). Results: Using a multinomial model with maximum likelihood fit, ngsBriggs accurately estimates the parameters of the Briggs model, quantifying the PMD signal from single and double-stranded DNA regions.We extend the original Briggs model to capture PMD signals for contemporary sequencing platforms and show that ngs- Briggs accurately estimates the Briggs parameters across a variety of contamination levels. Classification of reads into ancient or modern reads, for the purpose of decontamination, is significantly more accurate using ngsBriggs than using other methods available. Furthermore, ngsBriggs is substantially faster than other state-of-the-art methods. ngsBriggs offers a practical and accurate method for researchers seeking to authenticate ancient DNA and improve the quality of their data.

Microbial residue carbon (MRC) is an important source of soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and plays a vital role in the accumulation and retention of SOC. Vegetation restoration is an effective strategy to restore degraded lands. However, there are no studies on how MRC in the profile changes with vegetation restoration. We evaluated MRC (using amino sugars) accumulation and its contribution to SOC in different soil depths (0-20, 20-50, and 50-100 cm) during vegetation restoration in a severely eroded forest (CK), a restored forest (as ecological restoration management), an orchard (as development management model), and a secondary forest (as ideal control). Microbial biomarkers were extracted from soil profiles and used to measure microbial diversity and microbial community composition (using 16S rRNA). Vegetation restoration, soil depth, and their interaction with each other significantly affected MRC, fungal residue carbon (FRC), and bacterial residue carbon (BRC) contents. The MRC content showed an increasing trend for the four vegetation restoration models in the following order: CK < orchard < restored forest < secondary forest. Furthermore, the contribution of MRC to SOC increased with the increasing soil depth for the restored forest. The rapid accumulation of MRC was substantially influenced by SOC, total nitrogen content, soil pH, bacterial and fungal diversity, bacterial phylum, and fungal phylum. In conclusion, the model of vegetation restoration and soil depth play important roles in the accumulation of soil microbial residue carbon in a red soil erosion area. These findings are pivotal for improving our mechanistic understanding of microbial regulation of SOC preservation during vegetation restoration of a degraded ecosystem.

1 Introduction:As the global population continues to grow and urbanization accelerates, a substantial portion of undisturbed natural areas is being converted into urban land, leading to a significant reduction in urban green spaces (Sun et al., 2020; Huang et al., 2022; Zhou et al., 2023). This trend not only exacerbates habitat fragmentation and reduces the living space for species (Zhu et al., 2020; Hu, Zhang, & Li, 2022) but also adversely affects the health of urban residents. It is associated with increased psychological stress (Lin et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2022), a decline in physical and mental health (Kabisch, van den Bosch, & Lafortezza, 2017; Browning, Rigolon, & McAnirlin, 2022), and fewer opportunities for outdoor activities (Schetke et al., 2016; Akpinar, 2016; Kuddus M A et al., 2020). In the context of the current global health crisis, natural experiences in urban green spaces play a crucial role in supporting human well-being and alleviating psychological stress (Lee, & Maheswaran, 2011; Richardson et al., 2013; Nutsford, Pearson, & Kingham, 2013; Carrus et al., 2015; Javadi, & Nasrollahi, 2021). Post-COVID-19, there has been an increased public attention to the natural elements and wilderness features within urban green spaces (Grima et al., 2020; Ugolini F et al., 2021; Lu et al., 2021; Grzyb et al., 2021), reflecting a significant shift in public perception towards wilderness and a preference for more natural, less human-intervened urban wilderness (Colley & Craig, 2019; Cheesbrough, Garvin, & Nykiforuk, 2019; Samus et al., 2022). This shift not only reveals a deepening demand for natural contact and biodiversity conservation post-pandemic but also reflects a heightened emphasis on healthy living environments and psychological well-being (Venter et al., 2021; Huang et al., 2022; Sikorska et al., 2023). However, by 2050, the majority of the population will reside in urban areas, where access to distant wild conservatories is unlikely for many (UN Habitat, 2022), significantly reducing opportunities for natural wilderness encounters (Zhu et al., 2024). Thus, wilderness has become an emerging focus in urban green space planning and management, aiming to create healthier and more sustainable urban environments that meet residents’ profound needs for natural contact.Historically, wilderness has been closely associated with the notion of ”undisturbed” natural relics (Cronon, 1996; Kalamandeen & Gillson, 2007; Dietz et al., 2015). Definitions from prominent entities like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (Dudley, 2008), the U.S. Wilderness Act (1964), and Wild Europe (2013) conceptualize wilderness as areas relatively untouched by human activity or intervention. While these definitions do not entirely preclude human presence, they emphasize minimizing human impact and preserving natural states and ecological processes (Allan, Venter & Watson, 2017; Zoderer et al., 2020). However, such perspectives are challenging to apply within urban ecosystems where traditional definitions of wilderness overlook the complexities and dynamic processes of urban environments (Kowarik, 2018; Threlfall & Kendal, 2018). Urban areas seldom contain spaces completely free from human influence; urban wilderness results from the interplay between human activities and natural processes (Zefferman et al., 2018; Müller et al., 2018). Furthermore, traditional wilderness definitions struggle to encompass urban residents’ needs for wilderness spaces, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shifted demands towards urban green spaces exhibiting more wilderness-like characteristics (Sikorska et al., 2023; Giles-Corti et al., 2023). Urban wilderness spaces provide essential ecological services and social functions such as recreation, education, and psychological restoration (Kowarik, 2018; Hunter, Gillespie, & Chen, 2019; Birch, Rishbeth, & Payne, 2020), playing a critical role in promoting physical and mental health and enhancing environmental awareness among city dwellers. Therefore, in urban ecosystems, the concept of urban wilderness needs to be more inclusive, accommodating natural processes and ecosystems influenced by human activities, while recognizing the significance of urban wilderness for urban biodiversity, resident well-being, and ecological service provision (Felappi, 2020; Sikorska et al., 2021; Cao et al., 2022; Zhu et al., 2024). Current research on urban wilderness extends beyond mere conservation to include how urban wilderness spaces can be utilized. Urban outdoor recreation provides residents opportunities to engage with wilderness through activities like camping, hiking, and wildlife observation, which are crucial for health benefits including nature interaction, psychological recovery, strengthening community ties, and enhancing quality of life (Kil, Stein, & Holland, 2014; Li et al., 2022; Samus et al., 2022). Integrating urban wilderness with recreational activities is key to enhancing urban ecological health, improving resident well-being, and promoting sustainable urban development (Luo et al., 2022; Yuan et al., 2024). Accurately identifying urban wilderness and recreational potential areas aids urban planners in crafting effective urban green space strategies, enabling targeted rewilding efforts or development of wilderness recreation activities to create attractive, accessible natural recreational spaces that bolster urban ecological resilience and improve residents’ quality of life.Wilderness mapping research traditionally focuses on identifying and conserving natural areas that remain largely unaffected by human activities (Orsi, Geneletti, & Borsdorf, 2013; Allan, Venter, & Watson, 2017; Cao, Carver, & Yang, 2019). This endeavor not only aims to preserve biodiversity and safeguard critical ecosystem services—such as water resource protection, air quality improvement, and carbon sequestration (Müller et al., 2018; Zhu et al., 2024)—but also supports scientific research based on these undisturbed areas and underpins the maintenance of human cultural heritage and spiritual well-being (Bagstad, 2017; Zefferman et al.,2018). Historically, researchers have employed a variety of methods to identify and evaluate wilderness areas, including location-based service data (Ma, & Long, 2020), Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) (Cao, Carver, & Yang, 2019; Zhu et al., 2024; Xu et al., 2024a), Boolean overlay (Cao, Carver, & Yang, 2019; Xu et al., 2024a), ecoacoustic methods (Carruthers-Jones, 2019), and MaxEnt modeling (Ma, & Pan, 2024). These studies typically regard human activity as a disturbance and exclude it from wilderness areas, with some research framing human recreation as a threatening factor to wilderness from a recreation ecology perspective (Marion et al., 2016; Xu et al., 2024b).However, in the context of rapid urbanization, humans are not only integral to urban ecosystems but their recreational activities are also part of ecological interactions that contribute positively to ecological balance and human well-being (Fagerholm, Eilola, & Arki, 2021; Nigussie, Liu, & Yeshitela, 2021). A significant shortcoming in current urban-scale wilderness studies is the failure to fully recognize the constructive role of human activities in the conservation and maintenance of wilderness areas (Zefferman et al., 2018; Zoderer et al., 2020). This overlooks the potential for harmonious coexistence between people and nature within urban environments. The inclusion of human recreational activities within the scope of urban wilderness should be considered (Luo et al., 2022; Yuan et al., 2024). Integrating the interactions between people and the natural wilderness into the wilderness system can help achieve a synergy between recreational activities and conservation goals, thereby enhancing human well-being (Kowarik, 2018; Threlfall & Kendal, 2018).In the rapid urbanization processes of Chinese major first and second-tier cities, there has been an unprecedented high demand for land resources, often prioritizing the development of residential, industrial, and commercial facilities while neglecting the importance of urban green spaces and natural reserves (Chen & Hu, 2015; Zeng et al., 2023). This development model has not only weakened urban biodiversity but also adversely affected residents’ quality of life and well-being (Zhou & Wang, 2011). However, in response to these challenges, the Chinese government has integrated environmental protection into its core development strategy, actively embracing the concept of an ’ecological civilization’ (Zhou et al., 2021; Meng et al., 2021). Through initiatives such as green urban planning, ecological corridors, and national park construction, it aims to protect and restore urban wilderness areas (Hou et al., 2023; Sun et al., 2019; Hu et al., 2019). Despite these efforts, the multifunctionality of urban wilderness areas and their potential for integrated use are often overlooked. Faced with the pressures of limited land resources and economic development, China is striving to find ways to utilize urban wilderness more effectively, moving beyond traditional conservation and restoration to include eco-tourism, nature education, and outdoor recreation (Yuan et al., 2024; Cao et al., 2022; Luo et al., 2022). In this context, exploring the multidimensional utilization of urban wilderness is not only crucial for Chinese own sustainable development but also offers valuable lessons and insights for other countries experiencing rapid urbanization, especially those metropolitan areas facing challenges in balancing ecology with development.This study aims to explore and address three core scientific issues regarding urban wilderness, facilitating the protection and rational use of urban wilderness spaces in line with the needs for sustainable urban development:(1)Re-defining the Concept and Framework of Urban Wilderness: Can a new theoretical framework be constructed that integrates the concepts of urban wilderness conservation with wilderness recreation development, to more comprehensively reflect the multifunctionality of natural spaces within urban environments?(2)Optimizing Urban Wilderness Evaluation Indicators: Given the current limitations in urban wilderness research, this study aims to develop a more precise and practical set of evaluation indicators to support the systematic identification and classification of novel urban wilderness areas. Can this system more effectively map the true state and potential recreation value of urban wilderness?(3)Management Strategies for Urban Novel Wilderness Areas: Based on the newly defined urban wilderness and its evaluation indicators, this research will explore how to formulate management strategies for urban novel wilderness areas with varying degrees of wilderness and recreational potential. The goal is to promote ecological protection, recreational functions, and harmonious coexistence with the urban environment.Through the exploration of these questions, this study expects to provide scientific basis and practical strategies for urban planners and environmental managers. The aim is to promote the sustainable management and utilization of urban wilderness areas, while enhancing urban residents’ opportunities for contact with nature and improving their quality of life.

Strigiformes, the owls, are a group of birds which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Surniinae is a subfamily of the true owls (Strigidae) called the hawk-owls. This study explores nocturnal adaptations of the Surniinae including visual and auditory mechanisms, to highlight the unique traits that allow owls to thrive in dim-light environments. Comparative analyses with related bird groups, such as the Caprimulgiforme, reveal convergent evolution driven by similar ecological challenges. The absence of ear-tufts in the Surniinae challenges traditional perspectives, urging consideration of alternative hypotheses. Intriguingly, the use of mammal manure by nesting burrowing owls, initially seen as an adaptation, prompts a multifaceted inquiry encompassing factors like nest hygiene and predator avoidance. This study employs an analysis of comparative genomics, behavioural observations, and longitudinal studies to unravel the genetic and ecological basis of owl adaptations. By embracing diverse evolutionary pathways, including convergence, maladaptive traits, and neutral traits, this research offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex and varied world of owls, shedding light on their remarkable adaptations and the intricacies of their evolution.

Diversification through crop rotations, the third principle defining Conservation Agriculture (CA), is key to supporting more diverse above-ground arthropod populations. Furthermore, due to the higher demand for crop production, CA farming systems must focus on supporting natural services that can support yield and decrease the demand for external agrochemical inputs. The crop rotation sequence could play a role in supporting different groups of organisms, thereby promoting the sustainability of whole cropping systems. The objectives of this study were to investigate two crop rotation system treatments (i.e., A: Wheat-Wheat-Wheat-Wheat and G: Canola-Medics-Wheat-Medics) as part of a larger long-term trial on a CA farming system located in a wheat producing region of South Africa. Each phase of the crop rotation sequence was represented each year for crop rotation system G. Arthropods were sampled using two sampling methods (i.e., pitfall and sweep-net sampling) 90 days after plant emergence. The results indicated that diversification through crop rotation positively affected the diversity of above-ground arthropods, depending on the specific sampling method used. Arthropods collected with pitfalls revealed less distinct differences between crop rotation sequences. The sweep-net sampling method indicated more crop-specific differences, which could relate to the specific resources each phase provides within the crop rotation sequence. By investigating each arthropod order separately, the results indicated that diversification through crop rotations had a variable effect on the different arthropod groups. Therefore, our study highlights that different arthropod groups must be investigated to draw conclusions regarding diversification within CA farming systems.