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Biocontrol of rice blast by Pseudomonas mosselii PR5 through seed priming and foliar application reduces reliance on chemical pesticides
Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is a destructive disease that can infect rice at any developmental stage. This study investigated the biocontrol potential of the endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas mosselii PR5 against rice blast in comparison with a chemical fungicide. Three blast-susceptible rice genotypes were evaluated under eight treatment combinations, including an absolute control, a pathogen-inoculated control, a fungicide control, and five PR5 application modes: seed priming (SP), seedling priming (SeP), bacterial culture filtrate (BCF) foliar spray, and the combinations SP + BCF and SeP + BCF. All treatments except the absolute control received pathogen inoculation. Both PR5 and the fungicide significantly reduced disease severity across the three genotypes. The pathogen-only treatment consistently recorded the highest percent disease index (PDI) and area under the disease progress curve (AUPDC). Among the bacterial treatments, SP + BCF produced the lowest AUPDC in V1 and V3, while the fungicide performed best in V2. PR5 inoculation also enhanced plant growth and yield. Shoot dry weight increased by 3.29–47.36% compared with the absolute control and by 10.10–107.43% compared with the pathogen-only treatment. Pathogen stress severely reduced root growth, whereas PR5, particularly in the SeP + BCF treatment, increased root biomass by 24.58–69.22%. Significant improvements in yield traits like grains per panicle, effective tillers, and reduced chaffy grains were observed, especially when priming was combined with BCF foliar application. SP + BCF achieved the highest yield and outperformed the fungicide in disease suppression. These results suggest that PR5-based seed or seedling priming combined with BCF foliar application is a promising strategy for sustainable rice blast management.
Geometric Evolution of Perylene‐Based Intermolecular π–π Dimers Toward Static and Dynamic Multicolor Emission
ABSTRACT Controllably achieving multicolor emission from single‐molecule‐based organic solids is of great significance, yet it remains a challenge because of the inherent complexity of molecular packing motifs. Herein, multicolor emission is governed by tailoring the geometries of π–π dimers. Using perylene (PE) as a planar π‐fluorophore, we strategically design a compound, 3‐(4‐(1,2,2‐triphenylvinyl)phenyl)perylene (pTPE‐PE), which integrates a tetraphenyl ethylene (TPE) substituent with multiple rotatable phenyl rings to modulate the PE‐based π–π dimer formation. On the one hand, pTPE‐PE crystallization produces four polymorphs exhibiting green, yellow, orange, and red emission color, which are static presentations of the dimer model. This static multicolor emission is directly linked to π–π interactions within the dimers: a smaller interplanar distance and a larger overlap ratio between π–π PE units result in more strengthened interactions and more red‐shifted emission. On the other hand, the observed multicolor transitions under pressure (yellow → orange → red) via dimer compression and thermal stimuli (sky‐blue → green → orange) through dimer (dis)assembly provide dynamic presentation of the dimer model. Consequently, polymorphism/piezochromism/thermochromism not only provides direct experimental evidence for exciton modulation from the perspective of the simplest supramolecular dimer model, but also offers insights for designing intelligent optical materials.
Performance investigation of 160 Gb/s inter-satellite laser communication transmission system based on OFDM and PDM transmission with advanced signal processing techniques
Stereoelectronic manipulation of ligands for perovskite solar cells
Abstract Interfacial losses at perovskite/charge transport layer (CTL) heterojunctions persist as a critical barrier to achieving high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) 1–5 . Although molecular ligands can passivate interfacial vacancy defects, their vertical anchoring geometry compromises charge transport by increasing interfacial transport pathways. Here we demonstrate that stereoelectronic manipulation of ligand adsorption topology advances interfacial minimum energy loss for efficient and stable PSCs. By strategically replacing benzene carbons with nitrogen atoms to create pyridine or pyrimidine rings, we design ligands that concurrently anchor to the perovskite through Pb–N coordination bonds and Pb–I–π interactions, endowing a single molecule with dual, synergistic binding modes. This mutually reinforcing stereoelectronic interplay drives thermodynamically favourable planar alignment of ligands, enabling atomic-scale defect mitigation while maintaining sub-nanometre-scale charge transfer across the interface. The optimized interfacial architecture achieves a stabilized power output of 26.85%, with certificated reverse-scan and forward-scan efficiencies of 27.41% and 26.35%, respectively. Furthermore, the solar modules exhibit exceptional operational stability, retaining 85.8% of initial module efficiency after 258 days of outdoor real-time field testing.
Short-term effects of bone meal powder on soil phosphorus availability, seed germination, and early growth parameters of Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)
There is a growing need to find alternatives to chemical fertilizers, particularly for Phosphorus supply. Chemical fertilizers contribute to environmental problems and natural phosphate resources are depleting. The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of bone meal powder (BMP) as an organic fertilizer on soil phosphorus availability, seed germination, and early growth performance of Malabar spinach ( Basella alba ). Two experiments were conducted: soil chemical analysis and pot experiment. Experiment 1 referred to highly saline soil-High Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Experiment 2 used non-saline- Low Electrical Conductivity (EC) soil. The treatments included: T1: High EC soil; only potting media; no BMP, T2: High EC soil amended with BMP, T3: Low EC soil; only potting media; no BMP, T4: Low EC Soil amended with BMP. All treatments were used to analyze the soil chemical properties, including soil pH, EC and Phosphorus. For the pot experiment, treatments (T3 and T4) were combined in a completely randomized design with three replicates and the data were collected on germination and early growth parameters of malabar spinach. Results revealed that the application of BMP increased soil pH, EC and notably improved phosphorus availability, compared to the control in both soils. However, BMP negatively affected germination and early growth variables in experimental soil 2. In spite of the great differences in shoot length were observed in the application of BMP, only minor differences were found in root lengths and fresh weight. The correlation analysis showed that mean germination time had negative relationships with growth parameters. The findings suggest that BMP may have potential as an inexpensive and eco-friendly fertilizer, although further large-scale field experiments are necessary to confirm its effectiveness. These results may inform researchers, stakeholders, and agricultural practitioners regarding the potential use of BMP.
Decoupling X‐Ray Absorption and Emission: Ionic TADF Scintillators With Heavy‐Atom‐Functionalized Organic Anions
ABSTRACT Organic scintillators hold great promise for x‐ray imaging due to their solution processability and low cost, yet their practical application is fundamentally limited by weak x‐ray absorption and inefficient exciton utilization. Here, we overcome these limitations through a functional‐separation design that yields exceptional radioluminescence in a purely organic system. We have developed ionic phosphonium scintillators integrating thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) cations with heavy‐atom‐containing organic anions. In this architecture, the organic anions act as sensitizing antennas for x‐ray photons, while the TADF cations independently govern the emission process. Upon x‐ray excitation, energy is unidirectionally transferred from the heavy anions to the luminophores, followed by efficient triplet harvesting via TADF—delivering materials that achieve photoluminescence quantum yields of up to 81%. Leveraging this molecular design, a highly doped (60 wt%) transparent screen based on the brominated compound achieves a remarkable spatial resolution of 97.8 lp/mm. The imaging screen enables clear visualization of fine structures, such as the internal wiring in electronic chips and a 400‐mesh copper grid. By decoupling x‐ray absorption from emission, our work establishes a new paradigm for designing solution‐processable organic scintillators with high radioluminescence performance, offering a promising pathway toward advanced x‐ray imaging applications.
Artificial intelligence for energy-efficient computation offloading in WPT-enabled industrial internet of things
Waist-to-height ratio identifies children with lower physical activity and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness: Longitudinal evidence from Norwegian primary schools – The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)
Objectives Childhood obesity and physical inactivity are major global health concerns because of their links to cardiometabolic risk factors that may persist into adulthood. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) has emerged as a practical indicator of central adiposity and metabolic risk. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and cardiorespiratory fitness are important factors in reducing obesity-related risk. This study investigated the association between WHtR, physical activity, and fitness in children aged 6–12 years. Methods The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP) is a longitudinal cohort study conducted from 2015 to 2020 and including 2297 Norwegian children. WHtR was examined as the main time-varying exposure. Separate linear mixed models were fitted for MVPA, sedentary time, Andersen intermittent running test performance, and VO₂peak as outcomes, with age, sex, and socioeconomic status included as covariates. Results Each 0.1 unit increase in WHtR was linked to a −0.62 min/day reduction in average MVPA. Higher WHtR was associated with lower MVPA and lower cardiorespiratory fitness, including both Andersen test performance and VO₂peak. No clear association was observed between WHtR and sedentary time. Conclusion In this longitudinal cohort, higher WHtR was associated with lower physical activity and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. WHtR may therefore serve as a simple screening indicator for identifying children who may warrant closer assessment of fitness, physical activity, and cardiometabolic risk.
Targeted Near‐Infrared Photoacoustic Probes for Dual‐Channel Cartilage and Bone Imaging
ABSTRACT Simultaneous imaging of cartilage and bone with molecular specificity remains a significant unmet need in orthopedic research and intraoperative guidance. Here, we report the development of two tissue‐targeted near‐infrared photoacoustic probes (Cart‐670 for cartilage and Osteo‐750 for bone) that enable dual‐channel visualization of these adjacent tissues within a single imaging session. The probes were designed through a modular strategy: A systematic screen of NIR‐absorbing non‐fluorescent dyes identified QSY21 as the optimal photoacoustic scaffold (limit of detection: 0.5 µM in PBS; signal‐to‐noise ratio ≥ 3), which was then functionalized with a cationic cartilage‐targeting motif to yield Cart‐670. In parallel, Osteo‐750 was synthesized by conjugating a bisphosphonate moiety to Alexa Fluor 750 for bone targeting. Both probes exhibit strong NIR absorption, low detection limits (Cart‐670: 1 µM; Osteo‐750: 2–3 µM in PBS), and selective ex vivo tissue accumulation: Cart‐670 shows preferential retention in cartilage over bone, while Osteo‐750 produces ∼200× higher photoacoustic signal on bone relative to cartilage. Spectral unmixing at 680 and 750 nm enables artifact‐free two‐color imaging without cross talk, demonstrating the feasibility of multiplexed photoacoustic visualization of the cartilage‐bone interface.
Effect of an electronic health record-integrated machine learning asthma risk marker on pediatrician prognostic accuracy during preschool age: a pilot randomized clinical trial
Gaps and barriers preventing sustained delivery of HPV vaccination in Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos states: An exploratory qualitative study
Background To lessen the burden of cervical cancer, Nigeria introduced the HPV vaccine to its national immunization program, but the program has faced operational and contextual problems during its early rollout. This study explored the systemic and community-level barriers affecting HPV vaccine delivery across selected Nigerian states. Method This exploratory qualitative study employed key informant interviews with policymakers, immunization officers, government agencies, community-based organizations, and implementing partners across three states: Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos, from April 2025 to October 2025. Data were thematically analyzed using NVivo, with emphasis on identifying factors influencing the sustainability of HPV vaccination. The analysis focused on key domains such as policy implementation, financing, service delivery, supply chain systems, human resources, data management, and demand generation. Result The study found that HPV vaccine implementation is hindered by limited state-level policy adaptation, reliance on donor funding, human resource shortages, supply chain weaknesses, data management gaps, and strong socio-cultural resistance driven by misinformation. These interconnected barriers reduce vaccine acceptance and disrupt service delivery. Conclusion The HPV vaccination program in Nigeria is constrained by systemic weaknesses and socio-cultural resistance. Addressing these challenges requires stronger state-level policy adaptation, sustainable financing, improved supply chain and data systems, and targeted community engagement to enhance acceptance and ensure effective service delivery.
Janus Electronic State Ni Enable High‐Level CO‐Tolerance in Fuel Cells Toward Crude‐Hydrogen Feeds
ABSTRACT Maximizing the utilization efficiency of surface‐active atoms is essential for improving carbon monoxide (CO) tolerance of hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) catalysts. However, conventional active‐site regeneration strategies suffer from poor accessibility and low efficiency, hindering effective anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) operation under high‐CO‐concentration conditions. Here, we show a unique YbO x /Ni/C catalyst with Janus heterostructures that can significantly enhance the utilization efficiency of free active atoms by selectively adsorbing CO and promoting their directional elimination. Atomic resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis reveals that the gradient electronic states in Janus heterostructures are generated between the interfaces of YbO x /Ni and Ni/C. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations further reveal that electron‐rich Ni atoms near the Ni/YbO x interface serves as active sites for efficient removal of CO. In contrast, electron‐deficient Ni atoms situated near the Ni/C interface facilitate the efficient HOR. The AEMFC with this anode catalyst achieves an impressive peak power density (PPD) of 702.0 mW cm −2 in H 2 –O 2 , maintains a PPD of 304.3 mW cm −2 even in 1000 ppm CO/H 2 ‐CO 2 ‐free air and continues to operate under harsh conditions with 10000 ppm CO, first showing the possibility to use crude hydrogen in AEMFCs.
Thermoelastic wave propagation in fibre-reinforced plates with exponential temperature-dependent conductivity under fluid–structure interaction
High performance of point-of-care rapid tests for advanced HIV disease diagnosis by lay providers in Malawi: Results from a prospective diagnostic accuracy study supporting decentralized advanced HIV disease screening
CD4 testing is essential for identifying people with advanced HIV(AHD) disease and enabling delivery of the recommended diagnostic package including serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAG)and urine lipoarabinomannan(LAM) testing and prophylaxis. Suboptimal access to CD4 testing remains a major barrier to the scale-up of advanced HIV disease services, and there is limited evidence to inform strategies for improving access within constrained health systems. Although task-sharing for advanced HIV disease is being promoted, evidence on the performance of these diagnostics when delivered by lay providers in routine program settings remains limited. Lay providers (HIV diagnostic assistants) might be able to perform CD4 testing, serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) and urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) tests using lateral flow assays (LFAs). We conducted a prospective diagnostic accuracy study comparing VISITECT® CD4 lateral flow assay results performed by HDAs and laboratory technicians, using paired quantitative PIMA CD4 results performed by nurses as the reference standard. We also compared serum cryptococcal antigen and urine lipoarabinomannan test results performed by HDAs and nurses. Implementation costs were estimated to assess the potential efficiency of task-sharing. We recruited 308 participants, the median CD4 was 248 cells/mm 3 ; and 115 participants (37.3%) had values below 200 cells/mm 3 . Sensitivity and specificity for determining CD4 below 200 cells/mm 3 using the VISITECT® CD4 LFA operated by HDAs were 94.8% (95% CI: 89.1–97.6%) and 92.2% (95% CI: 87.6–95.2%), respectively. HDAs achieved higher sensitivity and specificity than laboratory technicians. Subsequent serum-CrAg and urine-LAM test performed by HDAs and nurses showed an agreement of 98.1% (κ = 0.74) and 98.1% (k = 0.85), respectively. Incremental cost per CD4 test was US$8.69 when performed using the PIMA® CD4 quantitative device by a nurse and US$5.24 when performed using the VISITECT® CD4 semi-quantitative lateral flow assay by HDAs (2024 US dollars). Trained lay providers can accurately perform CD4, urine TB-LAM, and serum cryptococcal antigen testing. Our findings support task-sharing for decentralized advanced HIV disease testing; CD4 lateral flow assay testing is particularly suitable for peripheral health facilities that rely on lay providers and lack reliable electricity and laboratory infrastructure. This approach could play a critical role in expanding access to advanced HIV disease services.
π‐Bridge Modulation in Three‐Motif Covalent Organic Framework for Efficient H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Photosynthesis From Water and Air
ABSTRACT Rational integration of strong photosensitive moieties and multiple active sites into high performance photocatalysts is challenging due to uncontrollable intercrossing charge transfer. Herein, a series of imine‐bonded two‐ and three‐motif covalent organic frameworks, USTB‐65∼USTB‐68, have been studied, which feature triphenylamine unit as electron‐donor (D) together with benzothiadiazole and/or 2,4,6‐triphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine moieties as electron‐acceptor (A). Introduction of benzene rings as π‐bridge into the D–A–A lattice of three‐motif USTB‐65 affords D–A–π–A USTB‐66, leading to more facile exciton dissociation and efficient step‐wise charge transfer among three motifs as revealed by various photophysical investigations and theoretical calculations. This, in combination with strong light absorption and multiple photocatalytic sites, results in the outstanding activity of USTB‐66 in H 2 O 2 photoproduction from water and air, achieving a production rate of 11.2 mmol g ‒1 h ‒1 , an outstanding apparent quantum yield of 27.3% at 550 nm, and a solar‐to‐chemical conversion efficiency of 2.71%. Under solar concentrator, the H 2 O 2 production rate based on USTB‐66 in a flow reactor is further increased to 33.8 mmol g ‒1 h ‒1 during 24 h irradiation.
Quantitative analysis of collagen architecture in the human uterotubal junction (UTJ) using optical coherence tomography imaging (OCT)
Publisher Correction: White matter micro- and macrostructure brain charts for the human lifespan
Differences in mainland–island genetic diversity in two moths suggest species-specific outcomes
Genetic divergence along elevational gradients between mainland and island populations provides an opportunity to test the island genetic erosion model, which predicts reduced genetic diversity and increased differentiation in island populations. We examined two moth species, a geometrid moth ( Alcis angulifera ) and an erebid moth ( Hydrillodes morosa ), sampled along elevational gradients on Mt. Jirisan (mainland) and Mt. Hallasan (island) in southern South Korea. A total of 155 individuals were analyzed using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mt COI) sequences. We identified 61 haplotypes across both species. A. angulifera exhibited similarly high genetic diversity on the mainland and island, whereas H. morosa showed overall lower diversity relative to A. angulifera but pronounced regional differences, with significantly higher haplotype and nucleotide diversity on the island. Mantel tests revealed significant genetic divergence between mainland and island populations but not within individual mountains, suggesting ongoing gene flow within elevational gradients. AMOVA indicated moderate differentiation in A. angulifera (F CT = 0.08) and stronger differentiation in H. morosa (F CT = 0.14), with most genetic variation occurring within populations. Gene flow estimates further highlighted contrasting patterns, with high connectivity in A. angulifera (Nm = 5.49) and restricted migration in H. morosa (Nm = 0.08). Together, these results indicate that while A. angulifera maintains genetic cohesion across regions, H. morosa exhibits stronger geographic and elevational structuring due to limited gene flow. Our findings do not support a universal reduction in genetic diversity in island populations; instead, they highlight the importance of species-specific ecological traits and geographic context in shaping genetic diversity patterns, suggesting that the island genetic-erosion pattern is more context-dependent than previously appreciated.
Programming Dimensional Transitions in DNA Brick Crystals via Interfacial Connectivity
ABSTRACT The precise control of assembly dimensionality and macroscopic structural parameters remains a fundamental challenge in molecular self‐assembly. Here, we introduce a programmable strategy to govern the 1D‐to‐2D dimensional transition and structural width of DNA brick crystals by engineering their connecting interfaces. Using the number of interface connecting strands ( N x ) as a quantitative design parameter, we discover a sharp dimensional threshold that is preserved across both honeycomb and square lattices. At N x ≤ 8, the assembly is strictly confined to one‐dimensional nanoribbons; whereas at N x ≥ 12, lateral coupling activates extended two‐dimensional arrays whose structural width increases monotonically with N x . Thermal and thermodynamic analyses reveal that this sharp threshold behavior is lattice‐independent and originates from the size‐dependent thermal stability of the laterally connected domains. Our work establishes interfacial connectivity as a predictive handle for the on‐demand engineering of self‐assembled nanostructures with programmable dimensionality and prescribed widths.