In this study, juvenile crayfish hatched from the same population were cultured in different growing environments: pond (D1), paddy field (D2), and aquaculture barrel (D3), and fed for 60 days. Crayfishes were selected randomly, females and males, 50 tails each from six groups (D1-♀, D1-♂, D2-♀, D2-♂, D3-♀, D3-♂) to measure the following morphological traits: full length (X₁), body length (X₂), chelicerae length (X₃), chelicerae weight (X₄), cephalothorax length (X₅), cephalothorax width (X₆), cephalothorax height (X₇), eye spacing (X₈), caudal peduncle length (X₉), and caudal peduncle weight (X₁₀). We found that the coefficient of variation (CV) of X₄ was the largest in each culture mode, and males (28.58%~38.67%) were larger than females (37.76%~66.74%). The CV of X₄ of crayfish cultured in D1 and D2 was larger than that of D3. All traits except X₈ were positively correlated with body weight (p < 0.05). After pathway analysis, we found that X₄, X₅, X₇, and X₁₀ were significantly correlated with the body weight of D1-♀; the equation was Y_D1-♀ = −29.803 + 1.249X₄ + 0.505X₅ + 0.701X₇ + 1.483X₁₀ (R² = 0.947). However, X₂, X₄, and X₆ were significantly correlated with the body weight of D1-♂; the equation was Y_D1-♂ = −40.881 + 0.39X₂ + 0.845X₄ + 1.142X₆ (R² = 0.927). In D2-♀, X₁, X₄, X₅, and X₁₀ were significantly correlated with body weight; the equation was Y_D2-♀ = −12.248 + 0.088X₁ + 1.098X₄ + 0.275X₅ + 0.904X₁₀ (R² = 0.977). X₄ and X₅ played a major role in the body weight of D2-♂ with the equation: Y_D2-♂ = −24.871 + 1.177X₄ + 0.902X₅ (R² = 0.973). X₃ and X₁₀ mainly contributed to the body weight of D3-♀ with the equation: Y_D3-♀ = −22.476 + 0.432X₃ + 3.153X₁₀ (R² = 0.976). X₁ and X₄ mainly contributed to the body weight of D3-♂ with the equation: Y_D3-♂ = −34.434 + 0.363X₁ + 0.669X₄ (R² = 0.918). Comparing the pathway analysis with the gray relation analysis, we could conclude that the traits most correlated with body weight in D1-♀ were X₁₀ and X₇; in D1-♂, X₆; in D2-♀, X₁₀, X₁, and X₅; in D2-♂, X₅; in D3-♀, X₁₀; and in D3-♂, X₄ and X₁. Full article

The present bibliometric analysis used traditional measures and network science techniques to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced research in Clinical Psychology. Publication records from the Web of Science (WoS) were obtained for journal articles published prior to (2015 and 2018), during (2020), and at the end of the pandemic (2022) for the search terms “men and mental health” and “women and mental health”. Network analyses of author-provided keywords showed that COVID-19 co-occurred with fear, anxiety, depression, and stress for both men and women in 2020. In 2022, COVID-19 co-occurred with topics related to world-wide lockdowns (e.g., alcohol use, substance use, intimate partner violence, loneliness, physical activity), and to more fundamental topics in Clinical Psychology (e.g., eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder). Although the COVID pandemic was associated with several changes in the research topics that were examined in Clinical Psychology, pre-existing disparities in the amount of mental health research on men compared to women did not appear to increase (in contrast to increases associated with COVID in pre-existing gender disparities observed in other areas of society). Full article

In the realm of Ceph distributed storage systems, ensuring swift and symmetrical data recovery during severe data corruption scenarios is pivotal for data reliability and system stability. This paper introduces an innovative FPGA-based Multi-Dimensional Elastic Recovery Acceleration method, termed AMDER-Ceph. Utilizing FPGA technology, this method is a pioneer in accelerating erasure code data recovery within such systems symmetrically. By harnessing the parallel computing power of FPGAs and optimizing Cauchy matrix binary operations, AMDER-Ceph significantly enhances data recovery speed and efficiency symmetrically. Our evaluations in real-world Ceph environments show that AMDER-Ceph achieves up to 4.84 times faster performance compared with traditional methods, especially evident in the standard 4 MB block size configurations of Ceph systems. Full article

This study introduces a compact Raman spectrometer with a 1064 nm excitation laser coupled with a fiber probe and an inexpensive motorized stage, offering a promising alternative to widely used Raman imaging instruments with 785 nm excitation lasers. The benefits of 1064 nm excitation for biomedical applications include further suppression of fluorescence background and deeper tissue penetration. The performance of the 1064 nm instrument in detecting cancer in human bladder resectates is demonstrated. Raman images with 1064 nm excitation were collected ex vivo from 10 human tumor and non-tumor bladder specimens, and the results are compared to previously published Raman images with 785 nm excitation. K-Means cluster (KMC) analysis is used after pre-processing to identify Raman signatures of control, tumor, necrosis, and lipid-rich tissues. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) groups the KMC centroids of all specimens as input. The tools for data processing and hyperspectral analysis were compiled in an open-source Python library called SpectraMap (SpMap). In spite of lower spectral resolution, the 1064 nm Raman instrument can differentiate between tumor and non-tumor bladder tissues in a similar way to 785 nm Raman spectroscopy. These findings hold promise for future clinical hyperspectral Raman imaging, in particular for specimens with intense fluorescence background, e.g., kidney stones that are discussed as another widespread urological application. Full article

The promotion and use of liquid feeding face the challenge of insufficiently stable delivery. This issue can be resolved, in part, by using the spiral flow produced by a spiral pipe (SPP). The aim of this study is to investigate how the structural characteristics of the spiral pipe affect the flow state of the liquid feed, and for this purpose, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique has been employed and the liquid feed delivery process has been simulated by means of an Eulerian two-fluid model The results reveal a significant improvement in the slurry’s homogeneity as it traveled through a spiral pipe compared with a straight pipe (STP). The swirl number normally increased with the number, length, height, and angle of the spiral pipe’s guide vanes. The solid-phase distribution was more homogeneous when values of N = 1, L = 1D, H = 3/8R, and θ = 20° were used, respectively, and the COV within 10D downstream of the outlet of the spiral pipe was 3.902% smaller than that of the straight pipe. The results of this study can be used as a reference for the design of liquid feed-conveying pipes. Full article

Background: For biliary tract cancer (BTC), the addition of immunotherapy (durvalumab or pembrolizumab) to gemcitabine and cisplatin (GemCis) significantly improved overall survival (OS) in phase 3 clinical trials (RCTs). However, the interpretation and magnitude of the treatment effect is challenging because OS Kaplan–Meier curves violate the proportional hazards (PH) assumption. Analysis using restricted mean survival time (RMST) allows quantification of the benefits in the absence of PH. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the benefit of immunotherapy-based regimens for OS at 24 months using RMST analysis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using studies published up to 8 November 2023. Only phase 3 RCTs evaluating the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 combined with GemCis and reporting OS were included. KM curves for OS were digitized, and the data were reconstructed. A meta-analysis for OS by RMST at 24 months was performed. Results: A total of 1754 participants from the TOPAZ-1 and KEYNOTE-966 trials were included. In TOPAZ-1, RMSTs at 24 months were 13.52 (7.92) and 12.21 (7.22) months with GemCis plus durvalumab and GemCis alone, respectively. In KEYNOTE-966, RMSTs at 24 months were 13.60 (7.76) and 12.45 (7.73) months with GemCis plus pembrolizumab and GemCis alone, respectively. Immunotherapy-based regimens showed a mean OS difference at 24 months by an RMST of 1.21 months [(95% CI: 0.49–1.93), p < 0.001, I² = 0%]. Conclusions: Immunotherapy-based regimens improve OS in advanced BTC. Given this magnitude of benefit, it is essential to weigh up individual patient factors, preferences, and potential risks. RMST analysis provides valuable information to patients and physicians, facilitating decision-making in a value-based medical environment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The survival rate of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) has improved gradually since the introduction of FOLFIRINOX (FFX) and gemcitabine + albumin-bound paclitaxel (GnP) regimens. However, the trends and outcomes of initial palliative chemotherapy before and after the advent of these regimens and their contribution to survival rates are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate this in patients with PC in Korea using claims data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: Patients diagnosed with PC who underwent initial palliative chemotherapy between 2007 and 2019 were identified from the NHIS database. Patient demographics, comorbidities, chemotherapy regimens, and survival rates were analyzed using follow-up data up to 2020. Results: In total, 14,760 patients (mean age, 63.78 ± 10.18 years; men, 59.19%) were enrolled. As initial palliative chemotherapy, 3823 patients (25.90%) received gemcitabine alone; 2779 (18.83%) received gemcitabine + erlotinib; 1948 (13.20%) received FFX; and 1767 (11.97%) received GnP. The median survival values were 15.00 months for FFX; 11.04 months for GnP; 8.40 months for gemcitabine alone; and 8.51 months for gemcitabine + erlotinib. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for GnP vs. FFX was 1.291 (95% CI, 1.206–1.383) in the multivariate Cox regression analysis of mortality. Radiation therapy (aHR, 0.667; 95% CI, 0.612–0.728) and second-line chemotherapy (aHR, 0.639; 95% CI, 0.597–0.684) were significantly associated with improved survival. Conclusions: Our study found that first-line chemotherapy with FFX was associated with significantly longer survival than the other regimens, although caution is needed in interpreting the results. Full article

Influenza A viruses continue to be a serious health risk to people and result in a large-scale socio-economic loss. Avian influenza viruses typically do not replicate efficiently in mammals, but through the accumulation of mutations or genetic reassortment, they can overcome interspecies barriers, adapt to new hosts, and spread among them. Zoonotic influenza A viruses sporadically infect humans and exhibit limited human-to-human transmission. However, further adaptation of these viruses to humans may result in airborne transmissible viruses with pandemic potential. Therefore, we are beginning to understand genetic changes and mechanisms that may influence interspecific adaptation, cross-species transmission, and the pandemic potential of influenza A viruses. We also discuss the genetic and phenotypic traits associated with the airborne transmission of influenza A viruses in order to provide theoretical guidance for the surveillance of new strains with pandemic potential and the prevention of pandemics. Full article

Reversible thermochromic polymers have emerged as compelling candidates in recent years, captivating attention for their application in heat detection systems. This comprehensive review navigates through the multifaceted landscape, intricately exploring both the virtues and hurdles inherent in their integration within these systems. Their innate capacity to change colour in response to temperature fluctuations renders reversible thermochromic nanocomposites promising assets for heat detection technologies. However, despite their inherent potential, certain barriers hinder their widespread adoption. Factors such as a restricted colour spectrum, reliance on external triggers, and cost considerations have restrained their pervasive use. For instance, these polymer-based materials exhibit utility in the domain of building insulation, where their colour-changing ability serves as a beacon, flagging areas of heat loss or inadequate insulation, thus alerting building managers and homeowners to potential energy inefficiencies. Nevertheless, the limited range of discernible colours may impede precise temperature differentiation. Additionally, dependency on external stimuli, such as electricity or UV light, can complicate implementation and inflate costs. Realising the full potential of these polymer-based materials in heat detection systems necessitates addressing these challenges head-on. Continuous research endeavours aimed at augmenting colour diversity and diminishing reliance on external stimuli offer promising avenues to enhance their efficacy. Hence, this review aims to delve into the intricate nuances surrounding reversible thermochromic nanocomposites, highlighting their transformative potential in heat detection and sensing. By exploring their mechanisms, properties, and current applications, this manuscript endeavours to shed light on their significance, providing insights crucial for further research and potential applications. Full article

Migmatites and partial melts are exposed in both the lower and upper package of the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) thrust sheet within the Sikkim Himalayas. Zircon monazite and quartz oxygen isotopic ratios from Yumthang Valley, North Sikkim, and Rathong Chuu, West Sikkim, have been used to identify their sources and equilibrium conditions. Monazites show homogeneous growth, whereas zircons show growth rings. U-Th-Pb data on monazite only indicate the latest metamorphic event. However, zircons show metamorphic rim growth between 36 and 24 Ma over their detrital core with trailing growth from 22 Ma to 15 Ma. Pervasive fluids have been interpreted in coeval development during metamorphism, as shown by monazite and zircon c. 30 Ma. The Th/U ratio of zircon is higher and variable with weak residual zoning in the samples from higher elevations. Quartz–metamorphic zircon oxygen fractionation suggests Teq > 600 °C, while quartz–monazite fractionation shows the same or lower temperatures. Multiple sources of melts in the HHC (even along a single valley) have been observed by δ¹⁸O of 7‰ to 10‰ in zircon and 5‰ to 9‰ in monazite. Zircon and monazite generated in the same rock have similar δ18O values. Monazite grown ~20 Ma in the lower elevation sample had a low δ¹⁸O, suggesting interaction with an external fluid. Full article

Whenever twentieth-century modern art or new contemporary artworks are included amongst displays of ancient Egypt, press statements often assert that such juxtapositions are ‘surprising’, ‘innovative’, and ‘fresh’, celebrating the external perspective they bring to such collections. But contemporary art’s relationship with museums and other disciplines needs to be understood in a longer-term perspective. Pairings of twentieth- and twenty-first-century artistic works with objects of antiquity is an activity that has been undertaken for more than a century in what has been a relatively long period of mutually reinforcing influences between modern/contemporary art, museum display, the art market, and Egyptian heritage. Together, they have decontextualised ancient Egyptian culture and shaped the language and perspectives of scholars, curators, and artists. In this paper, rather than considering how artists have been inspired by ancient Egypt, I will give a few examples of how more recent art practices from the late nineteenth century onwards have impacted the language and discourse of Egyptology and its museum representation. Then, using more recent artist engagements with the British Museum, I argue for greater interdisciplinary dialogues between artists and Egyptologists, as both take more critical stances towards research that recontextualises the power and agency of collections, representation, and knowledge production. Full article

The pyoverdine siderophore is produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to access iron. Its synthesis involves the complex coordination of four nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), which are responsible for assembling the pyoverdine peptide backbone. The precise cellular organization of these NRPSs and their mechanisms of interaction remain unclear. Here, we used a combination of several single-molecule microscopy techniques to elucidate the spatial arrangement of NRPSs within pyoverdine-producing cells. Our findings reveal that PvdL differs from the three other NRPSs in terms of localization and mobility patterns. PvdL is predominantly located in the inner membrane, while the others also explore the cytoplasmic compartment. Leveraging the power of multicolor single-molecule localization, we further reveal co-localization between PvdL and the other NRPSs, suggesting a pivotal role for PvdL in orchestrating the intricate biosynthetic pathway. Our observations strongly indicates that PvdL serves as a central orchestrator in the assembly of NRPSs involved in pyoverdine biosynthesis, assuming a critical regulatory function. Full article

Gas–solid fluidized bed reactors are widely used in the power generation industry. The critical effect of the presence of liquid phase, either as a result of heat, chemical reaction or physical interaction, on the hydrodynamics of the reactor is well recognized by academic researchers and industrial operators. However, theory and simulation frameworks to predict such a condition using the continuum modeling approach are not yet available. This study first shows the significant changes in the flow pattern and distinguishable flow regimes in a slightly wet fluidized bed recorded by an advanced imaging technique. The study then describes the development and implementation of new mathematical formulations for wet particle-particle interactions in a continuum model based on the classic kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF). Quantitative validation, carried out by comparing the predicted and measured fluidization index (FI) expressed in terms of pressure drop, has shown a good match. The prediction also demonstrates increased bubble splitting, gas channeling, slugging fluidization, and energy dissipation induced by liquid bridges developing from wet particle interactions. These characteristics are similar to those commonly observed in the fluidization of cohesive powders. This model constitutes an important step in extending the continuum theories of dry flow to wet particle-particle interactions. This will allow accurate description and simulation of the fluidized bed in its widest application including power generation systems that involve wet particle fluidization. Full article

Leucine-rich repeat extensin (LRX) is involved in the regulation of crucial cellular processes, such as cell wall growth and development, as well as signaling. However, the presence of the LRX gene family in Brassica rapa (B. rapa) has not been previously reported. This study identified 17 BrLRXs within the Brassica rapa genome by bioinformatic analysis, and these genes were distributed on seven chromosomes. Phylogenetic and covariance analyses indicate that BrLRXs can be categorized into two distinct branches: the trophic branch and the reproductive branch, with a close relationship observed between BrLRXs and AtLRXs. According to cis-acting element analysis, this gene family is rich in hormone-responsive and stress-responsive elements such as drought-inducibility, abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and gibberellic acid responsive elements, suggesting a potential role in abiotic stress response. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and RT-qPCR analyses demonstrated significant up-regulation of BrLRX2 and BrLRX6 under salt stress, while BrLRX3, BrLRX6, and BrLRX8 were significantly down-regulated under osmotic stress. Our analysis of the protein tertiary structure predicts a strong association between LRX proteins and RALF. Protein–protein interaction prediction revealed that LRX interacts with the RALF protein and the receptor FER, which have been previously reported to jointly regulate plant stress responses. We propose that BrLRX6 and BrLRX8 are implicated in osmotic stress, while BrLRX2 and BrLRX6 are involved in the modulation of salt stress. Full article

Combining microbial products with different mechanisms of action can produce synergistic insecticidal effects and slow down the development of resistance. This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of mixtures containing the commercial Photorhabdus luminescens (Pl) strain ATCC 29,999, the local isolate Pl 2103-UV, and the commercial Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Bt) ABTS-351 against Spodoptera frugiperda. As the proportion of Bt increased in the mixtures, insecticidal activity increased, with the synergistic ratios reaching 1.98 for ATCC 29,999 and 5.29 for 2103-UV at a1:5 Pl:Bt ratio, representing approximately twofold and fivefold reductions, respectively, in the Bt dosage required for mortality. Hemolymph analysis revealed the highest Pl bacterial loads in the 1:5 treatments within the S. frugiperda hemocoel. Histopathology also showed exacerbated midgut vacuolation in the 1:5 ATCC 29,999:Bt treatment. Whole-genome analysis showed that 2103-UV produced more porins, potentially contributing to its higher insecticidal activity. This study demonstrated that Bt assists the invasion of Pl into the hemocoel and enhances synergistic insecticidal efficiency. The findings provide a reference for integrating Pl with other microbial products to sustainably manage significant and severe lepidopteran pests. Full article

The development of smart protective clothing will help detect injuries from contact sports, traffic collisions, and other accidents. The combination of ecoflex, spacer fabric, and graphene-based aerogel provides a multifunctional composite. It shows a strain sensitivity of 17.71 at the strain range of 40~55%, a pressure sensitivity of 0.125 kPa⁻¹ at the pressure range of 0~15 kPa, and a temperature sensitivity of −0.648 °C⁻¹. After 50 impact tests, its protection coefficient only dropped from 60% to 55%. Additionally, it shows thermal insulation properties. The compression and impact process results of finite element numerical simulation analysis are in good agreement with the experimental results. The ecoflex/aerogel/spacer fabric sensor exhibits a simple structure, large pressure strain, high sensitivity, flexibility, and ease of fabrication, making it a candidate for smart protective clothing resistant to impact loads. Full article

Combining the Intangible Cultural Heritage and sustainable development has been an important effort of UNESCO since the new century. This study discusses the suitability of educational tourism development of intangible cultural heritage. On the one hand, it was beneficial to improve the comprehensive quality of students; on the other hand, it was conducive to protecting and rationally developing the cultural heritage and avoiding its loss. In this study, an evaluation index system was established according to the analytic hierarchy process, which included two aspects (i.e., intrinsic value and extrinsic conditions) and 16 indices from four criterion layers (e.g., educational value, recreational value, environmental conditions, and relevant facilities and services). Furthermore, we calculated the development suitability and spatial distribution patterns of intangible cultural heritage for educational tourism. At the same time, using the obstacle degree model, the obstacle degrees of each indicator factor were screened and identified to explore the source of obstacles that restrict the suitability of educational tourism development of ICH. Results showed that: (1) The development suitability of intangible cultural heritage for educational tourism was divided into high suitability, middle suitability, and low suitability. A total of 186 intangible cultural heritages were found in Shandong Province, China. Among these intangible cultural heritages, 60 of 186 (32.26%) were low suitability, with values ranging from 0.326 to 0.460; 86 of 186 (46.24%) were middle suitability, with values of 0.460–0.543, and 40 of 186 (21.50%) were high suitability with a range of 0.543–0.689. (2) The spatial distribution patterns of suitability showed that the development suitability of intangible cultural heritage for educational tourism in Shandong Province exhibited a significantly positive spatial correlation that projects with similar suitability levels were clustered into a group and generally distributed with a direction of “southwest to the northeast”. (3) According to the diagnostic results of obstacle factor analysis, from the perspective of the first level indicator, the obstacle degree of the intrinsic value (A1) of the three levels of suitability of ICH was the highest. Among the second-level indicators, educational value (B1) has always been the biggest obstacle factor affecting the educational tourism of ICH, and the relevance of cultural content (C2), representativeness and typicality of the phenomenon (C3), applicability of teaching cases (C4), and uniqueness or rarity (C5) were the greatest among the three suitability factors. Full article

The low thermal conductivity of phase change materials restricts their application fields such as thermal storage and electronic equipment cooling. In order to enhance the heat charging capacity of the phase change unit, fractal fins inspired by plant leaves were designed and manufactured. The changes in the solid–liquid interface, temperature distribution and liquid fraction in the phase change units with fractal fins during melting were investigated experimentally and compared units with the conventional rectangular fin. The results show that fractal fins have better heat transfer enhancement effects than rectangular fins because the enhancement of heat conduction exceeds the suppression of natural convection. Increasing the number of fins can also shorten the melting time and make the temperature distribution more uniform. Compared with the one rectangular fin unit, the full melting time of the unit with three fractal fins is reduced by 17.07%, and the bottom surface temperature is reduced by 27.47%. However, increasing the number of fins while using tree-like fractal fins may cause the fins to inhibit natural convection more than enhance heat conduction. The research in this paper will provide a better understanding of the melting process of phase change units with fins and provide data for future numerical simulations. Full article

In order to achieve time–frequency superresolution in comparison to the conventional Wigner distribution (WD), this study generalizes the well-known $\tau$-Wigner distribution ($\tau$-WD) with only one parameter $\tau$ to the multiple-parameter matrix-Wigner distribution (M-WD) with the parameter matrix $\mathcal{M}$. According to operator theory, we construct Heisenberg’s inequalities on the uncertainty product in M-WD domains and formulate two kinds of attainable lower bounds dependent on $\mathcal{M}$. We solve the problem of lower bound minimization and obtain the optimality condition of $\mathcal{M}$, under which the M-WD achieves superior time–frequency resolution. It turns out that the M-WD breaks through the limitation of the $\tau$-WD and gives birth to some novel distributions other than the WD that could generate the highest time–frequency resolution. As an example, the two-dimensional linear frequency-modulated signal is carried out to demonstrate the time–frequency concentration superiority of the M-WD over the short-time Fourier transform and wavelet transform. Full article

Employees with mental illness are often the first to be unable to cope with increasingly complex psychosocial work demands. But people without mental illness can also suffer from, for example, high workload. This study compares a short coaching to stabilize work ability for employees with and without mental illness regarding coaching topics, effects on work-related resources, goal attainment, and unwanted events. Individual coaching of three sessions (problem exploration by behavior analysis, practice of new behavior, reflection) was conducted with employees from different professional fields. A medical history was taken to determine whether participants are affected by a mental disorder. All coaching was conducted by the same behavior therapist in training (L.P.W.) under the supervision of an experienced behavior therapist (B.M.). Two hundred and three coachings with three sessions were completed. In total, 103 participants did not have a mental illness (51%), and 100 participants reported a mental disorder (49%). The coaching participants with mental illness had lower initial levels of work-related capacities (more severe impairments) and coping behavior as compared to the participants without mental illness. In the pre–post comparisons, both groups achieved significant improvements in work-related coping after the coaching. There were no differences in goal attainment between both groups. While participants without mental illness reported more unwanted events in parallel to the coaching (30% reported negative developments in life), participants with mental illness reported coaching-related unwanted events (20% felt to be dependent on the coach). Coaching with an individual focus on one topic can improve work-related resources in participants with and without mental disorders. Since participants with and without mental illness experience different unwanted events in coaching, psychotherapeutic expertise is needed in order to set the right focus. Full article

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is an important cool-season turfgrass species widely used for golf course putting greens; however, it experiences summer stress and quality decline in the U.S. transition zone and other regions with similar climates. Silicon (Si) may improve the abiotic stress of creeping bentgrass, but the mechanism of its impact on plant drought and heat tolerance is not well understood, and a few studies have reported on the effects of Si on creeping bentgrass drought and heat tolerance. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Ortho-silicic acid (Ortho-Si) on antioxidant metabolism and root growth characteristics and viability in creeping bentgrass under drought and heat-stress conditions. The three treatments, including control, Ortho-Si at 0.16 mL m⁻² and 0.32 mL m⁻², were applied biweekly to creeping bentgrass. Foliar application of the Ortho-Si exhibited beneficial effects on turf quality, physiological fitness, and root growth in creeping bentgrass. The Ortho-Si application at 0.16 mL m⁻² and 0.32 mL m⁻² improved turf quality ratings by 9.5% and 11.1%, respectively, photochemical efficiency (PE) by 6.9% and 8.5%, respectively, chlorophyll content by 27.1% and 29.9%, and carotenoids content by 25.5% and 27.2%, respectively, when compared to the control at the end of the trial. The Ortho-Si treatments enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity; the highest amount, in particular, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by 32.8%, catalase (CAT) by 12.8%, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity by 37.4%, as compared to the control. The Ortho-Si application reduced leaf hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration relative to the control. In addition, exogenous Ortho-Si improved leaf Si concentration. The Ortho-Si application at 0.32 mL m⁻² increased root biomass by 52.7% and viability by 89.3% relative to the control. Overall, Ortho-Si at 0.32 mL m⁻² had greater beneficial effects than the low rate (0.16 mL m⁻²). Exogenous Si may improve drought and heat tolerance by protecting photosynthetic function, enhancing the activities of leaf antioxidant enzymes, and stimulating root growth, viability, and Si uptake. The results of this study suggest that foliar application of Ortho-Si at 0.32 mL m⁻² may be considered to be an effective approach to improve turf quality and physiological fitness of creeping bentgrass during the summer months in the U.S. transition zone and other regions with similar climates. Full article

In this study, a two-port network-based microwave sensor for liquid characterization is presented. The suggested sensor is built as a miniature microwave resonator using the third iteration of Hilbert’s fractal architecture. The suggested structure is used with the T-resonator to raise the sensor quality factor. The suggested sensor is printed on a FR4 substrate and has a footprint of $40\times 60\times 1.6{\mathrm{mm}}^3$. Analytically, a theoretical investigation is made to clarify how the suggested sensor might function. The suggested sensor is created and put to the test in an experiment. Later, two pans to contain the urine Sample Under Test (SUT) are printed on the sensor. Before loading the SUT, it is discovered that the suggested structure’s frequency resonance is 0.46 GHz. An 18 MHz frequency shift is added to the initial resonance after the pans are printed. They monitor the S-parameters in terms of S12 regarding the change in water content in the urine samples, allowing for the sensing component to be completed. As a result, 10 different samples with varying urine percentages are added to the suggested sensor to evaluate its ability to detect the presence of urine. Finally, it is discovered that the suggested process’ measurements and corresponding simulated outcomes agreed quite well. Full article