Locating the microbes along the maize root system under nitrogen limitation: a root phenotypic approach.

Background: A major challenge in agriculture is the low nitrogen (LN) uptake efficiency of crops, which poses environmental and economic costs. Root adaptive architectural and anatomical phenotypes in synergy with root microbes could be a promising approach to improve plant N uptake. However, little is known about such synergies.

Holobiont-based genetic analysis reveals new plant and microbial markers for resistance against a root rot pathogen complex in pea.

Background: The pea root rot complex is caused by various soil-borne pathogens that likely reinforce each other, influencing the composition of the root microbiome and leading to significant yield reductions. Previous studies have shown variations in the abundance of key microbial taxa and differences in disease susceptibility among plant genotypes. To better understand this relationship between plant genetics and microbiome dynamics, we conducted genetic analyses focusing on plant health and frequency of microbial taxa.

Tibial tubercle osteotomy decreases femorotibial rotation in patients with patellar instability.

Background: Patellar instability is a multifactorial pathology that poses significant challenges for orthopaedic surgeons in accurately diagnosing and effectively addressing its underlying causes. Recently, increased femorotibial (FT) rotation has been shown to contribute to patellar instability by further lateralizing the muscle force vector acting on the patella. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding interventions that influence this parameter.

Crop genotype modulates root rot resistance-associated microbial community composition and abundance of key taxa.

Background: Plants are constantly challenged by pathogens, which can cause substantial yield losses. The aggressiveness of and damage by pathogens depends on the host-associated microbiome, which might be shaped by plant genetics to improve resistance. How different crop genotypes modulate their microbiota when challenged by a complex of pathogens is largely unknown.

An album is a story: Feature arcs in sequences of tracks.

When releasing an album, musicians often think about the order in which their songs will be presented to the listener. In a previous study, we analyzed sequencing patterns within a set of 50,000 published works and found that louder, more energetic tracks are usually placed before quieter ones. Here we asked 130 music professionals to deliberately arrange the order of songs for a hypothetical album release.

The emotional geography of National anthems.

National anthems serve as powerful symbols of national identity, often evoking strong emotional responses. While prior research has examined anthem lyrics, the emotional content of their musical features remains underexplored. This study employs computational modeling to predict the perceived emotional characteristics of 176 national anthems and investigates geographical and cultural variations.

Metabarcoding with Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies provides complementary insights into tree seed mycobiota.

Background: Culturing of fungi is labor-intensive and reveals limited diversity, while high-throughput sequencing of barcodes (i.e., metabarcoding) enables a simultaneous detection of fungi from multiple environmental samples.

Neural pathways underlying the production of pitch and rhythm in aphasia.

Singing is a universal human attribute. Previous studies suggest that the ability to produce words through singing can be preserved in poststroke aphasia (PSA) and that this is mainly subserved by the spared parts of the left-lateralized language network. However, it remains unclear to what extent the production of rhythmic-melodic acoustic patterns in singing remains preserved in aphasia and which neural networks and hemisphere(s) are involved in this.

Europium(iii)/terbium(iii) mixed metal-organic frameworks and their application as ratiometric thermometers with tuneable sensitivity in organic dispersion.

The ability to engineer on a molecular level luminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) enables the design of well-performing ratiometric, , self-referencing, temperature sensors. Lanthanide-based MOFs stand out as luminescent temperature sensors due to their high luminescence intensity and the sharp emission lines of the lanthanides. The use of two different lanthanide cations, incorporated into the same MOF structure, is supposed to enable ratiometric temperature sensing.

The Effect of a Supratrochlear Spur on Patellofemoral Cartilage in Patients With Trochlear Dysplasia.

Background: The presence of a supratrochlear spur has been shown to influence outcomes in patients with trochlear dysplasia and is thought to accelerate cartilage wear. However, the current literature does not provide an evidence-based threshold for a relevant supratrochlear spur height.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to establish a clinically significant supratrochlear spur height associated with patellofemoral chondral damage to guide surgeons in surgical decision-making.

The Sagittal Tibial Tubercle Trochlear-Groove Distance Is Not Equivalent on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Measurements in Patients With Patellar Instability.

Purpose: To analyze the difference of the sagittal tibial tubercle trochlear-groove (sTTTG) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) and to assess the influence of the knee flexion angle (KFA) and tibiofemoral (TF) rotation on the sTTTG.

Methods: All patients who underwent patellar-stabilizing surgery for patellar instability between January 2019 and July 2023 at a single institution were included in the current study. Patients were included when a preoperative MRI of the assessed knee and standardized CT imaging in full knee extension of the lower extremity was available.

Comparing Tibiofemoral Rotation Measurements Between Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Patellofemoral Instability.

Background: Tibiofemoral rotation is an emerging parameter, especially in assessing patellofemoral instability. However, reference values in the literature are inconsistent regarding the used imaging modality and do not consider the effect of knee flexion during image acquisition.

Purpose: To analyze the differences in tibiofemoral rotation measurements between computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Opportunities and challenges of using human excreta-derived fertilizers in agriculture: A review of suitability, environmental impact and societal acceptance.

Human excreta-derived fertilizers (HEDFs) are organic fertilizers made from human excreta sources such as urine and feces. HEDFs can contribute to a sustainable and circular agriculture by reuse of valuable nutrients that would otherwise be discarded. However, HEDFs may contain contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, persistent organic compounds, heavy metals and pathogens which can negatively affect plant, water and soil quality.

A green approach to encapsulate proteins and enzymes within crystalline lanthanide-based Tb and Gd MOFs.

In this work, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and sp. laccase (LC) were encapsulated within two lanthanide-based MOFs (TbBTC and GdBTC) through a green one-pot synthesis (almost neutral aqueous solution, = 25 °C, and atmospheric pressure) in about 1 h. Pristine MOFs and protein-encapsulated MOFs were characterized through wide angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies.

Development of full-body rhythmic synchronization in middle childhood.

Rhythmic entrainment is a fundamental aspect of musical behavior, but the skills required to accurately synchronize movement to the beat seem to develop over many years. Motion capture studies of corporeal synchronization have shown immature abilities to lock in to the beat in children before age 5, and reliable synchronization ability in adults without musical training; yet there is a lack of data on full-body synchronization skills between early childhood and adulthood. To document typical rhythmic synchronization during middle childhood, we used a wireless motion capture device to measure period- and phase-locking of full body movement to rhythm and metronome stimuli in 6 to 11 year-old children in comparison with adult data.

Assessment of Hydrophilicity/Hydrophobicity in Mesoporous Silica by Combining Adsorption, Liquid Intrusion, and Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

We have developed a comprehensive strategy for quantitatively assessing the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of nanoporous materials by combining advanced adsorption studies, novel liquid intrusion techniques, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. For this, we have chosen a well-defined system of model materials, i.e.

Trochlear Dysplasia Is Associated With Increased Sagittal Tibial Tubercle Trochlear-Groove Distance in Patients With Patellar Instability.

Purpose: To compare the sagittal position of the tibial tubercle in relation the trochlea groove in patients with and without trochlear dysplasia (TD). Patients with high-grade TD show a significantly increased sagittal position of the tibial tubercle in relation to the trochlear groove (sTTTG) compared with patients without TD. This may affect patellofemoral loading and contribute to the increased prevalence of cartilage lesions seen in the patellofemoral joint of patients with dysplasia of the trochlear groove.

Effects of management practices on the ecosystem-service multifunctionality of temperate grasslands.

Human wellbeing depends on ecosystem services, highlighting the need for improving the ecosystem-service multifunctionality of food and feed production systems. We study Swiss agricultural grasslands to assess how employing and combining three widespread aspects of grassland management and their interactions can enhance 22 plot-level ecosystem service indicators, as well as ecosystem-service multifunctionality. The three management aspects we assess are i) organic production system, ii) an eco-scheme prescribing extensive management (without fertilization), and iii) harvest type (pasture vs.

Continuous planting of euhalophyte enhances microbial diversity and multifunctionality of saline soil.

Halophyte-based remediation emerges as a novel strategy for ameliorating saline soils, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional leaching methods. While bioremediation is recognized for its ability to energize soil fertility and structure, the complex interplays among plant traits, soil functions, and soil microbial diversity remain greatly unknown. Here, we conducted a 5-year field experiment involving the continuous cultivation of the annual halophyte in saline soils to explore soil microbial diversity and their relationships with plant traits and soil functions.

The metabolic fingerprint of Scots pine-root and needle metabolites show different patterns in dying trees.

The loss of leaves and needles in tree crowns and tree mortality are increasing worldwide, mostly as a result of more frequent and severe drought stress. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is a tree species that is strongly affected by these developments in many regions of Europe and Asia.

Increased tibial tuberosity torsion has the greatest predictive value in patients with patellofemoral instability compared to other commonly assessed parameters.

Purpose: The multifactorial nature of patellofemoral instability requires a comprehensive assessment of the affected patients. While an association between tibial tuberosity (TT) torsion and patellofemoral instability is known, its specific effect has not yet been investigated. This study investigated the effect of TT torsion on patellofemoral instability.

Drought resistance and resilience of rhizosphere communities in forest soils from the cellular to ecosystem scale - insights from C pulse labeling.

The link between above- and belowground communities is a key uncertainty in drought and rewetting effects on forest carbon (C) cycle. In young beech model ecosystems and mature naturally dry pine forest exposed to 15-yr-long irrigation, we performed C pulse labeling experiments, one during drought and one 2 wk after rewetting, tracing tree assimilates into rhizosphere communities. The C pulses applied in tree crowns reached soil microbial communities of the young and mature forests one and 4 d later, respectively.

Utilizing EPR spectroscopy to investigate the liquid adsorption properties of bimetallic MIL-53(Al/Cr) MOF.

The flexibility of the MIL-53(M) metal-organic framework (MOF) has been elucidated through various characterization methodologies, particularly in gas and liquid adsorption processes. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no prior electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterization of liquid-phase adsorption in the MOF MIL-53(M), which offers insights into local geometric changes at the oxygen octahedron containing the metal ions of the framework. In this study, we investigate, for the first time, the pore transformations within the MIL-53(AlCr) framework during liquid-phase adsorption using EPR spectroscopy.