Search Results (16,555)

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a persistent threat to the poultry industry, causing substantial economic losses. Although traditional vaccines have helped reduce the disease burden, they typically rely on multivalent antigens, emphasize humoral immunity, and require intensive production. This study aimed to establish a genetically matched host–cell system to evaluate antigen-specific immune responses and identify conserved CD8+ T cell epitopes in avian influenza viruses. To this end, we developed an MHC class I genotype (B21)-matched host (Lohmann VALO SPF chicken) and cell vector (DF-1 cell line) model. DF-1 cells were engineered to express the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 either transiently or stably, and to stably express the matrix 1 (M1) and nucleoprotein (NP) genes of A/chicken/South Korea/SL20/2020 (H9N2, Y280-lineage). Following prime-boost immunization with HA-expressing DF-1 cells, only live cells induced strong hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus-neutralizing (VN) antibody titers in haplotype-matched chickens. Importantly, immunization with DF-1 cells transiently expressing NP induced stronger IFN-γ production than those expressing M1, demonstrating the platform’s potential for differentiating antigen-specific cellular responses. CD8+ T cell epitope mapping by mass spectrometry identified one distinct MHC class I-bound peptide from each of the HA-, M1-, and NP-expressing DF-1 cell lines. Notably, the identified HA epitope was conserved in 97.6% of H5-subtype IAVs, and the NP epitope in 98.5% of pan-subtype IAVs. These findings highlight the platform’s utility for antigen dissection and rational vaccine design. While limited by MHC compatibility, this approach enables identification of naturally presented epitopes and provides insight into conserved, functionally constrained viral targets. Full article

Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, but its systemic metabolic effects remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate changes in the serum lipidomic profile associated with S. mansoni infection and parasite load in individuals from an endemic area. This cross-sectional analysis was nested within a longitudinal cohort study conducted in northeastern Brazil. Parasitological diagnosis and quantification were performed using the Kato–Katz technique. A total of 45 individuals were selected and divided into three groups: high parasite load (HL), low parasite load (LL), and uninfected controls (NegE). Serum samples were analyzed using mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics. The most abundant lipid subclasses across all groups were phosphatidylcholines (PC), triacylglycerols (TAG), and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE). However, individuals in the HL group exhibited distinct lipidomic profiles, with increased levels of specific phosphatidylinositols (PI) and reduced levels of certain TAG species compared to the NegE group. These changes may reflect host–parasite interactions and immune–metabolic alterations driven by intense infection. Our findings suggest that S. mansoni infection, particularly at higher parasite burdens, can influence the host’s serum lipid profile and may contribute to metabolic disturbances in endemic populations. Full article

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections necessitate extraction and subsequent pacing interventions. Conventional methods after removing the infected CIED system involve temporary or semi-permanent pacing followed by delayed permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. Leadless pacemakers (LPs) may offer an alternative, allowing immediate PPM implantation without increasing infection risks. Our objective is to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of LP implantation during the same procedure of CIED extraction, compared to conventional two-stage approaches. Methods: Pacemaker-dependent patients with systemic or pocket infection undergoing device extraction and LP implantation during the same procedure at Sheba Medical Center, Israel, were compared to a historical group of patients undergoing a semi-permanent (SP) pacemaker implantation during the procedure, followed by a permanent pacemaker implantation. Results: The cohort included 87 patients, 45 undergoing LP implantation and 42 SP implantation during the extraction procedure. The LP group demonstrated shorter intensive care unit stay (1 ± 3 days vs. 7 ± 12 days, p < 0.001) and overall hospital days (11 ± 24 days vs. 17 ± 17 days, p < 0.001). Rates of infection relapse and one-year mortality were comparable between groups. Economic analysis revealed comparable total costs, despite the higher initial expense of LPs. Conclusions: LP implantation during CIED extraction offers significant clinical and logistical advantages, including reduced hospital stays and streamlined treatment, with comparable safety and cost-effectiveness to conventional approaches. Full article

Leptospirosis is a globally significant zoonosis affecting animal health, productivity, and the environment. While typically associated with tropical climates, its persistence in semi-arid regions such as La Laguna, Mexico—characterized by low humidity, high temperatures, and limited water sources—remains poorly understood. Although these adverse environmental conditions theoretically limit the survival of Leptospira, high livestock density and synanthropic reservoirs (e.g., rodents) may compensate, facilitating transmission. In this cross-sectional study, blood sera from 445 dairy cows (28 herds: 12 intensive [MI], 16 semi-intensive [MSI] systems) were analyzed via microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) against 10 pathogenic serovars. Urine samples were cultured for active Leptospira detection. Risk factors were assessed through epidemiological surveys and multivariable analysis. This study revealed an overall apparent seroprevalence of 27.0% (95% CI: 22.8–31.1), with significantly higher rates in MSI (54.1%) versus MI (12.2%) herds (p < 0.001) and an estimated true seroprevalence of 56.3% (95% CI: 50.2–62.1) in MSI and 13.1% (95% CI: 8.5–18.7) in MI herds (p < 0.001). The Sejroe serogroup was isolated from urine in both systems, confirming active circulation. In MI herds, rodent presence (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.6–7.9) was identified as a risk factor for Leptospira seropositivity, while first-trimester abortions (OR:10.1; 95% CI: 4.2–24.2) were significantly associated with infection. In MSI herds, risk factors associated with Leptospira seropositivity included co-occurrence with hens (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.3) and natural breeding (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.9), whereas mastitis/agalactiae (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.2) represented a clinical outcome associated with seropositivity. Despite semi-arid conditions, Leptospira maintains transmission in La Laguna, particularly in semi-intensive systems. The coexistence of adapted (Sejroe) and incidental serogroups underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as rodent control in MI systems and poultry management in MSI systems, to mitigate both zoonotic and economic impacts. Full article

Continuous and accurate biomass measurement is a critical enabler for control, decision making, and optimization in modern plant production systems. It supports the development of plant growth models for advanced control strategies like model predictive control, and enables responsive, data-driven, and plant state-dependent cultivation. Traditional biomass measurement methods, such as destructive sampling, are time-consuming and unsuitable for high-frequency monitoring. In contrast, image-based estimation using computer vision and deep learning requires frequent retraining and is sensitive to changes in lighting or plant morphology. This work introduces a low-cost, load-cell-based biomass monitoring system tailored for vertical farming applications. The system operates at the level of individual growing trays, offering a valuable middle ground between impractical plant-level sensing and overly coarse rack-level measurements. Tray-level data allow localized control actions, such as adjusting light spectrum and intensity per tray, thereby enhancing the utility of controllable LED systems. This granularity supports layer-specific optimization and anomaly detection, which are not feasible with rack-level feedback. The biomass sensor is easily scalable and can be retrofitted, addressing common challenges such as mechanical noise and thermal drift. It offers a practical and robust solution for biomass monitoring in dynamic, growing environments, enabling finer control and smarter decision making in both commercial and research-oriented vertical farming systems. The developed sensor was tested and validated against manual harvest data, demonstrating high agreement with actual plant biomass and confirming its suitability for integration into vertical farming systems. Full article

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are central to food, feed, and health biotechnology, yet their genomes have long resisted rapid, precise manipulation. This review charts the evolution of LAB genome-editing strategies from labor-intensive RecA-dependent double-crossovers to state-of-the-art CRISPR and CRISPR-associated transposase systems. Native homologous recombination, transposon mutagenesis, and phage-derived recombineering opened the door to targeted gene disruption, but low efficiencies and marker footprints limited throughput. Recent phage RecT/RecE-mediated recombineering and CRISPR/Cas counter-selection now enable scar-less point edits, seamless deletions, and multi-kilobase insertions at efficiencies approaching model organisms. Endogenous Cas9 systems, dCas-based CRISPR interference, and CRISPR-guided transposases further extend the toolbox, allowing multiplex knockouts, precise single-base mutations, conditional knockdowns, and payloads up to 10 kb. The remaining hurdles include strain-specific barriers, reliance on selection markers for large edits, and the limited host-range of recombinases. Nevertheless, convergence of phage enzymes, CRISPR counter-selection and high-throughput oligo recombineering is rapidly transforming LAB into versatile chassis for cell-factory and therapeutic applications. Full article

Effective flood management in agricultural fields has become increasingly important due to the rising frequency and intensity of rainfall events driven by climate change. This study investigates the applicability of urban flood analysis models—SWMM (1D) and K-Flood (2D)—to irrigated agricultural fields with artificial drainage systems. A case study was conducted in a rural area near the Sindae drainage station in Cheongju, South Korea, using rainfall data from an extreme weather event in 2017. The models simulated inland flooding and were validated against flood trace maps provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed a true positive rate of 0.565, a false positive rate of 0.21, and an overall accuracy of 0.731, indicating reasonable agreement with observed inundation. Scenario analyses were also conducted to assess the effectiveness of three improvement strategies: reducing the Manning coefficient, increasing pump station capacity, and widening drainage channels. Among them, increasing pump capacity most effectively reduced flood volume, while channel widening had the greatest impact on reducing flood extent. These findings demonstrate the potential of urban flood models for application in agricultural contexts and support data-driven planning for rural flood mitigation. Full article

European pig farmers are challenged by increasingly stringent EU regulations to protect the environment from pollution, to meet animal welfare standards and to make pig farming more sustainable. Economic sustainability is defined as the ability to achieve higher profits by respecting social and natural resources. This study is focused on the analysis of the economic resilience of intensive and extensive farming systems, based on data collected from 56 farms located in Denmark, Poland, Italy and Spain. Productive and economic performances of these farms are analyzed, and economic resilience is assessed through a survey including a selection of indicators, belonging to different themes: [i] resilience of resources, [ii] entrepreneurship, [iii] propensity to extensification. The qualitative data from the questionnaire allow for an exploration of how production systems relate to the three dimensions of resilience. Different levels of resilience were found and discussed for intensive and extensive farms. The findings suggest that intensive farms benefit from high standards and greater bargaining power within the supply chain. Extensive systems can achieve profitability through value-added strategies and generally display good resilience. Policies that support investment and risk reduction are essential for enhancing farm resilience and robustness, while strengthening farmer networks can improve adaptability. Full article

The rapid urbanization process has accelerated the degradation of ecosystem services (ESs) in peri-urban rural areas of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), leading to increasing landscape ecological risks (LERs). Establishing a scientifically grounded landscape ecological risk assessment (LERA) system and corresponding control strategies is therefore imperative. Using rural areas of Jiangning District, Nanjing as a case study, this research proposes an optimized dual-dimensional coupling assessment framework that integrates ecosystem service value (ESV) and ecological risk probability. The spatiotemporal evolution of LER in 2000, 2010, and 2020 and its key driving factors were further studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and geodetector methods. The results show the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, cultivated land remained dominant, but its proportion decreased by 10.87%, while construction land increased by 26.52%, with minimal changes in other land use types. (2) The total ESV increased by CNY 1.67 × 10⁹, with regulating services accounting for over 82%, among which water bodies contributed the most. (3) LER showed an overall increasing trend, with medium- to highest-risk areas expanding by 55.37%, lowest-risk areas increasing by 10.10%, and lower-risk areas decreasing by 65.48%. (4) Key driving factors include landscape vulnerability, vegetation coverage, and ecological land connectivity, with the influence of distance to road becoming increasingly significant. This study reveals the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of LER in typical peri-urban villages. Based on the LERA results, combined with terrain features and ecological pressure intensity, the study area was divided into three ecological management zones: ecological conservation, ecological restoration, and ecological enhancement. Corresponding zoning strategies were proposed to guide rural ecological governance and support regional sustainable development. Full article

In this paper, a joint Matching Field Processing (MFP) Algorithm based on horizontal uniform circular array (UCA) is proposed for three-dimensional position of underwater wrecked targets. Firstly, a Marine search and rescue position model based on Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) and matching field quadratic joint Algorithm was proposed. Secondly, an MVDR beamforming method based on pre-Kalman filtering is designed to refine the real-time DOA estimation of the desired signal and the interference source, and the sound source azimuth is determined for prepositioning. The antenna array weights are dynamically adjusted according to the filtered DOA information. Finally, the Adaptive Matching Field Algorithm (AMFP) used the DOA information to calculate the range and depth of the lost target, and obtained the range and depth estimates. Thus, the 3D position of the lost underwater target is jointly estimated. This method alleviates the angle ambiguity problem and does not require a computationally intensive 2D spectral search. The simulation results show that the proposed method can better realise underwater three-dimensional positioning under certain signal-to-noise ratio conditions. When there is no error in the sensor coordinates, the positioning error is smaller than that of the baseline method as the SNR increases. When the SNR is 0 dB, with the increase in the sensor coordinate error, the target location error increases but is smaller than the error amplitude of the benchmark Algorithm. The experimental results verify the robustness of the proposed framework in the hierarchical ocean environment, which provides a practical basis for the deployment of rapid response underwater positioning systems in maritime search and rescue scenarios. Full article

Sources of renewable energy have attracted considerable attention. Their expanded use will have a substantial impact on both the cost of energy production and climate change. Solar energy is one efficient and safe option; however, solar energy harvesting sites, irrespective of the location, can impact the ecosystem. This experimental study explores the energy available inside and outside of novel miniature energy harvesting cages by measuring light intensity and power generated. Varying light intensity outside the cage has been utilized to study the remaining energy inside the cage of a flexible design, where the heights of the harvesting panels are parameters. Cages are built from custom photovoltaic panels arranged in a staircase manner to provide access to growing plants. The balance between power generation and biological development is investigated. Two different structures are presented to explore the variation of illumination intensity inside the cages. The experimental results show a substantial reduction in energy inside the cages. The experimental results showed up to 24% reduction in illumination inside the cages in winter. The reduction is even larger in summer, up to 57%. The results from the models provide a framework to study the possible impact on a biological system residing inside the cages, paving the way for practical farming with sustainable energy harvesting. Full article

The habenula (Hb) of the epithalamus is formed of the medial (MHb) and lateral (LHb) parts. The improper functioning of the Hb may lead to depression and anxiety. The glutamate excitotoxicity is accompanied by astroglia reactivity and leads to the damage of nervous system structures. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of monosodium glutamate (MSG) administrated subcutaneously to rats in doses of 2 g/kg b.w. (I) and 4 g/kg b.w. (II), on astroglia in the MHb and LHb. Based on immunohistochemical reactions, the morphology, number of astrocytes immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP-IR) and S100β protein (S100β-IR), and their surface area, perimeter, number and length of processes, and cytoplasmic-nuclear immunostaining intensity for the studied proteins were assessed. In the MHb of animals receiving MSG, especially at a high dose, hypertrophy and an increase in the number of GFAP-IR and S100β-IR cells were demonstrated. In the LHb, only hypertrophy of processes in S100β-positive glia was observed. The immunostaining intensity increased in GFAP-IR glia and decreased in S100β-IR cells only in animals from group I. The results revealed that astroglia respond to MSG depending on its dose and the Hb part. This different behavior of glia may indicate their different sensitivity and resistance to damaging factors. Full article

The exponential proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) and optical IoT (O-IoT) has introduced substantial challenges concerning computational capacity and energy efficiency. IoT devices generate vast volumes of aggregated data and require intensive processing, often resulting in elevated latency and excessive energy consumption. Task offloading has emerged as a viable solution; however, many existing strategies fail to adequately optimize both latency and energy usage. This paper proposes a novel task-offloading approach based on deep Q-network (DQN) learning, designed to intelligently and dynamically balance these critical metrics. The proposed framework continuously refines real-time task offloading decisions by leveraging the adaptive learning capabilities of DQN, thereby substantially reducing latency and energy consumption. To further enhance system performance, the framework incorporates optical networks into the IoT–fog–cloud architecture, capitalizing on their high-bandwidth and low-latency characteristics. This integration facilitates more efficient distribution and processing of tasks, particularly in data-intensive IoT applications. Additionally, we present a comparative analysis between the proposed DQN algorithm and the optimal strategy. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate the superior effectiveness of the proposed DQN framework across various IoT and O-IoT scenarios compared to the BAT and DJA approaches, achieving improvements in energy consumption and latency of 35%, 50%, 30%, and 40%, respectively. These findings underscore the significance of selecting an appropriate offloading strategy tailored to the specific requirements of IoT and O-IoT applications, particularly with regard to environmental stability and performance demands. Full article

Inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) operations on underwater infrastructure remain costly and time-intensive because fully teleoperated remote operated vehicle s(ROVs) lack the range and dexterity necessary for precise cooperative underwater manipulation, and the alternative of using professional divers is ruled out due to the risk involved. This work presents and experimentally validates an autonomous, dual-I-AUV (Intervention–Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) system capable of assembling rigid pipeline segments through coordinated actions in a confined underwater workspace. The first I-AUV is a Girona 500 (4-DoF vehicle motion, pitch and roll stable) fitted with multiple payload cameras and a 6-DoF Reach Bravo 7 arm, giving the vehicle 10 total DoF. The second I-AUV is a BlueROV2 Heavy equipped with a Reach Alpha 5 arm, likewise yielding 10 DoF. The workflow comprises (i) detection and grasping of a coupler pipe section, (ii) synchronized teleoperation to an assembly start pose, and (iii) assembly using a kinematic controller that exploits the Girona 500’s full 10 DoF, while the BlueROV2 holds position and orientation to stabilize the workspace. Validation took place in a 12 m × 8 m × 5 m water tank. Results show that the paired I-AUVs can autonomously perform precision pipeline assembly in real water conditions, representing a significant step toward fully automated subsea construction and maintenance. Full article

Hydrogen production is increasingly vital for global decarbonization but remains a water- and energy-intensive process, especially in arid regions. Despite growing attention to its climate benefits, limited research has addressed the environmental impacts of water sourcing. This study employs a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate three water supply strategies for hydrogen production: (1) seawater desalination without brine treatment (BT), (2) desalination with partial BT, and (3) freshwater purification. Scenarios are modeled for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia, and Spain, representing diverse electricity mixes and water stress conditions. Both electrolysis and steam methane reforming (SMR) are evaluated as hydrogen production methods. Results show that desalination scenarios contribute substantially to human health and ecosystem impacts due to high energy use and brine discharge. Although partial BT aims to reduce direct marine discharge impacts, its substantial energy demand can offset these benefits by increasing other environmental burdens, such as marine eutrophication, especially in regions reliant on carbon-intensive electricity grids. Freshwater scenarios offer lower environmental impact overall but raise water availability concerns. Across all regions, feedwater for SMR shows nearly 50% lower impacts than for electrolysis. This study focuses solely on the environmental impacts associated with water sourcing and treatment for hydrogen production, excluding the downstream impacts of the hydrogen generation process itself. This study highlights the trade-offs between water sourcing, brine treatment, and freshwater purification for hydrogen production, offering insights for optimizing sustainable hydrogen systems in water-stressed regions. Full article