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Abstract Background Zonal application maps are designed to represent field variability using key variables that can be translated into tailored management practices. For cotton, zonal maps for crop growth regulator (CGR) applications under variable-rate (VR) strategies are commonly based exclusively on vegetation indices (VIs) variability. However, VIs often saturate in dense crop vegetation areas, limiting their effectiveness in distinguishing variability in crop growth. This study aimed to compare unsupervised framework (UF) and supervised framework (SUF) approaches for generating zonal application maps for CGR under VR conditions. During 2022–2023 agricultural seasons, an UF was employed to generate zonal maps based on locally collected field data on plant height of cotton, satellite imagery, soil texture, and phenology data. Subsequently, a SUF (based on historical data between 2020–2021 to 2022–2023 agricultural seasons) was developed to predict plant height using remote sensing and phenology data, aiming to replicate same zonal maps but without relying on direct field measurements of plant height. Both approaches were tested in three fields and on two different dates per field. Results The predictive model for plant height of SUF performed well, as indicated by the model metrics. However, when comparing zonal application maps for specific field-date combinations, the predicted plant height exhibited lower variability compared with field measurements. This led to variable compatibility between SUF maps, which utilized the model predictions, and the UF maps, which were based on the real field data. Fields characterized by much pronounced soil texture variability yielded the highest compatibility between the zonal application maps produced by both SUF and UF approaches. This was predominantly due to the greater consistency in estimating plant development patterns within these heterogeneous field environments. While VR application approach can facilitate product savings during the application operation, other key factors must be considered. These include the availability of specialized machinery required for this type of applications, as well as the inherent operational costs associated with applying a single CGR product which differs from the typical uniform rate applications that often integrate multiple inputs. Conclusion Predictive modeling shows promise for assisting in the creation of zonal application maps for VR of CGR applications. However, the degree of agreement with the actual variability in crop growth found in the field should be evaluated on a field-by-field basis. The SUF approach, which is based on plant heigh prediction, demonstrated potential for supporting the development of zonal application maps for VR of CGR applications. However, the degree to which this approach aligns itself with the actual variability in crop growth observed in the field may vary, necessitating field-by-field evaluation.

Trypanosoma vivax displays distinct mitochondrial genomes: intact in Africa and degraded in South America. This finding, formerly reported from four isolates, suggested an association between mitochondrial mutations and adaptation to exclusive mechanical transmission outside Africa, circumventing mitochondrial activity essential for cyclical transmission by tsetse flies. Here, we characterized the mitochondrial ND7 and COIII genes in 25 South American isolates of T. vivax from livestock from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, as well as in 11 African isolates from Mozambique, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso from tsetse flies, antelopes, and cattle. Phylogenetic inference supported the lineages TVV (Trypanosoma vivax vivax) and TVL (Trypanosoma vivax-like), predominant in South America/West Africa and East Africa, respectively. Both ND7 and COIII genes were intact in all African TVV and TVL isolates and, for the first time, in 10 South American isolates from Brazil. Remaining South American isolates exhibited some degree of gene erosion, including ~142 bp deletion at the 3′ end of ND7 disclosed in Venezuela and Colombia, ~163 bp deletion at the 3′ end of ND7 in Brazil and Argentina, and ~750 bp deletion from the 5′ end of ND7 to the 3′ end of COIII in Venezuela. Comprehensive analyses of whole mitochondrial genomes from additional South American and African isolates are crucial for formulating reliable hypotheses regarding the origin, absence, and rapid mitochondrial degradation observed in South American T. vivax.

Abstract Decreased sperm quality has been reported in men with different clinical conditions, including aging and hypertension. In the male reproductive tract, it has been suggested that the α1-adrenergic receptor influences fertility and spermatogenesis, and important functions are also attributed to the renin–angiotensin axis, such as regulation of steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and sperm function. Previously, our group demonstrated impaired testicular vasomotion via α1-adrenergic receptor activation and increased hypoxia-related proteins in the testes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) compared to Wistar normotensive rats. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of hypertension and inhibition of systemic α1-adrenergic receptor or angiotensin II AT1 receptor on sperm quality, sperm functional characteristics, and testicular microcirculation in rats from three different ages: young (8–10-week-old), adult (20–24-week-old) and older adult (60–66-week-old). We observed higher blood pressure in SHRs of all ages compared to age-matched Wistar rats. Lower blood pressure was observed either in prazosin or losartan-treated adult or aged SHRs. Additionally, lower sperm concentration, impaired motility and higher acrosome damage were demonstrated in SHRs. Prazosin treatment alleviated the effects of hypertension on sperm concentration and motility but not acrosome damage. Higher vasomotion was noticed in testicular blood vessels of adult and aged SHRs compared to Wistar rats. Thus, impaired sperm quality was observed in SHRs of different ages and was improved by sub-chronically blocking the α1-adrenergic receptor.

The Congo Basin rainforest and adjacent Lower Guinea Forest constitute the second largest tract of lowland tropical rainforest in the world. As with the rest of the continent, human population is increasing rapidly and forest degradation is ubiquitous. Forest degradation through logging has pervasive negative effects on ecosystems, but selective logging is considered less impactful than clearcutting. Recent research in Afrotropical forest shows that certain avian species and guilds are more affected by selective logging than others (e.g., specialist insectivores such as followers of Dorylus driver ants); however, the mechanisms behind these patterns are poorly known. In an eight-year mist-netting effort in Equatorial Guinea, we caught 1193 birds in primary forest and high-grade selectively logged forest to determine the effect of disturbance on six demographic and physiological measures on birds. We compared five life history and population traits for ten insectivorous species: proportion of breeding and molting birds, molt-breeding overlap, bird age, and a body mass index. We also analyzed the concentrations of the stress hormone feather corticosterone (fCORT) in five species. All three strict ant-following species (Alethe castanea, Chamaetylas poliocephala, Neocossyphus poensis), and the Muscicapid robin Sheppardia cyornithopsis had a higher proportion of first year birds in secondary forest. Furthermore, two ant-followers, A. castanea and C. poliocephala, had a higher proportion of individuals molting in primary forest. Finally, only Illadopsis cleaveri had higher body condition in secondary forest. We found no differences in breeding status, molt-breeding overlap or fCORT between forest types. Using a long-term mist-netting effort, we use measures taken from birds in-the-hand to go beyond insights from point counts alone; we gain valuable insights into the demography and physiology of Afrotropical birds occupying variably degraded lowland tropical rainforest.

The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) fungal pathogens poses a serious global threat to human health. Of particular concern are Candida auris, the Candida haemulonii complex (which includes C. haemulonii sensu stricto, C. duobushaemulonii and C. haemulonii var. vulnera), and phylogenetically related species, including C. pseudohaemulonii and C. vulturna. These emerging, widespread, and opportunistic pathogens have drawn significant attention due to their reduced susceptibility to commonly used antifungal agents, particularly azoles and polyenes, and, in some cases, therapy-induced resistance to echinocandins. Notably, C. auris is classified in the critical priority group on the World Health Organization's fungal priority pathogens list, which highlights fungal species capable of causing systemic infections with significant mortality and morbidity risks as well as the challenges posed by their MDR profiles, limited treatment and management options. The mechanisms underlying antifungal resistance within these emerging fungal species is still being explored, but some advances have been achieved in the past few years. In this review, we compile current literature on the distribution of susceptible and resistant clinical strains of C. auris, C. haemulonii complex, C. pseudohaemulonii and C. vulturna across various antifungal classes, including azoles (fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole), polyenes (amphotericin B), echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin), and pyrimidine analogues (flucytosine). We also outline the main antifungal resistance mechanisms identified in planktonic cells of these yeast species. Finally, we explore the impact of biofilm formation, a classical virulence attribute of fungi, on antifungal resistance, highlighting the resistance mechanisms associated with this complex microbial structure that have been uncovered to date.

Abstract An important aspect of improving care for people with hemophilia B (HB) is developing optimal treatment strategies. Here we aimed to provide in-silico evidence, comparing the estimated optimal posology of factor IX (FIX) products to support the patient-physician decision-making process. A population pharmacokinetic (popPK) model-based assessment comparing the performance of FIX products (rFIX, rIX-FP, rFIXFc, N9-GP) was developed. PopPK analyses were used to determine a product’s optimal posology to target predefined steady-state FIX activity trough levels in a hypothetical population of 10,000 people with severe HB. Model-derived optimal posologies were compared across several parameters including trough levels, proportion of patients per regimen and consumption, considering 64 hypothetical patient scenarios of different FIX trough level targets and ages. Results indicated a marked difference between FIX products estimated to achieve target trough levels, consumption and dosing frequencies. rIX-FP was associated with higher trough levels than rFIX and rFIXFc, at a lower weekly dose and administration frequency, across all age groups. N9-GP use in adolescents and adults was associated with lower consumption compared with rIX-FP. Insights from this study may be utilized by clinicians to inform decision-making, by considering the model-generated estimated optimal posologies alongside multiple clinical factors and patient preferences.

The red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii is an economically important gelling agent κappa carrageenan source. Phytochemical analysis has pointed to the presence of various other inorganic and organic compounds, which are expanding the application of biomass as a biostimulant in the agroindustry and as a source of new bioactive molecules in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Native to Southeast Asia, K. alvarezii has been introduced as an exotic species in Brazil for commercial large-scale farming. Nowadays, legal farming areas are located in the South and on the South-East coast, but with initiatives to be authorized in the country’s Northeast. The biomass yield in a large-scale farming system can be affected by cultivation techniques and environmental stressors, such as temperature, salinity, water quality, disease, and predators. The use of high-resolution images obtained with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV or drones) is becoming a popular technology in agriculture, and it has the potential to be employed in seaweed farming to extract a variety of variables and features to predict biomass yield throughout the cultivation period. The present study was conducted to analyze and select multispectral indices obtained from images collected by drone for the detection and quantification of K. alvarezii in a commercial cultivation environment in Brazil. Frequency analysis of pixel values, statistical analyses, and visual interpretations for 24 pre-selected indices was applied according to scores attributed to the efficiency of image segmentation. This analysis resulted in the selection of four indices (ABDI1, ABDI2, CIG, and GNDVI) as the best ones for the segmentation of images in the K. alvarezii commercial farms analyzed. The data obtained are the first step in improving the analysis process of images generated by drones, which will facilitate decision-making and better management, and help scale-up K. alvarezii farming in Brazil.

This case series reports eight eyes with keratoconus treated with laser implantation of one or two segments of progressive thickness corneal intrastromal ring (PT-ICRS). In this case series, it was evident that the insertion of PT-ICRS induces more pronounced corneal flattening at the thickest point, causing a reduction in distortion (coma) and lower astigmatism, resulting in a remarkable improvement in vision. Compared to the implementation of traditional intrastromal rings, the PT-ICRS variant showed superior results despite the small sample size. However, the same degree of asymmetry enhancement was not observed in cases in which a 330° PT-ICRS was implanted, despite the improvement in visual results when replacing a 320° traditional ring with a 330° PT-ICRS. These conclusions are limited as this is a case series with few cases.

Microgliosis plays a critical role in diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation. A few hours after a high-fat diet (HFD), hypothalamic microglia shift to an inflammatory phenotype, and prolonged fat consumption leads to the recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells to the hypothalamus. However, the transcriptional signatures and functions of these cells remain unclear. Using dual-reporter mice, this study reveals that CX3CR1-positive microglia exhibit minimal changes in response to a HFD, while significant transcriptional differences emerge between microglia and CCR2-positive recruited myeloid cells, particularly affecting chemotaxis. These recruited cells also show sex-specific transcriptional differences impacting neurodegeneration and thermogenesis. The chemokine receptor CXCR3 is emphasized for its role in chemotaxis, displaying notable differences between recruited cells and resident microglia, requiring further investigation. Central immunoneutralization of CXCL10, a ligand for CXCR3, resulted in increased body mass and decreased energy expenditure, especially in females. Systemic chemical inhibition of CXCR3 led to significant metabolic changes, including increased body mass, reduced energy expenditure, elevated blood leptin, glucose intolerance, and decreased insulin levels. This study elucidates the transcriptional differences between hypothalamic microglia and CCR2-positive recruited myeloid cells in diet-induced inflammation and identifies CXCR3-expressing recruited immune cells as protective in metabolic outcomes linked to HFD consumption, establishing a new concept in obesity-related hypothalamic inflammation.

Oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms responsible for male infertility. Various conditions such as varicocele, obesity, advanced age, and lifestyle can lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species, causing an oxidative imbalance in the reproductive environment. Spermatozoa are sensitive to reactive oxygen species and require energy to carry out their main function of fertilizing the egg. Excessive reactive oxygen species can affect sperm metabolism, leading to immobility, impaired acrosome reaction, and cell death, thereby impairing reproductive success. This double-blind randomized study evaluated the effect of supplementation with L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, vitamins, and other nutrients on semen quality in 104 infertile patients with or without varicocele, while also investigating the impact of factors such as obesity and advanced age on treatment. Sperm concentration significantly increased in the supplemented group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.0186). Total sperm count also significantly increased in the supplemented group (P = 0.0117), as did sperm motility (P = 0.0120). The treatment had a positive effect on patients up to 35 years of age in terms of sperm concentration (P = 0.0352), while a body mass index (BMI) above 25 kg m−2 had a negative effect on sperm concentration (P = 0.0110). Results were not showing a net benefit in stratifying patients in accordance with their BMI since sperm quality increase was not affected by this parameter. In conclusion, antioxidant supplementation may be beneficial for infertile patients and has a more positive effect on younger patients with a normal weight.

ABSTRACT In 2000, Cleide Costa published a paper presenting the state of knowledge of the Neotropical Coleopte ra, with a focus on the Brazilian fauna. Twenty-four years later, thanks to the development of the Coleoptera section of the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna (CTFB - Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil) through the collaboration of 100 coleopterists from all over the globe, we can build on Costa’s work and present an updated overview of the state of knowledge of the beetles from Brazil. There are currently 35,699 species in 4,958 genera and 116 families known to occur in the country, including representatives of all extant suborders and superfamilies. Our data show that the Brazilian beetle fauna is the richest on the planet, concentrating 9% of the world species diversity, with some estimates accounting to up to 15% of the global total. The most diverse family in numbers of genera is Cerambycidae (1,056 genera), while in number of species it is Chrysomelidae (6,079 species). Conotrachelus Dejean, 1835 (Curculionidae) is the most species-rich genus, with 570 species. The French entomologist Maurice Pic is the author who has contributed the most to the naming of species recorded from Brazil, with 1,794 valid names in 36 families, whereas the Brazilians Ubirajara R. Martins and Maria Helena M. Galileo are the only ones among the top-ten authors to have named species in the 21st century. Currently, approximately 144 new species of Brazilian beetles are described each year, and this average is projected to increase in the next decade to 180 species per year, or about one new Brazilian beetle every two days.

Abstract Biorefineries require low-cost production processes, low waste generation and equipment that can be used not only for a single process, but for the manufacture of several products. In this context, in this research a continuous 3D printing microbioreactor coupled to an Arduino-controlled automatic feeding system was developed for the intensification of the ethanol production process from xylose/xylulose (3:1), using a new biocatalyst containing the co-culture of Scheffersomyces stipitis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (50/50). Initially, batch fermentations of monocultures of S. cerevisiae and S. stipitis and co-culture were carried out. Subsequently, the immobilized co-culture was used as a biocatalyst in continuous fermentations using the developed microreactor. Fermentations carried out in the microbioreactor presented a 2-fold increase in the ethanol concentration and a 3-fold increase in productivity when compared to monocultures. The microbioreactor developed proved to be efficient and can be extended for other bioproducts production. This approach proved to be a promising alternative for the use of the hemicellulose fraction of biomasses without the need to use modified strains.

Epilepsy is a worldwide public health issue, given its biological, social, and economic impacts. Considering several open questions about synchronization and desynchronization mechanisms underlying epileptic phenomena, the development of algorithms and computational toolboxes for such analysis is highly relevant to their research. Moreover, given the recent developments of neurotechnology for epilepsy, it is essential to understand that proposals like computational tools may provide consistent data for closed-loop control systems, necessary in neuromodulation treatment alternatives, and for real-time monitoring systems to predict the occurrence of epileptic seizures. In the present work, SynchroLINNce, a freely distributable MATLAB toolbox designed to be used by epilepsy neuroscientists, including software-untrained), is proposed. Among its features, several functionalities such as recording visualization, digital filtering, and correlation analysis, as well as more specific methodologies, such as mechanisms for the automatic detection of epileptiform spikes, morphology analysis of these spikes, and their coincidence between channels are presented.

Ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) instruments typically operate at kHz or lower repetition rates and rely on indirect detection of electrons. However, these experiments encounter limitations because they are required to use electron beams containing a relatively large number of electrons (≫100 electrons/pulse), leading to severe space-charge effects. Consequently, electron pulses with long durations and large transverse diameters are used to interrogate the sample. Here, we introduce a novel UED instrument operating at a high repetition rate and employing direct electron detection. We operate significantly below the severe space-charge regime by using electron beams containing 1–140 electrons per pulse at 30 kHz. We demonstrate the ability to detect time-resolved signals from thin film solid samples with a difference contrast signal, Δ I / I 0 , and an instrument response function as low as 10−5 and 184-fs (FWHM), respectively, without temporal compression. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of increasing the repetition rate of UED experiments and adopting a direct electron detection scheme, which will be particularly impactful for gas-phase UED. Our newly developed scheme enables more efficient and sensitive investigations of ultrafast dynamics in photoexcited samples using ultrashort electron beams.

ABSTRACT A comprehensive overview of Scarabaeoidea in Brazil is provided based on the Taxonomic Catalogue of the Brazilian Fauna (CTFB). Data in CTFB include 2,532 valid species within 345 genera, belonging to 21 subfamilies and 10 families. Those have been described by 272 authors from 1758 to 2023. Among these authors, Carl Hermann Conrad Burmeister (1807-1892), George Frey (1902-1976), Friedrich Ohaus (1864-1946), Julius Moser (1863-1929), and Edgar von Harold (1830-1886) stand out as the most prolific, collectively accounting for approximately 43% of all known Brazilian species of Scarabaeoidea. For taxa occurring in Brazil, we also provide a dichotomous key for use identifying Scarabaeoidea families and subfamilies, along with diagnosis, remarks, and comments on their natural history.

ABSTRACT The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others.

ABSTRACT The Brazilian species of Euphoria Burmeister are revised. We describe E. euridesi sp. nov., a new species from the Cerrado biome of Brazil, and redescribe E. lurida (Fabricius 1775). Both species are illustrated and diagnostic characters that distinguish them are presented. A key to the seven South american species of Euphoria and observations on the natural history are also given.

Aerospace propulsion systems are among the driving forces for the development of advanced ceramics with increased performance efficiency in severe operation conditions. The conducted research focused on the mechanical (Young’s and shear moduli, flexural strength, hardness, and fracture toughness), thermal (thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion), and electric (dielectric properties) characterization of MgO-Al2O3, MgO-CaZrO3, and stable YSZ ceramic composites. The experimental results, considering structural and functional traits, underscore the importance of a holistic understanding of the multifunctionality of advanced ceramics to fulfill propulsion system requirements, the limits of which have not yet been fully explored.

Abstract Background In April 2021, the province of Ontario, Canada, was at the peak of its third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity in the Toronto metropolitan area was insufficient to handle local COVID patients. As a result, some patients from the Toronto metropolitan area were transferred to other regions. Methods A spreadsheet-based Monte Carlo simulation tool was built to help a large tertiary hospital plan and make informed decisions about the number of transfer patients it could accept from other hospitals. The model was implemented in Microsoft Excel to enable it to be widely distributed and easily used. The model estimates the probability that each ward will be overcapacity and percentiles of utilization daily for a one-week planning horizon. Results The model was used from May 2021 to February 2022 to support decisions about the ability to accept transfers from other hospitals. The model was also used to ensure adequate inpatient bed capacity and human resources in response to various COVID-related scenarios, such as changes in hospital admission rates, managing the impact of intra-hospital outbreaks and balancing the COVID response with planned hospital activity. Conclusions Coordination between hospitals was necessary due to the high stress on the health care system. A simple planning tool can help to understand the impact of patient transfers on capacity utilization and improve the confidence of hospital leaders when making transfer decisions. The model was also helpful in investigating other operational scenarios and may be helpful when preparing for future outbreaks or public health emergencies.

Plasma actuators have demonstrated great potential for active flow control applications, including boundary layer control, flow separation delay, turbulence control, and aircraft noise reduction. In particular, the material used as a dielectric barrier is crucial for the proper operation of the device. Currently, the variety of dielectrics reported in the literature is still quite restricted to polymers including Kapton, Teflon, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Cirlex, polyisobutylene (PIB) rubber, or polystyrene. Nevertheless, several studies have highlighted the fragilities of polymeric dielectric layers when actuators operate at significantly high-voltage and -frequency levels or for long periods. In the current study, we propose the use of alumina-based ceramic composites as alternative materials for plasma actuator dielectric layers. The alumina composite samples were fabricated and characterized in terms of microstructure, electrical parameters, and plasma-induced flow velocity and compared with a conventional Kapton-based actuator. It was concluded that alumina-based dielectrics are suitable materials for plasma actuator applications, being able to generate plasma-induced flow velocities of approximately 4.5 m/s. In addition, it was verified that alumina-based ceramic actuators can provide similar fluid mechanical efficiencies to Kapton actuators. Furthermore, the ceramic dielectrics present additional characteristics, such as high-temperature resistance, which are not encompassed by conventional Kapton actuators, which makes them suitable for high-temperature applications such as turbine blade film cooling enhancement and plasma-assisted combustion. The high porosity of the ceramic results in lower plasma-induced flow velocity and lower fluid mechanical efficiency, but by minimizing the porosity, the fluid mechanical efficiency is increased.

Abstract Background Mosquito borne viruses, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and Chikungunya, cause millions of infections every year. These viruses are mostly transmitted by two urban-adapted mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Although mechanistic understanding remains largely unknown, Aedes mosquitoes may have unique adaptations that lower the impact of viral infection. Recently, we reported the identification of an Aedes specific double-stranded RNA binding protein (dsRBP), named Loqs2, that is involved in the control of infection by dengue and Zika viruses in mosquitoes. Preliminary analyses suggested that the loqs2 gene is a paralog of loquacious (loqs) and r2d2, two co-factors of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, a major antiviral mechanism in insects. Results Here we analyzed the origin and evolution of loqs2. Our data suggest that loqs2 originated from two independent duplications of the first double-stranded RNA binding domain of loqs that occurred before the origin of the Aedes Stegomyia subgenus, around 31 million years ago. We show that the loqs2 gene is evolving under relaxed purifying selection at a faster pace than loqs, with evidence of neofunctionalization driven by positive selection. Accordingly, we observed that Loqs2 is localized mainly in the nucleus, different from R2D2 and both isoforms of Loqs that are cytoplasmic. In contrast to r2d2 and loqs, loqs2 expression is stage- and tissue-specific, restricted mostly to reproductive tissues in adult Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Transgenic mosquitoes engineered to express loqs2 ubiquitously undergo developmental arrest at larval stages that correlates with massive dysregulation of gene expression without major effects on microRNAs or other endogenous small RNAs, classically associated with RNA interference. Conclusions Our results uncover the peculiar origin and neofunctionalization of loqs2 driven by positive selection. This study shows an example of unique adaptations in Aedes mosquitoes that could ultimately help explain their effectiveness as virus vectors.

Preventive tree pruning is an efficient way to reduce the risks of outages in the electrical network, such as cable rupture, short circuits, and fires, which may occur due to interferences between vegetation and urban electrical distribution lines. These interferences are listed as one of the main causes of power supply interruptions by distribution companies and, consequently, generate significant financial losses due to the decline in quality indicators and the need for maintenance. Vegetation management inspection is essential to maintain the reliability and continuity of the power distribution, but manual monitoring is expensive, time-consuming, and subjective. This paper proposes a new method based on Deep Learning (DL) and high-resolution sensors for automated vegetation inspection in urban power distribution lines. The method combines Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and spherical images and overcomes the limitations of aerial images using vehicle-borne sensors. The dataset was obtained using the proposed capture system in four Brazilian cities. The results demonstrated the suitability of the proposed method in an innovative way through a proof of concept. Among the main contributions, the functional evaluation of the system for Artificial Intelligence-based real-time vegetation inspection in power line distribution is highlighted. The proposed method achieved high rates of interference identification using a web platform and mobile application (achieving a precision of over 94%). The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach for automated vegetation inspection in real-world scenarios and open up opportunities for the deployment and evaluation of large-scale applications.

Lectins are non-covalent glycan-binding proteins found in all living organisms, binding specifically to carbohydrates through glycan-binding domains. Lectins have various biological functions, including cell signaling, molecular recognition, and innate immune responses, which play multiple roles in the physiological and developmental processes of organisms. Moreover, their diversity enables biotechnological exploration as biomarkers, biosensors, drug-delivery platforms, and lead molecules for anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial drugs. Lectins from Rhodophytes (red seaweed) have been extensively reported and characterized for their unique molecular structures, carbohydrate-binding specificities, and important biological activities. The increasing number of sequenced Rhodophyte genomes offers the opportunity to further study this rich source of lectins, potentially uncovering new ones with properties significantly different from their terrestrial plant counterparts, thus opening new biotechnological applications. We compiled literature data and conducted an in-depth analysis of the phycolectomes from all Rhodophyta genomes available in NCBI datasets. Using Hidden Markov Models capable of identifying lectin-type domains, we found at least six different types of lectin domains present in Rhodophytes, demonstrating their potential in identifying new lectins. This review integrates a computational analysis of the Rhodophyte phycolectome with existing information on red algae lectins and their biotechnological potential.

Arbitrarily designed flat optics directly manipulate the light wavefront to reproduce complex optical functions, enabling more compact optical assemblies and microsystem integration. Phase-shifting micro-optical devices rely on locally tailoring the optical path length of the wavefront through binary or multilevel surface relief micro- and nanostructures. Considering the resolution and tolerances of the production processes and the optical properties of the substrate and coating materials is crucial for designing robust multilevel diffractive flat optics. In this work, we evaluate the impact of the grayscale laser lithography resolution and geometry constraints on the efficiency of surface-relief diffractive lenses, and we analyze the process parameter space that limit lens performance. We introduce a spectral bandwidth metric to help evaluate the broad-spectrum performance of different materials. We simulate and experimentally observe that the diffractive focusing is dominated by the periodic wavelength-dependent phase discontinuities arising in the profile transitions of multilevel diffractive lenses.

We investigate the most severe rainfall event ever experienced in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. It occurred on 25 November 2018 when Typhoon (TY) Usagi directly hit HCMC. During this event, there was more than 300 mm of rainfall over 24 h which led to flooding and considerable material damage. We propose an in-depth study of TY-induced, compound flood drivers at a short timescale by focusing on the days before and after the event. We use a set of data analysis and signal processing tools to characterize and quantify both coastal and inland effects on the hydrosystem. We found that TY Usagi made landfall without forming a significant storm surge. The extreme rainfall does not translate into immediate river discharge but presents a 16 h time lag between peak precipitation and peak residual discharge. Nevertheless, increased river water levels can be seen at both urban and upstream stations with a similar time lag. At the upstream river station, residual discharge represents 1.5 % of available rainwater, and evidence of upstream widespread flooding was found. At the urban river station, we assess the potential surface runoff during the event to be 8.9 % of the upstream residual discharge. However, a time lag in peak river water level and peak rainfall was found and attributed to the combination of high tide and impervious streets which prevented the evacuation of rainwater and resulted in street flooding of up to 0.8 m. Overall, it was found that despite not having a significant storm surge, the coastal tidal forcing is the predominant compound flood driver even during severe, heavy rainfall with tidal fluctuations in river water level and respective discharge much larger than the residuals.