Research International (United States)

Abstract Human space flights in microgravity conditions lead to a spectrum of changes in the physiological and biomechanical properties of the central nervous system. These changes can pose challenges to the diagnosis, management, and recovery process for astronauts who sustain any neurotrauma. Understanding these interactions can be of particular importance to ensure the safety of astronauts and the development of space medicine, where valuable insight can be provided into neurotrauma care based on the experiences gained on Earth. The present narrative review discusses the neurophysiological effects of microgravity, its implications for neurotrauma, diagnostic challenges, and potential therapeutic interventions.

Zebrafish are commonly tested in various behavioral assays. To better understand such practices, we surveyed active global zebrafish neuroscience labs, asking to rank such assays based on their perceived utility. Overreliance on few well-established assays and their inconsistent nomenclature call for further innovation and standardizing of adult zebrafish neurobehavioral testing.

SummaryThe basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family plays key roles in plant growth, development, and environmental stress responses but remains poorly characterized in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). We identified 99 bZIP genes from the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome and 92 from the Longya10 reference genome. These genes form 12 conserved subfamilies and contain promoter cis-elements related to phytohormone signaling and abiotic stress responses. Identification of 69 segmentally duplicated gene pairs indicated that large-scale duplication drove bZIP family expansion in flax, while miRNA-target prediction suggested Lus-miR398 as a key regulator of LubZIP transcription factors. Transcriptomic data showed that most bZIP genes were highly expressed in leaves, while RT-qPCR revealed that LubZIP15 and LubZIP45 (subfamilies I and H) were strongly induced by cold, drought, and salt stresses, providing a comprehensive genome-wide view of the flax bZIP family and their potential roles in abiotic stress tolerance.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield traits of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The investigation was conducted in the early summer of 2025 and involved 11 treatments that contained both inorganic fertilizers and organic manures, either in combination or alone, in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The results of this study demonstrated that both organic manures and inorganic fertilizers had a major effect on the germination, growth, and yield metrics of basil. The treatment that included 75% RDF and 25% vermicompost resulted in increased seed germination (16.96%), 50% seed germination (22.73%), germination% (91.83), survival% (89.55%), plant height (65.10 cm), number of branches (110.57), number of leaves (356.53), fresh herbage yield (282.06), and dry herbage yield (51.44), followed by 75% RDF and 25% poultry manure.

This paper proposes to plan crop production over a complete growing season, by solving a control problem that optimises expected net revenue under stochastic disturbances. Production specifications with payouts only at harvest time (i.e. a reward only at harvest time) and under precise weight constraints on the harvested crop were considered. A case study was conducted for lettuce production in a greenhouse under Dutch weather conditions. Optimal control policies were calculated for weather measured on three different days, three different values for energy costs, and an uncertainty analysis was carried out under varying harvest weight requirements, state dynamics uncertainty levels, initial crop weight and starting time of the production round. The optimal controller balances daily energy costs and the expected maximum harvest revenues and uses state- and time-dependent feedback to adapt its actions under uncertainty. A control policy that is not based on uncertainty, is shown to perform substantially worse, with 15% less net revenues. A control policy without dynamic feedback even lead to a loss of 19% in net revenues. The sensitivity analysis showed that these performance differences persist over large ranges in uncertainty level, harvest weight constraints, deviations from the optimal starting day, and deviations in initial crop weight. Altogether, the results indicate that dynamic feedback, and uncertainty modelling can substantially improve economic outcomes in greenhouse climate control design. • Advanced climate control via stochastic dynamic programming. • Crop weight limits and set harvest times add realism to economic trade-off. • Managing uncertainty and feedback is key to lowering costs and boosting revenue. • Control policies visualised for intuitive interpretation.

Warm temperatures have a dramatic effect on plant development. In shoots, stems elongate, and leaves are raised in a developmental program called thermomorphogenesis. This results in enhanced leaf cooling capacity.1 Roots also undergo thermomorphogenesis, but the mechanism by which this occurs is less well understood. Main root elongation is enhanced at warm temperatures, in an autonomous response that likely requires other signaling pathways than those involved in light and temperature signaling of the shoot.2 It was recently speculated that due to the close correlation between warm temperature and soil moisture content, root temperature signaling could feasibly be related to water availability signals.3 In this study, we tested the interaction between warm temperature and water stress signaling in plant roots. We found that these environmental factors cooperatively enhance main root elongation. This interaction effect was dependent on sucrose non-fermenting-related kinase 2.2 (SnRK2.2) and SnRK2.3 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase constitutively photomorphogenic 1 (COP1). We found that SnRK2.2/2.3 and COP1 have opposite effects on the stability of the transcription factor elongated hypocotyl 5 (HY5) in elongation zone trichoblasts. The stability of HY5 in these cell types generally corresponded to the degree of root elongation seen in each mutant background. Our study reveals several molecular components of root thermomorphogenesis and highlights the importance of an integrative approach to plant environmental signaling. Our results may have direct implications for agricultural land management, especially as global climates become more unpredictable.

Abstract Neurogenic shock is caused by damage to the sympathetic nervous system. This can have negative outcomes in the patient, leading to excessive vasodilation, hypotension, and poor circulation. Spinal or brain damage usually continues. Disturbance in autonomous control, reduction in norepinephrine, inflammation, and excess nitrogen oxides are exacerbated. Compensation mechanisms often fail and highlight the need for improved treatment.