Thorough and precise gene structure annotations are essential for maximizing the benefits of genomic data and unveiling valuable genetic insights. The cucumber genome was first released in 2009 and updated in 2019. To increase the accuracy of the predicted gene models, 64 published RNA-seq data and 9 new strand-specific RNA-seq data from multiple tissues were used for manual comparison with the gene models. The updated annotation file (V3.1) contains an increased number (24,145) of predicted genes compared to the previous version (24,317 genes), with a higher BUSCO value of 96.9%. A total of 6231 and 1490 transcripts were adjusted and newly added, respectively, accounting for 31.99% of the overall gene tally. These newly added and adjusted genes were renamed (CsaV3.1_XGXXXXX), while genes remaining unaltered preserved their original designations. A random selection of 21 modified/added genes were validated using RT-PCR analyses. Additionally, tissue-specific patterns of gene expression were examined using the newly obtained transcriptome data with the revised gene prediction model. This improved annotation of the cucumber genome will provide essential and accurate resources for studies in cucumber. Full article

A design for a pogo-pin probe card featuring a metallic socket is proposed to eliminate signal leakage and coupling loss in a multi-port environment. The proposed metallic pogo-pin socket includes a metal wall structure between adjacent pogo pins, ensuring complete isolation. This metal wall offers an advantage in removing coupling issues between pogo pins that can occur with typical dielectric pogo-pin sockets. The designed probe card is fabricated as a prototype and verified for its performance. Measurement results using a test through line show that coupled power is minimized, providing a low-loss transmission performance of −2.14 dB to an RF chip at 50 GHz, all within a compact size. Although the dielectric spacer used to secure the pogo pins allows for some leakage, it can maintain a low coupling performance of under −15 dB in the millimeter-wave band. The prototype probe card can deliver an RF signal to a 5G circuit with a low loss of −0.7 dB at 28 GHz and −1.9 dB at 39 GHz frequency. The designed probe card is capable of transmitting multiple RF signals to the RF system without signal distortion in a multi-port environment. Full article

This study aimed to explore the impact of acute acidification on the antioxidant, metabolic performance, and liver histology of juvenile yellowfin tuna. The experiment subjected juvenile yellowfin tuna to a pH gradient environment of 8.1, 7.6, 7.1, and 6.6 for 48 h. The findings indicate that a seawater pH of 7.1 significantly impacts the antioxidant and metabolic systems of the juvenile yellowfin tuna in comparison to the control group. At pH 7.1, there were observed increases in glutathione reductase (GR), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), sodium-potassium ATPase (Na⁺K⁺-ATP), and calcium-magnesium ATPase (Ca²⁺Mg²⁺-ATP). Conversely, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs) were not significantly different across the treatment groups. However, an increase in transaminases at pH 7.1 suggested potential liver damage, which was further supported by observed structural liver tissue degeneration and hepatocyte vacuolation. In conclusion, under conditions of acute acidification stress, there is a decrease in antioxidant capacity and a suppression of metabolic levels in juvenile yellowfin tuna, leading to oxidative damage. This study lays the foundation for an in-depth understanding of the response mechanisms of juvenile yellowfin tuna in response to seawater acidification as well as healthy tuna farming in the broader context of seawater acidification. Full article

Abstract: Industrialization has increased global carbon emissions, necessitating effective climate change mitigation measures. China, the most populous developing nation, faces the challenge of strategizing emissions to meet national carbon neutrality objectives. However, research on specific regions’ carbon emissions drivers and causal factors is limited, particularly across prefectural-level cities. This study estimates the spatial and temporal patterns of carbon emissions across China’s prefectural cities and utilizes both OLS regression and stepwise regression models to analyze the impact of various factors influencing carbon emissions in these cities. Results reveal the following: (1) The country’s overall 20-year carbon emissions continue to grow from 3020.29 Mt in 2001 to 9169.74 Mt in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 5.71%; the eastern region has seen a gradual deceleration in emissions, whereas the western region continues to experience an increase. Carbon emissions in cities within each subregion consistently rise. (2) Carbon emissions in Chinese prefectural-level cities exhibit strong spatial autocorrelation and clustering (Z > 1.96, p < 0.05), with hot spots primarily in the eastern coastal areas and cold spots in the northwest to southwest regions. (3) Economic and demographic factors significantly increase carbon emissions, while climate and urbanization effects are more complex and variable. Economic growth and population increase are the most significant influencing factors, but regional variances exist in carbon emissions determinants in subregional prefectural cities. These insights provide valuable insights into national emission dynamics at the prefectural level, providing a theoretical basis for enhancing carbon emission strategies across various jurisdictions. Full article

Mechanical ventilation (MV), used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI), induces diaphragmatic myofiber atrophy and contractile inactivity, termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3K-γ) is crucial in modulating fibrogenesis during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, myofiber fibrosis, and PI3K-γ remain unclear. We hypothesized that MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase diaphragm muscle fibrosis through the PI3K-γ pathway. Five days after receiving a single bolus of 0.075 units of bleomycin intratracheally, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 6 or 10 mL/kg of MV for 8 h after receiving 5 mg/kg of AS605240 intraperitoneally. In wild-type mice, bleomycin exposure followed by MV 10 mL/kg prompted significant increases in disruptions of diaphragmatic myofibrillar organization, transforming growth factor-β1, oxidative loads, Masson’s trichrome staining, extracellular collagen levels, positive staining of α-smooth muscle actin, PI3K-γ expression, and myonuclear apoptosis (p < 0.05). Decreased diaphragm contractility and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α levels were also observed (p < 0.05). MV-augmented bleomycin-induced diaphragm fibrosis and myonuclear apoptosis were attenuated in PI3K-γ-deficient mice and through AS605240-induced inhibition of PI3K-γ activity (p < 0.05). MV-augmented diaphragm fibrosis after bleomycin-induced ALI is partially mediated by PI3K-γ. Therapy targeting PI3K-γ may ameliorate MV-associated diaphragm fibrosis. Full article

To monitor the biological function of H₂S in real time, this investigation demonstrated the design and synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe integrated with cyanine and 2,4-dinitrophenol for the qualitative and quantitative detection of H₂S. An NIR sensitive sensor (FS-HS-1) was provided with a straightforward process. Spectroscopy experiments elucidated that FS-HS-1 could selectively detect H₂S in a PBS solution (containing 40% acetonitrile) with a 111-fold fluorescence enhancement at 715 nm (ex. 605 nm). The response towards NaHS occurred in less than 2 min, and the detection limit was confirmed to be as low as 4.47 ± 0.11 nmol/L. Furthermore, the probe is capable of monitoring changes in exogenous H₂S concentrations within living cells with confocal and 2P imaging. Full article

To achieve the goals of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”, this paper puts forward the connotation and measurement method for the carbon emission intensity of urban industrial land and conducts an empirical study with the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) as an example. We defined the carbon intensity of urban industrial land as the industrial carbon emissions per unit area of land, which is a spatial mapping of urban industrial economic development and carbon spillover and a key indicator for urban and territorial spatial planning oriented towards the “dual carbon” goal. Findings: The carbon emission density of industrial land in the YREB varied greatly between cities and exhibited significant positive spatial autocorrelation. In addition, the geographical pattern and spatio-temporal evolution model of the urban industrial land carbon emission density had a very complex driving mechanism, and different factors had significant synergistic effects. Therefore, it is suggested that while striving towards the goal of “dual carbon”, the government should incorporate the carbon emission density indicator of urban industrial land into the urban and territorial spatial planning system, and based on the threshold of the medium suitable density, they should design differentiated management policies according to concrete urban policies and encourage cooperation among cities to jointly promote carbon emission management of urban industrial land. In policy design, emphasis should also be placed on highlighting the interactive effects of foreign direct investment, fiscal expenditure, and the number of patent authorizations as well as constructing a combination of policies centered around them to better leverage the impacts of globalization, government intervention, and innovation. Full article

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a popular geophysical tool for mapping the underground. High-resolution 3D GPR data carry a large amount of information and can greatly help to interpret complex subsurface geometries. However, such data require a dense collection along closely spaced parallel survey lines, which is time consuming and costly. In many cases, for the sake of efficiency, a choice is made during 3D acquisitions to use a larger spacing between the profile lines, resulting in a dense measurement spacing along the lines but a much coarser one in the across-line direction. Simple interpolation methods are then commonly used to increase the sampling before interpretation, which can work well when the subsurface structures are already well sampled in the across-line direction but can distort such structures when this is not the case. In this work, we address the latter problem using a novel multiple-point geostatistical (MPS) simulation methodology. For a considered 3D GPR dataset with reduced sampling in the across-line direction, we attempt to reconstruct a more densely spaced, high-resolution dataset using a series of 2D conditional stochastic simulations in both the along-line and across-line directions. For these simulations, the existing profile data serve as training images from which complex spatial patterns are quantified and reproduced. To reduce discontinuities in the generated 3D spatial structures caused by independent 2D simulations, the target profile being simulated is chosen randomly, and simulations in the along-line and across-line directions are performed alternately. We show the successful application of our approach to 100 MHz synthetic and 200 MHz field GPR data under multiple decimation scenarios where survey lines are regularly deleted from a dense 3D reference dataset, and the corresponding reconstructions are compared with the original data. Full article

The dairy sheep sector is an important sector in semiarid and arid areas. So far, the environmental impact of sheep milk production in these areas is scarcely known. This study aimed to assess the environmental impact of milk production on three farms that differ in the breed reared, namely Sarda (S), Lacaune (L) and Massese (M), in Tuscany (a Mediterranean region in central Italy). The Life Cycle Assessment methodology was applied to calculate the environmental performance of the farms, and the following impact categories were studied: climate change, freshwater, marine and terrestrial eutrophication, acidification, water use and land use. The L farm showed the lowest values for most impact categories and the M farm the highest. These results can be attributed to the greater productivity and efficiency of the L breed compared to the other two. Only for water use did the M farm cause a lower impact, underscoring the importance of applying characterization factors at the sub-watershed level. Full article

In recent years, rapeseed oil has received considerable attention in the agricultural sector, experiencing appreciable growth. However, weed-related challenges are hindering the expansion of rapeseed production. This paper outlines the development of an intelligent weed detection and laser weeding system—a non-chemical and precision agricultural protection method of weeding Veronica didyma in winter rapeseed fields in the Yangtze River Basin. A total of 234 Veronica didyma images were obtained to compile a database for a deep-learning model, and YOLOv7 was used as the detection model for training. The effectiveness of the model was demonstrated, with a final accuracy of 94.94%, a recall of 95.65%, and a [email protected] of 0.972 obtained. Subsequently, parallel-axis binocular cameras were selected as the image acquisition platform, with binocular calibration and semi-global block matching used to locate Veronica didyma within a cultivation box, yielding a minimum confidence and camera height values of 70% and 30 cm, respectively. The intelligent weed detection and laser weeding system was then built, and the experimental results indicated that laser weeding was practicable with a 100 W power and an 80 mm/s scanning speed, resulting in visibly lost activity in Veronica didyma and no resprouting within 15 days of weeding. The successful execution of Veronica didyma detection and laser weeding provides a new reference for the precision agricultural protection of rapeseed in winter and holds promise for its practical application in agricultural settings. Full article

Patients admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) need individualized nutrition support that is tailored to their particular disease severity, nutritional status, and therapeutic interventions. We aim to evaluate how calories and proteins are provided during the first seven days of hospitalization for children in critical condition with organ dysfunction (OD). A single-center retrospective cohort study of children aged 2–18 years, mechanically ventilated > 48 h, and admitted > 7 days to a PICU from 2016 to 2017 was carried out. Nutrition support included enteral and parenteral nutrition. We calculated scores for the Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA) on days 1 and 3 of admission, with OD defined as a score > 5. Of 4199 patient admissions, 164 children were included. The prevalence of OD for days 1 and 3 was 79.3% and 78.7%, respectively. On day 3, when pSOFA scores trended upward, decreased, or remained unchanged, median (IQR) caloric intake was 0 (0–15), 9.2 (0–25), and 22 (1–43) kcal/kg/day, respectively (p = 0.0032); when pSOFA scores trended upward, decreased, or remained unchanged, protein intake was 0 (0–0.64), 0.44 (0–1.25), and 0.66 (0.04–1.67) g/kg/day, respectively (p = 0.0023). Organ dysfunction was prevalent through the first 72 h of a PICU stay. When the pSOFA scores trended downward or remained unchanged, caloric and protein intakes were higher than those that trended upward. Full article

In present study, the effects of varying dosages of combined red mud on the microstructure and hydration process of low-carbon composite cementitious material. The findings indicated a gradual decrease in the reactivity of RM, following a linear trend. The non-evaporable water content of the composite binder exhibited an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease, with the optimal content identified at 10%, for RM content ranging from 10% to 90%, non-evaporable water decreases linearly. Optimal bending strength and compressive strength were achieved in the mortar when incorporating 10% of RM, reaching 8.56 MPa and 51.2 MPa at 28 days, respectively. The porosity was at its lowest when the RM content was added at 10%, but further increasing RM dosage was reversed. The pore size distribution aligned with the experimental findings on porosity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the involvement of RM in the secondary hydration reaction, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of low-carbon composite cementitious material. The optimal content of RM is suggested to be 10%, with a maximum recommended limit of 30%. The analysis has shown that red mud particles serve a dual purpose in low-carbon composite cementitious material. They enhance compactness by acting as fillers and promote cement hydration through surface activity, thereby enhancing mechanical properties, durability, and pore size distribution. Full article

Background: Enterobacter cloacae, E. hormaechei and related subspecies remain the most clinically relevant among the Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC). Carbapenemase-producing ECC strains are increasingly identified in hospital-acquired infections and usually belong to four main multilocus sequence types (MLST STs) named ST114, ST93, ST90 and ST78. Instead, ST182 has been sporadically reported among E. hormaechei strains, and recently, outbreaks of bla_NDM-producing ST182 clonal strains have emerged. Herein, we aimed to investigate the presence of ST182 and explore its evolution and modes of bla_NDM acquisition. Methods: A phylogenetic analysis of 646 MLST STs identified among 4685 E. hormaechei whole-genome sequencing (WGS) assemblies deposited in public repositories was performed, as well as an in silico comparative and phylogenomic analyses for 55 WGS assemblies of ST182. bla_NDM-harboring contigs were also compared to published plasmid sequences. Results: ST182 E. hormaechei strains were recovered from patients on five continents during 2011–2021. They were divided into three major genomic clusters, comprising a separate clonal complex with six other STs. In 30 out of 55 ST182 WGS assemblies, bla_NDM-harboring structures were identified that were similar to the plasmids predominant in Gram-negative bacteria, harboring resistance genes to multiple antibiotic classes and virulence genes. No associations between the genomic clusters and the country/continent of isolation or the presence and the plasmid types of the bla_NDM-harboring contigs were observed. Conclusions: Our findings show that ST182 E. hormaechei strains have been identified in the past decade worldwide; 54.5% of them carried diverse bla_NDM genetic structures, suggesting recent acquisition of the bla_NDM alleles. Thus, bla_NDM-harboring ST182 is an emerging multidrug-resistant and virulent lineage in ECC strains that requires close monitoring. Full article

In the current study, the prebiotic potential of an innovative functional pasta enriched with 12% (w/w) inulin was investigated. To this aim, pasta was subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion followed by simulated gut fermentation compared to the control pasta (CTRL) not containing inulin. The incorporation of inulin positively (p < 0.05) affected some organoleptic traits and the cooking quality of the final product, giving an overall score significantly higher than CTRL. The resultant essential amino acid content was similar in both pasta samples while the total protein content was lower in inulin-enriched pasta for the polymer substitution to durum wheat flour. The prebiotic potential of chicory inulin was preliminarily tested in in vitro experiments using seven probiotic strains and among them Lacticaseibacillus paracasei IMPC2.1 was selected for the simulated gut fermentation studies. The positive prebiotic activity score registered with the probiotic strain suggested the suitability of the inulin-enriched pasta with respect to acting as a prebiotic source favoring the growth of the probiotic strain and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. The present study contributes to broadening knowledge on the prebiotic efficacy of inulin when incorporated into a complex food matrix. Full article

Asymmetric base-isolated structures subjected to severe torsion may suffer further aggravation of their torsional and translational responses under pulse-type earthquakes. To counteract these detrimental impacts, this study introduces a two-stage optimal design method. The first stage involved the application of the NSGA-II algorithm for determining an optimal isolator arrangement—namely, position and category—with the objective of reducing both the maximum interstory rotation of the superstructure and the isolation layer. In the second stage, the inclusion of viscous dampers served to minimize the excessive translational response triggered by pulse-type earthquakes. The influence of these dampers’ positions on the structural response was carefully evaluated. The final application of this optimal design method was demonstrated on an asymmetric base-isolated structure. The results indicated a significant reduction in the translational and torsional responses of the asymmetric base-isolated structure when the two-stage optimal design method was utilized, compared to those of structures designed using traditional conceptual methods. It was found that by installing viscous dampers in the isolation layer along both the x and the y directions—specifically, underneath the mass center of the superstructure (CMS)—the effectiveness of the torsional resistance from the first stage could be effectively maintained. Full article

Parent–child patterns in objectively measured movement behaviours were the highlight of this study. A total of 381 families (337 mothers, 256 fathers, 190 daughters, and 191 sons) from 36 randomly selected schools and kindergartens provided valid accelerometer data. Sedentary behaviour and physical activity (PA) were assessed using ActiGraph accelerometers. Spearman’s rho was used to evaluate parent–child associations, while logistic regression analysis (the backward LR method) was used to recognize factors related to children’s achievement of PA recommendations. Results indicated that girls engaged more in light PA, while boys showed higher levels of moderate and vigorous PA. Mothers spent less time sitting and more time in light PA compared to fathers, resulting in higher total PA levels. Father–son pairs showed a stronger association in total PA than mother–son pairs. Children aged 6–10 years and those with mothers who engaged in more vigorous PA were more likely to meet PA recommendations compared to younger children and those with less active mothers. Full article

The identification and detection of pesticides is crucial to protecting both the environment and human health. However, it can be challenging to conveniently and rapidly differentiate between different types of pesticides. We developed a supramolecular fluorescent sensor array, in which calixarenes with broad-spectrum encapsulation capacity served as recognition receptors. The sensor array exhibits distinct fluorescence change patterns for seven tested pesticides, encompassing herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. With a reaction time of just three minutes, the sensor array proves to be a rapid and efficient tool for the discrimination of pesticides. Furthermore, this supramolecular sensing approach can be easily extended to enable real-time and on-site visual detection of varying concentrations of imazalil using a smartphone with a color scanning application. This work not only provides a simple and effective method for pesticide identification and quantification, but also offers a versatile and advantageous platform for the recognition of other analytes in relevant fields. Full article

Vibration measurement is crucial in fields like aviation, aerospace, and automotive engineering, which are trending towards larger, lighter, and more complex structures with increasingly complicated dynamics. Consequently, measuring a structure’s dynamic characteristics has gained heightened importance. Among non-contact approaches, those based on high-speed cameras combined with laser interferometry or computational imaging have gained widespread attention. These techniques yield sequences of images that form a three-dimensional space-time data set. Effectively processing these data is a prerequisite for accurately extracting dynamic deformation information. This paper presents two examples to illustrate the significant advantages of signal processing along the time axis in dynamic interferometric and digital speckle-image-based dynamic measurements. The results show that the temporal process effectively minimizes speckle and electronic noise in the spatial domain and dramatically increases measurement resolutions. Full article

Expanding anthropogenic activities, globally and in Egypt, have increased concentrations of heavy metals in surface and ground waters. Contamination of drinking water may threaten public health. In the present study, the concentrations of 10 heavy metals were analyzed from natural springs (6) and drilled wells (10) in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer of the El-Farafra Oasis and the White Desert National Park, Egypt. The average concentrations of heavy metals were in most cases below critical values of the WHO drinking water standard, except for Fe and Mn (average values were 495 and 107 µg.L⁻¹, respectively). There is a surface circulation that develops within limestone (Post-Nubian Aquifer System—PNAS) and feeds the springs, while the water present in the wells (at least for the deeper ones) comes from the ferruginous sandstone (Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System—NSAS). This double circulation could account for the differences in the EC and TDS values (typical of a circulation in limestone-type aquifers for springs) and the Fe and Mn enrichment coming from the ferruginous sandstone of the NSAS. The average chronic daily intake (CDI) values for heavy metals in the study area are listed in decreasing order in the following: Fe > Mn > Zn > Co > Ni > Cr > As > Pb > Co > Cd. The total hazard quotient (HQ_total = HQ_oral + HQ_dermal) and Hazard Index (HI) values calculated for different heavy metals were well below the acceptable limit, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic health risks to the residents of both areas via oral and dermal absorption of drinking water. Furthermore, the results obtained for the total risk to human health showed that oral ingestion is the major pathway. Carcinogenic risk analysis indicated that the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) values for Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr were well below the acceptable limits. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the long-term consequences of the virus, particularly the persistent symptoms that characterize long COVID. This syndrome, which can last for months after the initial infection, includes a range of neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations that have significant implications for brain health and dementia research. This review explores the current understanding of long COVID’s cognitive, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms and their potential impact on brain stimulation and neuroimaging studies. It argues that researchers must adapt their study designs and screening processes to account for the confounding effects of long COVID and ensure the accuracy and reliability of their findings. To advance the understanding of this condition and its long-term effects on brain health, the review proposes a series of strategies, including the development of standardized screening tools, the investigation of underlying mechanisms, and the identification of risk factors and protective factors. It also emphasizes the importance of collaborative research efforts and international data sharing platforms in accelerating the pace of discovery and developing targeted interventions for individuals with long COVID. As the prevalence of this condition continues to grow, it is imperative that the neuroscience community comes together to address this challenge and support those affected by long COVID. Full article

Background: Ashwagandha has been reported to reduce stress and attenuate cognitive decline associated with inflammation and neurodegeneration in clinical populations. However, the effects as a potential nootropic nutrient in younger populations are unclear. This study examined the effects of liposomal ashwagandha supplementation on cognitive function, mood, and markers of health and safety in healthy young men and women. Methods: 59 men and women (22.7 ± 7 yrs., 74.9 ± 16 kg, 26.2 ± 5 BMI) fasted for 12 h, donated a fasting blood sample, and were administered the COMPASS cognitive function test battery (Word Recall, Word recognition, Choice Reaction Time Task, Picture Recognition, Digit Vigilance Task, Corsi Block test, Stroop test) and profile of mood states (POMS). In a randomized and double-blind manner, participants were administered 225 mg of a placebo (Gum Arabic) or ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root and leaf extract coated with a liposomal covering. After 60-min, participants repeated cognitive assessments. Participants continued supplementation (225 mg/d) for 30 days and then returned to the lab to repeat the experiment. Data were analyzed using a general linear model (GLM) univariate analysis with repeated measures and pairwise comparisons of mean changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Ashwagandha supplementation improved acute and/or 30-day measures of Word Recall (correct and recalled attempts), Choice Reaction Time (targets identified), Picture Recognition (“yes” correct responses, correct and overall reaction time), Digit Vigilance (correct reaction time), Stroop Color-Word (congruent words identified, reaction time), and POMS (tension and fatigue) from baseline more consistently with several differences observed between groups. Conclusion: Results support contentions that ashwagandha supplementation (225 mg) may improve some measures of memory, attention, vigilance, attention, and executive function while decreasing perceptions of tension and fatigue in younger healthy individuals. Retrospectively registered clinical trial ISRCTN58680760. Full article