Light and dark biofilm adaptation impacts larval settlement in diverse coral species.

Background: Recovery of degraded coral reefs is reliant upon the recruitment of coral larvae, yet the mechanisms behind coral larval settlement are not well understood, especially for non-acroporid species. Biofilms associated with reef substrates, such as coral rubble or crustose coralline algae, can induce coral larval settlement; however, the specific biochemical cues and the microorganisms that produce them remain largely unknown. Here, we assessed larval settlement responses in five non-acroporid broadcast-spawning coral species in the families Merulinidae, Lobophyllidae and Poritidae to biofilms developed in aquaria for either one or two months under light and dark treatments.

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatments enhance the growth, photosynthesis, metabolite accumulation, and nutritional value of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit) leaves.

This study investigated the effects of non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) treatment on the growth, chemical composition, and biological activity of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Herit) leaves. NTAP was applied at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, exposure time of 15 s, discharge temperature of 25 °C, and power levels (T1 = 50, T2 = 80, and T3 = 120 W).

Controlling the energies of the single-rotor large wind turbine system using a new controller.

In wind energy generation systems, ensuring high energy quality is critical but is often compromised due to the limited performance and durability of conventional regulators. To address this, this work presents a novel controller for managing the machine-side inverter of a single-rotor large wind turbine system using an induction machine-type generator. The proposed controller is designed using proportional, integral, and derivative error-based mechanisms, which fundamentally differ from traditional proportional-integral (PI) regulators.

Leveraging two-dimensional pre-trained vision transformers for three-dimensional model generation via masked autoencoders.

Although the Transformer architecture has established itself as the industry standard for jobs involving natural language processing, it still has few uses in computer vision. In vision, attention is used in conjunction with convolutional networks or to replace individual convolutional network elements while preserving the overall network design. Differences between the two domains, such as significant variations in the scale of visual things and the higher granularity of pixels in images compared to words in the text, make it difficult to transfer Transformer from language to vision.

Rubber intercropping with arboreal and herbaceous species alleviated the global warming potential through the reduction of soil greenhouse gas emissions.

Agroforestry systems are known to enhance soil health and climate resilience, but their impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in rubber-based agroforestry systems across diverse configurations is not fully understood. Here, six representative rubber-based agroforestry systems (encompassing rubber trees intercropped with arboreal, shrub, and herbaceous species) were selected based on a preliminary investigation, including Hevea brasiliensis intercropping with Alpinia oxyphylla (AOM), Alpinia katsumadai (AKH), Coffea arabica (CAA), Theobroma cacao (TCA), Cinnamomum cassia (CCA), and Pandanus amaryllifolius (PAR), and a rubber monoculture as control (RM). Soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and GHG emission characteristics were determined at 0-20 cm soil depth.

Atmospheric air plasma pre-activation and customizable covalent functionalization of PVDF-membranes of microtiter filter plates.

Microtiter-plate-based systems are unified platforms of high-throughput experimentation (HTE). These polymeric devices are used worldwide on a daily basis-mainly in the pharmaceutical industry-for parallel syntheses, reaction optimization, various preclinical studies and high-throughput screening methods. Accordingly, laboratory automation today aims to handle these commercially available multiwell plates, making developments focused on their modifications a priority area of modern applied research.

Developmental deficits, synapse and dendritic abnormalities in a Clcn4 KO autism mice model: endophenotypic target for ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is linked to ion channel dysfunction, including chloride voltage-gated channel-4 (CLCN4). We generated Clcn4 knockout (KO) mice by deleting exon 5 of chromosome 7 in the C57BL/6 mice. Clcn4 KO exhibited reduced social interaction and increased repetitive behaviors assessed using three-chamber and marble burying tests.

Tailored large-particle quantum dots with high color purity and excellent electroluminescent efficiency.

High-quality quantum dots (QDs) possess superior electroluminescent efficiencies and ultra-narrow emission linewidths are essential for realizing ultra-high definition QD light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). However, the synthesis of such QDs remains challenging. In this study, we present a facile high-temperature successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (HT-SILAR) strategy for the growth of precisely tailored ZnCdSe/ZnSe shells, and the consequent production of high-quality, large-particle, alloyed red CdZnSe/ZnCdSe/ZnSe/ZnS/CdZnS QDs.

Validation of Machine Learning-assisted Screening of PKC Ligands: PKC Binding Affinity and Activation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of serine/threonine kinases, and PKC ligands have the potential to be therapeutic seeds for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, in addition to desired therapeutic effects, most PKC ligands also exhibit undesirable pro-inflammatory effects. The discovery of new scaffolds for PKC ligands is important for developing less inflammatory PKC ligands, such as bryostatins.

Global insight into rare disease and orphan drug definitions: a systematic literature review.

Objectives: This study sheds light on the available global definitions, classifications, and criteria used for rare diseases (RDs), ultrarare diseases (URDs), orphan drugs (ODs) and ultraorphan drugs (UODs) and provides insights into the rationale behind these definitions.

Design: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify existing definitions and the criteria used to define RDs, ODs and their subtypes.

Data Sources: Searches were performed in the PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science (Science and Social Sciences Citation Index) databases covering articles published from 1985 to 2021.

Chinese yam polysaccharide induces the differentiation and natural antibody secretion of IgM B cells to prevent Aeromonas hydrophila infection in grass carp.

Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) is an effective immunostimulant, however, its efficacy in grass carp, an important commercial fish species in Asia, remains untested. Here, our study evaluated the immunostimulatory effects of CYP on IgM B cells in vitro and on humoral immunity and immune defense against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in vivo. In vitro stimulation experiments showed that CYP could induce the secretion of IgM antibodies, because it could stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of head kidney IgM B cells.

Chromosome-scale genomes of ecologically and economically important rabbitfish Siganus guttatus and Siganus oramin.

Siganus guttatus and Siganus oramin are two major species that are naturally distributed along the Eastern Pacific coast and possess considerable ecological and economic value. Here, we present the construction and comparative analysis of the chromosome-level genomes of these two Siganus species. Employing a hybrid assembly strategy, we partitioned and independently assembled the PacBio, Illumina and Hi-C reads of S.

Biofouling dynamics and antifouling innovations: Transitioning from traditional biocides to nanotechnological interventions.

Biofouling is a common phenomenon caused by waterborne organisms such as bacteria, diatoms, mussels, barnacles, algae, etc., accumulating on the surfaces of engineering structures submerged under water. This leads to corrosion of such surfaces and decreases their moving efficiency.

Eco-friendly decolorization of synthetic dyes using radiation-induced whole cell biocatalyst with enhanced copper resistance.

Toxic and carcinogenic compounds, such as synthetic dyes and polyphenols, were widely employed and released as pollutants in a variety of industries, including textiles, food, and cosmetics. Biological oxidation process that used oxidizing enzymes to breakdown pollutant compounds were environmentally favorable. However, due to the cell toxicity of metal ions supplements used for the biosynthesis of oxidizing enzymes like laccase, their efficient application for biological degradation is limited.

Current level, sources, and risk of human exposure to PAHs, PBDEs and PCBs in South American outdoor air: A critical review.

This study provides comprehensive overview of the current level, sources and human exposure risk to hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in South American outdoor air. Research documents were obtainable for only 6 countries within the target period (2014 - 2024). For all contaminants, urban concentrations exceeded that of rural/remote locations.

A forward genetic screen identifies potassium channel essentiality in SHH medulloblastoma maintenance.

Distinguishing tumor maintenance genes from initiation, progression, and passenger genes is critical for developing effective therapies. We employed a functional genomic approach using the Lazy Piggy transposon to identify tumor maintenance genes in vivo and applied this to sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma (MB). Combining Lazy Piggy screening in mice and transcriptomic profiling of human MB, we identified the voltage-gated potassium channel KCNB2 as a candidate maintenance driver.

Evolutionary characteristics and influencing mechanisms of green development efficiency in Chinese urban agglomerations: Analysis of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration.

Urban agglomerations are central to global economic growth and the shift towards green development, particularly in developing countries. This study examines regional comparisons and variations in green development mechanisms within urban agglomerations to better understand their spatiotemporal patterns. An input-output indicator system was developed, accounting for social benefits and carbon emissions.

Advancements in functional adsorbents for sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from wastewater: A comprehensive review of performance, mechanisms, and applications.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial metallic resources that play an essential role in national economies and industrial production. The reclaimation of REEs from wastewater stands as a significant supplementary strategy to bolster the REEs supply. Adsorption techniques are widely recognized as environmentally friendly and sustainable methods for the separation of REEs from wastewater.

Arsenic-induced modulation of virulence and drug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Arsenic contamination of water sources, whether from natural or industrial origins, represents a significant risk to human health. However, its impact on waterborne pathogens remains understudied. This research explores the effects of arsenic exposure on the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium found in diverse environments.

Characterization of a cell-adapted completely attenuated genotype GIIa porcine epidemic diarrhea virus strain.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has caused significant harm to the global pig industry since its discovery. In this study, a highly pathogenic strain of GIIa PEDV CH/HBXT/2018, isolated previously, was continuously passaged in Vero cells up to passage (P)240, resulting in a completely attenuated virus. The proliferation characteristics of different passages of the strain in Vero cells, pathogenicity in newborn piglets, and mutations in S gene sequence indicated that as the passage number increased, the replication efficiency of PEDV in Vero cells gradually improved, with a more pronounced cytopathic effect.

Anticancer diiron aminocarbyne complexes with labile N-donor ligands.

The novel diiron amine complexes [FeCp(CO)(NHR')(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)(Cy)}]CFSO [R' = H, 3; Cy, 4; CHCHNH, 5; CHCHNMe, 6; CHCH(4-CHOMe), 7; CHCH(4-CHOH), 8; Cp = η-CH, Cy = CH = cyclohexyl] were synthesized in 49-92 % yields from [FeCp(CO)(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)(Cy)}]CFSO, 1a, using a straightforward two-step procedure. They were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the structure of 7 was confirmed through X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 3-8 and the acetonitrile adducts [FeCp(CO)(NCMe)(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)(R)}]CFSO (R = Cy, 2a; Me, 2b; Xyl = 2,6-CHMe, 2c) were assessed for their water solubility, octanol-water partition coefficient and stability in physiological-like solutions.

Synergistic effects of allantoin and Achyranthes japonica-biochar profoundly alleviate lead toxicity during barley growth.

Lead (Pb), a toxic metal, causes severe health hazards to both humans and plants due to environmental pollution. Biochar addition has been efficiently utilized to enhance growth of plants as well as yield in the presence of Pb-induced stress. The present research introduces a novel use of biochar obtained from the weed Achyranthes japonica to enhance the growth of plants in Pb-contaminated soil.

Enhanced mechanical properties and in vitro bioactivity of silicon nitride ceramics with SiO, YO, and AlO as sintering aids.

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramics exhibit excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications, particularly in implants. In this study, the mechanical properties and bioactivity of Si₃N₄ ceramics with varying amounts of Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ sintering aids were investigated. Increasing the sintering additive content from 4 wt% to 8 wt% substantially improved the bulk density of the ceramics, leading to notable enhancements in mechanical properties.

The combination of hyperspectral imaging, untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics highlights a coordinated stress-related biochemical reprogramming triggered by polyethylene nanoparticles in lettuce.

Polyethylene nanoplastics (NPs) are widely diffused in terrestrial environments, including soil ecosystems, but the stress mechanisms in plants are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two increasing concentrations of NPs (20 and 200 mg kg of soil) in lettuce. To this aim, high-throughput hyperspectral imaging was combined with metabolomics, covering both primary (using NMR) and secondary metabolism (using LC-HRMS), along with lipidomics profiling (using ion-mobility-LC-HRMS) and plant performance.