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Background The AT-HOOK MOTIF CONTAINING NUCLEAR LOCALIZED (AHL) gene family in Arabidopsis contains 29 members, which evolved into two phylogenetic clades. Genes from this family play a role in several biological processes, but most of the members’ functions remain unknown. Results Here, we provide evidence that AHL26, a clade-a protein, negatively regulates hypocotyl growth and flowering time in Arabidopsis . Analysis of transgenic plants expressing an AHL26:AHL26:GUS translational fusion driven by 1.9 KB of the endogenous AHL26 promoter displayed GUS activity in the hypocotyl and apical meristem of light-grown seedlings. The overexpression of AHL26 resulted in the inhibition of hypocotyl growth and delayed flowering. However, the overexpression of a dominant-negative AHL26 with mutation in AT-hook motif, resulted in early flowering and longer hypocotyls than the WT and over-expression transgenic lines suggesting genetic redundancy between AHL26 and other AHL genes. Transcriptome analysis showed that the regulation of flowering time in AHL26 over-expression and dominant-negative mutants results from regulating flowering-related genes and pathways. Conclusion Our study highlights the significant role of AHL26 in hypocotyl growth and flowering time regulation. We further demonstrate that AHL26 regulates hypocotyl length in a light-dependent manner. Through transcriptomic analysis, we also show that the delayed flowering phenotype in our AHL26 over-expression plants is due to the negative regulation of flowering-promoting genes such as FT . Furthermore, transcriptome analysis provides insight into the biological processes and pathways through which AHL26 influences the control of flowering time.

Mobile Ad hoc Networks are self-organizing networks, dynamic in nature and consist of mobile nodes independent of the infrastructure. However, they are susceptible to the topology changes, communication link variations and node failures which make them highly susceptible to faults and disruptions. To maintain reliable communication under these unpredictable and dynamic scenarios is a major challenge. Fault-tolerant topology control is one of the main features of MANETs to maintain effective and secure connectivity and communication under these adverse conditions. To address the challenges a new Optimized Fuzzy Neural Network (OFNN) scheme is developed to establish efficient fault-tolerant topology control. In the first stage, an Improved Rabbit Optimization Algorithm is proposed to strategically select Cluster Heads, aiming to optimize the overall clustering efficiency. Next the input parameters of CHs such as neighbor node distance (NND), path stability (PS), and link expire time (LET) are given into OFNN to predict path reliability. Finally, data transmission is made by selecting the path with the maximum computed neuron value, which ensures path reliability and the overall network performance. To further refine the network’s fault tolerance and overall efficiency, the performance of the OFNN is enhanced by using Osprey Optimization Algorithm.

Despite the many conveniences of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, the underlying open architecture for communication between the RFID devices may lead to various security threats. Recently, many solutions were proposed to secure RFID systems and many such systems are based on only lightweight primitives, including symmetric encryption, hash functions, and exclusive OR operation. Many solutions based on only lightweight primitives were proved insecure, whereas, due to resource-constrained nature of RFID devices, the public key-based cryptographic solutions are unenviable for RFID systems. Very recently, Gope and Hwang proposed an authentication protocol for RFID systems based on only lightweight primitives and claimed their protocol can withstand all known attacks. However, as per the analysis in this article, their protocol is infeasible and is vulnerable to collision, denial-of-service (DoS), and stolen verifier attacks. This article then presents an improved realistic and lightweight authentication protocol to ensure protection against known attacks. The security of the proposed protocol is formally analyzed using Burrows Abadi-Needham (BAN) logic and under the attack model of automated security verification tool ProVerif. Moreover, the security features are also well analyzed, although informally. The proposed protocol outperforms the competing protocols in terms of security.

Most amino acid substitutions in a protein either lead to partial loss-of-function or are near neutral. Several studies have shown the existence of second-site mutations that can rescue defects caused by diverse loss-of-function mutations. Such global suppressor mutations are key drivers of protein evolution. However, the mechanisms responsible for such suppression remain poorly understood. To address this, we characterized multiple suppressor mutations both in isolation and in combination with inactive mutants. We examined six global suppressors of the bacterial toxin CcdB, the known M182T global suppressor of TEM-1 β-lactamase, the N239Y global suppressor of p53-DBD and three suppressors of the SARS-CoV-2 spike Receptor Binding Domain. When coupled to inactive mutants, they promote increased in-vivo solubilities as well as regain-of-function phenotypes. In the case of CcdB, where novel suppressors were isolated, we determined the crystal structures of three such suppressors to obtain insight into the specific molecular interactions responsible for the observed effects. While most individual suppressors result in small stability enhancements relative to wildtype, which can be combined to yield significant stability increments, thermodynamic stabilisation is neither necessary nor sufficient for suppressor action. Instead, in diverse systems, we observe that individual global suppressors greatly enhance the foldability of buried site mutants, primarily through increase in refolding rate parameters measured in vitro . In the crowded intracellular environment, mutations that slow down folding likely facilitate off-pathway aggregation. We suggest that suppressor mutations that accelerate refolding can counteract this, enhancing the yield of properly folded, functional protein in vivo .

After successfully performing Agrobacterium- mediated CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing in plants, isolation of the Cas9 T-DNA is essential for the stable inheritance of induced mutations. Here, we report a simple technique that allows the isolation of Cas9 -free mutants, eliminating the need for outcrossing or other intricate methods. This method is based on the ability of Basta-sensitive Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, which generally perish, to recover and grow once transplanted to Basta-free growth media. By growing gene-edited heterozygous populations of single-locus insertion Basta-resistant plants on Basta selection media, plants lacking the Cas9 T-DNA can be identified. These pale-looking plants lacking Cas9 are then rescued on media lacking the Basta to recover Cas9 -free plants. The ability of seedlings to recover from Basta selection was also studied in camelina, canola, and wheat. All three crops showed different recovery rates, with wheat demonstrating the highest recovery once transplanted from Basta to normal growth media. In summary, our findings demonstrate that by harnessing the recovery capability of Basta-sensitive seedlings, we can effectively identify and rescue plants lacking the Cas9 T-DNA, enabling the isolation of Cas9-free mutants in Arabidopsis and potentially extending to other crops.

Quinoa is a highly nutritious and abiotic stress-tolerant crop that can be used to ensure food security for the rapidly growing world population under changing climate conditions. Various experiments, based on morphology, phenology, physiology, and yield-related attributes, are being conducted across the globe to check its adoptability under stressful environmental conditions. High weed infestation, early stand establishment, photoperiod sensitivity, loss of seed viability after harvest, and heat stress during its reproductive stage are major constraints to its cultivation. The presence of saponin on its outer surface is also a significant restriction to its local consumption. Scientists are using modern breeding programs, such as participatory approaches, to understand and define breeding goals to promote quinoa adaptation under marginalized conditions. Despite its rich nutritional value, there is still a need to create awareness among people and industries about its nutritional profile and potential for revenue generation. In the future, the breeding of the sweet and larger-grain quinoa varietals will be an option for avoiding the cleaning of saponins, but with the risk of having more pests in the field. There is also a need to focus on mechanized farming systems for the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of quinoa to facilitate and expand its cultivation and consumption across the globe, considering its high genetic diversity.

Small scale fungiculture has the potential to improve local economies, human health and food security significantly. A nutrient-dense dietary item, mushrooms provide vital vitamins, proteins and minerals. The creation of mushroom spawn and rapid composting techniques for Agaricus bisporus have both seen significant technological breakthroughs. Adopting technology in mushroom production and diversification has resulted in an exponential rise in the output of mushrooms around the world which is proportionally a rise in the farmer's income. To enhance the quality and shelf life, mushrooms are enhanced by biofortification. Producing mushrooms provides not only employment but also ensures the availability of food, nutrition, and medication. By implementing vertical farming techniques through automated control environment systems, it is possible to grow mushrooms in every season and at any geographical location. Additionally, researchers have developed automated harvesting and delivery systems to enhance the accuracy and utility of mushroom harvesting. The essential factors needed to provide a favorable growing environment for Calocybe indica cultivation are temperature, humidity, soil moisture, low light intensity and acceptable air quality all can be controlled with the help of technology implementation. In this paper, a bibliometric analysis of mushroom production is studied on differnt basis and we conclude the shift of production methods from traditional to modern technological adoption. This study discusses the advancement and scope of mushroom production from local to global, especially with reference to the automation processes involved.

Knowledge of weed seeds present in the soil seedbank is important for understanding population dynamics and forecasting future weed infestations. Quantification of the weed seedbank has historically been laborious, and few studies have attempted to quantify seedbanks on the scale required to make management decisions. An accurate, efficient, and ideally automated method to identify weed seeds in field samples is needed. To achieve sufficient precision, we leveraged YOLOv8, a machine learning object detection to accurately identify and count weed seeds obtained from the soil seedbank and weed seed collection. The YOLOv8 model, trained and evaluated using high-quality images captured with a digital microscope, achieved an overall accuracy and precision exceeding 80% confidence in distinguishing various weed seed species in both images and real-time videos. Despite the challenges associated with species having similar seed morphology, the application of YOLOv8 will facilitate rapid and accurate identification of weed seeds for the assessment of future weed management strategies.

Background Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is one of the most challenging and persistent dental complaints characterized by transient, intense pain triggered by various stimuli. It affects a significant portion of the global population, predominantly those aged 20–40. This study aims to evaluate the desensitizing efficacy of seventh-generation dentin bonding agents (Single Bond Universal by 3 M ESPE and Xeno-V + by Dentsply) against a control group using Bifluorid 12 by Voco in mitigating DH within a month of the follow-up period. Methods This was a single-center, parallel-group, double-blind, controlled randomized clinical trial conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 105 patients with DH were allocated into three groups for this study. The patients were divided into three groups (Single Bond Universal by 3 M ESPE and Xeno-V + by Dentsply) and the control group containing fluoride varnish (Bifluorid 12 by Voco). Discomfort Interval Scale scores and Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale scores were recorded at baseline, immediately after the intervention, after 01 weeks, and after 01 month. Results All the materials demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in discomfort and sensitivity (DIS scores p-value 0.01) immediately after 01 week and over a period of 01 month after treatment compared with the baseline scores before application, with no single material proving superior over the one-month observation period. The study also provided insights into dental hygiene practices, with a significant majority using a toothbrush and sensitivity patterns, with cold stimuli being the most common cause of sensitivity. Conclusion The study demonstrates that Single Bond Universal, Xeno V+, and Bifluorid 12 are equally effective in reducing dentin hypersensitivity, with no distinct superiority observed over a one-month period. The findings highlight the potential of fluoride varnishes as a less technique-sensitive and cost-effective option for treating DH, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical practice. Trial registration NCT04225247 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04225247 ), Date of Registration: 13/01/2020. (Retrospectively registered).