Finite-time and fixed-time bipartite synchronization of signed networks with mixed delays

This paper investigates finite-time (FET) and fixed-time (FDT) bipartite synchronization of signed networks with time-varying and distributed delays (mixed delays) using quantized control strategies. The communication links between adjacent nodes can be either positive or negative, representing the signed nature of the network. Assuming a balanced network structure, sufficient conditions for FET and FDT bipartite synchronization are derived through coordinate transformations, norm analytical techniques, and differential inequalities. Finally, three simulation results are provided to validate the efficacy of the theoretical findings

Compare the pair: Rotated versus unrotated surface codes at equal logical error rates

Practical quantum computers will require resource-efficient error-correcting codes. The rotated surface code uses approximately half the number of qubits as the unrotated surface code to create a logical qubit with the same error-correcting distance. However, instead of distance, a more useful qubit-saving metric would be based on logical error rates. In this work we find the well-below-threshold scaling of logical to physical error rates under circuit-level noise for both codes at high odd and even distances and then compare the number of qubits used by each code to achieve equal logical error rates. We perform Monte Carlo sampling of memory experiment circuits with all valid CNOT orders using the stabilizer simulator Stim and the uncorrelated minimum-weight perfect matching decoder PyMatching 2. We find that the rotated code uses about 74% the number of qubits used by the unrotated code to achieve a logical error rate of pL=10-12 at the operational physical error rate of p=10-3. The ratio remains ≈75% for p values within a factor of two of p=10-3 for all useful pL. Our work finds the low-pL scaling of the surface code and clarifies the qubit savings provided by the rotated surface code, providing numerical justification for its use in future implementations of the surface code

Dyslipidemia in asthma: Treatable trait, or just a common comorbidity?

Asthma is a diverse disease that can be categorized into various phenotypes and endotypes, including obesity-re-lated asthma and allergic asthma. "Treatable traits (TTs)" represent a new approach to managing asthma. Asthma accompanied by dyslipidemia would be a distinct asthma phenotype that is becoming increasingly common. Therefore, dyslipidemia can potentially serve as a target for the management of asthma. Nevertheless, it remains highly under-researched compared to other observable traits. Gaining knowledge about the clinical and inflammatory characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and potential therapeutic medications for asthma with dyslipidemia is crucial for its effective management. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of asthma with dyslipidemia, consolidating existing knowledge and ongoing research

Leveraging metatranscriptomics for the characterisation of bovine blood viromes.

Understanding the diversity of the bovine virome is essential for assessing their potential impact on cattle health and transmission risks. Viruses present in the blood comprise both those that establish persistent infections in blood cells and those present during transient viremia. Farm management practices, such as the reuse of syringes for treatments, vaccinations, and supplements, may inadvertently contribute to the spread of blood-borne pathogens, emphasizing the need for improved biosecurity measures. Herein, we used a metatranscriptomic approach to analyse 20 bovine blood transcriptomes from dairy cows in New South Wales, Australia, along with 577 publicly available blood transcriptomes from studies in Australia and Kenya. Our analysis identified several viruses that are known to infect blood cells, transmitted either by direct contact or by vectors, including bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine gammaherpesvirus 6, hepacivirus, foamy virus, ephemeroviruses and a new species of a coltivirus. Our findings highlight the complexity of the bovine blood virome and underscore the importance of sustained surveillance to identify emerging pathogens and assess their potential role in cattle health. This study provides a framework for integrating transcriptomic data into disease monitoring efforts, ultimately contributing to improved cattle management and biosecurity practices

Tangled Connection of Gut Microbiome and Alzheimer’s Disease

Several preclinical and clinical investigations have proved that the human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the pathobiology of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Recent studies suggest correlations between the altered gut microbiota and major Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). AD is characterized by the formation of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. It is proposed that normalization of the gut microbiota alleviates AD. The imbalance in levels of normal gut microbiota has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD. Treatment strategies with certain antibiotics lead to the depletion of useful microbes and thereby induce AD-like effects in subjects. The microbiota is also involved in the synthesis of various neurotransmitters (NTs) like acetylcholine (ACh), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA). Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and a healthy diet have been found to have positive benefits in controlling the etiology of AD. The control of brain-gut microbiota is developing as a potential AD therapy approach in light of the history of the limited therapeutic advantages of cholinesterase inhibitors. The importance of the brain-gut-microbiota axis in the development of AD is discussed in detail in this review, with an emphasis on the regulation of the gut microbiota as an important intervention for the treatment of AD

Roadmap for Australian wastewater nutrient recovery – Towards a sustainable circular economy

Tapping into wastewater for nutrient recovery is largely missing from water policy and circular economy (CE) conversations, and in particular, its incorporation of machine learning (ML). Past nutrient roadmap studies have either ignored or largely unaccounted for advancements in AI and ML for CE wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This nutrient roadmap paper provides technology and ML evaluation guidance, data collection practices to prime the industry for smarter treatment processes, financial opportunities and assessments, social acceptance drivers, and guidance on navigating the current environmental and regulatory landscape for the implementation of ML CE WWTPs. Finally, further policy improvements are needed surrounding CE WWTPs to incentivise local production and recycling of critical nutrients (i.e. phosphorus) which would support the creation of new economic growth opportunities, meet environmental targets while securing and stabilising food supply chains

Formaldehyde and lung cancer

The chemical molecule formaldehyde (FA) is widely utilized in both industrial and domestic items. Because of its possible carcinogenic effects, especially with regard to lung cancer, it has received a lot of attention. Exposure to FA at work has been linked to an elevated risk of lung cancer, according to epidemiological research. This risk is highest in areas, including embalming, manufacturing, and healthcare. Moreover, lung cancer growth has been linked to environmental exposure to FA from sources such as tobacco smoke, indoor air pollution, and certain construction materials. Through mechanistic investigations, several carcinogenic pathways resulting from FA exposure in the lung have been clarified. These pathways include DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, it is becoming more well-acknowledged how gene-environment interactions and genetic susceptibility factors affect the development of lung cancer linked to FA. Furthermore, new research is being done on treatment approaches for lung cancer linked to FA, such as immunotherapy, chemoprevention, and targeted medicines. This review emphasizes the complexity of the relationship between FA and lung cancer and the need for ongoing research to guide policy changes, preventative measures, and treatment approaches targeted at lowering the incidence of lung cancer caused by FA

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate and marine microbial associations along an Antarctic glacial–open ocean interface

Antarctica is a seasonally active region for marine organic sulfur cycling and ocean-atmospheric sulfur fluxes. Organic sulfur compounds, such as dimethylsulfoniopropionate and dimethylsulfide, produced by microbes are key chemical currencies in interspecies interactions, which in turn, underpin marine sulfur dynamics. This study examined Antarctic phytoplankton-bacteria associations and their influence on marine sulfur cycling along a coastal gradient from an inner fjord of the Sørsdal glacier to the open ocean (six sites). Phytoplankton abundance increased with distance from the glacier, corresponding with an increase in dimethylsulfoniopropionate concentrations (dissolved 13–28 nM; total 73–140 nM) and phytoplankton dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase activity. Microbial community composition varied with glacial-influence, and overall abundance declined with distance from the glacier. We identified strong associations between dominant phytoplankton genera (Cylindrotheca, Corethron, Chaetoceros, Fragilariopsis, Leptocylindrus/Dactyliosolen, and Phaeocystis) and bacteria from the Rhodobacteraceae (i.e., Roseobacter group), highlighting the prevalence of these species' complexes in Antarctic waters. Specifically, pigment markers of Phaeocystis sp. and amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to Octadecabacter and Sulfitobacter correlated positively with dissolved dimethylsulfoniopropionate concentrations and phytoplankton dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase activity, supporting their role in marine sulfur metabolism and extending the known geographical range of sulfur-mediated phytoplankton associations with the Roseobacter group. In broadening the reported range of these interorganism interactions to Antarctic waters, these results extend the prevalence and weight of the role of sulfur-based dependencies in structuring marine microbial communities

Interactions between Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells and their extracellular vesicles with megakaryocytes: implications for platelet-like particle formation.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia commonly accompanies Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria, yet the role of impaired megakaryopoiesis and platelet production remains unclear. This study examined how P. falciparum-infected red blood cells (pRBCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) modulate megakaryocytic differentiation and platelet-like particle (PLP) formation. METHODS: MEG-01 cell line, a human megakaryoblastic leukaemia model, was differentiated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in the presence or absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and co-cultured with pRBCs, normal RBCs (nRBCs), or their EVs (nRBC-EVs/pRBC-EVs). Changes in cell phenotype, adhesion, and gene expression were analyzed by flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and qPCR. PLP functionality was assessed by clotting assays, and cytokine secretion was quantified using cytometric bead array. RESULTS: pRBCs transiently adhered to MEG-01 cells but suppressed megakaryocytic marker expression, downregulated NOTCH3, and altered apoptosis- and stress-related genes. PLP production increased under some conditions, but clotting activity was impaired, indicating reduced functionality. In contrast, RBC-EVs, particularly pRBC-EVs, were internalized but induced minimal transcriptional or functional changes. Cytokine profiling revealed that pRBCs and their EVs selectively increased IL-8, RANTES, and MCP-1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Intact pRBCs strongly inhibit megakaryocytic differentiation and disrupt PLP function through transcriptional dysregulation and inflammatory activation, whereas under our experimental conditions, RBC-EVs exert milder modulatory effects. These findings highlight defective platelet production as a novel mechanism contributing to malaria-associated thrombocytopenia