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Humor as a window into generative AI bias
Controllable synthesis of Pd and Pt shells on Au nanoparticles with electrodeposition
AbstractShells of Pd and Pt were synthesized on Au nanoparticles by electrodeposition, leading to controllable size and optical properties. This approach yielded core–shell structures with good homogeneity in size after the optimization of electrochemical parameters such as deposition current and charge transfer, as well as nanoparticle surface treatment. Dark field scattering microscopy and spectroscopy were used to track changes in the optical response of individual particles during deposition. The deposition of thin shells of Pd or Pt initially leads to a damping of the Au localized surface plasmon resonance which is followed by its redshift and an increase in scattering intensity. These changes were rationalized with numerical calculations and correlated with electron microscopy analyses revealing the morphology and thickness of Pd and Pt shells. This electrochemical approach provides a new pathway for the synthesis of bimetallic structures with catalytic surfaces.
One health assessment of farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) on zoonoses in Bangladesh
Biochar filtration of drug-resistant bacteria and active pharmaceutical ingredients to combat antimicrobial resistance
Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major cause of death worldwide, with 1.27 M direct deaths from bacterial drug-resistant infections as of 2019. Dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in the environment, in conjunction with pharmapollution by active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), create and foster an environmental reservoir of AMR. Creative solutions are required to mitigate environmental AMR, while taking into consideration other aspects of the planetary “Triple Crisis” of pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Waste lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), a byproduct of agriculture and forestry, is the largest stream of non-edible biomass globally. Through pyrolysis, waste LCB can be converted into biochars, which have excellent attributes for adsorption of pollutants–though no studies have yet reliably correlated production conditions with efficacy, nor considered adsorption of human pathogens. By leveraging a bespoke pyrolysis reactor with precisely controlled parameters, we show that production conditions substantially affect sequestration of clinical bacterial isolates, removing up to 94% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa RP73 and 85% of Staphylococcus aureus EMRSA-15. In addition, we show that chars produced at higher peak pyrolysis temperatures (450 °C) can remove up to 88% of the antibiotic clarithromycin from wastewater, as well as significant proportions of many other APIs with varied physicochemical characteristics. These findings provide a first-in-kind insight into how production conditions affect the ability of biochars to mitigate environmental AMR.
Pre-breeding in alfalfa germplasm develops highly differentiated populations, as revealed by genome-wide microhaplotype markers
Abstract Plant genebanks contain large numbers of germplasm accessions that likely harbor useful alleles or genes absent in commercial plant breeding programs. Broadening the genetic base of commercial alfalfa germplasm with these valuable genetic variations can be achieved by screening the extensive genetic diversity in germplasm collections and enabling maximal recombination among selected genotypes. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and differentiation of germplasm pools selected in northern U.S. latitudes (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7 or below) originating from Eurasian germplasm. The germplasm evaluated included four BASE populations (C0) from different geographical origins (Central Asia, Northeastern Europe, Balkans-Turkey-Black Sea, and Siberia/Mongolia), 20 cycle-one populations (C1) derived from each of the four BASE populations selected across five locations in the U.S. and Canada, and four commercial cultivars. Using a panel of 3,000 Diversity Array Technologies (DArTag) marker loci, we retrieved 2,994 target SNPs and approximately 12,000 microhaplotypes. Microhaplotypes exhibited higher genetic diversity values than target SNPs. Principal component analysis and discriminant analysis of principal components revealed significant population structure among the alfalfa populations based on geographical origin, while the check cultivars formed a central cluster. Inbreeding coefficients (F IS ) ranged from − 0.1 to 0.006, with 27 out of 28 populations showing negative F IS values, indicating an excess of heterozygotes. Interpopulation genetic distances were calculated using Rho pairwise distances (F ST adapted for autotetraploid species) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) parameters. All BASE populations showed lower Rho values compared to C1 populations and check cultivars. AMOVA revealed that most of the genetic diversity was among individuals within populations, especially in BASE populations (92.7%). This study demonstrates that individual plants in BASE populations possess high genetic diversity, low interpopulation distances, and minimal inbreeding, characteristics that are essential for base-broadening selection. The populations developed in this project serve as valuable sources of novel alleles for North American alfalfa breeding programs, offering breeders access to diverse, regionally adapted pools for improving various alfalfa traits.
Artificial intelligence for body composition assessment focusing on sarcopenia
The stability and modulation of if-then rules versus prospective planning in movement selection under dual-tasking conditions
AbstractTwo approaches to movement selection, if-then rules versus prospective planning, were investigated. Studies have shown that the rule-based approach leads to more efficient movement selection than the plan-based approach, though the resulting movements are the same. This dual-tasking study investigates two hypotheses explaining this discrepancy: The efficiency hypothesis states that the rule-based approach to movement selection is more efficient, and its advantage over the plan-based approach increases under any kind of enhanced task demands. The dual-mechanisms hypothesis states that the two approaches to movement selection are based on distinct mechanisms and that they can be differentially affected by secondary tasks. Forty-eight participants selected a grip in order to comfortably rotate a dowel to a target position using the rule- or the plan-based approach. Four dual-tasking conditions were added: Identifying the activity underlying an object-interaction sound, identifying and categorizing the object underlying an object-interaction sound, identifying one of four words that does not match the others semantically, and solving calculations. The rule-based approach led to more efficient movement selection in most dual-tasking conditions. However, its advantage disappeared when the secondary task was to identify and categorize objects. These results strengthen the dual-mechanisms hypothesis, and possible factors distinguishing the approaches are discussed.
Comparative analysis of EGFR mutations in circulating tumor DNA and primary tumor tissues from lung cancer patients using BEAMing PCR
Evaluation of different surface treatments on the bond strength of CAD/CAM PMMA denture teeth to heat-polymerized acrylic denture base
Groundwater nitrate response to hydrogeological conditions and socioeconomic load in an agriculture dominated area
Stabilization of soil organic matter in Luvisols under the influence of various tree species in temperate forests
AbstractTree species through aboveground biomass and roots are a key factors influencing the quality and quantity of soil organic matter. Our study aimed to determine the stability of soil organic matter in Luvisols under the influence of five different tree species. The study areas were located 25 km north of Krakow, in southern Poland. The study included five tree species - Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), European larch (Larix decidua Mill.), pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.). Forest stands growing in the same soil conditions (Luvisols) with similar geological material (loess) and grain size were selected for the study. We evaluated labile and heavy fractions of soil organic matter (SOM). Additionally, basic physicochemical properties (pH, carbon and nitrogen content, base cation content) were determined in soil samples. The results of our study showed that soils under the influence of coniferous species were characterized by a higher content of carbon of free light fraction (CfLF) and carbon of occluded light fraction (CoLF) compared to deciduous species. Similar relationships were found with the nitrogen content of the free light fraction (NfLF) and nitrogen of occluded light fraction (NoLF). Higher CMAF and NMAF contents were recorded in soils influenced by deciduous species. The carbon, nitrogen and base cations content positively correlated with the C and N of free light fraction and occluded light fraction. PCA analysis confirmed the connection of C and N of heavy fractions (CMAF and NMAF) with deciduous species. Our research shows that avoiding single-species conifer stands and introducing admixtures of deciduous species, which increase SOM, is justified in forest management. The selection of suitable species will provide greater stand stability and contribute more to the carbon accumulation in the soil.
The q-RASPR approach for predicting the property and fate of persistent organic pollutants
Three-dimensional architecture and linearized mapping of vibrissa follicle afferents
AbstractUnderstanding vibrissal transduction has advanced by serial sectioning and identified afferent recordings, but afferent mapping onto the complex, encapsulated follicle remains unclear. Here, we reveal male rat C2 vibrissa follicle innervation through synchrotron X-ray phase contrast tomograms. Morphological analysis identified 5% superficial, ~32 % unmyelinated and 63% myelinated deep vibrissal nerve axons. Myelinated afferents consist of each one third Merkel and club-like, and one sixth Ruffini-like and lanceolate endings. Unsupervised clustering of afferent properties aligns with classic morphological categories and revealed previously unrecognized club-like afferent subtypes distinct in axon diameter and Ranvier internode distance. Myelination and axon diameters indicate a proximal-to-distal axon-velocity gradient along the follicle. Axons innervate preferentially dorso-caudally to the vibrissa, presumably to sample contacts from vibrissa protraction. Afferents organize in axon-arms innervating discrete angular territories. The radial axon-arm arrangement around the vibrissa maps into a linear representation of axon-arm bands in the nerve. Such follicle linearization presumably instructs downstream linear brainstem barrelettes. Synchrotron imaging provides a synopsis of afferents and mechanotransductory machinery.
Deletion of IRS-1 leads to growth failure and insulin resistance with downregulation of liver and muscle insulin signaling in rats
Explainable artificial intelligence to identify follicles that optimize clinical outcomes during assisted conception
AbstractInfertility affects one-in-six couples, often necessitating in vitro fertilization treatment (IVF). IVF generates complex data, which can challenge the utilization of the full richness of data during decision-making, leading to reliance on simple ‘rules-of-thumb’. Machine learning techniques are well-suited to analyzing complex data to provide data-driven recommendations to improve decision-making. In this multi-center study (n = 19,082 treatment-naive female patients), including 11 European IVF centers, we harnessed explainable artificial intelligence to identify follicle sizes that contribute most to relevant downstream clinical outcomes. We found that intermediately-sized follicles were most important to the number of mature oocytes subsequently retrieved. Maximizing this proportion of follicles by the end of ovarian stimulation was associated with improved live birth rates. Our data suggests that larger mean follicle sizes, especially those >18 mm, were associated with premature progesterone elevation by the end of ovarian stimulation and a negative impact on live birth rates with fresh embryo transfer. These data highlight the potential of computer technologies to aid in the personalization of IVF to optimize clinical outcomes pending future prospective validation.