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Abstract SOLAMEN syndrome is a rare, recently recognized congenital syndrome that is characterized by progressive and hypertrophic diseases involving multiple systems, including segmental overgrowth, lipomatosis, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and epidermal nevus. According to literatures, SOLAMEN syndrome is caused by heterozygous PTEN mutation. Phenotypic overlap complicates the clinical identification of diseases associated with PTEN heterozygous mutations, making the diagnosis of SOLAMEN more challenging. In addition, SOLAMEN often presents with segmental tissue overgrowth and vascular malformations, increasing the possibility of misdiagnosis as klipple-trenaunay syndrome or Parks-Weber syndrome. Here, we present a case of a child presenting with macrocephaly, patchy lymphatic malformation on the right chest, marked subcutaneous varicosities and capillaries involving the whole body, overgrowth of the left lower limb, a liner epidermal nevus on the middle of the right lower limb, and a large AVM on the right cranial thoracic entrance. Based on the typical phenotypes, the child was diagnosed as SOLAMEN syndrome. detailed clinical, imaging and genetic diagnoses of SOLAMEN syndrome was rendered. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data revealed that except for a germline PTEN mutation, a PDGFRB variant was also identified. A subsequent echocardiographic examination detected potential cardiac defects. We suggested that given the progressive nature of AVM and the potential severity of cardiac damage, regular echocardiographic evaluation, imaging follow-up and appropriate interventional therapy for AVM are recommended.

Abstract Background Smoking rationalisation beliefs are a huge barrier to quitting smoking. What types of rationalisations should be emphasised in smoking cessation interventions? Although past literature has confirmed the negative relationship between those beliefs and motivation to stop smoking, little is known regarding the importance and performance of those beliefs on motivation with varying cigarette dependence. The study aimed to ascertain rationalisations that are highly important for motivation yet perform poorly in different cigarette dependence groups. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 19 to December 9, 2023 in Guiyang City, China. Adult male current smokers were enrolled. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis. The multi-group analysis was used to determine the moderating effect of cigarette dependence, and the importance-performance map analysis was utilised to assess the importance and performance of rationalisations. Results A total of 616 adult male current smokers were analysed, and they were divided into the low cigarette dependence group (n = 297) and the high cigarette dependence group (n = 319). Except for risk generalisation beliefs, smoking functional beliefs (H1: -β = 0.131, P

Abstract Background Nonfusion technologies, such as motion-preservation devices, have begun a new era of treatment options in spine surgery. Motion-preservation approaches mainly include total disc replacement for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. However, for multisegment fusion, such as anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, the options are more limited. Therefore, we designed a novel 3D-printed motion-preservation artificial cervical corpectomy construct (ACCC) for multisegment fusion. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of ACCC in a goat model. Methods Goats were treated with anterior C3 corpectomy and ACCC implantation and randomly divided into two groups evaluated at 3 or 6 months. Radiography, 3D CT reconstruction and MRI evaluations were performed. Biocompatibility was evaluated using micro-CT and histology. Results Postoperatively, all goats were in good condition, with free neck movement. Implant positioning was optimal. The relationship between facet joints was stable. The range of motion of the C2-C4 segments during flexion–extension at 3 and 6 months postoperatively was 7.8° and 7.3°, respectively. The implants were wrapped by new bone tissue, which had grown into the porous structure. Cartilage tissue, ossification centres, new blood vessels, and bone mineralization were observed at the porous metal vertebrae-bone interface and in the metal pores. Conclusions The ACCC provided stabilization while preserving the motion of the functional spinal unit and promoting bone regeneration and vascularization. In this study, the ACCC was used for anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in a goat model. We hope that this study will propel further research of motion-preservation devices.

Background and objectiveOur group has developed a novel artificial cervical joint complex (ACJC) as a motion preservation instrument for cervical corpectomy procedures. Through finite element analysis (FEA), this study aims to assess this prosthesis’s mobility and stability in the context of physiological reconstruction of the cervical spine.Materials and methodsA finite element (FE)model of the subaxial cervical spine (C3-C7) was established and validated. ACJC arthroplasty, anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF), and two-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) were performed at C4-C6. Range of motion (ROM), intervertebral disc pressure (IDP), facet joint stress (FJS), and maximum von Mises stress on the prosthesis and vertebrae during loading were compared.ResultsCompared to the intact model, the ROM in all three surgical groups demonstrated a decline, with the ACCF group exhibiting the most significant mobility loss, and the highest compensatory motion in adjacent segments. ACJC and artificial cervical disc prosthesis (ACDP) well-preserved cervical mobility. In the ACCF model, IDP and FJS in adjacent segments increased notably, whereas the index segments experienced the most significant FJS elevation in the CDA model. The ROM, IDP, and FJS in both index and adjacent segments of the ACJC model were intermediate between the other two. Stress distribution of ACCF instruments and ACJC prosthesis during the loading process was more dispersed, resulting in less impact on the adjacent vertebrae than in the CDA model.ConclusionThe biomechanical properties of the novel ACJC were comparable to the ACCF in constructing postoperative stability and equally preserved physiological mobility of the cervical spine as CDA without much impact on adjacent segments and facet joints. Thus, the novel ACJC effectively balanced postoperative stability with cervical motion preservation.

Integrating microchannel flow boiling heat transfer with nanofluids is an effective method for cooling electronic devices. However, traditional methods have significant limitations in achieving facile synthesis of nanofluids with desirable properties. In this study, we propose a straightforward synthesis strategy using microfluidic reactors, which enables continuous and high-throughout synthesis of Al2O3 nanofluids with high purity and long-term stability. These nanofluids were found to enhance boiling heat transfer performance by delaying bubbles coalescence, increasing surface nucleation sites, improving the nucleation rate, and enhancing wettability by observation of the bubble behavior. Specifically, the critical heat flux (CHF) and corresponding heat transfer coefficient (HTC) are increased by a maximum of 32 % and 26 %, respectively, with negligible change in pressure drop. Moreover, the heat transfer performance deteriorates with increasing concentration of alumina nanofluids. These findings not only provide guidance of microchannel flow boiling with nanofluids, but also present valuable insights for the application of nanofluids in two-phase cooling systems for electronic devices.

Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is correlated with poor clinical outcomes in spinal surgery. However, the effect of it on screw stabilization has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the screw loosening rate and postoperative outcomes in diabetic patients and to identify potential risk factors associated with loosening. Methods This was a retrospective study. Two hundred and forty‐three patients who received cervical or lumbar internal fixation between 2015 and 2019 were enrolled. Screw loosening was assessed on radiography, and clinical outcomes were evaluated by the improvement of visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) or Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores. The relationship of DM, screw loosening and clinical outcomes were analyzed with chi‐square tests and regression analyses. Results One hundred and twenty‐two patients (50.2%) with diabetes were included in this study. Diabetes led to the increase of the rate of screw loosening in the lumbar spine, while the loosening rate did not vary significantly in the cervical spine. The occurrence of screw loosening in the lumbar spine was more likely to be associated with clinical outcomes for motor performance including walking and sitting. However, no significant effect on JOA and VAS scores in the cervical spine of screw loosening was found. Moreover, the history of DM affected the outcomes of the patients who underwent spinal surgery. Conclusion DM had an adverse effect on screw stabilization. The impaired improvement of clinical outcomes in diabetics after spinal surgery was related to screw loosening. In addition to the direct effects on operative wounds and neural function, the impact on the screws due to DM was also worth noting.

With the increasing proportion of installed renewable energy power generation capacity and the introduction of quantitative energy storage policies for new energy power generation. In view of the influence of intermittent and volatility of distributed generation on the safe of power grid, it is​ particularly important in the future to equip reasonable energy storage to ensure the flexibility of power system. In this paper, a load frequency control (LFC) strategy of hybrid energy storage based on fractional order proportion integral derivative (FOPID) is proposed to solve the frequency modulation problem of battery energy storage system (BESS) and pumped storage station (PSS) participating in the interconnection network. Firstly, the LFC model is established under the nonlinear factors such as regulator dead zone and generation rate constraint on a two-area reheat steam turbine. Secondly, a FOPID controller is designed. Furthermore, the combined LFC simulation is carried out by adding BESS under the two working operations of PSS generating and pumping. Finally, the influence of demand response is considered in the hybrid energy storage control.

The identification of the yarn roll’s margin represents a critical phase in the automated production of textiles. At present, conventional visual detection techniques are inadequate for accurately measuring, filtering out background noise, and generalizing the margin of the yarn roll. To address this issue, this study constructed a semantic segmentation dataset for the yarn roll and proposed a new method for detecting the margin of the yarn roll based on deep learning. By replacing the encoder component of the U-Net with the initial 13 convolutional layers of VGG16 and incorporating pre-trained weights, we constructed a VGG-UNet model that is well suited for yarn roll segmentation. A comparison of the results obtained on the test set revealed that the model achieved an average Intersection over Union (IoU) of 98.70%. Subsequently, the contour edge point set was obtained through the application of traditional image processing techniques, and contour fitting was performed. Finally, the actual yarn roll margin was calculated based on the relationship between pixel dimensions and actual dimensions. The experiments demonstrate that the margin of the yarn roll can be accurately measured with an error of less than 3 mm. This is particularly important in situations where the margin is narrow, as the detection accuracy remains high. This study provides significant technical support and a theoretical foundation for the automation of the textile industry.

Ex situ conservation involves the maintenance and reproduction of species in areas outside their natural habitats. Seed banking is a well-established ex situ approach used for plant conservation. Seed banking consists of collecting, drying, and storing seeds to preserve genetic diversity. The main limitation of this technique is that the seed must be desiccation tolerant. Seed storage behaviour can vary among species, and for some species, drying without loss of viability is not possible, meaning storage under conventional seed banking conditions (sub-zero temperatures and low relative humidity) is not possible. Understanding seed storage behaviour is an essential prerequisite for establishing whether conventional seed banking is an option for seed conservation. This study investigated the desiccation tolerance and sensitivity of mature seeds of two native New Zealand species of Pittosporum (P. eugenioides and P. crassifolium) from two geographic locations (Palmerston North and Wellington), with the aim of understanding their seed storage behaviour and thereby improving conservation outcomes. The variables measured were seed moisture content, viability, germination, and desiccation responses. We developed sorption isotherm for both species to support the future development of storage protocols. Our results show that both P. eugenioides and P. crassifolium display non-orthodox behaviour, i.e., are desiccation sensitive and cannot be stored under conventional seed banking conditions, but also suggest that seed desiccation responses vary with the geographical origin of the seeds. This study highlights the importance of exploring seed storage behaviour using different populations to optimize ex situ conservation strategies aimed at preserving the genetic diversity of New Zealand’s threatened and endangered species.

Abstract Movement screens are widely used to identify aberrant movement patterns in hopes of decreasing risk of injury, identifying talent, and/or improving performance. Motion capture data can provide quantitative, objective feedback regarding movement patterns. The dataset contains three-dimensional (3D) motion capture data of 183 athletes performing mobility tests (ankle, back bend, crossover adduction, crossover rotation, elbows, head, hip turn, scorpion, shoulder abduction, shoulder azimuth, shoulder rotation, side bends, side lunges and trunk rotation) and stability tests (drop jump, hop down, L-cut, lunge, rotary stability, step down and T-balance) bilaterally (where applicable), the athletes’ injury history, and demographics. All data were collected at 120 Hz or 480 Hz using an 8-camera Raptor-E motion capture system with 45 passive reflective markers. A total of 5,493 trials were pre-processed and included in .c3d and .mat formats. This dataset will enable researchers and end users to explore movement patterns of athletes of varying demographics from different sports and competition levels; develop objective movement assessment tools; and gain new insights into the relationships between movement patterns and injury.

The successful management of lepidopteran moths in orchards usually depends on the precise forecast of adult activity. However, the seasonal phenology of moths varies between crop cultivars and years, making it difficult to schedule the control measures. Here, we monitored male flight activity of oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta and summer fruit tortrix moth Adoxophyes orana by using sex pheromone traps in peach orchards of three different cultivars for three successive years. We developed a logistic multiple-peaks model to fit data and then calculated degree-days (DD) required for male activity and neonate emergency. Results show that G. molesta and A. orana males had 4–5 and 3 flight peaks per year, respectively. The seasonal phenology of G. molesta or A. orana was quite stable with an identical timing of each flight peak between cultivars in a year. The flight activity was usually higher in the second and third peaks for both moths, with a higher cumulative number of G. molesta males captured than that of A. orana. Compared to A. orana, G. molesta emerged early in spring and required lower degree-days to reach the subsequent flight peaks and for neonate emergency. Our results suggest that to decline the possibility of outbreaks of moths during the growing seasons, pheromone traps should be scheduled in April with a cumulative DD between 49.6 and 207.1 for G. molesta and in mid-May–early June with a cumulative DD between 450.4 and 866.7 for A. orana, aiming to trap the newly emerged male adults or disrupting female mating success of overwintered moths in orchards. Based on the thermal requirement for egg hatching (i.e., 79.4 DD for G. molesta and 90.0 DD for A. orana), insecticide treatments would be applied in late-April–early May and late May–early June to reduce the field population density of neonates of G. molesta and A. orana, respectively, to reduce fruit damage in orchards. Furthermore, pheromone traps set up in late July–early August (573.8–1025.2 DD) for G. molesta and in mid-September (1539.7–1788.9 DD) for A. orana may suppress overwintering populations and thus decrease pest infestation in next year.

As an important hydrological ecosystem component, the glacier basin has great significance for climate and environment, and it is also linked to regional water sustainability. In this paper, the sampling and isotope analysis of glacial ice, ice-melt water, river water (river midstream and river downstream), groundwater (spring), and precipitation were carried out in a hydrological year of the Mingyong Glacier basin, which is located at the Meili Snow Mountains, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau. At the same time, the hydrograph separation of the recharge sources of the lower mountain pass is studied. The results show that the range of δD, δ18O, and d-excess (deuterium excess) in natural water bodies are significantly different, and the precipitation is the most obvious. The high values of δD and δ18O in the water samples all appeared in spring and summer, and the low values appeared in autumn and winter, while glacial ice showed opposite trends. Meanwhile, the local meteoric water line (LMWL) of the Mingyong Glacier basin is δD = 8.04δ18O + 13.06. The End-Member Mixing Analysis (EMMA) was adopted to determine the sources proportion of river water (river downstream) according to the δD, δ18O, and d-excess ratio relationships. The results showed that the proportion of ice-melt water, groundwater, and precipitation in the ablation period was 80.6%, 17.2%, and 2.2% as well as 19.2%, 73.1%, and 7.7% in the accumulation period, respectively. Ice-melt water has a higher conversion recharge rate to groundwater and indirectly recharges river water, especially in nonmonsoon seasons. In other words, the main recharge source of river water in the lower reaches of the Mingyong Glacier basin during the ablation period is ice-melt water. In the accumulation period, the main recharge source of river water in the lower reaches of the Mingyong Glacier basin is groundwater, while nearly half of the recharge of groundwater comes from ice-melt water. Therefore, regardless of the ablation period or the accumulation period, ice-melt water is sustainable and important to this region.

Abstract The vascularization of dermal substitutes is a key challenge in efforts to heal deep skin defects. In this study, dual gene‐activated dermal scaffolds (DGADSs‐1) were fabricated by loading nanocomposite particles of polyethylenimine (PEI)/multiple plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) encoding vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin‐1 at a ratio of 1:1. In a similar manner, DGADSs‐2 were loaded with a chimeric plasmid encoding both VEGF and Ang‐1. In vitro studies showed that both types of DGADSs released PEI/pDNA nanoparticles in a sustained manner; they demonstrated effective transfection ability, leading to upregulated expression of VEGF and Ang‐1. Furthermore, both types of DGADSs promoted fibroblast proliferation and blood vessel formation, although DGADSs‐1 showed a more obvious promotion effect. A rat full‐thickness skin defect model showed that split‐thickness skin transplanted using a one‐step method could achieve full survival at the 12th day after surgery in both DGADSs‐1 and DGADSs‐2 groups, and the vascularization time of dermal substitutes was significantly shortened. Compared with the other three groups of scaffolds, the DGADSs‐1 group had significantly greater cell infiltration, collagen deposition, neovascularization, and vascular maturation, all of which promoted wound healing. Thus, compared with single‐gene‐activated dermal scaffolds, DGADSs show greater potential for enhancing angiogenesis. DGADSs with different loading modes also exhibited differences in terms of angiogenesis; the effect of loading two genes (DGADSs‐1) was better than the effect of loading a chimeric gene (DGADSs‐2). In summary, DGADSs, which continuously upregulate VEGF and Ang‐1 expression, offer a new functional tissue‐engineered dermal substitute with the ability to activate vascularization.

Objective(s):. Capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome (CM-AVM) is a rare autosomal-dominant complex vascular disorder that can be associated with fast-flow vascular malformations (FFVMs). The purpose of this study is to explore the genotype–phenotype and genotype–outcome associations based on a large parallel sequencing of CM-AVM patients to improve the understanding of the development and risk factors for FFVM. Methods:. A total of 117 patients with CM-AVMs were enrolled in this multicenter cohort study. All patients underwent detailed clinical phenotyping, including age, sex, capillary malformation (CM) size, with or without FFVM, and outcome (Schobinger stage). Next-generation sequencing was performed with peripheral blood and tissue samples. Genotype–phenotype, genotype–outcome, and phenotype–outcome analyses were performed. Results:. Germline or mosaic RASA1 variants were the most common cause of CM-AVM, found in 61.5%, with EPHB4 variants in 32.5%. A total of 76.9% of patients had a dominant CM lesion larger than 5 cm. No obvious correlations between genotypes and phenotypes, including sex, age, location, and size of CMs, were found in this cohort. Comparing the patients with FFVMs with those without FFVMs, we found significant differences in age and the size of dominant CM lesions but not in genotype, sex, or location. Conclusion:. CM-AVMs can be categorized as complex vascular malformations caused by different gene alterations in the RAS/RAF/MEK pathway. No obvious correlations between genotypes and phenotypes were identified. Critically, the occurrence and progression of FFVM is strongly determined by phenotypes, including age and the size of the dominant CM, rather than genotypes.

The genus Pseudophanias Raffray includes 19 species distributed in the Oriental Region. Here, the first species from continental China, P. tianmuensis Yin & Zhao sp. nov., is described and illustrated from West Tianmu Mountain. This species can be readily separated from all congeners by the coarse vestiture, along with its male features. A previous key to Pseudophanias species of East and South Asia is modified to accommodate the new species.

Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides (MOO) are an oral drug approved in China for the treatment of depression in China. However, MOO is hardly absorbed so that their anti-depressant mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, we show that oral MOO acted on tryptophan → 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) → serotonin (5-HT) metabolic pathway in the gut microbiota. MOO could increase tryptophan hydroxylase levels in the gut microbiota which accelerated 5-HTP production from tryptophan; meanwhile, MOO inhibited 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase activity, thus reduced 5-HT generation, and accumulated 5-HTP. The raised 5-HTP from the gut microbiota was absorbed to the blood, and then passed across the blood–brain barrier to improve 5-HT levels in the brain. Additionally, pentasaccharide, as one of the main components in MOO, exerted the significant anti-depressant effect through a mechanism identical to that of MOO. This study reveals for the first time that MOO can alleviate depression via increasing 5-HTP in the gut microbiota.

Abstract Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) derived from the gut microbiota is an atherogenic metabolite. This study investigates whether or not berberine (BBR) could reduce TMAO production in the gut microbiota and treat atherosclerosis. Effects of BBR on TMAO production in the gut microbiota, as well as on plaque development in atherosclerosis were investigated in the culture of animal intestinal bacterial, HFD-fed animals and atherosclerotic patients, respectively. We found that oral BBR in animals lowers TMAO biosynthesis in intestine through interacting with the enzyme/co-enzyme of choline-trimethylamine lyase (CutC) and flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) in the gut microbiota. This action was performed by BBR’s metabolite dihydroberberine (a reductive BBR by nitroreductase in the gut microbiota), via a vitamine-like effect down-regulating Choline-TMA-TMAO production pathway. Oral BBR decreased TMAO production in animal intestine, lowered blood TMAO and interrupted plaque formation in blood vessels in the HFD-fed hamsters. Moreover, 21 patients with atherosclerosis exhibited the average decrease of plaque score by 3.2% after oral BBR (0.5 g, bid) for 4 months (*P

Objectives:. To identify genetic variants in venous malformations for noninvasive diagnosis using peripheral plasma Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) after ethanol embolization. Method:. In this prospective, multicenter and cross-sectional study with a total of 121 patients with venous malformation, next-generation sequencing with a targeted panel of 40 specific genes was conducted to detect variants. We collected peripheral blood samples, cfDNA samples isolated from peripheral plasma before and 1 hour after ethanol embolization in 24 patients in a pilot study, and paired lesion plasma samples in 7 of those patients. Then variant profiles of peripheral postembolization plasma cfDNA were prospectively collected and analyzed from 97 patients in an independent validation group. Results:. Variants were detected in cfDNA samples, but none was detected in paired peripheral blood. The prevalence of TEK/PIK3CA variant in peripheral pre-embolization, postembolization, and lesion plasma cfDNA were 12.5%, 87.5%, and 71.4% (P < .0001), respectively, which areas under the ROC curve of 0.5625 (P = .4579), 0.9375 (P < .0001), and 0.8571 (P = .0253), respectively. In a prospective independent validation group with postembolization cfDNA analysis in 97 patients, 119 variants were identified in 90.7% (88/97) of patients with areas under the ROC curve of 0.9545 (P < .0001). Conclusion:. cfDNA from peripheral postembolization plasma bears safe, sensitive, and reliable diagnostic potential for venous malformations.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement (PBC) is commonly used in orthopaedic surgery. However, polymerization volumetric shrinkage, exothermic injury, and low bioactivity prevent PBC from being an ideal material. The developed expandable P(MMA-AA-St) well overcomes the volumetric shrinkage of PBC. However, its biomechanical properties are unsatisfactory. Herein, graphene oxide (GO), a hydrophilic material with favourable biomechanics and osteogenic capability, was added to P(MMA-AA-St) to optimize its biomechanics and bioactivity. The GO-modified self-expandable P(MMA-AA-St)-GO nanocomposite (PGBCs) exhibited outstanding compressive strength (>70 ​MPa), water absorption, and volume expansion, as well as a longer handling time and a reduced setting temperature. The cytocompatibility of PGBCs was superior to that of PBC, as demonstrated by CCK-8 assay, live-dead cell staining, and flow cytometry. In addition, better osteoblast attachment was observed, which could be attributed to the effects of GO. The improved level of osteogenic gene and protein expression further illustrated the improved cell-material interactions between osteoblasts and PGBCs. The results of an in vivo study performed by filling bone defects in the femoral condyles of rabbits with PGBCs demonstrated promising intraoperative handling properties and convenient implantation. Blood testing and histological staining demonstrated satisfactory in vivo biosafety. Furthermore, bone morphological and microarchitecture analyses using bone tissue staining and micro-CT scanning revealed better bone-PGBCs contact and osteogenic capability. The results of this study indicate that GO modification improved the physiochemical properties, cytocompatibility, and osteogenic capability of P(MMA-AA-St) and overcame the drawbacks of PBC, allowing its material derivatives to serve as effective implantable biomaterials.

Many invertebrates and vertebrates secrete mucus from their body surface, which plays a crucial role in protecting themselves from attacks by microorganism or predators. This study reports on the potential functions of mucus secreted from the body surface of larvae of the moth Phauda flammans (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Phaudidae). We tested whether the mucus could inhibit the growth of the fungus Beauveria bassiana PfBb (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill. (Hypocreales) and attract and/or deter predators such as the crazy ant, Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and the predatory bug Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Our results showed that de‐ and rehydrated mucus concentrations of 0.5–1.0 mg mL−1 had an inhibitory effect on the conidial germination and colony growth of B. bassiana PfBb; however, P. flammans mucus did not significantly affect fungal sporulation. Raw mucus and mucus concentrations of 1.0–4.0 mg mL−1 attracted P. longicornis workers in a Y‐tube olfactometer, whereas the physical viscosity of raw mucus hindered their foraging for food in a laboratory test. The E. furcellata adults did not display a preference for the odour of P. flammans mucus. Therefore, P. flammans mucus may inhibit pathogenic microorganisms and attract or repel predators, but the mucus does not act as a complete deterrent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing management is one of the most widely practiced land uses globally. Quantifying the spatiotemporal distribution of livestock is critical for effective management of livestock-grassland grazing ecosystem. However, to date, there are few convincing solutions for livestock dynamic monitor and key parameters quantification under actual grazing situations. In this study, we proposed a pragmatic method for quantifying the grazing density (GD) and herding proximities (HP) based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). We further tested its feasibility at three typical household pastures on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. We found that: (1) yak herds grazing followed a rotational grazing pattern spontaneously within the pastures, (2) Dispersion Index of yak herds varied as an M-shaped curve within one day, and it was the lowest in July and August, and (3) the average distance between the yak herd and the campsites in the cold season was significantly shorter than that in the warm season. In this study, we developed a method to characterize the dynamic GD and HP of yak herds precisely and effectively. This method is ideal for studying animal behavior and determining the correlation between the distribution of pastoral livestock and resource usability, delivering critical information for the development of grassland ecosystem and the implementation of sustainable grassland management.