Search Results (3,836)

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a critical protein-rich legume supporting food and nutritional security globally. However, Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium solani, remains a major constraint to production, with yield losses reaching up to 84%. While biocontrol strategies have been explored, most microbial agents are sourced from mesophilic environments and show limited effectiveness under abiotic stress. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of extremophilic Bacillus spp. from the hypersaline Lake Bogoria, Kenya, and their biocontrol potential against F. solani. From 30 isolates obtained via serial dilution, 9 exhibited antagonistic activity in vitro, with mycelial inhibition ranging from 1.07-1.93 cm 16S rRNA sequencing revealed taxonomic diversity within the Bacillus genus, including unique extremotolerant strains. Molecular screening identified genes associated with the biosynthesis of antifungal metabolites such as 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, pyrrolnitrin, and hydrogen cyanide. Enzyme assays confirmed substantial production of chitinase (1.33–3160 U/mL) and chitosanase (10.62–28.33 mm), supporting a cell wall-targeted antagonism mechanism. In planta assays with the lead isolate (B7) significantly reduced disease incidence (8–35%) and wilt severity (1–5 affected plants), while enhancing root colonization under pathogen pressure. These findings demonstrate that extremophile-derived Bacillus spp. possess robust antifungal traits and highlight their potential as climate-resilient biocontrol agents for sustainable bean production in arid and semi-arid agroecosystems. Full article

Background: Unambiguous clinical interpretation of PCR results for urinary tract infections (UTIs) remains a challenge. Here we compare and correlate multiplex qPCR results (quantification cycle values) with traditional microbial culture results (colony forming units) for clinical samples. Methods: Serial dilutions [10⁸ to 10⁰ colony forming units (CFU)/mL] were performed on five Gram-negative and two Gram-positive UTI-causing bacterial pathogens. For each dilution, quantitative cultures on solid media to confirm CFU/mL values and a real-time PCR UTI panel employing a nanofluidic Open Array^TM platform producing quantification cycle (Cq) values were performed. Cq values were correlated with CFU/mL values, generating a semi-quantitative interpretive scale for clinical samples. The clinical utility of the scale was then assessed using PCR and culture data from 168 clinical urine samples. Results: For Gram-negative bacteria, Cq values of <23, 23 to 28, and >28 corresponded with ≥10⁵ CFU/mL, <10⁵ CFU/mL and negative cultures, respectively. For Gram-positive bacteria, Cq values of <26, 26 to 30, and >30 corresponded with ≥10⁵ CFU/mL, <10⁵ CFU/mL and negative cultures, respectively. Among 168 urine specimens (including 138 Gram-negative and 30 Gram-positive bacteria), there was 83.3% agreement (n = 140/168) and 16.6% non-agreement (n = 28/168) between culture CFU/mL and qPCR Cq. Gram-negative bacteria had higher agreement (87.6%, 121/138) than Gram-positive bacteria (63.3%, 19/30). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that qPCR Cq results can be directly correlated with traditional urine quantitative culture results and reliably identify the clinically relevant cutoff of 10⁵ CFU/mL for detected uropathogens. Full article

Previous studies observed that emotional scenes, presented as distractors, capture attention and interfere with an ongoing task. This behavioral interference has been shown to be elicited by the semantic rather than by the perceptual properties of a scene, as it resisted the application of low-pass spatial frequency filters. Some studies observed that the visual system can adapt to perceptual conditions; however, little is known concerning whether attentional capture by emotional stimuli can also be modulated by the sequential repetition of viewing conditions or of emotional content. In the present study, we asked participants to perform a parity task while viewing irrelevant natural scenes, which could be either emotional or neutral. These scenes could be either blurred (low-pass filter) or perceptually intact, and the order of presentation was balanced to study the effects of sequential repetition of perceptual conditions. The results indicate that affective modulation was most pronounced when the same viewing condition (either intact or blurred) was repeated, with faster responses when perceptual conditions were repeated for neutral distractors, but to a lesser extent for emotional ones. These data suggest that emotional interference in an attentional task can be modulated by serial sensitization in the processing of spatial frequencies. Full article

The Golgi of goblet cells represents a specialized machine for mucin glycosylation. This process occurs in a specialized form of the secretory pathway, which remains poorly examined. Here, using high-resolution three-dimensional electron microscopy (EM), EM tomography, serial block face scanning EM (SBF-SEM) and immune EM we analyzed the secretory pathway in goblet cells and revealed that COPII-coated buds on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are extremely rare. The ERES vesicles with dimensions typical for the COPII-dependent vesicles were not found. The Golgi is formed by a single cisterna organized in a spiral with characteristics of the cycloid surface. This ribbon has a shape of a cup with irregular perforations. The Golgi cup is filled with secretory granules (SGs) containing glycosylated mucins. Their diameter is close to 1 µm. The cup is connected with ER exit sites (ERESs) with temporal bead-like connections, which are observed mostly near the craters observed at the externally located cis surface of the cup. The craters represent conus-like cavities formed by aligned holes of gradually decreasing diameters through the first three Golgi cisternae. These craters are localized directly opposite the ERES. Clusters of the 52 nm vesicles are visible between Golgi cisternae and between SGs. The accumulation of mucin, started in the fourth cisternal layer, induces distensions of the cisternal lumen. The thickness of these distensions gradually increases in size through the next cisternal layers. The spherical distensions are observed at the edges of the Golgi cup, where they fuse with SGs and detach from the cisternae. After the fusion of SGs located just below the apical plasma membrane (APM) with APM, mucus is secreted. The content of this SG becomes less osmiophilic and the excessive surface area of the APM is formed. This membrane is eliminated through the detachment of bubbles filled with another SG and surrounded with a double membrane or by collapse of the empty SG and transformation of the double membrane lacking a visible lumen into multilayered organelles, which move to the cell basis and are secreted into the intercellular space where the processes of dendritic cells are localized. These data are evaluated from the point of view of existing models of intracellular transport. Full article

The adrenal medulla and organs of Zuckerkandl consist of chromaffin cells that produce, store, and secrete catecholamines. In humans, the adrenal medulla is known to function throughout postnatal life, while the organs of Zuckerkandl degenerate by 2–3 years of postnatal life. Although the history of investigation of chromaffin cells goes back more than a century, little is known about the reciprocal organogenesis of the adrenal glands and organs of Zuckerkandl during human fetal development. In the current study, we compared these two organs using serial sectioning, routine histological staining, and immunohistochemical reactions in human embryos, prefetuses, and fetuses from 8 to 26 gestational weeks. In our study, we used antibodies for tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, which are enzymes of catecholamine synthesis, β-III tubulin, and S100. We found two morphological cell types (large and small) in the developing ganglia, organs of Zuckerkandl, and adrenal medulla, and two migration patterns of large cells and small cells. The immunohistochemical characteristics of these cells were determined. We revealed that the number of small cells increased significantly at the ages from 16 to 21–22 gestational weeks, followed by a decrease at 22.5–26 gestational weeks. The presence of two large cell subpopulations was suggested—those that migrate primarily from organs of the Zuckerkandl region and those that differentiate later from the small cells. We also determined that 12 gestational weeks was the age of the first appearance of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase reactivity in developing chromaffin cells, temporally correlating with synaptogenesis events. This is important data in the light of the controversial glucocorticoid theory of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase induction in humans. Full article

Aiming at the multifunctional requirements of the limited space in high-end vehicle side-door latches, a double single-loop RRUPRR mechanism driven by a single motor for both electric releasing and cinching is proposed based on the POC set. The kinematical equations of the RRURR mechanism possess 2 × 2 analytical solutions. In order to apply the current motion/force transmission performance index of the parallel mechanisms to the transmission performance analysis of the serial mechanisms, matching methods for chain-driving transference and the moving/fixed platform inversion are proposed. The solution of the performance index of a single-degree-of-freedom single-loop mechanism is equivalent to the solution of the input motion/force transmission performance index of a parallel mechanism. The overall motion/force transmission performance index of a single-loop mechanism is constructed, and the corresponding calculation procedure is defined. Chain-driving transference can be obtained through forward and inverse solutions of the RRURR mechanism. In response to the extremely high requirements for motion/force transmission performance of electric release mechanisms, the proposed overall motion/force transmission performance index is used to calculate for the input motion screw and corresponding transmission-force screw of the single-loop RRURR mechanism and obtain the overall motion/force transmission performance of the mechanism. The performance atlas of the mechanism shows that it has excellent motion/force transmission characteristics within the workspace. Using ADAMS simulation software, the driving torque required for electric releasing and cinching of a vehicle side-door latch mechanism with a single motor is analyzed. The overall motion/force transmission performance index of a single-loop mechanism can be applied to single-loop overconstrained mechanisms and non-overconstrained mechanisms. Full article

Objectives: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a reliable prognostic biomarker in both early- and late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, its role in NSCLC with pleural dissemination (M1a), a subset of disease with indolent biology, remains to be elucidated. Methods: We collected 41 M1a patients with serial ctDNA and CEA monitoring. Progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed between patients with different levels of ctDNA and CEA. An independent cohort of 61 M1a patients was included for validation. Results: At the diagnostic landmark, the detection rates for ctDNA and CEA were 22% and 55%, respectively. Among patients who experienced disease progression with pleural metastases, only ten had detectable ctDNA in longitudinal timepoints, resulting in a sensitivity of 50%. Moreover, there was no significant difference in PFS between patients with longitudinally detectable and undetectable ctDNA (HR: 0.86, 95% CI 0.33–2.23, p = 0.76). In contrast, patients with a decreasing CEA trend within 3 months after diagnosis were associated with an improved PFS (HR: 0.22; 95% CI, 0.03–1.48, p = 0.004). This finding is confirmed in an independent M1a patient cohort. Conclusions: Together, our findings suggest that M1a NSCLC with isolated pleural dissemination may represent a “non-shedding” tumor type, where ctDNA shows limited diagnostic and prognostic value. Monitoring early changes in CEA could be a more cost-effective predictor of disease progression. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-risk neuroblastoma patients are treated with approved anti-ganglioside GD2 antibodies of moderate (dinutuximab beta; DB) and higher binding affinity (naxitamab; NAXI). We evaluated the functional potency of DB compared to NAXI and investigated the target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD). Methods: Tumor spheroids were generated from neuroblastoma cells with varying GD2 expression, stably expressing iRFP680 as a viability marker. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) were assessed in a long-term life-cell viability assay using serial dilutions of the GD2 antibodies. Binding activity was determined by flow cytometry. Processes involved in TMDD were analyzed, including antibody binding to dead tumor cells and to soluble GD2 (sGD2), antibody internalization into tumor and immune cells and the impact of sGD2 on DB and NAXI-mediated ADCC. Results: DB and NAXI mediated a concentration-dependent ADCC response against GD2-positive spheroids and no response against GD2-negative spheroids. DB showed a significantly higher ADCC potency than NAXI in all GD2-positive spheroid models. Binding activity of DB and NAXI was not significantly different. However, the decrease of anti-GD2 antibody binding to viable GD2-positive tumor cells following co-incubation with dead GD2-positive tumor cells or sGD2 was significantly higher for NAXI than DB. Additionally, we found an increased internalization of NAXI compared to DB by tumor cells and particularly CD64+ monocytes. Finally, sGD2 impaired NAXI-mediated ADCC to a significantly greater extent than DB-mediated ADCC. Conclusions: DB has a higher ADCC potency over NAXI at clinically relevant concentrations, attributed to stronger TMDD effects of NAXI compared to DB. Full article

Background: Influenza A viruses (IAV) cause seasonal flu and occasional pandemics. In addition, the potential for the emergence of new strains presents unknown challenges for public health. Face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) can act as barriers that prevent the spread of these viruses. Metal ions embedded into PPE have been demonstrated to inactivate respiratory viruses, but the underlying mechanism of inactivation and potential for resistance is presently not well understood. Methods: In this study, we used hemagglutination assays to quantify the effect of zinc ions on IAV sialic acid receptor binding. We varied the zinc concentration, incubation time, incubation temperature, and passaged IAV in the presence of zinc ions to investigate if resistance to zinc ions could evolve. Results: We found that zinc ions impact the ability of IAV particles to hemagglutinate and observed inhibition within 1 min of exposure. Maximum inhibition was achieved within 1 h and sustained for at least 24 h in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition was also temperature-dependent, and optimal above room temperature. Serial passaging of IAV in the presence of zinc ions did not result in resistance. Conclusions: e conclude that zinc ions prevent IAV hemagglutination in a concentration and temperature-dependent manner for at least 24 h. Overall, these findings are in line with previous observations indicating that zinc-embedded materials can inactivate the IAV hemagglutinin and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, and they support work toward developing robust, passive, self-cleaning antiviral barriers in PPE. Full article

In Aerial Manipulation, the motion of the robotic arm can cause unwanted movements of the flying base affecting the trajectory tracking capability. A possible solution to reduce these disturbances is to use a free revolute joint between the flying base and the manipulator, thus reducing the torque applied to the base from the manipulator. In this paper, a novel approach to solve the inverse kinematics of an aerial manipulator with a free revolute joint is presented. The approach exploits the Generalized Jacobian to deal with the presence of a mobile base, and the dynamics of the system is considered to predict the motion of the non-actuated joint; external forces acting on the system are also included. The method is implemented in MATLAB for a planar case considering the parameters of a real manipulator attached to a real octocopter. The tracking of a trajectory with the end-effector and a load picking task are simulated for a non-redundant and for a redundant manipulator. Simulation results demonstrate the capability of this approach in following the desired trajectories and reducing rotation and horizontal translation of the base. Full article

Multisensory integration is crucial for effective cognitive functioning, especially in complex tasks such as those requiring rapid audiovisual information processing. High-level martial arts routine athletes, trained in integrating visual and auditory cues for performance, may exhibit superior abilities in cross-audiovisual integration. This study aimed to explore whether these athletes demonstrate an expert advantage effect in audiovisual integration, particularly focusing on whether this advantage is due to enhanced automatic auditory processing. A total of 165 participants (81 male, 84 female) were included in three experiments. Experiment 1 (n = 63) used a cross-audiovisual Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) paradigm to compare the martial arts routine athlete group (n = 31) with a control group (n = 33) in tasks requiring target stimulus identification under audiovisual congruent and incongruent conditions. Experiment 2 (n = 52) manipulated the synchronicity of auditory stimuli to differentiate between audiovisual integration and auditory alerting effects. Experiment 3 (n = 50) combined surprise and post-surprise tests to investigate the role of automatic auditory processing in this expert advantage. Experiment 1 revealed that martial arts routine athletes outperformed the control group, especially in semantically incongruent conditions, with significantly higher accuracy at both lag3 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [0.165, 0.275]) and lag8 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [0.242, 0.435]). Experiment 2 found no significant difference between groups in response to the manipulation of auditory stimulus synchronicity, ruling out an alerting effect. In Experiment 3, martial arts routine athletes demonstrated better performance in reporting unexpected auditory stimuli during the surprise test, indicating enhanced automatic processing capacity. Additionally, a significant improvement in working memory re-selection was observed in the martial arts routine group. The expert advantage effect observed in martial arts routine athletes is attributable to enhanced cross-audiovisual integration, independent of an auditory alerting mechanism. Long-term training improves the efficiency of working memory re-selection and the ability to inhibit conflicting information, suggesting that the expanded capacity for automatic auditory processing underpins their multisensory integration advantage. Full article

This paper studies the dynamic parameters identification problem of load and linkages of a serial robot in the presence of model uncertainty. The dynamic parameters of load and linkages of a serial robot have been identified through a combination procedure, which is useful for different platforms of serial robot systems. The purpose of this paper is to propose a dynamic parameter identification method for a serial robot based on a dual quaternion. Using the information of the force and torque of the load obtained by the six-dimensional force sensor installed on the end-effector of the robot, the dynamics parameter identification matrix of the load is derived, which also uses the information of motion speed and acceleration of the end-effector. On the other hand, the analysis of the dynamic relationship between adjacent linkages and the joints is based on dual quaternion algebra, and the identification matrix for the dynamic parameters and the difference values of associated linkages are derived, as well. The combination procedure of the method is flexible in the application of dynamic parameters identification for a serial robot using a dual quaternion. Furthermore, the proposed DQ (dual quaternion)-based method in this paper has the advantage of lower cost compared with the RBFNN (radial basis function neural network)-based method. The effectiveness of the proposed dynamic parameter identification method for a serial robot has been verified by relevant experiments. Full article

The subject of ship structural dynamics has faced new technological obstacles due to scientific and technological advancements, and one of the main concerns in related sectors is how to effectively reduce the vibration levels of different ships. This article focuses on the application scenarios of ship floating raft isolation systems, establishing a wave propagation model for acoustic black hole (ABH) structures based on the idea of the ABH effect. Then, a transfer matrix model for serially connected ABH structures is derived, which serves as a basis for subsequent structural designs. Second, the finite element method is used to study the energy distribution and vibration characteristics of a symmetrically distributed periodic non-uniform multi-level ABH structure. Meanwhile, it examines its bandgap distribution under a one-dimensional periodic arrangement and then investigates the vibration properties of non-uniform multi-level ABH thin-plate constructions with different periods from the perspective of engineering applications. Moreover, parameter optimization studies of non-uniform multi-level ABH structures with finite periods are carried out with an emphasis on engineering applications. The first step is to use the design space to determine the range of values for the parameters that need to be optimized. The hyper Latin cubic sampling method is then employed to select samples, and the EI criterion and PSO optimization algorithm are applied to add new samples to improve the Kriging surrogate model’s accuracy. When the optimal structural parameters have been determined, they are applied to the raft rib plate to verify the isolation effect of the non-uniform multi-level ABH structure by analyzing the vibration level difference at specific raft positions before and after embedding it. Full article

The research presented in this paper is based on the need for personalized medical implants, whose serial production is impossible, so the need for production process adjustments is inevitable. Conventional production technologies usually set geometrical limitations and generate a lot of waste material, which leads to great expenses, especially when the material used for production is an expensive Ti alloy. Additive technologies offer the possibility to produce a product almost without waste material and geometrical limitations. Nevertheless, the methods developed for additive production using metal powder are not significantly used in biomedicine because there is insufficient data published regarding the properties of additively produced parts, especially from the fatigue and fracture standpoint. The aim of this research is the experimental determination of fracture mechanics properties of additively produced parts and their comparison with the properties of parts produced by conventional technologies. Drawing is the first production process in the comparison, and the second one is selective laser melting (SLM). The Ti-alloy Ti-6Al-7Nb, used for medical implants, was selected for this research. Experimental testing was performed in order to determine ΔK_th fracture mechanics parameters and resistance curves according to ASTM E1820. Test specimen dimensioning and the experiments were carried out according to the respective standards. For the drawn test specimen, the value obtained was ΔK_th = 3.84 MPam^0.5, and the fracture toughness was K_c = 84 MPam^0.5, while for SLM produced test specimens the values were ΔK_th = 4.53 MPam^0.5, and K_c = 21.9 MPam^0.5. Full article

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis may assist in objective and reproducible risk stratification. However, the prognostic utility of serial ECGs, particularly the follow-up ECG prior to discharge, has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate whether dynamic changes in AI-predicted ECG risk scores could enhance prediction of post-discharge outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 11,508 ED visits from a single medical center where patients underwent two ECGs and were directly discharged. We stratified the mortality risk of patients as low risk, medium risk, and high risk based on the first and follow-up ECG prior to discharge using AI-enabled ECG models. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) was calculated for the predictive performance of the two ECGs. Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves were used for 90-day mortality analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to compare the risk of death across categories. Results: The AI-enabled ECG risk prediction model, based on the initial and follow-up ECGs prior to discharge, indicated risk transitions among different groups. The AUC for mortality risk was 78.6% for the first ECG and 83.3% for the follow-up ECG. KM curves revealed a significant increase in 90-day mortality for patients transitioning from low to medium/high risk upon discharge (Hazard Ratio: 6.01; Confidence Interval: 1.70–21.27). Conclusions: AI-enabled ECGs obtained prior to discharge provide superior mortality risk stratification for ED patients compared to initial ECGs. Patients classified as medium- or high-risk at discharge require careful consideration, whereas those at low risk can generally be discharged safely. Although AI-ECG alone does not replace comprehensive risk assessment, it offers a practical tool to support clinical judgment, particularly in the dynamic ED environment, by aiding safer discharge decisions. Full article