Background: Improving the performance of marine terminals is one of the major concerns of both researchers and decision-makers in the maritime transportation sector. The problem of container storage planning and the berth allocation problem (BAP) are the two mainstays of optimizing port operations. Methods: In this work, we address these two issues, proposing two mathematical models that operate sequentially and are applicable to both static and dynamic cases. The first developed model is a mixed-integer linear problem model aimed at minimizing vessel traffic time in the port. The second model developed is a multi-objective optimization model based on goal programming (GP) to minimize both container transfer time and the number of storage areas (minimizing container dispersion). Results: The robustness of the proposed models has been proven through a benchmark with tests using data from the literature and real port data, based on the IBM ILOG CPLEX 12.5 solver. Conclusions: The two developed mathematical models allowed the both minimization of the transfer time and the number of used storage areas, whatever the number of operations handling companies (OHCs) operating in the seaport and for both static and dynamic cases. We propose, as prospects for this work, the development of a heuristic model to deal with the major instances relating to the case of large ports. Full article

Virtual reality (VR) enables the development of virtual training frameworks suitable for various domains, especially when real-world conditions may be hazardous or impossible to replicate because of unique additional resources (e.g., equipment, infrastructure, people, locations). Although VR technology has significantly advanced in recent years, methods for evaluating immersion (i.e., the extent to which the user is engaged with the sensory information from the virtual environment or is invested in the intended task) continue to rely on self-reported questionnaires, which are often administered after using the virtual scenario. Having an objective method to measure immersion is particularly important when using VR for training, education, and applications that promote the development, fine-tuning, or maintenance of skills. The level of immersion may impact performance and the translation of knowledge and skills to the real-world. This is particularly important in tasks where motor skills are combined with complex decision making, such as surgical procedures. Efforts to better measure immersion have included the use of physiological measurements including heart rate and skin response, but so far they do not offer robust metrics that provide the sensitivity to discriminate different states (idle, easy, and hard), which is critical when using VR for training to determine how successful the training is in engaging the user’s senses and challenging their cognitive capabilities. In this study, electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected from 14 participants who completed VR jigsaw puzzles with two different levels of task difficulty. Machine learning was able to accurately classify the EEG data collected during three different states, obtaining accuracy rates of 86% and 97% for differentiating easy versus hard difficulty states and baseline vs. VR states. Building on these results may enable the identification of robust biomarkers of immersion in VR, enabling real-time recognition of the level of immersion that can be used to design more effective and translative VR-based training. This method has the potential to adjust aspects of VR related to task difficulty to ensure that participants are immersed in VR. Full article

Diabetes has been identified as a significant and independent risk factor for the development or increased severity of respiratory infections. However, the role of glucose transport in the healthy and diseased lung has received little attention. Specifically, the protein expression of the predominant glucose transporter (GLUT) isoforms in the adult lung remains largely to be characterized in both healthy and diabetic states. Type 1 diabetes was induced via streptozotocin and rescued via subcutaneous semi-osmotic insulin pump for 8 weeks. The gene and/or protein expression of the most predominant GLUT isoforms from Classes I and III, including the major insulin-sensitive isoform (i.e., GLUT4) and novel isoforms (i.e., GLUT-8 and GLUT-12), was quantified in the lung of healthy and diabetic mice via qRT-PCR and/or Western blotting. Pulmonary cell surface GLUT protein was measured using a biotinylated photolabeling assay, as a means to evaluate GLUT trafficking. Diabetic mice demonstrated significant alterations of total pulmonary GLUT protein expression, which were isoform- and location-dependent. Long-term insulin treatment rescued the majority of GLUT protein expression alterations in the lung during diabetes, as well as GLUT-4 and -8 trafficking to the pulmonary cell surface. These alterations in glucose homeostasis during diabetes may contribute to an increased severity of pulmonary infection during diabetes and may point to novel metabolic therapeutic strategies for diabetic patients with concurrent respiratory infections. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition in pregnancy, associated with various maternal and fetal complications. This review synthesizes the current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and neurological consequences of OSA in pregnancy, along with the potential management strategies. Articles were sourced from the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases until 2023. Our comprehensive review highlights that the incidence of OSA increases during pregnancy due to physiological changes such as weight gain and hormonal fluctuations. OSA in pregnancy is linked with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and potential adverse fetal outcomes such as intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the most effective management strategy for pregnant women with OSA. However, adherence to CPAP therapy is often suboptimal. This comprehensive review underscores the importance of the early recognition, timely diagnosis, and effective management of OSA in pregnancy to improve both maternal and fetal outcomes. Future research should focus on enhancing screening strategies and improving adherence to CPAP therapy in this population. Full article

Details of excitation and ionization acts hide a description of the biological effects of charged particle traversal through living tissue. Nanodosimetry enables the introduction of novel quantities that characterize and quantify the particle track structure while also serving as a foundation for assessing biological effects based on this quantification. This presents an opportunity to enhance the planning of charged particle radiotherapy by taking into account the ionization detail. This work uses Monte Carlo simulations with Geant4-DNA code for a wide variety of charged particles and their radiation qualities to analyze the distribution of ionization cluster sizes within nanometer-scale volumes, similar to DNA diameter. By correlating these results with biological parameters extracted from the PIDE database for the V79 cell line, a novel parameter $R_2$ based on ionization details is proposed for the evaluation of radiation quality in terms of biological consequences, i.e., radiobiological cross section for inactivation. By incorporating the probability p of sub-lethal damage caused by a single ionization, we address limitations associated with the usually proposed nanodosimetric parameter $F_k$ for characterizing the biological effects of radiation. We show that the new parameter $R_2$ correlates well with radiobiological data and can be used to predict biological outcomes. Full article

Although carbapenems have not been approved for animal use, carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) strains are increasingly being detected in food-producing animals, posing a significant public health risk. However, the epidemiological characteristics of CREC isolates in yellow-feather broiler farms remain unclear. We comprehensively investigated the genetic features of carbapenem-resistance genes among E. coli isolates recovered from a yellow-feather broiler farm in Guangdong province, China. Among the 172 isolates, 88 (51.2%) were recovered from chicken feces (88.5%, 54/61), the farm environment (51.1%, 24/47), and specimens of dead chickens (15.6%, 41/64). All CREC isolates were positive for the bla_NDM-5 gene and negative for other carbapenem-resistance genes. Among 40 randomly selected isolates subjected to whole-genome sequencing, 10 belonged to distinct sequence types (STs), with ST167 (n = 12) being the most prevalent across different sources, suggesting that the dissemination of bla_NDM-5 was mainly due to horizontal and clonal transmission. Plasmid analysis indicated that IncX3, IncHI2, and IncR-X1-X3 hybrid plasmids were responsible for the rapid transmission of the bla_NDM-5 gene, and the genetic surrounding of bla_NDM-5 contained a common mobile element of the genetic fragment designated “IS5-△ISAba125-bla_NDM-5-ble_MBL-trpF-dsbC”. These findings demonstrate a critical role of multiple plasmid replicons in the dissemination of bla_NDM-5 and carbapenem resistance. Full article

Due to the very efficient relaxation of elastic stress on strain-free sidewalls, III–V nanowires offer almost unlimited possibilities for bandgap engineering in nanowire heterostructures by using material combinations that are attainable in epilayers. However, axial nanowire heterostructures grown using the vapor–liquid–solid method often suffer from the reservoir effect in a catalyst droplet. Control over the interfacial abruptness in nanowire heterostructures based on the group V interchange is more difficult than for group-III-based materials, because the low concentrations of highly volatile group V atoms cannot be measured after or during growth. Here, we develop a self-consistent model for calculations of the coordinate-dependent compositional profiles in the solid and liquid phases during the vapor–liquid–solid growth of the axial nanowire heterostructure A_x0B_1-x0C/A_x1B_1-x1C with any stationary compositions x₀ and x₁. The only assumption of the model is that the growth rates of both binaries AC and BC are proportional to the concentrations of group V atoms A and B in a catalyst droplet, requiring high enough supersaturations in liquid phase. The model contains a minimum number of parameters and fits quite well the data on the interfacial abruptness across double heterostructures in GaP/GaAs_xP_1-x/GaP nanowires. It can be used for any axial III–V nanowire heterostructures obtained through the vapor–liquid–solid method. It forms a basis for further developments in modeling the complex growth process and suppression of the interfacial broadening caused by the reservoir effect. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the disruption of the intestinal barrier. The intestinal barrier is maintained by tight junctions (TJs), which sustain intestinal homeostasis and prevent pathogens from entering the microbiome and mucosal tissues. Ziziphus jujuba Miller (Z. jujuba) is a natural substance that has been used in traditional medicine as a therapy for a variety of diseases. However, in IBD, the efficacy of Z. jujuba is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated ZJB in Caco2 cells and a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse model to demonstrate its efficacy in IBD. Z. jujuba extracts were prepared using 70% ethanol and were named ZJB. ZJB was found to be non-cytotoxic and to have excellent antioxidant effects. We confirmed its anti-inflammatory properties via the down-regulation of inflammatory factors, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). To evaluate the effects of ZJB on intestinal barrier function and TJ improvement, the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 kDa (FITC-Dextran 4) permeability were assessed. The TEER value increased by 61.389% and permeability decreased by 27.348% in the 200 μg/mL ZJB group compared with the 50 ng/mL IL-6 group after 24 h. Additionally, ZJB alleviated body weight loss, reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score, and induced colon shortening in 5% DSS-induced mice; inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 were down-regulated in the serum. TJ proteins, such as Zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin, were up-regulated by ZJB in an impaired Caco2 mouse model. Additionally, according to the liquid chromatography results, in tandem with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, seven active ingredients were detected in ZJB. In conclusion, ZJB down-regulated inflammatory factors, protected intestinal barrier function, and increased TJ proteins. It is thus a safe, natural substance with the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent in IBD treatment. Full article

An expansive body of research demonstrates the social and ecological benefits of urban forests, although urban tree canopy density tends to be lower than average in areas occupied by marginalized populations. Non-profit organizations and local governments have initiated tree-planting programs; however, some of these programs have encountered local resistance. This study took place in a historically African American neighborhood in the Southern USA with a low tree canopy where residents expressed disinterest in replanting trees following a tree hazard removal campaign led by a local non-profit organization. Employing focus groups and interviews, we explored residents’ environmental attitudes and risk perceptions by asking about the risks and benefits of neighborhood trees and barriers to the enjoyment of them. The material and emotional bonds residents have with the neighborhood informed their preferences about trees and green space. Trees were often viewed as hazards and financial risks, although they were an integral part of residents’ identities for themselves and their community. The findings suggest that neglecting to look at diverse perceptions will challenge a city’s ability to communicate about the urban forest and, therefore, sustainably address disparities in tree benefits and problems. Full article

In order to design Cu-Sn alloys with excellent overall performance, the structural stability, mechanical properties, and electronic structure of X-doped Cu-Sn alloys were systematically calculated using first-principles calculations. The calculation results of the cohesive energy indicate that the Cu-Sn-X structures formed by X atoms (X = Ag, Ca, Cd, Mg, Ni, Zr) doping into Cu-Sn can stably exist. The Cu-Sn-Ni structure is the most stable, with a cohesive energy value of −3.84 eV. Doping of X atoms leads to a decrease in the bulk modulus, Possion’s ratio and B/G ratio. However, doping Ag and Ni atoms can improve the shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and strain energy of the dislocation. The doping of Ni has the highest enhancement on shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and strain energy of the dislocation, with respective values as follows: 63.085 GPa, 163.593 GPa, and 1.689 W/J·${\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$. The analysis of electronic structure results shows that the covalent bond between Cu and X is the reason for the performance differences in Cu-Sn-X structures. Full article

The study aimed to explore the relationship and interaction between humans and nature in specific areas. Latent Dirichlet allocation topic recognition and SnowNLP sentiment analysis were used to extract the topics and analyze the sentiments from visitors’ online reviews of Wuyishan National Park. The conclusions were as follows: (1) The tourists mainly expressed positive emotions toward Wuyishan National Park, and the tourists acknowledged its ecological environment and natural and cultural heritage value. (2) The tourists’ comments focused on four themes: tourism activities and facilities, natural and cultural heritage value, characteristic tourism products, and tourism management and services. Natural experience was the main tourism activity in Wuyishan National Park, while cultural activities were related to the tea culture. (3) The tourist facilities, ticket and reservation mechanism, and management and services of Wuyishan National Park were the main concerns of the tourists. The study suggested that Wuyishan National Park could be transformed from a tourist destination into a comprehensive national park that provides recreational experiences and environmental education. This should be conducted by (1) developing detailed natural and cultural education and experience products and (2) improving public service functions and enhancing the public welfare of the national park. Full article

This study aimed to analyse the placebo effect associated with a high dose of caffeine (9 mg/kg) on heart rate and its variability and on strength tests. Methods: 18 participants experienced in strength training (19.7 ± 2.3 years; 72.2 ± 15.0 kg; 169.6 ± 9.0 cm) performed two days of trials (caffeine-informed/placebo-ingested (placebo) and non-ingested (control)). Firstly, heart rate and its variability were measured while participants lay down for 15 min. After that, bench press and squat tests were performed at 3 different loads (50%, 75% and 90% of 1RM). Perception of performance, effort and side effects were also evaluated. Results: no differences were found in the vast majority of strength variables analysed. Resting heart rate decreased in the placebo trial (60.39 ± 10.18 bpm control vs. 57.56 ± 9.50 bpm placebo, p = 0.040), and mean RR increased (1020.1 ± 172.9 ms control vs. 1071.5 ± 185.7 ms placebo, p = 0.032). Heart rate variability and perception of performance and effort were similar between conditions (p > 0.05 in all cases). Side effects such as activeness and nervousness were reported while consuming the placebo. Conclusions: the placebo effect did not modify performance in the majority of the strength test variables, HRV and perception of performance and effort. However, resting heart rate was reduced, mean RR increased, and some side effects appeared in the placebo trial. Full article

Purpose: Our aim was to use intracortical recording to enable the tracking of ischemic infarct development over the first few critical hours of ischemia with a high time resolution in pigs. We employed electrophysiological measurements to obtain quick feedback on neural function, which might be useful for screening, e.g., for the optimal dosage and timing of agents prior to further pre-clinical evaluation. Methods: Micro-electrode arrays containing 16 (animal 1) or 32 electrodes (animal 2–7) were implanted in the primary somatosensory cortex of seven female pigs, and continuous electrical stimulation was applied at 0.2 Hz to a cuff electrode implanted on the ulnar nerve. Ischemic stroke was induced after 30 min of baseline recording by injection of endothelin-1 onto the cortex adjacent to the micro-electrode array. Evoked responses were extracted over a moving window of 180 s and averaged across channels as a measure of cortical excitability. Results: Across the animals, the cortical excitability was significantly reduced in all seven 30 min segments following endothelin-1 injection, as compared to the 30 min preceding this intervention. This difference was not explained by changes in the anesthesia, ventilation, end-tidal CO₂, mean blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygenation, or core temperature, which all remained stable throughout the experiment. Conclusions: The animal model may assist in maturing neuroprotective approaches by testing them in an accessible model of resemblance to human neural and cardiovascular physiology and body size. This would constitute an intermediate step for translating positive results from rodent studies into human application, by more efficiently enabling effective optimization prior to chronic pre-clinical studies in large animals. Full article

This exploration investigates integrated treatment systems combining advanced oxidation processes (Fenton and photo-Fenton) with biological methods for the effective elimination of stubborn organic compounds in simulated textile wastewater composed of azo Dichlorotriazine dye. A comprehensive optimization of key process factors including catalyst dosage, hydrogen peroxide quantity, irradiation duration, etc. was systematically conducted for both Fenton and photo-Fenton processes to realize maximum COD and color removal. Under ideal conditions (0.4 g/L photocatalyst, 1 mL/L H₂O₂, and 75-Watt UV intensity for 60 min), the photo-Fenton process realized 80% COD elimination and complete decolorization, meeting industrial discharge limits without needing extra biological treatment. Statistical models correlating process parameters to treatment efficiency were developed, giving important design insights. For Fenton, effluent COD exceeded discharge thresholds, so a post-biological treatment using activated sludge was essential to comply with regulations. This integrated Fenton–biological scheme utilizes synergism between chemical and biological processes for enhanced overall treatment. Notable economic benefits were achieved by photo-Fenton over conventional UV-only and UV/H₂O₂ methods regarding energy consumption and operating costs. Overall, this pioneering work successfully proves integrated advanced oxidation–biological systems as a superior, sustainable alternative to traditional techniques for economically removing obstinate pollutants, such as azo Dichlorotriazine dye, as it is a simulated textile wastewater treatment used to satisfy environmental standards. Full article

During our collecting trip to Guangxi in 2016, we collected ten specimens of the genus Takydromus from the suburb of Guilin, northeastern Guangxi, South China, and found that they did not belong to any currently known species. Here, we described this new species, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov., based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA (CO1 and cyt b) data. This new species is a sister taxon to T. intermedius with a p-distance of 0.070 in CO1 and 0.080 in cyt b. These two p-distances exceed not only the minimum value (0.067) between T. septentrionalis and T. stejnegeri but also the minimum value (0.079) between T. intermedius and T. yunkaiensis. Morphologically, this new species differs from other currently recognized Takydromus species from the same clade, more evidently in the longitudinal rows of dorsal scales, transverse rows of scales at the mid-body and mensural variables. The description of Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. increases the total number of Takydromus species to 25, of which 16 can be found in China. Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. is currently known only from Guilin, Guangxi, South China, where it is sympatric with the other four Takydromus species (T. septentrionalis, T. kuehnei, T. sexlineatus and T. intermedius). Full article

Modern jeepneys represent a notable step forward in the Philippines’ modernization efforts. However, there is a need for further study since this has caused a lot of criticism in the country, and no studies have established its service quality and the behavioral intentions among passengers. This study assessed the factors influencing passengers’ intention to use modern jeepneys, employing a higher-order reflective construct using partial least square structural equation modeling. An online questionnaire gathered data from 502 commuters using modern jeepneys, employing convenience sampling for a diverse sample. Significant relationships (p-value < 0.05) were found between service quality (β: 0.559), attitude (β: 0.169), perceived behavioral control (β: 0.183), and behavioral intentions (β: 0.160), with assurance emerging as the most influential factor for higher-ordered constructs (β: 0.869). Meanwhile, satisfaction’s significant influence on behavioral intention was highest for lower-ordered constructs (β: 0.673). The study underscored the importance of building trust with passengers, prioritizing safety and security, and integrating modern jeepneys with traditional designs to enhance commuter experiences and promote modernized and sustainable transportation alternatives. It highlights the critical role of providing high-quality service in fostering positive intentions toward using modern jeepneys and its utilization. Despite the backlash of the majority on the redevelopment of traditional jeepneys, results presented that passengers are more inclined to use public transportation based on travel experiences rather than societal approval. The study offers theoretical and practical implications for future works and government organizations, transportation management, and modern jeepney manufacturers, emphasizing the importance of improving service quality. Full article

Since 2011, massive new strandings of holopelagic Sargassum have been reported on the coasts of the Caribbean, northern Brazil, Guiana, and West Africa, causing severe economic and ecological damage. Three common morphotypes (S. fluitans III, S. natans I, and S. natans VIII) were identified as responsible for these catastrophic events, with dominance shifts between them over time. However, the taxonomic status of these holopelagic Sargassum morphotypes remains unclear. Using an integrative taxonomy framework, combining a morphological study and molecular analyses, this study aimed to clarify their taxonomic status. Morphological analyses of 54 characters revealed no intermediate form between the three morphotypes, with the overall shape, nature of the axis, and size and shape of blades and vesicles being the most discriminating. An analysis of mitochondrial (IGS, cox2, cox3, mt16S rRNA, and nad6) and plastid (rbcL) markers confirmed the genetic divergence among the three morphotypes, with a lower level of divergence between the two S. natans morphotypes. Without additional molecular characterization, these morphotypes cannot be classified as three distinct species. However, due to their distinct morphological characteristics and sympatry within drifting aggregations, a revision of holopelagic species names is proposed, with Sargassum fluitans var. fluitans (for S. fluitans III), Sargassum natans var. natans (for S. natans I), and S. natans var. wingei (for S. natans VIII). This revision provides necessary clarity on the species involved in inundations of the tropical Atlantic. Full article

Climate change is dramatically increasing the overall area of saline soils around the world, which is increasing by approximately two million hectares each year. Soil salinity decreases crop yields and, thereby, makes farming less profitable, potentially causing increased poverty and hunger in many areas. A solution to this problem is increasing the salt tolerance of crop plants. Transcription factors (TFs) within crop plants represent a key to understanding salt tolerance, as these proteins play important roles in the regulation of functional genes linked to salt stress. The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) TF has a well-documented role in the regulation of salt tolerance. To better understand how bZIP TFs are linked to salt tolerance, we performed a genome-wide analysis in wheat using the Chinese spring wheat genome, which has been assembled by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium. We identified 89 additional bZIP gene sequences, which brings the total of bZIP gene sequences in wheat to 237. The majority of these 237 sequences included a single bZIP protein domain; however, different combinations of five other domains also exist. The bZIP proteins are divided into ten subfamily groups. Using an in silico analysis, we identified five bZIP genes (ABF2, ABF4, ABI5, EMBP1, and VIP1) that were involved in regulating salt stress. By scrutinizing the binding properties to the 2000 bp upstream region, we identified putative functional genes under the regulation of these TFs. Expression analyses of plant tissue that had been treated with or without 100 mM NaCl revealed variable patterns between the TFs and functional genes. For example, an increased expression of ABF4 was correlated with an increased expression of the corresponding functional genes in both root and shoot tissues, whereas VIP1 downregulation in root tissues strongly decreased the expression of two functional genes. Identifying strategies to sustain the expression of the functional genes described in this study could enhance wheat’s salt tolerance. Full article

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by elevated intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in pancreatic acinar cells. Algal oil (AO) has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to explore the effects of algal oil on the microenvironment of AP. Rat pancreatic acinar AR42J cells were pretreated with AO containing 0, 50, 100, or 150 μM of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 2 h prior to AP induction using sodium taurocholate (STC). After 1 h of STC treatment, AR42J cells exhibited a significant increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and the production of amylase, lipase, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. These STC-induced increases were markedly reduced in cells pretreated with AO. In comparison to cells without AO, those treated with a high dose of AO before STC exposure demonstrated a significant increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and a decrease in lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, STC-activated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was attenuated in AO-pretreated cells, as evidenced by a significant decrease in activated NF-κB. In conclusion, AO may prevent damage to pancreatic acinar cells by alleviating intracellular Ca²⁺ overload, mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction, reducing oxidative stress, and attenuating NF-κB-targeted inflammation. Full article

The search for new plant growth regulators is a cornerstone of agricultural research; however, laboratory studies rarely go on to be evaluated in the field. This is because greater production is required, as well as longer studies. Particularly, brassinosteroids present these difficulties, and although they have been evaluated in crops with good results, their high production cost gives rise to the search for new alternatives. 22-Oxocholestanes such as SPGP4, previously used in silico and in vitro studies, have shown great potential, so their evaluation in crops grown from native seeds from the study region becomes of interest. Based on these data, SPGP4 was evaluated under crop conditions in three agricultural plots located on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region, Oaxaca, México. The seeds were treated with a 0.5 mg/L aqueous solution of the 22-Oxocholestane compound SPGP4 by imbibition one night before sown. Later, 45 days after sowing, a solution of 0.5 mg/L at a rate of 200 L per hectare was applied. At the production level, the bean harvest showed an increase in the range of 21.0–38.1%, and the corn harvest increased between 22 and 32%. In addition, the latter also demonstrated an increase in biomass production, given the increase in diameter and height observed in the corn plant. This indicates that SPGP4 functions as a regulator of plant growth at the crop level to increase both seed and biomass production. Full article

Background: Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) has been an important field of research in recent years, since machines will continue to be embedded in many human actvities in several contexts, such as industry and healthcare. Monitoring in an ecological mannerthe cognitive workload (CW) of users, who interact with machines, is crucial to assess their level of engagement in activities and the required effort, with the goal of preventing stressful circumstances. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the assessment of CW using wearable sensors in HMI. Methods: this narrative review explores several techniques and procedures for collecting physiological data through wearable sensors with the possibility to integrate these multiple physiological signals, providing a multimodal monitoring of the individuals’CW. Finally, it focuses on the impact of artificial intelligence methods in the physiological signals data analysis to provide models of the CW to be exploited in HMI. Results: the review provided a comprehensive evaluation of the wearables, physiological signals, and methods of data analysis for CW evaluation in HMI. Conclusion: the literature highlighted the feasibility of employing wearable sensors to collect physiological signals for an ecological CW monitoring in HMI scenarios. However, challenges remain in standardizing these measures across different populations and contexts. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra and characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Boxing is a type of complementary therapy to improve symptoms in PD. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with PD. The literature search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar search engines. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. This systematic review included three studies that examined disease severity, mobility, physical activity, balance, and quality of life. According to the PEDro scale criteria, the three articles included were of high methodological quality. Statistically significant improvements after the implementation of boxing training was shown for balance and quality of life in contrast to the other variables. Boxing training intervention programs had a positive effect on balance and quality of life in patients with PD; however, the results are conflicting regarding certain functionality variables. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research to examine the effectiveness of boxing training on the functionality and quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Full article