Search Results (1,657)

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a growing environmental and food safety concern, with their presence widely reported in aquatic organisms and seafood. However, their occurrence in traditionally processed and fermented fish products remains unexplored. This study provides the first evidence of MP contamination in ethnic fermented fish products of Northeast India, namely Ngari, Hentak, and Shidal. MPs were analyzed for abundance, size distribution, morphology, color, and polymer composition using microscopic examination and Laser Raman Spectroscopy. The average MP abundance was 16.50 ± 5.18 MPs/g in Ngari, 15.73 ± 4.83 MPs/g in Shidal, and 20.50 ± 3.00 MPs/g in Hentak. Fibers and fragments were the dominant morphotypes across all products, with transparent and black particles occurring most frequently. Polymer characterization revealed polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) as the predominant polymers, followed by polyamide (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polystyrene (PS). Size distribution analysis showed that MPs in the 101–300 µm range were most abundant in Ngari and Shidal, whereas smaller MPs (<50 µm) predominated in Hentak. The use of whole fish, including the gastrointestinal tract and gills, primary sites for MP accumulation, along with non-standardized fermentation practices and atmospheric deposition during retail, likely contributes to contamination. These findings highlight an overlooked route of human exposure to MPs through traditional fermented foods and underscore the need for improved processing practices and mitigation strategies to safeguard food safety and sustainability. Full article

Aspergillus flavus infection and accumulation of carcinogenic aflatoxins are detrimental to maize (Zea mays) production and consumption. We investigated lncRNA–RBP interactions during maize–A. flavus crosstalk using transcriptomic profiling, structural analysis, molecular docking simulations, and machine learning approaches. Analysis of 18 RNA-seq datasets identified 2104 lncRNAs in maize, of which 461 were differentially expressed under A. flavus infection. Distinct lncRNAs were preferentially induced under infection (e.g., Zm00001eb303170) or normal germination (e.g., Zm00001eb144150, Zm00001eb406410). RNA secondary structure predictions indicated high structural heterogeneity and thermodynamic stability, consistent with dynamic regulatory potential. Docking simulations with six key RNA binding proteins (RBPs)—including branch point bridging protein (BPB), KH domain protein, and pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins—demonstrated strong lncRNA–protein binding, with the lncRNA1–BPB complex exhibiting the highest binding affinity. ML algorithms identified the crucial role of tryptophan in determining interactions, while lncRNA17-KH and lncRNA1-BP complexes were found to have the best interaction under normal germination and A. flavus infection, respectively. The lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory network highlighted lncRNAs functioning as decoys or precursors of stress-responsive miRNAs (e.g., zma-miR156, zma-miR164, zma-miR399). These interactions targeted transcriptional regulators, splicing factors, and metabolic enzymes implicated in stress tolerance, seed germination, and systemic acquired resistance. The maize lncRNAs are active regulatory molecules embedded in complex RBP and miRNA interaction networks that fine-tune gene expression during A. flavus infection. The study provides novel insights into lncRNA-mediated resistance mechanisms and offers potential molecular targets for breeding or gene editing to mitigate aflatoxin contamination. Full article

Anaerobic germination tolerance (AGT) is a critical adaptive trait for rice establishment in flood-prone environments and direct-seeded systems. Here, we identified and validated the quantitative trait locus qAG2.1 for AGT and introgressed it into the elite lowland rice variety CR Dhan 801 through marker-assisted backcross breeding. The introgressed lines exhibited significantly improved germination under anaerobic conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of qAG2.1 in a high-yielding genetic background. While CR Dhan 801 showed a low anaerobic germination percentage (17.6%), the donor ARC10424 exhibited 82.6%, and the best-performing introgressed line (22009-3) achieved 49.2%. Importantly, the improved lines maintained agronomic performance comparable to CR Dhan 801 under non-stress conditions, indicating minimal yield penalty. To gain mechanistic insight, the qAG2.1 interval was dissected in silico to prioritise candidate genes putatively associated with AGT. This analysis highlighted genes linked to ethylene biosynthesis and signalling (e.g., OsACO3, OsERF109), abscisic acid biosynthesis (OsNCED1), gibberellin homeostasis (OsGA2ox9), trehalose metabolism (OsTPS5, OsTPP1), detoxification of anaerobic by-products (OsALDH2A), and water transport (OsPIP1;3). Collectively, these results validate qAG2.1 as a further deployable locus for improving anaerobic germination in elite rice backgrounds and provide a set of putative candidate genes for future functional characterisation. Full article

In vitro studies were conducted in a series to investigate if the ruminal microbes are capable of degrading chlorpyrifos. This in vitro study presents the results from three experiments: Exp. I was conducted without feed, while Exp II and III were conducted with feed, either with or without methanol for dissolving chlorpyrifos, respectively. A basal diet comprising finger millet straw and concentrate was prepared. Incubation medium with feed but without chlorpyrifos served as the control. A total of six replicates each of control and chlorpyrifos spiked were used for the incubation. The pesticide concentration in the incubation medium before and after 24 h of incubation was analyzed using GC-MS/MS. The genomic DNA was isolated from the incubation fluid of the individual samples, and the shotgun metagenomic sequencing was performed. The clean reads were taxonomically classified using the Kraken2 database, and microbial classification at different taxonomic ranks was separated using Pavian v1.0. The microbial genes in the metagenome data were predicted and assigned functional roles using the MetaErg v1.2.3 pipeline. The assigned KEGG Orthology (KO), EC numbers (Enzyme Commission number), Gene Ontology (GO), and corresponding NCBI taxonomy information relevant to chlorpyrifos metabolism/degradation were retrieved. Results from the study revealed that the chlorpyrifos concentration was decreased from 5.78 to 1.64 ppm over 24 h of in vitro incubation with feed. Similar alpha and beta diversity indices between control and chlorpyrifos treatments revealed that the richness and the evenness of the microbial population were not affected by the presence of chlorpyrifos in the rumen fluid. There was no difference in the microbiota affiliated to the major phyla such as Bacteroidota, Fibrobacterota, Bacillota, and Pseudomonadota. The EC 3.1.8.1, EC 3.1.3.1, EC 1.14.13.-, and EC 1.1.1.- reported for chlorpyrifos degradation were not detected in the metagenome, and only EC 3.1.1.1 was identified, which demonstrated that degradation of chlorpyrifos was carried out by the affiliated enzyme carboxylesterase. The presence of GO:0004035, GO:0004364, GO:0019637, GO:0016791, and GO:0042178 in the metagenome strengthens that the chlorpyrifos degradation in the present study was primarily assigned to the rumen microbiota. This in vitro study provided insights into the rumen microbiota involved in the chlorpyrifos degradation and the initial clue that the rumen microbes are capable of degrading chlorpyrifos. Further, the animal studies in different species with the variable levels of chlorpyrifos are also warranted to confirm the efficacy of rumen microbes in mixed syntrophy and determine the threshold capabilities of the ruminal microbes. Full article

Rhododendron arboreum Sm., an ecologically and culturally important Himalayan tree species and a key species in Himalayan forests, is increasingly threatened by forest degradation, climate change, and habitat fragmentation. However, previous studies have mainly focused on predicting climatic suitability, with limited integration of field-based population ecology and future climate projections, particularly in the western Himalayas. Therefore, the current investigation integrates population ecology and species distribution modeling (MaxEnt model) under CMIP6 climate scenarios (2070 and 2090) to identify climatically suitable and ecologically viable habitats for long-term species persistence across Himachal Pradesh, using 95 occurrence points and seven environmental predictors. Field data confirmed R. arboreum as a dominant species, strongly associated with Quercus leucotrichophora and Cedrus deodara. Habitat suitability was primarily driven by temperature seasonality (58.6%) and precipitation seasonality (14.8%), with 4508 km² currently suitable. Future projections forecast a distinct upshift but with high uncertainty regarding total area; projections ranged from potential habitat expansion under optimistic models (BCC-CSM2-MR) to significant contraction under pessimistic models (IPSL-CM6A-LR). Overall, findings prioritize climatically stable refugia (Kalatop-Khajjiar, Chail, and Churdhar wildlife sanctuary) not only for ecological monitoring but also as critical areas for developing socio-ecological management strategies to support community-based conservation and livelihood adaptation. Full article

Reliable estimation of rice yield is essential for food security planning, climate-resilient agriculture, and informed policy decisions. This review synthesizes recent research on the integration of remote sensing and crop simulation models for rice yield estimation. The analysis shows that optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data are the most commonly used remote sensing sources, with SAR proving especially valuable in monsoon-affected regions due to its ability to provide consistent observations under cloud cover. Among crop simulation models, DSSAT, APSIM, ORYZA, and WOFOST are most frequently applied, either independently or in combination with satellite-derived information. Across the reviewed studies, integrated approaches, particularly those using data assimilation and hybrid modeling, consistently achieve higher accuracy and better spatial representation of yield compared to standalone remote sensing or crop model methods. Despite these advances, limitations related to data availability, model calibration, scale mismatches, and climate-induced uncertainty remain significant. Based on the reviewed evidence, future efforts should focus on developing practical hybrid frameworks, improving multi-sensor data fusion, and designing scalable systems suited to data-limited regions. Overall, integrating remote sensing with crop simulation models offers a robust pathway for improving rice yield forecasting and supporting climate-adaptive agricultural management. Full article

A comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken in organized and unorganized dairy sectors to evaluate the prevalence of bovine mastitis and the antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus spp. of dairy animals and their associated personnel. A total of 391 households (HH) consisting of 211 and 180 HHs from organized and unorganized sectors, respectively, were selected based on 30-cluster sampling methodology in southern and northeastern regions of India. From 391 HHs, a total of 1920 milking cows (organized dairy—533; unorganized dairy—1387) were screened for subclinical and clinical mastitis by the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Out of 1920 milk samples, 1002 milk samples, 362 associated personnel hand and nasal swabs, and 27 milking machine swabs were sourced. The samples were subjected to Staphylococcus spp. by isolation and identification by multiplex polymerase chain reactions (mPCRs) and antibiotic sensitivity testing (ABST) to determine antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles. CMT results showed high mastitis prevalence (54.65%) in unorganized farms compared to organized ones (45.78%), with a significant association of mastitis to dairy sectors (p = 0.0004). On speciation, S. aureus isolates were comparatively less than those of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (3.5% and 7.7%, respectively) in the organized dairy sector, and the same was recorded for the unorganized dairy sector (0.85% and 13.19%, respectively). In both the dairy sectors, the highest antibiotic resistance for Staphylococcus spp. was observed against the β-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins) group (71.36% and 76.59%) and the lowest for nitrofurans (3.5% and 3%), oxazolidines (0.7% and 5.1%), and rifamycin (0.7% and 5.1%), respectively. In both the sectors, human isolates had comparatively high mecA positives (15.70% and 15.96%) compared to the animal isolates (8.36% and 12.94%). Based on mPCR, a smaller number of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates (3.95%) than methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCoNS) was detected in milk samples (6.05%), and the same was observed for associated personnel samples (MRCoNS (14.63%) compared to MRSA (1.05%)). In four HHs, mecA positives were detected in both animal and human samples, and this highlights the transmission dynamics of mecA between animals and humans in households. The resistance of Staphylococcus spp. to β-lactams highlights the need for cautious antibiotic use to prevent AMR. Full article

This review analyzes the transition from silicon to wide-bandgap (WBG) and ultrawide-bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor materials for power electronics, focusing on Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) technologies. Following a PRISMA-based systematic review methodology, we analyzed 94 peer-reviewed publications spanning device technology, converter architectures, and system applications. We employ a bottom-up approach, progressing from fundamental material properties through device architectures and converter topologies to system-level implications. We examine how intrinsic material properties enable operation at elevated temperatures, voltages, and frequencies while minimizing losses. Through analysis of Figures of Merit and system-level Key Performance Indicators, we quantify WBG benefits across automotive, industrial, renewable energy, and consumer electronics sectors, demonstrating 3–5× power density improvements and 20–40% cost reductions. The review presents emerging device technologies, including vertical GaN for medium-voltage applications and monolithic bidirectional switches (BDSs), enabling single-stage power conversion. We provide the first comprehensive topology-level comparison of emerging vertical GaN and monolithic bidirectional switches against established SiC solutions, identifying specific applications where each technology offers advantages. A comprehensive topology-by-topology comparison between SiC and GaN is provided, offering design guidelines for device selection. The review addresses practical constraints, including dynamic on-resistance degradation, threshold voltage instability, and electromagnetic interference challenges for both SiC and GaN. Finally, we examine emerging UWBG materials ($\beta$-Ga₂O₃, AlN, c-BN, Diamond) and their development status, manufacturing challenges, supply chain considerations, and commercialization prospects for ultra-high-voltage applications. Full article

The high-oleic acid content of the safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil, regulated by the fatty acid desaturase 2-1 (CtFAD2-1) gene, provides superior oxidative stability for applications. To explore alternative genetic sources for this trait, we employed induced mutagenesis with gamma irradiation and ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) for two safflower cultivars, AKS 207 and PKV Pink. Screening of M₂ populations identified several mutants with significantly higher oleic acid content, reaching up to 36.86%. The mutagenized populations also exhibited a wide spectrum of variation for other agronomically important traits, including increased oil content (up to 35.19%), enhanced seed protein (up to 22.51%), and seed size and weight. Correlation and principal component analyses confirmed the antagonistic relationship between oleic and polyunsaturated fatty acids and the positive association among seed size parameters. Molecular profiling using an allele-specific PCR assay targeting the CtFAD2-1 locus revealed that high-oleic mutants did not carry known mutations, suggesting the involvement of alternative alleles, micro-mutations, or other genes regulating oleic acid accumulation. This study provides valuable pre-breeding germplasm with improved agronomic and quality traits and identifies novel genetic sources for high-oleic acid in safflower. These mutants form a new genetic basis for understanding fatty acid biosynthesis and developing next-generation high-stability oil cultivars. Full article

This study presents Robo-ICARE (Robotics-Inclusive Child-Centered Approach for Robotics in Education), a Child–Robot Interaction (cHRI) framework for designing inclusive educational robotics in under-resourced and multigrade classroom contexts. The framework addresses gaps in existing educational robotics approaches by integrating user-centered design, affective expressiveness, pedagogical alignment and inclusivity, with particular attention to learner variability and contextual constraints. Robo-ICARE comprises six interrelated design dimensions—embodiment, interactivity, intelligence, pedagogical alignment, inclusivity, and user-centered process—intended to guide the design implementation, and evaluation of educational robots in authentic classroom environments. The framework is operationalized and empirically examined through a case study involving COODI, a low-cost and emotionally expressive educational robot co-designed with students and teachers in rural Chile. The study follows a primarily qualitative, exploratory design-based research approach, supported by descriptive quantitative measures. Empirical evaluation with 49 participants focuses on usability, user experience, engagement, and emotional acceptance, rather than on causal measurement of learning gains. The findings indicate that the proposed framework supports the design of emotionally engaging and context-sensitive educational robotics experiences that are feasible in low-resource settings. Overall, this work contributes a design-guiding, empirically grounded framework that bridges child–robot interaction theory and educational practice, offering a replicable approach for inclusive educational robotics in under-resourced classroom contexts. Full article

Objectives: Few studies have previously shown an interaction between feet and gaze in postural control. The aim of the current study is to more specifically examine how vertical heterophoria (VH) varies with stimulation of the mechanoreceptors in the foot sole. A new method is proposed for fast assessment of minimum VH, especially when values are less than 1/2 diopter (pD). Methods: The Maddox rod test was used to assess VH with a new device made of a small point source of light located in the center of a circular box that enables the measurement of minimum VH. The VH assessment was based on a group of 95 adults in upright posture on different subtle plantar stimulations (with and without pins and on foam). Results: Almost half of the subjects exhibited minimum heterophoria with vertical deviations less than 1 pD, most of them (96%) with a VH ≤ 1/2 pD (small heterophoria). For the latter, a subtle plantar foot change induced by pins (1 mm high) or foam (4 mm high) can have different effects on ortho- and heterophoria. Orthophoric subjects became heterophoric with foam and pins, while heterophoric subjects became orthophoric with foam and pins, which can increase or decrease their phorias depending on the foam or pins and the type of HV. Using the new circular box makes it fast and easy to highlight even the smallest of heterophorias. We suggest that clinicians use this device to assess the effects of postural interventions, even though it has not yet proven its validity. The findings of the current study highlight the interrelation between gaze and foot systems, while the importance of the plantar mechanoreceptors is demonstrated. Full article

K-Means is a well-known algorithm for unsupervised clustering, very often used due to its simplicity and efficiency. Its long-time widespread use has stimulated researchers to investigate its properties further. A critical property concerns K-Means’s strong dependence on the seeding method adopted to initialize centroids. Poor initialization causes K-Means to get stuck in a local sub-optimal solution. This paper proposes DPCCs—Density Peaks of Candidate Centroids—a novel seeding method for K-Means. DPCC rests on genetic concepts and density peaks to define an initialization solution close to the optimal one. First, a population of $J$ elitist candidate solutions, that is, solutions capable of yielding a reduced clustering cost, is built. Although none of these particular solutions can be near the optimal one, candidate centroids, as experimentally confirmed, tend to thicken around ground truth centroids. Therefore, subsequent generations of the population are created by repeating the k-nearest neighbors (kNNs) procedure for different values of the k parameter, and estimating density through the reverse nearest neighbors (RNNs) relationship of each centroid. Centroid density peaks are then exploited to rearrange the population solutions toward extracting a candidate solution, which is finally optimized by K-Means. The paper describes the design and operation of DPCC, which is currently implemented in parallel Java. The clustering effectiveness of DPCC is demonstrated by applications to both benchmark and real-world datasets. Results are compared with those of other competing algorithms. Full article

Feed stress is a very critical factor impacting livestock health and productivity. One of the major contributors to quantitative feed deficiency is the continued adherence to conventional diets and feeding practices, which renders livestock populations vulnerable to environment-induced scarcity events as well as shortages arising from supply-chain bottlenecks. These challenges occur in the face of the ever-expanding demand from a continuously growing livestock population. In a world increasingly experiencing qualitative and quantitative resource constraints due to rising demand and increasing pollutant concentrations in the environment, conventional dietary compositions require timely modification and supplementation with alternative feed ingredients. These may include the hitherto unutilized by-products of agricultural production, which are often discarded as agricultural waste, in order to mitigate the stress induced by feed availability shortfalls. Cauliflower leaf meal is one such by-product whose suitability as a feed supplement was evaluated in the present study, with results that can be reliably described as promising. The present study assessed the impact of dried cauliflower leaf meal (CLM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation, and methane emission in goats. Fifteen non-descript male goats, aged 6–8 months, were randomly allocated into three groups of five animals each and housed separately in identical pens within the same shed for the duration of the experiment. Three dietary treatments were administered: T0 (control; concentrate, hybrid Napier, and wheat straw); T20 (20% replacement of wheat bran with CLM in the concentrate, along with hybrid Napier and wheat straw); and T30 (30% replacement of wheat bran with CLM in the concentrate, along with hybrid Napier and wheat straw). The results indicated that the goats in all groups achieved a similar body-weight gain with a comparable dry-matter intake (DMI). The feed conversion ratio (FCR), nutrient digestibility, and mineral balance were also comparable across treatments. However, the methane emission rate was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the T30 group compared with the other groups. CLM supplementation did not cause deviations in rumen pH, NH₃-N concentration, volatile fatty acid production, or bacterial and protozoal populations. The hematological parameters remained unaffected by the increased dietary inclusion of CLM, while both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses showed an improvement in the CLM-fed groups. Notable reductions in methane emission were observed in goats fed diets containing 20–30% dried CLM, highlighting the positive environmental implications of such a dietary inclusion. Full article

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a transboundary bovine viral disease. It has a significant economic impact and is caused by the Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV). Effective surveillance tools are essential for the early detection of infection, outbreak control, and assessment of vaccination coverage in endemic regions such as India. In this study, an in-house ELISA based on inactivated whole-virus antigen (WVA) was developed, optimized, and validated for the detection of LSDV antibodies in cattle. Its field applicability was assessed through a cross-sectional seroprevalence survey conducted across five Indian states. A local field isolate of LSDV (strain 5-Chitra) was cultured in MDBK cells, inactivated using binary ethylenimine (BEI), and used as the antigen source. The assay was optimized by checkerboard titration and evaluated against the Serum Neutralization Test (SNT). Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) analyses, while cross-reactivity was assessed using sera positive for HS, IBR, BQ, MCF, GTP, SPP, CE, FMD, and Brucellosis. Assay reproducibility was confirmed through inter- and intra-laboratory validation. For the seroprevalence study, 3230 cattle serum samples were collected using a stratified random sampling design across five Indian states, and logistic regression analysis of a subset of 1302 samples was performed to assess the influence of age and sex on LSDV seropositivity. Checkerboard titration identified optimal ELISA conditions at 50 ng of antigen per well, a 1:150 serum dilution, and a 1:10,000 dilution of anti-bovine HRP-conjugated secondary antibody. The WVA-ELISA demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance, with 100% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and no cross-reactivity with other ruminant bacterial or viral pathogens, and showed high laboratory reproducibility (κ > 0.96). Seroprevalence ranged from 50.6% to 71.1% across the five states, indicating widespread exposure to LSDV. Risk factor analysis revealed significantly higher odds of seropositivity among calves (≤1 year old) and female cattle, suggesting age- and sex-dependent susceptibility. Full article