Robust Tolerance Research Articles

Genome-wide characteristics and potential functions of circular RNAs from the embryo muscle development in Chengkou mountain chicken.

The Chengkou mountain chicken, a native Chinese poultry breed, holds significant importance in the country's poultry sector due to its delectable meat and robust stress tolerance. Muscle growth and development are pivotal characteristics in poultry breeding, with muscle fiber development during the embryonic period crucial for determining inherent muscle growth potential. Extensive evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a regulatory role in muscle growth and development. Among ncRNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs), characterized by a closed-loop structure, have been shown to modulate biological processes through the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). This study seeks to identify and characterize the spatiotemporal-specific expression of circRNAs during embryonic muscle development in Chengkou mountain chicken, and to construct the potential regulatory network of circRNAs-miRNA-mRNAs. The muscle fibers of HE-stained sections became more distinct, and their boundaries were more defined over time. Subsequent RNA sequencing of 12 samples from four periods generated 9,904 novel circRNAs, including 917 differentially expressed circRNAs. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA)-identified circRNA source genes significantly enriched pathways related to cell fraction, cell growth, and muscle fiber growth regulation. Furthermore, a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network constructed using combined data of present and previous differentially expressed circRNAs, miRNA, and mRNA revealed that several circRNA transcripts regulate MYH1D, MYH1B, CAPZA1, and PERM1 proteins. These findings provide insight into the potential pathways and mechanisms through which circRNAs regulate embryonic muscle development in poultry, a theoretical support for trait improvement in domestic chickens.

Comparative analysis of defensive secondary metabolites in wild teosinte and cultivated maize under flooding and herbivory stress.

Climate change is driving an alarming increase in the frequency and intensity of abiotic and biotic stress factors, negatively impacting plant development and agricultural productivity. To survive, plants respond by inducing changes in below and aboveground metabolism with concomitant alterations in defensive secondary metabolites. While plant responses to the isolated stresses of flooding and insect herbivory have been extensively studied, much less is known about their response in combination. Wild relatives of cultivated plants with robust stress tolerance traits provide an excellent system for comparing how diverse plant species respond to combinatorial stress, and provide insight into potential germplasms for stress-tolerant hybrids. In this study, we compared the below and aboveground changes in the secondary metabolites of maize (Zea mays) and a flood-tolerant wild relative Nicaraguan teosinte (Zea nicaraguensis) in response to flooding, insect herbivory, and their combination. Root tissue was analyzed for changes in belowground metabolism. Leaf total phenolic content and headspace volatile organic compound emission were analyzed for changes in aboveground secondary metabolism. Results revealed significant differences in the root metabolome profiles of teosinte and maize. Notably, the accumulation of the flavonoids apigenin, naringenin, and luteolin during flooding and herbivory differentiated teosinte from maize. Aboveground, terpenes, including trans-α-bergamotene and (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene, shaped compositional differences in their volatile profiles between flooding, herbivory, and their combination. Taken together, these results suggest teosinte may be more tolerant than maize due to dynamic metabolic changes during flooding and herbivory that help relieve stress and influence plant-insect interactions.

Switchable asymmetric transmission with broadband polarization conversion in vanadium dioxide-assisted terahertz metamaterials.

In this paper, we theoretically present a vanadium dioxide (VO2)-integrated metamaterial, which can achieve switchable single- and double-band asymmetric transmission (AT) in terahertz regions. When VO2 acts as a metal, the presented metamaterial device exhibits a single-band AT effect. In contrast, when VO2 transitions from the metal to the insulating state, a dual-band AT effect can be realized for the presented metamaterials. Also, it is demonstrated that there is a broadband near-perfect orthogonal polarization conversion associated with the AT effect. And the operating mechanisms are elucidated by using the Fabry-Pérot-like cavity model and the electromagnetic field distributions. Moreover, the presented nanostructure exhibits a robust tolerance for the incidence angle. Our designed metamaterial may have potential applications for switchable multi-functional devices in terahertz regimes.

Actively tunable and switchable terahertz metamaterials with multi-band perfect absorption and polarization conversion.

In this paper, we theoretically present and numerically demonstrate an actively tunable and switchable multi-functional metamaterial based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) and graphene in the terahertz region. When VO2 is in the metallic phase, the proposed metamaterial serves as a multi-band perfect absorber, which exhibits the characteristics of insensitive polarization and robust tolerance for variations of the incidence angle. When VO2 is in the insulator phase, the proposed metamaterial acts as a polarization converter, which can simultaneously achieve perfect linear-to-linear and linear-to-circular polarization conversions. The simulation results show the cross-polarization conversion rate can reach ∼100% at the frequency region from 6.09 to 6.43 THz as well as 8.15 THz. Moreover, the ellipticity of linear-to-circular polarization conversion reaches ±1 at frequencies of 5.75 and 8.34 THz, respectively, which means the linear polarization waves can be completely converted into circular polarization waves. The proposed metamaterial provides new insight for the design of optoelectronic devices with multi-functionality in the terahertz region.

Design of XOR-NMOS switch based kickback noise reduction technique for dynamic comparators

We have integrated dynamic comparators to meet the rigorous demands for ultra-low power and miniaturized ADC converters, which are essential for optimizing power efficiency, speed, and overall performance within ADC circuits. These comparators scrutinize input signal voltages against predefined reference values, with traditional dynamic comparators offering distinct advantages such as minimal power consumption, elevated input impedance, and robust noise tolerance. However, their susceptibility to kickback noise is a significant drawback, substantially hindering operational efficiency. Our innovative solution focuses on noise reduction, strategically deploying sampling switches and XOR gates between the regenerative nodes and comparator inputs to create an effective noise isolation barrier. Validation through exhaustive simulations using Mentor Graphics software within the framework of state-of-the-art 45 nm CMOS technology showcases the effectiveness of our approach. Scientifically, our work holds profound significance. Addressing the pervasive issue of kickback noise in dynamic comparators has the potential to reshape the ADC technology landscape. This advancement promises to significantly enhance the performance of existing systems, paving the way for more efficient and compact ADC converters. Our research contributes to various application domains reliant on ADC systems, marking a critical milestone in the scientific exploration of noise reduction techniques in analogue circuitry. It drives progress and fosters innovation, offering a promising vision for the future of ADC technology and its broader implications across scientific and engineering disciplines.

High-efficiency edge couplers enabled by vertically tapering on lithium-niobate photonic chips

In the past decade, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) based on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) have made substantial progress in various fields, including optical communication, nonlinear photonics, and quantum optics. A critical component is an efficient edge coupler facilitating the connection between PICs and light sources or detectors. Here, we propose an innovative edge coupler design with a wedge-shaped TFLN waveguide and a silicon oxynitride cladding. Experimental results show a low coupling loss between the TFLN PIC and a 3-μm mode field diameter (MFD) lensed fiber, measuring at 1.52 dB/facet, with theoretical potential for improvement to 0.43 dB/facet. Additionally, the coupling loss between the edge coupler and a UHNA7 fiber with an MFD of 3.2 μm is reduced to 0.92 dB/facet. This design exhibits robust fabrication and alignment tolerances. Notably, the minimum linewidth of the TFLN waveguide of the coupler (600 nm) can be readily achieved using commercially available i-line stepper lithography. This work benefits the development of TFLN integrated devices, such as on-chip electro-optic modulators, frequency combs, and lasers.

Research on robust fault-tolerant control of the controllable suspension based on knowledge-data fusion driven

For the robust fault-tolerant control of the controllable suspension system, a control strategy driven by knowledge-data fusion is proposed. Firstly, the boundary fuzziness between perturbation type uncertainty and gain type fault is analyzed, and then a data-driven method is introduced to avoid the state estimation of system uncertainty and fault. The proximal policy optimization algorithm in reinforcement learning is selected to construct a “data control law”, to deal with uncertainty and fault. On the other hand, based on the classical sky-hook control, the “knowledge control law” for system performance optimization is designed, taking into account the nonlinear and non-stationary characteristics of the system. Furthermore, the dependency between robust fault tolerance and performance optimization control is revealed, and the two control laws are fused by numerical multiplication, to realize the performance matching optimization control of robust fault tolerance of controllable suspension system driven by knowledge-data fusion. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are verified by the simulation and real-time experiment of non-stationary excitation and near-stationary excitation under the combination of uncertainty and fault.

Optimal Training Dataset Preparation for AI-Supported Multilanguage Real-Time OCRs Using Visual Methods

In the realm of multilingual, AI-powered, real-time optical character recognition systems, this research explores the creation of an optimal, vocabulary-based training dataset. This comprehensive endeavor seeks to encompass a range of criteria: comprehensive language representation, high-quality and diverse data, balanced datasets, contextual understanding, domain-specific adaptation, robustness and noise tolerance, and scalability and extensibility. The approach aims to leverage techniques like convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, convolutional recurrent neural networks, and single visual models for scene text recognition. While focusing on English, Hungarian, and Japanese as representative languages, the proposed methodology can be extended to any existing or even synthesized languages. The development of accurate, efficient, and versatile OCR systems is at the core of this research, offering societal benefits by bridging global communication gaps, ensuring reliability in diverse environments, and demonstrating the adaptability of AI to evolving needs. This work not only mirrors the state of the art in the field but also paves new paths for future innovation, accentuating the importance of sustained research in advancing AI’s potential to shape societal development.

Harnessing a triphenylphosphine-based AIE nano-platform for triggering incomplete mitophagy to continuously augment anti-tumor immune response in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with an escalating incidence. However, HCC exhibits a robust immune tolerance microenvironment, rendering patients with low immune responsiveness and resistance to tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we successfully identified a highly effective mitochondria-targeting compound, AIE-Mito-TPP, through screening in Hepa1–6 cells. Notably, AIE-Mito-TPP induced substantial mitochondrial damage, leading to the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and subsequent activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Moreover, AIE-Mito-TPP facilitated the release of antigens in Hepa1–6 cells to promote dendritic cells maturation and repolarized tumor-associated macrophages. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that AIE-Mito-TPP triggered incomplete mitophagy which constantly released mtDNA and contributed to the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Leveraging the advantages of PEG-PLGA nanoparticles, known for their reduced toxicity, enhanced liver enrichment, and prolonged circulation, we developed a PEG-PLGA nano-platform that encapsulated AIE-Mito-TPP. The nanoparticles were coated with inhibitory peptides against PD-L1 (DPPA-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 (MMP-2/9) responsive peptides. This innovative design aimed to maximize the benefits of innate immunity stimulated by AIE-Mito-TPP while simultaneously blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint. Notably, this combination approach significantly reprograms tumor immune microenvironment, facilitated in situ regression of HCC, and prolonged the survival of mice bearing Hepa1–6 tumors. Our study presents a novel mitochondria-targeting strategy to stimulate innate immunity in HCC through the induction of incomplete mitophagy and sheds light on the potential of AIE-Mito-TPP for therapeutic applications. Moreover, developing a nano-delivery system enhances the efficacy and safety profile of AIE-Mito-TPP, warranting further exploration of its clinical utility.

Surface-Phosphorylated Ceria for Chlorine-Tolerance Catalysis.

An improved fundamental understanding of active site structures can unlock opportunities for catalysis from conceptual design to industrial practice. Herein, we present the computational discovery and experimental demonstration of a highly active surface-phosphorylated ceria catalyst that exhibits robust chlorine tolerance for catalysis. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) calculations and in situ near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (in situ NAP-XPS) identified a predominantly HPO4 active structure on CeO2(110) and CeO2(111) facets at room temperature. Importantly, further elevating the temperature led to a unique hydrogen (H) atom hopping between coordinatively unsaturated oxygen and the adjacent P═O group of HPO4. Such a mobile H on the catalyst surface can effectively quench the chlorine radicals (Cl•) via an orientated reaction analogous to hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), enabling the surface-phosphorylated CeO2-supported monolithic catalyst to exhibit both expected activity and stability for over 68 days during a pilot test, catalyzing the destruction of a complex chlorinated volatile organic compound industrial off-gas.

Protein-activated atomic layer deposition for robust crude-oil-repellent hierarchical nano-armored membranes

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers unique capabilities to fabricate atomically engineered porous materials with precise pore tuning and multi-functionalization for diverse applications like advanced membrane separations towards sustainable energy-water systems. However, current ALD technique is inhibited on most non-polar polymeric membranes due to lack of accessible nucleation sites. Here, we report a facile method to efficiently promote ALD coating on hydrophobic surface of polymeric membranes via novel protein activation/sensitization. As a proof of concept, TiO2 ALD-coated membranes activated by bovine serum albumin exhibit remarkable superhydrophilicity, ultralow underwater crude oil adhesion, and robust tolerance to rigorous environments including acid, alkali, saline, and ethanol. Most importantly, excellent cyclable crude oil-in-water emulsion separation performance can be achieved. The mechanism for activation/sensitization is rooted in reactivity for a particular set of amino acids. Furthermore, the universality of protein-sensitized ALD is demonstrated using common egg white, promising numerous potential usages in biomedical engineering, environmental remediation, low-carbon manufacturing, catalysis, and beyond.

Integrating APS TBCs with a built-in Al2O3 protection network for superior CMAS resistance

Calcium–magnesium–alumina–silicate (CMAS) attack poses a great threat to the durability of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). We introduce a novel Al2O3-modified TBC architecture to counter this threat. The architecture integrates an Al2O3 protection network into the microstructure of an atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) TBC by drip coating method, which modifies the vulnerable infiltration pathway of CMAS melt and promotes the self-crystallization of CMAS at the infiltration front. Moreover, during sintering, the built-in Al2O3 can inhibit inter-splat crack healing. This innovative TBC design achieves robust CMAS resistance and strain tolerance, while also offering advantages during sintering.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria induced metal and salt stress tolerance in Brassica juncea through ion homeostasis

Soil heavy metal contamination and salinity constitute a major environmental problem worldwide. The affected area and impact of these problems are increasing day by day; therefore, it is imperative to restore their potential using environmentally friendly technology. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) provides a better option in this context. Thirty-seven bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of maize cultivated in metal- and salt-affected soils. Some selected bacterial strains grew well under a wide range of pH (4−10), salt (5–50 g/L), and Cd (50–1000 mg/L) stress. Three bacterial strains, Exiguobacterium aestuarii (UM1), Bacillus cereus (UM8), and Bacillus megaterium (UM35), were selected because of their robust growth and high tolerance to both stress conditions. The bacterial strains UM1, UM8, and UM35 showed P-solubilization, whereas UM8 and UM35 exhibited 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and indole acetic acid (IAA) production, respectively. The bacterial strains were inoculated on Brassica juncea plants cultivated in Cd and salt-affected soils due to the above PGP activities and stress tolerance. Plants inoculated with the bacterial strains B. cereus and B. megaterium significantly (p < 0.05) increased shoot fresh weight (17 ± 1.17–29 ± 0.88 g/plant), shoot dry weight (2.50 ± 0.03–4.40 ± 0.32 g/plant), root fresh weight (7.30 ± 0.58–13.30 ± 0.58 g/plant), root dry weight (0.80 ± 0.04–2.00 ± 0.01 g/plant), and shoot K contents (62.76 ± 1.80–105.40 ± 1.15 mg/kg dwt) in normal and stressful conditions. The bacterial strain B. megaterium significantly (p < 0.05) decreased shoot Na+ and Cd++ uptake in single and dual stress conditions. Both bacterial strains, E. aestuarii and B. cereus, efficiently reduced Cd++ translocation and bioaccumulation in the shoot. Bacterial inoculation improved the uptake of K+ and Ca++, while restricted Na+ and Cd++ in B. juncea shoots indicated their potential to mitigate the dual stresses of salt and Cd in B. juncea through ion homeostasis.

Organophotoredox-Catalyzed Arylation and Aryl Sulfonylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Acetates with Diaryliodonium Reagents.

We report an organophotoredox-catalyzed stereoselective allylic arylation of MBH acetates with a palette of diaryliodonium triflates (DAIRs) to provide the corresponding trisubstituted alkenes in moderate to good yields. The method could be extended to three-component coupling involving 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(sulfur dioxide) adduct (DABSO) as a sulfur dioxide surrogate for the synthesis of biologically relevant allylic sulfones. Both of these reactions were carried out under mild conditions featuring broad scope, robustness, and appreciable functional group tolerance.

Regenerative Braking of Electric Vehicles Based on Fuzzy Control Strategy

Regenerative braking technology is a viable solution for mitigating the energy consumption of electric vehicles. Constructing a distribution strategy for regenerative braking force will directly affect the energy saving efficiency of electric vehicles, which is a technical bottleneck of battery-powered electric vehicles. The distribution strategy of the front- and rear-axle braking forces of electric vehicles that possess integrated front-wheel-drive arrangements is established based on the Economic Commission of Europe (ECE) regulations, which enables the clarification of the total braking force of the front axle. The regenerative braking torque model of the motor is adjusted to optimize the ratio of motor braking force to the whole front-axle braking force. The regenerative braking process of electric vehicles is influenced by many factors, such as driving speed and braking intensity, so regenerative braking presents characteristics of nonlinearity, time variability, delay, and incomplete models. By considering the impact of fuzzy controllers having better robustness, adaptability, and fault tolerance, a fuzzy control strategy is employed in this paper to accomplish the regenerative braking force distribution on the front axle. A regenerative braking model is created on the Simulink platform using the braking force distribution indicated above, and experiments are run under six specific operating conditions: New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), World Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (WLTC), Federal Test Procedure 72 (FTP-72), Federal Test Procedure 75 (FTP-75), China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle-Passenger (CLTC-P), and New York City Cycle (NYCC). The findings demonstrate that in six typical cycling road conditions, the energy saving efficiency of electric vehicles has greatly increased, reaching over 15%. The energy saving efficiency during the WLTC driving condition reaches 25%, and it rises to 30% under the FTP-72, FTP-75, and CLTC-P driving conditions. Furthermore, under the NYCC road conditions, the energy saving efficiency exceeded 40%. Therefore, our results verify the effectiveness of the regenerative braking control strategy proposed in this paper.

Bionanocomposites with Enhanced Physical Properties from Curli Amyloid Assemblies and Cellulose Nanofibrils.

Proteinaceous amyloid fibrils are one of the stiffest biopolymers due to their extensive cross-β-sheet quaternary structure, whereas cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) exhibit interesting properties associated with their nanoscale size, morphology, large surface area, and biodegradability. Herein, CNFs were supplemented with amyloid fibrils assembled from the Curli-specific gene A (CsgA) protein, the main component of bacterial biofilms. The resulting composites showed superior mechanical properties, up to a 7-fold increase compared to unmodified CNF films. Wettability and thermogravimetric analyses demonstrated high surface hydrophobicity and robust thermal tolerance. Bulk spectroscopic characterization of CNF-CsgA films revealed key insights into the molecular organization within the bionanocomposites. Atomic force microscopy and photoinduced force microscopy revealed the high-resolution location of curli assemblies into the CNF films. This novel sustainable and cost-effective CNF-based bionanocomposites supplemented with intertwined bacterial amyloid fibrils opens novel directions for environmentally friendly applications demanding high mechanical, water-repelling properties, and thermal resistance.

Molecular Bulkiness ofa Single Amino Acid inthe F1 α-Subunit Determines the Robustness ofCyanobacterial ATP Synthase.

Cyanobacteria are promising photosynthetic organisms owing to their ease of genetic manipulation. Among them, Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 exhibits faster growth, higher biomass production efficiency and more robust stress tolerance compared with S. elongatus PCC 7942. This is due to specific genetic differences, including four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three genes. One of these SNPs alters an amino acid at position 252 of the FoF1 ATP synthase α-subunit from Tyr to Cys (αY252C) in S. elongatus 7942. This change has been shown to significantly affect growth rate and stress tolerance, specifically in S. elongatus. Furthermore, experimental substitutions with several other amino acids have been shown to alter the ATP synthesis rate in the cell. In the present study, we introduced identical amino acid substitutions into Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 at position 252 to elucidate the amino acid's significance and generality across cyanobacteria. We investigated the resulting impact on growth, intracellular enzyme complex levels, intracellular ATP levels and enzyme activity. The results showed that the αY252C substitution decreased growth rate and high-light tolerance. This indicates that a specific bulkiness of this amino acid's side chain is important for maintaining cell growth. Additionally, a remarkable decrease in the membrane-bound enzyme complex level was observed. However, the αY252C substitution did not affect enzyme activity or intracellular ATP levels. Although the mechanism of growth suppression remains unknown, the amino acid at position 252 is expected to play an important role in enzyme complex formation.

The QseB response regulator imparts tolerance to positively charged antibiotics by controlling metabolism and minor changes to LPS.

The modification of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. is primarily controlled by the two-component system PmrAB. LPS modification allows bacteria to avoid killing by positively charged antibiotics like polymyxin B (PMB). We previously demonstrated that in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), the sensor histidine kinase PmrB also activates a non-cognate transcription factor, QseB, and this activation somehow augments PMB tolerance in UPEC. Here, we demonstrate-for the first time-that in the absence of the canonical LPS transcriptional regulator, PmrA, QseB can direct some modifications on the LPS. In agreement with this observation, transcriptional profiling analyses demonstrate regulatory overlaps between PmrA and QseB in terms of regulating LPS modification genes. However, both PmrA and QseB must be present for UPEC to mount robust tolerance to PMB. Transcriptional and metabolomic analyses also reveal that QseB transcriptionally regulates the metabolism of glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate, which are consumed and produced during the modification of lipid A. We show that deletion of qseB alters glutamate levels in the bacterial cells. The qseB deletion mutant, which is susceptible to positively charged antibiotics, is rescued by exogenous addition of 2-oxoglutarate. These findings uncover a previously unknown mechanism of metabolic control of antibiotic tolerance that may be contributing to antibiotic treatment failure in the clinic. IMPORTANCE Although antibiotic prescriptions are guided by well-established susceptibility testing methods, antibiotic treatments oftentimes fail. The presented work is significant because it uncovers a mechanism by which bacteria transiently avoid killing by antibiotics. This mechanism involves two closely related transcription factors, PmrA and QseB, which are conserved across Enterobacterales. We demonstrate that PmrA and QseB share regulatory targets in lipid A modification pathway and prove that QseB can orchestrate modifications of lipid A in Escherichia coli in the absence of PmrA. Finally, we show that QseB controls glutamate metabolism during the antibiotic response. These results suggest that rewiring of QseB-mediated metabolic genes could lead to stable antibiotic resistance in subpopulations within the host, thereby contributing to antibiotic treatment failure.

A Software-Defined Distributed Architecture for Controlling Unmanned Swarm Systems

An unmanned swarm is usually composed of a group of homogeneous or heterogeneous hardware platforms, software control systems, and interfaces for human–computer interaction that operate collectively to achieve a specific goal by information interaction. They exhibit robustness and fault tolerance when facing complex missions, making it crucial in military, transportation, intelligent traffic, and other fields. However, the coupling between the hardware and software of a heterogeneous unmanned swarm can indeed have significant implications for system flexibility, software development and deployment, and hardware maintenance. Over the years, there has been a significant shift from traditional hardware-focused control systems to a greater emphasis on the core software layer. In this paper, a distributed network architecture is proposed to solve this problem, in which hardware resources are abstracted and represented to accomplish standardization and unification by defining a consistent and uniform set of data formats, and a resource pool of hardware data is constructed to realize the function that the number and scale of platforms is irrelevant, the task module can be plug-and-play at any time, and the software can be configured on demand. The resource scheduling of a single platform is achieved through process and thread communication using shared memory, while the resource scheduling of a cross platform is achieved through a network using request and response and subscription and notification. As a result, it can satisfy the development of functional modules in a software-defined mode and gradually improve the intelligence capability of an unmanned swarm. Based on the above architecture, the overall framework of the autonomous navigation system and the collaborative control system has been successfully established. Finally, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation environment is constructed, and the integration and verification of the proposed distributed architecture is carried out by the cooperative formation experiment, which proves the feasibility of this proposal.

Genome degradation promotes Salmonella pathoadaptation by remodeling fimbriae-mediated proinflammatory response

ABSTRACT Understanding changes in pathogen behavior (e.g. increased virulence, a shift in transmission channel) is critical for the public health management of emerging infectious diseases. Genome degradation via gene depletion or inactivation is recognized as a pathoadaptive feature of the pathogen evolving with the host. However, little is known about the exact role of genome degradation in affecting pathogenic behavior, and the underlying molecular detail has yet to be examined. Using large-scale global avian-restricted Salmonella genomes spanning more than a century, we projected the genetic diversity of Salmonella Pullorum (bvSP) by showing increasingly antimicrobial-resistant ST92 prevalent in Chinese flocks. The phylogenomic analysis identified three lineages in bvSP, with an enhancement of virulence in the two recently emerged lineages (L2/L3), as evidenced in chicken and embryo infection assays. Notably, the ancestor L1 lineage resembles the Salmonella serovars with higher metabolic flexibilities and more robust environmental tolerance, indicating stepwise evolutionary trajectories towards avian-restricted lineages. Pan-genome analysis pinpointed fimbrial degradation from a virulent lineage. The later engineered fim-deletion mutant, and all other five fimbrial systems, revealed behavior switching that restricted horizontal fecal–oral transmission but boosted virulence in chicks. By depleting fimbrial appendages, bvSP established persistent replication with less proinflammation in chick macrophages and adopted vertical transovarial transmission, accompanied by ever-increasing intensification in the poultry industry. Together, we uncovered a previously unseen paradigm for remodeling bacterial surface appendages that supplements virulence-enhanced evolution with increased vertical transmission.