Diverse Systems Research Articles

Twisted curve geometry underlying topological invariants

Topological invariants such as winding numbers and linking numbers appear as charges of topological solitons in diverse nonlinear physical systems described by a unit vector field defined on two and three dimensional manifolds. While the Gauss-Bonnet theorem shows that the Euler characteristic (a topological invariant) can be written as the integral of the Gaussian curvature (an intrinsic geometric quantity), the intriguing question of whether winding and linking numbers can also be expressed as integrals of some other kinds of intrinsic geometric quantities has not been addressed in the literature. In this paper we provide the answer by showing that for the winding number in two dimensions, these geometric quantities involve torsions of the two evolving space curves describing the manifold. On the other hand, in three dimensions we find that in addition to torsions, intrinsic twists of the space curves are necessary to obtain a nontrivial winding number and linking number. They arise from the hitherto unknown connections that we establish between these topological invariants and the corresponding appropriately normalized global space curve anholonomies (i.e., geometric phases) that can be associated with the unit vector fields on the respective manifolds. An application of our results to a 3D Heisenberg ferromagnetic model supporting a topological soliton is also presented.

The clinical and economic impact of extended battery longevity of a substernal extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

The extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (EV ICD) has extended projected battery longevity compared to the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD). This study used modeling to characterize the need for generator changes, long-term complications, and overall costs for both the EV ICD and S-ICD in healthcare systems of various countries. Battery longevity data were modeled using a Markov model from averages reported in device labeling for the S-ICD and with engineering estimates based on real life usage from EV ICD Pivotal Study patient data to introduce variability. Clinical demographic data were derived from published literature. The primary outcomes were defined as the number of generator replacement surgeries, complications, and total healthcare system costs due to battery depletion over the expected lifetime of patients receiving EV ICD or S-ICD therapy. Average modeled battery longevity was determined to be 7.3 years for the S-ICD versus 11.8 years for the EV ICD. The probability of a complication after a replacement procedure was 1.4%, with an operative mortality rate of 0.02%. The use of EV ICD was associated with 1.4-1.6 fewer replacements on average over an expected patient lifetime as compared to S-ICD and a 24.3%-26.0% reduction in cost. A one-way sensitivity analysis of the model for the US healthcare system found that use of an EV ICD resulted in a reduction in replacement surgeries of greater than 1 (1.1-1.6) along with five-figure cost savings in all scenarios ($18 602-$40 948). The longer projected battery life of the EV ICD has the potential to meaningfully reduce long-term morbidity and healthcare resources related to generator changes from the perspective of multiple diverse healthcare systems.

Motion sickness countermeasures for autonomous driving: Trends and future directions

Motion Sickness (MS) remains a paramount concern in the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles. As automation continues to reshape the passenger-vehicle interaction paradigm, the proliferation of diverse in-vehicle systems empowers passengers to disengage from the driving task. However, this new paradigm comes with the potential cost of exacerbating MS inside the car.In this work, we intended to: (1) present and review available countermeasures to prevent or mitigate MS, found in the literature, that could also be implemented inside a car; (2) identify current trends and gaps in countermeasures to MS; and (3) suggest future avenues of research for potential use-cases aiming to mitigate MS in autonomous driving.Through a comprehensive review of 65 publications, spanning from 2009 to 2023, we have organized existing literature into three distinctive categories and ten subcategories: (1) Vehicle-Centric Adaptation (Adaptation to Surface, Best Route ad Driving Style Adaptation), (2) In-Car Design and Environment (Design Guidelines for Seats, for Displays, for Windows and Climate Control), and (3) Sensory Cues (Visual, Haptic Audio and Olfactory Cues).Our findings suggest that Visual Cues and Motion Planning are the two strongest trends in MS countermeasures. In contrast, Olfactory Cues are the least studied approach. Our results also substantiate the viability of multimodal approaches as a promising solution for passengers in autonomous vehicles. The simultaneous application of various countermeasures might hold potential in mitigating MS effectively.As autonomous vehicles advance, these findings offer a strong basis for future research to decrease passenger's motion sickness and improve their well-being, safety, and comfort inside the car.

A new type of engineered wood product: Cross-laminated-thick veneers

The global scarcity of high-quality solid wood resources has propelled efforts towards developing high value-added products utilizing fast-growing wood. However, the inherent low quality of fast-growing wood poses a significant challenge for its use in engineered wood products. In response to this challenge, this study focuses on the transformation of larch logs into a novel engineering wood product termed cross-laminated-thick veneers (CLTV). The process involves rotary cutting larch logs into 7.5 mm thick veneers, followed by hygrothermal treatment to alleviate stress, and ultimately assembling layers of thick veneers oriented at right angles, securely bonded to form structural panels. The investigation into the mechanical properties of CLTV reveals promising results. The static bending strength and modulus of a 15-layer CLTV with a thickness of 105 mm exhibit noteworthy values of 62.29 MPa and 10986 MPa, respectively. These values stand in comparison to the performance metrics of cross-laminated-timber (CLT) with only 3 layers, indicating the viability of CLTV as a competitive alternative. Additionally, the formaldehyde emission from CLTV measures at a minimal 0.010 mg/m3, while total volatile organic compounds are limited to 47 μg/m3. The development of CLTV emerges as a sustainable solution to the shortage of high-quality solid wood resources. Its comparable performance to traditional materials such as CLT positions CLTV as an eco-friendly alternative for engineered wood products applicable in diverse global building systems. The minimal formaldehyde emission and low volatile organic compounds further emphasize the potential positive impact of CLTV on both the construction industry and broader environmental sustainability initiatives worldwide. This study sets the stage for advancing engineered wood products, addressing resource constraints, and contributing to sustainable practices in the global construction sector.

Exploring variable coefficient models: Insights into nonlinear wave behavior and soliton solutions in physical systems

The KdV-Burgers equation, featuring time-varying coefficients is a fundamental equation in the domain of wave propagation for wave propagation, dispersion, and dissipation in different physical systems. This equation is particularly useful for coastal engineering studies, flow analysis in rivers, open channels, and nonlinear phenomena across different physical systems. In this article, we derive feasible soliton solutions to the stated equation with time-varying coefficients through the tanh-expansion, exp (-φ(τ))-expansion, and modified simple equation approaches. The obtained solutions provide insightful information on wave and solitons behavior in diverse physical systems. The wave profiles in soliton shapes, including 3D and 2D waves, are significantly influenced by the variable wave velocity function and associated parameters. Such variations are not visible when the parameters are held constant. This study emphasizes the critical role of nonlinear evolution equations with time-dependent coefficients, leading to an exploration of an intriguing and challenging field of study.

Inclusion of Implicit Bias in Health Equity Education Design: A New Mandate for Continuing Education.

The area of implicit bias and health equity training is a renewed focus for health care settings. This article outlines a strategic journey to evaluate the current status and develop a sustainable program that integrates content on implicit bias and health equity into all training and education programs. Partnership with the health system's diversity department, professional development, and the use of innovative technology brought 100% compliance for the 12-month project. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(12):551-553.].

Exploring New Trends in the Global Foreign Exchange Derivatives Market Based on the European and American Financial Markets

This research delves into the changes in products and participants in the foreign exchange derivatives market in Europe and America. It uncovers the new trends in the global foreign exchange derivatives market. The European and American financial markets are significant players in foreign exchange trading and financial innovation, as they affect the world through their market fluctuations and policy changes. The study reveals that the foreign exchange derivatives market is undergoing new dynamics and environmental changes. Innovative products are emerging, and the level of transaction automation is increasing. The foreign exchange derivatives market in Europe and the United States has transformed from a simple spot foreign exchange transaction to a diverse trading system that covers major global currencies. The proportion structure of trading participants is also changing over time. In conclusion, this research provides profound insights into the global foreign exchange derivatives market. It aims to provide relevant suggestions and references for market participants and regulators based on its analysis.

Strain-induced crystallization behavior and tensile properties of natural rubber with different vulcanization bond types

The crosslinking network structure is a crucial factor influencing the properties of natural rubber. Therefore, investigating the impact of different vulcanization bond types on the strain-induced crystallization behavior and properties of natural rubber can provide a theoretical foundation for producing high-performance natural rubber. In this study, diverse curing systems were employed to produce vulcanized natural rubbers with varying crosslink types. The crosslinking network structures of the vulcanized rubbers were analyzed using the tube model theory. Additionally, the effects of vulcanization bonds on strain-induced crystallization behavior and tensile properties were examined through in-situ X-ray diffraction and a tensile testing machine. The results revealed that the vulcanizate with monosulfidic bonds, formed under the effective vulcanization (EV) system, primarily comprised chemical crosslinking networks, resulting in a high tensile modulus, low elongation at break, and low tensile strength. Conversely, the vulcanizate under the conventional vulcanization (CV) system exhibited a distinct entanglement network impact compared to the chemical crosslinking network, resulting in a smaller tensile modulus but the highest elongation at break and the largest tensile strength. These differences stemmed from the distinct roles of vulcanization bonds within the crosslinking network. Specifically, the relatively short monosulfidic bond quickly reached the critical degree of orientation for crystallization during stretching, leading to higher crystallinity under the same strain. However, its shorter length caused earlier fracture during stretching, resulting in network heterogeneity, reduced elongation at break, and lower tensile strength. On the other hand, the longer polysulfidic bond underwent fracture recombination during stretching, with slower orientation and delayed crystallization. Nonetheless, this recombination improved network uniformity and integrity due to stress dissipation from the initial fracture, enhancing crystallinity, elongation at break, and tensile strength. This study elucidated the influence of vulcanization crosslinking on the tensile properties of vulcanizates.

A review of vertical graphene and its energy storage system applications.

The pursuit of advanced materials to meet the escalating demands of energy storage system has led to the emergence of vertical graphene (VG) as a highly promising candidate. With its remarkable strength, stability, and conductivity, VG has gained significant attention for its potential to revolutionize energy storage technologies. This comprehensive review delves deeply into the synthesis methods, structural modifications, and multifaceted applications of VG in the context of lithium-ion batteries, silicon-based lithium batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-ion batteries, potassium-ion batteries, aqueous zinc batteries, and supercapacitors. The review elucidates the intricate growth process of VG and underscores the paramount importance of optimizing process parameters to tailor VG for specific applications. Subsequently, the pivotal role of VG in enhancing the performance of various energy storage and conversion systems is exhaustively discussed. Moreover, it delves into structural improvement, performance tuning, and mechanism analysis of VG composite materials in diverse energy storage systems. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive look at VG synthesis, modification, and its wide range of applications in energy storage. It emphasizes the potential of VG in addressing critical challenges and advancing sustainable, high-performance energy storage devices, providing valuable guidance for the development of future technologies.

Universal tools for analysing structures and interactions in geometry

This study examined symmetry and perspective in modern geometric transformations, treating them as functions that preserve specific properties while mapping one geometric figure to another. The purpose of this study was to investigate geometric transformations as a tool for analysis, to consider invariants as universal tools for studying geometry. Materials and Methods: The Erlangen ideas of F. I. Klein were used, which consider geometry as a theory of group invariants with respect to the transformation of the plane and space. Results and Discussion: Projective transformations and their extension to two-dimensional primitives were investigated. Two types of geometric correspondences, collinearity and correlation, and their properties were studied. The group of homotheties, including translations and parallel translations, and their role in the affine group were investigated. Homology with ideal line axes, such as stretching and centre stretching, was considered. Involutional homology and harmonic homology with the centre, axis, and homologous pairs of points were investigated. In this study unified geometry concepts, exploring how different geometric transformations relate and maintain properties across diverse geometric systems. Conclusions: It specifically examined Möbius transforms, including their matrix representation, trace, fixed points, and categorized them into identical transforms, nonlinear transforms, shifts, dilations, and inversions.

Impact of conservation practices on soil quality and ecosystem services under diverse horticulture land use system

The 20-year study investigated the effects of conservation practices (CPs) and farmers' practices (FPs) on various soil quality parameters, yield, and economics of horticultural land use systems. CPs demonstrated significant improvements in soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), compared to FPs. Horticultural systems exhibited higher SOC and available N and P contents than FPs, with substantial variations among different fruit species. CPs also enhanced soil quality index, functional diversity, culturable microbial populations, enzyme activity, and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) compared to FPs. It was observed that the SMBC values were 25.0–36.6% and 4.12–25.7% higher in 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm, respectively, under CPs compared to FPs for all the land use systems. In CPs, dehydrogenase activities (DHAs) in surface soils were 9.30 and 7.50 times higher under mango- and citrus-based horticultural systems compared to FPs. The CPs adopted in aonla, guava, mango, litchi, and citrus-based horticultural systems increased SOC by ~27.6, 32.6, 24.4, 26.8, and 22.0%, respectively, over FPs. Canopy spread, fruit yield, litter yield, and soil moisture were significantly higher in fruit-based horticultural systems under CPs. Economic viability analysis indicated higher net present values (NPVs), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and shorter payback periods (PBPs) for horticultural land use systems under CPs. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that CPs had a more positive influence on soil parameters, particularly DHA, acid and alkali phosphatase activity, available N, P, and K contents, soil microbial load, and organic carbon. The maximum ecosystem services were contributed through mango-based land uses among all land uses. Mango-based horticultural systems exhibited the least impact from both CPs and FPs, while peach-based systems were most affected by CPs. Overall, the findings highlight the benefits of conservation practices in improving soil quality, microbial populations, enzyme activity, and crop productivity in horticultural systems.

Quantum Computing Research at the National Metrology Institute

With a wide range of promising applications arising from unprecedented computing performance, quantum computing has recently received great attention. This technology that relies on quantum superposition and quantum entanglement can be realized in various physical platforms such as superconducting quantum devices, optical systems, semiconductor nanostructures and neutral atoms and so on. The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), the national metrology institute of Korea, is actively carrying out research on quantum computing technologies with its extensive experience and expertise obtained from the development of measurement standards and precision measurement technologies based on diverse physical systems. In this article, we briefly discuss quantum computing research activities at KRISS.

Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics as potential driving forces for the exploration of diversity and functions of micro-eukaryotes in soil.

Micro-eukaryotes are ubiquitous and play vital roles in diverse ecological systems, yet their diversity and functions are scarcely known. This may be due to the limitations of formerly used conventional culture-based methods. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics are enabling to unravel the genomic, metabolic, and phylogenetic diversity of micro-eukaryotes inhabiting in different ecosystems in a more comprehensive manner. The in-depth study of structural and functional characteristics of micro-eukaryote community residing in soil is crucial for the complete understanding of this major ecosystem. This review provides a deep insight into the methodologies employed under these approaches to study soil micro-eukaryotic organisms. Furthermore, the review describes available computational tools, pipelines, and database sources and their manipulation for the analysis of sequence data of micro-eukaryotic origin. The challenges and limitations of these approaches are also discussed in detail. In addition, this review summarizes the key findings of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic studies on soil micro-eukaryotes. It also highlights the exploitation of these methods to study the structural as well as functional profiles of soil micro-eukaryotic community and to screen functional eukaryotic protein coding genes for biotechnological applications along with the future perspectives in the field.

Selenium attenuated food borne cadmium-induced intestinal inflammation in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) via regulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway

Selenium (Se), an indispensable micronutrient for living organisms, has been extensively studied for its heavy metal-detoxifying properties in diverse biological systems and tissues. Nevertheless, it is not entirely certain whether Se can effectively protect against Cadmium (Cd)-induced gut inflammation, especially in aquatic animals. In this study, we employed various approaches, including transcriptome profiling, histological examinations, assessment of antioxidant enzyme activities, and analysis of gut microbiota composition to investigate the effects on crayfish growth and intestinal health after exposure to dietary Cd (15 mg kg−1 diet) and Se (15 mg kg−1 diet) individually or in combination for 8 weeks. The results revealed that dietary Cd exposure resulted in reduced body weight and survival rates, along with an increased occurrence of intestinal inflammation. Nevertheless, Se supplementation proved effective in mitigating the adverse effects of Cd on growth and gut health. Se exhibited a remarkable ability to counteract the disruption of gut antioxidant abilities induced by dietary Cd, as evidenced by the observed increases in ROS and MDA contents, decrease in GSH levels, and inhibition of antioxidative enzyme activities. At the concentration of 6 mg kg−1 in the diet, Se was found beneficial for maintaining gut microbiota richness and diversity. Among them, Flavobacterium, Thermomonas, and Chloronema displayed a weak negative correlation with the rate of gut inflammation. Meanwhile, the levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetic acid (AA) and butanoic acid (BA), showed a significant increase in the Se–Cd group compared to the Cd-only group. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis exhibited significant responses of the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways following crayfish exposure to dietary Se and Cd, either separately or in combination. In short, this study provides a new evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms through which Se could regulate the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways, either directly or indirectly via ROS and SCFAs, thereby alleviating Cd-induced gut inflammation in crayfish.

A comparison of photographic and spectrometric methods to quantify the colours seen by animal eyes

Abstract Quantifying how colours stimulate animal eyes is an essential first step in many areas of biology, from behavioural and visual ecology to neuroethology. Although multiple methods exist, their relative accuracies remain untested, leaving researchers unsure which methods are most accurate and which might be unacceptably inaccurate. Here, I compare measurements from reflectance spectrometry and four camera‐based techniques to ground‐truth spectroradiometric measurements of radiance, using eight diverse visual systems. Because errors may compound through successive calculations, I calculate not only relative quantum catches but also chroma and colour contrasts. I find that filters mimicking photoreceptor spectral sensitivity curves, through either custom fabrication or weighted additive combinations of bandpass filters (‘computational filters’), as well as reflectance spectrometry, are the most accurate techniques, with most R2 > 0.98. Statistical filters trained on the library of reflectance spectra in the multispectral image calibration and analysis (MICA) toolbox lag behind in accuracy, particularly for dark colours, with R2 values dipping as low as 0.23. However, the performance of these filters is vastly improved (all R2 > 0.96) if one (a) uses the full UV–VIS range of camera and animal vision, even for animals lacking UV photoreceptors and (b) expands the library of training spectra to include simulated low‐reflectance spectra. Statistical filters trained on either a 24‐ or 45‐colour chart (an alternative method offered by the MICA toolbox) vary wildly in accuracy, with R2 values ranging from 0.11 to 0.94, and should not be trusted. For those requiring point measurements only, reflectance spectrometry is highly accurate within the constraints described in the main text. Those using photography and desiring the highest levels of accuracy should opt for custom‐fabricated or computational filters. Statistical filters trained on the MICA toolbox's library of natural spectra can be expected to be reasonably accurate for many combinations of visual systems and stimuli, but only if (a) the full UV–VIS spectrum is used and (b) the training library is expanded to include simulated low‐reflectance spectra. Statistical filters trained on a colour chart are highly unreliable and their use should be discontinued.

Does Socioeconomic Status Have an Impact on Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis Disease Characteristics and Outcomes?

Background: Evidence suggests that low socioeconomic status leads to unequal access to care and outcomes. This can be particularly problematic for rarer diseases such as light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) as a proxy for socioeconomic status (SES), we hypothesized that persons living in areas with greater deprivation will exhibit differences in AL disease characteristics at diagnosis and worse post-diagnosis outcomes. Methods: We conducted an IRB-approved, retrospective chart review of patients with systemic AL amyloidosis seen between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2022 at a large and diverse health system in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Patients with localized amyloidosis were excluded. Patients were identified using electronic health records. Demographic information (age, sex, race, zip code of residence, insurance, and marital status), disease characteristics (amyloid stage at diagnosis, type, and number of organs involved), and treatment indicators (stem cell transplant eligibility and utilization, time to first chemotherapy) were extracted for all eligible patients. The 2020 Area Deprivation Index (0-100, higher scores equating to higher deprivation) was calculated through the Neighborhood Atlas ® database using zip code and analyzed in quartiles. Spearman correlation was used to describe differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics across ADI quartiles and a Cox regression analysis was conducted for overall survival testing the association of ADI controlling for age, sex, race, disease stage, and number of involved organs. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 200 patients with systemic AL amyloidosis who met our inclusion criteria, 8 patients were excluded due to missing/other race. Of the remaining 192 patients which comprised our final cohort, 171 (89%) were White, 21 (11%) were Black. Over half of all patients (51.5%) lived in neighborhoods in the two highest ADI quartiles. Patients in different ADI quartile categories differed significantly by race (Black and White, p<0.001), age at diagnosis (p=0.012), marital status (p<0.001), and Medicaid insurance (p<0.001) (Table 1). Differences in diagnostic and treatment characteristics were not observed across ADI quartiles (Table 1). There were also no differences in overall survival at 1, 5, and 8 years across ADI quartiles (p=0.48). Multivariable analyses revealed that older age at diagnosis, but not ADI, were associated with worse survival (Table 2). Interestingly, while stage 4 diagnosis alone was significant for worse survival (p=<0.001), in general there was no significant correlation between staging and survival (overall p-value=0.497) (Table 2). Controlling for ADI and other factors, Black AL patients were twice as likely as White AL patients to die (OR=2.10; 95% CI: 0.98-4.51), with a p-value of 0.058, marginally short of statistical significance. Conclusion: Socioeconomic status, as measured by the Area Deprivation Index of the neighborhood of residence, was not associated with disease characteristics, treatment, and outcomes among patients with AL amyloidosis. Controlling for SES, however, Black AL patients had worse survival outcomes then their White counterparts. While there was no significant correlation between ADI and clinical characteristics, a substantial proportion of the cohort was living in highly socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Given the nature of our study, we were only able to analyze patients who were seen at our institution and our sample size was small. Studies of larger, multicenter populations are needed to better assess the effects of socioeconomic status and other social determinants of health on outcomes among patients with AL amyloidosis.

Evaluation of Coefficients of Variation for Clinical Chemistry Tests Based on Internal Quality Control Data Across 5,425 Laboratories in China From 2013 to 2022.

Clinical chemistry tests are most widely used in clinical laboratories, and diverse measurement systems for these analyses are available in China. We evaluated the imprecision of clinical chemistry measurement systems based on internal QC (IQC) data. IQC data for 27 general chemistry analytes were collected in February each year from 2013 to 2022. Four performance specifications were used to calculate pass rates for CVs of IQC data in 2022. Boxplots were drawn to analyze trends of CVs, and differences in CVs among different groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis test. The number of participating laboratories increased significantly from 1,777 in 2013 to 5,425 in 2022. CVs significantly decreased for all 27 analytes, except creatine kinase and lipase. Triglycerides, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, iron, and γ-glutamyl transferase achieved pass rates >80% for all goals. Nine analytes with pass rates <80% based on 1/3 allowable total error were further analyzed; the results indicated that closed systems exhibited lower CVs than open systems for all analytes, except total protein. For all nine analytes, differences were significant between tertiary hospitals and non-tertiary hospitals and between accredited and non-accredited laboratories. The CVs of IQC data for clinical chemistry have seen a continuous overall improvement in China. However, there is ample room for imprecision improvement for several analytes, with stricter performance specifications.

Gastrointestinal parasitosis in cattle: Unveiling the landscape across diverse production systems in Bangladesh.

Factors influencing parasitosis in cattle in Bangladesh remain inadequately explored, necessitating a comprehensive investigation for interventions and sustainable livestock farming. We conducted this study to estimate the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites, exploring their intricate relationship with farm management practices across a spectrum of small-, medium-, and large-scale commercial farms. We conducted this study in the Chattogram district of Bangladesh. We collected a total of 189 freshly voided faecal samples from different farms. We recorded the age, breed, milking status, sex, body condition score, and anthelmintic use history of the sampled animals. We processed the samples using the direct smear method, with the identification of one egg per sample being considered positive. We estimated the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection in large-scale (52.1%), medium-scale (54.5%), and small-scale farms (70.0%), with statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Both pregnant and lactating cows, as well as indigenous cattle, were more likely to have gastrointestinal parasites (p ≤ 0.05). The predominant parasites across farms of all sizes were trematodes (Paramphistomum spp. and Schistosomas spp.) and protozoa (Balantidium coli and Coccidia spp.). Poor farm management practices, such as no pasture management and inadequate deworming regimens, may contribute to the elevated prevalence and infection load observed on small-scale farms. The increased parasitosis in previously dewormed animals can be attributed to the development of anthelmintic resistance against gastrointestinal parasites. Implementing proper and effective deworming strategies is crucial to preventing gastrointestinal parasitosis and mitigating the risk of anthelmintic resistance.

Interplay of AI and IOT: Application and Challenges

This papеr undеrscorеs thе nеcеssity for collaborativе еfforts from acadеmia, industry, and policymakеrs to addrеss thеsе challеngеs and harnеss thе full potеntial of thе AI and IoT intеrplay. As thе tеchnology landscapе еvolvеs, it is impеrativе to strikе a balancе bеtwееn innovation and rеsponsibility, еnsuring that AI and IoT dеvеlopmеnts bring tangiblе bеnеfits whilе upholding privacy and sеcurity standards. In summary, thе intеrplay of AI and IoT prеsеnts a promising futurе of intеlligеnt, data-drivеn solutions, but it also dеmands carеful considеration of thе accompanying challеngеs to unlock its full potеntial.&#x0D; AI, given its capacity to process and comprehend extensive datasets, assumes a central role in amplifying the capabilities of IoT. This collaboration empowers IoT devices to gather, analyze, and act upon real-time data intelligently, fostering the development of more sophisticated and self-reliant systems. A wide array of applications arise from this synergy, spanning smart cities, healthcare, industrial automation, agriculture, and transportation.&#x0D; Nonetheless, the fusion of AI and IoT introduces a distinctive array of obstacles. These encompass apprehensions about safeguarding data privacy and security, the necessity for compatibility among diverse IoT devices and AI systems, ethical quandaries regarding AI-driven decision processes, and the imperative for robust infrastructure capable of accommodating the surging data volumes. Moreover, challenges pertaining to standardization and regulatory frameworks add further impediments to the seamless amalgamation of AI and IoT technologies.

Structural basis of Gabija anti-phage defence and viral immune evasion

Bacteria encode hundreds of diverse defence systems that protect them from viral infection and inhibit phage propagation1–5. Gabija is one of the most prevalent anti-phage defence systems, occurring in more than 15% of all sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes1,6,7, but the molecular basis of how Gabija defends cells from viral infection remains poorly understood. Here we use X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to define how Gabija proteins assemble into a supramolecular complex of around 500 kDa that degrades phage DNA. Gabija protein A (GajA) is a DNA endonuclease that tetramerizes to form the core of the anti-phage defence complex. Two sets of Gabija protein B (GajB) dimers dock at opposite sides of the complex and create a 4:4 GajA–GajB assembly (hereafter, GajAB) that is essential for phage resistance in vivo. We show that a phage-encoded protein, Gabija anti-defence 1 (Gad1), directly binds to the Gabija GajAB complex and inactivates defence. A cryo-EM structure of the virally inhibited state shows that Gad1 forms an octameric web that encases the GajAB complex and inhibits DNA recognition and cleavage. Our results reveal the structural basis of assembly of the Gabija anti-phage defence complex and define a unique mechanism of viral immune evasion.