Molecular characterization, genetic divergence, expression of encapsidiation and synergism by a bipartite begomovirus; Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPMV) infecting bitter gourd (Momordica charantia).

The Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPMV) is a bipartite begomovirus that poses a substantial risk to agriculture by infecting a variety of crops, including cucurbitaceous group. This study examines the manifestation of encapsidation and synergism by ToLCPMV in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and focuses on its epidemiological approaches and implications of managing this virus in tomatoes growing areas. Through the utilization of molecular and biological techniques, we have successfully ascertained the epidemiology of this highly destructive virus, highlighting the vital roles played by its two genetic components. An analysis was conducted to identify the mechanism by which the virus clusters its DNA into virions, known as the encapsidation process. Additionally, the impact of synergism with other viral or environmental factors over the degree of infection was examined. The evolutionary rate differences among sites were modeled deploying a discrete Gamma distribution with 5 categories and a [+G] parameter. The results of this study provide important and unique information about synergism, encapsidiation and host-virus interactions. Sequencing study revealed that the bipartite ToLCPMV is linked to the occurrence of leaf curl disease in bitter gourd. The DNA-A and DNA-B of the ToLCPMV isolates infecting bitter gourd (SP1-4) showed 89 %, 93 %, 95 %, and 98 % similarity respectively. Mean evolutionary rates in these categories were 0.19, 0.47, 0.79, 1.24, 2.31 substitutions per site. Unexpectedly, the DNA-A sequences of ToLCPMV that infect this particular host seemed to be an amalgamation of sequences that are closely associated with tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). Additionally, reiterate cropping of tomatoes with vegetables expanded the virus's host geographic region. This understanding will create some specific ways to regulate the dissemination of ToLCPMV and minimize its adverse impacts in tomato growing regions. Through the implementation of these strategies, the ability of crops to withstand and recover from adverse conditions can be enhanced, so encouraging the adoption of sustainable farming practices in affected regions.

A Machine-Learning-Based Method for Identifying the Failure Risk State of Fissured Sandstone under Water-Rock Interaction.

The mechanical properties of fissured sandstone will deteriorate under water-rock interaction. It is crucial to extract the precursor information of fissured sandstone instability under water-rock interaction. The potential of each acoustic emission (AE) parameter as a precursor for instability in the failure process of fissured sandstone was investigated in this study. An experimental dataset comprising 586 acoustic emission experiments was established, and subsequent classification training and testing were conducted using three machine learning (ML) models: AdaBoost, MLP, and Random Forest (RF). The primary parameters for identifying the instability risk state of fissured sandstone include acoustic emission ringing count, energy (mV·ms), centroid frequency, peak frequency, Rise Angle (RA), Average Frequency (AF), b value, and the natural/saturated state of fissured sandstone: state. To enhance data utilization, a 10-fold cross-validation method was employed during the model training process. The machine learning models were developed and designed to identify the instability risk of fissured sandstone under the natural and saturated states. The results demonstrated that the established RF model was capable of identifying fissured sandstone instability risks with an accuracy of 97.87%. Feature importance analysis revealed that state and b value exerted the most significant influence on identification results. The Spearman correlation coefficient was utilized to assess the correlation between input features. This study can provide technical support to identify the risk of instability of fissured sandstones under both natural and saturated water conditions. Based on the models developed in this study, it is possible to implement an early warning method for instability in fissured sandstone that meets realistic working conditions. Compared with the traditional empirical and formulaic methods, the machine learning method can more quickly process huge amounts of AE data and accurately identify the damage state of fissured sandstone.

N/O Co-doped Porous Carbon with Controllable Porosity Synthesized via an All-in-One Step Method for a High-Rate-Performance Supercapacitor.

A green and economical methodology to fabricate carbon-based materials with suitable pore size distributions is needed to achieve rapid electrolyte diffusion and improve the performance of supercapacitors. Here, a method combining in situ templates with self-activation and self-doping is proposed. By variation of the molar ratio of magnesium folate and potassium folate, the pore size distribution was effectively adjusted. The optimal carbon materials (Kx) have a high specific surface area (1021-1676 m2 g-1) and hierarchical pore structure, which significantly promotes its excellent capacitive properties. Notably, K2 shows an excellent mass specific capacitance of 233 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1. It still retained 113 F g-1 at 55 A g-1. The assembled symmetric supercapacitor exhibited an outstanding cyclic stability. It maintains 100% capacitance after 100 000 cycles at 10 A g-1. The symmetric supercapacitor demonstrated a maximum power density of 99.8 kW kg-1. This study focuses on the preparation of layered pore structures to provide insights into the sustainable design of carbon materials.

Photoresponsive Two-Dimensional Magnetic Junctions for Reconfigurable In-Memory Sensing.

Magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) lie in the core of magnetic random access memory, holding promise in integrating memory and computing to reduce hardware complexity, transition latency, and power consumption. However, traditional MTJs are insensitive to light, limiting their functionality in in-memory sensing─a crucial component for machine vision systems in artificial intelligence applications. Herein, the convergence of magnetic memory with optical sensing capabilities is achieved in the all-two-dimensional (2D) magnetic junction Fe3GaTe2/WSe2/Fe3GaTe2, which combines 2D magnetism and optoelectronic properties. The clean intrinsic band gap and prominent photoresponse of interlayer WSe2 endow the tunneling barrier with optical tunability. The on-off states of junctions and the magnetoresistance can be flexibly controlled by the intensity of the optical signal at room temperature. Based on the optical-tunable magnetoresistance in all-2D magnetic junctions, a machine vision system with the architecture of in-memory sensing and computing is constructed, which possesses high performance in image recognition. Our work exhibits the advantages of 2D magneto-electronic devices and extends the application scenarios of magnetic memory devices in artificial intelligence.

Exogenous melatonin alleviates sodium chloride stress and increases vegetative growth in Lonicera japonica seedlings via gene regulation.

Melatonin (Mt) functions as a growth regulator and multifunctional signaling molecule in plants, thereby playing a crucial role in promoting growth and orchestrating protective responses to various abiotic stresses. However, the mechanism whereby exogenous Mt protects Lonicera japonica Thunb. (L. japonica) against salt stress has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate how exogenous Mt alleviates sodium chloride (NaCl) stress in L. japonica seedlings. Salt-sensitive L. japonica seedlings were treated with an aqueous solution containing 150 mM of NaCl and aqueous solutions containing various concentrations of Mt. The results revealed that treatment of NaCl-stressed L. japonica seedlings with a 60 µM aqueous solution of Mt significantly enhanced vegetative plant growth by scavenging reactive oxygen species and thus reducing oxidative stress. The latter was evidenced by decreases in electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. Moreover, Mt treatment led to increases in the NaCl-stressed L. japonica seedlings' total chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, and flavonoid content, demonstrating that Mt treatment improved the seedlings' tolerance of NaCl stress. This was also indicated by the NaCl-stressed L. japonica seedlings exhibiting marked increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase) and in photosynthetic functions. Furthermore, Mt treatment of NaCl-stressed L. japonica seedlings increased their expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 1 (PAL1), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 2 (PAL2), calcium-dependent protein kinase (CPK), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), flavanol synthase (FLS), and chalcone synthase (CHS). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that treatment of L. japonica seedlings with a 60 µM aqueous solution of Mt significantly ameliorated the detrimental effects of NaCl stress in the seedlings. Therefore, such treatment has substantial potential for use in safeguarding medicinal plant crops against severe salinity.

Terahertz oscillation driven by optical spin-orbit torque.

Antiferromagnets are promising for nano-scale oscillator in a wide frequency range from gigahertz up to terahertz. Experimentally realizing antiferromagnetic moment oscillation via spin-orbit torque, however, remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the optical spin-orbit torque induced by circularly polarized laser can be used to drive free decaying oscillations with a frequency of 2 THz in metallic antiferromagnetic Mn2Au thin films. Due to the local inversion symmetry breaking of Mn2Au, ultrafast a.c. current is generated via spin-to-charge conversion, which can be detected through free-space terahertz emission. Both antiferromagnetic moments switching experiments and dynamics analyses unravel the antiferromagnetic moments, driven by optical spin-orbit torque, deviate from its equilibrium position, and oscillate back in 5 ps once optical spin-orbit torque is removed. Besides the fundamental significance, our finding opens a new route towards low-dissipation and controllable antiferromagnet-based spin-torque oscillators.

ELOVL1 is upregulated and promotes tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling.

Background: The functions of the ELOVLs are mainly involved in the elongation of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, thus influencing the metabolism of fatty acids. Abnormal lipid metabolism may result in NAFLD and NASH, which may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These results suggest that ELOVLs-mediated metabolism might be involved in the development of HCC. The purpose of this study was to study the expression and function of ELOVL1 in human liver cancer. Method: Using TCGA, GEPIA and other databases, we analyzed the relationship between the expression of ELOVL1 and liver cancer. The expression of ELOVL1 was detected by immunohistochemical method and Western blot method in hepatic carcinoma and hepatic carcinoma cells. Then, the effects of ELOVL1 on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in vitro and in vivo were investigated by means of different methods. Result: Our results indicate that ELOVL1 is more highly expressed in liver cancer than in normal tissues. Survival analysis showed that OS and DSS were shorter in patients with high ELOVL1 expression than in those with low expression. Multivariate Cox analysis further demonstrated that over-expression of ELOVL1 was an independent risk factor for overall survival in HCC. The results of ROC also confirmed the value of ELOVL1 in the diagnosis of liver cancer. The results of KEGG enrichment and GSEA indicate that ELOVL1 is associated with lipid metabolism and NAFLD, as well as PPAR, PI3K-AKT-mTOR. Compared with the control group, it was found that silencing ELOVL1 in Huh7 and HepG2 cells could inhibit the growth of cells, promote the apoptosis and decrease the metastasis and invasion. Changes in ELOVL1 induced cell proliferation and metastasis may be related to PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Low expression of ELOVL1 inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft model. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in HCC may contribute to the promotion of cancer. Thus, ELOVL1 may be a promising therapeutic target for HCC.

Association of muscle mass, grip strength and fat-to-muscle ratio and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in a middle-to-elderly aged population.

OBJECTIVE: The association of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), grip strength and fat-to-muscle ratio (FMR) and the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are not well known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included participants older than 40 years who underwent bioelectrical impedance assessment in Prevalence of Metabolic Diseases and Risk Factors in Shunde (SPEED-Shunde). We measured grip strength with an electronic grip strength metre. ASM and grip strength were adjusted by dividing body mass index (BMI). FMR was calculated as total fat mass to total muscle mass. Liver steatosis and liver fibrosis were evaluated by vibration-controlled transient elastography. Multifactorial logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between ASM, grip strength, FMR, and MASLD or MASLD-associated liver fibrosis. We performed subgroup analyses according to sex, age and BMI. Interaction tests and linear trend tests were also conducted. RESULTS: This study included a total of 3277 participants. FMR was positively associated with MASLD (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.66-2.15) and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.22-2.37). While ASM/BMI (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.52-0.67) or grip strength/BMI (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.66-0.78) were negatively associated with MASLD. Interactions were observed between ASM/BMI and age, grip strength and sex in MASLD, as well as FMR and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION: In a middle-to-elderly aged population, FMR was positively associated with the risk of MASLD and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis, and muscle mass and grip strength were negatively associated with MASLD, rather than MASLD-associated liver fibrosis.

Zeeman torque sampling of intense terahertz magnetic field in CoFe.

Free-space strong-field terahertz (THz) electromagnetic pulses have emerged as a potent tool for non-equilibrium quantum state control. However, these applications predominantly rely on electric field components, with limited utilization of magnetic field components. A traditional electro-optical sampling technique may encounter constraints due to the field strength saturation effect when detecting strong-field THz pulses. Here we have identified intense THz-induced Zeeman torque signals in CoFe and successfully detected the THz magnetic field components. Through variations in the type of ferromagnetic materials and the thickness of ferromagnetic films, we further refined the detection of THz magnetic field components. Our research revealed that a 15-nm CoFe thin film is more responsive in measuring magnetic field components.

Underlying mechanism of Dendrobium huoshanense resistance to lead stress using the quantitative proteomics method.

Lead affects photosynthesis and growth and has serious toxic effects on plants. Here, the differential expressed proteins (DEPs) in D. huoshanense were investigated under different applications of lead acetate solutions. Using label-free quantitative proteomics methods, more than 12,000 peptides and 2,449 proteins were identified. GO and KEGG functional annotations show that these differential proteins mainly participate in carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, translation, protein folding, sorting, and degradation, as well as oxidation and reduction processes. A total of 636 DEPs were identified, and lead could induce the expression of most proteins. KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that proteins involved in processes such as homologous recombination, vitamin B6 metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, cellular component organisation or biogenesis, and biological regulation were significantly enriched. Nearly 40 proteins are involved in DNA replication and repair, RNA synthesis, transport, and splicing. The effect of lead stress on D. huoshanense may be achieved through photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, and the production of excess antioxidant substances. The expression of 9 photosynthesis-related proteins and 12 oxidative phosphorylation-related proteins was up-regulated after lead stress. Furthermore, a total of 3 SOD, 12 POD, 3 CAT, and 7 ascorbate-related metabolic enzymes were identified. Under lead stress, almost all key enzymes involved in the synthesis of antioxidant substances are up-regulated, which may facilitate the scavenging of oxygen-free radical scavenging. The expression levels of some key enzymes involved in sugar and glycoside synthesis, the phenylpropanoid synthesis pathway, and the terpene synthesis pathway also increased. More than 30 proteins involved in heavy metal transport were also identified. Expression profiling revealed a significant rise in the expression of the ABC-type multidrug resistance transporter, copper chaperone, and P-type ATPase with exposure to lead stress. Our findings lay the basis for research on the response and resistance of D. huoshanense to heavy metal stress.

Room-Temperature Magneto-Photoresponse in All-2D Optoelectronic Devices for In-Sensor Vision Systems.

Interplay between magnetism and photoelectric properties introduces the effective control of photoresponse in optoelectronic devices via magnetic field, termed as magneto-photoresponse. It enriches the application scenarios and shows potential to construct in-sensor vision systems for artificial intelligence with gate-free architecture. However, achieving a simultaneous existence of room-temperature magnetism and notable photoelectric properties in semiconductors is a great challenge. Here, the room-temperature magneto-photoresponse is accomplished in all-2D optoelectronic devices, employing 2D ferromagnet Fe3GaTe2 as the source and drain, with WSe2 forming the channel. The interplay between room-temperature magnetism and photoelectric properties is realized by introducing the unique magneto-band structure effect from 2D interface, resulting in magneto-tunable charge transfer between Fe3GaTe2 and WSe2. The photocurrent in this 2D optoelectronic device exhibits robust response to both the direction and amplitude of external magnetic fields. Utilizing constructed 2D optoelectronic devices with magneto-photoresponse, traditional gate-controlled phototransistors are replaced and a prototype in-sensor vision system with visual adaptation, significantly improving the recognition accuracy to over four times in low-contrast environments is established. These findings pave a way for achieving high-temperature magneto-photoresponse, thereby guiding the construction of robust in-sensor vision systems toward high performance and broad applications.

Functional analysis of two caffeoyl-coenzyme 3 a-o-methyltransferase involved in pear lignin metabolism.

Caffeoyl-coenzyme 3 A-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) plays a crucial role in the lignin synthesis in many higher plants. In this study, nine PbCCoAOMT genes in total were identified from pear, and classified into six categories. We treated pear fruits with hormones abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) and observed differential expression levels of these genes. Through qRT-PCR, we also preliminarily identified candidate PbCCoAOMT gene, potentially involved in lignin synthesis in pear fruits. Additionally, the overexpression of PbCCoAOMT1/2 in Arabidopsis and pear fruits increased in lignin content. Enzymatic assays showed that recombinant PbCCoAOMT1/2 proteins have similar enzymatic activity in vitro. The Y1H (Yeast one-hybrid) and dual luciferase (dual-LUC) experiments demonstrated that PbMYB25 can bind to the AC elements in the promoter region of the PbCCoAOMT1 gene. Our findings suggested that the PbCCoAOMT1 and PbCCoAOMT2 genes may contribute to the synthesis of lignin and provide insights into the mechanism of lignin biosynthesis and stone cell development in pear fruits.

Electrical Detection of Acoustic Antiferromagnetic Resonance in Compensated Synthetic Antiferromagnets.

Compensated synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) stand out as promising candidates to explore various spintronic applications, benefitting from high precession frequency and negligible stray field. High-frequency antiferromagnetic resonance in SAFs, especially the optic mode (OM), is highly desired to attain fast operation speed in antiferromagnetic spintronic devices. SAFs exhibit ferromagnetic configurations above saturation field; however in that case, the intensity of OM is theoretically zero and hard to be detected in well-established microwave resonance experiments. To expose the hidden OM, the exchange symmetry between magnetic layers must be broken, inevitably introducing remanent magnetization. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a feasible method to break the symmetry via surface acoustic waves with the maintenance of compensated SAF structure. By introducing an out-of-plane strain gradient inside the Ir-mediated SAFs, we successfully reveal the hidden OM. Remarkably, the OM intensity can be effectively modulated by controlling strain gradients in SAFs with different thicknesses, confirmed by finite-element simulations. Our findings provide a feasible scheme for detecting the concealed OM, which would trigger future discoveries in magnon-phonon coupling and hybrid quasiparticle systems.

Ganoderic acid a decreased Aß42-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells by reduced mitochondrial damage.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Accumulation of ß-amyloid (Aß) in the brain has been recognized as a key factor in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD).The accumulation of Aß in the brain catalyzes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn triggers oxidative damage to cellular components such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of Ganoderic acid A (GA.A) against Aß42-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential indicated that GA.A treats mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing Aß42 deposition and inhibiting neural protofiber tangle formation. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ and caspase-3 indicated that GA.A reduced mitochondrial damage by Aß42 in PC12 cells, thereby decreasing ROS accumulation and reducing Aß protofiber-induced cytotoxicity. These features suggest that GA.A has great potential as an effective neuroprotective drug in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Insight into a single-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell for nitrate removal and ecological roles.

Bioelectrochemical systems are sustainable and potential technology systems in wastewater treatment for nitrogen removal. The present study fabricated an air-cathode denitrifying microbial fuel cell (DNMFC) with a revisable modular design and investigated metabolic processes using nutrients together with the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of dominated microorganisms. Based on the detection of organics and solvable nitrogen concentrations as well as electron generations in DNMFCs under different conditions, the distribution pattern of nutrients could be quantified. By calculation, it was found that heterotrophic denitrification performed in DNMFCs using 56.6% COD decreased the Coulombic efficiency from 38.0% to 16.5% at a COD/NO3 --N ratio of 7. Furthermore, biological denitrification removed 92.3% of the nitrate, while the residual was reduced via electrochemical denitrification in the cathode. Correspondingly, nitrate as the electron acceptor consumed 16.7% of all the generated electrons, and the residual electrons were accepted by oxygen. Microbial community analysis revealed that bifunctional bacteria of electroactive denitrifying bacteria distributed all over the reactor determined the DNMFC performance; meanwhile, electroactive bacteria were mainly distributed in the anode biofilm, anaerobic denitrifying bacteria adhered to the wall, and facultative anaerobic denitrifying bacteria were distributed in the wall and cathode. Characterizing the contribution of specific microorganisms in DNMFCs comprehensively revealed the significant role of electroactive denitrifying bacteria and their cooperative relationship with other functional bacteria.

Regioselective and enantioselective propargylic hydroxylations catalyzed by P450tol monooxygenases.

Regioselective and enantioselective hydroxylation of propargylic C-H bonds are useful reactions but often lack appropriate catalysts. Here a green and efficient asymmetric hydroxylation of primary and secondary C-H bonds at propargylic positions has been established. A series of optically active propargylic alcohols were prepared with high regio- and enantioselectivity (up to 99% ee) under mild reaction conditions by using P450tol, while the C≡C bonds in the molecule remained unreacted. This protocol provides a green and practical method for constructing enantiomerically chiral propargylic alcohols. In addition, we also demonstrated that the biohydroxylation strategy was able to scaled up to 2.25 mmol scale with the production of chiral propargyl alcohol 2a at a yield of 196 mg with 96% ee, which's an important synthetic intermediate of antifungal drug Ravuconazole.

Control Efficacy of the Bt Maize Event DBN3601T Expressing Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa Proteins against Beet Armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), in China.

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), is a major pest of maize, cotton, soybean, and many other crops globally. Despite the widespread deployment of Bt transgenic maize for pest control worldwide, the efficacy of Bt lepidopteran-resistant transgenic maize in managing S. exigua remains rarely studied. In this study, we quantified the expression level of pyramided Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa toxins in Bt maize (event DBN3601T) and evaluated their control efficiency against S. exigua under both laboratory and field conditions. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that the expression levels of Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa proteins in DBN3601T maize tissues followed a decreasing order as follows: V5-leaf > V8-leaf > VT-tassel > R2-kernel > R1-silk. Diet-overlay assay results showed that the LC50 values of Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa proteins against S. exigua larvae were 11.66 ng/cm2 and 27.74 ng/cm2, respectively, with corresponding GIC50 values at 1.59 ng/cm2 and 7.93 ng/cm2. Bioassay using various tissues of the DBN3601T maize indicated that after 7 days of infestation, mortality rates of neonates and third-instar larvae ranged from 86% to 100% and 58% to 100%, respectively. Mortality was highest on V5 and V8 leaves, followed by R2-kernel, VT-tassel, and R1-silk. Field trials demonstrated that DBN3601T maize exhibited significantly lower larval density, damage rate, and leaf damage score compared to non-Bt maize. Field cage trial showed that the control efficacy of DBN3601T maize at the vegetative stage could reach 98%. These findings provide a theoretical basis for utilizing Bt transgenic maize to enhance the sustainable management of S. exigua in Asia.

Genome-scale identification, expression and evolution analysis of B-box members in Dendrobium huoshanense.

B-box (BBX) proteins have been recognized as vital determinants in plant development, morphogenesis, and adaptive responses to a myriad of environmental stresses. These zinc-finger proteins play a pivotal role in various biological processes. Their influence spans photomorphogenesis, the regulation of flowering, and imparting resilience to a wide array of challenges, encompassing both biotic and abiotic factors. Chromosome localization, gene structure and conserved motifs, phylogenetic analysis, collinearity analysis, expression profiling, fluorescence quantitative analysis, and tobacco transient transformation methods were used for functional localization and expression pattern analysis of the DhBBX gene. A total of 23 DhBBX members were identified from Dendrobium huoshanense. Subsequent phylogenetic evaluations effectively segregated these genes into five discrete evolutionary subsets. The predictions of subcellular localizations revealed that all these proteins were localized in the nucleus. The genetic composition and patterns showed that the majority of these genes consisted of several exons, with a few variations that could be attributed to transposon insertion. A comprehensive analysis using qRT-PCR was conducted to unravel the expression patterns of these genes in D. huoshanense, with a specific concentration on their responses to various hormone treatments and cold stress. Subcellular localization reveals that DhBBX21 and DhBBX9 are located in the nucleus. Our results provide a deep comprehension of the complex regulatory mechanisms of BBXs in response to various environmental and hormonal stimuli. These discoveries encourage further detailed and focused investigations into the operational dynamics of the BBX gene family in a wider range of plant species.

Facial Video-Based Non-Contact Stress Recognition Utilizing Multi-Task Learning With Peak Attention.

Negative emotional states, such as anxiety and depression, pose significant challenges in contemporary society, often stemming from the stress encountered in daily activities. Stress (state or level) recognition is a crucial prerequisite for effective stress management and intervention. Presently, wearable devices have been employed to capture physiological signals and analyze stress states. However, their constant skin contact can lead to discomfort and disturbance during prolonged monitoring. In this paper, a peak attention-based multitasking framework is presented for non-contact stress recognition. The framework extracts rPPG signals from RGB facial videos, utilizing them as inputs for a novel multi-task attentional convolutional neural network for stress recognition (MTASR). It incorporates peak detection and HR estimation as auxiliary tasks to facilitate stress recognition. By leveraging multi-task learning, MTASR can utilize information related to stress physiological responses, thereby enhancing feature extraction efficiency. For stress recognition, two binary classification tasks are applied: stress state recognition and stress level recognition. The model is validated on the UBFC-Phys public dataset and demonstrates an accuracy of 94.33% for stress state recognition and 83.83% for stress level recognition. The proposed method outperforms the dataset's baseline methods and other competing approaches.