Relationship between wind speed and plant hydraulics at the global scale.

Wind is an important ecological factor for plants as it can increase evapotranspiration and cause dehydration. However, the impact of wind on plant hydraulics at a global scale remains unclear. Here we compiled plant key hydraulic traits, including water potential at 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (P), xylem-specific hydraulic conductivity (K), leaf area to sapwood area ratio (A/A) and conduit diameter (D) with 2,786 species-at-site combinations across 1,922 woody species at 469 sites worldwide and analysed their correlations with wind speed.

Discriminative possibilistic clustering promoting cross-domain emotion recognition.

The affective Brain-Computer Interface (aBCI) systems strive to enhance prediction accuracy for individual subjects by leveraging data from multiple subjects. However, significant differences in EEG (Electroencephalogram) feature patterns among subjects often hinder these systems from achieving the desired outcomes. Although studies have attempted to address this challenge using subject-specific classifier strategies, the scarcity of labeled data remains a major hurdle.

Bioaccumulation mechanisms of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic environments: Theoretical and experimental insights.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent, bioaccumulative contaminants found in water resources at levels hazardous to human health. However, the PFAS bioaccumulation mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we incorporated density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), and experiments to analyze the partitioning pathways and to establish the structure-bioaccumulation relationship.

Precipitation, solar radiation, and their interaction modify leaf hydraulic efficiency-safety trade-off across angiosperms at the global scale.

In theory, there is a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety. However, the strength and direction of this trade-off at the leaf level are not consistent across studies, and habitat climate may impact this trade-off. We compiled a leaf hydraulic efficiency and safety dataset for 362 species from 81 sites world-wide, with 280 paired observations of both traits, and tested whether climate was associated with departure from the proposed trade-off.

Design, synthesis and antifungal activity of novel pyrazole-amide-isothiazole derivatives as succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors.

To discover new fungicides to protect food safety and quality, thirty-four novel pyrazole-amide-isothiazole compounds were designed, synthesised by using scaffold hopping theory for the first time. The bioactivity of all the target compounds against five plant pathogens (Including Penicillium digitatum, Physalospora piricola, Helminthosporium maydis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea) were determined, the results showed that most of the compounds exhibited certain biological activities against B. cinerea in vitro.

Two Structural Analogs of Kairomones are Detected by an Odorant Receptor HvarOR28 in the Coccinellid .

In natural environments, general plant volatiles and herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) serve as critical clues for predatory natural enemies in the search for prey. The insect olfactory system plays a vital role in perceiving plant volatiles including HIPVs. In this study, we found that HIPV (,)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT) and the plant volatile geranyl acetate (GA), two structurally similar chemicals, displayed electrophysiological activities on the antennae of the ladybird , but were only attractive to adult females in behavior.

Refining CycleGAN with attention mechanisms and age-Aware training for realistic Deepfakes.

In the evolving landscape of deep learning technologies, the emergence of Deepfakes and synthetic media is becoming increasingly prominent within digital media production. This research addresses the limitations inherent in existing face image generation algorithms based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), particularly the challenges of domain irrelevancy and inadequate facial detail representation. The study introduces an enhanced face image generation algorithm, aiming to refine the CycleGAN framework.

Optimized path planning and scheduling strategies for connected and automated vehicles at single-lane roundabouts.

This paper focuses on the cooperative driving challenges of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at single-lane roundabouts. First, a geometric path planning method is proposed for CAVs navigating a single-lane roundabout. Based on this method, a vehicle roundabout model is established.

The impact of common language on international trade: Evidence from Korean language.

This study investigates the impact of a minority language on international trade. Using the distance to Hunchun as an instrumental variable, and transaction-level customs data from 2000 to 2015, we investigate the causal impact of common Korean language on international trade between Chinese counties and South/North Korea. The results suggest that a 1% increase in the proportion of population speaking Korean will increase value share and transactions share in trade by 1.

Effects of drought and moisture stress on the growth and ecophysiological traits of Schima superba seedlings.

Changes in rainfall patterns are important environmental factors affecting plant growth, especially when larger precipitation events and prolonged drought periods occur in subtropical regions. There are many studies on how drought reduces plant biomass through drought-sensitive functional traits, but how excess water affects plant growth and ecophysiology is still poorly understood. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted on Schima superba (Theaceae), a dominant tree species in subtropical forests and commonly used in forestry, in a closed chamber under control (25% soil water content (SWC) as in local forests), drought stress (D, 15% SWC) and moisture stress (W, 35% SWC).

Synergistic effects of oral inoculation with a recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 strain co-expressing interleukin-2 and interleukin-17B on the efficacy of the infectious bronchitis vaccine in chickens.

Mucosal vaccination strategies are easier to implement than others in large-scale poultry farming. However, the adjuvants that are approved for veterinary use, which are predominantly aluminum- and oil-emulsion-based adjuvants, are not suitable for mucosal vaccination and carry a risk of adverse reactions. In this study, we engineered a novel Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 strain that co-expresses chicken interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-17B, which we designated NC8-ChIL2-17B, and evaluated its potential as an oral immunoadjuvant.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of monoclonal antibodies targeting TSLP and IgE in asthma management.

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the utilization of biologic therapies for the management of asthma. Both TSLP and IgE are important immune molecules in the development of asthma, and they are involved in the occurrence and regulation of inflammatory response.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted to gather information on anti-TSLP antibody and anti-IgE antibody.

From individual resilience to collective response: reframing ecological emotions as catalysts for holistic environmental engagement.

The ongoing international study on the mental health implications of climate change has prompted a deeper exploration of ecological emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-worry and eco-grief, which are associated with environmental degradation and the escalating climate crisis. Although psychological and mental health literature has mainly presented preliminary conceptual analyses, the understanding of ecological emotions remains unclear. This narrative review aims to clarify the definition, highlight precipitating factors, and outline the effects of ecological emotions on mental health, emphasizing the need for thorough research to shift the nonclinical intervention approach from merely promoting individual resilience to encouraging collective engagement.

Identification of crucial genes through WGCNA in the progression of gastric cancer.

To explore the hub gene closely related to the progression of gastric cancer (GC), so as to provide a theoretical basis for revealing the therapeutic mechanism of GC. The gene expression profile and clinical data of GSE15459 in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to screen the key modules related to GC progression.

Segmentals weigh much more in comprehensibility than nuclear stress in read speech.

This study investigates the impact of segmental accuracy and nucleus placement on the comprehensibility of English as an International Language (EIL), with the aim of informing phonological norms and teaching models. Speech samples from 59 EIL speakers with varying levels of segmental accuracy were collected during a reading task, involving reading a passage in three different versions of speech, each version lasting approximately 30 to 40 s. To directly compare the impact of nuclear stress placement on comprehensibility, based on these samples, two versions of stimuli were created, each differing only in their placement of nuclear stress - either correct or incorrect.

Hydraulic vulnerability difference between branches and roots increases with environmental aridity.

The vulnerability of plant xylem to embolism can be described as the water potential at which xylem conductivity is lost by 50% (P). According to the traditional hypothesis of hydraulic vulnerability segmentation, the difference in vulnerability to embolism between branches and roots is positive (P > 0). It is not clear whether this occurs broadly across species or how segmentation might vary across aridity gradients.

The role of leaf superoxide dismutase and proline on intra-specific photosynthesis recovery of Schima superba following drought.

Understanding the physiological and biochemical responses of tree seedlings under extreme drought stress, along with recovery during rewatering, and potential intra-species differences, will allow us to more accurately predict forest responses under future climate change. Here, we selected seedlings from four provenances (AH (Anhui), JX (Jiangxi), HN (Hunan) and GX (Guangxi)) of Schima superba and carried out a simulated drought-rewatering experiment in a field-based rain-out shelter. Seedlings were progressively dried until they reached 50% and 88% loss of xylem hydraulic conductivity (PLC) (i.

Recent development of VEGFR small molecule inhibitors as anticancer agents: A patent review (2021-2023).

VEGFR, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is an important regulatory factor that promotes angiogenesis and vascular permeability. It plays a significant role in processes such as tumor angiogenesis, tumor cell invasion, and metastasis. VEGFR is mainly composed of three subtypes: VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3.

Edaravone Maintains AQP4 Polarity Via OS/MMP9/β-DG Pathway in an Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage Mouse Model.

Oxidative stress (OS) is the main cause of secondary damage following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The polarity expression of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has been shown to be important in maintaining the homeostasis of water transport and preventing post-injury brain edema in various neurological disorders. This study primarily aimed to investigate the effect of the oxygen free radical scavenger, edaravone, on AQP4 polarity expression in an ICH mouse model and determine whether it involves in AQP4 polarity expression via the OS/MMP9/β-dystroglycan (β-DG) pathway.

Rapid removal of Rhodamine B by phosphoric acid-modified activated carbon derived from rape straw.

A series of activated carbon was obtained from rape straw by chemical modification with phosphoric acid (HPO). The activated carbon was characterized and the adsorption capacity for Rhodamine B (RhB) from water was analysed. The SEM images showed that PRC-40 is a porous material and the BET analysis revealed a high surface area of 1720 m/g with the coexistence of micropores and mesopores.

Single-atom iron boosts electrochemiluminescence for ultrasensitive carcinoembryonic antigen detection.

A simple and ultrasensitive sandwich-type electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor has been developed using porous three-dimensional gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) iron(Fe)-zinc(Zn) metal-organic frameworks (Au NPs-FeZn-MOFs@luminol) as high-efficiency ECL signal probes with Fe single-atom catalysts (SACs) (Fe-N-C SACs) as potentially advanced coreaction accelerators and dissolved oxygen as a coreaction agent to realize an HO-free amplification method for detecting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The cathodic ECL of luminol, which was usually negligible, increased first. Because the Fe-N-C SACs exhibited an outstanding catalytic performance and a unique electronic structure, different reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated via the oxygen reduction reaction.

Acinetobacter baumannii infection in intensive care unit: analysis of distribution and drug resistance.

Background: The isolation rate and drug resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii) have increased over the years, which has become one of the main causes of infection and death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Analysis of the distribution characteristics, drug resistance and influencing factors of A.

Novel Digital SERS-Microfluidic Chip for Rapid and Accurate Quantification of Microorganisms.

In this work, we present a simple and novel digital surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-microfluidic chip designed for the rapid and accurate quantitative detection of microorganisms. The chip employs a high-density inverted pyramid microcavity (IPM) array to separate and isolate microbial samples. The presence or absence of target microorganisms is determined by scanning the IPM array using SERS and identifying the characteristic Raman bands.