Search Results (5,408)

Background/Objectives: Soybean first pod insertion height (FPIH) is a key trait established during plant development, but its genetic architecture in Eurasian germplasm remains largely unknown. Methods: We performed a GWAS and fine-mapping for FPIH using 180 Eurasian varieties (SoySNP50K array, imputed to ~4M SNPs) phenotyped in four Russian environments (2021–2022), using two models: a residual-based and a covariate-adjusted. SuSiE fine-mapping was applied to refine candidate loci. Results: The covariate-adjusted model demonstrated better control of genomic inflation (λ = 1.08 vs. 1.16) and higher SNP heritability (0.381 vs. 0.014); the lower heritability in the residual-based model was expected, as this model removes environmental main effects and the genetic variance associated with them. Thus, the models are complementary: one captures stable genetic effects, the other highlights environment-dependent signals. SuSiE refined three loci. On chromosome 13, two stable independent signals (Gm13_30553403, Gm13_30909346; PIP ≥ 0.99) were identified near MYB83 and BEN1, consistent across both models. On chromosome 4, the signal shifted to Gm04_36933515 (PIP = 0.9999) near COBL4/IRX6, although model dependency was observed, and this locus is not currently recommended for marker development. On chromosome 5, the original GWAS SNP was not causal; two tightly linked SNPs (Gm05_38427309 and Gm05_38710046, r² = 0.714, PIP ≥ 0.99) formed a haplotype block located near ARR1/ARR2 and a B-box/CCT domain gene. Crucially, this signal was absent in the residual-based model (max PIP = 0.33), suggesting that the chromosome 5 locus may modulate developmental plasticity rather than exerting a direct main effect on FPIH. However, as we did not perform formal G × E testing, we present this as a hypothesis requiring further validation. The environment-dependent behavior of this locus indicates that it should be used with caution in breeding programs and validated under specific target environments. Conclusions: Chromosome 13 SNPs provide stable genetic associations across environments, whereas the chromosome 5 block requires environment-specific validation. This work provides the first fine-mapped GWAS for FPIH in Russian soybean germplasm and highlights how model choice can uncover or obscure environment-dependent genetic loci affecting plant development. Full article

Background: Autophagy plays a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, regulating growth and development, and responding to multiple stresses. Autophagy-related genes (ATGs) play critical roles in autophagy, yet their functional diversity in soybean (Glycine max) remains underexplored. Methods: Genome-wide identification of GmATG genes was performed using sequence similarity and domain-based searches against the Wm82.gnm4 reference genome, followed by characterization of physicochemical properties, chromosomal distribution, phylogenetic relationships, gene duplication, conserved motifs, gene structure, three-dimensional structural, and promoter cis-acting elements. Tissue-specific expression and multiple stresses response were examined using transcriptome data and profiled by RT-qPCR. Results: A total of 60 GmATG genes belonging to 20 subfamilies were identified in soybean. Gene family expansion was predominantly driven by fragment duplication (33 gene pairs), with the ATG8 family expanding to 12 members, and pan-genomic analysis uncovered prominent copy number variation (6–9 copies) in the ATG18 family. GmATG genes showed distinct expression patterns in response to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses. Specifically, GmATG18f was significantly induced by phosphorus deficiency in the low-phosphorus-tolerant soybean variety Nannong 94-156. GmATG8g, GmATG9d and GmATG13d showed a typical expression trend of initial increase followed by decrease, with expression levels peaking at 6–12 h after salt stress treatment. GmATG8g and GmATG9d were rapidly upregulated at the early drought stress stage, while GmATG13a maintained sustained upregulation. In response to Phomopsis stem rot, GmATG7a/8h/8i/11/13d/18e/18f displayed differential expression in resistant and susceptible soybean materials. Conclusions: This study systematically characterizes the composition, expansion and stress response patterns of the GmATG gene family, revealing functional differentiation among family members. The identified key candidate genes, including abiotic-stress-regulated GmATG8g/9d/13d/18f and biotic-stress-regulated GmATG7a/8h/8i/11/13d/18e/18f, provide valuable genetic resources for the molecular breeding of stress-tolerant soybean. Full article

In this work, a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood adhesive was successfully fabricated using epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) cross-linked with maleic anhydride (MA) and carboxylated lignin sulfonate (CLS). The effect of CLS substitution dosage on the bonding performance was systematically investigated. The results indicated that the dry shear strength and wet shear strength of the adhesive exhibited a typical non-monotonic variation with increasing CLS content, reaching the maximum values of 1.79 MPa and 1.38 MPa, respectively, at a CLS substitution ratio of 40 mol% relative to MA. These mechanical properties fully meet and exceed the requirements of the Chinese national standard for wood adhesives. Orthogonal experiments were further conducted to optimize the hot-pressing process parameters and the optimal conditions were determined as follows: hot-pressing temperature of 130 °C, pressing time of 10 min, glue spread of 280 g/m², and pre-mixing time of 70 min. FTIR, DSC, and TGA characterizations confirmed the complete curing reaction of the adhesive system. The introduced CLS served as both a reactive curing agent and an efficient catalytic component, which effectively reduced the curing temperature, while the incorporation of MA significantly improved the thermal stability of the cured adhesive. This study provides a feasible strategy for the preparation of high-performance, low-cost, and environmentally friendly bio-based wood adhesives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Novel (immune) therapies are needed to stabilize the disease or achieve remissions in AML. We already demonstrated that DCleus can be generated ex vivo from AML patients’ blasts in WB using approved drugs (GM-CSF and PGE-1 (Kit-M) or GM-CSF and Picibanil (OK-432), Kit-I). The generated DCleus induce antileukemia-directed immune cells of the adaptive and innate immune system, enabling leukemia-specific immune activation after MLC. Methods: We compared the effects of Kit-I vs. Kit-M by quantifying (1) their potential to produce DCs/DCleus from WB samples from 6 healthy individuals and 28 AML patients’ WB in different stages of the disease and (2) the activation of adaptive and innate leukemia-specific IFNγ-producing or degranulating antileukemic cells after MLC with and without Kit-I/Kit-M-pretreated WB. Furthermore, we correlated the obtained results with the achieved improved cells’ antileukemic functionality and patients’ clinical data. Results: In AML samples we found significantly higher frequencies of (mature) DCleus generable without induction of blast proliferation in Kit-M as well as (although less pronounced) in Kit-I-treated vs. untreated samples, a significant increase in the frequency of (leukemia- specific) immunoreactive cells, and improved blast cytotoxicity after MLC with Kit-M and with Kit-I-treated vs. untreated samples (potentially with higher induction of CD4 and CIK IFNγ + cells in Kit-I-pretreated samples). These data might suggest that both Kits work via different pathways. Conclusions: We show that Kit-M and Kit-I produce DCs/DCleus and subsequently enhance (potentially via a different mode of action) antileukemic immune cell activation after MLC. Our findings point to a possibility to enhance antileukemic treatment in vivo by combining agents or identifying criteria for selecting an appropriate agent (combination) for the respective patient in the course of a personalized treatment strategy. Full article

Hydrogenation reactors are critical equipment in the petrochemical industry, yet their material degradation is governed by coupled multi-mechanism damage. Current assessment practices largely neglect this complexity, remaining single-factor oriented and overlooking synergistic interactions and temporal evolution. This paper proposes a regionally differentiated, multi-level framework integrating 5 primary and 17 secondary indicators with a hybrid AHP-EWM weighting strategy that synthesizes expert knowledge and measured data. A multi-factor coupling correction coefficient is introduced to provide a preliminary estimate of the synergistic acceleration effect among damage mechanisms, while a GM(1,1) gray model enables dynamic trend prediction. Applied to a 25-year 2.25Cr-1Mo steel reactor, the method produces regional degradation values of 0.378, 0.607, and 0.533 for the base metal, welds, and cladding layer, respectively, with an overall baseline of 0.453 rising by 11% to 0.503 after coupling correction. Compared with exponential regression, ARIMA, and BP neural networks, GM(1,1) is selected for its balanced performance in small-sample fitting, extrapolation stability, and physical interpretability. Sensitivity analysis confirms stable degradation grading even with ±50% coupling coefficient variations. The proposed approach mitigates the underestimation inherent in conventional single-mechanism assessments and offers a quantitative tool for full-lifecycle risk management and predictive maintenance of hydrogenation reactors. Full article

In cold and humid environments in high-latitude, high-altitude, and offshore regions, ice accretion sometimes occurs on airfoil blade surfaces, such as those of wind turbines. Therefore, a potential hazard exists for the equipment. For this reason, the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil blade degrade and power generation decreases. In the present study, the icing characteristics of airfoils in cold and foggy environments were investigated. A novel icing wind tunnel with a low LWC of 0.3 g/m³ and a small MVD of 10 μm was designed and built. An airfoil sample with the aerodynamic profile of NACA 0018 was selected, and the effects of the airfoil material and the temperature on the icing area, the thickness of ice, and the coverage scope of ice were tested and analyzed. The experimental results showed that the temperature had a more significant effect on the icing characteristics in comparison with the airfoil material. At the medium temperature, −7 °C in the present study, the icing area, the thickness of ice, and coverage scope all reached their maximum value. Specifically, the maximum cross-sectional icing areas (CIAs) on the aluminum airfoil at −4 °C, −7 °C, and −10 °C for 60 min were 35.088 mm², 66.357 mm^2, and 51.538 mm², respectively, and those on the FRP airfoil were 36.204 mm², 70.352 mm², and 47.814 mm², respectively. The FRP airfoil had a larger icing area and thickness of ice. In contrast, the aluminum airfoil had a larger coverage scope of ice, which was −0.10~0.15. In addition, the aerodynamic performance of the iced airfoil, including C_d and C_m, was also obtained through CFD. The research findings provided a foundation for further exploring the atmospheric icing of wind turbines and other structures with airfoil profiles. Full article

Fresnel high-concentration photovoltaic/thermal (HCPV/T) systems operating in sandy environments are susceptible to natural lens soiling, which attenuates the effective concentrated solar input and alters electrical and thermal performance. Natural-soiling comparison tests were conducted over 0–28 d, and an SD-CNN-BiLSTM-Attention model was developed to forecast cell-center temperature and electrical power 5, 10, and 20 min ahead. At a surface soiling density of 10.760 g·m⁻², current and electrical power decreased by 38.37% and 39.28%, respectively, relative to the concurrently operated clean-reference unit; cell-center temperature and water-tank temperature rise decreased by 7.74% and 15.13%. Thermal power also showed an overall downward trend, although the magnitude was affected by relatively large measurement uncertainty. Under grouped cross-validation, temperature RMSEs were 0.473, 0.515, and 0.555 °C at 5, 10, and 20 min, corresponding to reductions of 8.34%, 21.68%, and 44.07% relative to Persistence. Electrical-power RMSEs were 0.661, 0.618, and 0.640 W, with an 18.24% reduction relative to Persistence at 20 min. Ablation analysis showed a limited contribution from surface soiling density at 5 and 10 min but a clearer contribution at 20 min. These results support electrical and thermal performance assessment and short-term operational forecasting of Fresnel HCPV/T systems in sandy environments. Full article

To address the critical challenge of extracting short-period surface deformation signals induced by extreme floods from InSAR time series, this study focuses on the catastrophic flood that struck the Haihe River Basin in July 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the “23·7” flood, with a total duration of approximately 65 days) and proposes a novel method for transient deformation signal extraction. Using Sentinel-1A satellite data and the PS-InSAR technique, we constructed a multivariate composite fitting function comprising a linear trend term, annual and semi-annual seasonal terms, a step term, and a logarithmic decay term. Through nonlinear least-squares fitting, this approach achieves effective separation of long-term tectonic deformation, seasonal fluctuations, high-frequency noise, and transient flood-related signals. The results show that the W-shaped floodplain east of Xiong’an New Area does not exhibit the expected subsidence induced by water loading but instead features pronounced surface uplift of up to 30 mm. Multi-physics forward modeling reveals the underlying mechanism: the elastic subsidence caused by surface water loading, calculated via the LoadDef spherical loading theory, amounts to only ~2 mm. In contrast, forward modeling based on the GMS three-dimensional groundwater seepage model and the principle of effective stress indicates that the pore water rebound effect can produce surface uplift of up to ~36 mm. The superposition of these two effects is highly consistent with InSAR observations in terms of magnitude, direction, and spatial distribution, confirming that the flood-induced surface deformation is dominated by the pore water rebound effect driven by rapid groundwater recharge, rather than subsidence from water loading. The proposed framework extends the application potential of geodetic techniques for monitoring short-period extreme hydrological events. Full article

Broiler litter quality is an important determinant of animal welfare, environmental conditions, and production efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of incorporating a biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) into chopped straw (CS) litter on broiler welfare, production performance, litter characteristics, environmental conditions, and meat quality. A total of 1000 Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four treatments: a control group (CON) and three groups receiving SAP at 30, 60, or 100 g/m² in the pen (H30, H60, or H100). Birds were reared for 42 days under commercial conditions. Growth performance, welfare indicators, gaseous emissions, litter characteristics, slaughter traits, and breast muscle quality were assessed. SAP supplementation had no adverse effects on body weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality, slaughter performance, or meat quality. Although litter dry matter content was lower in the H60 and H100 due to the water-retention capacity, NH₃ concentration at the bird level was significantly reduced. SAP supplementation also improved selected animal welfare indicators, particularly by increasing the proportion of birds with score 0 of footpad dermatitis (FPD) from 46–59% to 69–79%. These findings indicate that biodegradable SAPs represent a promising litter amendment for improving broiler welfare and housing conditions without compromising production performance or meat quality. Full article

Carboxylesterases (CXEs) participate in diverse plant metabolic processes, including isoflavone biosynthesis. However, the soybean GmCXE subfamily remains poorly characterized, especially in relation to root isoflavone accumulation and the response to Fusarium oxysporum. Here, fifty-six putative GmCXE genes were identified in the soybean genome and classified into three major phylogenetic clades. Analyses of gene structure, conserved motifs, protein domains, and promoter cis-elements revealed conserved features as well as potential functional divergence among subfamily members. Collinearity and duplication analyses indicated that segmental duplication was the main driver of GmCXE subfamily expansion. Tissue-specific expression profiling and RT-qPCR validation selected five root-expressed genes as candidates associated with isoflavone accumulation. SNP variation analysis and allelic group analysis of 209 soybean accessions further prioritized GmCXE54 as a candidate gene for root isoflavone accumulation. Allelic groups defined by a putative promoter SNP, Chr.20-rs39215413, showed significant differences in root daidzein and total isoflavone contents, with accessions carrying the C allele exhibiting higher levels of both traits than those carrying the T allele. Functional analysis in soybean hairy roots showed that GmCXE54 overexpression increased daidzein and total isoflavone accumulation. At 3 h after F. oxysporum inoculation, GmCXE2, GmCXE39, and GmCXE54 were induced, with GmCXE54 showing the strongest response in the resistant accession ZD27. These findings clarify GmCXE subfamily evolution and identify GmCXE54 as a candidate gene associated with root isoflavone accumulation and early F. oxysporum response, offering new perspectives for improving soybean isoflavone-related traits and investigating root response mechanisms. Full article

Water resource conservation and intensive utilization is an important pathway for promoting sustainable regional water resource management and high-quality development. Against the backdrop of increasing constraints on water resources, existing studies have paid insufficient attention to the multidimensional comprehensive assessment of water resource conservation and intensive utilization capacity and its underlying evolutionary mechanisms. Therefore, Heilongjiang Province was selected as the study area, and an evaluation system comprising 15 indicators was established. The game-theoretic combination weighting method, TOPSIS model, obstacle degree model, and GM(1,1) grey forecasting model were employed to comprehensively evaluate, diagnose obstacle factors, and predict the trend of water resource conservation and intensive utilization capacity in Heilongjiang Province from 2004 to 2023. The results showed that the overall capacity exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with the comprehensive evaluation value increasing from 0.44 to 0.62. The industrial water reuse rate, effective utilization coefficient of farmland irrigation water, comprehensive water consumption rate, per capita water consumption, and ecological water use rate were the indicators with relatively high obstacle contributions. The obstacle factors exhibited distinct stage-specific characteristics: the constraining effects of efficiency-related indicators gradually weakened, whereas those of the comprehensive water consumption rate and per capita water consumption generally intensified, indicating that the factors constraining water resource conservation and intensive utilization in Heilongjiang Province underwent distinct stage-specific changes. The prediction results indicated that the capacity for water resource conservation and intensive utilization in Heilongjiang Province would continue to increase steadily in the future. However, balancing ecological water use requirements with growing water demand remains an important factor affecting sustainable water resource utilization. The evaluation–diagnosis–prediction framework developed in this study can provide a reference for the assessment and optimized management of regional water resource conservation and intensive utilization. Full article

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), as a key enzyme in energy metabolism, is widely present in organisms. Although FBA genes have been characterized in numerous plant species, their functional roles in soybean remain poorly understood. In this study, a total of 14 GmFBA genes were identified at the genome-wide level. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis divided all GmFBA family members into two divergent subclades. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that most GmFBA genes were markedly responsive to PEG6000 and salt stresses, among which GmFBA5 exhibited the strongest induction under salinity treatment. The heterologous expression of GmFBA5 in yeast was performed. The results showed that GmFBA5 markedly enhanced salt tolerance of yeast cells. Association analysis identified two distinct haplotypes of GmFBA5, and Haplotype 2 significantly enhances salt tolerance in soybean. These findings provide new insights into the potential role of GmFBA5 in soybean salt stress responses and provide candidate genetic resources for salt tolerance improvement. Full article

The GLA IVS4+919G>A founder variant causes a late-onset, cardiac-predominant form of Fabry disease, yet the severity of cardiac remodeling varies markedly among affected men. We studied 167 unrelated male carriers. Genome-wide association analyses included 81 men aged ≥50 years for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH; left ventricular mass index [LVMI] ≥ 51 g/m^2.7) and septal hypertrophy (interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole [IVSd] ≥ 1.2 cm), and 149 men with plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) measurements. Genotyping was performed with the Axiom Genome-Wide TPM 2.0 Array. Mean LVMI increased from 34.6 ± 11.3 g/m^2.7 at 20–39 years to 75.1 ± 34.0 g/m^2.7 at ≥60 years, although substantial variability persisted within each age stratum. rs1435166 and rs2572260, located in the adjacent EGLN1/SPRTN region, showed identical associations with LVH (both p = 4.14 × 10⁻⁸) and concordant genotypes in all 81 participants (dosage r² = 1.00; D′ = 1.00), indicating a single regional association signal. The association remained evident in exact testing, Firth logistic regression, and an age-adjusted continuous-LVMI analysis yielded concordant results. In the age-adjusted analysis, each rs1435166 T allele was associated with a 12.8 g/m^2.7 lower LVMI. Two intergenic variants met the exploratory threshold for septal hypertrophy, whereas no variant reached genome-wide significance for lyso-Gb3. These findings support the hypothesis that inherited genetic background contributes to variation in cardiac remodeling severity among carriers of the same pathogenic GLA variant. Independent replication, regional fine-mapping, and functional validation are required. Full article

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies. Serum galactomannan (GM) is widely used for diagnosis, but the prognostic value of the initial GM level is not well established. We aimed to assess the association between the initial serum GM level at IPA diagnosis and the radiological and clinical outcomes at 42 and 90 days. We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with hematological malignancies, including hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, diagnosed with proven or probable IPA at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital between 2014 and 2017, according to the 2008 EORTC/MSG criteria. Demographic, microbiological, radiological, and clinical data were collected. Outcomes were assessed using dichotomous and balanced multi-level GM cut-off categories. Seventy-eight patients were included. The median age was 44.5 years (range 18–76); 53.8% were male. Lymphoma (30.7%) and acute leukemia (25.6%) were the leading underlying diseases. Voriconazole was the most frequently used antifungal agent (74.3%). Prolonged neutropenia was present in 61.9%, and 30.7% had received HSCT. The mean serum GM at diagnosis was 1.95 (range 0.5–7.89). At 90 days, follow-up imaging showed a complete radiological response in 22 patients (29.3%), a partial response in 28 (37.3%), and no response in 25 (33.3%). Overall, 90-day mortality was 35.9%. There was no statistically significant association between initial GM level and 90-day mortality across categories (GM 0.5–3.0: 34.2% mortality; GM > 3.0: 60%; p = 0.243). Within the GM 0.5–3.0 group, complete radiological response was strongly associated with survival (95.2% alive at 90 days; p < 0.001). The initial serum GM level was not significantly associated with clinical or radiological outcomes at 42 or 90 days in patients with hematological malignancies and IPA. However, an early complete radiological response was strongly associated with improved survival, supporting the use of follow-up CT chest imaging to guide management. Full article

Let $\Gamma$ be a graph of order n with m edges, and let $A_{ag}(\Gamma )$ denote its arithmetic–geometric matrix. The eigenvalues of $A_{ag}(\Gamma )$ are referred to as the arithmetic–geometric eigenvalues of $\Gamma$. The sum of the absolute values of these eigenvalues is called the arithmetic–geometric energy of $\Gamma$. In this paper, we establish some new upper and lower bounds for the arithmetic–geometric energy in terms of various topological indices, and we completely characterize the extremal graphs attaining these bounds. We show that our results significantly improve upon several existing bounds reported in the literature. We also provide several ways to construct graphs with the same AM–GM energy but different AM–GM spectra. Full article