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Molecular dynamics simulations for calculation of the contact angle of surface nanodroplets and solid–liquid surface tension γ sl of linear triocontane (C 30 , left image) and four of its branched isomers (centre image is for 2,6,13,17, tetrapropyloctadecane (C 18 (C 3) 4)) are used to calculate line tension τ. The results reveal (left plots) that γ sl and line tension τ depend on surface oleophilicity/oleophobicity and molecular degree of branching (DB*). [Display omitted] • Developed a novel MD calculation method of surface nanodroplet line tension (τ). • Calculated Solid-liquid surface tension γ sl of linear and branched liquid alkanes, showed deviation from Young equation. • γ sl and τ signs depend on surface wettability, and their magnitude reduce with increased branching. • On the oleophilic surface, positive line tensions in the order of 10-10 for all alkanes. • On the oleophobic surface, τ is two orders of magnitude lower for branched alkanes. Surface nanodroplets have important technological applications. Previous experiments and simulations have shown that their contact angle deviates from Young's equation. A modified version of Young's equation considering the three-phase line tension (τ) has been widely used in literature, and a wide range of values for τ are reported. We have recently shown that molecular branching affects the liquid–vapour surface tension γ lv of liquid alkanes. Therefore, the wetting behaviour of surface nanodroplets should be affected by molecular branching. This study conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to gain insight into the wetting behaviour of linear and branched alkane nanodroplets on oleophilic and oleophobic surfaces. We aim to examine the Young equation's validity and branching's effect on fundamental properties, including solid–liquid surface tension γ sl and line tension τ. The simulations were performed on a linear alkane, triacontane (C 30 H 62), as well as four of its branched isomers: 2,6,13,17-tetrapropyloctadecane,2,6,9,10,13,17-hexaethyloctadecane, 2,5,7,8,11,12,15-heptaethylhexadecane and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexapropyldodecane. Nanodroplets with a diameter of approximately 15 nm were released onto the surfaces, and their contact angles were measured. Additionally, using a novel approach, the solid–liquid surface tension (γ sl), the validity of Young's equation and line tension for all alkane and surface combinations are determined. It was discovered that the calculated γ sl , deviated from the theoretical γ sl , Young predicted from Young's equation for all alkanes on oleophilic surfaces. However, this deviation was minimal for branched alkanes on the oleophobic surfaces but more significant for the linear alkane. The findings indicated that γ sl < 0 for oleophilic surfaces and γ sl > 0 for oleophobic surfaces. Moreover, it was observed that | γ sl | was lower for branched molecules and decreased as branching increased. Line tension values were then determined through a novel method, showing τ was positive for oleophilic surfaces ranging from 1.30 × 10-10 to 6.27 × 10-11N. On an oleophobic surface, linear alkane shows a negative line tension of −1.15 × 10-10N and branched alkanes up to two orders of magnitude lower values ranging from −2.09 × 10-12 to 2.43 × 10-11N. Line tension values between −1.15 × 10-10 and + 1.1 × 10-10N are calculated for various linear alkane and surface combinations. These findings show the dependence of line tension on the contact angle and branching, demonstrating that for linear alkanes, τ is significant, whereas, for branched alkanes, line tension is smaller or negligible for large contact angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Shoot branching is determined by a balance between factors that promote axillary bud dormancy and factors that release buds from the quiescent state. The TCP family of transcription factors is classified into two classes, Class I and Class II, which usually play different roles. While the role of the Class II TCP BRANCHED1 (BRC1) in suppressing axillary bud development in Arabidopsis thaliana has been widely explored, the function of Class I TCPs in this process remains unknown. We analyzed the role of Class I TCP14 and TCP15 in axillary branch development in Arabidopsis through a series of genetic and molecular studies. In contrast to the increased branch number shown by brc1 mutants, tcp14 tcp15 plants exhibit a reduced number of branches compared with wild‐type. Our findings provide evidence that TCP14 and TCP15 act by counteracting BRC1 function through two distinct mechanisms. First, they indirectly reduce BRC1 expression levels. Additionally, TCP15 directly interacts with BRC1 decoying it from chromatin and thereby preventing the transcriptional activation of a set of BRC1‐dependent genes. We describe a molecular mechanism by which Class I TCPs physically antagonize the action of the Class II TCP BRC1, aligning with their opposite roles in axillary bud development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant condensation and localization of the RNA-binding protein (RBP) fused in sarcoma (FUS) occur in variants of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Changes in RBP function are commonly associated with changes in axonal cytoskeletal organization and branching in neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we asked whether branching defects also occur in vivo in a model of FUS-associated disease. We use two reported Xenopus models of ALS/FTD (of either sex), the ALS-associated mutant FUS(P525L) and a mimic of hypomethylated FUS, FUS(16R). Both mutants strongly reduced axonal complexity in vivo. We also observed an axon looping defect for FUS(P525L) in the target area, which presumably arises due to errors in stop cue signaling. To assess whether the loss of axon complexity also had a cue-independent component, we assessed axonal cytoskeletal integrity in vitro. Using a novel combination of fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, we found that mutant FUS reduced actin density in the growth cone, altering its mechanical properties. Therefore, FUS mutants may induce defects during early axonal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first step towards understanding the conservation situation and informing conservation decision‐making is to identify the habitat loss drivers. However, for nearly all tropical biota, there is a glaring lack of information on the spatiotemporal patterns of anthropogenic drivers.Our objective was to analyse the spatial and temporal distribution of the main anthropogenic drivers of habitat loss for Bradypus torquatus and Bradypus crinitus, two endangered and endemic species to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.We used land‐use information associated with seven major IUCN‐based threats to sloths, covering a three‐generation time window (1988–2020), to quantify the current area occupied, temporal changes, heterogeneity, and intensity of drivers across species distributions.We found that cattle farming and ranching dominate the range of both species (from 49% to 56%) and cover an area larger than the remaining native forest. Other drivers also represent important spatial and temporal features of land conversion across species distributions.Driven mainly by livestock expansion, both sloth species have experienced a significant loss of forest cover (Bradypus torquatus – 659098.70 ha; Bradypus crinitus – 139013.20 ha) in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Overall, Bradypus torquatus showed a higher rate of deforestation than forest regeneration, whereas forest gains outweighed habitat loss for Bradypus crinitus.Our results show that a substantial area of native forest – essential for strictly arboreal species – is being continuously replaced by cattle ranching and agricultural activities, which may lead to population isolation and decline, threatening the long‐term population viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced control strategies for delivering heat to users in a district heating network have the potential to improve performance and reduce wasted energy. To enable the design of such controllers, this paper proposes an automated plant modeling framework that captures the relevant system dynamics, while being adaptable to any network configuration. Starting from the network topology and system parameters, the developed algorithm generates a state-space model of the system, relying on a graph-based technique to facilitate the combination of component models into a full network model. The accuracy of the approach is validated against experimental data collected from a laboratory-scale district heating network. The verification shows an acceptable average normalized root-mean-square error of 0.39 in the mass flow rates delivered to the buildings, and 0.15 in the network return temperature. Furthermore, the ability of the proposed modeling technique to rapidly generate models characterizing different network configurations is demonstrated through its application to topology optimization. The optimal design, obtained via a branch and bound algorithm, reduces network heat losses by 15% as compared to the conventional length-minimized topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The surgical evaluation and management of non-A non-B aortic dissections, in the absence of ascending aortic involvement, remains a grey area. It is in these scenarios when thorough evaluation of patient/family history, clinical presentation, but also overall lifestyle, is of immense importance when determining an optimal intervention. Case presentation: We present a 38-year-old patient with a physically demanding lifestyle as a professional wrestler, uncontrolled hypertension due to history of medical non-adherence, and family history of aortic dissection who presented with acute non-A non-B aortic dissection. He was spared a total arch replacement by undergoing a hybrid approach of complete aortic debranching with antegrade Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR). The patient was able to benefit from reduced cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, avoidance of aortic cross clamp, circulatory arrest, and hypothermic circulation. Conclusions: This patient's unique composition of a physically demanding lifestyle, personal history of medical non-adherence, family history of aortic dissection, and clinical presentation required a holistic approach to understanding an ideal intervention that would be best suited long-term. Due to this contextualization, the patient was able to be spared a total arch replacement, or suboptimal medical management, by instead undergoing a hybrid-approach with total aortic arch debranching with antegrade TEVAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The anatomical variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) are common during thyroidectomy. We aimed to evaluate the risk of RLN paralysis in case of its anatomical variations, retrospectively. Methods: The patients with primary thyroidectomy between January 2016 and December 2019 were enrolled. The effect of age, gender, surgical intervention, neuromonitorisation type, central neck dissection, postoperative diagnosis, neck side, extralaryngeal branching, non-RLN, relation of RLN to inferior thyroid artery (ITA), grade of Zuckerkandl tubercle on vocal cord paralysis (VCP) were investigated. Results: This study enrolled 1070 neck sides. The extralaryngeal branching rate was 35.5%. 45.9% of RLNs were anterior and 44.5% were posterior to the ITA, and 9.6% were crossing between the branches of the ITA. The rate of total VCP was 4.8% (transient:4.5%, permanent: 0.3%). The rates of total and transient VCP were significantly higher in extralaryngeal branching nerves compared to nonbranching nerves (6.8% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.018; 6.8% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.006, respectively). Total VCP rates were 7.2%, 2.5%, and 2.9% in case of the RLN crossing anterior, posterior and between the branches of ITA, respectively (p = 0.003). The difference was also significant regarding the transient VCP rates (p = 0.004). Anterior crossing pattern increased the total and transient VCP rates 2.8 and 2.9 times, respectively. Conclusion: RLN crossing ITA anteriorly and RLN branching are frequent anatomical variations increasing the risk of VCP in thyroidectomy that cannot be predicted preoperatively. This study is the first one reporting that the relationship between RLN and ITA increased the risk of VCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solution behavior of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) copolyesters with dilinoleic monomer units (dilinoleic diol (LD) / dilinoleic diacid (LA)) is studied to understand the processing behavior from melt. NMR investigations show that the short‐chain branches are characterized by a distribution of different alkyl chain lengths, where n‐butyl (C4) and longer chains have the largest content (>55 mol%). High‐temperature size exclusion chromatography with threefold detection (multi‐angle light‐scattering, refractive index, and viscosity detector) in 1,2,4‐trichlorobenzene is performed to determine molar masses, hydrodynamic radii, viscosity radii, and Kuhn–Mark–Houwink–Sakurada (KMHS) exponents α in dependence of the molar amount of short‐chain branched comonomers. Low concentrations of dilinoleic comonomers in PBT copolyesters improve the solubility of the copolyesters significantly. Higher amounts cause contraction of the polymer coils as illustrated by smaller hydrodynamic radii as well as lower KMHS exponents. The α values decrease with increasing amount of short‐chain branched comonomer except for very low concentrations. The solution behavior of LA and LD copolyesters with a higher aliphatic content shows different trends of the influence of short‐chain branches on the melt behavior, which reflects the influence of intramolecular versus intermolecular entanglements in solution and in melt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyolefins, composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, dominate global polymer production. This stems from the wide range of physical and mechanical properties that various polyolefins can cover. Their versatile properties are largely tuned by chain microstructure, including molar mass distribution, comonomer content, and long‐chain branching (LCB). Specifically, LCB imparts unique characteristics, notably enhances processability crucial for downstream applications. Tailoring LCB structural features has encouraged academic and industrial efforts, chronicle in this review from a chemistry standpoint. While encompassing post‐reaction modification based traditional methods like peroxide grafting, ionizing beam irradiation, and coupling reactions, the main focus is given to catalyst‐centric strategies and innovative polymerization schemes. The advent of single‐site catalysts—metallocenes and late transition metals catalysts—amplifies interest in tailored chemical methods, but the progress in LCB formation flourishes via tandem catalytic systems and bimetallic catalysts under controlled reaction conditions. Specifically, the breakthrough in coordinative chain transfer polymerization unveils a novel avenue for controlled LCB synthesis by sequential chain propagation, transfer, liberation, and enchainment. This short review highlights recent approaches for the production of LCB polyolefins that can provide a roadmap crucial for researchers in academia and industry, steering their efforts toward further advancements in the production of tailored polyolefin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive leaders branch less frequently than negative counterpart, and the physical processes and properties of positive leader branching remain a mystery. We investigated 10 m laboratory discharges under four positive voltages using a high‐speed video camera. Positive leaders differ from negative leaders by either directly splitting or connecting with floating bidirectional leaders to form branching, and the number of leader branches shows a positive correlation with the applied voltage, that is, the branched channels increased from 1 to 4 when the voltage increased by a factor of 1.5. Grounding points are positioned beneath the electrode and are more concentrated with lower voltage. During the stable progression of the leader, there is a slight increase in its development speed as the applied voltage rises. When the voltage is increased by 70%, the average breakdown time decreases by 40%. These characteristics provide insights into the branching mechanism of positive leaders. Plain Language Summary: The discharge mechanisms in natural and laboratory discharges are highly complex. This study aims to unravel the branching mechanism of positive leaders through laboratory experiments. A specific 10 m rod‐to‐plate discharge gap was designed to vary the maximum applied voltage, making it possible to examine the effects of applied voltage on the leader discharging trunk and branched channels. The statistical results indicate that as the peak voltage increases, the number of leader channels during the discharging process also increases. In natural lightning, positive leader channels generally exhibit low bifurcation rates, whereas in our study, the maximum number of discharging channels reached four with a sufficiently high applied voltage. The strike ground points of the trunk channel tend to be more dispersed when the applied voltage increases. Additionally, as the voltage rises, the average propagation speed of the leader trunk channel also increases. Our study presents the first systematic findings in this field, with crucial implications for a comprehensive understanding on the leader branching process and the development of discharge models. Key Points: The positive correlation between the number of positive leader branches and applied voltage is demonstrated for the first timeAs the applied voltage increased, the strike ground points of the discharge channel became more dispersedThe average 3‐D speed of the positive leader trunk channel exhibits a slight increase with the rising applied voltage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurons are post‐mitotic cells, with microtubules playing crucial roles in axonal transport and growth. Kinesin family member 2c (KIF2C), a member of the Kinesin‐13 family, possesses the ability to depolymerize microtubules and is involved in remodelling the microtubule lattice. Myocyte enhancer factor 2c (MEF2C) was initially identified as a regulator of muscle differentiation but has recently been associated with neurological abnormalities such as severe cognitive impairment, stereotyping, epilepsy and brain malformations when mutated or deleted. However, further investigation is required to determine which target genes MEF2C acts upon to influence neuronal function as a transcription regulator. Our data demonstrate that knockdown of both Mef2c and Kif2c significantly impacts spinal motor neuron development and behaviour in zebrafish. Luciferase reporter assays and chromosome immunoprecipitation assays, along with down/upregulated expression analysis, revealed that MFE2C functions as a novel transcription regulator for the Kif2c gene. Additionally, the knockdown of either Mef2c or Kif2c expression in E18 cortical neurons substantially reduces the number of primary neurites and axonal branches during neuronal development in vitro without affecting neurite length. Finally, depletion of Kif2c eliminated the effects of overexpression of Mef2c on the neurite branching. Based on these findings, we provided novel evidence demonstrating that MEF2C regulates the transcription of the Kif2c gene thereby influencing the axonal branching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetraparvovirus is an emerging parvovirus infecting a variety of mammals and humans, and associated with human diseases including severe acute respiratory infection and acute encephalitis syndrome. In the present study, a Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 (formerly known as bovine hokovirus) strain HNU-CBY-2023 was identified and characterized from diseased Chinese Simmental from Hunan province, China. The nearly complete genome of HNU-CBY-2023 is 5346 nt in size and showed genomic identities of 85-95.5% to the known Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 strains from GenBank, indicating a rather genetic variation. Phylogenetic and genetic divergence analyses indicated that Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 could be divided into two genotypes (I and II), and HNU-CBY-2023 was clustered into genotype II. This study, for the first time, identified Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1 from domestic cattle from mainland China, which will be helpful to understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of Tetraparvovirus ungulate 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autologous-engineered artificial tissues constitute an ideal alternative for radical surgery in terms of natural anticoagulation, self-repair, tissue regeneration, and the possibility of growth. Previously, we focused on the development and practical application of artificial tissues using "in-body tissue architecture (iBTA)", a technique that uses living bodies as bioreactors. This study aimed to further develop iBTA by fabricating tissues with diverse shapes and evaluating their physical properties. Although the breaking strength increased with tissue thickness, the nominal breaking stress increased with thinner tissues. By carving narrow grooves on the outer periphery of an inner core with narrow grooves, we fabricated approximately 2.2 m long cord-shaped tissues and net-shaped tissues with various designs. By assembling the two inner cores inside the branched stainless-steel pipes, a large graft with branching was successfully fabricated, and its aortic arch replacement was conducted in a donor goat without causing damage. In conclusion, by applying iBTA technology, we have made it possible, for the first time, to create tissues of various shapes and designs that are difficult using existing tissue-engineering techniques. Thicker iBTA-induced tissues exhibited higher rupture strength; however, rupture stress was inversely proportional to thickness. These findings broaden the range of iBTA-induced tissue applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are among the most common diarrhea-causing pathogens in humans and livestock. This was the first study to systematically and molecularly detect the prevalence of three intestinal protozoa in cattle in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China. Our findings indicate that a variety of species/genotypes are prevalent in cattle in Heilongjiang Province and that some of them are zoonotic, indicating a risk of zoonotic disease transmission in endemic areas. This study helps to understand the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cattle in Heilongjiang Province. Crytosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are important diarrheal pathogens with a global distribution that threatens the health of humans and animals. Despite cattle being potential transmission hosts of these protozoans, the associated risks to public health have been neglected. In the present study, a total of 1155 cattle fecal samples were collected from 13 administrative regions of Heilongjiang Province. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi were 5.5% (64/1155; 95% CI: 4.2–6.9), 3.8% (44/1155; 95% CI: 2.7–4.9), and 6.5% (75/1155; 95% CI: 5.1–7.9), respectively. Among these positive fecal samples, five Cryptosporidium species (C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. ryanae, C. parvum, and C. occultus), two G. duodenalis assemblages (E and A), and eight E. bieneusi genotypes (BEB4, BEB6, BEB8, J, I, CHS7, CHS8, and COS-I) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all eight genotypes of E. bieneusi identified in the present study belonged to group 2. It is worth noting that some species/genotypes of these intestinal protozoans are zoonotic, suggesting a risk of zoonotic disease transmission in endemic areas. The findings expanded our understanding of the genetic composition and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi in cattle in Heilongjiang Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the elongational rheology of model polystyrene topologies with 2, 3 and 4 stars, which are connected by one (2-star or "Pom-Pom"), two (3-star) and three (4-star) linear backbone chains. The number of arms of each star varies from qa = 3 to 24, the molecular weight of the arms from Mw,a = 25 kg/mol to 300 kg/mol, and the backbone chains from Mw,b = 100 kg/mol to 382 kg/mol. If the length of the arm is shorter than the length of the backbone, i.e. Mw,a < Mw,b, and despite the vastly different topologies considered, the elongational stress growth coefficient can be modeled by the Hierarchical Multi-mode Molecular Stress Function (HMMSF) model, based exclusively on the linear-viscoelastic characterization and a single nonlinear parameter, the dilution modulus. If the length of the arms of the stars is similar or longer than the length of the backbone chain (Mw,a ≥ Mw,b) connecting two stars, the impact of the backbone chain on the rheology vanishes and the elongational stress growth coefficient is dominated by the star topology showing similar features of the elongational stress growth coefficient as those of linear polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals caused by the FMD virus. It is acute, highly contagious, and has a lot of genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to confirm cases diagnosed in the field as FMD virus (FMDV) infection through identification and molecular characterization based on the amplification of the VP1 gene of FMDV to provide information about serotype, virus clustering, and additional molecular scientific data on FMDV circulating in Indonesia. The samples used in this study were Madura cattle and Ongole Grade cattle, which showed clinical signs of FMD. Twenty-six samples were collected from the vesicular fluid of blister epithelial cells (tongue, gum, and hard palate), oral, and nasal swabs. Those samples underwent a screening test using the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method with a 3D gene target to detect FMDV infection. About 46.15% of samples (12/26) were detected as RT-qPCR positive for FMDV. Those positive results were then amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced using the Sanger sequencing technique targeting the VP1 gene fragment of the FMDV. The sequencing results were analyzed by the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software X version, which includes assembly, alignment using ClustalW, amino acid prediction, genetic distance, and phylogenetic tree construction. The result showed that amino acid sequence variations were found in this gene, including at positions 96, 99, 129, 134, 138, 140, 156, 158, and 197, and no changes were found either at the critical amino acid sites at positions 144 (V), 148 (L), 154 (K), and 208 (P) or in the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif at positions 145-147. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that FMD viruses detected in this study were identified as serotype "O", topotype "Middle East South Asia (ME-SA)", lineage "Ind-2001", and sub-lineage "e" (O/ME-SA/Ind-2001e), which have high homology to the VP1 gene (99-100%) between the viruses studied and the viruses found at the beginning of the FMD outbreak in Indonesia in 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phrenic nerve innervates the respiratory diaphragm, the primary muscle active during ventilation. The canonical path of the phrenic nerve originates from the cervical spine at C3–C5 spinal nerves and travels inferiorly through the neck and thoracic cavity to reach the diaphragm. During a cadaver dissection, a variation of the phrenic nerve was discovered in a 93-year-old male specimen. A traditional origin of the phrenic nerve was noted; however, the nerve branched into medial and lateral components at the level of the superior trunk of the brachial plexus. The branches reconnected at the apex of the aortic arch and continued inferiorly to innervate the ipsilateral diaphragm. This case study describes a rare type of branching of the phrenic nerve and explores its potential impact on clinical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex interactions of the branching ureteric bud (UB) and surrounding mesenchymal cells during metanephric kidney development determine the final number of nephrons. Impaired nephron endowment predisposes to arterial hypertension and chronic kidney disease. In the kidney, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are usually regarded as acellular scaffolds or as the common histological end-point of chronic kidney diseases. Since only little is known about their physiological role in kidney development, we aimed for analyzing the expression and role of fibronectin. In mouse, fibronectin was expressed during all stages of kidney development with significant changes over time. At embryonic day (E) 12.5 and E13.5, fibronectin lined the UB epithelium, which became less pronounced at E16.5 and then switched to a glomerular expression in the postnatal and adult kidneys. Similar results were obtained in human kidneys. Deletion of fibronectin at E13.5 in cultured metanephric mouse kidneys resulted in reduced kidney sizes and impaired glomerulogenesis following reduced cell proliferation and branching of the UB epithelium. Fibronectin colocalized with alpha 8 integrin and fibronectin loss caused a reduction in alpha 8 integrin expression, release of glial-derived neurotrophic factor and expression of Wnt11, both of which are promoters of UB branching. In conclusion, the ECM protein fibronectin acts as a regulator of kidney development and is a determinant of the final nephron number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insectivorous birds are key suppliers of crucial ecosystem services, especially important for pest control in agricultural systems, and are globally decreasing at a fast rate. Among them, the declining barn swallow Hirundo rustica is particularly linked to cattle farms, where it is impacted by changes in livestock husbandry practices.The presence of swallows in cattle sheds might contribute to control insect pests, but such an effect had never been explored. With this work, we evaluated the potential control effect exerted by barn swallow on economically relevant pest insects, filth flies.To assess whether swallows inside the cattle sheds influence the activity rate of pest flies (especially Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans), we assessed the relative abundance of swallows and flies over 16 weeks in nine different cattle farms in Non valley (Trentino, North‐east Italy), either occupied or not by nesting swallows. From April 2022 to August 2022, we collected weekly data on the activity rate of flies by placing eight white spot cards inside each of nine cattle sheds and counting the deposition of faecal and regurgitation spots by flies. Simultaneously, we collected weekly data regarding swallow occurrence, brood size, number and age of chicks.We applied generalised linear mixed effect models on the activity rate of flies, with spot card and farm as nested random effects, to account for potential random variability between cards and farms. We then assessed through model selection the effect of number of cows, number of swallows, and temperature or week alternatively. Temperature and week were modelled also in interaction with the number of swallows.Fly activity rate followed a seasonal trend with a peak in July, which was markedly lower where swallows were present. Moreover, the positive relationship between flies and temperature was lessened when swallows were abundant.Synthesis and applications. Barn swallows are effective biological control agents for lowering pest fly activity in livestock farms. Farmers were actively involved in swallow conservation within their sheds, also with a shared memorandum‐of‐intent. Harnessing the ecosystem services supplied by farmland birds could bring positive outcomes for people and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strigolactones (SLs) have potential to be used in sustainable agriculture to mitigate various stresses that plants have to deal with. The natural SLs, as well as the synthetic analogs, are difficult to obtain in sufficient amounts for practical applications. At the same time, fluorescent SLs would be useful for the mechanistic understanding of their effects based on bio-imaging or spectroscopic techniques. In this study, new fluorescent SL mimics containing a substituted 1,8-naphthalimide ring system connected through an ether link to a bioactive furan-2-one moiety were prepared. The structural, spectroscopic, and biological activity of the new SL mimics on phytopathogens were investigated and compared with previously synthetized fluorescent SL mimics. The chemical group at the C-6 position of the naphthalimide ring influences the fluorescence parameters. All SL mimics showed effects similar to GR24 on phytopathogens, indicating their suitability for practical applications. The pattern of the biological activity depended on the fungal species, SL mimic and concentration, and hyphal order. This dependence is probably related to the specificity of each fungal receptor–SL mimic interaction, which will have to be analyzed in-depth. Based on the biological properties and spectroscopic particularities, one SL mimic could be a good candidate for microscopic and spectroscopic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thermal stress in subtropical regions is a major limiting factor in beef cattle production systems with around $369 million being lost annually due to reduced performance. Heat stress causes numerous physiological and behavioral disturbances including reduced feed intake and decreased production levels. Cattle utilize various physiological mechanisms such as sweating to regulate internal heat. Variation in these traits can help identify genetic variants that control sweat gland properties and subsequently allow for genetic selection of cattle with greater thermotolerance. Methods: This study used 2,401 Brangus cattle from two commercial ranches in Florida. Precise phenotypes that contribute to an animal's ability to manage heat stress were calculated from skin biopsies and included sweat gland area, sweat gland depth, and sweat gland length. All animals were genotyped with the Bovine GGP F250K, and BLUPF90 software was used to estimate genetic parameters and for Genome Wide Association Study. Results: Sweat gland phenotypes heritability ranged from 0.17 to 0.42 indicating a moderate amount of the phenotypic variation is due to genetics, allowing producers the ability to select for favorable sweat gland properties. A weighted single-step GWAS using sliding 10 kb windows identified multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) explaining a significant amount of genetic variation. QTLs located on BTA7 and BTA12 explained over 1.0% of genetic variance and overlap the ADGRV1 and CCDC168 genes, respectively. The variants identified in this study are implicated in processes related to immune function and cellular proliferation which could be relevant to heat management. Breed of Origin Alleles (BOA) were predicted using local ancestry in admixed populations (LAMP-LD), allowing for identification of markers' origin from either Brahman or Angus ancestry. A BOA GWAS was performed to identify regions inherited from particular ancestral breeds that might have a significant impact on sweat gland phenotypes. Conclusions: The results of the BOA GWAS indicate that both Brahman and Angus alleles contribute positively to sweat gland traits, as evidenced by favorable marker effects observed from both genetic backgrounds. Understanding and utilizing genetic traits that confer better heat tolerance is a proactive approach to managing the impacts of climate change on livestock farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This communication reports an effective strategy helping address the long‐troubling melt processing issue of isotactic polybutene‐1 (i‐PB) caused by its extremely slow II‐I crystal phase transition. The solution lies in a facile synthesis of i‐PB containing H‐shape long‐chain‐branching structures (LCB‐i‐PB) by applying a so‐called ω‐alkenylmethyldichlorosilane copolymerization‐hydrolysis (ACH) chemistry to butene‐1 polymerization with Ziegler–Natta or metallocene catalysts. It is evident that the H‐shape LCB structures effectively enhance chain entanglements of i‐PB and induce an over‐the‐board acceleration of the overall melt crystallization process including nucleation, form II crystallization, and form II‐form I phase transition. As i‐PB usually requires up to a week to reach equilibrium of the II‐I phase transition, it is found that with LCB‐i‐PB such a transition is almost finished within as short as 24 h to even higher degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media holds significant relevance in various fields, including geotechnical engineering, geosciences, and petroleum engineering. This article presents a numerical investigation into dynamic crack branching in unsaturated porous media using a recently developed coupled micro‐periporomechanics (PPM) paradigm. This paradigm extends the PPM model by incorporating the micro‐rotation of the solid skeleton. Within this framework, each material point is equipped with three degrees of freedom: displacement, micro‐rotation, and fluid pressure. Consistent with the Cosserat continuum theory, a length scale associated with the micro‐rotation of material points is inherently integrated into the model. This study encompasses several key aspects: (1) Validation of the coupled micro‐PPM paradigm for effectively modeling crack branching in deformable porous media, (2) Examination of the transition from a single branch to multiple branches in porous media under drained conditions, (3) Simulation of single crack branching in unsaturated porous media under dynamic loading conditions, and (4) Investigation of multiple crack branching in unsaturated porous media under dynamic loading conditions. The numerical results obtained in this study are systematically analyzed to elucidate the factors that influence crack branching in porous media subjected to dynamic loading. Furthermore, the comprehensive numerical findings underscore the efficacy and robustness of the coupled micro‐PPM paradigm in accurately modeling dynamic crack branching in variably saturated porous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Saffron-cowled Blackbird (Xanthopsar flavus) is a globally endangered icterid endemic to the southern South American grasslands. Temperate grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in South America due to their high rate of land use change. In northeastern Argentina, over the last century, the conversion of natural grasslands to livestock farming, croplands, and afforestation has resulted in significant losses of breeding habitat for the Saffron-cowled Blackbird. Consequently, it has suffered severe populational declines, and its remaining populations are fragmented. In order to understand the impact of agricultural systems on the Saffron-cowled Blackbird populations, we studied its breeding biology (clutch size, hatching success, nestling production, and fledgling success) and the main parameters that influence nest survival rate in five breeding habitat types. During the breeding seasons of 2015 to 2019, we located nests and monitored their fate. We found that the cumulative probability of nest survival over the entire nesting cycle (i.e. laying, incubation, and chick rearing) was 0.06, and was lower for nests situated in grazed land covers. Conversely, nest survival was greater in breeding sites without agricultural use, particularly in marshes. Predation was the main cause of nest failure (76%), followed by brood parasitism (10%), and trampling by cattle and agricultural machinery (6%). Brood parasitism rates were higher in grazed paddocks, contributing together with predation to the failure of nests in this habitat. Our findings indicate a negative impact of livestock ranching on Saffron-cowled Blackbird reproduction. Non-agriculture habitats, such as wetlands and flooded areas, are important as refuges for nesting. Thus, the creation of breeding refuges (non-productive sites) within agricultural matrices, in association with biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices, is crucial to ensure the Saffron-cowled Blackbird's maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Broad-snouted caimans are found in North Argentina. In the past, they were heavily hunted, leading to a decline in their population. To avoid diminishing populations, a sustainable use program under a ranching system was implemented, and broad-snouted caiman populations have recovered significantly. Local communities play a key role as egg harvesters under the concept of incentives for conservation. The current management program in Argentina intends to balance the growth of caiman populations, ensure benefits for local people, and protect valuable wetlands. Each year, the dynamics of the broad-snouted caiman population are monitored through night surveys and the identification of wild nesting in specific areas. These monitoring efforts show that the sustainable use program ensures practices that are sustainable and have a non-detrimental impact on wild populations. On the contrary, the encouragement of local people to preserve caimans and their nesting habitats has generated very positive results, including increased caiman populations and improvements in social and cultural aspects, as well as providing important income to local economies. There are many precedents regarding the advantages of enacting sustainable use programs, but this knowledge is not yet adequately communicated. Even crocodilians are an example of this, and we already have numerous studies about the pillars that programs should follow, regardless of the species and management mechanism implemented. Now the great challenge is to maintain the achievements reached and control threats such as habitat destruction, pollution, and activist groups from reversing them. People and crocodilians have engaged in interactions since the earliest human settlements. After many years of escalating non-regulated use, coupled with emerging threats such as habitat modification, environmental pollution, and the exponential growth of human populations, natural crocodilian populations have been pushed to the brink of extinction. To prevent this, various initiatives have implemented strategies to prevent local extinction. Reinforcing wild populations through reintroductions and head-starting programs has been considered the safest approach to recovering crocodilian populations. Subsequently, the concept of sustainability emerged. In the case of many historically exploited crocodilian species, it became evident that rational utilization need not adversely affect population status; on the contrary, there were clear signs of recovery when local communities were involved. In 1990, the broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) was in a critical state due to decades of poaching and the aforementioned threats. In response, the "Monitoring and restocking program of the broad-snouted caiman for management purposes", commonly known as Proyecto Yacaré, was established to study population abundance and assess the biological, ecological, and social response to this management methodology. As a result of the eggs's harvest, a proportion equivalent to or greater than what would have survived in natural conditions was released into the original habitat where the eggs were collected. The surplus was allocated for leather and meat production with a focus on economic and environmentally sustainable practices, without affecting biodiversity or threats to the managed species. The in situ work carried out by this program has been crucial for the recovery of broad-snouted caiman populations under the "incentives for conservation" system, whereby local communities receive benefits for nest identification and egg harvesting. Over time, conservation incentives have become significant contributors to regional economies. This study illustrates how C. latirostris populations increased due to the implementation of egg harvesting by local communities in a natural reserve for management purposes. This population increase was detected through continuous night monitoring and an analysis of the number of nests in the area. Currently, C. latirostris populations have transitioned from being among the most threatened to becoming one of the most abundant throughout their distribution area. Based on the analyzed information, we may affirm that the commercial value of these species is one of the most relevant aspects contributing to the sustainability of these programs, primarily due to the change in perception generated among local communities. Therefore, identifying and controlling factors affecting these programs are fundamental for the conservation of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: ‘Sikkim Primitive’ maize landrace, unique for prolificacy (7–9 ears per plant) possesses unique genomic architecture in branching and inflorescence-related gene(s), and locus Zm00001eb365210 encoding glycosyltransferases was identified as the putative candidate gene underlying QTL (qProl-SP-8.05) for prolificacy. The genotype possesses immense usage in breeding high-yielding baby-corn genotypes. ‘Sikkim Primitive’ is a native landrace of North Eastern Himalayas, and is characterized by having 7–9 ears per plant compared to 1–2 ears in normal maize. Though ‘Sikkim Primitive’ was identified in the 1960s, it has not been characterized at a whole-genome scale. Here, we sequenced the entire genome of an inbred (MGUSP101) derived from ‘Sikkim Primitive’ along with three non-prolific (HKI1128, UMI1200, and HKI1105) and three prolific (CM150Q, CM151Q and HKI323) inbreds. A total of 942,417 SNPs, 24,160 insertions, and 27,600 deletions were identified in ‘Sikkim Primitive’. The gene-specific functional mutations in ‘Sikkim Primitive’ were classified as 10,847 missense (54.36%), 402 non-sense (2.015%), and 8,705 silent (43.625%) mutations. The number of transitions and transversions specific to ‘Sikkim Primitive’ were 666,021 and 279,950, respectively. Among all base changes, (G to A) was the most frequent (215,772), while (C to G) was the rarest (22,520). Polygalacturonate 4-α-galacturonosyltransferase enzyme involved in pectin biosynthesis, cell-wall organization, nucleotide sugar, and amino-sugar metabolism was found to have unique alleles in ‘Sikkim Primitive’. The analysis further revealed the Zm00001eb365210 gene encoding glycosyltransferases as the putative candidate underlying QTL (qProl-SP-8.05) for prolificacy in ‘Sikkim Primitive’. High-impact nucleotide variations were found in ramosa3 (Zm00001eb327910) and zeaxanthin epoxidase1 (Zm00001eb081460) genes having a role in branching and inflorescence development in ‘Sikkim Primitive’. The information generated unraveled the genetic architecture and identified key genes/alleles unique to the ‘Sikkim Primitive’ genome. This is the first report of whole-genome characterization of the ‘Sikkim Primitive’ landrace unique for its high prolificacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nacre with brick‐and‐mortar structure enables multiple toughening and strengthening mechanisms, and bioinspired ceramics with brick‐and‐mortar structure have been attracting much attention from many researchers. However, the process of constructing precise and uniform microstructure is quite complicated. Herein, we propose a novel and facial method to fabricate composite ceramics with brick‐and‐mortar structure. Si3N4 microspheres prepared by particle‐stabilized foaming and centrifugal spray drying were directly hot pressed after being immersed in suspension and evenly wrapped with ZrO2. The mechanical properties of composite ceramics were optimized by adjusting the pressure during sintering and ZrO2 content. When ZrO2 content was 10 wt% and sintering pressure was 5 MPa, the fracture toughness of ZrO2/Si3N4 brick‐and‐mortar composite ceramics reached 9.02 MPa·m1/2, and the flexural strength was 784 MPa, which were increased by 46.9% and 26.5%, respectively, compared with the control group. While retaining excellent flexural strength, the strong interface also induces crack to deflect and branch along the two‐phase interface of the brick‐and‐mortar structure caused by the residual stress, which was derived from the mismatch of the thermal expansion coefficient of ZrO2 and Si3N4, consuming more fracture energy to achieve the toughening effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) shoot architecture is largely determined by the pattern of axillary buds that grow into lateral branches, the regulation of which requires integrating both local and systemic signals.Nodal explants – stem explants each bearing one leaf and its associated axillary bud – are a simplified system to understand the regulation of bud activation. To explore signal integration in bud activation, we characterised the growth dynamics of buds in nodal explants in key mutants and under different treatments.We observed that isolated axillary buds activate in two genetically and physiologically separable phases: a slow‐growing lag phase, followed by a switch to rapid outgrowth. Modifying BRANCHED1 expression or the properties of the auxin transport network, including via strigolactone application, changed the length of the lag phase. While most interventions affected only the length of the lag phase, strigolactone treatment and a second bud also affected the rapid growth phase.Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the slow‐growing lag phase corresponds to the time during which buds establish canalised auxin transport out of the bud, after which they enter a rapid growth phase. Our work also hints at a role for auxin transport in influencing the maximum growth rate of branches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the development of Pitrufquén (located in the Araucanía Region, Chile, and founded in 1897) from a historical, territorial, urban, and architectural point of view. It is proposed that the city’s development is framed in a new moment, where the Chilean State abandons military criteria and assumes economic-territorial factors where the railroad’s presence is a determining factor. The choice of the site, its particular layout, and the development of its architecture are evidence of this change. From the historical point of view, it is analyzed how, in Pitrufquén, the Mapuche society had cattle raising as the main economic activity, as it had pastures to feed the cattle, the land was suitable for crops, and there was a vital ford to cross the Toltén River. This strategic location was maintained and accentuated by the city’s founding and the railroad’s arrival in 1898, turning the town into a railhead for progress towards the south of the country. In the case of the urban layout, its peculiarity was addressed since, together with Lonquimay, these are the only sections in the La Araucanía region organized based on an ellipse, which, in the case of Pitrufquén, also coexists with a checkerboard layout. The study analyzed its squares, diagonal avenues, and the perimeter ring road. At an architectural level, the article explores the three layers or aspects of the city: The first one studies the wooden architecture with works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the second refers to public architecture, represented by buildings such as the municipality, public services, the post office, and others; and a third layer addresses the modern architecture, such as housing and stores from the period between 1940 and 1960. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stockmayer's formula for the weight average of cross‐linked primary chains is extended to the z‐average degree of polymerization DPz$DP_z$. This average is a function of the weight‐ and z‐average degree of polymerization λw and λz of the primary chain distribution and the branching density α: DPz=λz(1+α)3−λw2α2(3+α)(1−α(λw−1))2(1+α)$DP_z= \frac{\lambda _z(1+\alpha)^3-\lambda _w^2\alpha ^2(3+\alpha)}{(1-\alpha (\lambda _w-1))^2(1+\alpha)}$. Higher averages of branched polymers from monomers of type Af$A_f$ and BAf−1$BA_{f-1}$ with functionalities f ⩾ 2 are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good information is the basis for good decisions. For many invaluable salmon species, chemical information is necessary to guide and fine-tune their migrations to and from freshwater mating grounds. A problem is that salmon of the current world are running a gauntlet of toxic chemicals arising from diverse anthropogenic inputs and these chemicals are known to disrupt information. There is sufficient evidence that effluents from cities, mines, agriculture and industry contain chemicals that can rapidly, and sometimes irreversibly, impair the olfactory sense that salmon use to gather information. Some toxic inputs may not only be strong enough to impair migration, but be strong enough to redirect salmon away from their routes. There is also evidence that some synthetic chemicals may serve as the basis for 'new' information and be useful in making correct migratory decisions. On the plus side, there are examples of new regulations that limit the input of chemicals of known olfactory toxicity, but on the minus side, increased urbanization and global climate change will likely increase the number and/or severity of some neurotoxic inputs. Here we identify the specific avenues of chemical risks to information disruption and in so doing prioritize and rank the risks to migrating salmon. The data collected here can be used to lay the foundation for modelling the effects of anthropogenic inputs on information disruption in diverse salmonid species from around the world and therefore help secure their longevity in a changing chemical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conducted experiment evaluated the effects of three fungi—Trichoderma atroviride (Ta), Trichoderma harzianum (Th) and Phytium oligandrum (Po)—on the growth of maidens of two apple cultivars, 'Szampion' and 'Topaz', budded on two rootstocks, M.9 and M.26, in the nursery. The evaluation was based on the number of maidens obtained and their height, trunk diameter and number and length of lateral shoots, as well as the fresh weight of the leaves and the whole maiden. For the weaker-growing maidens of the 'Topaz' cultivar, the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus was additionally measured depending on the rootstock and fungal treatments. The number of maidens obtained improved significantly when Th (8.3–9.0%) and Po (8.4–12.8%) were applied, depending on the rootstock and cultivar used. With the best treatment with the Po fungus, on average, for the two cultivars, maiden apple trees budded on the M.9 dwarf rootstock were characterized by a significantly better height of 6% and trunk diameter of 13% compared to the control. In contrast, trees grown on the M.26 rootstock did not have significantly increased growth after the same treatments, with the exception of the Po fungus, which improved the stem diameter by an average of 10%. The use of fungi stimulated an increase in the number and length of the lateral shoots of maidens of the more easily branching 'Szampion' apple tree cultivar. Based on the fluorescence parameters obtained, it can be assumed that the 'Topaz' cultivar on the M.26 rootstock is less susceptible to stress conditions, especially those related to high temperatures and drought. All fungi used had a positive effect on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Significantly worse values of the fluorescence parameters were obtained for the control combination compared to the fungal treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface discharge induced by metal particles is a common insulation failure in many high-voltage equipment. In order to further understand the mechanisms of this surface discharge, a 2D simulation model of a plate–surface–plate structure with a pin is established and verified by experiments in this paper to simulate the actual discharge configurations, and the evolution characteristics of the positive and negative surface discharges are compared. The evolutions of both positive and negative discharges could be divided into two phases: the bridging phase and the expansion phase. As the electric field in the gap between the streamer and the dielectric surface is strengthened by the effect of the space charge, the ionization sources and the secondary electrons excited on the dielectric surface, the dielectric surface presents attraction to the streamer, and subsequently the two streamer routes first touch the dielectric surface and then arrive at the grounding electrode. However, the channel branching is the most distinctive characteristic of the positive and negative discharges. In the positive discharge, the channel first branches, then merges, and finally expands, and the gaps of pin to dielectric surface and pin to grounding electrode are broken down by two slender positive branches, respectively. The negative discharge presents a stout channel without branching, which develops and expands simultaneously. This is ascribed to the thinner space charge layer, the weaker shielding effect of the internal electric field and the more active movement of the internal charges in the positive discharge. Another important factor for the discharge branching is the appropriate matching of the sheath thickness and the curvature radius of the channel's head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Branch number is one of the most important agronomic traits of fruit trees such as peach. Little is known about how LncRNA and/or miRNA modules regulate branching through transcription factors.Here, we used molecular and genetic tools to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying brassinosteroid (BR) altering plant branching.We found that the number of sylleptic branch and BR content in pillar peach ('Zhaoshouhong') was lower than those of standard type ('Okubo'), and exogenous BR application could significantly promote branching. PpTCP4 expressed great differentially comparing 'Zhaoshouhong' with 'Okubo'. PpTCP4 could directly bind to DWARF2 (PpD2) and inhibited its expression. PpD2 was the only one differentially expressed key gene in the path of BR biosynthesis. At the same time, PpTCP4 was identified as a target of miR6288b‐3p. LncRNA1 could act as the endogenous target mimic of miR6288b‐3p and repress expression of miR6288b‐3p. Three deletions and five SNP sites of lncRNA1 promoter were found in 'Zhaoshouhong', which was an important cause of different mRNA level of PpTCP4 and BR content. Moreover, overexpressed PpTCP4 significantly inhibited branching.A novel mechanism in which the lncRNA1‐miR6288b‐3p‐PpTCP4‐PpD2 module regulates peach branching number was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural capital indicator framework (NCIF) offers an entry‐level approach to natural capital reporting using existing data sources and indicators. Here, we test the NCIF for the first time in the megadiverse Pantanal biome in Brazil. We compile publicly available indicators on the cattle, soy, fishing, and nature‐based tourism industries alongside indicators on the state of the biome and its ecosystem services. We show that the NCIF is quick to implement using existing environmental and socioeconomic indicators produced by public and NGO statistics communities. However, we identify significant gaps in indicators on the condition and economic value of the biome, the human investment required to derive benefits from the biome, emissions produced by the industries that exploit the biome, and the ecosystem services that maintain the functioning of the biome, such as nutrient cycling and biodiversity. Existing initiatives in Brazil could fill natural capital reporting gaps, including Brazil's experimental natural capital accounts. The NCIF provides a structured approach to highlight gaps in natural capital reporting and guide decision‐makers to prioritize investment in filling data and reporting gaps. Systematic, transnational monitoring must fill gaps in natural capital data to inform decision‐making in the megadiverse Pantanal biome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen science projects are expanding globally, with the African continent, particularly Nigeria, registering significant growth. Here, we document and analyse novel operations of the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NIBAP), 2015–2022. This project has employed the use of ornithologists, mainly trained at the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) located in Jos, Nigeria, and its 28 bird clubs established across Nigeria to enlist 827 bird enthusiasts that contribute regular and near real‐time data about bird distribution and relative abundance in the country. Interestingly, NiBAP has recorded about 75% of the bird species known from Nigeria in only about 50% of Nigeria's total surface area, including 39 nationally threatened species. The Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis, and Grey‐backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata were the most commonly recorded species, while Amurum Forest Reserve, Rennajj Fish Farm, and Obudu Cattle Ranch were the most surveyed sites during the period. Thus, our approach reveals how to increase involvement of nature enthusiasts, ornithologists, and a regional research institute to build local capacity and contribute rich information necessary to alleviate the lack of distributional data about Afrotropical avifauna. We strongly recommend our approach to boost other citizen science projects across Africa and beyond to address the huge lack of biodiversity data, create public awareness, and foster conservation education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important initiative to ensure national food security and repair the ecological environment of the sea, marine ranching concerns the implementation of the major national strategy of constructing a strong marine power. It is related to the advancing of a Chinese modernization characterized by valuing harmony between humanity and nature, and it needs safeguards from the rule of law with compatibility and coordination with international law. Using literature analysis, this study sorts out China's current legislation on the construction and management of marine ranching and finds that: At the central level, a dispersed legislative structure has been formed, based on the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Sea Area Use released in 2001, supplemented by other searelated laws, regulations, rules, and other normative documents. Locally, most coastal provincial- and municipal-level administrations have followed the dispersed legislative structure model, while a few have adopted a model combining the provincial-level dispersed legislation structure with a comprehensive legislation structure at the municipal level. Furthermore, marine ranching has adopted a management system that combines comprehensive and decentralized management with local management as the mainstay and central and local co-management as a supplement. Employing logic and normative analysis methods and from the perspective of the 'four legislative characteristics' (i.e., systemic, holistic, synergistic, and timely characteristics), this study also analyzes the three existing legislative problems within China's current legislation on the construction and management of marine ranching: confusing external boundary standards of different types of sea areas set by different sectors, which have led to many problems in China's marine ranching; deficient legal documents and their provisions regulating marine ranching in the internal and territorial seas in terms of external form and internal system; and the lack of domestic laws regulating marine ranching in the EEZ and continental shelf. Finally, the study suggests paths for constructing a benign quality legal system for marine ranching that meets the requirements of the 'four legislative characteristics' : Administrative regulations, in particular those on the administration of marine ranching, should be formulated and used to harmonize the macro-level construction of the legal system of marine ranching; external boundary standards for different types of sea areas should be scientifically and comprehensively developed; scientific and complete management institutions and mechanisms should be established for marine ranching; and provisions concerning marine ranching should be made in the EEZ and continental shelf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study determines the prevalence of eggs of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron spp. and of mixed infection in grazing cattle from six cattle ranches in the district of Florida, Department of Amazonas (Peru). Using the natural sedimentation technique, 358 fecal samples were examined. The prevalence of F. hepatica was 69.83 % (95% CI 65.08 - 74.59), followed by Calicophoron spp. 60.34 % (95% CI 55.27 - 65.40) and a prevalence of mixed infection 41.62 % (95% CI 36.51 - 46.73). The presence of F. hepatica eggs did not differ among farms, breeds, and age groups (P>0.05). The presence of Calicophoron spp. and mixed infection with F. hepatica showed differences between towns and breeds (P<0.05), unlike the age groups, which were statistically similar (P>0.05). A high prevalence of fecal eggs of F. hepatica and spp. was found, a situation that could be due to the environmental conditions that allow the optimal development of the intermediate host and the cattle grazing system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before developing orchard management strategies, it is crucial to conduct architectural analysis at the shoot level for the specific type of fruit to be grown. The objective of this study was to analyze flowering patterns in 1-year-old long shoots of three apple cultivars ('Amasya,' 'Braeburn,' and 'Granny Smith') with different bearing behaviors. This analysis aimed to gain a better understanding of their growth dynamics and reproductive activities. The shoot was divided into three consecutive zones (proximal, median, and distal) based on node number. When comparing the number of floral and vegetative buds in the three zones along the shoot, less contrast was observed between alternate-bearing ('Amasya') and regular-bearing cultivars ('Braeburn' and 'Granny Smith'). However, a notable difference in floral bud quality variables was evident in shoot zones between biennial-bearing and regular-bearing cultivars. In 'Braeburn' and 'Granny Smith' with a regular bearing habit, floral bud quality variables remained stable along the shoot. In contrast, 'Amasya' shoots exhibited a gradual increase in floral bud quality from the proximal zone towards the distal zone. 'Amasya' had the fewest spur leaves per inflorescence, both in the proximal zone (0.89) and the median zone (2.87) of one-year-old long shoots, whereas they were nearly equal for ‘Braeburn’ (5.67 and 6.09, respectively) and ‘Granny Smith’ (5.55 and 6.59, respectively). In the proximal zone, 'Amasya' had a spur leaf size of 0.48, while 'Braeburn' and 'Granny Smith' exhibited similar spur leaf sizes of 3.39 and 3.59, respectively. This study underscores the significance of floral bud quality, especially the properties of spur leaves along the shoot, in ensuring optimal and consistent productivity. Finally, with the exception of internode length, morphometric traits did not significantly differ between cultivars when considering the entire shoot. However, these differences became apparent when examining successive zones along the shoot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation of directed axon guidance and branching during development is essential for the generation of neuronal networks. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie interstitial (or collateral) axon branching in the mammalian brain remain unresolved. Here, we investigate interstitial axon branching in vivo using an approach for precise labeling of layer 2/3 callosal projection neurons (CPNs). This method allows for quantitative analysis of axonal morphology at high acuity and also manipulation of gene expression in well-defined temporal windows. We find that the GSK3β serine/threonine kinase promotes interstitial axon branching in layer 2/3 CPNs by releasing MAP1B-mediated inhibition of axon branching. Further, we find that the tubulin tyrosination cycle is a key downstream component of GSK3β/MAP1B signaling. These data suggest a cell-autonomous molecular regulation of cortical neuron axon morphology, in which GSK3β can release a MAP1B-mediated brake on interstitial axon branching upstream of the posttranslational tubulin code. Synopsis: In the mammalian brain cortex, correct layer-specific interstitial (collateral) axon branching is required for generating functional circuitry. Here, precise gene manipulation and defined neuronal labeling in the murine neocortex identifies a role for microtubule-binding protein MAP1B in inhibiting axon interstitial branching. GSK3β activation induces excessive interstitial axon branching in excitatory cortical neurons. MAP1B inhibits axon branching downstream of GSK3β. GSK3β phosphorylates MAP1B to release its inhibitory effect on axon branching. GSK3β and MAP1B regulate interstitial axon branching through modulation of tubulin tyrosination. Microtubule-binding protein MAP1B Regulates Interstitial Axon Branching of Cortical Neurons via the Tubulin Tyrosination Cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen science projects are expanding globally, with the African continent, particularly Nigeria, registering significant growth. Here, we document and analyse novel operations of the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NIBAP), 2015–2022. This project has employed the use of ornithologists, mainly trained at the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) located in Jos, Nigeria, and its 28 bird clubs established across Nigeria to enlist 827 bird enthusiasts that contribute regular and near real‐time data about bird distribution and relative abundance in the country. Interestingly, NiBAP has recorded about 75% of the bird species known from Nigeria in only about 50% of Nigeria's total surface area, including 39 nationally threatened species. The Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis, and Grey‐backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata were the most commonly recorded species, while Amurum Forest Reserve, Rennajj Fish Farm, and Obudu Cattle Ranch were the most surveyed sites during the period. Thus, our approach reveals how to increase involvement of nature enthusiasts, ornithologists, and a regional research institute to build local capacity and contribute rich information necessary to alleviate the lack of distributional data about Afrotropical avifauna. We strongly recommend our approach to boost other citizen science projects across Africa and beyond to address the huge lack of biodiversity data, create public awareness, and foster conservation education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of diet and its relationship with available resources allows us to evaluate how species that differ in their degree of ecological flexibility respond to natural and anthropogenic variations that affect food availability. In the central Monte desert, extensive cattle ranching reduces the abundance of grass seeds, the most consumed and preferred food by the harvester ants Pogonomyrmex inermis Forel, 1914, Pogonomyrmex mendozanus (Cuezzo & Claver, 2009), and Pogonomyrmex propinqua (Johnson, 2021). We studied the diet of these species in grazed and ungrazed habitats over 4 years, including a period during which the abundance of grass seeds naturally decreased. We expected that ants would modify their diet in grazed sites and that the response would be different among species depending on their ecological flexibility. The three species presented a mainly granivorous diet in both grazing conditions and during the 4 years, but showed differences in the breadth of their diet. Pogonomyrmex inermis and Pogonomyrmex propinqua always had a narrow diet that consisted mainly of grass seeds, while Pogonomyrmex mendozanus modified its diet to include higher proportions of shrub seeds and other items when the abundance of grass seed decreased. In a scenario of scarce resources, this flexibility could represent an advantage over a more strict graminivorous diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the consequences of dormancy in the 'rare mutation' and 'large population' regime of stochastic adaptive dynamics. Starting from an individual-based micro-model, we first derive the Polymorphic Evolution Sequence of the population, based on a previous work by Baar and Bovier (2018). After passing to a second 'small mutations' limit, we arrive at the Canonical Equation of Adaptive Dynamics, and state a corresponding criterion for evolutionary branching, extending a previous result of Champagnat and Méléard (2011). The criterion allows a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the effects of dormancy in the well-known model of Dieckmann and Doebeli (1999) for sympatric speciation. In fact, quite an intuitive picture emerges: Dormancy enlarges the parameter range for evolutionary branching, increases the carrying capacity and niche width of the post-branching sub-populations, and, depending on the model parameters, can either increase or decrease the 'speed of adaptation' of populations. Finally, dormancy increases diversity by increasing the genetic distance between subpopulations. • We study dormancy in the 'rare mutation' regime of stochastic adaptive dynamics. • We first derive the polymorphic evolution sequence, based on prior work. • Our evolutionary branching criterion extends a result by Champagnat and Méléard. • In a classical model dormancy can favour evolutionary branching. • Dormancy also affects several more population characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branching is an important agronomic trait that is conducive to plant architecture and yield in flowering Chinese cabbage. Plant branching is regulated by a complex network mediated by hormones; gibberellin (GA) is one of the important hormones which is involved in the formation of shoot branching. Research on the regulatory mechanism of GA influencing rosette branch numbers is limited for flowering Chinese cabbage. In this study, the exogenous application of 600 mg/L GA3 effectively inhibited rosette branching and promoted internode elongation in flowering Chinese cabbage. RNA-Seq analysis further found that these DEGs were significantly enriched in 'the plant hormone signal transduction' pathways, and auxin-related genes were significantly differentially expressed between MB and MB_GA. The upregulation of auxin (AUX) and the upregulation of auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (AUX/IAA), as well as the downregulation of SMALL AUXIN-UPREGULATED RNA (SAUR), were found in the negative regulation of the rosette branching. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression of AUX/IAA and SAUR from IAA gene family members were consistent with the results of transcriptome data. Phytohormone profiling by targeted metabolism revealed that endogenous auxin contents were significantly increased in MB_GA. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis clarified the main plant hormones and genes underlying the rosette branching in flowering Chinese cabbage, confirming that auxin could inhibit rosette branching. In this regard, the results present a novel angle for revealing the mechanism of gibberellin acting on the branching architecture in flowering Chinese cabbage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monascus spp. are commercially important fungi due to their ability to produce beneficial secondary metabolites such as the cholesterol-lowering agent lovastatin and natural food colorants azaphilone pigments. Although hyphal branching intensively influenced the production of these secondary metabolites, the pivotal regulators of hyphal development in Monascus spp. remain unclear. To identify these important regulators, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted image analysis tool for quantification of hyphae-branching and constructed a random T-DNA insertion library. High-throughput screening revealed that a STE kinase, MpSTE1, was considered as a key regulator of hyphal branching based on the hyphal phenotype. To further validate the role of MpSTE1, we generated an mpSTE1 gene knockout mutant, a complemented mutant, and an overexpression mutant (OE::mpSTE1). Microscopic observations revealed that overexpression of mpSTE1 led to a 63% increase in branch number while deletion of mpSTE1 reduced the hyphal branching by 68% compared to the wild-type strain. In flask cultures, the strain OE::mpSTE1 showed accelerated growth and glucose consumption. More importantly, the strain OE::mpSTE1 produced 9.2 mg/L lovastatin and 17.0 mg/L azaphilone pigments, respectively, 47.0% and 30.1% higher than those of the wild-type strain. Phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that MpSTE1 directly phosphorylated 7 downstream signal proteins involved in cell division, cytoskeletal organization, and signal transduction. To our best knowledge, MpSTE1 is reported as the first characterized regulator for tightly regulating the hyphal branching in Monascus spp. These findings significantly expanded current understanding of the signaling pathway governing the hyphal branching and development in Monascus spp. Furthermore, MpSTE1 and its analogs were demonstrated as promising targets for improving production of valuable secondary metabolites. Key points: • MpSTE1 is the first characterized regulator for tightly regulating hyphal branching • Overexpression of mpSTE1 significantly improves secondary metabolite production • A high-throughput image analysis tool was developed for counting hyphal branching [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supra-aortic extra-anatomic debranch (SAD) are prosthetic surgical grafts used to revascularize head and neck arteries that would be blocked during a surgical or hybrid procedure used in treating ascending and arch of the aorta pathologies. However, bypassing the supra-aortic arteries but not occluding their orifice might introduce potential for competitive flow that reduces bypass patency. Competitive flow within the bypasses across the supra-aortic arteries has not previously been identified. This research identified haemodynamics due to prophylactic inclusion of bypasses from the brachiocephalic artery (BCA) to the left common carotid artery (LCCA), and from the LCCA to left subclavian artery (LSA). Four model configurations investigated the risk of competitive flow and the necessity of intentionally blocking the proximal LSA and/or LCCA. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to assess haemodynamics in each model configuration. We found potential for competitive flow in the BCA-LCCA bypass when the LSA was blocked, in the LSA-LCCA bypass, when the LCCA alone or LCCA and LSA were blocked. Flow stagnated at the start of systole within the RCCA-LCCA bypass, along with notable recirculation zones and reciprocating flow occurring throughout systolic flow. Flow also stagnated in the LCCA-LSA bypass when the LCCA was blocked. There was a large recirculation in the LCCA-LSA bypass when both the LCCA and LSA were blocked. The presence of competitive flow in all other configurations indicated that it is necessary to block or ligate the native LCCA and LSA once the debranch is made and the thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain hardening of long-chain branched polymers in elongational flow occurs due to the stretch of the backbone chain between branch points. With an increasing number of side arms, the length of the backbone chain segment between two branch points of a comb decreases. Of particular interest is the case when the number Nb of arms per entanglement length of the polymer is larger than one. This leads not only to larger strain hardening but also to hyperstretching, i.e., the elongational stress growth shows an enhanced increase with strain. We consider elongational data reported by Abbasi et al. [Macromolecules 50(15), 5964–5977 (2017)] and Faust et al. [Macromol. Chem. Phys. 224(1), 2200214 (2023)] on a series of comb and branch-on-branch polystyrene (PS) melts with the average number Nb of branches per entanglement segment of the backbone ranging from Nb = 0.2 to Nb = 9.5. In addition, we present measurements of the elongational viscosity of two PS combs with Nb = 4.7 as well as of blends consisting of 5 to 50 wt. % of a PS comb and a monodisperse linear PS. Analysis by the hierarchical multimode molecular stress function model shows that while backbone chains of loosely grafted combs with Nb < 1 are stretched affinely in elongational flow, backbone chains of more densely grafted combs with Nb > 1 show increasing hyperstretching with increasing Nb. The elongational data of the comb/linear blends confirm that hyperstretching is an intrinsic property of the comb macromolecule with Nb > 1, independent of its concentration in the blend. While this is of considerable interest from a modeling point of view, hyperstretching causing an enhanced increase of the elongational stress growth can also have a significant impact on the processability of polymers, and quantification of this effect is, therefore, important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SMXL genes constitute a conserved gene family that is ubiquitous in angiosperms and involved in regulating various plant processes, including branching, leaf elongation, and anthocyanin biosynthesis, but little is known about their molecular functions in pear branching. Here, we performed genome-wide identification and investigation of the SMXL genes in 16 angiosperms and analyzed their phylogenetics, structural features, conserved motifs, and expression patterns. In total, 121 SMXLs genes were identified and were classified into four groups. The number of non-redundant SMXL genes in each species varied from 3 (Amborella trichopoda Baill.) to 18 (Glycine max Merr.) and revealed clear gene expansion events over evolutionary history. All the SMXL genes showed conserved structures, containing no more than two introns. Three-dimensional protein structure prediction revealed distinct structures between but similar structures within groups. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed different expressions of 10 SMXL genes from pear branching induced by fruit-thinning treatment. Overall, our study provides a comprehensive investigation of SMXL genes in the Rosaceae family, especially pear. The results offer a reference for understanding the evolutionary history of SMXL genes and provide excellent candidates for studying fruit tree branching regulation, and in facilitating pear pruning and planting strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herding cattle across the landscape requires three species – horse, cattle, and human – to move together in a goal-orientated, albeit human-centered, activity. In this multispecies activity, they must synchronize through embodied communication and develop a shared understanding of moving conjointly. Together, all three species are socialized, or "zoocialized," to learn to engage in a shared community of communication where they develop a sense of "timing" and "feel" of the others to enable their directed movement together. While not denying or downplaying the power and pain integral to cattle ranching, we explore and interpret the interspecies, multispecies communication, collaboration, and choreography. Based on a multispecies ethnographic methodology, we draw on experiences from cattle herding in the USA, Canada, and Sweden. What emerges are intricate relations of agency, shaped by meanings of species, where human and nonhuman social actors learn to meet and construct a vibrant multispecies community of communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]