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Crop wild relatives (CWR) provide a valuable resource for improving crops. They possess desirable traits that confer resilience to various environmental stresses. To fully utilize crop wild relatives in breeding and conservation programs, it is important to understand the genetic basis of their adaptation. Landscape genomics associates environments with genomic variation and allows for examining the genetic basis of adaptation. Our study examined the differences in allele frequency of 15,416 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping by sequencing approach among 153 accessions of 15 wild eggplant relatives and two cultivated species from Africa, the principal hotspot of these wild relatives. We also explored the correlation between these variations and the bioclimatic and soil conditions at their collection sites, providing a comprehensive understanding of the genetic signals of environmental adaptation in African wild eggplant. Redundancy analysis (RDA) results showed that the environmental variation explained 6% while the geographical distances among the collection sites explained 15% of the genomic variation in the eggplant wild relative populations when controlling for population structure. Our findings indicate that even though environmental factors are not the main driver of selection in eggplant wild relatives, it is influential in shaping the genomic variation over time. The selected environmental variables and candidate SNPs effectively revealed grouping patterns according to the environmental characteristics of sampling sites. Using four genotype–environment association methods, we detected 396 candidate SNPs (2.5% of the initial SNPs) associated with eight environmental factors. Some of these SNPs signal genes involved in pathways that help adapt to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, cold, salinity, pests, and diseases. These candidate SNPs will be useful for marker‐assisted improvement and characterizing the germplasm of this crop for developing climate‐resilient eggplant varieties. The study provides a model for applying landscape genomics to other crops' wild relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid system that combines cavity magnonics and cavity optomechanics is proposed to facilitate the generation of long‐distance entanglement and enable one‐way steering between magnons and phonons. This configuration involves two directly coupled cavities, with one interacting with magnons and the other coupling with a mechanical oscillator (i.e., phonons). By driving the microwave cavity with a weak squeezed vacuum field generated by a flux‐driven Josephson parametric amplifier, entanglement and one‐way steering can be further enhanced. Moreover, the results demonstrate that magnon–phonon entanglement and one‐way quantum steering exhibit robustness against temperature variations, which has significant implications for quantum information processing and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone cancer that affects adolescents worldwide, has the early metastatic potential to be responsible for high mortality rates. Morin has a multipurpose role in numerous cancers, whereas little is known about its role in osteosarcoma migration and invasion. Therefore, we hypothesized that morin suppresses the invasive activities and the migratory potential of human osteosarcoma cells. Our results showed that morin reduced migration and invasion capabilities in human osteosarcoma U2OS and HOS cells. Moreover, morin inhibited the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression through a signal transducer and an activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3) phosphorylation. After STAT3 overexpression, the decrease of the migratory potential and uPA expression caused by 100 μM of morin in U2OS cells was countered, indicating that STAT3 contributes to the antimetastatic property of morin in human osteosarcoma cells by reducing uPA. In conclusion, morin may be a potential candidate for the antimetastatic treatment of human osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of Runt‐related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by comparing the features of AML patients with or without RUNX1 mutation. We retrospectively analyzed 180 AML patients including 36 AML patients with mutant RUNX1(AML‐RUNX1mut) and 144 AML patients with wild‐type RUNX1(AML‐RUNX1wt) were selected using the case‐pair method(1:4). Compared to AML‐RUNX1wt, AML‐RUNX1mut showed higher frequency of ASXL1 (p < 0.001), SRSF2 (p < 0.001), BCORL1 (p < 0.001), RAS (p = 0.010) mutations, and absent NPM1 mutations (p = 0.022). The 3‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) of AML‐RUNX1mut and AML‐RUNX1wt were 73.1% versus 68.0% (p = 0.64) and 80.7% versus 71.6% (p = 0.37), respectively. AML‐RUNX1mut receiving allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) showed better survival than those who did not receive allo‐HSCT (3‐year OS, 84.3% vs. 52.7%; p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that EZH2 mutation (p = 0.003), white blood cell (WBC) ≥30 × 109/L (p = 0.036) and age ≥60 years (p = 0.038) were significant independent risk factors for inferior OS of AML‐RUNX1mut; WBC ≥30 × 109/L (p = 0.013) and DNMT3A mutation (p = 0.045) were significant independent risk factors for shorter DFS of AML‐RUNX1mut. In conclusion, AML‐RUNX1mut showed unique clinical characteristics, but the survival between AML‐RUNX1mut and AML‐RUNX1wt were comparable. EZH2 co‐mutation, DNMT3A co‐mutation, old age and high WBC count were associated with inferior survival of AML‐RUNX1mut. Allo‐HSCT can significantly improve the prognosis of AML‐RUNX1mut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Previous studies have explored shared decision making (SDM) implementation to determine the renal replacement therapy modality; however, the SDM approach for dialysis initiation, especially when patients refuse physician suggestions for long‐term dialysis, remains unclear. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to explore physicians' responses towards patients' refusal of long‐term dialysis during the SDM process and the thinking processes of both physicians and patients regarding dialysis refusal. Method: We conducted in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 10 patients diagnosed with end‐stage renal disease, each of whom refused long‐term dialysis after physicians employed the SDM framework, and nine nephrologists at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from March to May 2020. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and translated from Mandarin to English. They were then thematically analysed. Results: Three main themes on dialysis initiation SDM implementation and the differences between physician and patient perceptions on patient treatment refusal were yielded. While the SDM approach for dialysis initiation developed by nephrologists in Taiwan respects patient decisions, physicians often actively persuade patients to undergo dialysis in case of treatment refusal. The motivation behind this approach is to promote the patient's best medical interests, particularly post‐dialysis life quality, and to ensure a 'rational' medical decision is made. However, patients' perceptions of treatment refusal differ significantly from those of physicians, and their decision‐making process is often iterative and based on comprehensive evaluation of immediate concerns beyond biomedical factors. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the current physician‐led SDM approach for dialysis initiation characterises active persuasion with physicians' perspectives predominating the clinical encounter. To improve SDM implementation, we propose that physicians should acknowledge and understand patients' reasoning for dialysis refusal and the distinction between objective health and subjective well‐being during the decision‐making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the male nurses' engagement in nursing work and the influencing factors. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 13 hospitals in China to collect data from 328 male nurses from August to October 2021. A structural equation model design was tested with validated measurement instruments. Results: The work engagement of male nurses in China was at a medium level. There was a high correlation of the male nurses' work engagement with career identity (r = 0.764, p < 0.01), career success (r = 0.735, p < 0.01) and social support (r = 0.477, p < 0.01). The linear multivariate regression analysis showed that career satisfaction (β = 0.393), career identity (β = 0.392) and subjective support (β = 0.116) entered regression equation of male nurses' work engagement (all p < 0.05). The structural equation model results showed that career identity and social support were the influencing factors of the male nurses' work engagement and the model explained variation of 66.4% variables. Conclusion: To know the male nurses' work engagement and influencing factors in China has certain enlightening significance for male nurses themselves and nursing manager. On the one hand, it is necessary to enhance the male nurses' career recognition to nursing work. On the other hand, the society should provide more aid and support to the male nurses. Therefore, the male nurses could devote more into nursing work and promote the nursing development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous signals, namely nitric oxide (NO) and electrons, play a crucial role in regulating cell fate as well as the vascular and neuronal systems. Unfortunately, utilizing NO and electrical stimulation in clinical settings can be challenging due to NO's short half‐life and the invasive electrodes required for electrical stimulation. Additionally, there is a lack of tools to spatiotemporally control gas release and electrical stimulation. To address these issues, an "electromagnetic messenger" approach that employs on‐demand high‐frequency magnetic field (HFMF) to trigger NO release and electrical stimulation for restoring brain function in cases of traumatic brain injury is introduced. The system comprises a NO donor (poly(S‐nitrosoglutathione), pGSNO)‐conjugated on a gold yarn‐dynamos (GY) and embedded in an implantable silk in a microneedle. When subjected to HFMF, conductive GY induces eddy currents that stimulate the release of NO from pGSNO. This process significantly enhances neural stem cell (NSC) synapses' differentiation and growth. The combined strategy of using NO and electrical stimulation to inhibit inflammation, angiogenesis, and neuronal interrogation in traumatic brain injury is demonstrated in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ga2O3 is an emerging wide‐bandgap semiconductor with high deep ultraviolet absorption, tunable persistent photoconductivity, and excellent stability toward electric fields, making it a promising component for neuromorphic visual systems (NVSs). However, Ga2O3‐based photosensors with high responsivity and long response decay times are required for efficient NVSs. A solution‐processed doping strategy for fabrication of Ga2O3 is proposed with tin foil as a dopant source. Tin‐doped Ga2O3 (Ga2O3:Sn) photosensors are obtained with ultrahigh responsivity and extremely long response decay times. These behaviors are attributed to substitutional tin and oxygen vacancies that modulate defect‐related hole trapping. High‐performance Ga2O3:Sn photosensors can mimic photonic synaptic behaviors and image pre‐processing functions. NVSs based on a Ga2O3:Sn photonic synapse array perform pattern recognition with an accuracy of 97.3% under an unprecedented low‐light pulse stimuli of 0.5 µW cm−2. This work provides a low‐cost solution‐processed approach to ultrasensitive Ga2O3:Sn NVSs and will facilitate developments in artificial intelligence technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and risk factors for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and its correlation with objective cognition decline (OCD) among community‐dwelling older adults is inconsistent. METHODS: Older adults underwent neuropsychological and clinical evaluations to reach a consensus on diagnoses. RESULTS: This study included 7486 adults without mild cognitive impairment and dementia (mean age: 71.35 years [standard deviation = 5.40]). The sex‐, age‐, and residence‐adjusted SCD prevalence was 58.33% overall (95% confidence interval: 58.29% to 58.37%), with higher rates of 61.25% and 59.87% in rural and female subgroups, respectively. SCD global and OCD language, SCD memory and OCD global, SCD and OCD memory, and SCD and OCD language were negatively correlated in fully adjusted models. Seven health and lifestyle factors were associated with an increased risk for SCD. DISCUSSION: SCD affected 58.33% of older adults and may indicate concurrent OCD, which should prompt the initiation of preventative intervention for dementia. Highlights: SCD affects 58.33% of older adults in China.SCD may indicate concurrent objective cognitive decline.Difficulty finding words and memory impairments may indicate a risk for AD.The presence of SCD may prompt preventative treatment initiation of MCI or dementia.Social network factors may be initial targets for the early prevention of SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct observation of oxygen dynamics in an oxide‐based second‐order memristor can provide the valid evidence to clarify the memristive mechanism, however, which is still limited for now. In this study, the migration and diffusion of oxygen ions in the region of Pt/WO3‐x Schottky interface are observed in the WO3‐x second‐order memristor by using the technique of in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the electron energy loss spectroscopy. Interestingly, the coexistence of memristive and memcapacitive switching can be implemented in this memristor. Combined with the analysis of depth‐profile X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), an interface‐barrier‐modulation second‐order memristive model is proposed based on the above results. Notably, temporally correlative oxygen dynamics in the memristor offers the platform to integrate signals from multiple inputs, enabling the realization of the dendritic functions of synchronous and asynchronous integration for the application of logic operations with fault‐tolerance capability and associative learning. These findings provide the experimental evidence to in‐depth understanding of oxygen dynamics and switching mechanism in second‐order memristor, which can support the optimization of memristive performance and the achievement of biorealistic synaptic functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) seriously damages cucurbits worldwide. Control of ZYMV by cross‐protection has been practised for decades, but selecting useful mild viruses is time‐consuming and laborious. Most attenuated potyviruses used for cross‐protection do not induce hypersensitive reaction (HR) in Chenopodium quinoa, a local lesion host Chenopodium quinoa. Here, severe ZYMV TW‐TN3 tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP), designated ZG, was used for nitrous acid mutagenesis. From three trials, 11 mutants were identified from fluorescent spots without HR in inoculated C. quinoa leaves. Five mutants caused attenuated symptoms in squash plants. The genomic sequences of these five mutants revealed that most of the nonsynonymous changes were located in the HC‐Pro gene. The replacement of individual mutated HC‐Pros in the ZG backbone and an RNA silencing suppression (RSS) assay indicated that each mutated HC‐Pro is defective in RSS function and responsible for reduced virulence. Four mutants provided high degrees of protection (84%–100%) against severe virus TW‐TN3 in zucchini squash plants, with ZG 4‐10 being selected for removal of the GFP tag. After removal of the GFP gene, Z 4‐10 induced symptoms similar to ZG 4‐10 and still provided 100% protection against TW‐TN3 in squash, thus is considered not a genetically engineered mutant. Therefore, using a GFP reporter to select non‐HR mutants of ZYMV from C. quinoa leaves is an efficient way to obtain beneficial mild viruses for cross‐protection. This novel approach is being applied to other potyviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common movement disorder caused by a characteristic loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and degeneration of dopamine terminals in the dorsal striatum. Previous studies have suggested that oxidative stress‐induced DNA damage may be involved in PD pathogenesis, as steady‐state levels of several types of oxidized nucleobases were shown to be elevated in PD brain tissues. These DNA lesions are normally removed from the genome by base excision repair, which is initiated by DNA glycosylase enzymes such as endonuclease VIII‐like 1 (Neil1). In this study, we show that Neil1 plays an important role in limiting oxidative stress‐induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. In particular, Neil1‐deficient male mice exhibited enhanced sensitivity to nigrostriatal degeneration after 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration, and Neil1‐deficient animals had higher levels of γH2AX‐marked DNA damage than wild‐type (WT) controls, regardless of treatment status. Moreover, MPTP‐treated Neil1−/− male mice had slightly elevated expression of genes related to the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)‐dependent antioxidant pathway. Treatment with the Nrf2 activator, monomethyl fumarate, reduced PD‐like behaviors and pathology in Neil1−/− male mice, suggesting that Neil1 is an important defense molecule in an oxidative cellular environment. Taken together, these results suggest that Neil1 DNA glycosylase may play an important role in limiting oxidative stress‐mediated PD pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auditory motion perception is one crucial capability to decode and discriminate the spatiotemporal information for neuromorphic auditory systems. Doppler frequency‐shift feature and interaural time difference (ITD) are two fundamental cues of auditory information processing. In this work, the functions of azimuth detection and velocity detection, as the typical auditory motion perception, are demonstrated in a WOx‐based memristive synapse. The WOx memristor presents both the volatile mode (M1) and semi‐nonvolatile mode (M2), which are capable of implementing the high‐pass filtering and processing the spike trains with a relative timing and frequency shift. In particular, the Doppler frequency‐shift information processing for velocity detection is emulated in the WOx memristor based auditory system for the first time, which relies on a scheme of triplet spike‐timing‐dependent‐plasticity in the memristor. These results provide new opportunities for the mimicry of auditory motion perception and enable the auditory sensory system to be applied in future neuromorphic sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of independent sitting changes everyday opportunities for learning and has cascading effects on cognitive and language development. Prior to independent sitting, infants experience the sitting position with physical support from caregivers. Why does supported sitting not provide the same input for learning that is experienced in independent sitting? This question is especially relevant for infants with gross motor delay, who require support in sitting for many months after typically developing infants sit independently. We observed infants with typical development (n = 34, ages 4–7 months) and infants with gross motor delay (n = 128, ages 7–16 months) in early stages of sitting development, and their caregivers, in a dyadic play observation. We predicted that infants who required caregiver support for sitting would spend more time facing away from the caregiver and less time contacting objects than infants who could sit independently. We also predicted that caregivers of supported sitters would spend less time contacting objects because their hands would be full supporting their infants. Our first two hypotheses were confirmed; however, caregivers spent surprisingly little time using both hands to provide support, and caregivers of supported sitters spent more time contacting objects than caregivers of independent sitters. Similar patterns were seen in the group of typically developing infants and the infants with motor delay. Our findings suggest that independent sitting and supported sitting provide qualitatively distinct experiences with different implications for social interaction and learning opportunities. Highlights: During seated free play, supported sitters spent more time facing away from their caregivers and less time handling objects than independent sitters.Caregivers who spent more time supporting infants with both hands spent less time handling objects; however, caregivers mostly supported infants with one or no hands.A continuous measure of sitting skill did not uniquely contribute to these behaviors beyond the effect of binary sitting support (supported vs. independent sitter).The pattern of results was similar for typically developing infants and infants with gross motor delay, despite differences in age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite considerable research in geopolymer materials, the design of experiment (DOE) method has not previously been used for the analysis of geopolymers containing silicon carbide sludge (SCS) waste and/or metakaolin (MK). This study used DOE methods to quantitatively assess the correlation between factor parameters and the macroscopic and microstructural properties of SCS‐based geopolymers (SCSGPs). Statistical analysis identified Na/Si molar ratio, Na/Al molar ratio, and the dissolution rate of Al as the factors with the most profound influence on the compressive strength of the SCSGPs. Analysis of setting time and compressive strength revealed that in SCSGP samples containing 20% SCS, coefficient b in power function regression analysis was the most influential, due to the synergy between MK and SCS. The results obtained in this study using a multivariate adaptive regression splines model to establish a valuable reference for the further development and standardization of geopolymer mixture designs based on SCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metatranscriptomics allows profiling of community mRNA and rRNA transcript abundance under certain environmental conditions. However, variations in the proportion of RNA transcripts across different community size structures remain less explained, thus limiting the possible applications of metatranscriptomics in community studies. Here, we extended the assumptions of the growth‐rate hypothesis (GRH) and the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) to validate the allometric scaling of interspecific RNA transcript (mRNA and rRNA) abundance through metatranscriptomic analysis of mock communities consisting of model organisms. The results suggest that body size imposes significant constraints on RNA transcript abundance. Interestingly, the relationship between the total mitochondrial transcript abundance (mRNA and rRNA slopes were −0.30 and −0.28, respectively) and body size aligned with the MTE assumptions with slopes close to −¼, while the nuclear transcripts displayed much steeper slopes (mRNA and rRNA slopes were −0.33 and −0.40, respectively). The assumed temperature dependence was not observed in this study. At the gene level, the allometric slopes range from 0 to −1. Overall, the above results showed that larger individuals have lesser RNA transcript abundance per tissue mass than smaller ones regardless of temperature. Analyses of field‐collected microcrustacean zooplankton samples demonstrated that the correction of size effect, using the allometric exponents derived from the model organism mock community, explains better the patterns of interspecific RNA transcripts abundance within the metatranscriptome. Integrating allometry with metatranscriptomics can extend the use of RNA transcript reads in estimating ecological processes within complex communities. see also the Perspective by Ilias Semmouri and Jana Asselman [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenotypes we found in I OsUCH3R i lines and CRISPR mutants demonstrated that tapetal differentiation is sensitive to the change of expression level of I OsUCH3 i and protein deubiquitination is an importance factor for proper tapetum differentiation. Keywords: OsUCH3; Oryza sativa; Male sterility; ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase; Tapetum EN OsUCH3 Oryza sativa Male sterility ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase Tapetum 1314 1316 3 06/22/23 20230701 NES 230701 The tapetum is a special tissue within the stamen that supplies nutrients to support microspore differentiation. Rice tapetum differentiation is sensitive to downregulation of OsUCH3, a ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The efficacy and safety of high‐dose amoxicillin (AMX) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) dual therapy raises much more attention in recent years. Comparative studies among the dual therapies are required to explore more suitable regimens. This study compared the efficacy, adverse events, and patient compliance of three different high‐dose dual regimens in treatment‐naive patients of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter, open‐label, randomized controlled trial, including H. pylori‐infected treatment‐naive patients at 12 tertiary hospitals in China. The eligible subjects received high‐dose AMX and esomeprazole (ESO) dual therapy of different regimens. They were randomly assigned to group A (ESO 20 mg plus AMX 750 mg, Qid for 14 days), group B (ESO 40 mg Bid plus AMX 1 g Tid for 14 days), or group C (ESO 20 mg plus AMX 1 g, Tid for 14 days). The eradication rates, adverse events, and patient compliance of the three groups were compared. Results: Between April 2021 and January 2022, a total of 1080 subjects were screened and 945 were randomized. The eradication rates in groups A, B, and C were 88.6% (95% CI 84.5%–91.9%), 84.4% (95% CI 80.0%–88.3%), and 86.7% (95% CI 82.4%–90.2%; p =.315), respectively, based on intention‐to‐treat analysis; 90.3% (95% CI 86.4%–93.3%), 85.5% (95% CI 81.1%–89.2%), and 87.8% (95% CI 83.6%–91.2%; p =.197), respectively, according to modified intention‐to‐treat analysis; and 90.4% (95% CI 86.5%–93.5%), 85.8% (95% CI 81.4%–89.5%), and 88.3% (95% CI 84.1%–91.7%; p =.202) in per‐protocol analysis. History of antibiotics use in 2 years reduced eradication effect in group B (ESO 40 mg Bid, AMX 1 g Tid). The modified intention‐to‐treat eradication rates were 81.4% vs 90.0% among those with or without a history of antibiotics use in group B (p =.031). The adverse event rates were 13.7%, 12.7%, and 12.1% in groups A, B, and C, respectively (p =.834). Patient compliance of the three groups was similar. Conclusions: Two optimized AMX and PPI dual regimens (ESO 40 mg Bid or 20 mg Tid plus AMX 1 g Tid for 14 days) had similar efficacy, safety and compliance as compared with classical dual regimen (ESO 20 mg plus AMX 750 mg Qid for 14 days) in H. pylori‐infected treatment‐naive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Main bottleneck in facilitating integrated pest management (IPM) is the unavailability of reliable and immediate crop damage data. Without sufficient insect pest and plant disease information, farm managers are unable to make proper decisions to prevent crop damage. This work aims to present how an integrated system was able to drive farm managers towards sustainable and data‐driven IPM. RESULTS: A system called Intelligent and Integrated Pest and Disease Management (I2PDM) system was developed. Edge computing devices were developed to automatically detect and recognize major greenhouse insect pests such as thrips (Frankliniella intonsa, Thrips hawaiiensis, and Thrips tabaci), and whiteflies (Bemisia argentifolii and Trialeurodes vaporariorum), to name a few, and measure environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, and light intensity, and send data to a remote server. The system has been installed in greenhouses producing tomatoes and orchids for gathering long‐term spatiotemporal insect pest count and environmental data, for as long as 1368 days. The findings demonstrated that the proposed system supported the farm managers in performing IPM‐related tasks. Significant yearly reductions in insect pest count as high as 50.7% were observed on the farms. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that novel and efficient strategies can be achieved by using an intelligent IPM system, opening IPM to potential benefits that cannot be easily realized with a traditional IPM program. This is the first work that reports the development of an intelligent strategic model for IPM based on actual automatically collected long‐term data. The work presented herein can help in encouraging farm managers, researchers, experts, and industries to work together in implementing sustainable and data‐driven IPM. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic electrochemical metallization (ECM) memory that possesses high reliable switching performance is in great demand for the future smart wearable and flexible electronics. The resistive switching (RS) behavior of organic ECM memory is determined by the micro‐morphology evolution of metal conductive filaments (CFs) during the operating process. However, the morphology controllability of CFs is generally deteriorated by their random distribution and unexpected overgrowth. Herein, a kind of nanoporous PVC/TiO2 nanocomposite is developed using photocatalytic method for improving the RS reliability of organic ECM memory. The introduction of engineered nanopores can effectively simplify the CFs morphology to obtain excellent uniformity, good retention, and low cycling degradation. In addition, taking advantage of the multilevel RS behavior and 200 × 200 memristive array artificial neural network (ANN), alphabetic data storage and image pattern recognition are successfully realized. The proposed approach is expected to provide novel platforms for the advance of highly reliable flexible electronics and ANN for intelligence applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species with similar ecological characters often compete with each other; however, a species may also facilitate the survival or reproduction of another ecologically similar species, although such interaction is rarely documented in birds. Here, we reported a facilitative species interaction between Asian house martins (Delichon dasypus) and russet sparrows (Passer cinnamomeus), both passerines using closed nests, in a montane farming area of Taiwan. We found that Asian house martins constructed dome‐shaped nests in human houses that provided additional nest sites for russet sparrows, secondary cavity nesters with greatly declining populations in Taiwan. Russet sparrows that used house martin nests had reproductive success comparable to those that used artificial nest boxes. However, Asian house martins avoided reclaiming sparrow‐used nests, which reduced their available nest sites. Interestingly, our results imply that man‐made structures may be used as a conservation tool to improve the breeding of the endangered russet sparrows via this facilitative interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkyl aluminum cations have shown high Lewis acidity and capability of catalyzing challenging organic transformations, however, the related chiral catalyst is scarcely documented. Herein, we report the generation of a series of weakly solvated or Lewis base‐stabilized alkyl aluminum cationic complexes bearing chiral bis(oxazoline) ligands. The increase of steric hindrances at the ligand backbone and the aluminum center were found to significantly increase the complex stability. In the Gutmann–Beckett experiment and fluoride ion affinity calculation, these complexes display Lewis acidity greater than B(C6F5)3 and the reported tetra‐coordinate aluminum cation. Preliminary catalytic studies revealed that the aluminum cation catalysts can effectively promote hydroboration of ketone and hydrosilylation of un‐activated olefin, despite only poor ee values were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an underutilized crop increasing in popularity as a grain and as a leafy vegetable. It is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins, and adapts well to a range of production systems. Currently, the lack of improved cultivars limits the use of the crop. Breeding‐improved cultivars requires access to large collections of amaranth biodiversity stored in genebanks. The task of searching such vast collections for traits of interest can be eased by generating core collections, which display the diversity of large collections in a much smaller germplasm set. The World Vegetable Center amaranth collection contains around 1,000 accessions of 13 species; among them, there are 281 accessions of four species important for use as vegetable amaranth in Africa (A. cruentus, A. hypochondriacus, A. caudatus, and A. dubius). Based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker genotype diversity, a core collection (CC) of 76 accessions, cultivars, and selections was assembled. To a large extent, it represents the diversity of the whole collection. The CC was evaluated for yield and nutritional parameters during the cool and warm seasons in Tanzania and Taiwan and a pretest for variation of drought tolerance in the CC has been performed. Cultivar Madiira 2, an improved cultivar developed for vegetable production in Africa, outperformed all other tested cultivars in terms of yield stability, but several CC accessions had higher yield, lower wilting score, and higher nutrient content than Madiira 2. This indicates the core collection can be used for further improvement of amaranth cultivars. Core Ideas: Amaranthusis a neglected crop with high nutritional value but limited access to improved cultivars.Breeding‐improved amaranth cultivars requires access to trait variation.Core collections make it easier to search large genebank collections for desirable traits.An amaranth core collection will support breeding of vegetable and dual use (grain and vegetable) cultivars.The core collection contains accessions with superior yield, yield stability, and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a common risk gene for Parkinson's disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disorders. However, the penetrance of the most prevalent LRRK2 mutation, G2019S, is <50%. Factors other than genetic mutations are needed in PD process. Objectives: To examine whether and how gut inflammation may act as an environmental trigger to neurodegeneration in PD. Methods: A mild and chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis mice model harboring LRRK2 G2019S mutation was established. The colitis severity, immune responses, locomotor function, dopaminergic neuron, and microglia integrity were compared between littermate controls, transgenic LRRK2 wild type (WT), and LRRK2 G2019S mice. Results: The LRRK2 G2019S mice are more vulnerable to DSS‐induced colitis than littermate controls or LRRK2 WT animals with increased intestinal expressions of pattern‐recognition receptors, including toll‐like receptors (TLRs), nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines secretion, especially tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Notably, the colonic expression of α‐synuclein was significantly increased in LRRK2 G2019S colitis mice. We subsequently observed more aggravated locomotor defect, microglia activation, and dopaminergic neuron loss in LRRK2 G2019S colitis mice than control animals. Treatment with anti‐TNF‐α monoclonal antibody, adalimumab, abrogated both gut and neuroinflammation, mitigated neurodegeneration, and improved locomotor function in LRRK2 G2019S colitis mice. Finally, we validated increased colonic expressions of LRRK2, TLRs, and NF‐κB pathway proteins and elevated plasma TNF‐α level in PD patients compared to controls, especially in those with LRRK2 risk variants. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that chronic colitis promotes parkinsonism in genetically susceptible mice and TNF‐α plays a detrimental role in the gut‐brain axis of PD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) in the elderly are associated with poor recovery in performing activities of daily living. This study was designed to examine SMCs and their association with recovery and health outcomes of older persons within 1 year following hospital discharge after hip-fracture surgery.Methods: Data were collected between 2012 and 2015 from 194 hip-fractured elders in northern Taiwan. SMCs were assessed by the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire. Recovery outcomes included self-care ability (activities of daily living [ADLs] and instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]), physical function (range of motion and maximal muscle strength), cognitive function, delirium, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Outcomes were assessed before discharge and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months afterwards. Associations of SMCs with participants' recovery outcomes were examined by the generalized estimating equation approach.Results: Participants with SMCs had significantly poorer recovery outcomes than those without SMCs. Additionally, the interaction term for time-by-SMC was significant on ADLs, IADLs, maximal strength of quadriceps muscles, maximal strength of hip abductor muscles, ankle dorsiflexion, and HRQoL, suggesting that negative associations with SMCs increased over time. Participants with SMCs were at significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment and delirium than those without SMCs.Conclusions: Participants with SMCs not only had worse recovery than those without SMCs, but their rate of recovery was also slower during the first year following hip-fracture surgery. Therefore, SMCs need to be assessed to identify patients at high risk for worse recovery outcomes following hip fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploration of optoelectronic memristors with the capability to combine sensing and processing functions is required to promote development of efficient neuromorphic vision. In this work, the authors develop a plasmonic optoelectronic memristor that relies on the effects of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and optical excitation in an Ag–TiO2 nanocomposite film. Fully light‐induced synaptic plasticity (e.g., potentiation and depression) under visible and ultraviolet light stimulations is demonstrated, which enables the functional combination of visual sensing and low‐level image pre‐processing (including contrast enhancement and noise reduction) in a single device. Furthermore, the light‐gated and electrically‐driven synaptic plasticity can be performed in the same device, in which the spike‐timing‐dependent plasticity (STDP) learning functions can be reversibly modulated by visible and ultraviolet light illuminations. Thereby, the high‐level image processing function, i.e., image recognition, can also be performed in this memristor, whose recognition rate and accuracy are obviously enhanced as a result of image pre‐processing and light‐gated STDP enhancement. Experimental analysis shows that the memristive switching mechanism under optical stimulation can be attributed to the oxidation/reduction of Ag nanoparticles due to the effects of LSPR and optical excitation. The authors' work proposes a new type of plasmonic optoelectronic memristor with fully light‐modulated capability that may promote the future development of efficient neuromorphic vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA metabarcoding is a rapid, high‐resolution tool used for biomonitoring complex zooplankton communities. However, diversity estimates derived with this approach can be biased by the co‐detection of sequences from environmental DNA (eDNA), nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial (NUMT) pseudogene contamination, and taxon‐specific PCR primer affinity differences. To avoid these methodological uncertainties, we tested the use of metatranscriptomics as an alternative approach for characterizing zooplankton communities. Specifically, we compared metatranscriptomics with PCR‐based methods using genomic (gDNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA) amplicons, and morphology‐based data for estimating species diversity and composition for both mock communities and field‐collected samples. Mock community analyses showed that the use of gDNA mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCO1) amplicons inflates species richness due to the co‐detection of extra‐organismal eDNA. Significantly more amplicon sequence variants, nucleotide diversity, and indels were observed with gDNA amplicons than with cDNA, indicating the presence of putative NUMT pseudogenes. Moreover, PCR‐based methods failed to detect the most abundant species in mock communities due to priming site mismatch. Overall, metatranscriptomics provided estimates of species richness and composition that closely resembled those derived from morphological data. The use of metatranscriptomics was further tested using field‐collected samples, with the results showing consistent species diversity estimates among biological and technical replicates. Additionally, temporal zooplankton species composition changes could be monitored using different mitochondrial markers. These findings demonstrate the advantages of metatranscriptomics as an effective tool for monitoring diversity in zooplankton research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infants' developing motor skills—including mastery of new postures such as sitting and standing—affect opportunities for learning that facilitate cognitive development. But how infant posture affects caregiver behavior is largely unexplored. Moreover, we know little about effects of posture on learning opportunities in infants with motor delay. This study asked how infants with typical development and infants with significant motor delay use various postures during play, and whether posture is related in real time to caregiver‐provided cognitive learning opportunities. Infants were videotaped five times over the course of a year in a free play session with a caregiver, starting when they demonstrated initial sitting skills. Posture and cognitive opportunities were coded moment‐by‐moment to assess duration and temporal overlap. We found that infants with typical development and infants with motor delay displayed similar use of postures initially, but infants with typical development demonstrated more mature postures over time. We also found that for both groups of infants, caregivers were most likely to provide cognitive opportunities when infants were sitting independently, and least likely when infants were supine. Our findings highlight the importance of upright sitting in typical and atypical infant development and suggest potential areas of intervention for infants with motor delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) are commonly encountered movement disorders. Pathophysiologic processes that localize to the cerebellum are described in both. There are limited studies investigating cerebellar structural changes in these conditions, largely because of inherent challenges in the efficiency of segmentation.Methods: We applied a novel multiatlas cerebellar segmentation method to T1-weighted images in 282 PD and 111 essential tremor patients to define 26 cerebellar lobule volumes. The severity of postural and resting tremor in both populations and gait and postural instability in PD patients were defined using subscores of the UPDRS and Washington Heights-Inwood Genetic Study motor scales. These clinical measurements were related to lobule volume size. Multiple comparisons were controlled using a false discovery rate method.Results: Group differences were identified between ET and PD patients, with reductions in deep cerebellar nucleus volume in ET versus reduced lobule VI volume in PD. In ET patients, lobule VIII was negatively correlated with the severity of postural tremor. In PD patients, lobule IV was positively correlated with resting tremor and total tremor severity. We observed differences in cerebellar structure that localized to sensorimotor lobules of the cerebellum. Lobule volumes appeared to differentially relate to clinical symptoms, suggesting important clinicopathologic distinctions between these conditions. These results emphasize the role of the cerebellum in tremor symptoms and should foster future clinical and pathologic investigations of the sensorimotor lobules of the cerebellum. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly efficient Hamming distance (HD) computations can significantly boost up modern data‐intensive algorithms. However, the traditional complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor devices configured circuits suffer from the huge power consumption with periphery complexity for HD computations. Herein, the implementation of highly reliable and energy efficient in‐memory HD computations in 1 Kb 1‐transistor‐1‐memristor (1T1M) TiN/HfOx/TaOx/TiN array chip is reported. 1T1M devices demonstrate a high on/off ratio of 50, high programming speed of 20 ns, and low energy consumption of 0.224 pJ bit−1. By modulating the 1T1M cell gate and source signal synergistically, the characteristic XOR operations of the binary information are executed in a reliable manner. Importantly, equipped with a stable low resistance state (LRS) distribution (coefficient of variation <11%), the developed 1T1M arrays can implement accurate HD computations between two 8‐bit strings and simultaneously store computing results in the memristors. The complementary studies demonstrate that the stable LRS is attributed to the TaOx built‐in compliance layer which facilitates the transistor surge current reduction during forming and SET, elaborating the significant potential for achieving reliable in‐memory HD computations. Such architecture manifests a 5‐ and 36.89‐fold enhancement of the processing latency and energy efficiency in comparison with latest reports, promoting the fan out of new in‐memory computing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Short‐course preventive therapy with 1‐month course of daily administration of isoniazid (300‐mg) plus rifapentine (600‐mg) (1HP) and 3‐month course of weekly administration of isoniazid (900‐mg) plus rifapentine (900‐mg) (3HP) has higher completion rates than 9‐month course of daily isoniazid (9H) for individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We aimed to evaluate the effect, safety and tolerability of 1HP in people living with HIV (PLWH) and LTBI who received coformulated bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF). Methods: PLWH testing positive by interferon‐gamma release assay and having received BIC/FTC/TAF for >2 weeks with plasma HIV RNA load (PVL) <200 copies/ml were enrolled. BIC trough plasma concentrations and cytokine profiles were determined before the first dose (day 1/baseline), 24 h after the 14th (day 15) and 28th (day 29) doses of 1HP. PVL were determined on days 15 and 29 of 1HP and every 3 months subsequently after discontinuation of 1HP. Results: From November 2019 to December 2020, 48 PLWH with LTBI were enrolled. One participant (2.1%) discontinued 1HP on day 15 due to fever and generalized rashes with PVL of 72 copies/ml, which was <50 copies/ml in three subsequent determinations while on BIC/FTC/TAF over the 12 months of follow‐up. The percentages of BIC trough plasma concentrations above the protein‐adjusted 95% effective concentration (paEC95 = 162 ng/ml) were 56.3% and 37.0% on days 15 and 29, respectively. The percentage of PVL <200 copies/ml was 91.7% on day 15, 97.8% on day 29 and 100% at both months 3 and 6. After a median observation of 52 weeks (interquartile range, 51–55), all participants continued BIC/FTC/TAF with a median PVL of 20 copies/ml (range 20–331). Except for the participant who discontinued 1HP because of allergic reactions, none of the participants had relevant symptoms or increases of the cytokine levels assessed between baseline and days 15 and 29 of 1HP. Conclusions: BIC/FTC/TAF in combination with 1HP was well tolerated with a high completion rate. BIC trough plasma concentrations were significantly decreased with concurrent use of 1HP among PLWH with LTBI. While transient viral blips were observed during 1HP without causing subsequent treatment failure, such combination should be applied with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used silicon carbide sludge (SCS) and waste glass fiber (WGF) to prepare SCS/WGF porous (SWP) eco‐fireproof materials by a hydrogen peroxide foaming agent. The results showed that the compressive strength of samples that were cured for 1 day and had an SCS replacement level of 10% and added amounts of WGF of 0.5% and 2.0% were 0.32 and 0.46 MPa, respectively. Additionally, it was observed that the stress–strain curves were relatively extended. WGF could improve the geopolymeric matrix of the composites in terms of formation and/or redistribution of cracks by bridging cracks and perforations within the matrix. When the added amounts of WGF were 0.5% and 2.0%, the reverse‐side temperatures of the samples were 238 and 262°C, respectively, which showed that adding an appropriate amount of WGF could effectively reduce the reverse‐side temperature of SWP eco‐fireproof materials. The results displayed the beneficial influence of SCS and WGF in improving bulking density, compressive strength, and flexural strength and in reducing porosity and thermal conductivity. Therefore, the results showed that SWP eco‐fireproof materials reinforced using SCS and WGF have potential as building materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With facilitation of advanced technologies, design and application of smart become promising research issues in education. Although it is potential for students to learn geometric in authentic contexts, there were still lack of studies addressing smart learning issue in authentic context for geometry. This study aim to propose an app, called SmartUG, to support students smartly to consolidate geometry understanding and learning through enriching experience of exploring and applying related geometry surrounding. There were four smart mechanisms proposed in SmartUG (direction guidance, learning progress, object recognition and answer feedback) to guide students' measuring and applying geometry smartly and meaningfully in authentic contexts. A total of 83 fifth‐grade students participated in this experiment and were divided into three groups, an experimental group that learned with smart mechanisms, a control group that learned without smart mechanisms and a traditional control group that learning with traditional teaching approach. Basically, experimental group outperformed control group and traditional teaching group in term of geometry ability and estimation ability, which means students benefited from proposed SmartUG. Moreover, students showed positive attitude and high intention to use toward SmartUG. Students should be provided more chances to learn geometry smartly in authentic contexts with SmartUG. It is potential to future studies to implement more smart mechanisms to support students learning in authentic contexts. Moreover, the learning system can get smarter and smarter when the learning system gets more and more input data from students' use. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Geometry is important and strongly related to our surroundings.Students have few chances to learn Geometry through practicing in authentic contexts.Innovative technologies are potential to be utilized to facilitate smart learning. What this paper adds: Proposed a framework of smart mechanisms to support learning Geometry in authentic context.Utilized innovative technologies to facilitate smart learning in authentic context. Implications for practice and/or policy: Smart learning in authentic context helped improving students' motivation and achievements.The proposed smart mechanisms are effective to support smart learning.The smart mechanisms can be implemented not only for Geometry but also other subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficit in rice but Zn is also a widespread industrial pollutant. Zn deficiency responses in rice are well documented, but comparative responses to Zn deficiency and excess have not been reported. Therefore, we compared the physiological, transcriptional and biochemical properties of rice subjected to Zn starvation or excess at early and later treatment stages. Both forms of Zn stress inhibited root and shoot growth. Gene ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes highlighted the overrepresentation of Zn transport and antioxidative defense for both Zn stresses, whereas diterpene biosynthesis was solely induced by excess Zn. Divalent cations (Fe, Cu, Ca, Mn and Mg) accumulated in Zn‐deficient shoots but Mg and Mn were depleted in the Zn excess shoots, mirroring the gene expression of non‐specific Zn transporters and chelators. Ascorbate peroxidase activity was induced after 14 days of Zn starvation, scavenging H2O2 more effectively to prevent leaf chlorosis via the Fe‐dependent Fenton reaction. Conversely, excess Zn triggered the expression of genes encoding Mg/Mn‐binding proteins (OsCPS2/4 and OsKSL4/7) required for antimicrobial diterpenoid biosynthesis. Our study reveals the potential role of divalent cations in the shoot, driving the unique responses of rice to each form of Zn stress. Comprehensive responses to Zn deficiency and excess were compared in rice. We showed the differential expression of non‐specific Zn transporter and chelator genes alters the concentrations of divalent cations in shoots that potentially drives the unique responses of rice to each form of Zn stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensionally ordered macroporous molecularly imprinted polymers (3DOM MIPs) were prepared for the direct purification of cinchona alkaloids from crude cinchona extract. The 3DOM MIPs were easily prepared by grafting quinine‐MIPs on the pore walls of 3DOM thiol‐group‐functionalized silica. The materials were characterized using various techniques. The results showed that the 3DOM MIPs had a more regular macroporous structure, a greater surface area and a greater porosity than traditional bulk MIPs (TBMIPs). The 3DOM MIPs could reach a high MIP content of 69.9%. And the 3DOM structure could improve intraparticle adsorption and provide more accessible adsorption sites. Consequently, in both static adsorption experiments and solid‐phase extraction (SPE), the actual adsorption capacity of the imprinted polymers of the 3DOM MIPs was about 83% higher than that of TBMIPs. Moreover, the 3DOM MIPs exhibited high affinity for quinine, quinidine and cinchonine. Using the quinine‐3DOM MIPs as SPE sorbent, quinine, quinidine and cinchonine could be effectively purified from crude cinchona extract with high elution recoveries. Control experiments also showed that the 3DOM MIPs were superior to commercially available adsorbents in terms of the purification of cinchona alkaloids from crude extract. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship between early motor skills, such as sitting, and the development of problem‐solving skills in children with motor delays. Methods: Motor (Gross Motor Function Measure) and problem‐solving (Assessment of Problem‐Solving in Play) skills of 134 children 7–16 months adjusted age at baseline with motor delay were assessed up to 5 times over 12 months. Participants were divided into two groups: mild and significant motor delay. Results: Motor and problem‐solving scores had large (r's = 0.53–0.67) and statistically significant (p's >.01) correlations at all visits. Baseline motor skills predicted baseline and change in problem solving over time. The associations between motor and problem‐solving skills were moderated by level of motor delay, with children with significant motor delay generally having stronger associations compared to those with mild motor delay. Conclusions: These findings suggest that overall baseline motor skills are predictive of current and future development of problem‐solving skills and that children with significant motor delay have a stronger and more stable association between motor and problem‐solving skills over time. This highlights that children with motor delays are at risk for secondary delays in problem solving, and this risk increases as degree of motor delay increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The study aimed to investigate the relationship among physical symptom distress, sleep quality, depression and spiritual well‐being of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and analyse the predictors of the spiritual well‐being. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: A total of 188 patients were selected. The collection tools were the Physical Symptom Distress Scale, the Chinese version of PSQI, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Spiritual Well‐Being Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted using SPSS 20.0. Results: Patients with different treatments exhibited significantly different physical symptom distress. Furthermore, spiritual well‐being was significantly negatively correlated with physical symptom distress, poor sleep disturbances and depression. After controlling for the variables, sleep quality and haemodialysis treatment were the key predictors of spiritual well‐being. Conclusion: To achieve holistic caregiving for patients' physiological, psychological and spiritual health, Nurses should evaluate patients' symptom distress and depression when providing care for these patients to enhance their spiritual well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the question of which exchange rate regime would bring about better output and price stability, given the initial conditions and the external shocks facing Argentina's economy in 2001–2002. Our analytical model incorporates a transmission mechanism, the balance‐sheet effects, which formulates the possible interaction between foreign debt and exchange rate policy. We find that a floating exchange rate that depends on external finance outperforms dollarization, after supposing the amount of foreign debt payments is limited. As the relative performance of alternative exchange rate arrangements depends on the foreign debt payments, our empirical results imply that the restructuring of foreign debt should be an integral part of any negotiation concerning the postcrisis exchange rate regime. Our results also show that with the existence of foreign debt, the policy trade‐off implied by the Trilemma becomes much constrained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspection of insect sticky paper traps is an essential task for an effective integrated pest management (IPM) programme. However, identification and counting of the insect pests stuck on the traps is a very cumbersome task. Therefore, an efficient approach is needed to alleviate the problem and to provide timely information on insect pests. In this research, an automatic method for the multi‐class recognition of small‐size greenhouse insect pests on sticky paper trap images acquired by wireless imaging devices is proposed. The developed algorithm features a cascaded approach that uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) object detector and CNN image classifiers, separately. The object detector was trained for detecting objects in an image, and a CNN classifier was applied to further filter out non‐insect objects from the detected objects in the first stage. The obtained insect objects were then further classified into flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae), gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae), thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), using a multi‐class CNN classifier in the second stage. Advantages of this approach include flexibility in adding more classes to the multi‐class insect classifier and sample control strategies to improve classification performance. The algorithm was developed and tested for images taken by multiple wireless imaging devices installed in several greenhouses under natural and variable lighting environments. Based on the testing results from long‐term experiments in greenhouses, it was found that the algorithm could achieve average F1‐scores of 0.92 and 0.90 and mean counting accuracies of 0.91 and 0.90, as tested on a separate 6‐month image data set and on an image data set from a different greenhouse, respectively. The proposed method in this research resolves important problems for the automated recognition of insect pests and provides instantaneous information of insect pest occurrences in greenhouses, which offers vast potential for developing more efficient IPM strategies in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]