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Structural variation (SV) serves as a fundamental driver of phenotypic diversity and environmental adaptation in plants and animals, significantly influencing key agronomic traits in crops. Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an allohexaploid species, harbors extensive chromosomal SVs and distant hybridization-induced recombination events that provide critical resources for genetic improvement. This study utilizes non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) and oligonucleotide multiplex probe-based FISH (ONPM-FISH) to analyze the karyotypes of 153 BC₁F₄–BC₁F₆ lines derived from the hybrid line Xiaoyan 7430 and common wheat Yannong 1212. The results revealed that Xiaoyan 7430 carries 8 alien chromosome pairs and 20 wheat chromosome pairs (lacking 6B), and Yannong 1212 contains 21 pairs of wheat chromosomes. The parental lines exhibited presence/absence variations (PAVs) on chromosomes 2A, 6A, 5B, 1D, and 2D. Chromosomal variations, including numerical chromosomal variation (NCV), structural chromosomal variation (SCV), and complex chromosomal variation (CCV), were detected in the progeny lines through ONPM-FISH analysis. The tracking of alien chromosomes over three consecutive generations revealed a significant decrease in transmission frequency, declining from 61.82% in BC₁F₄ to 26.83% in BC₁F₆. Telosomes were also lost during transmission, declining from 21.82% in BC₁F₄ to 9.76% in BC₁F₆. Alien chromosome 1J^S, 4J, and 6J exhibited the highest transmission stability and were detected across all three generations. Association analysis showed that YN-PAV.2A significantly affected the length/width ratio (LWR) and grain diameter (GD); YN-PAV.6A, XY-PAV.6A, and PAV.5B increased six grain traits (+2.25%~15.36%); YN-PAV.1D negatively affected grain length (GL) and grain circumference (GC); and XY-PAV.2D exerted positive effects on thousand-grain weight (TGW). Alien chromosomes differentially modulated grain characteristics: 1J^S and 6J both reduced grain length and grain circumference; 1J^S increased LWR; and 4J negatively impacted TGW, grain width (GW), GD, and grain area (GA). Meanwhile, increasing alien chromosome numbers correlated with progressively stronger negative effects on grain traits. These findings elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying wheat chromosomal variations induced by distant hybridization and their impact on wheat grain traits, and provide critical intermediate materials for genome design breeding and marker-assisted selection in wheat improvement. Full article

The growing need for safe, cheap and sustainable earthquake-resistant buildings means that efficient methods for optimal seismic design must be found. The complexity and nonlinearity of the problem can be addressed using advanced automated techniques. This paper presents an intelligent three-step procedure for optimally designing earthquake-resistant buildings based on the training (1st step) and successive inversion (2nd step) of Multi-Layer Perceptron Neural Networks. This involves solving the inverse problem of determining the optimal design parameters that meet pre-assigned, code-based performance targets, by means of a gradient-based optimization algorithm (3rd step). The effectiveness of the procedure was tested using an archetypal multistory, moment-resisting, concentrically braced steel frame with active tension diagonal bracing. The input dataset was obtained by varying four design parameters. The output dataset resulted from performance variables obtained through non-linear dynamic analyses carried out under three earthquakes consistent with the Chilean code spectrum, for all cases considered. Three spectrum-consistent records are sufficient for code-based seismic design, while each seismic excitation provides a wealth of information about the behavior of the structure, highlighting potential issues. For optimization purposes, only information relevant to critical sections was used as a performance indicator. Thus, the dataset for training consisted of pairs of design parameter sets and their corresponding performance indicator sets. A dedicated MLP was trained for each of the outputs over the entire dataset, which greatly reduced the total complexity of the problem without compromising the effectiveness of the solution. Due to the comparatively low number of cases considered, the leave-one-out method was adopted, which made the validation process more rigorous than usual since each case acted once as a validation set. The trained network was then inverted to find the input design search domain, where a cost-effective gradient-based algorithm determined the optimal design parameters. The feasibility of the solution was tested through numerical analyses, which proved the effectiveness of the proposed artificial intelligence-aided optimal seismic design procedure. Although the proposed methodology was tested on an archetypal building, the significance of the results highlights the effectiveness of the three-step procedure in solving complex optimization problems. This paves the way for its use in the design optimization of different kinds of earthquake-resistant buildings. Full article

As an important ecosystem service, water conservation is influenced by land use related to human activities. In this study, we first evaluated spatial and temporal changes in water conservation in Baicheng City, western Jilin Province, from 2000 to 2020. Then, we identified three different scenarios: the natural development scenario (NDS), cropland protection scenario (CPS), and ecological protection scenario (EPS). We coupled the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) and Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) models to predict the distribution of land use types and water conservation in Baicheng City under these scenarios for 2030. The results showed the following: (1) The average water conservation in Baicheng City from 2000 to 2020 was 7.08 mm. (2) Areas with higher water conservation were distributed in the northwest and northeast, while lower water conservation areas were distributed in the central and southwest of Baicheng City. (3) The simulation results of the future pattern of land use show an increasing water conservation trend in all three scenarios. Compared with the other two scenarios, the ecological protection scenario is the most suitable option for the current development planning of Baicheng City. Under the ecological protection scenario (EPS), ecological land is strictly protected, the area of agricultural land increases to some extent, and the overall structure of changes in land use becomes more rational. This study provides a reference for land resource allocation and ecosystem conservation. Full article

Non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) refers to the progressive and irreversible decline in kidney function occurring in the absence of diabetes mellitus—a distinction that sets it apart from the more prevalent diabetic CKD. While diabetic nephropathy remains the leading cause of CKD globally, ND-CKD encompasses a heterogeneous group of etiologies, including hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, and interstitial nephritis. Its incidence and prevalence are steadily increasing, particularly in aging populations, and are often underrecognized. Importantly, ND-CKD is not a benign entity; it independently contributes to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation, which in turn amplify cardiovascular risk. Among the most severe complications is heart failure (HF), a complex syndrome arising from structural and functional impairments in cardiac performance. Despite ongoing advancements in HF management, mortality remains unacceptably high, ranging from 2–3% at 30 days to up to 50–75% over five years. Standard pharmacologic therapies frequently fall short in halting disease progression and may provoke undesirable side effects. This therapeutic gap has spurred growing interest in natural compounds with multi-targeted effects. Bioactive molecules such as arjunolic acid, kaempferol, luteolin, and resveratrol have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may offer dual benefits for both renal and cardiac function. By modulating shared molecular pathways—including those involved in inflammation, oxidative damage, and cellular dysfunction—these agents hold promise as adjunctive treatments in ND-CKD complicated by heart failure. Full article

Nanodiamonds (NDs) are an innovative material in biomedical applications based on their excellent biocompatibility, nanoscale dimensions, and high surface area. In this study, we evaluated the potential of ND-in-oil emulsion to induce potent antibody responses in animals immunized with cobra venom. NDs demonstrated the capacity to bind complex venom proteins as stable conjugates, well dispersed in aqueous solution. Immunization of mice with cobra venom incorporated with ND-in-oil emulsion adjuvant (ND/venom) elicited strong venom-specific antibody responses with titers comparable to those induced by venom formulation with conventional Freund’s adjuvants (FA/venom). IgG subclass analysis revealed that ND- and FA-based formulations induced a Th2-biased immune response in mice. Moreover, antibodies elicited by ND/venom or FA/venom immunization specifically recognized the epitopes of the lethal component of short-chain neurotoxin and conferred full protection against lethal cobra venom challenge (3LD₅₀). Further, ND/venom hyperimmunization was capable of inducing high levels of neutralizing antibodies in larger animals, rabbits, highlighting the potential for antivenom manufacturing. Notably, there were no obvious lesions at the injection sites of animals that received ND/venom, in contrast to those that received FA/venom. These findings indicated NDs as an effective and safe additive in venom formulation for antivenom production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alcohol and smoking during pregnancy may be associated with several complications, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress induced by smoking and alcohol during pregnancy and their effects on fetal and neonatal outcomes. Material and methods: We considered pregnant women at term. Validated questionnaires were used to investigate smoking and alcohol habits. Ultrasound was performed to evaluate fetal weight, amniotic fluid index, and maternal-fetal Doppler velocimetry. At the time of delivery, we collected a tuft of maternal hair, maternal venous blood, and cord blood. In these samplings we determined in phase I nicotine, cotinine, and ethyl glucuronide on the maternal keratin matrix with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. In phase II, the Free Oxygen Radicals Test (FORT) and Free Oxygen Radical Defense (FORD) test were used to assess circulating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results: 119 pregnant patients were enrolled (n = 62 for smoking and n = 57 for alcohol). Twenty-six patients (42%) out of 62 were active smokers. Three patients (5%) out of 57 were alcoholic consumers. Mean neonatal weight and mean placental weight were significantly lower for active smokers (p = 0.0001). The neonatal weight was in the 1st–2nd percentile for all alcohol abusers. Considering two subgroups (n = 10 non-smokers and n = 10 smokers) for ROS determination, a statistically significant higher oxidative stress in the blood of smoking patients was evidenced (p < 0.0001). In cord blood the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.2216). Conclusions: Fetal growth restriction was present in the group of active smokers and in patients with alcohol abuse. Oxidative stress was higher in smoking patients than in non-smokers. However, in cord blood, FORT was negative in all cases, suggesting a protective mechanism in utero. Given the limited sample size, the results obtained are preliminary and require future studies. Full article

Water pumping stations are essential components of national water infrastructure, yet their construction involves complex, high-risk processes, and traditional risk management approaches often show significant limitations in practice. To address this challenge, this study proposes a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based approach that integrates structured risk information into an interactive nD BIM environment. We first developed an extended Risk Breakdown Matrix (eRBM), which systematically organizes risk factors, assessment levels, and causal relationships. This is linked to the BIM model through a customized BIM–risk integration framework. Subsequently, the framework is further implemented and quantitatively validated via a Navisworks plug-in. The system incorporates three core components: (1) a structured risk information model, (2) a visualization mechanism for dynamic, spatiotemporal risk representation and (3) risk influence path analysis using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory–Interpretive Structural Modeling (DEMATEL–ISM) method. The plug-in allows users to access risk information on demand and monitor its evolution over time and space during the construction process. This study makes contributions by innovatively integrating risk information with BIM and developing a data-driven visualization tool for decision support, thereby enhancing project managers’ ability to anticipate, prioritize, and mitigate risks throughout the construction lifecycle of water pumping station projects. Full article

Microwave Breast Imaging (MWBI) is an emerging imaging modality aiming to detect breast lesions, which are dielectrically contrasted against the background healthy tissue, in the microwave frequency spectrum. MWBI holds potential to outperform X-ray mammography’s low sensitivity in young and dense breasts, thus supporting timelier detection of interval cancers, as a supplemental screening or diagnostic imaging method. The specificity of MWBI remains unknown, however, as management of false positives has not been systematically addressed yet. An earlier First-In-Human clinical investigation on 24 symptomatic patients provided proof-of-concept for the Wavelia MWBI sectorized multi-static radar imaging technology, which generates clinically meaningful 3D images of the breast, performs semi-automated detection of breast lesions and extracts diagnostic features to distinguish malignant from benign lesions. This paper focuses on a set of technological upgrades, accessories and data processing modules, designed and implemented in the 2nd generation prototype of Wavelia, to handle the diversity in breast geometry, tissue consistency and deformability, in a larger clinical investigation reporting on the bilateral MWBI scan of 62 patients. The presented add-on modules contribute to enhanced quality of scan and a more valid reference reporting space for the MWBI imaging outputs, with a direct positive impact on overall specificity. Full article

As the production of electric vehicles grows, the rare earth elements Pr and Nd become increasingly significant, as they are key in magnetic materials production. In order to achieve the green and efficient recovery of Pr and Nd from the rare earth leachate, this paper selected kaolinite and halloysite as adsorbents to conduct rare earth solution adsorption experiments for exploring the effects of the initial leachate concentration, the solution pH, and the adsorption temperature on the adsorption process. The adsorption characteristics of Pr and Nd by clay minerals were analyzed by quantum chemical calculation. The results showed that the adsorption effects of clay minerals on Pr and Nd decreased with the rise of leachate concentration. When leachate pH increased, the adsorption efficiency of kaolinite and halloysite for Pr firstly increased and then decreased, and the optimal adsorption efficiency was 13.33% and 24.778% at pH 6, respectively. The adsorption effects of kaolinite and halloysite on Nd enhanced gradually with the increase in pH, which increased to 15.925% and 30.482% at pH 7, respectively. With temperature increased, the adsorption of Pr and Nd by kaolinite and halloysite was positively correlated. The isothermal adsorption model was fitted to the experimental data, and it was found that the adsorption of Pr and Nd by kaolinite and halloysite was consistent with the Langmuir model, with R² above 0.96, indicating that the adsorption process was a single molecular layer adsorption. The results provide theoretical support for the effective recycling of Pr and Nd, which is of great significance for the utilization of rare earth resources in permanent magnets. Full article

Three-dimensional object detection based on the fusion of millimeter-wave radar and cameras is increasingly gaining attention due to characteristics of low cost, high accuracy, and strong robustness. Recently, the bird’s eye view (BEV) fusion paradigm has dominated radar–camera fusion-based 3D object detection methods. In the BEV fusion paradigm, the detection accuracy is jointly determined by the precision of both image BEV features and radar BEV features. The precision of image BEV features is significantly influenced by depth estimation accuracy, whereas estimating depth from a monocular image is naturally a challenging, ill-posed problem. In this article, we propose a novel approach to enhance depth estimation accuracy by fusing camera perspective view (PV) features and radar perspective view features, thereby improving the precision of image BEV features. The refined image BEV features are then fused with radar BEV features to achieve more accurate 3D object detection results. To realize PV fusion, we designed a radar image generation module based on radar cross-section (RCS) and depth information, accurately projecting radar data into the camera view to generate radar images. The radar images are used to extract radar PV features. We present a cross-modal feature fusion module using the attention mechanism to dynamically fuse radar PV features with camera PV features. Comprehensive evaluations on the nuScenes 3D object detection dataset demonstrate that the proposed dual-view fusion paradigm outperforms the BEV fusion paradigm, achieving state-of-the-art performance with 64.2 NDS and 56.3 mAP. Full article

One of the sometimes-neglected fields is the landscape design of hospital premises. This study focuses on the perception and preferences of responders regarding hospital site design. The objective was to determine if people are aware of the benefits of restorative contact with nature and if there were preferences for any specific landscape type. The online questionnaire with color figures was distributed using emails and social media from 4th May to 2nd August 2024. Some 110 respondents returned the questionnaire. Most of the respondents were women under 25. Most respondents declared that the surroundings of the healthcare building influence the health and well-being of patients (96%) and health personnel (86%). The results confirmed the awareness of the importance of contact with nature (89%). Moreover, this study demonstrated a preference for calm garden compositions, stimulating physical and mental recovery with trees, flowers, and water features, as well as stabilized paths and sheltered sitting places. The results confirm previous studies and demonstrate the importance of landscape architecture design of hospital premises for the well-being of patients. The findings may influence urban landscape planning and the design of hospital sites. Full article

I offer a close reading of Hölderlin’s “Mnemosyne“ (“Reif sind, in Feuer getaucht…”) that situates it in terms of its links to Greek tragedy and Homer. The essay explores Hölderlin’s focus on Achilles and the death of the Greek heroes Patroklos and Ajax against the notion of “poetic transport.” I also look at Hölderlin’s 2nd Böhlendorff Letter that traffics in the relation between antiquity and modernity. The essay also offers a reading of the second stanza of “Mnemosyne” in terms of Rousseau’s essay on “The Reveries of the Solitary Walker” and its appeal to the poet. As Hölderlin pursues the tense relation between memory and death, he poses questions about ethical responsibility that challenge the human being to find a path between wallowing in too excessive grief that ends in unbounded subjectivity and affirming the sense of the other that extends beyond our own self-preoccupation. Full article