Search Results (86)

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a significant horticultural crop valued for its aroma and health-promoting compounds. However, the genetic similarity among numerous varieties poses challenges for identification and breeding. ‘Dongfangmi No.4’ is an F₁ hybrid derived from a cross between two Hami melon inbred lines, ‘M06-1-3’ and ‘M15-3’. This study utilized resequencing data derived from the bi-parents of ‘Dongfangmi No.4’ to identify 557,878 insertion and deletion (InDel) variations across the entire genome. Thirty-nine highly polymorphic InDel markers were screened to conduct a genetic analysis of 40 representative cultivated varieties, with marker MS108 specifically distinguishing ‘Dongfangmi No.4’ from the other 39 cultivated varieties. Genetic analysis revealed a high level of genetic diversity within the population (average observed heterozygosity Ho = 0.313, Shannon index I = 0.528), and polymorphic information content (PIC) analysis indicated that 54% of the markers (21/39) were highly polymorphic. Principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering demonstrated significant genetic differentiation between cantaloupe and Hami melons, as well as between cantaloupe and honeydew. In contrast, the genetic boundaries between Hami melons and honeydew were obscured due to frequent germplasm exchange. Ultimately, seven core InDel markers were selected to construct the DNA fingerprinting map, successfully achieving complete differentiation of 40 varieties. This marker system provides an effective molecular tool for melon variety identification, intellectual property protection, and breeding. Full article

Sepsis and septic shock affect nearly 49 million people worldwide each year. Although advances in early recognition and evidence-based management have improved survival, many patients experience long-term cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments collectively known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). These sequelae often extend to families and caregivers (PICS-F), resulting in lasting declines in quality of life. Recovery from sepsis represents a continuum that begins during intensive care and extends into survivorship. Decisions regarding analgesia, sedation, delirium prevention, mobilization, and family engagement shape this recovery trajectory. The ABCDEF bundle provides an evidence-based framework to mitigate these long-term effects through structured approaches to pain control, paired awakening and breathing trials, targeted sedation, early mobility, and family involvement. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on PICS in sepsis and septic shock and examines how implementation of the ABCDEF bundle across the continuum of care can reduce the incidence and severity of post-ICU impairments. Reframing sepsis survivorship as an ongoing process rather than an endpoint underscores the need for critical care practices that promote not only survival but also restoration of function, cognition, and quality of life. Full article

Angulyagra polyzonata is a significant freshwater snail species in southern China. However, its wild resources have sharply declined due to overfishing. To assess the current status of germplasm resources in the Guangxi region, during this study, we first successfully developed nine pairs of primers that enable the amplification of highly polymorphic microsatellite markers (SSRs) with trinucleotide and tetranucleotide repeat sequences (PIC values ranging from 0.662 to 0.861) using transcriptomic data. Then, these designed primers were tested and applied for the genetic investigation of selected wild populations of the species. Finally, a genetic diversity analysis was conducted based on 12 wild populations (360 individuals) in Guangxi. After 798,244 SSR loci were screened out via high-throughput sequencing, the results showed that dinucleotide repeats accounted for the highest proportion (47.64%), mainly consisting of (AC/GT)n repeat units. Among the SSR loci in A. polyzonata, microsatellite loci with 5 to 20+ repeats are the most abundant. All nine selected and tested SSR loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p < 0.001) and had heterozygote deficiency (average inbreeding coefficient of F = 0.390), indicating widespread inbreeding. The fixation index among populations was high (average Fst = 0.175), with 73% of the genetic variation occurring within populations and 27% between populations. Gene flow (Nm) was generally restricted (most population pairs had Nm < 1), with the (Tiandeng) TD and (Long’an) LA populations showing the smallest differentiation (Fst = 0.017), and the (Qinnan) QN and (Yinhai) YH populations showing the greatest differentiation (Fst = 0.409). UPGMA clustering and structure analysis (K = 2) divided the 12 populations into two subgroups. Overall, our research suggests that the genetic diversity of the wild population of A. polyzonata in the Guangxi region has declined. Thus, prioritizing the protection of highly genetically diverse populations, such as the LA population, is urgently needed. This study provides a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable utilization of A. polyzonata resources in Guangxi. Full article

The increasing demand for novel cut chrysanthemum cultivars has underscored the significance of precision breeding techniques, with particular emphasis on hybridization and molecular tools. This study aimed to assess the cross-compatibility of selected chrysanthemum cultivars and to evaluate the genetic, quantitative, and qualitative diversity among the resulting F₁ progenies. A total of six hybrid combinations were generated using five commercial parental cultivars. Ploidy levels were determined via flow cytometry and chromosome counting, confirming that all parents were allohexaploid (2n = 6x = 54). Pollen viability and germination rates varied significantly among male parents, influencing hybridization success. A total of 30,391 seeds were obtained, with germination rates ranging from 2.69% to 10.73%, depending on the cross combination. F₁ progenies showed considerable phenotypic variability in flowering time, flower stalk length, flower diameter, and branch weight. Molecular characterization using eight iPBS primers revealed a high polymorphism rate (93%) with a mean Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value of 0.614, confirming substantial genetic diversity among genotypes. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses demonstrated that most F₁ genotypes grouped closely with their maternal parents, although unique genomic variations were also detected. The integration of morphological and molecular data provides valuable insights for selecting superior genotypes and optimizing breeding strategies. This study highlights the importance of evaluating hybridization potential and genetic diversity in the development of commercially viable cut chrysanthemum cultivars. Full article

This paper presents a W-band low-voltage traveling-wave tube (TWT) incorporating a spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) slow-wave structure (SWS) and a dual-sheet beam. The SSPP-based SWS adopts a periodic double-F-groove configuration, which provides strong field localization, increases the interaction impedance, and reduces the phase velocity, thereby enabling a low synchronization voltage. Owing to its symmetric open geometry, the SWS naturally forms a dual-sheet beam tunnel, which enhances the effective beam current without increasing the aperture size. Eigenmode calculations indicate that, within the 92–97 GHz band, the normalized phase velocity is between 0.198 and 0.208, and the interaction impedance exceeds 2.65 Ω. Moreover, an energy-coupling structure was developed to ensure efficient signal transmission. Three-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations predict a peak output power of 366.1 W and an electronic efficiency of 6.15% at 95.5 GHz for a 2 × 250 mA dual-sheet beam at 11.9 kV, with stable amplification and without self-oscillation observed. The proposed low-voltage, high-efficiency W-band TWT offers a manufacturable and easily integrable solution for next-generation millimeter-wave systems, supporting high-capacity wireless backhaul, airborne communication, radar imaging, and sensing platforms where compactness and reduced power-supply demands are critical. Full article

Integrated photonics is a transformative technology for enhancing communication and computation in Cloud and Fog computing networks. Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) enable significant improvements in data-processing speed, energy-efficiency, scalability, and latency. In Cloud infrastructures, PICs support high-speed optical interconnects, energy-efficient switching, and compact wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), addressing growing data demands. Fog computing, with its edge-focused processing and analytics, benefits from the compactness and low latency of integrated photonics for real-time signal processing, sensing, and secure data transmission near IoT devices. PICs also facilitate the low-loss, high-speed modulation, transmission, and detection of RF signals in scalable Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) links, enabling seamless IoT integration with Cloud and Fog networks. This results in centralized processing, reduced latency, and efficient bandwidth use across distributed infrastructures. Overall, integrating photonic technologies into RoF, Fog and Cloud computing networks paves the way for ultra-efficient, flexible, and scalable next-generation network architectures capable of supporting diverse real-time and high-bandwidth applications. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current state and emerging trends in integrated photonics for IoT sensors, RoF, Fog and Cloud computing systems. It also outlines open research opportunities in photonic devices and system-level integration, aimed at advancing performance, energy-efficiency, and scalability in next-generation distributed computing networks. Full article

Survivors of intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization often face persistent health challenges after discharge, collectively referred to as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). This condition affects physical, cognitive, and mental health, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and increasing their healthcare utilization. Additionally, caregivers may develop PICS-F (PICS family), experiencing stress-related health burdens. Despite the growing awareness of these issues, structured post-ICU follow-up remains inconsistent, leaving a gap in care that general practitioners (GPs) must often fill. This review examines the role of GPs in managing post-ICU patients, outlining common complications, screening tools, rehabilitation strategies, and potential areas for improved collaboration between primary care and ICU teams. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary and proactive approach, we propose practical interventions that GPs can adopt to enhance long-term recovery outcomes for ICU survivors. Full article

Background/Objectives: In swine production, the post-weaning period has been identified as one of the most challenging and stressful periods in the life of a piglet due to changes in its environment and feeding regimen. During this period, piglets might undergo infectious challenges with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) resulting in post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), and meningitis due to Streptococcus suis. Therefore, metaphylactic and curative antimicrobial therapy is frequently applied, which leads to an increased treatment incidence per 100 days at risk (TI₁₀₀). Methods: Here, we report the results of an antimicrobial coaching trajectory in a 1000-sow farm with high antimicrobial use during the post-weaning period. For a period of 21 weeks, we evaluated the effect of an oral live avirulent E. coli F4F18 vaccine (Coliprotec^® F4F18; Elanco AH) for the active immunization of piglets against PWD caused by F4- and F18-ETEC on the reduction in antimicrobial use during the post-weaning period. A 1000-sow farm with PIC sows operating in a 1-week BMS was rated as an ‘attention farm’ at the level of the post-weaning period according to the Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance in Animals (AMCRA) benchmark reporting tool. To analyze the specific approach towards antimicrobial use and the related post-weaning pathology, a farm visit including a biosecurity check was carried out together with all associated stakeholders. Subsequently, an antimicrobial coaching trajectory was utilized to follow-up on the improvement of the reduction in antimicrobial use after implementation of the various pieces of advice. Results: For analytical purposes, we compared the results obtained in period 1 (P1; vaccination week 1–6) to period 2 (P2; vaccination week 7–21), since practical field experience has demonstrated that a ‘stabilization period’ of about 6 weeks is necessary to obtain the maximal effect of vaccination. There was a significant reduction in mortality (5.7% to 2.0%) and improvement in the average daily weight gain (366 g/d to 392 g/d) following vaccination, with a simultaneous reduction in the number of days in nursery (45 days to 38 days). Meanwhile, the weight at the end of nursery remained at a similar level. There was a clinically relevant though non-significant decrease in the TI₁₀₀ (32.8 days to 20.6 days). Overall, the implementation of all measures resulted in a positive ROI of 2.72 per piglet. Conclusions: The implementation of several biosecurity measures in combination with the use of an oral live avirulent E. coli F4F18 vaccine (Coliprotec F4F18) could improve performance parameters and reduce mortality, while reducing the number of days in nursery and the TI₁₀₀. Overall, a positive return on investment of 2.72 could be obtained per piglet produced under these improved conditions. Full article

Triazolopyrimidine and its analogs represent an important scaffold in medicinal chemistry research. The heterocycle of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine (1,2,4-TAP) serves as a bioisostere candidate for purine scaffolds, N-acetylated lysine, and carboxylic acid. This study modeled the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) of 125 congeners of 1,2,4-TAP from the ChEMBL database in the inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum using six machine learning algorithms. The most significant features among 306 molecular descriptors, including one molecular outlier, were selected using recursive feature elimination. A ratio of 20% was used to split the x- and y-matrices into 99 training and 24 test compounds. The regression models were built using machine learning sci-kit-learn algorithms (multiple linear regression (MLR), k-nearest neighbours (kNN), support vector regressor (SVR), random forest regressor (RFR) RIDGE regression, and LASSO). Model performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²), mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), p-values, F-statistic, and variance inflation factor (VIF). Five significant variables were considered in constructing the model (p < 0.05) with the following regression equation: pIC₅₀ = 5.90 − 0.71npr1 − 1.52pmi3 + 0.88slogP − 0.57vsurf-CW2 + 1.11vsurf-W2. On five-fold cross-validation, three algorithms—kNN (MSE = 0.46, R² = 0.54, MAE = 0.54, RMSE = 0.68), SVR (MSE = 0.33, R² = 0.67, MAE = 0.46, RMSE = 0.57), and RFR (MSE = 0.43, R² = 0.58, MAE = 0.51, RMSE = 0.66)—showed strong robustness, efficiency, and reliability in predicting the pIC₅₀ of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine. The models provided useful data on the functionalities necessary for developing more potent 1,2,4-TAP analogs as anti-malarial agents. Full article

In this paper, the prototype of a gas detector based on the electrical response of MgSb₂O₆ oxide at 400 °C and with a concentration of 560 ppm was designed, simulated, and fabricated. This design considers a PIC18F4550 microcontroller and a response time of 3 s for the sensor. It is worth noting that the response system can be reduced in concordance with the mathematical model of the sensor’s electrical response. The proposed device is capable of detecting one to three gases: O₂, C₃H₈, and CO₂. The configuration is achieved through three switches. In programming the prototype, factors such as the gas sensor signals, device configuration, corrective gas signals, and indicator signals were carefully considered. The characteristic of the gas detector is an operational temperature of 400 °C, which is ideal for industrial processing. This can be configured to detect a single gas or all three of them $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2,{\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_8,\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d} {\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$. Each gas type has its corresponding corrective signal and an indicator-led diode. The operation concentration is 560 ppm, the device is scalable, and its programming can be extended to cover industrial networks. Full article

Choosing nutritious foods is essential for daily health, but finding recipes that match available ingredients and dietary preferences can be challenging. Traditional recommendation methods often lack personalization and accurate ingredient recognition. Personalized systems address this by integrating user preferences, dietary needs, and ingredient availability. This study presents Pic2Plate, a framework combining Vision-Language Models (VLMs) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to overcome these challenges. Pic2Plate uses advanced image recognition to extract ingredient lists from user images and RAG to retrieve and personalize recipe recommendations. Leveraging smartphone camera sensors ensures accessibility and portability. Pic2Plate’s performance was evaluated in two areas: ingredient detection accuracy and recipe relevance. The ingredient detection module, powered by GPT-4o, achieved strong results with precision (0.83), recall (0.91), accuracy (0.77), and F1-score (0.86), demonstrating effectiveness in recognizing diverse food items. A survey of 120 participants assessed recipe relevance, with model rankings calculated using the Bradley–Terry method. Pic2Plate’s VLM and RAG integration consistently outperformed other models. These results highlight Pic2Plate’s ability to deliver context-aware, reliable, and diverse recipe suggestions. The study underscores its potential to transform recipe recommendation systems with a scalable, user-centric approach to personalized cooking. Full article

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a medicinal and edible cash crop that is widely cultivated worldwide. However, the genetic diversity of safflower germplasm resources and the reasons for the variations in safflower flower colour remain unclear. In this study, we used a combination of agronomic traits and Indel markers to assess the genetic diversity of 614 safflower germplasm resources. The results showed that most of the evaluated agronomic traits had high variability. The mean values of the Shannon’s information index (I) and polymorphism information content (PIC) in 50 pairs of Indel markers were 0.551 and 0.296, respectively. The population structure, neighbour-joining phylogeny, and principal coordinate analyses classified all genotypes into four subgroups, and 214 safflower core germplasms were constructed. Multiple analyses of genetic diversity parameters, range conformity, and the percentage of variance difference showed that the core germplasm did not differ significantly and could represent the original germplasm better. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that flavonoid synthesis-related genes, including CHS, F3H, ANS, and BZ1, were differentially expressed in different coloured safflowers. Most significantly, different genes and metabolite compounds in white safflowers were enriched upstream from the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway to the production of naringenin, whereas those in red safflowers were concentrated in the downstream pathway from eriodictyol. Meanwhile, the preliminary quantification of anthocyanins and carotenoids extracted from red, orange, and white types of safflower showed that the level of both anthocyanins and carotenoids were highest in red types. This work provides new insights into the formation of different safflower flower colours and in the conservation and management of safflower germplasm. Full article

Fallopia multiflora, a perennial herb in the Polygonaceae family belonging to the genus Fallopia Adanson, is traditionally used as a Chinese herbal medicine. However, there is still confusion about the botanical origin of the species and the phylogenetic relationship between the cultivars and the wild relatives. To develop an efficient identification method, a molecular analysis was performed using SSR markers. The genetic diversity of the F. multiflora genetic resources has been assessed by using 10 locally collected accessions, including varieties and landraces. We screened 100 pairs of SSR primers and selected 71 successfully amplified SSR markers, in which one SSR was found to be a monomorphic marker. The results indicated that the number of alleles (NA) ranged from 2 to 10, with an average of 4.1 alleles. The major allele frequency (MAF) spanned from 0.20 to 0.90, the observed heterozygosity (HO) ranged from 0 to 0.80, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) varied between 0.16 and 0.86. Clustering analysis using an unweighted pair group mean algorithm (UPGMA) with all 70 SSR markers revealed three clusters among the F. multiflora accessions. Furthermore, seven minimum marker set combinations were identified and proved useful for variety identification. Therefore, these SSR markers could be valuable for various applications, including cultivar identification and assessing the purity of F. multiflora populations. Three genetic groups of F. multiflora should be considered as independent units for conservation and germplasm management of the species. Full article

In this study, a stepper driver, which is suitable for use in the automotive industry, designed for general use, capable of adaptive learning in the systems in which it is used, and with CAN and universal asynchronous receiver–transmitter (UART) communication options, was designed. This design was made with a PIC18F25K22 microcontroller unit (MCU). Rotor speed, armature current, and terminal voltage can be measured on the proposed brushed DC motor drive system. It gives the desired response by evaluating obstacles and other situations in which high currents are drawn from the source. The speed measurement of the vehicle and the open and closed status of an automatic door can be monitored. The main contribution of the designed PCB is an adaptive learning algorithm (ALA) that uses the pulses of the encoder, estimates the position of the step, and manages the operation process to prevent mechanical damage at the final point of the motor. Furthermore, unexpected hitting and pinching which are defined as obstacles to the driver can be controlled by monitoring the current value drawn from the driver. The benefit of this method is that the life of the mechanical step is increased due to the management of the forward and backward step operation, preventing potential accidents. Full article

Millions of critically ill patients are discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) every year. These ICU survivors may suffer from a condition known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) which includes a wide range of cognitive, psychological, and physical impairments. This article will provide an extensive review of PICS. ICU survivors may experience cognitive deficits in memory and attention, with a slow-down of mental processing and problem-solving. From psychological perspectives, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are the most common issues suffered after ICU discharge. These psycho-cognitive impairments might be coupled with ICU-acquired weakness (polyneuropathy and/or myopathy), further reducing the quality of life, the ability to return to work, and other daily activities. The burden of ICU survivors extends to families too, leading to the so-called PICS-family (or PICS-F), which entails the psychological impairments suffered by the family and, in particular, by the caregiver of the ICU survivor. The development of PICS (and PICS-F) is likely multifactorial, and both patient- and ICU-related factors may influence it. Whilst the prevention of PICS is complex, it is important to identify the patients at higher risk of PICS, and clinicians should be aware of the tools available for diagnosis. Stakeholders should implement strategies to achieve PICS prevention and to support its effective treatment during the recovery phase with dedicated pathways and supporting care. Full article