The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol, and cancer in United States (US) adults. Data were collected from the 2020 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Eligible participants were US adults (≥18 years) with data on BMI, cholesterol, and cancer status, who were alive at the end of the data collection period. An adjusted logistic regression model assessed associations between eight possible combinations of BMI and cholesterol status (independent variable) with cancer diagnosis (dependent variable). Among 27,805 individuals in the 2020 MEPS data, 20,818 met the eligibility criteria (weighted N = 252,340,615). Of these 2668 (weighted N = 29,770,359) had cancer and 18,150 (weighted N = 222,570,256) did not have cancer. In the adjusted logistic regression model, underweight and normal weight individuals with high cholesterol were associated with higher odds of cancer (odds ratio, OR = 2.002, and 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.032–3.885, and OR = 1.326 and 95% CI = 1.047–1.681, respectively), while obese individuals with normal cholesterol were associated with lower odds of cancer (OR = 0.681; 95% CI = 0.543–0.853) compared to normal weight individuals with normal cholesterol. This study offers insights into specific groups of individuals who may be prioritized for cancer prevention. Further research is required to investigate these findings in additional subpopulations. Full article

While insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC) for intravascular access, diagnosis, and intensive care medical treatment is frequently needed in critically ill patients, retention of the guidewire used for CVC placement with Seldinger’s technique is a very rare complication. In patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), significant negative pressures in the thoracal and abdominal venous system are generated by the venous ECMO drainage cannula. Therefore, during CVC placement in patients treated with ECMO, special vigilance is required because the significant negative pressures generated by the venous ECMO drainage cannula facilitate venous suction of an unsecured guidewire. Full article

Hybrid rice results from crossing a male-sterile line (the A line) with a pollen doner (the restorer or R line). In 3-line hybrid breeding systems, a fertile B line is also required to maintain A line populations. Heterosis is defined as a condition of traits whereby the hybrid exceeds the average of the parental lines. Heterobeltiosis is where the hybrid exceeds both parents. Hybrid rice may display heterosis/heterobeltiosis for growth, yield and resistance to herbivores, among other traits. In a greenhouse experiment, we assessed the frequency of heterosis for resistance to the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugans (BPH)), whitebacked planthopper (Sogatella furcifera (WBPH)) and yellow stemborer (Scirpophaga incertulas (YSB)) in eight hybrids under varying soil nitrogen conditions. We also assessed plant biomass losses due to herbivore feeding as an approximation of tolerance (the plant’s capacity to compensate for damage). Nitrogen reduced resistance to all three herbivores but was also associated with tolerance to WBPH and YSB based on improved plant survival, growth and/or yields. Plant biomass losses per unit weight of WBPH also declined under high nitrogen conditions for a number of hybrids, and there were several cases of overcompensation in rice for attacks by this herbivore. There was one case of nitrogen-related tolerance to BPH (increased grain yield) for a hybrid line with relatively high resistance, likely due to quantitative traits. Heterosis and heterobeltiosis were not essential to produce relatively high herbivore resistance or tolerance across hybrids. Full article

The light-weighting of a robotic arm is an important aspect of robot research. In the operation of existing welding robots, excessive vibrations in the welding actuators have been observed, which lead to reduced welding precision and work efficiency. The direct connection between the forearm and the welding actuator is a key component that affects vibrations. Based on this, a study on light-weighting the forearm is proposed. Using the theory of topology optimization with variable density structure, the structural dimensions, shapes, and geometric parameters of the forearm are optimized. The material removal methods of “hole cutting” and “local hollowing” are employed to reconstruct the forearm structure model. Static, modal, and transient simulations were performed on the forearm model pre-optimization and post-optimization. The optimization results show that the mass of the forearm is reduced by 19.8%. The static simulation comparative analysis shows that, under the same constraints and load conditions, the maximum total deformation of the optimized forearm is reduced by 3.6%, the maximum stress is reduced by 3.2%, and the maximum equivalent elastic strain is reduced by 5.7%. The optimized forearm structure is more reasonable and exhibits better mechanical performance. Modal simulation comparative analysis shows that the first and second natural frequencies of the optimized forearm are increased by 9.8% and 7.0%, respectively. Transient simulation comparative analysis demonstrates that, under the maximum operating condition, the vibration frequency and amplitude of the optimized welding robot forearm are reduced by 19.4% and 26.9%, respectively. The maximum amplitudes of the maximum equivalent stress curve and maximum equivalent elastic strain curve are reduced by 51.0% and 46.0%, respectively. This study provides a guarantee for reducing vibrations in welding actuators, improving welding precision, and enhancing the work efficiency of the welding robot. Full article

Alder yellows (ALY) phytoplasma (16SrV-C) is associated with ALY, a disease of several Alnus (alder) species in Europe and A. rubra in North America. In all affected species, the symptoms are similar. However, latent infections are common. ALY phytoplasma includes different strains which may be occasionally transmitted to grapevines leading to some grapevine yellows diseases. In the current study, visual symptom assessment and PCR-based methods using universal and group-specific phytoplasma primers were used to update and extend knowledge on the occurrence, impact, and genetic diversity of ALY phytoplasma in declining and non-symptomatic A. glutinosa and A. cordata trees in the Basilicata and Campania regions of southern Italy. ALY phytoplasma was detected in 80% of alder trees examined. In symptomatic trees, no other cause of disease was observed. More than half of alder trees that tested phytoplasma-positive proved to be latently infected. A considerable genetic variability was observed among the newly recorded ALY phytoplasma strains in southern Italy in almost of the genes examined. These included 16S rRNA, 16S/23S rDNA spacer region, ribosomal protein rpsV (rpl22) and rpsC (rps3), map, imp, and groEL genes. Eleven new genotypes were identified at map gene sequence level. However, the genetic differences observed were not related to plant host species, geographical origin, and symptoms shown by infected alder trees. Also, this study indicates that ALY phytoplasma is more widespread than previously thought. Full article

The occurrence, distribution, and ecological risk assessment of 36 antibiotics from five groups, including macrolides (MLs), fluoroquinolones (FQs), tetracyclines (TCs), amphenicols (APs), and sulfonamides (SAs), were investigated for the first time in the Anning River, Sichuan Province, China. The results show that antibiotics were widely present in the sediments of the Anning River, with a total of 22 antibiotics detected. FQs were among the most abundant antibiotics, followed by TCs, MLs, APs, and SAs. The total concentrations of antibiotics in surface sediments varied from 0.05 to 53.35 ng/g, with an average of 8.09 ng/g. Among these groups, MLs, FQs, and TCs emerged as the predominant classes of antibiotics. The midstream sediments showed the highest residual levels of antibiotics, with lower levels observed in the downstream and upstream sediments. Anthropogenic activities, such as human clinical practices and animal breeding, might be sources of antibiotics released into the river. An ecological risk assessment revealed that trimethoprim from the SA group exhibited high risks, and MLs showed medium risks in the Anning River, whereas most antibiotics presented minimal to low risks. This study provides valuable information on antibiotic pollution in the upstream region of the Yangtze River, and future management measures are needed for the Anning River. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish a histologic baseline for cryoanalgesia of 2 min duration and evaluate the effects of different freeze durations. Methods: A porcine model was used in which the application of bilateral cryoanalgesia from intercostal spaces T3–T7 was completed via partial median sternotomy. The animals were kept alive for 7 days and the ribcages were sent to a specialized center for histopathologic analysis of the freezing injury. Results: Forty freezing lesions were completed and analyzed histologically. Thirty-eight (95%) of the cryo-lesions presented 100% nerve fiber degeneration at or distal to the ablation site, with preservation of the perineural connective tissue, as intended. The two unaffected nerves were found to be physically located outside of the freezing area. Conclusions: The complete axonal degeneration with preservation of the perineural tissue opens the possibility to shorter freezing times than the recommended 2 min. Visualization of the nerve and positioning of the probe is important in ensuring the proper effect on the nerve. This histologic analysis confirms the process triggered by cryoanalgesia that, until now, had only been assumed. Full article

In multilayer complex networks, the uncertainty in node states leads to intricate behaviors. It is, therefore, of great importance to be able to estimate the states of target nodes in these systems, both for theoretical advancements and practical applications. This paper introduces a state observer-based approach for the state estimation of such networks, focusing specifically on a class of complex dynamic networks with nodes that correspond one-to-one. Initially, a chaotic system is employed to model the dynamics of each node and highlight the essential state components for analysis and derivation. A network state observer is then constructed using a unique diagonal matrix, which underpins the driver and response-layer networks. By integrating control theory and stability function analysis, the effectiveness of the observer in achieving synchronization between complex dynamic networks and target systems is confirmed. Additionally, the efficacy and precision of the proposed method are validated through simulation. Full article

Nitrite is one of the most common nitrogenous compounds, which is not only an important indicator of aquaculture water but also widely used as a food additive. Its potential toxicity poses a huge threat to aquatic products and human health. Therefore, it is important to develop a convenient and rapid sensor for the high-efficient onsite detection of nitrite. In this work, a novel electrochemical sensor was developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nitrite. The developed nitrite electrochemical detection system is easily applied in onsite detection. The electrochemical working electrode was constructed based on the combination of Ag-CeO₂ and conductive carbon paste (CPE) with excellent electrocatalysis activity and rapid electron transfer ability. By the application of the developed system and under the optimal conditions, the linear range was from 40.0 μM to 500.0 μM, and the detection limit was reduced to 4.3 μM. The recovery was between 92.1% and 108.1%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 0.49%~9.31%. The sensor exhibited superior reproducibility, high stability sensitivity, and anti-interference ability, confirming its effectiveness for nitrite analysis. Finally, the developed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to detect nitrite in beverages and aquaculture water samples, indicating that this approach has great potential in onsite food testing and environmental monitoring. Full article

In this study, we investigated the features of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the enterovirus vaccine strain LEV8 of coxsackievirus A7 or enterovirus A71 for Vero E6 cells and Syrian hamsters. The investigation of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and LEV-8 or EV-A71 in the cell model showed that a competitive inhibitory effect for these viruses was especially significant against SARS-CoV-2. Pre-infection with enteroviruses in the animals caused more than a 100-fold decrease in the levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus replication in the respiratory tract and more rapid clearance of infectious SARS-CoV-2 from the lower respiratory tract. Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and LEV-8 or EV-A71 also reduced the severity of clinical manifestations of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the animals. Additionally, the histological data illustrated that co-infection with strain LEV8 of coxsackievirus A7 decreased the level of pathological changes induced by SARS-CoV-2 in the lungs. Research into the chemokine/cytokine profile demonstrated that the studied enteroviruses efficiently triggered this part of the antiviral immune response, which is associated with the significant inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These results demonstrate that there is significant viral interference between the studied strain LEV-8 of coxsackievirus A7 or enterovirus A71 and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in vivo. Full article

The retina, a tissue of the central nervous system, is vital for vision as its photoreceptors capture light and transform it into electrical signals, which are further processed before they are sent to the brain to be interpreted as images. The retina is unique in that it is continuously exposed to light and has the highest metabolic rate and demand for energy amongst all the tissues in the body. Consequently, the retina is very susceptible to oxidative stress. VDAC, a pore in the outer membrane of mitochondria, shuttles metabolites between mitochondria and the cytosol and normally protects cells from oxidative damage, but when a cell’s integrity is greatly compromised it initiates cell death. There are three isoforms of VDAC, and existing evidence indicates that all three are expressed in the retina. However, their precise localization and function in each cell type is unknown. It appears that most retinal cells express substantial amounts of VDAC2 and VDAC3, presumably to protect them from oxidative stress. Photoreceptors express VDAC2, HK2, and PKM2—key proteins in the Warburg pathway that also protect these cells. Consistent with its role in initiating cell death, VDAC is overexpressed in the retinal degenerative diseases retinitis pigmentosa, age related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma. Treatment with antioxidants or inhibiting VDAC oligomerization reduced its expression and improved cell survival. Thus, VDAC may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of these diseases. Full article

Austenitic stainless steels used in structural applications suffer from stress corrosion cracking due to residual stresses during welding. Much research is being conducted to prevent the stress corrosion cracking of austenitic steels by inducing compressive residual stresses. One method is ultrasonic shot peening (USP), which is used to apply compressive stress by modifying the mechanical properties of the material’s surface. In this study, 304L stainless steel was butt-welded by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and subsequently subjected to compressive residual stress to a depth of 1 mm from the surface by a USP treatment. The influence of USP on microstructural changes in the base metal, the HAZ and weldment, and the corrosion properties was analyzed. A microstructural analysis was conducted using SEM-EDS, XRD, and EBSD methods alongside residual stress measurements. The surface and cross-sectional corrosion behavior was evaluated and analyzed using a potentiodynamic polarization test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, a double-loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DL-EPR) test, and an ASTM A262 Pr. C test. The surface was deformed and roughened by the USP. The deformed areas formed crevices, and the inside of the crevices contained some cracks. The crevices and internal cracks caused pitting, which reduced the resistance of the passivation film. The cross-section was subjected to compressive residual stress to a depth of 1 mm from the surface, and the outermost area of the cross-section had fine grain refinement, forming a solid passivation film that improved the corrosion resistance. Full article

Patients with solid tumor brain metastases that progress after whole-brain radiation have limited options. This prospective trial investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of bevacizumab as salvage therapy in this population. Eligible patients received bevacizumab 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks until progression. The primary endpoint was radiologic response using Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), duration of response, and safety. Quality of life (QOL) was studied using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br) scale. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled, with twenty-four having evaluable data for response. The majority of histologies (n = 21, 78%) were breast cancer. The remaining histologies were non-small-cell lung cancer (n = 4, 15%), neuroendocrine cancer (n = 1, 3%), and papillary fallopian serous adenocarcinoma (n = 1, 3%). Eighteen patients had radiologic response, with two patients demonstrating partial response (8.33%) and sixteen patients demonstrating stable disease (66.7%). The median duration of response was 203 days. PFS at 6 months was 46%, median PFS was 5.3 m, and median OS was 9.5 m. Treatment was well tolerated, with six patients experiencing grade 3 lymphopenia and hypertension. There was one grade 3 thromboembolism. QOL was not negatively impacted. Bevacizumab is a safe and feasible salvage treatment with durable response and favorable overall survival for patients with progressive brain metastases after whole-brain radiation. Full article

Dietary intake and alcohol consumption might be influenced by genetic variations in taste receptor genes. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between polymorphisms in the bitter taste receptor genes TAS2R13 (rs1015443) and TAS2R38 (rs1726866, rs10246939, and rs713598) as well as alcohol consumption and body fat percentage in college students. Four hundred and two students with a mean age of 20.2 years participated in this study. An NIH Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ II) was used to collect data on their dietary intake, while an AUDIT survey was used to determine their level of alcohol consumption. Bitter taste receptor gene polymorphisms were assessed by TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. Despite significant associations between TAS2R13 (rs1015443) and certain aspects of alcohol consumption, including the frequency of alcohol intake, no significant associations were found between TAS2R13 (rs1015443) and alcohol consumption after accounting for confounding variables in the regression model. Neither association was found regarding percent of body fat. In contrast, ethnicity and gender significantly influenced percent of body fat (p < 0.001), while no significant association was observed between TAS2R13 (rs1015443) and percent of body fat. Likewise, TAS2R38 (rs1726866, rs10246939, and rs713598) demonstrated no significant association with alcohol consumption and percent of body fat. These results were controlled for confounding factors, such as ethnicity and gender. Body fat percentage and alcohol consumption may be influenced by ethnicity, gender, and age rather than SNPs of TAS2R13 and TAS2R38 genes. Assessing taste genes’ interactions with diet and body composition might be useful in identifying human disease risk. Full article

The objectives of the present study were to describe specific anatomical structures of the dromedary udder. Eighty-six dromedary udders were examined, taking morphological measurements and producing injection casts using resin, gelatin, and paraffin. The udder of the dromedaries consists of four quarters. The shape of the udders and teats varies considerably between animals and is influenced by age, breeding, and lactation status. The most frequently found udder form was the globular udder (48.8%) and the most common teat form in this study was the funnel teat (44.2%). The most common teat tip shape was a smooth or a slightly rough ring teat (61.6%). Injection casts showed a complete separation of the teat canals. There is also no communication between tributary mammary complexes. Resin injections of the glandular tissue adjacent to the teat cistern showed an extensive branching into large, medium, and small milk ducts. Frozen sections of the udder revealed complete separation of the right and left mammary complex through the Sulcus intermammarius. The teat sections showed longitudinal folds from the tip of the teat to the base of the teat. A ring fold at the transition from the Ductus papillaris to the teat cistern was present. The results of this study increase the knowledge of the anatomical structures of the dromedary udder, which may be useful for breeding a selection of dairy dromedaries. Full article

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the hearing characteristics and causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in patients aged from 15 to 40 years, focusing on audiological outcomes one year after the diagnosis. Methods: The medical records of individuals with SSNHL who were referred to our tertiary-level audiologic center were reviewed. All patients had undergone comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, including high-resolution 3D-FLAIR delayed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and screening for coagulation, infectious, and autoimmune diseases. Results: Overall, 56 patients (mean age 28.1 ± 7.6 years) were included in the study. The hearing threshold in the affected ear improved significantly from 56.0 ± 18.0 dB at the diagnosis to 46.9 ± 22.3 dB after one year (p = 0.02). The degree of hearing loss, audiometric configurations, hearing improvements, and adherence to hearing treatments showed considerable variability among patients. Aural fullness, tinnitus, and hyperacusis were the predominant symptoms associated with SSNHL, and their prevalence decreased significantly over time. The diagnostic protocol led to the identification of the specific cause of SSNHL in 75% (42/56) of patients. The known etiology was found to be otological (39.3%), infectious (21.4%), autoimmune (7.1%), vascular (5.4%), or neoplastic (1.8%). In particular, Menière’s disease (n = 12), isolated cochlear endolymphatic hydrops (n = 6), HSV-1 (n = 5), and EBV (n = 4) infections were the most frequent causes of SSNHL. Conclusions: The identification of the specific etiology of SSNHL may facilitate a more personalized approach to management and treatment. Full article

Ichneumonidae, or Chilean Darwin wasps, are an important component of South American hymenopteran diversity, but the taxonomic and distributional knowledge on this insect is still deficient. Taking advantage of recently updated taxonomic knowledge, we assessed biogeographic relationships at the genus level and biodiversity spatial patterns along the latitudinal gradient. The results show the presence of 264 species in Chile, arranged in 102 genera and 22 subfamilies. Biogeographic relationships are based on six elements (cosmopolitan (n = 50; 36%), endemic (n = 29; 21%), Neotropical (n = 22; 16%), Holarctic–Oriental (n = 19; 14%), south-temperate (n = 16; 11%) and Australasian) and composed of just three genera: Anacis, Labena, and Meringops. Species and genera show a bimodal distribution along the latitudinal gradient: around 34° and 38° S. From an ecoregional perspective, richness is concentrated in the Valdivian temperate forests, but when assessed at a 0.5 × 0.5 cell scale, several outstanding cells are in the contact zone between the temperate forests and the Chilean Matorral. On the other hand, the Atacama Desert shows little or no presence of Darwin wasps. The results agree with Charles Porter, who identified a northern province composed of Neotropical and cosmopolitan genera with their own representatives in the far north (11 genera), a distributional gap in the core of the Atacama Desert, and around 128 genera in Porter’s Neantarctic realm, covering all of Chile from 25° S to Cape Horn, including the Juan Fernandez islands. These results reinforce knowledge gaps and the need for more sampling and studies of available collections. Due to sampling gaps at this stage, identifying a continued increase or decrease in richness towards higher latitudes is not possible. More taxonomic and distributional information is also needed to assess potential threats to endemic genera and species. Full article

304 stainless steel demonstrates a low thermal conductivity and work hardening characteristics, resulting in its processing, and will adhere to the tip of the tool; as well as the phenomenon of chipping, shortening the life of the tool. AlTiN coatings are representative of coatings applied to carbide tools. In this paper, AlTiN coatings with different arc current processes were deposited on carbide milling inserts using arc ion plating. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and milling properties of the coatings were investigated by using the SEM, EDS, XRD, scratch meter, friction and wear meter, and vertical machining center. The findings revealed that all coatings displayed columnar crystal growth, free from cracks and voids. With an increasing arc current, there was a notable increase in surface droplets, pits, and coating thickness. The coating deposited at a 140 A arc current showed a pronounced (200) orientation preference. The adhesion force peaked at 56.0 N with a subsequent decline, and the friction coefficient hit its lowest point of 0.429 at 140 A, contrasting with its highest value of 0.55 at 160 A. After 39 min of dry milling, the tool with a 140 A AlTiN coating exhibited minimal wear of 0.196 mm, just below the 0.2 mm failure threshold, indicating superior performance at this arc current setting. Full article

A significant deployment limitation for visible light communication and positioning (VLCP) systems in energy- and light-source-restricted scenarios is the reliance of photodetectors (PDs) on external power supplies, compromising sustainability and complicating receiver charging. Solar cells (SCs), capable of harvesting and converting environmental light into electrical energy, offer a promising alternative. Consequently, we first propose an indoor VLCP system that utilizes an SC array as the receiver, alongside a right-angled tetrahedron trilateration visible light positioning (RATT-VLP) algorithm based on a single light source and multiple receivers. The proposed system uses an SC array in place of PDs, utilizing binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signals for simultaneous communication and positioning. In experiments, we verified the system’s error-free communication rate of 1.21 kbps and average positioning error of 3.40 cm in a 30 cm × 30 cm area, indicating that the system can simultaneously satisfy low-speed communication and accurate positioning applications. This provides a viable foundation for further research on SC-based VLCP systems, facilitating potential applications in environments like underwater wireless communication, positioning, and storage tank inspection. Full article

Oridonin (Ori) is a naturally existing diterpenoid substance that mainly exists in the Chinese medicinal plant Rabdosia rubescens. It was previously found to possess intriguing biological properties; however, the quick clearance from plasma and limited solubility in water restricts its use as a drug. Several metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), having big surfaces and large pores, have recently been considered promising drug transporters. The zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), a form of MOF consisting of 2-methylimidazole with zinc ions, is structurally stable under physiologically neutral conditions, while it can degrade at low pH values such as in tumor cells. Herein, a nanosized drug delivery system, Ori@ZIF-8, was successfully designed for encapsulating and transporting oridonin to the tumor site. The drug loading of the prepared Ori@ZIF-8 was 26.78%, and the particles’ mean size was 240.5 nm. In vitro, the release of Ori@ZIF-8 exhibited acid sensitivity, with a slow release under neutral conditions and rapid release of the drug under weakly acidic conditions. According to the in vitro anti-tumor experiments, Ori@ZIF-8 produced higher cytotoxicity than free Ori and induced apoptosis in A549 cancer cells. In conclusion, Ori@ZIF-8 could be a potential pH-responsive carrier to accurately release more oridonins at the tumor site. Full article

Sophora alopecuroides has important uses in medicine, wind breaking, and sand fixation. The CHY-zinc-finger and RING-finger (CHYR) proteins are crucial for plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation; however, genetic data regarding the CHYR family remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the CHYR gene family in S. alopecuroides and its response to abiotic stress, and identified 18 new SaCHYR genes from S. alopecuroides whole-genome data, categorized into 3 subclasses through a phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure, protein domains, and conserved motifs analyses revealed an exon–intron structure and conserved domain similarities. A chromosome localization analysis showed distribution across 12 chromosomes. A promoter analysis revealed abiotic stress-, light-, and hormone-responsive elements. An RNA-sequencing expression pattern analysis revealed positive responses of SaCHYR genes to salt, alkali, and drought stress. SaCHYR4 overexpression considerably enhanced alkali and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. These findings shed light on SaCHYR’s function and the resistance mechanisms of S. alopecuroides, presenting new genetic resources for crop resistance breeding. Full article

Chang’e-6 (CE-6) is the first sample-return mission from the lunar farside and will be launched in May of 2024. The landing area is in the south of the Apollo basin inside the South Pole Aitken basin. Statistics and analyses of impact craters in the landing area are essential to support safe landing and geologic studies. In particular, the crater size–frequency distribution information of the landing area is critical to understanding the provenance of the CE-6 lunar samples to be returned and can be used to verify and refine the lunar chronology model by combining with the radioisotope ages of the relevant samples. In this research, a digital orthophoto map (DOM) mosaic with resolution of 3 m/pixel of the CE-6 landing area was generated from the 743 Narrow Angle Camera of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. Based on the DOM, craters were extracted by an automated method and checked manually. A total of 770,731 craters were extracted in the whole area of 246 km × 135 km, 511,484 craters of which were within the mare area. Systematic analyses of the crater distribution, completeness, spatial density, and depth-to-diameter ratio were conducted. Geologic model age estimation was carried out in the mare area that was divided into three geologic units according to the TiO₂ abundance. The result showed that the east part of the mare had the oldest model age of $\mu {3.27}_{-0.045}^{+0.036}$ Ga, and the middle part of the mare had the youngest model age of $\mu {2.49}_{-0.073}^{+0.072}$ Ga. The crater catalogue and the surface model age analysis results were used to support topographic and geologic analyses of the pre-selected landing area of the CE-6 mission before the launch and will contribute to further scientific researches after the lunar samples are returned to Earth. Full article