Browse Articles

Paclobutrazol and planting density improved onion growth, reduced lodging and enhanced seed yield and quality in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh

Chromatin end–anchored chromosome-sized domains and promoter loops organize a transcriptionally active genome in <i>Tetrahymena</i>

Three-dimensional (3D) genome architecture shapes gene regulation, yet the folding principles of compact unicellular genomes remain unclear. Among unicellular eukaryotes, the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila provides a distinctive model, harboring a transcriptionally active somatic macronucleus (MAC) with a genome fragmented into gene-dense minichromosomes and a silent, intact germline micronucleus. To delineate macronuclear chromatin organization, we integrated nucleosome-resolution Micro-C, ATAC-seq, and RNA-seq across the Tetrahymena life cycle. We find that macronuclear chromosomes form chromosome-sized interaction domains rather than canonical A/B compartments or internal TAD-like hierarchical structures. Each macronuclear chromosome behaves as a telomere-bounded structural unit organized by two major features: Highly accessible telomere-capped ends form stable end–end interaction hubs, and promoter-proximal open chromatin sites anchor long-range internal promoter-centered loops whose strength correlates with transcriptional activity. During conjugation, the sexual life cycle of Tetrahymena , long-range internal loops, and promoter–promoter contacts are transiently diminished and subsequently restored in later conjugation stages, whereas chromosome end–end contacts remain relatively stable. A similar architecture is observed in the related ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis , indicating conservation within the genus. Together, our results define a compact, end-anchored, and promoter-centric genome-folding strategy that organizes a fragmented, gene-dense, transcriptionally active genome without the canonical compartment/TAD hierarchy seen in metazoan genomes. These findings expand the known repertoire of eukaryotic 3D genome architectures and suggest that promoter-associated transcription hubs can evolve independently in divergent eukaryotic lineages.

Comparative evaluation of major cropping patterns in coastal saline-alkali lands: Economic, ecological, and social benefits

Soil salinization constrains agricultural productivity in coastal regions. A two-year field experiment in the coastal saline-alkali farmland of Tangshan, China evaluated three locally adapted cropping patterns: fresh edible pea-rice rotation, rice-crab co-culture, and wheat-rice rotation, with conventional monocropping systems as controls. The fresh edible pea-rice rotation increased net income by 94.78% compared with rice monoculture. The rice-crab co-culture generated the highest economic return, with net income ranging from 24,000–53,400 CNY ha  −   1 . The wheat-rice rotation increased net income by 49.8% compared with wheat-maize rotation and by 180.64% compared with rice monoculture. In addition, the cropping patterns showed trends of reduced soil salinity (by 0.13%–0.20% in total soluble salt content) and increased soil organic matter (by 0.20–0.30 percentage points) relative to controls, significantly reduced pesticide inputs by 20%–50% (P &lt; 0.05), and exhibited nitrogen and phosphorus loss reduction rates of approximately 15%–25%. These results demonstrate that optimized cropping patterns can simultaneously enhance economic performance and ecological sustainability in coastal saline-alkali agriculture, with soil quality improvements showing promising trends over the two-year study period.

Hallucination in Time-series Large Language Models: An empirical lnvestigation and analysis of mitigation strategies

Virtual ultrasound machine operating in a GHz to MHz frequency range for particle-based biomedical simulations

Ultrasound–matter interactions underpin numerous biomedical and soft-matter applications, yet simulating these phenomena is challenging due to the large separation of viscous and sonic time scales. Continuum methods capture large-scale wave propagation but cannot resolve microscale interactions, while particle-based approaches offer molecular resolution but struggle with efficiency and stability at larger scales. We introduce a particle-based virtual ultrasound machine that uses a smoothed dissipative particle dynamics variant with an implicit pressure solver and a negative-pressure stabilization scheme, required to mimic acoustic propagation across medically relevant MHz–GHz frequencies. We demonstrate its capabilities by modeling the acoustophoresis of encapsulated microbubbles, a key mechanism in ultrasound-mediated drug delivery. Beyond this application, the approach establishes a generalizable platform for simulating wave–matter interactions in soft and biological materials, opening promising directions for computational studies of acoustics-driven phenomena in science and engineering.

The perception and experience of dignity in the care of older adults in nursing homes: A Meta-aggregation protocol

Background The concept of dignity in the context of nursing home care for older adults remains vague, hindering further research in this area. Aim This systematic review aims to conceptualize the characteristics of dignity in nursing home care for older adults, with attention to Chinese cultural perspectives. Methods The six international databases SCOPUS, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Ovid, and PsycInfo, and one Chinese database CNKI will be searched from inception to 31st August 2025, and eligible studies will be primarily evaluated. The literature selected will focus on primary studies that explore older adults’ perceptions of dignity who have resided in the nursing home for at least one month, encompassing their experiences and the factors influencing dignity. This review will draw exclusively on peer-reviewed journal articles, with no language restrictions applied. Grey literature — including dissertations, theses, conference proceedings, and institutional reports — will not be considered for inclusion. The systematic review will adhere to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and will be registered with PROSPERO. Three reviewers (a lead researcher, a graduate student assistant, and a non-nursing assistant) will primarily screen the titles and abstracts separately. And two professional reviewers (the lead researcher and the graduate student assistant) continue to select studies and extract data independently following the predesigned data extraction forms. Any discrepancies will be documented and resolved by a third external reviewer until consensus is reached. The quality of the included literature will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools, and the findings will be synthesized using the meta-aggregation approach. Expected outcomes This review is expected to identify key themes across two domains: inherent dignity (satisfying physical needs) and social dignity (individuality, identity and independence). It will also identify the key factors influencing dignity, including personal factors (functional status), organizational factors (staff attitudes, organizational ethical environment), and sociocultural factors (Chinese cultural norms such as collectivism). The results of the dignity in care will help healthcare providers implement dignified care in nursing homes.

The analogy theorem in Hoare logic for formal verification of knowledge transfer in machine learning

Rapidly evolving composition of nebular infall recorded by magnesium isotopes in refractory inclusions

The 26 Al- 26 Mg systematics in calcium–aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs)—the oldest known Solar System solids—has traditionally been used to provide high-resolution temporal constraints on the early Solar System evolution. More recently, the study of variations in the initial Mg isotope composition has emerged as a means to probe for potential compositional heterogeneity in the nascent solar nebula. Here, we report high-precision magnesium isotope data for a collection of 19 CAIs that captures the diversity of refractory inclusions. The data reveal widespread Mg isotope heterogeneity prior to 26 Al decay, covering a large range from −0.285 to +0.088‰. Combined with literature data, the distribution of Mg isotope heterogeneity in CAIs forms a continuum and no longer defines distinct populations. Our findings therefore suggest a continuous CAI formation process that captured a rapid temporal change in the composition of infalling material from the parental molecular cloud of the Solar System.

A rhombus–keyhole shaped circularly polarized dual-band implantable antenna with low SAR compliance

A compact dual-resonance implantable antenna with circular polarization (CP) has been proposed in this paper for bio telemetry applications. The antenna, with dimensions of 9   ×   9   ×   1 . 2 7   m m 3 , is designed using a reversed L-shaped patch, dual key-hole shaped structures and a central rhombus-shaped element. A shoring pin is employed to achieve dual-band resonance, while structural modification enables circular polarization. The proposed antenna resonates at 1.4 GHz (WMTS band) and 2.45 GHz (ISM band). The antenna is fabricated and measured using minced pork meat and saline solution. The measurement results show good agreement with the simulation results. Further, the SAR analysis and link budget analysis, prove that the antenna is suitable for real-time applications.

Significant variability in virulence factors and antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains may be counteracted by their susceptibility to lytic bacteriophages

<i>N</i> -(3-methylbutyl)acetamide mediates male–male courtship in <i>Bactrocera dorsalis</i> through behavioral threshold modulation

Male–male courtship, observed across diverse taxa, is often regarded as an evolutionary paradox. Here, we address this paradox by demonstrating that such behavior in the globally invasive pest Bactrocera dorsalis arises as a byproduct of a context-dependent shift in the mating filter. We identify N -(3-methylbutyl)acetamide (MBA) as a critical signal that accumulates under high male density and female scarcity. At a threshold amount (~ 1,800 ng), MBA broadens the male’s mating filter, lowering the acceptance threshold for potential partners, thereby elevating courtship motivation and inducing hyperactivity. This broadened filter enables males to court suboptimal but potentially available females (e.g., mated or older individuals) that would otherwise be ignored, while also incidentally triggering male–male courtship. This behavioral shift is rapidly reversible upon encounter with virgin and young females, preserving an innate preference for these optimal partners. By identifying MBA as a chemical signal of mate unavailability, we reinterpret male–male courtship as a neutral byproduct of an adjustment of the mating filter under female scarcity, a trade-off between maximizing mating opportunities and accepting the incidental cost of misdirected courtship. This work bridges behavioral ecology with physiology, offering a mechanistic framework for how social environments dynamically reshape mate acceptance thresholds.

Limited diagnostic utility of albumin-corrected calcium in the intensive care unit: A prospective comparison with ionised calcium

Background Albumin-adjusted calcium is widely used despite uncertainty about its accuracy in critically ill adults. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of total calcium and of multiple published albumin-correction formulae against ionised calcium, the physiological reference standard, in an intensive care unit (ICU) cohort. Methods In this prospective observational cohort study, ionised calcium (iCa), total calcium, albumin, venous pH, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, magnesium, phosphate and vitamin D were measured simultaneously. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy (area under the ROC curve [AUC]; sensitivity/specificity) of total calcium and of corrected calcium for detecting hypocalcaemia, defined a priori by the reference standard as iCa &lt; 1.12 mmol/L; the pre-specified contrast was the difference between the two correlated AUCs. Twelve published measures were compared (total calcium; Payne; simplified Payne; Orrell; Berry; James; Jain; Thode; and the Pekar and Antonio estimators). Agreement, formal subgroup interaction tests, an explanatory multivariable model with collinearity diagnostics, and an exploratory internally-validated ICU equation were assessed. Results In total, 250 patients were enrolled (median age 70 years; 147 men, 58.8%). Hypocalcaemia prevalence was 58.0% (n = 145). Payne-corrected calcium correctly identified only 15.2% of truly hypocalcaemic patients (Cohen κ = 0.08), versus 62.8% for total calcium (κ = 0.40). No simple albumin-correction formula significantly outperformed unadjusted total calcium (AUC 0.69–0.75; all DeLong p &gt; 0.05 vs total calcium AUC 0.74). Only the four-variable Pekar estimator achieved a higher AUC (0.78; p = 0.005). In the explanatory model, only total calcium, pH, and sex independently predicted iCa (all variance inflation factors &lt; 1.8); albumin, phosphate and vitamin D were not significant. An exploratory ICU-specific equation reached an optimism-corrected R² of only 0.17. Conclusions Albumin-corrected calcium, including all established formulae tested, provides no diagnostic benefit over total calcium in the ICU and frequently masks true hypocalcaemia. Direct ionised-calcium measurement should be prioritised when accurate calcium status affects management. These are diagnostic-accuracy findings; their clinical-outcome implications require outcome-anchored study.

Genetic diversity and population structure of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) pre-breeding lines revealed by morphological traits and microsatellite markers

IVT-free, chemically synthesized protein-encoding RNA oligonucleotides for rapid production of personalized cancer vaccines

Personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccines demonstrate great potential in cancer therapy, but their customization typically requires more than three months, risking the loss of the optimal therapeutic window for patients. This delay is primarily due to the reliance of current mRNA vaccine production on plasmid fermentation and in vitro transcription (IVT), which involve multiple complex steps. Chemically synthesized RNA oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), are produced sparing DNA templates or IVT, thus enabling rapid manufacturing. However, ASOs are limited in length, which precludes their ability to encode proteins. Here, we introduced a 39 nucleotides cap-independent translation enhancer (CITE) element termed BBV that can drive RNA translation. Furthermore, BBV was compatible with efficient rolling circle translation (RCT). We chemically synthesized RNA oligonucleotides containing BBV and gene of interest (GOI) with characteristic 5’-OH and 3’-P termini, which could undergo circularization by endogenous RtcB RNA ligases and efficiently encode proteins through RCT in mammalian cells. We designated these RNA oligonucleotides as Protein-Encoding RNA Oligonucleotides (PEOs). Notably, compared with IVT-produced RNAs, PEOs contained undetectable levels of proinflammatory double-stranded RNAs and exhibited minimal immunogenicity. We further demonstrated that PEO-OVA (encoding OVA antigens) significantly inhibited tumor growth comparable to mRNA vaccine. In an orthotopic glioma model, PEO vaccine also exhibited therapeutic benefits with checkpoint blockade therapy. This study establishes an IVT-free RNA vaccine platform that enables rapid, safe, and highly druggable manufacturing of personalized cancer vaccines, offering substantial potential for clinical application.

Does financial literacy matter for firms? An empirical investigation on Sri Lankan SMEs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to economic growth and job creation, especially in developing countries. However, their potential is not fully utilized due to challenges related to limited financial inclusion, poor resource management, and underdeveloped capital markets. Though financial literacy is well-researched in personal finance, its role as a knowledge resource at the firm level and its impact on firm performance remain underexplored. This study investigates the influence of owner-managers’ financial literacy on firm performance, focusing on the mediating roles of FinTech adoption and access to finance. By taking a sample of 264 SME owner-managers in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, this study found that financial literacy significantly enhances firm performance ( β  = 0.241, p  &lt; .01). The findings indicate that financial literacy supports sound financial decision-making and risk mitigation and is positively associated with both FinTech adoption ( β  = 0.542, p  &lt; .001) and access to finance ( β  = 0.533, p  &lt; .001). These results underscore the necessity of enhancing financial literacy and promoting FinTech adoption to fully realize the potential of SMEs within developing economies. The study contributes a concise yet impactful framework for enhancing the performance of SMEs through the strategic application of financial literacy. Based on the study’s findings, it is recommended that enterprise owners and managers prioritize achieving an adequate level of financial literacy. Furthermore, governmental institutions should revise their financial literacy programs, reconsidering their design and implementation strategies to effectively engage key personnel within enterprises. Current programs appear underutilized due to deficiencies in depth and practical applicability of the knowledge given in them.

Full-scattering-matrix deterministic phonon boltzmann transport simulation

Abstract Solutions to the phonon Boltzmann transport equation under the relaxation-time approximation (RTA) are fundamentally limited in that they do not account for the off-diagonal elements of the scattering matrix, which encode intermode energy redistribution. We find that the phonon in-scattering matrix is globally incompressible, requiring nearly its full rank for any useful Frobenius accuracy. The incompressibility worsens as the Brillouin zone is refined. We show that, despite this difficulty, one can develop a computationally efficient 3D BTE solver incorporating the complete scattering matrix by leveraging our two structural discoveries: the non-equilibrium phonon distribution inhabits a remarkably low-dimensional subspace of mode space regardless of how many phonon modes exist, and the leading singular modes of the scattering operator align selectively with this transport-active subspace. Consequently, truncation incurs negligible transport error even under large norm error. The phonon streaming operator’s mode-diagonal character further motivates a hybrid architecture that exploits these two properties. When applied to nanoscale structures emulating a fin field-effect transistor, our BTE solver quantifies a geometry-independent multiplicative correction to the temperature rise predicted under RTA. Our theoretical work and resulting BTE solver help enable rigorous study of phonon transport and systematic design of devices and structures in the ballistic and quasi-ballistic phonon transport regime.

Parametrically amplified Josephson plasma waves in YBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _{6+ <i>x</i>} : Evidence for local superconducting fluctuations up to the pseudogap temperature <i>T</i> ^∗

Experiments that subject underdoped YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+ x (YBCO) to intense terahertz pulses at temperatures between the transition temperature T c and the pseudogap scale T ∗ have revealed a reflectivity edge that resembles that of the superconducting state, together with second harmonic generation of a probe pulse modulated at a similar frequency. These have been interpreted in terms of parametric amplification of the lower Josephson plasmon mode. Since this mode is often associated with coherent oscillations between bilayers in the YBCO structure, these experiments have led to the suggestion that the intense pump has created (or revealed) in-plane pair coherence up to T ∗ ≈ 400 K. In this paper we propose an alternative explanation by assuming the existence of local pair amplitude and phase at equilibrium for T c &lt; T &lt; T ∗ . The phase correlation spans only a few lattice constants and we do not assume any pump-induced enhancement of this correlation, either in-plane or between bilayers. Instead, the coherent drive, via a parametric amplification process, induces coherence in the Josephson currents between members of bilayers. When combined with a Floquet framework, the reflectivity data can be explained. The key point is that in the lower Josephson plasmon, the coupling between bilayers is mainly capacitive; the Josephson current between bilayers can be set to zero without strongly affecting the parametric amplification process. Importantly, while superconducting coherence may not be created by the pump, the pseudogap phase must possess a local pairing amplitude at equilibrium. Consequently, these experiments have strong implications for the understanding of the pseudogap phase.

Editorial Note: Where octagonal geometry meets chaos: A new S-Box for advanced cryptographic systems

Airborne particle emissions from photocatalytic coatings and paints

Alpha rhythms in the left auditory cortex set the speed limit for speech comprehension

Human cognition operates within distinct temporal windows spanning from very short to extremely long. Each cognitive function has its own processing speed range, beyond which performance deteriorates or even becomes impossible. Speech comprehension, as one of the most important cognitive functions in civilized societies, exemplifies this constraint: Performance declines markedly when speech rates exceed about 10 syllables per second. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this speed limit remain unclear. Here, by combining psychophysics, scalp-electroencephalography, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), repetitive sensory stimulation, and stereo-electroencephalography (sEEG), we showed that the intrinsic alpha band activity determined the maximum rate of speech comprehension. In healthy participants, individual alpha frequency (IAF) precisely predicted the speech recognition rate threshold. Crucially, causally accelerating endogenous alpha rhythms via high-definition tACS and rhythmic auditory stimulation shifted this threshold, enhancing comprehension of ultrafast speech. Furthermore, sEEG recordings from the human auditory cortex revealed that this speed-limiting mechanism was locally determined: Faster alpha band activity in the left auditory cortex facilitated stronger neural entrainment to the speech envelope. These findings identify alpha band activity as a fundamental, malleable temporal bottleneck for linguistic processing, suggesting that the brain’s intrinsic sampling rate sets the physiological limit on human communication.