Synergistic Larvicidal and Pupicidal Toxicity and the Morphological Impact of the Dengue Vector (Aedes aegypti) Induced by Geranial and trans-Cinnamaldehyde.

Monoterpenes are effective and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical larvicides. We tested single and binary mixtures of monoterpenes-geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde-for their larvicidal and pupicidal activities against Aedes aegypti L. and for non-target toxicity on guppies (Poecilia reticulata Peters), using 1% (w/w) temephos as a reference. Geranial and trans-cinnamaldehyde at 250 ppm showed stronger larvicidal and pupicidal activities with a 100% mortality rate and an LT50 ranging from 0.3 to 0.6 h. All combinations were strongly synergistic against larvae and pupae compared to single formulations, with an increased mortality value (IMV) of 6% to 93%. The combination of geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1) at 200 ppm showed the highest impact, with an IMV of 93%. The strongest larvicidal and pupicidal activities, a 100% mortality rate, and an LT50 of 0.2 h were achieved by geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1) 500 ppm. They were thirty times more effective than a 1% temephos solution (LT50 ranging from 6.7 to 96 h) and caused obviously shriveled cuticles and a swollen respiratory system. All single and binary mixtures were not toxic to the guppies. Thus, the combination of geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde has great potential as a safe insecticide for controlling mosquito larvae and pupae.

Alterations of Liver Morphology in Senescent Rats.

Age-related liver changes can have important implications for health and metabolic function. This study aimed to describe the morphoquantitative alterations of the liver in senescent rats compared to adult rats. Twelve male rats were used, divided into 6-month-old adults (group A) and 36-month-old senescent rats (group S). Morphometric and histopathological studies, quantification of collagen types I and III, and stereological analyses were performed to determine the volume density of mononucleated (VvhepM) and binucleated (VvhepB) hepatocyte nuclei, surface area density (SvhepM), and number density (NvhepM) of mononucleated hepatocyte nuclei. The findings reveal an alteration of the normal liver tissue architecture in senescent rats and the presence of inflammatory lesions and fibrosis. In addition, there was a decrease in body and liver mass and volume. Group S showed a significant reduction in VvhepM and NvhepM; however, SvhepM was significantly higher. No significant differences were noted in the percentage of binucleated hepatocytes between the two groups. This study reveals substantial morphological changes in the aging liver, with possible functional implications. More research is needed on the underlying mechanisms and their consequences at older ages.

Molecular and ultrastructural morphological analyses of highly metamorphosed Aspergillus fumigatus on human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.

Invasive fungal infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) generally have a poor prognosis, because the fungi spread throughout various organs. Therefore, it is important to accurately identify the fungal species for treatment. In this article, we present the results of pathological and molecular morphological analyses that were performed to elucidate the cause of respiratory failure in a patient who died despite suspicion of IPA and treatment with micafungin (MCFG). Pathological analysis revealed the existence of cystic and linear fungi in lung tissue. The fungi were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) by partial sequencing of genomic DNA. Correlative light microscopy and electron microscopy (CLEM) analysis confirmed that fungi observed with light microscopy can also be observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. SEM revealed an atypical ultrastructure of the fungi including inhomogeneous widths, rough surfaces, and numerous cyst-like structures of various sizes. The fungi showed several morphological changes of cultured A. fumigatus treated with MCFG that were previously reported. Our results indicate that integrated analysis of ultrastructural observation by SEM and DNA sequencing may be an effective tool for analyzing fungi that are difficult to identify by conventional pathological analysis.

Nanosecond pulse electric field treatment initiates mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by inducing mitochondrial morphological changes in myocardial cells.

BACKGROUND: As an emerging myocardial ablation technique, the mechanism of nanosecond pulse electric field (nsPEF) ablation is currently less studied. Mitochondria are one of the important membrane structure organelles in cells, participating in numerous life activities within the cell. This study aimed to explore the morphological changes of mitochondria in living cells following nsPEF treatment. METHODS: Myocardial cells were treated with a self-made solid-state LTD high-voltage nanosecond pulse generator with a pulse width of 100 ns for 80 times. The changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and cell apoptosis in rat myocardial cells after nsPEFs were investigated using JC-1 assay kit, apoptosis double staining assay kit, and mitochondrial fluorescence probe. RESULTS: The results showed that after nsPEF treatment, the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, apoptosis increased, and the average mitochondrial area decreased from 0.48 µm2 in live myocardial cells to 0.16 µm2. The average circumference ranges from 3.17 µm dropped to 1.60 µm. The shape factor decreased from 1.92 to 1.41. The aspect ratio has decreased from 2.16 to 1.59. nsPEF treatment induces changes in the morphology of myocardial cell mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis, it can be inferred that under this equipment and parameter conditions, nsPEF treatment first causes changes in mitochondrial morphology, and then initiates the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, which may provide experimental basis for investigating the potential mechanism of nsPEF ablation of myocardial cells.

Multimodal imaging to distinguish microvascular and morphological changes in retinal vein occlusion after intravitreal ranibizumab with or without triamcinolone acetonide injection.

BACKGROUND: The study was designed to investigate microvascular and morphological changes in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) using multimodal imaging after intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) with or without triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) injections. METHODS: This was a retrospective and observational study. Fifty patients (52 eyes) diagnosed with RVO were enrolled. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ophthalmoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were employed sequentially both before treatment and at the last visit after treatment. RESULTS: The mean logMAR VAs in BRVO eyes decreased significantly after treatment (P = 0.029). OCTA showed there was a significant difference in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in BRVO eyes (P = 0.024), superificial foveal vessel density in both CRVO (P = 0.0004) and BRVO eyes (P = 0.02155). OCT showed the foveal thickness had significant differences after treatment in both CRVO (P < 0.0001) and BRVO eyes (P = 0.0001). BCVA was associated most commonly with ellipsoid zone integrity (P = 0.022). The BCVA in eyes treated with IVR and IVTA was significantly decreased compared with IVR only in BRVO group (P = 0.021). However, the combination of IVR + IVTA significantly improved intraocular pressure (IOP) compared with IVR only in BRVO group (P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Both IVR and IVR + IVTA can significantly improve the central vision, macular structure, and functions in BRVO group. Simultaneous IVR with IVTA can significantly increase BCVA compared with IVR only in BRVO group.

Impact of Aging on the Morphology of the Adrenal Gland in Rats / Impacto del Envejecimiento en la Morfología de la Glándula Suprarrenal en Ratas

SUMMARY: Aging is an inevitable biological process that affects the function of all organs, including the adrenal gland, which is essential for producing steroid hormones that regulate metabolism, stress response, and immune activation. Understanding how aging affects the morphology of this gland is crucial to developing interventions to mitigate its adverse effects. Thus, this study aimed to describe the morphoquantitative alterations of the adrenal gland in senescent Sprague Dawley rats compared to adult rats. Twelve male rats were divided into 6 adult rats aged 6 months (group A) and 6 senescent rats aged 36 months (group S). Histopathological studies, quantification of collagen fibers types I and III, and stereological analysis were performed to determine the volume density (Vv), surface area (Sv), and number (Nv) of the nuclei of the zona fasciculata cells. Adrenal gland tissue from group S presented dysplasia, metaplasia, intracellular fat accumulation, fibrosis, blood vessel dilation, and increased presence of apoptotic cells. Capsule thickening and increased collagen type I were also observed. There was a significant decrease in Vv, Sv, and Nv of zona fasciculata nuclei in group S compared to group A. The results indicate that aging induces significant morphoquantitative changes in the adrenal gland, which could contribute to the decrease in glucocorticoid production and alterations in aldosterone and cortisol secretion observed in senescence. Understanding these alterations is crucial to developing interventions that mitigate the adverse effects of aging on the endocrine system.

El envejecimiento es un proceso biológico inevitable que afecta la función de todos los órganos, incluida la glándula suprarrenal, fundamental para la producción de hormonas esteroides que regulan el metabolismo, la respuesta al estrés y la activación inmunológica. Comprender cómo el envejecimiento afecta la morfología de esta glándula es crucial para desarrollar intervenciones que mitiguen sus efectos adversos. Así, el objetivo de este estudio fue describir las alteraciones morfocuantitativas de la glándula suprarrenal en ratas Sprague Dawley senescentes comparadas con ratas adultas. Se utilizaron 12 ratas macho, divididas en dos grupos: 6 ratas adultas de 6 meses de edad (grupo A) y 6 ratas senescentes de 36 meses de edad (grupo S). Se realizaron estudios histopatológicos, cuantificación de fibras de colágeno tipos I y III y análisis estereológicos para determinar la densidad de volumen (Vv), de superficie (Sv) y de número (Nv) de los núcleos de las células de la zona fasciculada. El tejido de la glándula suprarrenal del grupo S presentó displasia, metaplasia, acumulación de grasa intracelular, fibrosis, dilatación de vasos sanguíneos y mayor presencia de células apoptósicas. También se observó un engrosamiento de la cápsula y un incremento del colágeno tipo I. Hubo una disminución significativa en Vv, Sv y Nv de los núcleos de la zona fasciculada en el grupo S en comparación con el grupo A. Los resultados indican que el envejecimiento induce cambios morfocuantitativos significativos en la glándula suprarrenal, lo que podría contribuir a la disminución en la producción de glucocorticoides y alteraciones en la secreción de aldosterona y cortisol observadas en la senescencia. Comprender estas alteraciones es crucial para desarrollar intervenciones que mitiguen los efectos adversos del envejecimiento en el sistema endocrino.

Diagnostic Value of Hounsfield Units for Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Vertebral Non-Compression Fractures in Elderly Patients with Low-Energy Injuries.

Background: Thoracolumbar vertebral fractures are common pathological fractures caused by osteoporosis in the elderly. These fractures are challenging to detect. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of Hounsfield units for osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral non-compression fractures in elderly patients with low-energy fractures. Methods: The retrospective case-control study included elderly patients diagnosed with osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures and non-fractured patients who underwent computed tomography examinations for lumbar vertebra issues during July 2017 and June 2020. Results: This study included 216 patients with fractures (38 males and 178 females; average age: 77.28±8.68 years) and 124 patients without fractures (21 males and 103 females; average age: 75.35±9.57 years). The difference in Hounsfield units of the target (intermediate) vertebral body significantly differed between the two groups (54.74 ± 21.84 vs 5.86 ± 5.14; p<0.001). The ratios of Hounsfield units were also significantly different between the two groups (1.38 ± 1.60 vs 0.13 ± 0.23; p<0.001). The cut-off value for the difference in Hounsfield units to detect osteoporotic spine fractures was 25.35, with high sensitivity (98.5%), specificity (99.9%), and the area under the curve (AUC) (0.999, 95% CI: 0.999-1). The cut-off value for the odds ratio of Hounsfield units was 0.260, with high sensitivity (99.1%), specificity (92.7%), and AUC (0.970, 95% CI: 0.949-0.992). Conclusion: The difference between Hounsfield units and the odds ratio of Hounsfield units might help diagnose osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral non-compression fractures in elderly patients with low-energy fractures.

Unveiling vertebrate development dynamics in frog Xenopus laevis using micro-CT imaging.

BACKGROUND: Xenopus laevis, the African clawed frog, is a versatile vertebrate model organism in various biological disciplines, prominently in developmental biology to study body plan reorganization during metamorphosis. However, a notable gap exists in the availability of comprehensive datasets encompassing Xenopus' late developmental stages. FINDINGS: This study utilized micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), a noninvasive 3-dimensional (3D) imaging technique with micrometer-scale resolution, to explore the developmental dynamics and morphological changes in Xenopus laevis. Our approach involved generating high-resolution images and computed 3D models of developing Xenopus specimens, spanning from premetamorphosis tadpoles to fully mature adults. This dataset enhances our understanding of vertebrate development and supports various analyses. We conducted a careful examination, analyzing body size, shape, and morphological features, focusing on skeletogenesis, teeth, and organs like the brain and gut at different stages. Our analysis yielded valuable insights into 3D morphological changes during Xenopus' development, documenting details previously unrecorded. These datasets hold the solid potential for further morphological and morphometric analyses, including segmentation of hard and soft tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Our repository of micro-CT scans represents a significant resource that can enhance our understanding of Xenopus' development and the associated morphological changes in the future. The widespread utility of this amphibian species, coupled with the exceptional quality of our scans, which encompass a comprehensive series of developmental stages, opens up extensive opportunities for their broader research application. Moreover, these scans can be used in virtual reality, 3D printing, and educational contexts, further expanding their value and impact.

Proliferation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells on confined spaces.

BACKGROUND: Microfluidics offers precise drug delivery and continuous monitoring of cell functions, which is crucial for studying the effects of toxins and drugs. Ensuring proper cell growth in these space-constrained systems is essential for obtaining consistent results comparable to standard Petri dishes. NEW METHOD: We investigated the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells on circular polycarbonate chambers with varying surface areas. SH-SY5Y cells were chosen for their relevance in neurodegenerative disease research. RESULTS: Our study demonstrates a correlation between the chamber surface area and SH-SY5Y cell growth rates. Cells cultured in chambers larger than 10 mm in diameter exhibited growth comparable to standard 60-mm dishes. In contrast, smaller chambers significantly impeded growth, even at identical seeding densities. Similar patterns were observed for HeLaGFP cells, while 16HBE14σ cells proliferated efficiently regardless of chamber size. Additionally, SH-SY5Y cells were studied in a 12-mm diameter sealed chamber to assess growth under restricted gas exchange conditions. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Our findings underscore the limitations of small chamber sizes in microfluidic systems for SH-SY5Y cells, an issue not typically addressed by conventional methods. CONCLUSIONS: SH-SY5Y cell growth is highly sensitive to spatial constraints, with markedly reduced proliferation in chambers smaller than 10 mm. This highlights the need to carefully consider chamber size in microfluidic experiments to achieve cell growth rates comparable to standard culture dishes. The study also shows that while SH-SY5Y and HeLaGFP cells are affected by chamber size, 16HBE14σ cells are not. These insights are vital for designing effective microfluidic systems for bioengineering research.

Antifungal effect and some properties of cell-free supernatants of two Bacillus subtilis isolates against Fusarium verticillioides.

Fusarium verticillioides causes significant decrease in corn yield and quality, and produces fumonisins, which represent a serious risk to human and animal health. Bacillus species can be an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for F. verticillioides biological control. In this study, some properties of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of two Bacillus spp. identified as Bacillus subtilis (NT1, NT2) as well as the antifungal effect against F. verticillioides 97L were evaluated. B. subtilis NT1 and NT2 were isolated from commercially available fermented whole soybeans (Natto). Antifungal activity was observed in both CFSs of B. subtilis isolates (50-59 mm) obtained by co-culture suggesting that antifungal compound production depends on interaction between bacteria and fungi. Cell-free supernatants from the two B. subtilis isolates inhibited mycelial growth (77%-94%) and conidial germination (22%-74%) of F. verticillioides 97L. In addition, CFSs caused significant morphological changes such as distorted and collapsed hyphae with wrinkled surfaces and the presence of a large amount of extracellular material compared to the control without CFSs. Both B. subtilis isolates (NT1 and NT2) produced extracellular proteases, biosurfactants and polar low molecular weight compounds that probably act synergistically and may contribute to the antifungal activity. Antifungal compounds showed heat and pH stability and resistance to proteolytic enzymes. Furthermore, antifungal compounds showed high polarity, high affinity to water and a molecular weight less than 10 kDa. These results indicated that the two B. subtilis (NT1 and NT2) have potential as biocontrol agents for F. verticillioides.

The antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and its metal nanoparticles in oral bacteria.

Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil (TTO) is an antimicrobial agent, and hence, its use in fabricating nanoparticles (NP) may be useful in providing more efficacious antimicrobial agents. The current research aimed to test the antimicrobial efficacy of TTO and its TTO-Metal-NPs against oral microbes: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus mutans. The antimicrobial activity of TTO and zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) and the combined effects of antimicrobial agents were investigated using agar well diffusion assays. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to identify the phyto-constituents of TTO. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scatter (DLS), and zeta potential were utilized to analyze the biogenic nanoparticles' morphology, size, and potential. The antimicrobial mode of action was determined by assessing the morphological changes under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TTO extracts converted Zn and Fe ions to NPs, having an average size of 97.50 (ZnNPs) and 102.4 nm (FeNPs). All tested agents had significant antibacterial efficacy against the tested oral microbes. However, the TTO extract was more efficacious than the NPs. Combination treatment of TTO with antibiotics resulted in partial additive effects against P. gingivalis and partial antagonistic effects against E. faecalis, S. mutans, and common mouthwashes (Oral B and chlorhexidine). TTO and NP-treated bacteria underwent morphological changes on treatment. M. alternifolia phytochemicals could be useful for further research and development of antimicrobial NPs. The current study highlights the variance in activity observed for different types of bacteria and antagonistic effects seen with common mouthwashes, which represent a threat to therapeutic efficacy and heighten the risk of clinical microbial resistance.

Phytotherapeutic potential against MRSA: mechanisms, synergy, and therapeutic prospects.

BACKGROUND: Rising resistance to antimicrobials, particularly in the case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), represents a formidable global health challenge. Consequently, it is imperative to develop new antimicrobial solutions. This study evaluated 68 Chinese medicinal plants renowned for their historical applications in treating infectious diseases. METHODS: The antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal plants were evaluated by determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MRSA. Safety profiles were assessed on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. Mechanistic insights were obtained through fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (FM and TEM). Synergistic effects with vancomycin were investigated using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI). RESULTS: Rheum palmatum L., Arctium lappa L. and Paeonia suffructicosaas Andr. have emerged as potential candidates with potent anti-MRSA properties, with an impressive low MIC of 7.8 µg/mL, comparable to the 2 µg/mL MIC of vancomycin served as the antibiotic control. Crucially, these candidates demonstrated significant safety profiles when evaluated on Caco-2 and HepG2 cells. Even at 16 times the MIC, the cell viability ranged from 83.3% to 95.7%, highlighting their potential safety. FM and TEM revealed a diverse array of actions against MRSA, such as disrupting the cell wall and membrane, interference with nucleoids, and inducing morphological alterations resembling pseudo-multicellular structures in MRSA. Additionally, the synergy between vancomycin and these three plant extracts was evident against MRSA (FICI < 0.5). Notably, aqueous extract of R. palmatum at 1/4 MIC significantly reduced the vancomycin MIC from 2 µg/mL to 0.03 µg/mL, making a remarkable 67-fold decrease. CONCLUSIONS: This study unveil new insights into the mechanistic actions and pleiotropic antibacterial effectiveness of these medicinal plants against resistant bacteria, providing robust evidence for their potential use as standalone or in conjunction with antibiotics, to effectively combat antimicrobial resistance, particularly against MRSA.

Effect of channel morphological changes on wetland transformation.

Keeping aside the traditional approaches to investigating floodplain wetland transformation, the current study investigated various aspects of it through changes in river channel morphology and drainage pattern. The study analyzed wetland transformation using satellite image-based machine learning and intensive fieldwork. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression was applied to identify dominant influencing factors among 24 contributing factors under six clusters to eight dependent phenomena of transformation. The result showed that 57 % of wetland area lost since 1991, and existing wetland has also experiencing hydrological scarcity. From 1991 to 2021, the area under low water depth (<1 m.) inflated from 18.55 % to 50.54 %, the hydro-period narrowed down, and the appearance of water become inconsistent. The OLS result showed that changes in channel morphology (bottle neck channel, embankment-driven carrying capacity enhancement, etc.), interruptions in river and wetland connecting channels (source closure, breaching the continuity, conversion in to agricultural land, etc.), and changes in flood ambience (regulated by dam construction, erection of embankments, etc.) majorly contributed to wetland transformation. Very high explainability was found in the cases of rate of wetland loss, decreasing water depth under greater depth, narrowing hydro-period (R2 > 0.9). The findings of this work would be a good policy document for floodplain wetland management.

Oral Exposure to Titanium Dioxide E171 and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induces Multi-Organ Damage in Rats: Role of Ceramide.

Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are common food additives for human consumption. We examined multi-organ toxicity of both compounds on Wistar rats orally exposed for 90 days. Rats were divided into three groups: (1) control (saline solution), (2) E171-exposed, and (3) ZnO NPs-exposed. Histological examination was performed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ceramide (Cer), 3-nitrotyrosine (NT), and lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) were detected by immunofluorescence. Relevant histological changes were observed: disorganization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mitochondrial damage. Increased levels of Cer, NT, and LAMP-2 were observed in the liver, kidney, and brain of E171- and ZnO NPs-exposed rats, and in rat hearts exposed to ZnO NPs. E171 up-regulated Cer and NT levels in the aorta and heart, while ZnO NPs up-regulated them in the aorta. Both NPs increased LAMP-2 expression in the intestine. In conclusion, chronic oral exposure to metallic NPs causes multi-organ injury, reflecting how these food additives pose a threat to human health. Our results suggest how complex interplay between ROS, Cer, LAMP-2, and NT may modulate organ function during NP damage.

Characteristics of Mirabilis jalapa Nanoemulsion: Its Application on Mortality and Morphological Changes of Spodoptera frugiperda: Third Instar Larvae.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Previously the <i>Mirabilis jalapa</i> nanoemulsion formulations was characterized through PSA analysis, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, SEM to observe the morphology of the formed nanoemulsion and FTIR analysis. But, this study aims to characterize <i>M. jalapa</i> nanoemulsion formulations and its application on the mortality and morphology of 3rd instar <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> larva. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Several <i>M. jalapa</i> nanoemulsion formulations were applied to observe the mortality of 3rd instar <i>S. frugiperda</i> larvae using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method. The best formulation was tested from the characterization results to determine the level of larval mortality. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's <i>post hoc</i> test. <b>Results:</b> The 3rd instar <i>S. frugiperda</i> larvae showed a 67%±12 mortality rate 48 hrs after the 5th treatment (T5) application compared to the control group and causing the bodies of insects experiencing mortality to turn black and dehydrated. The results showed that <i>M. jalapa</i> nanoemulsion had a significant effect (p-value 0.016<0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> The potential of using <i>M. jalapa</i> in the form of nanoemulsions as an effective alternative to control the pest <i>S. frugiperda</i>.

Heat-induced morphological changes in silver nanowires deposited on a patterned silicon substrate.

Metallic nanowires (NWs) are sensitive to heat treatment and can split into shorter fragments within minutes at temperatures far below the melting point. This process can hinder the functioning of NW-based devices that are subject to relatively mild temperatures. Commonly, heat-induced fragmentation of NWs is attributed to the interplay between heat-enhanced diffusion and Rayleigh instability. In this work, we demonstrated that contact with the substrate plays an important role in the fragmentation process and can strongly affect the outcome of the heat treatment. We deposited silver NWs onto specially patterned silicon wafers so that some NWs were partially suspended over the holes in the substrate. Then, we performed a series of heat-treatment experiments and found that adhered and suspended parts of NWs behave differently under the heat treatment. Moreover, depending on the heat-treatment process, fragmentation in either adhered or suspended parts can dominate. Experiments were supported by finite element method and molecular dynamics simulations.

Effects of major storms over a spit-tidal flat interaction system (Punta Rasa-Samborombón, Argentina).

Sandy coastal areas are very dynamic systems in which morphological changes occur over different time scales from hours to decades. However, it has been widely reported that major storms are the main responsible of the most significant changes in short to medium time scales. Major storms have been defined using a variety of environmental variables, but they are normally associated with high values of wave height, duration, return period and direction. Here, we aim to characterize types of major storms and to categorize associated morphological impacts over a complex coastal system. The study site, known as Punta Rasa, is located in the Samborombón bay in the outer part of the Río de La Plata estuary (Argentina) and corresponds to a zone of interaction between a large sandy spit and a backwash tidal flat system. Methods combine statistics of wave climate time-series, analysis of wave energy using nearshore numerical modelling (SWAN) and comparison of pre- and post-storm morphological changes by means of shoreline change detection and satellite images derived indexes (CoastSat Toolkit and NDWI index respectively). Results allowed to characterize four types of major storms impacting the study area: High-Energy Storms (HES), defined by an average storm wave below the 1 % exceedance (>2.6 m), Long-Lived Storms (LLS) represented by an exceedance of the 1 % of Du (>60 h), Storm Groups (SG) in which storm return period is <6 days and Northeastern moderate storms (NMS) defined by their eastern, onshore oriented direction. Under HES and NMS storms erosional areas are dominant over depositional, causing shoreline retreat, a growth of the end-spit and the increase on sand deposition on the back-barrier areas. Under LLS and SG storms, the morphological impact varies alongshore, with multiple erosional hotspots found along the shoreline accompanied by a general flattens of the end-spit system.

Ploidy's Role in Daylily Plant Resilience to Drought Stress Challenges.

This study aimed to understand the differences in the performance of diploid and tetraploid daylily cultivars under water deficit conditions, which are essential indicators of drought tolerance. This research revealed that tetraploid daylilies performed better than diploid varieties in arid conditions due to their enhanced adaptability and resilience to water deficit conditions. The analysis of the results highlighted the need to clarify the specific physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced drought tolerance observed in tetraploid plants compared to diploids. This research offers valuable knowledge for improving crop resilience and sustainable floricultural practices in changing environmental conditions. The morphological and physiological parameters were analyzed in 19 diploid and 21 tetraploid daylily cultivars under controlled water deficit conditions, and three drought resistance groups were formed based on the clustering of these parameters. In a high drought resistance cluster, 93.3% tetraploid cultivars were exhibited. This study demonstrates the significance of ploidy in shaping plant responses to drought stress. It emphasizes the importance of studying plant responses to water deficit in landscape horticulture to develop drought-tolerant plants and ensure aspects of climate change.

Using the gamma-index analysis for inter-fractional comparison of in-beam PET images for head-and-neck treatment monitoring in proton therapy: A Monte Carlo simulation study.

GOAL: In-beam Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique for in-vivo non-invasive treatment monitoring for proton therapy. To detect anatomical changes in patients with PET, various analysis methods exist, but their clinical interpretation is problematic. The goal of this work is to investigate whether the gamma-index analysis, widely used for dose comparisons, is an appropriate tool for comparing in-beam PET distributions. Focusing on a head-and-neck patient, we investigate whether the gamma-index map and the passing rate are sensitive to progressive anatomical changes. METHODS/MATERIALS: We simulated a treatment course of a proton therapy patient using FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations. Gradual emptying of the sinonasal cavity was modeled through a series of artificially modified CT scans. The in-beam PET activity distributions from three fields were evaluated, simulating a planar dual head geometry. We applied the 3D-gamma evaluation method to compare the PET images with a reference image without changes. Various tolerance criteria and parameters were tested, and results were compared to the CT-scans. RESULTS: Based on 210 MC simulations we identified appropriate parameters for the gamma-index analysis. Tolerance values of 3 mm/3% and 2 mm/2% were suited for comparison of simulated in-beam PET distributions. The gamma passing rate decreased with increasing volume change for all fields. CONCLUSION: The gamma-index analysis was found to be a useful tool for comparing simulated in-beam PET images, sensitive to sinonasal cavity emptying. Monitoring the gamma passing rate behavior over the treatment course is useful to detect anatomical changes occurring during the treatment course.