Search Results (126)

Background/Objectives: Antibiotics are routinely used in crustacean larviculture to mitigate bacterial infections, yet their widespread application compromises larval ontogeny. Probiotics and microalgae offer sustainable alternatives, but their combined molecular effects in crustacean larvae remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and transcriptomic impacts of a probiotics–microalgae consortium versus antibiotics in mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) zoea, with the goal of elucidating mechanisms underlying improved larval development and identifying potential antibiotic alternatives. Methods: Scylla paramamosain larvae were reared under five treatments: clear water control (CN), microalgae alone (MA), probiotics alone (PB), a probiotics–microalgae consortium (PB-MA), and the antibiotic (AB) florfenicol. Samples were collected at 6 h and 24 h post-treatment during the first (Z1) and third (Z3) zoeal stages. Growth performance was assessed via survival and larval stage index, and multi-time point transcriptomic sequencing was performed to analyze dynamic gene expression profiles. Results: The PB-MA consortium significantly enhanced stage-specific survival from Z3 to Z5 and accelerated developmental progression compared to control and antibiotic groups. Transcriptomic analysis revealed from 492 to 2854 differentially expressed genes across treatments. PB-MA treatment was associated with the sustained upregulation of immune-related pathways (lysosome and Toll/Imd signaling), oxidative stress responses (peroxisome and glutathione metabolism), and energy metabolism (TCA cycle and carbon metabolism), whereas antibiotics predominantly suppressed these pathways. Key candidate genes, including NPC1, NAGA, ACOX1, HAO1, MUT, and PK, were prominently induced in PB-MA-treated larvae. Conclusions: The probiotics–microalgae consortium enhances basal immunity, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic adaptability in mud crab larvae at the molecular level. These findings provide transcriptomic evidence supporting the replacement of antibiotics with synergistic microbial consortia in sustainable crustacean larviculture. Full article

The responsive light intensity dynamic range (DR) of the human eye far exceeds that of existing visual systems, and the development of a biomimetic retinal detecting unit is currently an important challenge in the field of machine vision. Here, a two-terminal Au-contacted VO₂/WSe₂ heterojunction photodetector with the same adaptive DR as retinal cells is developed. It is revealed that the VO₂/WSe₂ heterojunction part-mimics the cone cell for strong light detection with photoresponsivity (R) of 320 mA W⁻¹ and the Au/WSe₂ Schottky contact part-mimics the rod cell for weak light detection with an R of 217 A W⁻¹ and noise equivalent power (NEP) as low as 248.2 fW/$\surd \mathrm{H}\mathrm{z}$. The dual-mode photodetector shows a fast response speed of less than 39.28 μs. Image fusion by the cone mode and rod mode shows enhanced recognition. These results demonstrate that contact engineering enables a photodetector with the functionality of both rod and cone cells, and the resulting visual imaging system can achieve performance comparable to that of the human eye in certain operating conditions. Full article

ZnFe₂O₄ is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity, but its practical use is limited by poor conductivity and large volume changes during cycling. To address these issues, a ZnFe₂O₄-reduced graphene oxide (Z-F-rGO) composite was fabricated via solvothermal synthesis and calcination, with Z-F nanoparticles in situ anchored on rGO sheets. Characterizations (XRD, Raman, XPS, SEM, TEM) confirm the formation of highly crystalline spinel Z-F with good interfacial contact with rGO. The Z-F-rGO electrode shows excellent electrochemical performance, maintaining a reversible capacity of 985.4 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 0.5 A g⁻¹, significantly higher than the 498.2 mA h g⁻¹ of the Z-F. At 1.0 A g⁻¹, the Z-F-rGO electrode retains 959.4 mA h g⁻¹ after 300 cycles, while the Z-F electrode shows a capacity of 441.3 mA h g⁻¹. CV analysis indicates good reversibility, while EIS and GITT reveal reduced charge-transfer resistance and enhanced Li⁺ diffusion. This work provides an efficient strategy for scalable Z-F-rGO composites, offering a promising approach for high-performance LIB anodes. Full article

Smart-meter theft detection requires learning from fine-grained electricity consumption data, whose centralized processing poses significant privacy risks. Federated learning (FL) mitigates these risks by decentralizing training, but providing rigorous user-level differential privacy (DP) under non-IID data and heterogeneous client behavior remains challenging. Existing DP-FL approaches rely on fixed global clipping bounds for client updates, which substantially overestimate sensitivity when privacy loss is composed using Rényi Differential Privacy (RDP), zero-Concentrated DP (zCDP), or Moments Accountant (MA) frameworks, leading to excessive noise and degraded utility. This work proposes an adaptive clipping-based RDP accountant that incorporates empirical, round-wise update magnitudes into privacy accounting by rescaling each round’s RDP contribution according to the observed clipping ratio. The method is optimizer-agnostic and is evaluated with FedAvg, FedProx, and SCAFFOLD on the SGCC smart-meter theft dataset under IID and Dirichlet non-IID partitions. Experimental results show consistently tighter privacy bounds and improved model utility compared to classical DP accountants, demonstrating the effectiveness of sensitivity-aware privacy accounting for practical differentially private FL. Full article

The main result of this paper is that any rotationally homogeneous polynomial functional $J\left(f\right)={\displaystyle \sum _{\left|\alpha \right|=n_0}^N}{C}_{m_1,\dots ,m_s}{a}_{m_1}^{{\alpha }_{m_1}}\dots a_{m_s}^{{\alpha }_{m_s}}$ with $\left|\alpha \right|={\alpha }_{m_1}+\cdots +{\alpha }_{m_s}\ge 3,2<a_{m_1}<\cdots <a_{m_s}<\infty$, depending on the distinguished finitely many coefficients $a_{m_j}$, is maximized on S by Koebe’s function ${\kappa }_{\theta }\left(z\right)=z/{(1-e^{i\theta }z)}^2$ with $\theta \in [-\pi ,\pi ]$. This includes, in particular, the well-known Bieberbach and Zalcman conjectures and covers many other coefficient estimates for univalent functions. As an application, the main theorem provides the solution of the generalized Zalcman conjecture posed by Ma. Full article

Introduction: Added sugar (AS) intake has been linked to chronic diseases, yet evidence in children under 2 years remains limited. Aim: Characterise AS intake in children ≤ 2 years with associated appetite, satiety, growth, adiposity, and breastfeeding duration. Methods: We analysed data from 248 mother-child pairs from the MAS-Lactancia birth cohort. Intake of AS and energy was estimated using data from 24 h dietary recalls. AS intake was classified in tertiles as low (0 g), medium (0.01–6.96 g), and high (>6.96 g). Major food group contributors to AS intake were identified. Appetite and satiety indicators were measured using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Adiposity was evaluated using body mass index-for-age Z score, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness. Growth was assessed using length-for-age Z score (ZLA). Linear mixed-effects models were fitted. Results: AS intake and its contribution to total energy increased with age. Major contributors to AS intake were infant formulas, table sugars, and sweet baked goods. Longer exclusive and continued breastfeeding were associated with lower AS intake. Compared to low intake, children with high AS intake had higher scores for emotional overeating (β = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.04, 1.12) and food fussiness (β = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.38, 2.53). High AS intake was also associated with lower ZLA (β = −0.17 z, 95% CI: −0.32, −0.01) and higher waist circumference (β = 2.02 cm, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.73). Conclusions: Among children ≤ 2 years, AS intake ≥ 7 g/d was associated with suboptimal growth, central adiposity, and less favourable eating behaviours. Longer breastfeeding duration may protect against AS exposure. Full article

To synergistically integrate piezoelectric and varistor functionalities in a single material, PNN-PZT piezoelectric powder (abbreviated as P) and ZnO-based varistor powder (abbreviated as Z) were utilized to fabricate PZT-ZnO composite ceramics (denoted as PZm) via conventional solid-state sintering. The P/Z molar ratio was regulated to 1/0.9, 1/1.05, 1/1.2, 1/1.35, and 1/1.5 to systematically study its influence on the phase composition, microstructure, and electrical properties of the composites. XRD, SEM, EDS characterization, and electrical performance tests were carried out. Results indicate that all PZm samples exhibit the biphasic coexistence of perovskite (piezoelectric phase) and wurtzite (varistor phase) without impurity phases, consisting of large perovskite grains with distinct edges and small wurtzite grains with smooth surfaces. The PZ3 sample (P/Z = 1/1.2) achieves optimal comprehensive properties: d₃₃ = 161 pC/N, k_p = 0.25, Ɛ_r = 2527, tan δ = 3.83%, E_1mA = 1396 V/mm, I_L = 8.2 mA, α = 22.06. This work confirms the synergistic optimization of piezoelectric and varistor properties in PZT-ZnO composites, providing a reliable experimental basis for the formulation design and performance regulation of multifunctional ceramics. Full article

Several mammarenaviruses (MaAv), chiefly Lassa virus (LASV) in Western Africa and Junin virus (JUNV) in the Argentinean Pampas, cause severe disease in humans and pose important public health problems in their endemic regions. In addition, the globally distributed MaAv lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an underrecognized human pathogen of clinical significance, especially in congenital infections, and LCMV poses a serious risk for immunocompromised individuals. There are no FDA-approved MaAv vaccines or antivirals, and current anti-MaAv therapy is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin, whose efficacy remains controversial. This highlights an urgent unmet need for developing antivirals against human pathogenic MaAv. Halofuginone (HF), a derivative of the natural alkaloid febrifugine, has been shown to exhibit antiviral activity against several RNA viruses. Here, we present evidence that HF exhibits potent dose-dependent antiviral activity against LCMV, and against the hemorrhagic fever causing MaAv LASV and JUNV. HF binds to the bifunctional enzyme glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase 1 (EPRS1) and specifically inhibits its prolyl-tRNA synthetase (PRS) activity, resulting in translation inhibition via the amino acid starvation (AAS) response with preferential impact on proline-rich proteins. HF anti-LCMV activity was prevented by the addition of exogenous proline supporting that inhibition of PRS activity plays a critical role in the anti-MaAv activity of HF. We found that HF did not affect LCMV cell entry, modestly (twofold) reduced the activity of the virus ribonucleoprotein (vRNP), but strongly inhibited (>90%) Z budding activity, a process involving the Z proline-rich late domain motifs. Full article

Natural compounds have experienced increasing clinical application, but their association with rapid-onset anaphylactoid reactions (ARs) present a significant challenge to their safe use. These ARs, clinically resembling Type I hypersensitivity, are non-IgE-mediated and involve direct mast cell activation, primarily through the human Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2). We computationally screened a natural compound library for MRGPRX2 activation. A human MRGPRX2-expressing cell model was established. Cell viability assays (0–80 μM) were performed to determine appropriate drug concentrations. Compared to the controls, Baohuoside I (10 μM), along with Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Isochlorogenic Acid B, Baicalin, Andrographolide, Isorhamnetin, and Dehydroandrographolide (all at 20 μM), significantly increased intracellular calcium flux (p < 0.05) and boosted tryptase and β-hexosaminidase secretion (ELISA) (p < 0.05) in mast cells. Furthermore, the degranulation induced by these compounds was inhibited by the MRGPRX2 inhibitor Z3578 at 20 μM. Neutral red staining was employed to observe cellular morphological changes. Specific compounds capable of mediating ARs through MRGPRX2 activation on mast cells were identified. This contributes to safer and more effective drug use by elucidating the potential triggers of ARs. Full article

Prolonged operation of cotton picker poses significant risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), primarily driven by non-ergonomic cab layouts that fail to accommodate the unique “left-hand steering, right-hand lever” operational mode. Traditional optimization methods, relying on general digital human models or isolated surface electromyography (sEMG) measurements, often lack the physiological fidelity and computational efficiency for high-dimensional, personalized design. To address this interdisciplinary challenge in agricultural engineering and ergonomics, this study proposes a novel AMS-RF-DBO framework that integrates high-fidelity biomechanical simulation with intelligent optimization. A driver–cabin biomechanical model was developed using the AnyBody Modeling System (AMS) and validated against sEMG data (ICC = 0.695). This model generated a dataset linking cab layout parameters to maximum muscle activation (MA). Using steering wheel and control lever coordinates (X, Y, Z) as inputs, a Random Forest (RF) regression model demonstrated strong performance (R² = 0.91). Optimization with the Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO) algorithm yielded an optimal configuration: steering wheel (L1 = 434 mm, H1 = 738 mm, θ = 32°) and control lever (L2 = 357 mm, H2 = 782 mm, M = 411 mm), reducing upper-limb MA from 3.82% to 1.47% and peak muscle load by 61.5%. This study not only provides empirical support for ergonomic cab design in cotton pickers to reduce operator fatigue and health risks but also establishes a replicable technical paradigm for ergonomic optimization of other specialized agricultural machinery. Full article

Addressing the limitations of existing power amplifiers, particularly in terms of accuracy and noise performance, a high-voltage and high-current power amplifier has been developed. The input stage utilizes a rail-to-rail circuit structure, allowing the amplifier to deal with the full swing of input signals from the negative to the positive power supply. The output stage features an innovative class AB configuration with a bias structure, effectively reducing the crossover distortion typically associated with traditional circuits. This design improves linearity, achieving an output range that extends to the rails, while also enhancing the power supply rejection ratio and optimizing noise performance. Furthermore, over-temperature protection and current limiting circuits have been integrated to safeguard the system against permanent damage under extreme conditions. The power amplifier circuit was simulated and validated using Cadence 61 Spectre software. With a power supply of ±30 V, the amplifier achieved an output current of 560 mA, a low-frequency gain of 138 dB, a bandwidth of 24 MHz, and a noise level of 4.8 nV/$\sqrt{\mathrm{H}\mathrm{z}}$. The slew rate was measured at 14.2 V/μs. Compared to existing literature, significant advancements have been achieved in terms of gain, bandwidth, and noise performance. Full article

Power converters are essential for solar energy systems but achieving over 96% efficiency at 1 kW and 300 kHz with compact magnetic and EMC compliance remains challenging for high-power-density PV applications. This study presents the design, modeling, and experimental validation of a 1 kW two-phase interleaved boost converter operating from 12 V input to 48 V/20 A output, featuring a single EE32 Litz-wound coupled-core inductor with coupling coefficient k = −0.475 that reduces per-phase current ripple to just 120 mA (0.6% relative) at full load, a load-selective active zero-current switching (ZCS) circuit activated above 5 A threshold via DCR sensing to minimize switching losses without light-load penalties, and digital peak-current control with 2P2Z compensator implemented on an XMC4200 microcontroller, ensuring robust stability. Experimental results demonstrate peak efficiency of 98.6% at approximately 190 W load, full-load efficiency of approximately 96% with total losses limited to 40 W dominated by conduction rather than switching, thermal rise below 80 °C on key components, voltage regulation with less than 1% deviation down to 2 A minimum load, and full compliance with electromagnetic compatibility standards, including EN 55014-1/2 and EN 61000-4-2 ESD testing. The novel integration of selective ZCS, single-core magnetic, and high-frequency operation outperforms prior interleaved boost converters, which typically achieve 94–97% peak efficiency at lower switching frequencies of 20–100 kHz using multiple inductors or complex always-active resonant networks, making this solution particularly suitable for compact photovoltaic micro-converters, electric vehicles, and industrial power supplies requiring high efficiency, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Full article

The use of phytobiotics in aquafeeds is a promising strategy to enhance performance and resilience to disease. This study evaluated the protective role of Morus alba (MA) extract against Vibrio cholerae, integrating in vivo responses in Dormitator latifrons (growth, biochemical and enzymatic responses, haemato-immunology and tissue histopathology) with in vitro assessment of V. cholerae growth, virulence-associated gene expression and cellular morphology. D. latifrons juveniles were fed five diets (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/kg feed; three tanks per treatment, 15 fish per tank) for eight weeks, followed by a 7-day challenge with V. cholerae. MA increased growth and feed utilisation (p < 0.05); the 20 g/kg group reached 27.57 g final weight with a feed conversion ratio of 1.24, and whole-body protein and lipid contents rose at higher doses. MA modulated plasma biochemistry and key digestive (amylase, lipase), metabolic (ALT, AST) and antioxidant (SOD, CAT, GPx) enzymes, and improved haematological profiles. Histology of the intestine, liver and spleen showed preserved architecture and reinforced mucosal features in supplemented fish, particularly at 15–20 g/kg. Post-challenge, supplemented groups exhibited higher survival/relative protection than controls, alongside lower transaminases and stronger antioxidant responses. In vitro, MA extract inhibited V. cholerae growth, attenuated virulence-associated gene (toxR, ompU) expression and induced marked morphological damage in planktonic cells. Multivariate analyses (Z-score heatmaps and PCA) linked immune–enzymatic improvements with growth and protection. Overall, 15–20 g/kg MA optimised immunophysiological status and disease resistance, supporting MA as a functional feed additive for sustainable aquaculture of D. latifrons. Full article

Cytokinin response factors (CRFs), belonging to AP2/ERF transcription factor family, play pivotal roles in regulating plant growth, hormone signaling, and stress responses. While CRF genes have been functionally characterized in multiple plant species, their systematic analysis in banana (Musa spp.), a globally important tropical fruit crop, remains unexplored. In this study, we identified eight putative MaCRF genes in the wild banana Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis var. Pahang. Through comprehensive bioinformatic analyses, we characterized the MaCRF family and investigated their expression profiles across diverse tissues and under various biotic and abiotic stresses. Intriguingly, MaCRF4 exhibited contrasting expression patterns in response to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) infection. MaCRF4 was strongly induced in the susceptible cultivar Z1 but transiently upregulated at early stages followed by downregulation in the resistant cultivar Z8. Furthermore, MaCRF3 and MaCRF4 were markedly induced by osmotic stress, low temperature, salinity, and ABA treatment. Our findings provide the systematic characterization of the MaCRF family in banana and offer valuable insights for future functional studies aimed at enhancing stress tolerance through molecular breeding strategies. Full article

Background: Some studies have suggested that physical fitness and body composition may influence individual and collective performance. However, it is necessary to be able to define the relationships between these variables in soccer players of different ages. Objective: To determine the relation between physical fitness level, body composition, and somatotype in female youth soccer players in response to age. Materials and methods: A total of 56 players were evaluated: 19 early adolescents (EA–U13) with a body mass of 48.35 ± 5.67 kg and a height of 157.63 ± 5.55 cm, 21 middle adolescents (MA–U15) with a body mass of 54.02 ± 5.96 kg and a height of 160.37 ± 5.25 cm and 16 late adolescents (LA–U17) with a body mass of 55.37 ± 6.15 kg and a height of 162.39 ± 5.77 cm. The physical fitness tests were: Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Countermovement Jump with Arms (CMJA), Single Leg Countermovement Jump, COD-Timer 5-0-5, COD-Timer 5+5, Speed 15 m, Hamstring Strength, and Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocols were used to determine anthropometric measurements (skinfolds, circumferences, bone diameters), and the Heath-Carter method was used to assess body composition and somatotype, with z-scores calculated using the Phantom strategy. Results: The analysis revealed that the most significant differences between groups were observed in general anthropometric measurements (ω² = 0.84), followed by sitting height (ω² = 0.51) and percentage of body fat according to Carter’s method (ω² = 0.24), all with large and statistically significant effect sizes (p < 0.05). Larger muscle and bone dimensions, especially in the hip, thigh, and calf, are closely related to better strength, power, and initial sprint speed performance in female soccer players. Conclusions: This study reaffirms that muscle mass is a key predictor of athletic performance, along with strength at high speeds, promoting improvements in power and sprinting in the initial meters. Adiposity is a limiting factor for youth soccer players. Age progression and biological maturation favor the development of the mesomorphic profile, optimizing strength and power. Full article