Search Results (2,812)

This study introduces the Machine Learning (ML)-Driven Pattern Synthesis for Digital Forensics in Synthetic Log Analysis (ML-PSDFA) framework to address critical gaps in digital forensics, including the reliance on real-world data, limited pattern diversity, and forensic integration challenges. A key innovation is the introduction of a novel temporal forensics loss ${\mathcal{L}}_{\mathrm{TFL}}$ in the Synthetic Attack Pattern Generator (SAPG), which enhances the preservation of temporal sequences in synthetic logs that are crucial for forensic analysis. The framework employs the SAPG with hybrid seed data (UNSW-NB15 and CICIDS2017) to create 500,000 synthetic log entries using Google Colab, achieving a realism score of 0.96, a temporal consistency score of 0.90, and an entropy of 4.0. The methodology employs a three-layer architecture that integrates data generation, pattern analysis, and forensic training, utilizing TimeGAN, XGBoost classification with hyperparameter tuning via Optuna, and reinforcement learning (RL) to optimize the extraction of evidence. Due to enhanced synthetic data quality and advanced modeling, the results exhibit an average classification precision of 98.5% (best fold 98.7%) 98.5% (best fold 98.7%), outperforming previously reported approaches. Feature importance analysis highlights timestamps (0.40) and event types (0.30), while the RL workflow reduces false positives by 17% over 1000 episodes, aligning with RL benchmarks. The temporal forensics loss improves the realism score from 0.92 to 0.96 and introduces a temporal consistency score of 0.90, demonstrating enhanced forensic relevance. This work presents a scalable and accessible training platform for legally constrained environments, as well as a novel RL-based evidence extraction method. Limitations include a lack of real-system validation and resource constraints. Future work will explore dynamic reward tuning and simulated benchmarks to enhance precision and generalizability. Full article

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) reduces the quality and quantity of crop seeds. PHS can be imposed through the embryo or husk pathway of cereal crops. Most reported PHS seeds are imposed via the embryo pathway. Here, we generated transgenic rice plants overexpressing rice melatonin 2-hydroxylase (OsM2H), which catalyzes the hydroxylation of melatonin to 2-hydroxymelatonin (2-OHM). OsM2H overexpression (M2H-OE) showed PHS under paddy conditions. Germination assays revealed that intact seeds harvested at 26 and 36 days after heading (DAH) showed PHS, whereas dehusked seeds did not, indicating husk-imposed PHS. Overproduction of 2-OHM was observed in M2H-OE seeds compared to wild-type control. In addition, M2H-OE lines produced more hydrogen peroxide than the wild-type. 2-OHM-induced reactive oxygen species resulted in the induction of OsGA3ox2, a gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis gene, and repression of OsGA2ox3, a GA degradation gene, in caryopses at 2 DAH, but in the induction of the ABA degradation gene OsABA8ox3 in intact seeds at 26 DAH. In addition, M2H-OE seedlings were longer and showed increased levels of hydrogen peroxide and OsGA3ox2 expression versus the wild-type. This is the first report showing that 2-OHM can induce PHS via the husk pathway in rice seeds through the induction of GA biosynthetic and ABA degradation genes. Full article

Fungal laccases are promising oxidative enzymes for bioremediation applications, particularly in the degradation of synthetic dyes present in industrial effluents. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) on the activity of Trametes versicolor laccase and its ability to decolorize Congo Red (CR), Malachite Green (MG), and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR). Enzyme assays revealed concentration-dependent inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 0.22 ± 0.04 M for NaCl and 1.00 ± 0.09 M for Na₂SO₄, indicating stronger inhibition by chloride. Kinetic modeling showed mixed-type inhibition for both salts. Despite this effect, the enzyme maintained significant activity: after 12 h, decolorization efficiencies reached 95 ± 4.0% for MG, 88 ± 3.0% for RBBR, and 75 ± 3.0% for CR, even in the presence of 0.5 M salts. When applied to a mixture of the three dyes, decolorization decreased only slightly in saline medium (94.04 ± 4.0% to 83.43 ± 5.1%). FTIR spectra revealed minor structural changes, but toxicity assays confirmed marked detoxification, with radicle length in lettuce seeds increasing from 20–38 mm (untreated dyes) to 41–48 mm after enzymatic treatment. Fungal growth assays corroborated reduced toxicity of treated dyes. These findings demonstrate that T. versicolor laccase retains functional robustness under ionic stress, supporting its potential application in saline textile wastewater remediation. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. (2n = 2x = 20) is a widely recognized species within the Cannabaceae family. Despite its utilization for medicinal, recreational, and industrial purposes, alongside its extensive historical background, the number of genetic and biotechnological studies of this plant species has decreased due to legal ramifications and prohibition campaigns associated with its use and cultivation. For many years, the development of novel varieties has been pursued solely by cultivators, as domestic growers have transitioned their work from cultivation to breeding Cannabis lineages. Recently, the application of genomics has facilitated a surge in methodologies aimed at marker-assisted selection, germplasm management, genetic differentiation, authentication of cultivated varieties or cultivars, and forensic applications such as safeguarding intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, the utilization of molecular markers for the advancement of commercial varieties through marker-assisted breeding (MAB) frameworks remains rare. This investigation was designed to evaluate a previously established informative microsatellite (SSR) array for the genotyping of drug-type Cannabis sativa cultivars derived from seeds of European origin. A total of 171 samples from 20 varieties were collected from European distributors and analyzed for genetic uniformity and population structure. The results were then compared with previously analyzed hemp samples and drug-type samples of Canadian origin, revealing the identification capabilities of our SSR genotyping method. Full article

Annually, about 2.4 million tons of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) used in disposable diapers are thrown away, polluting our planet. This study aims to explore the potential for reusing SAPs removed from diapers to enhance soil water retention. To this end, the swelling and water retention properties of SAP gels from three different types of diapers were compared to those of an agricultural gel, Aquasorb. Sand was used as a model for soil. When mixed with sand, diaper gels have a swelling degree of ca. 100 g per gram of dried polymer, and a swelling pressure of 12–26 kPa, which are similar to those of Aquasorb gel. Using a synthesized poly(acrylamide-co-sodium acrylate) gel as an example, the correlation between the swelling pressure and the compression modulus of the swollen gel was demonstrated. Soil-hydrological constants were estimated from water retention curves obtained by equilibrium centrifugation of gel/sand mixtures. It was observed that adding 0.3 vol% of diaper gels to sand leads to a 3–4-fold increase in water range available to plants, which is close to that provided by agricultural gel Aquasorb. The water-holding properties were shown to be maintained during several swelling/deswelling cycles in the sand medium. The addition of diaper gels to soil had a significant positive impact on mustard (Brassica juncea L.) seed germination and seedling growth, similar to the agricultural gel Aquasorb. This suggests high potential for the reuse of SAPs from diaper waste to improve soil water retention and water accessibility to plants. This would provide both economic and environmental benefits, conserving energy and raw materials to produce new agricultural gels and limiting the amount of waste. Full article

Lunasin is a peptide found in the soybean albumin 2S subunit, which has important bioactivities, such as anticancer and antioxidant. Recently, peptides similar to soybean lunasin have been reported in other cereal and legume seeds; for this reason, it is considered important to carry out a review that compiles this information, whose interest lies mainly in the bioactive properties of these peptides. The peptides reported in the literature contained in barley, wheat, rye, triticale, oat, black nightshade, amaranth, bean, chickpea, grass pea, lentil, and pea are analyzed and described. Isolation methods such as ion exchange chromatography, immunoaffinity column chromatography, Western blot, reversed-phase chromatography coupled to an electrospray ionization source, extraction with water and dialysis, and extraction with PBS, and tests such as internalization, radical scavenging, chelating, cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines essays, and histone acetyltransferase inhibition essays were carried out to identify their anticancer properties. It is worth mentioning that the in silico analyses of proteins in which the lunasin-like peptide is located have been developed in some of these seeds; however, more studies are needed in order to confirm sequence similarity to that of the lunasin peptide. Further work is needed in order to identify the sequence of these lunasin-like peptides and corroborate their similarity to that of the lunasin, such as the development of specific antibodies for each lunasin-like peptide reported in each type of seeds. This document aims to compile the advances in the research on lunasin-like peptides and their bioactivities to have a better understanding of the current advances related to these peptides. Full article

Salinity is a major limitation on common bean productivity, while phosphorus in many soils is often immobilized, limiting its availability to plants. This study investigated the effects of coated and uncoated superphosphate fertilizers, applied at different rates and using distinct methods, on soil properties, plant growth, and ion regulation in common beans grown in saline soil over two seasons (2023–2024). Treatments combined two fertilizer types (coated with potassium sulfate and uncoated), two P rates (360 and 480 kg/ha), and two application methods: (1) conventional application, broadcasting followed by plowing to 30 cm depth during soil preparation; (2) surface application, broadcasting without incorporation. Six treatments were applied: T₁: 360 kg/ha of uncoated superphosphate (conventional method); T₂: 480 kg/ha of uncoated superphosphate (conventional method); T₃: 360 kg/ha of coated superphosphate (conventional method); T₄: 480 kg/ha of coated superphosphate (conventional method); T₅: 360 kg/ha of coated superphosphate (surface method); and T₆: 480 kg/ha of coated superphosphate (surface method). The results demonstrated that soil pH was unaffected across treatments. However, T₄ and T₆ significantly improved nutrient availability (N, P, and K), biomass, grain yield, and seed nutritional quality (protein, P, K, and Ca). Despite increased soil EC, these treatments enhanced ionic balance (higher K/Na and Ca/Na ratios) indicating improved stress tolerance. Importantly, T₃ (360 kg/ha coated) performed comparably to T₂ (480 kg/ha uncoated), suggesting that coated superphosphate at lower rates can reduce input costs without compromising yield. These results demonstrate the agronomic and environmental benefits of coated superphosphate, particularly under saline conditions, through enhanced nutrient use efficiency and improved crop performance. Full article

The tree bean (Parkia timoriana), an underutilized legume valued for its nutritional profile, represents a potential source of bioactive peptides for diabetes management. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify and characterize DPP-IV inhibitory peptides derived from tree bean seed protein hydrolysates. The tree bean proteins were digested with trypsin, thermolysin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, and simulated gastrointestinal (SGI) enzymes, among which SGI hydrolysis yielded the highest degree of hydrolysis (14%) and strongest DPP-IV inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 1289 ± 58 µg/mL). Guided by DPP-IV inhibitory assays, sequential fractionation using strong cation exchange and RP-HPLC yielded the most potent fraction, H5, with an IC₅₀ of 949 ± 50 µg/mL. After peptide identification and synthesis, APLGPF (AF6) emerged as the most potent inhibitor, with an IC₅₀ of 396 ± 18 µM. Enzyme kinetics revealed a non-competitive inhibition mechanism, corroborated by molecular docking, which indicated binding at an allosteric site of DPP-IV. Furthermore, AF6 remained stable under simulated gastrointestinal digestion and enzymatic exposure, highlighting its resistance to proteolysis. Taken together, these findings highlight P. timoriana as an underexplored source of peptides with DPP-IV inhibitory activity and identify AF6 as a promising lead for developing functional foods or nutraceuticals aimed at type 2 diabetes management. Full article

The effects of different storage conditions on seed germination and mortality may exhibit species-specific patterns. Burial serves as a natural seed storage mechanism, and its impact on seed germination and mortality holds critical implications for understanding the formation mechanisms of soil seed banks and the restoration of vegetation. Seed size is closely related to storage conditions, as it affects the ease with which seeds penetrate the soil, thereby potentially influencing their germination and mortality responses to those storage conditions. This study used 12 common plant species from a subalpine wet meadow. Employing in situ unheated storage as the control and in situ burial at a 15 cm depth (for seven months) as the experimental treatment, we aimed to explore the effects of burial on seed germination and survival, as well as the underlying mechanisms, in relation to seed size. The results showed the following: (1) Compared with the control, the burial treatment significantly increased the germination rates of four species (burial-promoted germination type), while no significant effect was observed on the germination of the remaining eight species (burial-insensitive germination type); it significantly increased the mortality rate of two species (survival-inhibited type), significantly decreased the mortality rate of four species (survival-promoted type), and had no significant impact on the mortality rate of the remaining six species (survival-insensitive type). (2) Seed size exhibited significant negative correlations with both post-burial germination rates and mortality rates under control conditions, while showing a significant positive correlation with the magnitude of mortality change. The species-specific responses of seed germination and mortality to storage conditions, and their close association with seed size, represent products of long-term plant evolution. This study provides important insights for understanding the mechanisms of soil seed bank formation and offers valuable guidance for vegetation restoration practices. Full article

The sustainability of Korla fragrant pear orchards has been increasingly threatened by prolonged intensive agricultural practices. In response, biofertilizers and green manures have gained attention due to their potential to enhance soil structure, activate microbial functions, and improve nutrient uptake. However, the dynamic changes in soil bacterial communities under such interventions remain inadequately understood. This study was conducted from 2022 to 2023 in 7- to 8-year-old Korla fragrant pear orchards in Bayin’guoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. The treatments included: conventional fertilization (CK), biofertilizer (JF), oil sunflowers (DK1) with 25 cm row spacing and a seeding rate of 27 kg·hm⁻², oil sunflowers (DK2) with 25 cm row spacing and a seeding rate of 33 kg·hm⁻², sweet clover (CM1) with 20 cm row spacing and a seeding rate of 21 kg·hm⁻², and sweet clover (CM2) with 20 cm row spacing and a seeding rate of 27 kg·hm⁻². During the 2023 pear season, soil samples from the 0–20 cm layer were collected at the fruit setting, expansion, and maturity stages. Their physical and chemical properties were analyzed, and the structure and diversity of the soil bacterial community were examined using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. Fruit yield was assessed at the maturity stage. Compared to CK, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased by 101.00%, 38.99%, and 50.38% in the JF, DK2, and CM1 treatments, respectively. DK1 and CM1 treatments resulted in a 152.28% and 145.70% increase in the relative abundance of the taxon Subgroup_7, while JF and DK2 treatments enhanced the relative abundance of the taxon Gitt-GS-136 by 318.91% and 324.04%, respectively. The Chao1 index for CM2 was 18.76% higher than CK. LEfSe analysis showed that the DK2 and CM2 treatments had a more significant regulatory effect on bacterial community structure. All treatments led to higher fruit numbers and yield compared to CK, with JF showing the largest yield increase. Fertilizer type, soil nutrients, and bacterial community structure all significantly positively influenced pear yield. In conclusion, high-density oil sunflower planting is the most effective approach for maintaining soil microbial community stability, followed by low-density sweet clover. This study provides a systematic evaluation of the dynamic effects of bio-fertilizers and different green manure planting patterns on soil microbial communities in Korla fragrant pear orchards, presenting practical, microbe-based strategies for sustainable orchard management. Full article

Yellow lupin seeds are a rich source of protein, which is why they are grown for animal feed and human consumption. At the same time, there is growing interest in organic farming. However, this type of cultivation is more susceptible to diseases, including viral ones. Yellow lupin is most commonly affected by the bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). We have therefore determined the occurrence of these two pathogens in six new Polish yellow lupin cultivars (Goldeneye, Salut, Diament, Puma, Mister and Bursztyn) grown in accordance with organic farming rules. Field experiments were conducted over three years, from 2022 to 2024, in three locations in eastern Poland. The Goldeneye cultivar was the most susceptible to BYMV, with an average infection rate of 59.17% of plants. In contrast, the Puma cultivar was the least susceptible to BYMV infection, with an average infection rate of 23.34%. However, even within this cultivar, most plants were infected under conditions of strong pathogen pressure (up to 90% in one of the locations in 2024). CMV infections were less frequent, with no statistical differences being found between cultivars in terms of the number of infected plants. Full article

Fuzzing deep learning (DL) libraries is essential for uncovering security vulnerabilities in AI systems. Existing approaches enhance large language models (LLMs) with external knowledge such as bug reports to improve the quality of generated seeds. However, most approaches still rely on static strategies or single knowledge sources, limiting their ability to produce syntactically valid inputs that also expose deeper bugs. To address this challenge, we propose an adaptive seed generation approach that models knowledge-guided prompt selection as a multi-armed bandit problem. Our method first constructs two knowledge bases from API documentation and bug reports, then dynamically selects and refines prompt strategies based on real-time feedback. These strategies are tailored to the knowledge types in the respective bases. We design a multi-dimensional reward function to evaluate each batch of generated seeds by measuring their error-triggering potential and behavioral diversity, enabling a balanced exploration of both syntactically valid and bug-triggering test cases. Our experiments on three DL libraries, PaddlePaddle, MindSpore, and OneFlow, identify 17 previously unknown crash bugs, demonstrating the effectiveness and generalizability of the proposed approach. Full article

As nutrient allocation trade-offs occur between reproductive and vegetative development in crops, optimizing their partitioning holds promise for improving agricultural productivity and quality. Herein, we characterize the phenotypic diversity of the fruitfulness trait and identify associated genes in tea plants (Camellia sinensis). Over three consecutive years, we monitored the fruitfulness of an F₁ hybrid population (n = 206) derived from crosses of ‘Emei Wenchun’ and ‘Chuanmu 217’. A marked variation was observed in the yield of individual plants, ranging from complete sterility (zero fruits) to exceptionally high fertility (1612 fruits). Using the high-resolution genetic linkage map and the fruitfulness data, we identified a stable major QTL designated as qFN5. To fine-map the underlying gene(s), artificial pollination experiments were conducted with extreme phenotype individuals (with the highest vs. lowest fruit numbers). Bulked segregant RNA sequencing (BSR-Seq) with ovules collected at two and seven days post-pollination (DPP) identified the genomic intervals that exhibit a high degree of overlap with qFN5. Analysis of expression dynamics combined with functional genomics data revealed a prominent candidate gene, CsETR2 (TGY048509), which encodes an ethylene receptor protein. When CsETR2 was overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana, the transgenic lines exhibited significantly decreased reproductive performance relative to the wild-type plants. Relative to the wild type, the transgenic lines exhibited a significant decline in several key traits: the number of effective panicles decreased by 72.5%, the seed setting rate dropped by 67.7%, and the silique length shortened by 38%. These findings demonstrate its role in regulating plant fruitfulness. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays verified that CsMYB15 (TGY110225) directly binds to the CsETR2 promoter, thus repressing its transcription. In summary, our findings expand the understanding of genetic regulation underlying fruitfulness in tea plants and provide candidate target loci for breeding. Full article

Potato leafroll virus (PLRV, species Polerovirus PLRV) is a major pathogen affecting potatoes worldwide. Since 2018, PLRV incidence has increased in Scottish potato crops. Deep sequencing of PLRV in Scottish potato plants revealed the prevalence of a novel PLRV type which became predominant in 2023, displacing the phylogenetically distinct variants that have been present in the region since at least 1989. Analysis of the infection dynamics of the cDNA clone-derived PLRV isolates in potato plants indicated that the novel PLRV may accumulate to higher levels compared to the historic one. Analysis of the genetic diversity of PLRV in early and late field generations (FGs) of seed potatoes showed a significantly reduced genetic diversity of the PLRV structural genes in the early FGs compared to the late FGs, while divergency of the non-structural genes remained similar across all FGs. Considering that late FGs are more likely to be infected with PLRV via tuber transmission, and early FGs via aphid transmission, these findings suggest that aphid transmission imposes a genetic bottleneck on the structural genes of PLRV, but not on its non-structural genes. Full article

Soybeans are often used as a raw material for the production of plant-based beverages. Malting significantly changes the properties of malted seeds; therefore, the aim of this study was the assessment of beverages obtained from soy malts (two types: ‘Pilsener’ and ‘Caramel’) produced from three soy varieties (Abaca, Abelina, and Aurelina). Beverages produced from malts were characterized by a higher protein content compared with beverages from unmalted seeds. The control samples showed a lower content of the sum of all amino acids (363.89–371.04 mg/g) compared with beverages from both types of malts, and the highest content was determined in the beverage from caramel-type malt of the Abaca variety (434.60 mg/g). Beverages from caramel-type malt of the Abaca and Aurelina varieties contained the largest concentration of phenolic compounds (8.35–10.33 mg GAE/100 mL) and the highest antioxidant activity (ABTS^•+ 0.36–0.45 μmol Trolox/mL, FRAP 0.24–0.30 μmol Trolox/mL, and DPPH 0.08–0.09 μmol Trolox/mL). Analysis of the concentration of volatile compounds has shown that using malted soybeans had a significant effect on the composition and share of various groups of volatile compounds (aldehydes, alcohols, terpenes, and ketones) in the analyzed beverages. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using soy malt in the production of plant-based beverages. However, further work is necessary to improve the quality and organoleptic properties of these products. Full article