Search Results (120,185)

Due to their multi-purpose use and, in many cases, lower requirements and financial outlays for cultivation, oats are an interesting crop. However, fungal diseases may contribute to significant declines in grain yields and quality. The aspects that may potentially influence this matter of fact include weather conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the severity of diseases caused by fungi in oat cultivation during the vegetation season. The next goal was to assess the efficacy of the selected active ingredients (a.i.) of fungicides from the chemical groups of triazoles and strobilurins in selected diseases’ control under various meteorological conditions. All of the fungicides were applied in the form of a spray treatment to reduce the severity of the diseases in the cultivation of different oat varieties. Husked and naked oat varieties were used. The health status of the oat plants was determined on the basis of a macroscopic evaluation of plants performed in accordance with the proper methodology. Field experiments were carried out under different weather conditions, which varied over the years during which the trials were conducted. Statistically significant differences were found in the reduction in infection for F and F1 leaves with D. avenae and P. coronata in comparison to the control treatment, regardless of the a.i. used. The use of a.i. tebuconazole (250 g/L), a.i. epoxiconazole (125 g/L), a.i. azoxystrobin (250 g/L) and a.i. picoxystrobin (250 g/L) enabled a reduction in the severity of oat helmintosporiosis in all years of the study for all the varieties analyzed. The efficacy was 72.4%, 74.2%, 71.5%, and 73.1%, respectively. Higher efficacy in reducing P. coronata was found in comparison with D. avenae. The obtained research results confirm the satisfactory efficacy of the above-mentioned active substances in reducing the fungi D. avenae and P. coronata. Full article

This novel research introduces a game-changing architecture design for Quasi-Cyclic Low-Density Parity-Check (QC-LDPC) decoders in Fifth-Generation New-Radio (5G-NR) wireless communications, specifically designed to meet precise specifications and leveraging the layered Min-Sum (MS) algorithm. Our innovative approach presents a fully parallel architecture that is precisely engineered to cater to the demanding high-throughput requirements of enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) applications. To ensure smooth computation in the MS algorithm, we use the Sub-Optimal Low-Latency (SOLL) technique to optimize the critical check node process. Thus, our design has the potential to greatly benefit certain Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC) scenarios. We conducted precise Bit Error Rate (BER) performance analysis on our LDPC decoder using a Hardware Description Language (HDL) Co-Simulation (MATLAB/Simulink/ModelSim) for two codeword rates (2/3 and 1/3), simulating the challenging Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel environment. Full article

A substantial amount of bauxite tailings (BTs) at abandoned mine sites have been stored in waste reservoirs for long periods, leading to significant land occupation and environmental degradation. Although many studies of the resource utilization of BTs were conducted to address this challenge, there is still a lack of efforts to systematically review the state of the art in BTs. In the present paper, a systematic literature review was carried out to summarize and analyze the properties, treatment, and resource utilization of BTs. Physical characteristics and the mineral and chemical composition of BTs are introduced. The efficacy of physical, chemical, and microbial treatment methods for BTs in terms of dehydration are outlined, and their respective benefits and limitations are discussed. Moreover, the extraction process of valuable elements (e.g., Si, Al, Fe, Li, Na, Nd, etc.) from BTs is examined, and the diverse applications of BTs in adsorption materials, ceramic materials, cementitious materials, lightweight aggregates, foamed mixture lightweight soil, among others, are studied. Finally, an efficient and smart treatment strategy for BTs was proposed. The findings of the present review provide a scientific basis and reference for future research focusing on the treatment and resource utilization of BTs. Full article

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is an etiological agent of enteric disease that results in high mortality rates in piglets. The economic impact of the virus is considerable, causing significant losses to the pig industry. The development of an efficacious subunit vaccine to provide promising protection against TGEV is of the utmost importance. The viral antigen, spike glycoprotein (S), is widely regarded as one of the most effective antigenic components for vaccine research. In this study, we employed immunoinformatics and molecular dynamics approaches to develop an ‘ideal’ multi-epitope vaccine. Firstly, the dominant, non-toxic, highly antigenic T (Th, CTL) and B cell epitopes predicted from the TGEV S protein were artificially engineered in tandem to design candidate subunit vaccines. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation results demonstrate that it exhibits robust interactions with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Of particular significance was the finding that the vaccine was capable of triggering an immune response in mammals, as evidenced by the immune simulation results. The humoral aspect is typified by elevated levels of IgG and IgM, whereas the cellular immune aspect is capable of eliciting the robust production of interleukins and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2). Furthermore, the adoption of E. coli expression systems for the preparation of vaccines will also result in cost savings. This study offers logical guidelines for the development of a secure and efficacious subunit vaccine against TGEV, in addition to providing a novel theoretical foundation and strategy to prevent associated CoV infections. Full article

Mobile observation has been widely used in the monitoring of air pollution. However, studies on pollution sources and emission characteristics based on mobile navigational observation are rarely reported in the literature. A method for quantitative source analysis for industrial air pollutant emissions based on mobile observations is introduced in this paper. NO_x pollution identified in mobile observations is used as an example of the development of the method. A dispersion modeling scheme that fine-tuned the meteorological parameters according to the actual meteorological conditions was adopted to minimize the impact of uncertainties in meteorological conditions on the accuracy of small-scale dispersion modeling. The matching degree between simulated and observed concentrations was effectively improved through this optimization search. In response to the efficiency requirements of source resolution for multiple sources, a random search algorithm was first used to generate candidate solution samples, and then the solution samples were evaluated and optimized. Meanwhile, the new index was established to evaluate the quality of candidate samples, considering both numerical error and spatial distribution error of concentration, in order to address the non-uniqueness of the solution in the multi-source problem. Then, the necessity of considering the spatial distribution error of concentration is analyzed with the case study. The average values of NO_x emission rates for the two study cases were calculated as 69.8 g/s and 70.8 g/s. The scores were 0.92–0.97 and 0.92–0.99. The results were close to the online monitoring data, and this kind of pollutant emission monitoring based on the mobile observation experiment was initially considered feasible. Additional analysis and clarifications were provided in the discussion section on the impact of uncertainties in meteorological conditions, the establishment of a priori emission inventories, and the interpretation of inverse calculation results. Full article

Removing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the environment is an important process for the protection of biota. This work examines three different approaches to the degradation of such contaminants. The first involves the use of iron bionanoparticles (Fe-BNPs) prepared through green synthesis from selected plant matrices. The second approach entails the use of the bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM) and Ochrobactrum anthropi (OA) isolated from a PCB-contaminated area, Strážsky canal, located in the Slovak republic, which receives efflux of canal from Chemko Strážske plant, a former producer of PCB mixtures. The third approach combines these two methods, employing a sequential hybrid two-step application of Fe-BNPs from the plant matrix followed by the application of bacterial strains. Fe-BNPs are intended to be an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), which is commonly used in many environmental applications. This work also addresses the optimization parameters for using nZVI in PCB degradation, including the pH of the reaction, oxygen requirements, and dosage of nZVI. Pure standards of polyphenols (gallic acid, GA) and flavonoids (quercetin, Q) were tested to produce Fe-BNPs using green synthesis at different concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8, and 1 g.L⁻¹) and were subsequently applied to the PCB degradation experiments. This step monitored the minimum content of bioactive substances needed for the synthesis of Fe-BNPs and their degradation effects. Experimental analysis indicated that among the selected approaches, sequential nanobiodegradation appears to be the most effective for PCB degradation, specifically the combination of Fe-BNPs from sage and bacteria SM (75% degradation of PCBs) and Fe-BNPs from GA (0.3 g.L⁻¹) with bacteria OA (92% degradation of PCBs). Full article

It has been shown that vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 strain is relatively rare, and there is still limited information on the specific impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on vertical transmission. The current study focuses on a transcriptomics analysis aimed at examining differences in gene expression between placentas from mother–newborn pairs affected by COVID-19 and those from unaffected controls. Additionally, it investigates the in situ expression of molecules involved in placental inflammation. The Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, Italy, has recorded three instances of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The first two cases occurred early in the pandemic and involved pregnant women in their third trimester who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. The third case involved an asymptomatic woman in her second trimester with a twin pregnancy, who unfortunately delivered two stillborn fetuses due to the premature rupture of membranes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression between the placentae of COVID-19-affected mother/newborn pairs and two matched controls. The infected and control placentae were matched for gestational age. According to the Benjamani–Hochberg method, 305 genes met the criterion of an adjusted p-value of less than 0.05, and 219 genes met the criterion of less than 0.01. Up-regulated genes involved in cell signaling (e.g., CCL20, C3, MARCO) and immune response (e.g., LILRA3, CXCL10, CD48, CD86, IL1RN, IL-18R1) suggest their potential role in the inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2. RNAscope^® technology, coupled with image analysis, was utilized to quantify the surface area covered by SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α on both the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta. A non-statistically significant gradient for SARS-CoV-2 was observed, with a higher surface coverage on the fetal side (2.42 ± 3.71%) compared to the maternal side (0.74 ± 1.19%) of the placenta. Although not statistically significant, the surface area covered by ACE2 mRNA was higher on the maternal side (0.02 ± 0.04%) compared to the fetal side (0.01 ± 0.01%) of the placenta. IL-6 and IL-8 were more prevalent on the fetal side (0.03 ± 0.04% and 0.06 ± 0.08%, respectively) compared to the maternal side (0.02 ± 0.01% and 0.02 ± 0.02%, respectively). The mean surface areas of IL-1β and IL-10 were found to be equal on both the fetal (0.04 ± 0.04% and 0.01 ± 0.01%, respectively) and maternal sides of the placenta (0.04 ± 0.05% and 0.01 ± 0.01%, respectively). The mean surface area of TNF-α was found to be equal on both the fetal and maternal sides of the placenta (0.02 ± 0.02% and 0.02 ± 0.02%, respectively). On the maternal side, ACE-2 and all examined interleukins, but not TNF-α, exhibited an inverse mRNA amount compared to SARS-CoV-2. On the fetal side, ACE-2, IL-6 and IL-8 were inversely correlated with SARS-CoV-2 (r = −0.3, r = −0.1 and r = −0.4, respectively), while IL-1β and IL-10 showed positive correlations (r = 0.9, p = 0.005 and r = 0.5, respectively). TNF-α exhibited a positive correlation with SARS-CoV-2 on both maternal (r = 0.4) and fetal sides (r = 0.9) of the placenta. Further research is needed to evaluate the correlation between cell signaling and immune response genes in the placenta and the vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Nonetheless, the current study extends our comprehension of the molecular and immunological factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 placental infection underlying maternal–fetal transmission. Full article

Designing efficient electrode materials is necessary for supercapacitors but remains highly challenging. Herein, cobalt sulfide with crystalline/amorphous heterophase (denoted as Co(Al)S) derived from an Al metal–organic framework was constructed by ion exchange/acid etching and subsequent sulfidation strategy. It was found that rational sulfidation by adjusting the sulfur source concentration to a suitable level was favorable to form a 3D nanosheet-interconnected network architecture with a large specific surface area, which promoted ion/electron transport and charge separation. Benefiting from the features of the unique network structure and heterophase accompanied by aluminum, nitrogen and carbon coordinated in amorphous phase, the optimal Co(Al)S₍₁₀₎ exhibited a high specific capacity (1791.8 C g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹), an outstanding rate capability and an excellent cycling stability. Furthermore, the as-assembled Co(Al)S//AC device afforded an energy density of 72.3 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 750 W kg⁻¹, verifying that the Co(Al)S was a promising material for energy storage devices. The developed scheme is expected to promote the application of MOF-derived electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage and conversion fields. Full article

High salinity reduces agriculture production and quality, negatively affecting the global economy. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) enhance plant metabolism and abiotic stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of 2 g/L foliar Zinc oxide NPs on Zea mays L. plants to ameliorate 150 mM NaCl-induced salt stress. After precipitation, ZnO-NPs were examined by UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and particle size distribution. This study examined plant height, stem diameter (width), area of leaves, chlorophyll levels, hydrolyzable sugars, free amino acids, protein, proline, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde. Gas chromatographic analysis quantified long-chain fatty acids, and following harvest, leaves, stalks, cobs, seeds, and seeds per row were weighed. The leaves’ acid and neutral detergent fibers were measured along with the seeds’ starch, fat, and protein. Plant growth and chlorophyll concentration decreased under salt stress. All treatments showed significant changes in maize plant growth and development after applying zinc oxide NPs. ZnO-NPs increased chlorophyll and lowered stress. ZnO-NPs enhanced the ability of maize plants to withstand the adverse conditions of saline soils or low-quality irrigation water. This field study investigated the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on maize plant leaves when saline water is utilized for growth season water. This study also examined how this foliar treatment affected plant biochemistry, morphology, fatty acid synthesis, and crop production when NaCl is present and when it is not. Full article

In the context of the potential immunomodulatory properties of curcumin in counteracting the detrimental effects of concurrent exposure to Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a comprehensive 28-days trial was conducted utilizing 60 randomly allocated mice divided into four groups. Administration of curcumin at a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight in conjunction with DON at 0.1 mg/kg and AFB₁ at 0.01 mg/kg body weight was undertaken to assess its efficacy. Results indicated that curcumin intervention demonstrated mitigation of splenic structural damage, augmentation of serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, elevation in T lymphocyte subset levels, and enhancement in the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-6. Furthermore, curcumin exhibited a suppressive effect on apoptosis in mice, as evidenced by decreased activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9, reduced expression levels of pro-apoptotic markers Bax and Cytochrome-c (Cyt-c) at both the protein and mRNA levels, and the maintenance of a balanced expression ratio of mitochondrial apoptotic regulators Bax and Bcl-2. Collectively, these findings offer novel insights into the therapeutic promise of curcumin in mitigating immunosuppression and apoptotic events triggered by mycotoxin co-exposure. Full article

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) antenna arrays are pivotal components in modern wireless communication systems, offering high data rates and improved spectrum efficiency. However, the performance of mmWave antenna arrays can be significantly affected by structural distortions, such as mechanical deformations and environmental conditions, which may lead to deviations in beamforming characteristics and radiation patterns. In this paper, we present a comprehensive sensitivity study of mmWave antenna arrays to structural distortion, employing a coupled structural–electromagnetic statistical concept. The proposed model integrates structural analysis techniques with electromagnetic simulations to assess the impact of structural distortions on the performance of mmWave antenna arrays. In addition, the model incorporates random element positioning, making it easy to analyze radiation pattern sensitivity to structural deformation. Demonstrating the applicability of the model, a 10 × 10 microstrip patch antenna array is designed to assess the performance of the model with a random position error and saddle shape distortion. The results of the model are then compared against the acceptable results from the HFSS software (version 13.0), where a good agreement is observed between the two results. The results show the gain variation and sidelobe level under various degrees of distortion and random errors, respectively. These results provide a guide for design, deployment, and optimization of mmWave communication networks in real-world environments. In addition, the model provides valuable insights into the trade-offs between antenna performance, structural integrity, and system reliability, paving the way for more efficient and dependable mmWave communication systems in the era of 5G and beyond. Full article

Transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications are essential for the temperature adaptation of thermophilic and psychrophilic organisms as they control the rigidity and flexibility of transcripts. To further understand how specific tRNA modifications are adjusted to maintain functionality in response to temperature fluctuations, we investigated whether tRNA modifications represent an adaptation of bacteria to different growth temperatures (minimal, optimal, and maximal), focusing on closely related psychrophilic (P. halocryophilus and E. sibiricum), mesophilic (B. subtilis), and thermophilic (G. stearothermophilus) Bacillales. Utilizing an RNA sequencing approach combined with chemical pre-treatment of tRNA samples, we systematically profiled dihydrouridine (D), 4-thiouridine (s⁴U), 7-methyl-guanosine (m⁷G), and pseudouridine (Ψ) modifications at single-nucleotide resolution. Despite their close relationship, each bacterium exhibited a unique tRNA modification profile. Our findings revealed increased tRNA modifications in the thermophilic bacterium at its optimal growth temperature, particularly showing elevated levels of s⁴U8 and Ψ55 modifications compared to non-thermophilic bacteria, indicating a temperature-dependent regulation that may contribute to thermotolerance. Furthermore, we observed higher levels of D modifications in psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria, indicating an adaptive strategy for cold environments by enhancing local flexibility in tRNAs. Our method demonstrated high effectiveness in identifying tRNA modifications compared to an established tool, highlighting its potential for precise tRNA profiling studies. Full article

Bioethanol, a lignocellulosic biofuel, has increased energy sustainability and lessened the environmental effects associated with energy production. Thysanolaena latifolia is a common weed found in the northern part of Thailand that is considered non-food biomass, with a high biomass productivity of approximately 10.2 kg/year. Here, we evaluated the potential of T. latifolia biomass as an environmentally friendly material source for producing alternative bioethanol. To this end, we treated the feedstock under mild conditions using various concentrations of phosphoric acid to create ideal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis. Pretreatment with 75% phosphoric acid yielded the highest solid recovery (55.8 ± 0.6%) and glucans (93.0± 0.3%). Additionally, the hydrolysis efficiency and glucose yield of treated biomass were significantly improved. As a result, the liquid hydrolysate from T. latifolia used for ethanol fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR 5339 generated 8.9 ± 0.0 g/L ethanol. These findings demonstrate that glucose derived from liquid hydrolysate is a promising sustainable carbon source for producing ethanol from T. latifolia feedstock. Thus, using T. latifolia as a feedstock for generating ethanol can improve the efficiency of bioenergy production. Full article

For a wide range of applications, paper materials require effective protection against the destructive effect of water, which is most effectively realized by superhydrophobic coatings. In recent years, a considerable amount of scientific research has been carried out in this area, focusing particularly on biogenic resources. With this contribution, we go one step further and examine how biogenic materials can be transferred into aqueous dispersions and coated onto paper via existing technologies. With this paper coating, based on a hydrophobic cellulose derivative in combination with a structurally similar wax, thermally regenerable flower-like surface morphologies are obtained via self-assembly, where the hydrophobic cellulose polymer acts as a structural template for the co-crystallization of the wax component. Such hydrophobic structures in the low micrometer range ensure perfectly water-repellent paper surfaces with contact angles > 150° starting from coating weights of 5 g/m². The dispersion can be successfully applied to a variety of commercially available paper substrates, whereby the effects of different roughness, porosity, and hydrophobicity were investigated. In this context, a certain roughness of the base paper (S_a ~ 1.5–3 µm) was found to be beneficial for achieving the highest possible contact angles. Furthermore, the approach proved to be paper process-compatible, recyclable, and regenerable, whereby the processing temperatures allow the coating properties to be thermally generated in situ. With this work, we demonstrate how biogenic waxes are very well suited for superhydrophobic, regenerative coatings and, importantly, how they can be applied from aqueous coatings, enabling simple transfer into the paper industry. Full article

Caffeine is a plant secondary metabolite, commonly known for its bioactivity properties. This molecule increases microbial activity during anaerobic digestion. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of caffeine doses on the rumen fermentation profile and nutrient digestibility when continuous culture fermenters were fed a lactating cow’s diet. We hypothesize that adding caffeine doses into continuous culture fermenters with a rumen fluid inoculum will not affect anaerobic fermentation or nutrient utilization. Fermenters were fed twice a day (at 0800 and 2000 h) with an experimental diet of high-producing dairy cows (53.55 g/DM day; Forage:Concentrate ratio, F:C of 40:60). Four levels of caffeine (0 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, and 150 ppm) were added to the diets as a treatment. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design. Two blocks of four fermenters were run in two replicated periods of ten days. Statistical analyses were conducted in SAS version 9.4 for Windows (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) using the GLIMMIX procedure. The addition of caffeine at a 50 ppm dose on continuous culture fermentation decreased the protozoal counts (Diplodinium spp.) (p = 0.03) and ammonia concentrations (p < 0.05). A treatment of 50 ppm of caffeine increased the DM, OM, and starch digestibility (p < 0.05). When caffeine doses increased further than 50 ppm, the OM, DM, and starch digestibility decreased linearly (p = 0.01). The total volatile fatty acids and fatty acid proportions were unaffected. However, the acetate-to-propionate ratio (A:P) tended to decrease linearly among treatments (p = 0.07). The means of pH measurements and maximum pH had a significantly linear decrease effect (p < 0.01). Caffeine may represent a potential rumen fermentation modifier for use in lactating cow diets. Full article