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Medical facemask waste alters detritus decomposition and fungal communities in a freshwater pond
Abstract Plastic pollution is an ongoing issue in freshwater ecosystems, including that generated from the spike in disposable facemask use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The degradation products of such plastic waste, including plastic leachate compounds and generation of microplastics, have the potential to affect freshwater ecosystem structure and function. We investigated the effects of facemask-derived polypropylene particles of different sizes and their leachates on fungal communities and detritus decomposition in a pond. We further investigated effects of the presence of wood shavings, used to represent a naturally-occurring, highly refractory, organic reference material. Over five weeks, leaf litter mass loss and cotton cellulose tensile strength loss were quantified weekly, and fungal biomass, community composition, and functional gene abundance at two time points. Wood shavings reduced leaf decomposition (-4.4%) relative to controls, while plastics increased decomposition of labile cotton cellulose (+ 6.6%), with the strongest effect from unleached microplastics (+ 22.7%). After 21 days, litter-associated fungal biomass was reduced by the presence of wood shavings (-20.1%) and plastics (-8.6%). Fungal communities differed between wood- and control treatments, and varied widely under plastic exposure. Our findings highlight size- and leachate-dependent effects of facemask-derived plastic particles on freshwater fungal communities and ecosystem functions, which largely contrasted with those of wood.
A compact metasurface-based tri-band MIMO antenna with minimalist decoupling for multi-standard wireless devices
Geochemical and machine learning approaches to groundwater fluoride prediction in Karaga District, Northern Ghana
Dramatic changes induced on porous silicon birefringence by shape-dependent properties
Abstract Porous silicon birefringence originating from preferred pore etching directions along the crystallographic axes has been reported in a number of scientific publications along the last three decades. This birefringence originates from the fact that the preferred pore etching directions are those along the main crystallographic axes, namely [100], [010] and [001]. The preferred surface orientation for the studies on birefringent porous Si is [110], where the main optical axis is horizontal and, for a light beam propagating along the direction perpendicular to the surface, there are two distinct refractive indexes, so that this configuration has been considered easier for actual devices fabrication and is, by large, the most studied as far as birefringence is concerned. In this work, centered on (100)-oriented porous silicon, we show that the nature of porous silicon birefringence depends on the porous structure configuration and is therefore also dependent on the orientation of the surface of the bulk Si used. Moreover, we demonstrate that such structural dependence is so large that even apparently similar configurations can lead to positive or negative birefringence. Possible reasons for these remarkable differences are discussed along the experimental results.
Enhanced swin transformer with dual attention for knee osteoarthritis severity grading from X-ray images
Validation, quantification, and molecular docking of isolated eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside in Boerhavia diffusa Linn for hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activity
Distinct social network structures and their cognitive and psychological correlates
Functional characterization of Pseudomonas soli VMAP1 as a biocontrol agent against Xanthomonas vesicatoria in tomato plants
Abstract Although several Pseudomonas spp. have recognised biocontrol properties, the ecological and functional potential of Pseudomonas soli remains largely unexplored. Here, the 5.6 Mb genome of the strain VMAP1 was sequenced and annotated to confirm its taxonomic identity and investigate genes associated with biocontrol traits. Genome mining and targeted in vitro and in planta assays were combined to assess its biocontrol potential. The genome harbours genes linked to the synthesis of bioactive compounds, as well as to regulatory and secretion systems homologous to those involved in biocontrol in other Pseudomonas spp. Functionally, VMAP1 exhibited motility and tolerance to changing environmental conditions. It also produced outer membrane vesicles and bioactive compounds including hydrogen cyanide, xantholysins and pseudopyronines. Diffusible VMAP1-derived metabolites impaired motility and biofilm formation in phytopathogen Xanthomonas vesicatoria , without inhibiting its growth. They also elicited plant defence responses, namely callose deposition and stomatal closure. Our results are consistent with earlier observations of a 75% reduction in the severity of bacterial spot in tomato plants treated with diffusible VMAP1-derived metabolites. They also offer novel insights into VMAP1’s ability to suppress the pathogen and induce host immune responses, and thus into its potential as a novel biocontrol agent for sustainable tomato production.
Detection of DSCP-based traffic prioritization manipulations and their impact on network performance
Machine learning prediction of common bile duct stones using synthetic data to guide emergency ERCP decisions
Local ice cryotherapy reduced vascular inflammation in large artery from rats with arthritis
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, prompting the exploration of adjunctive therapies to mitigate vascular complications. This study investigated the vascular effects of local ice cryotherapy in the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model, with a focus on vascular inflammation, immune cell infiltration, and arthritis severity. AIA rats received local ice application twice daily to inflamed joints for 14 days. Arthritis severity and joint damage were assessed clinically and radiographically. Aortic mRNA expression of endothelial activation (CXCL-1, CCL-2, CCL-3, ICAM-1, VCAM-1) and dysfunction markers (COX-2, Arginase-2, p22 and p47phox) were assessed by RT-qPCR. Circulating and aortic leukocyte populations (including CD4 + , CD8 + , Tc17, Th17 T lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes) were determined by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of sclerostin (SOST) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were measured using Multiplex. Ice cryotherapy significantly reduced arthritis severity and joint damage, decreased aortic COX-2 and p47phox expression, but increased VCAM-1 expression, and markedly reduced aortic infiltration by CD4 + , CD8 + T cells, and Tc17 cells, without affecting circulating leukocyte counts or plasma OPG and SOST. Decrease in arthritis score correlated positively with reduced vascular immune infiltration. These findings suggest potential anti-inflammatory and vasculoprotective benefits from local ice cryotherapy, supporting its use as a well-tolerated RA adjunct therapy.
Nonlinear drivers and spatial heterogeneity of urban heat islands in lake-dense regions across ecological stress–structure–service interactions
Machine learning classification of early-stage Parkinson’s disease using sit-to-walk biomechanical features
Non-linear associations between red blood cell distribution width/serum albumin ratio with diabetic kidney disease: results from two nationwide studies in the United States and China
Acceleration and Velocity Dissociate Temporal Phases of Postural Control in Rhesus Macaques
Maintaining balance requires the nervous system to transform sensory signals about unexpected postural perturbations into precisely timed motor commands. Although human studies have established that postural responses unfold in distinct temporal phases, how specific kinematic variables structure these phases during rotational perturbations remains unresolved, because angular acceleration and velocity are typically confounded. Here, we developed a rhesus macaque model of postural control that independently manipulates angular acceleration and peak velocity during transient pitch and roll tilts in monkeys of either sex. By simultaneously measuring head kinematics—directly relevant to vestibular signaling—and center-of-pressure dynamics, we quantified how sensory inputs and motor outputs evolve across successive phases of the postural response. We show that short-latency postural responses (<100 ms) are primarily governed by angular acceleration, whereas medium-latency responses (100–200 ms) scale with angular velocity. This dissociation was robust across perturbation axes and accompanied by axis-dependent control strategies: roll tilts elicited constrained head motion consistent with active stabilization in space, whereas pitch tilts produced more compliant, platform-following behavior. Together, these findings identify distinct kinematic variables governing successive phases of balance control and establish a primate framework for linking neural circuit activity to the temporal organization of postural responses. Significance Statement Maintaining balance requires transforming sensory signals about unexpected body motion into precisely timed motor commands. Progress in understanding this process has been limited because angular acceleration and velocity are inherently coupled during rotational perturbations. Here, using a rhesus macaque model, we dissociate these kinematic variables and show that they govern distinct temporal phases of postural control: angular acceleration determines short-latency (<100 ms) responses, whereas angular velocity shapes medium-latency (100–200 ms) adjustments. We further demonstrate axis-dependent postural strategies that parallel those observed in humans. Together, these findings resolve a longstanding confound in balance research and establish a primate framework that will enable future studies to link neural circuit activity to the biomechanics of postural control.
Mediating effect of social support between functional independence and quality of life among older adults with moderate to severe disabilities
The right time for a synapse to change: windows and mechanisms of multiday training trials
Although learning over multiple days is more effective than a single day of training, the underlying cellular mechanisms of repeated training trials remain poorly understood. With a combination of empirical and computational approaches, we determined a critical time window for a second stimulus block of a multiday training protocol to augment long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF) of the Aplysia sensorimotor synapse, and long-term enhancement of neuronal excitability (LTEE), two cellular correlates of learning and memory. A second stimulus block delivered 24 h after the first block significantly enhanced LTF and LTEE, but was without effect at 18 or 32 h. This spacing effect appears due, at least in part, to the dynamics of competition between the transcription activator cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) and repressor CREB2. The timer mechanism is intrinsic to individual neurons, as LTEE exhibited this critical temporal window in isolated sensory neurons. These findings suggest the dynamics of transcription factors function as a cellular timer that establishes a window of eligibility for a second learning trial to enhance memory. Significance statement A dogma in the field of learning and memory, and the science of education, is that learning over multiple days with an approximate 24-h interval is more effective than a single day of training. Little is known about the consequences of retarding or advancing that interval, or about the neuronal mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of multiday learning. Using cellular analogs of learning, this study shows that the 24-h interval is fortuitous; 18- or 32-h intervals are significantly less effective. A molecular hour-glass-like timer mechanism involving the transcription factors CREB1 and CREB2 appears to generate a critical learning window. The study reveals a simple biological timer underlying multiday learning efficacy, with broad implications for neuroscience and education.
Potential of Sentinel-3 snow cover fraction data for improving hydrological simulations at the regional scale
Abstract Satellite snow cover observations have been shown to enhance the calibration of conceptual hydrologic models. Recent advance in the mapping of snow cover fraction brings new satellite products and datasets. This study assesses the accuracy and potential of a newly developed snow cover fraction (SCF) product derived from Sentinel-3 observations. The product is developed using a physically based spectral unmixing approach that maps daily snow cover fractions at a 200 m spatial resolution over mountain regions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of the SCF for improving hydrological simulations at the regional scale. The specific aims are to compare the accuracy of snow cover mapping with daily snow depth observations at 631 climate stations and to assess and compare the runoff and snow model efficiencies obtained from multiple-objective calibration and calibration to runoff only. The analysis is performed using 188 lowland and alpine catchments in Austria. The results show that SCF agrees very well with snow depth observations at climate stations as documented by the median of overall accuracy, which exceeds 95%. The SCF helps to enhance runoff and snow simulations for 39% and 84% of the overall catchments in validation period, respectively. The use of SCF in model calibration improves the efficiency of runoff model, particularly in lowland catchments.