In this study, the satellite data of ASTER and Landsat 8 OLI were used for the discrimination of lithological units covering the Khyber range. Of the 24 tested band combinations, the most suitable include 632 and 468 of ASTER and 754 and 147 of OLI in the RGB sequence. The data were also tested with two conventional machine learning algorithms (MLAs), namely maximum likelihood classification (MLC) and support vector machine (SVM), for lithological mapping. Principal component analysis (PCA), minimum noise fraction (MNF), band ratios, and color composites in combination with available lithological maps and field data were utilized for training sample collection for the MLC and SVM models to classify the lithological units. The accuracy assessment of SVM and MLC was performed using a confusion matrix, which revealed a higher accuracy of 74.8419% and 72.1217% for ASTER and an accuracy of 58.4833% and 60.0257% for OLI, respectively. The results indicate that ASTER imagery is more suitable for lithological discrimination in the study area due to its high spectral resolution in the VNIR to SWIR range. The experiment revealed that the SVM classification offered the highest overall accuracy of nearly 75% and the kappa coefficient value of 0.7 on ASTER data. This demonstrates the effectiveness of SVM classification in exploring lithological mapping in dry to semi-arid regions. Full article

Optimizing path planning for energy efficiency is critical for achieving sustainable vehicular transportation. This paper presents a novel framework for evaluating the impact of path planning algorithms (PPAs) on energy consumption within a simulated environment. We leverage the CARLA simulator to conduct a comparative analysis between the widely used A* and a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm (HGA) across diverse vehicular scenarios. This investigation aims to quantify the influence of PPA selection on vehicle energy expenditure, enabling data-driven optimization for energy minimization. We leverage an offline energy estimation model to further streamline the comparison of the two PPAs. Extensive simulations are employed to demonstrate the efficiency and adaptability of the proposed framework. The findings contribute to the development of energy-efficient path-planning strategies, promoting advancements toward sustainable transportation systems. Full article

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) attenuation has emerged as a novel biomarker for identifying high-risk arterial plaques due to its association with inflammation. Recognizing the systemic nature of atherosclerosis and its link with major cardiovascular events in coronary disease, this study evaluated PVAT attenuation in the peripheral arteries using CT imaging to expand the understanding of its diagnostic and prognostic potential. Methods: a retrospective analysis of 53 consecutive patients who underwent CT angiography, examining PVAT density across five primary peripheral arterial segments. A 5 mm region of interest adjacent to the vascular wall was analyzed by two blinded readers, with reproducibility coefficients calculated to determine the reliability of the measurements. For the statistical analyses, mean values were derived from these measurements. The patients were stratified into four groups based on the degree of arterial stenosis: <25%, 25–50%, 50–70%, and >70%. PVAT density comparisons between these groups were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test and the pairwise Mann–Whitney U test with Holm–Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results: the Kruskal–Wallis test revealed statistically significant disparities in PVAT density across the categorically differentiated stenosis groups (p < 0.001), indicating an association between PVAT density and arterial stenosis severity. This association was especially pronounced in the external iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral, and popliteal arteries, where the p-values were consistently below 0.05. Subsequent pairwise analyses utilizing the Mann–Whitney U test with Holm–Bonferroni correction affirmed these findings, in particular for the external iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral and popliteal arteries (p < 0.05). Conclusions: our findings reinforce the correlation between increased PVAT density and the degree of arterial stenosis, supporting the clinical value of PVAT as a non-invasive biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification and potentially guiding therapeutic interventions. Full article

Fungal growth on construction materials in tropical climates can degrade aesthetics and manifestations on modern and historical sick buildings, affecting the health of their inhabitants. This study synthesized ZnO nanoparticles with enhanced antifungal properties using a precipitation method. Different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 100%) of Eichhornia crassipes aqueous extract were used with Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O as the precursor to evaluate their spectroscopic, morphological, textural, and antifungal properties. X-ray diffraction confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite phase of ZnO with crystallite sizes up to 20 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified absorption bands at 426, 503, and 567 cm⁻¹ for ZnO-100, ZnO-50, and ZnO-25, respectively. Nitrogen physisorption indicated a type II isotherm with macropores and a fractal dimension coefficient near 2 across all concentrations. Polydispersity index analysis showed that ZnO-50 had a higher PDI, indicating a broader size distribution, while ZnO-25 and ZnO-100 exhibited lower PDI values, reflecting uniform and monodisperse particle sizes. FESEM observations revealed semi-spherical ZnO morphologies prone to agglomeration, particularly in ZnO-25. Antifungal tests highlighted ZnO-25 as the most effective, especially against Phoma sp. with an MFC/MIC ratio of 78 µg/mL. Poisoned plate assays demonstrated over 50% inhibition at 312 µg/mL for all tested fungi, outperforming commercial antifungals. The results indicate that ZnO NPs synthesized using E. crassipes extract effectively inhibit fungal growth on construction materials. This procedure offers a practical approach to improving the durability of building aesthetics and may contribute to reducing the health risks associated with exposure to fungal compounds. Full article

Two new species, Pentacarinus maculosus sp. nov. and Pentacarinus tenebrosus sp. nov., from Burmese amber are described. Alongside the type species P. kachinensis already described, they are easily distinguishable by the tegmina patterns. The diagnosis of the genus Pentacarinus is amended, notably with fusion of Pcu + A₁ distad of forking CuA, the fork ScP + R approximately close to basal 1/5 of tegmen, basad of forking CuA, and only one transverse veinlet ir between RP and RA on forewings. Additionally, a key to these three species of Pentacarinus is provided. Full article

This paper is devoted to the features of sentence prosody (intonation) in Brazilian Portuguese spoken by immigrants whose first language is Russian, and explores the consequences that L1–L2 influence in intonation may have for communication. The study addressed four research questions: (1) Do Brazilian Portuguese L2 speakers with Russian L1 always succeed in producing the correct utterance type? (2) Can L1–L2 influence lead to misunderstanding of connotations? (3) Is it possible that sometimes L1–L2 influence leads to being perceived as too emotional or not emotional enough? (4) Can L1–L2 influence in intonation be a significant factor in the perception of accent? In a perceptual experiment, productions of four target utterances in Brazilian Portuguese by Russian L1 and Brazilian Portuguese L1 speakers were evaluated by 124 Brazilian listeners in terms of sentence type, possible connotations, accent and arousal. The target utterances included three questions of different types and an exclamation. The findings revealed that the speaker’s L1 influenced the perception of prosodic meanings by Brazilian listeners. In some cases, interference from Russian melodic contours caused the incorrect identification of the sentence type in Brazilian Portuguese. However, even when sentence type was perceived correctly, differences could be found regarding the perception of arousal or accent. Full article

The present study aims to describe the potential sources of energy in Peru with the purpose of implementing them to achieve a sustainable system, taking advantage of the natural resources in the Peruvian land. To achieve this, three alternative scenarios have been defined and analyzed using the LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning) software [Software Version: 2020.1.112]. The scenarios are as follows: the first one, the Business-as-Usual scenario, is based on normal trends according to historical data and referencing projections made by Peruvian state entities; the second one is focused on Energy Efficiency, the highlighted characteristic is taking into consideration the efficient conditions in transmission and distribution of electric energy; and the third one, centered on Geothermal Energy, focused on the development of this type of energy source and prioritizing it. The primary purpose of this analysis is to identify the advantages and disadvantages inherent in each scenario in order to obtain the best out of each one. In this way, the intention is to propose solutions based on Peru’s national reality or possible uses of the country’s energy potential to supply its energy demand. Currently, Peru’s energy demand relies on fossil fuels, hydraulic, and thermal energy. However, there is the possibility of transforming this system into a sustainable one by strengthening existing and growing energy sources such as solar and wind energy and new technologies for hydraulic and thermal energy, in addition to considering geothermal energy as the main energy source in the third scenario. The new system mentioned satisfactorily indicates that the CO₂ equivalent emissions decrease significantly in the third scenario, with a 15.8% reduction compared to the first scenario and a 9.7% reduction in comparison to the second. On the other hand, the second scenario shows a 5.6% decrease in CO₂ emissions compared to the first, resulting from improvements in technology and energy efficiency without requiring significant modifications or considerable investments, as in the third scenario. Full article

Enabling citizens to have access to good-quality water is an important challenge in the 21st century. Water quality in springs located in urban areas may deteriorate as a result of natural and anthropogenic factors. The quality of water in springs is influenced not only by rock weathering, evapotranspiration and climate change but also by the lack of sustainable resource use. Anthropogenic activities, including industrial and domestic and agricultural activities, may not only lead to an increase in pollutants such as nitrates, chlorides and heavy metals but also to the development of dangerous bacteria. Research on water quality was conducted in two series of measurements at the Zimny Sztok spring (southern Poland), located in an urban space. The results of the analyses indicate that the waters of this spring, despite anthropogenic pressure, exceeded the permissible values for drinking water only in terms of the total number of microorganisms. Unfortunately, this was not confirmed by Water Quality Index (WQI) values. These were approximately equal to 99 in the first measurement series and about 41 in the second series. Maintaining appropriate water quality is one of the goals of rational water management, and the constant control of selected parameters in the water falls within the scope of the concept of smart city/smart water. The example of this spring shows that the water was used by residents without information about its current physicochemical parameters and bacteriological composition. This problem can be solved in the future by implementing a monitoring system for this point. The aim of this work was to examine the quality of water in the spring, use the WQI to determine the potential risks and present the general problem of people consuming water from urban sources without knowing about their parameters. Full article

Background: SnoreLab (Version 5.3, Reviva Softworks Ltd., London, UK) is featured as the number one mobile application (app) for measuring snoring intensity and duration. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis between the results derived from SnoreLab and polysomnography (PSG). Methods: Male and female patients between 18 and 75 years of age, seeking medical counseling for suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), were considered eligible to participate in this study. Exclusion criteria were psychological or neurological disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and inability to follow instructions. All patients underwent one overnight in-hospital PSG with simultaneous snoring recording using the SnoreLab app. Results: Nineteen patients (15 men, 4 women) aged 50.9 ± 10.5 years were included. The overall cohort exhibited a Snore Score of 24.8 ± 22.2 alongside an AHI of 15.1 ± 17.0, indicating moderate OSAS. Interestingly, elevated Snore Scores were observed in both the simple snoring (30.7 ± 19.2) and severe OSAS group (35.2 ± 21.4) (Kruskal–Wallis p-value = 0.176). The analysis of the Spearman’s test did not reveal a statistically significant correlation between PSG parameters and the Snore Score. Conclusions: While SnoreLab records snoring, it is not designed for screening sleep apnea. Although SnoreLab may not replace PSG for use in diagnosis, it could serve as a complementary tool for monitoring snoring and to improve the interaction between patients and clinicians when integrated into a suitable clinical assessment. Full article

In mesoscale eddies, the chemical properties and biological composition are different from those in the surrounding water due to their unique physical processes. The mechanism of physical–biological coupling in warm-core eddies is unclear, especially because no studies have examined the effects of environmental factors on bacteria and viruses. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of an anticyclonic warm eddy on the relationship between bacterial and viral abundances, as well as viral activity (viral production), at different depths. At the core of the warm eddy, the bacterial abundance (0.48 to 2.82 × 10⁵ cells mL⁻¹) fluctuated less than that outside the eddy (1.12 to 7.03 × 10⁵ cells mL⁻¹). In particular, there was a four-fold higher viral–bacterial abundance ratio (VBR) estimated within the eddy, below the layer of the deep chlorophyll maximum, than outside the eddy. An anticyclonic warm eddy with downwelling at its center may contribute to viruses being transmitted directly into the deep ocean through adsorption on particulate organic matter while sinking. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the interaction between bacterial and viral abundances and their ecological mechanisms within a warm eddy. Full article

Predicting stock market movement direction is a challenging task due to its fuzzy, chaotic, volatile, nonlinear, and complex nature. However, with advancements in artificial intelligence, abundant data availability, and improved computational capabilities, creating robust models capable of accurately predicting stock market movement is now feasible. This study aims to construct a predictive model using news headlines to predict stock market movement direction. It conducts a comparative analysis of five supervised classification machine learning algorithms—logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network (ANN)—to predict the next day’s movement direction of the close price of the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index. Sentiment scores from news headlines are computed using the Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning (VADER) and TextBlob sentiment analyzer. The models’ performance is evaluated based on sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Experimental results reveal that all five models perform equally well when using sentiment scores from the TextBlob analyzer. Similarly, all models exhibit almost identical performance when using sentiment scores from the VADER analyzer, except for minor variations in AUC in SVM vs. LR and SVM vs. ANN. Moreover, models perform relatively better when using sentiment scores from the TextBlob analyzer compared to the VADER analyzer. These findings are further validated through statistical tests. Full article

This study examines whether Differential Object Marking (DOM) realization and word order in relative clauses (RCs) in Spanish affect processing and interpretation among monolinguals and highly proficient Catalan–Spanish bilinguals. RCs are parallel in Catalan and Spanish, but DOM is much more restricted in Catalan than in Spanish, and, interestingly, the distinction between subject and object RCs relies mainly on the presence/absence of DOM. To examine DOM optionality, we concentrate on the top portion of the animacy scale and test the human/non-human contrast. Exploring these two populations allows us to test whether they resort to different strategies for the following three reasons: (1) bilingualism places an increased burden on memory processes); (2) the partial overlap between both DOM systems might lead to the influence from Catalan into Spanish); and (3) optionality has been proposed to characterize bilingual grammars). Findings from a word-by-word non-cumulative self-paced reading task showed that DOM modulates RC processing. With [+human] obligatorily marked objects, both monolinguals and bilinguals read subject RCs faster than object RCs, suggesting a strategy favoring subject RCs. However, monolinguals solved the interpretation early while processing but bilinguals, despite the more restricted DOM character of Catalan, are sensitive to DOM albeit displaying delayed spill-over effects. With [−human] optionally marked objects, bilinguals performed faster than monolinguals. We suggest that the uneven experience with DOM in Catalan, particularly with the non-standard variety that frequently displays DOM and that our bilinguals also speak in everyday conversations, facilitates bilinguals’ adaptation to the optional marking of non-human objects in Spanish, much in the same manner that they accommodate the presence or absence of DOM with both human and non-human objects in other native language. Full article

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a public health problem that influences millions of women around the globe, and it has a significant impact on the quality of life. From the FDA statement regarding the complications of using mesh implants in POP surgery to studies that have shown the benefits and side effects, we conducted a systematic review investigating the complications associated with surgical mesh implantation for POP repair. Methods: Relevant studies were identified through a comprehensive search of scientific databases. Studies evaluating the use of mesh in POP surgery and reporting on associated complications were included. Results: Among 2816 studies, 28 studies met the research criteria, with a total number of 8958 patients, revealing that in laparoscopic mesh surgery, the rate of mesh exposure was lower compared to vaginal mesh surgery, among other complications. Conclusions: Laparoscopic mesh surgery is superior as a long-term approach for POP repair compared to vaginal mesh surgery, offering lower complication rates and potentially better anatomical success. However, vaginal mesh surgery remains a valuable option for patients who are unsuitable for laparoscopy due to specific factors. Future research should explore alternative techniques, like pectopexy with or without mesh, to further improve surgical outcomes and patient experience. Full article

Wastewater treatment systems produce large volumes of sludge which is not used; its final disposal is in soil or landfill. This sludge represents a biomethane-energy alternative through anaerobic co-digestion, contributing to reducing the environmental impacts caused by their inadequate disposal. Biomethane production by the two-stage production method in batch digesters with pH and temperature control was evaluated by two qualities of waste-activated sludge (SLB₅₀ and SLB₉₀) and with a mixture of two co-substrates: cow manure (CEV₅₀ and CEV₉₀) and residual edible oil (CAV₅₀ and CAV₉₀). Bacteria in good-quality sludge (SLB₉₀) showed a faster adaptation of 2 days than those in low-quality sludge (SLB₅₀), with a 25-day lag phase. The highest CH₄ production was for SLB₉₀ (303.99 cm³ d⁻¹) compared to SLB₅₀ (4.33 cm³ d⁻¹). However, the cow manure–sludge mixture (CEV₉₀) contributed to the increased production of CH₄ (42,422.8 cm³ d⁻¹) compared to CEV₅₀ (12,881.45 cm³ CH₄ d⁻¹); for CAV₉₀ and CAV₅₀, these were 767.32 cm³ d⁻¹ and 211.42 cm³ d⁻¹, respectively. The addition of sludge co-substrates improves the nutrient balance and C/N ratio; consequently, methane production improves. This methodology could be integrated into concepts of the circular economy. Full article

We present two magnetic particle imaging (MPI) systems with bore sizes of 75 mm and 100 mm, respectively, using three-dimensionally arranged permanent magnets for excitation and frequency mixing magnetic detection (FMMD) coils for detection. A rotational and a translational stage were combined to move the field free line (FFL) and acquire the MPI signal, thereby enabling simultaneous overall translation and rotational movement. With this concept, the complex coil system used in many MPI systems, with its high energy consumption to generate the drive field, can be replaced. The characteristic signal of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles was generated via movement of the FFL and acquired using the FMMD coil. The positions of the stages and the occurrence of the f₁ + 2f₂ harmonics were mapped to reconstruct the spatial location of the SPIO. Image reconstruction was performed using Radon and inverse Radon transformations. As a result, the presented method based on mechanical movement of permanent magnets can be used to measure the MPI, even for samples as large as 100 mm. Our research could pave the way for further technological developments to make the equipment human size, which is one of the ultimate goals of MPI. Full article

Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is increasingly recognized for its potential to modulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and evoke cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), which are crucial in conditions like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. This study explores the impact of tES on the neurovascular unit (NVU), employing a physiological modeling approach to simulate the vascular response to electric fields generated by tES. Utilizing the FitzHugh–Nagumo model for neuroelectrical activity, we demonstrate how tES can initiate vascular responses such as vasoconstriction followed by delayed vasodilation in cerebral arterioles, potentially modulated by a combination of local metabolic demands and autonomic regulation (pivotal locus coeruleus). Here, four distinct pathways within the NVU were modeled to reflect the complex interplay between synaptic activity, astrocytic influences, perivascular potassium dynamics, and smooth muscle cell responses. Modal analysis revealed characteristic dynamics of these pathways, suggesting that oscillatory tES may finely tune the vascular tone by modulating the stiffness and elasticity of blood vessel walls, possibly by also impacting endothelial glycocalyx function. The findings underscore the therapeutic potential vis-à-vis blood-brain barrier safety of tES in modulating neurovascular coupling and cognitive function needing the precise modulation of NVU dynamics. This technology review supports the human-in-the-loop integration of tES leveraging digital health technologies for the personalized management of cerebral blood flow, offering new avenues for treating vascular cognitive disorders. Future studies should aim to optimize tES parameters using computational modeling and validate these models in clinical settings, enhancing the understanding of tES in neurovascular health. Full article

A ~3-kb deletion-type DNA copy number variation (CNV, esv3587290) located at intron 7 of the VANGL1 gene (1p13.1, MIM*610132) has been proposed as a genetic factor in lupus nephritis (LN) development in adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients across European-descent populations, but its replication in other ethnicities has been inconsistent and its association with LN in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) remains unknown. Here, we performed an exploratory association study in a sample of 66 unrelated cSLE Mexican patients (11 males, 55 females; ages 7.8 to 18.6 years). Two stratified groups were compared: cSLE patients with (N = 39) or without (N = 27) LN, as diagnosed by renal biopsy (N = 17), proteinuria (N = 33), urinary protein–creatinine ratio > 0.2 (N = 34), and erythrocyturia and/or granular casts in urinary sediment (N = 16). For esv3587290 CNV genotyping, we performed an end-point PCR assay with breakpoint confirmation using Sanger sequencing. We also determined the allelic frequencies of the esv3587290 CNV in 181 deidentified ethnically matched individuals (reference group). The obtained genotypes were tested for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) using the χ² test. Associations between LN and esv3587290 CNV were tested by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and using Pearson’s χ² tests, with a 95% confidence interval and p ≤ 0.05. The esv3587290 CNV allele (OR 0.108, 95% CI 0.034–0.33, p = 0.0003) and the heterozygous genotype (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.119–0.9811, p = 0.002) showed a significant protective effect against LN development. Finally, we characterized the precise breakpoint of the esv3587290 CNV to be NG_016548.1(NM_138959.3):c.1314+1339_1315-897del in our population. This report supports the notion that a broad genetic heterogeneity underlies the susceptibility for developing LN. Full article

(1) Background: Although culturally grounded health interventions (CGHI) have shown efficacy in improving Indigenous health, few CGHI for Queer and Transgender Pacific Islander (QTPI) communities exist to address their health promotion. This study explores QTPI experiences of health for cultural mechanisms to develop CGHI for QTPI health promotion. (2) Methods: Using Indigenist community-engaged research methodologies, we collaborated with the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance of Washington and Guma’ Gela’ to conduct 11 exploratory semi-structured interviews with QTPI community members living in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. These interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. (3) Results: QTPI well-being was greatly influenced by how settler colonialism impacted their connectedness to their families, communities, and cultures. We also found that inágofli’e’ and alofa, relational values in CHamoru and Sāmoan culture, played essential roles in facilitating QTPI health. Many participants fostered these values through chosen family, community care, and Indigenous mobilities. (4) Conclusions: Our findings indicate a need for CGHI that facilitate inágofli’e’ and alofa for QTPI to combat settler colonialism’s impacts on QTPI well-being. Finally, we present a community-centered conceptual model for culturally grounded health promotion in QTPI communities. Full article

Precisely assessing the vulnerability of landslides is essential for effective risk assessment. The findings from such assessments will undoubtedly be in high demand, providing a solid scientific foundation for a range of critical initiatives aimed at disaster prevention and control. In the research, authors set the ancient core district of Sichuan Moxi Ancient Town as the research object; they conduct and give the final result of the geological survey. Fault influences are commonly utilized as key markers for delineating strata in the field of stratigraphy, and the slope distance, slope angle, slope aspect, elevation, terrain undulation, plane curvature, profile curvature, mean curvature, relative elevation, land use type, surface roughness, water influence, distance of the catchment, cumulative water volume, and the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) are used along roads to calculate annual rainfall. With the purpose of the establishment of the evaluation system, there are 17 factors selected in total. Through the landslide-susceptibility assessment by the coupled models of DNN-I-SVM and DNN-I-LR nine factors had been selected; it was found that the Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) was high, and the accuracy of the model is relatively high. The coupler, DNN-I-LR, gives 0.875 of an evaluation accuracy of AUC, higher than DNN-I-SVM, which yielded 0.860. It is necessary to note that, in this region, compared to the DNN-I-SVM model, the DNN-I-LR coupling model has better fitting and prediction abilities. Full article

Babesiosis is a growing concern due to the increased prevalence of this infectious disease caused by Babesia protozoan parasites, affecting various animals and humans. With rising worries over medication side effects and emerging drug resistance, there is a notable shift towards researching babesiacidal agents. Antimicrobial peptides, specifically cathelicidins known for their broad-spectrum activity and immunomodulatory functions, have emerged as potential candidates. Aquiluscidin, a cathelicidin from Crotalus aquilus, and its derivative Vcn-23, have been of interest due to their previously observed antibacterial effects and non-hemolytic activity. This work aimed to characterize the effect of these peptides against three Babesia species. Results showed Aquiluscidin's significant antimicrobial effects on Babesia species, reducing the B. bigemina growth rate and exhibiting IC₅₀ values of 14.48 and 20.70 μM against B. ovata and B. bovis, respectively. However, its efficacy was impacted by serum presence in culture, and it showed no inhibition against a B. bovis strain grown in serum-supplemented medium. Conversely, Vcn-23 did not demonstrate babesiacidal activity. In conclusion, Aquiluscidin shows antibabesia activity in vitro and its efficacy is affected by the presence of serum in the culture medium. Nevertheless, this peptide represents a candidate for further investigation of its antiparasitic properties and provides insights into potential alternatives for the treatment of babesiosis. Full article

Thiocyanates form an important class of organic compounds commonly found in natural products that exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity. The electrophilic thiocyanation is one of the most effective methods of introducing a -SCN functional group to the parent organic molecule. In this work, we explored an eco-friendly and highly efficient method for thiocyanation of anilines and 1-(substituted benzylidene)-2-phenylhydrazines using commercially available N-bromoscuccinimide (NBS) and potassium thiocyanate (KSCN). The optimized protocol afforded thiocyanates with good regioselectivity and excellent yields in comparison to the available methods. Full article

Herbicide-resistant corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) is one of the most important broadleaved weeds and the number of resistant cases is still growing. The aims of this study were to confirm the resistance of P. rhoeas from Tunisia to ALS inhibitors and auxin mimics and investigate the mechanisms of Target-Site Resistance (TSR) and Non-Target Site Resistance (NTSR) involved. Dose–response trials to determine cross-resistance patterns for ALS inhibitors and auxin mimics were conducted in a greenhouse. In this study, multiple resistance to tribenuron-methyl and dicamba but not to 2,4-D was found in P. rhoeas populations. Cross-resistance to imazamox was confirmed as well. Sequence analysis of the ALS gene detected target-site mutations in codon 197 of the ALS gene, namely, Pro197His, Pro197Thr, Pro197Leu, and Pro197Asn. In this study, the metabolism experiments with malathion (a cytochrome P450 inhibitor) showed that malathion reduced resistance to imazamox, indicating that P450 is involved in the resistance. TSR and NTSR mechanisms to ALS inhibitors likely coexist. The findings of this study revealed a significant synergistic interaction between malathion and dicamba in particular populations, suggesting that the resistance to auxin mimics can be conferred by enhanced metabolism. Full article