Search Results (1,641)

Hamatocaulis vernicosus is a pleurocarpous moss of conservation concern, listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive due to its significant and ongoing decline across Europe. H. vernicosus is also listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the Red List of Romanian Bryophytes. Despite its protected status, the species remains under-recorded in Romania, where many potentially suitable habitats have yet to be surveyed. The ecosystems, classified as Transition mire and quaking bog (NATURA 2000 code: 7140), are wet peatlands with oligo- to mesotrophic conditions and a pH of 5.0–7.5. H. vernicosus is recorded in 58 Romanian locations (10 confirmed by us, 5 new), spanning the Continental and Alpine bioregions. Models showed good performance (AUC 0.79–0.83; TSS 0.54–0.59), with distribution mainly shaped by mean annual temperature and temperature range, and secondarily by precipitation. The species favors cold, stable climates with high seasonal rainfall. Even though the number of localities reported for this species has increased in recent years, this does not indicate an improvement in its conservation status, but rather is an effect of recent recording efforts. To support targeted conservation planning, an ensemble species distribution model was developed in order to predict the suitable habitats of H. vernicosus across Romania. Both climate models project major range losses for the varnished hook-moss: ~30% by 2050 and ~40–60% by 2100, depending on the scenario. Losses are gradual under SSP245 but more abrupt under SSP585, with increased fragmentation, especially between the Eastern and Southern Carpathians. By integrating field observations with predictive climate change modeling, our study brings critical insights applicable to the conservation of H. vernicosus and the unique peatland ecosystems it relies on. Full article

Rape is one of the most widely cultivated and highest-yielding fruit crops in the world. However, research on its precise nutrient diagnosis and fertilization theory is severely lacking, significantly restricting the development of the grape industry. In this study, an L₁₆(4⁵) orthogonal experimental design was applied to determine the effects of varying ratios of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) on the fruit quality of ‘87-1’ grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivated in a facility, aiming to optimize nutrient application rates and improve fruit quality. Among the treatments T5 (N2P1K2Ca3Mg4), T14 (N4P2K3Ca1Mg4), and T9 (N3P1K3Ca4Mg2), treatment T9 had the most significant effect on single fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS) content, fruit firmness (FF), and fruit quality index (FQI) and was conducive to the positive accumulation of the above quality indicators. Based on a comprehensive multi-factor analysis of variance, the optimal fertilization combination for achieving a high FQI was N3P1K2Ca1Mg2, corresponding to application rates of 375.0, 0, 168.8, 0, and 70.5 kg·hm⁻² for N, P₂O₅, K₂O, CaO, and MgO, respectively. Furthermore, to establish standards for multivariate compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) and define the nutrient sufficiency range for ‘87-1’ grape fruit cultivated in a facility, the nutrient concentrations in various plant tissues and the soil and the FQI were measured across 80 treatments over five consecutive years. The nutritional status of the grapes cultivated under these treatments was calculated using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution and the CND method. Based on the optimal nutrient ranges for high FQI sub-populations, a precise fertilization model was developed to facilitate economic fertilizer savings, quality improvement, and standardized grape cultivation in a facility. Full article

Feijoa (Acca sellowiana Berg) is an emerging Mediterranean crop valued for its nutraceutical potential but still underexplored with respect to cultivar and harvest stage. This study investigated two cultivars, ‘Mammoth’ and ‘Apollo’, harvested one week apart (4 and 11 November), to assess morphological traits, phenolic composition, antioxidant activity, vitamin C, and iodine. Fruit morphology, firmness, and basic quality indices (TSS, TA, pH, TSS/TA) were determined, while phenolic compounds were profiled by UHPLC–Q-Orbitrap HRMS. Antioxidant activity was measured by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays; vitamin C by DCPIP titration; and iodine by iodometric analysis. ‘Apollo’ produced larger and firmer fruits, especially at the first harvest (105.6 g), while ‘Mammoth’ showed smaller and softer fruits. TSS remained stable (11 °Brix), whereas TA decreased and pH increased over time, raising the TSS/TA ratio and suggesting improved flavor balance at later harvests. Peel consistently contained higher bioactive levels than pulp, with catechin as the dominant phenolic compounds (up to 345 µg g⁻¹ dw in ‘Apollo’ peel). Antioxidant activity was markedly higher in peel, with ‘Mammoth’ showing stronger early FRAP values and ‘Apollo’ increasing at the later harvest. Vitamin C and iodine were about threefold higher in peel than pulp and increased over time, reaching maxima in late-harvest peel samples. Overall, cultivar and harvest stage significantly influenced fruit quality and nutraceutical value. Peel, particularly that of late-harvested ‘Apollo’, represents a promising resource for functional foods and the valorization of processing by-products. Full article

Populus adenopoda, an endemic tree species in China with considerable ecological and industrial value, is threatened by climate change-induced habitat loss. Understanding its spatial response is critical for conservation. This study employed the MaxEnt model with 181 occurrence records and seven environmental variables to project its current and future suitable habitats under multiple climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, SSP585 for the 2050s and 2090s). The model exhibited high predictive performance (AUC = 0.947 and TSS = 0.817). Annual precipitation and the minimum temperature of the coldest month were the dominant factors shaping its distribution. Currently, the total suitable habitat spans approximately 228.19 × 10⁴ km², predominantly in subtropical China. Future projections consistently revealed a stark degradation of highly suitable habitat, with losses of up to 78.81% under SSP585 by the 2090s, partially offset by an expansion of low-suitability areas. A pronounced northwestward shift of the habitat centroid indicates a potential migration toward higher elevations. These results provide a critical scientific foundation for developing climate-adaptive conservation strategies, including identifying priority areas and planning assisted migration, to ensure the long-term sustainability of P. adenopoda. Full article

This study examines the effectiveness of pervious concrete pavements as a sustainable and cost-effective stormwater management technique, particularly by incorporating locally sourced recycled materials into their design. It evaluates the stormwater treatment potential of three pervious concrete pavement types incorporating recycled plastic, glass, and crushed concrete aggregates, with six design variations produced using 25% and 50% replacements of coarse aggregates from these materials. The key properties of pervious concrete, namely compressive strength, porosity, unit weight, and infiltration, and key water quality indicators, namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS), colour, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and orthophosphate (PO₄³⁻), were analysed. Results indicated an overall improvement in the quality of the stormwater runoff passed through all pervious concrete pavements irrespective of composition. Notable reductions in turbidity, TSS, colour, COD, PO₄³⁻, and NO₃⁻ underscored the effectiveness of pervious concrete containing waste materials in the treatment of stormwater runoff. Pervious concrete pavements with 25% recycled concrete exhibited optimal performance in reducing TSS, COD, and PO₄³⁻ levels, while the 50% recycled concrete variant excelled in diminishing turbidity. However, the study found that the use of recycled materials in pervious concrete pavements affects properties like compressive strength and infiltration rate differently. While incorporating 25% and 50% recycled concrete aggregates did not significantly reduce compressive strength, the effectiveness of stormwater treatment varied based on the mix design and type of recycled material used. Thus, this study highlights the potential of utilizing recycled waste materials in pervious concrete pavements for sustainable stormwater management. Full article

Total Soluble Solids (TSS) in tomatoes is a core indicator for evaluating fruit quality and processing characteristics. Its composition mainly consists of soluble sugars (such as fructose and glucose) and organic acids (such as citric acid and malic acid). The contents of sugars and acids and their ratio directly affect the flavor and nutritional value. Cultivated tomatoes have a TSS of 4–6%, compared with 10–15% in wild varieties. In recent years, with the advancement of molecular biology and genomics technologies, significant progress has been made in the research on the regulatory mechanisms of tomato fruit TSS and major sugars and acids, including the identification of major quantitative trait locus (QTLs) (Lin5, SlALMT9), functional characterization via CRISPR/Cas9 and elucidation of the transporter network. Breaking the negative correlation between TSS and yield remains a major bottleneck in breeding. Analyzing the mechanism by which environmental factors regulate the TSS and optimizing cultivation measures are crucial for increasing the TSS content in tomatoes. The deep integration of cutting-edge technologies (such as Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), metabolome-wide association studies (mGWAS), Genomic selection (GS), genome editing, and crop modeling) with design breeding is expected to accelerate the development of high-TSS tomato varieties. This paper reviews the current research status from the following four aspects: QTL mapping related to tomato TSS and mining of major genes, metabolic and transport mechanisms of major sugars and acids and key genes, the influence of environmental factors on TSS, and application of genetic improvement strategies and technologies. Full article

Fruit quality attributes interrelate with their dielectric properties, but such interrelationships in Ruaner pear during the post-ripening variable temperature frozen storage period remain uninvestigated. Five quality attributes and eight dielectric parameters were measured under two production modes. The results showed that fruit quality improved markedly, the TSS of farmer pears from 11.2% to 17.9%, while cooperative pears increased from 11.47% to 17.5%. The SSC of farmer pears increased from 8.55% to 32.51%, while cooperatives went from 14.61% to 30.14%, The WC of the farmer pears increased from 84.01% to 85.76%, while cooperative pears increased from 84.76% to 86.58%, an increase of 2.1% compared with the pears at 0 d, and farmer-stored pears exhibited better overall quality. Dielectric parameters (B and G) increased with time and showed strong correlations with quality attributes. Prediction models based on principal component analysis achieved high accuracy (R² = 0.833). These results highlight the practical potential of using dielectric properties as a rapid, non-destructive method to evaluate fruit quality during post-ripening variable temperature frozen storage. Full article

Potato is a widely consumed staple crop prone to postharvest deterioration and quality loss. Biodegradable edible coatings offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional packaging for extending shelf life. This study evaluated the effectiveness of whey protein concentrate (WPC) based coatings, with and without chitosan, in maintaining potato quality under different storage conditions and durations. Tubers were treated with WPC coating (WC1) or WPC–chitosan coating with additives (WC2) and stored at room temperature (RT, 24 °C), refrigeration (RF, 4 °C), or incubator (IC, 20 °C) for up to 48 days. Dry matter (DM), firmness (FR), and total soluble solids (TSS) were determined every 8 days. DM ranged between 17.3–20.7%, FR between 5.6–8.1 N, and TSS between 3.4–5.3 °Brix. Storage period (SP) had the strongest influence, with DM peaking after 16–24 days, FR gradually decreasing, and TSS dropping sharply after 32 days. Coating did not significantly affect DM, but WC2 improved FR retention while slightly lowering TSS. RF best preserved FR and TSS, whereas RT and IC accelerated quality loss. Overall, WPC-based coatings, particularly WC2, provide a biodegradable and effective strategy to reduce postharvest losses, maintain potato quality, and support sustainable food preservation. Full article

Alexandrium spp., globally recognized as harmful algal bloom (HAB) species, pose severe threats to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and public health. Based on 469 occurrence records and 24 marine environmental variables, this study employed the Biomod2 ensemble modeling framework to predict the potential distribution of Alexandrium spp. under current and future climate scenarios, and to assess the role of key environmental factors and the spatiotemporal dynamics of habitat centroid shifts. The results revealed that (1) the ensemble model outperformed single models (AUC = 0.998, TSS = 0.977, Kappa = 0.978), providing higher robustness and reliability in prediction; (2) salinity range (bio18, 19.1%) and mean salinity (bio16, 5.8%) were the dominant factors, while minimum temperature (bio23) also showed strong constraints, indicating that salinity determines “whether persistence is possible,” while temperature influences “whether blooms occur”; (3) under present conditions, high-suitability habitats are concentrated in Bohai Bay, the Yangtze River estuary to the Fujian coast, and parts of Guangdong; (4) climate change is predicted to drive a southward shift of suitable habitats, with the most pronounced expansion under the high-emission scenario (RCP8.5), leading to the emergence of new high-risk areas in the South China coast and adjacent South China Sea; (5) centroid analysis further indicated a pronounced southward migration under RCP8.5 by 2100, highlighting a regional reconfiguration of ecological risks. Collectively, salinity and temperature are identified as the core drivers shaping the ecological niche of Alexandrium spp., and future warming is likely to exacerbate HAB risks in southern China. This study delineates key prevention regions and proposes a shift from reactive to proactive management strategies, providing scientific support for HAB monitoring and marine ecological security in China’s coastal waters. Full article

SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a global health concern, with its impact on host immune responses not fully understood. In a case–control study, we examined how COVID-19 affects DNA methylation patterns in the upper respiratory airway of hospitalized individuals. DNA methylation arrays were performed on nasopharyngeal samples at inclusion/hospitalization and 6 weeks post-inclusion. We found a distinct DNA methylation pattern in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls, identifying 510,099 differentially methylated CpGs. Within the transcription start sites (TSSs) and gene body, COVID-19 patients displayed a higher number of genes/CpGs with elevated methylation levels. Enrichment analysis of TSS-methylated genes revealed effects of SARS-CoV-2 on genes associated with type I interferons, anti-viral and inflammatory responses, and immune functions. Some CpG methylations were transient, and normalized at group level by 6 weeks post-inclusion. Several IFN-regulated genes, including OAS1, OAS3, IFIT3, and MX1, were identified. Among the top regulators were IL17A and ERK1/2, both involved in inflammatory processes. Networks nodes included IGF1 and EGF, associated with processes including tissue repair and activation of immune responses. Overall, our data suggests that COVID-19 can impact the upper airway by modifying gene methylation patterns. This could have implications for conditioning of the airways, how individuals respond to future airway infections, and therapeutic interventions. Full article

This study presents a self-supervised learning framework for detecting frequency disturbances in power systems using high-resolution time series data. Employing data from the UK National Grid, we apply the Temporal Contrastive Self-Supervised Learning (TC-TSS) approach to learn task-agnostic embeddings from unlabelled 60-s rolling window segments of frequency measurements. The learned representations are then used to train four traditional classifiers, Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Random Forest (RF), for binary classification of frequency stability events. The proposed method is evaluated using over 15 million data points spanning six months of system operation data. Results show that classifiers trained on TC-TSS embeddings performed better than those using raw input features, particularly in detecting rare disturbance events. ROC-AUC scores for MLP and SVM models reach as high as 0.98, indicating excellent separability in the latent space. Visualisations using UMAP and t-SNE further demonstrate the clustering quality of TC-TSS features. This study highlights the effectiveness of contrastive representation learning in the energy domain, particularly under conditions of limited labelled data, and proves its suitability for integration into real-time smart grid applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Kozan Misket orange (Citrus sinensis L.) is a regional Turkish cultivar valued for its unique flavor, yet the mechanisms underlying its aroma development remain unclear. Volatile compounds are key contributors to citrus sensory quality, and β-glucosidase is involved in releasing glycosidically bound aroma precursors. However, no previous study has examined the interaction between enzyme activity and volatile production during maturation in this cultivar. This study aimed to characterize the dynamic changes in volatile composition and β-glucosidase activity across different maturation stages of Kozan Misket orange. Methods: Fruits were harvested at three maturity stages (green, green–yellow, yellow). Physicochemical traits (TSS, TA, TSS/TA), volatile profiles (HS-SPME/GC-MS), and specific β-glucosidase activity were analyzed. Volatile compounds were identified, quantified, and compared across stages. Results: A total of 47 volatile compounds were identified, with monoterpenes dominating at all stages. D-limonene was the most abundant compound, exceeding 86% of total volatiles. Total volatile content increased with maturation, particularly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, whereas oxygenated monoterpenes (e.g., linalool, 4-terpineol, α-terpineol) declined at full maturity. Specific β-glucosidase activity decreased markedly from 20.15 to 8.25 U mg⁻¹ protein. This shift suggests that bound precursors contribute more to early-stage aroma release, while later-stage aroma accumulation may rely on metabolic conversions. Conclusions: This study provides the first integrated insight into aroma development in Kozan Misket orange, revealing a dual-phase mechanism linking volatile formation and β-glucosidase activity. These findings clarify cultivar-specific flavor development and offer guidance for harvest optimization and flavor management. Full article

Halophyte bio-saline agriculture can supplement conventional farm methods in salinized soils and salty water. The current study compares the yield and nutritional value of new Sarcocornia fruticosa ecotypes (Shikmona, Megadim, Naaman, and Ruhama) to those of the current ecotype (VM). Additionally, Arthrocaulon macrostachyum, phenotypically similar to Sarcocornia, was compared to Sarcocornia ecotypes, and the effects of the harvesting regime and irrigation water salinity on yield and nutritional value were studied. At both salinity levels (50 and 150 mM NaCl), 30-day harvesting intervals over a 210-day growth period increased plant yield compared to a 21-day regime. It also tended to improve electrical conductivity (EC) and total soluble sugars (TSS), lower malondialdehyde levels (a marker of toxic stress), and enhance radical inhibition activity in most ecotypes. Compared to VM, the Sarcocornia ecotypes Ruh and Naa exhibited much higher biomass with similar radical inhibition activity but lower total protein content. Higher salinity improved fresh biomass, shoot diameter, relative water content, chlorophyll level, TSS, and EC and tended to increase anthocyanin and carotenoid levels. In contrast, lower salinity tended to increase total flavonoids, polyphenols, and radical inhibition activity. In the 30-day harvest regime, A. macrostachyum exhibited the highest and second-highest yields at high and low salinity, respectively; the highest shoot diameter, total flavonoids, and radical inhibition activity; and one of the lowest malondialdehyde levels. The current study highlights the importance of optimizing harvest frequency and the advantages of employing A. macrostachyum and the Sarcocornia ecotypes Ruhama, Naaman, and Megadim with a 30-day harvesting regime under higher-salinity conditions. Full article

This study investigated water quality, metal ion concentrations, and antibiotic residues specifically enrofloxacin (ENR) and its metabolite ciprofloxacin (CIP), across six American shad (Alosa sapidissima) aquaculture sites over a one-year period. Water and sediment samples were analyzed to determine contamination levels, and ENR-degrading bacteria were isolated from the culture environment to explore their potential use in bioremediation. Findings showed that NH₃-N and total suspended solids (TSS) exceeded recommended standards at all sampling sites. Elevated levels of Li, Na (except S1), Fe, Ni (except S2 and S4), Sr, and Cu were found at site S3. Site S5 recorded the highest concentrations of Al, As, and Pb, while Cd was most abundant at S6. In sediments, S5 showed higher levels of Mg, K (except S3), Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, As, Pb, Cu, and Zn (except S3). ENR and CIP were detected in all water and sediment samples, with a 100% detection rate. The highest ENR (16.68–3215.95 mg·kg⁻¹) and CIP (3.90–459.60 mg·kg⁻¹) concentrations in water occurred at site S6, following a seasonal pattern of autumn > winter > summer > spring. In sediments, the maximum ENR (41.43–133.67 mg·kg⁻¹) and CIP (12.36–23.71 mg·kg⁻¹) levels were observed in spring. Two ENR-degrading bacterial strains were successfully isolated and identified as Enterococcus and Bacillus. Optimal degradation was achieved at 30 °C, pH 8.0, 6% inoculum, and 3000 Lux, resulting in a 64.2% reduction in ENR after 72 h. Under slightly different conditions (25 °C, pH 10), degradation reached 58.5%. This study provides an efficient strain resource for the bioremediation of ENR pollution in the aquaculture water of American shad. Full article

As a typical sucrose-accumulating fruit, longan commonly experiences sugar receding during on-tree preservation, leading to quality deterioration. To investigate the mechanism of sucrose degradation in longan fruit, we conducted genome-wide identification and analysis of key genes involved in sucrose synthesis and catabolism based on the ‘Shixia’ (SX) genome. The results revealed that longan contained 8 sucrose synthases (SUSs), 4 sucrose phosphate synthases (SPSs), and 26 invertases (INVs). Notably, members of the longan SUS, SPS, and cell wall invertase (CWINV) families all contained the motif 10 sequence, while cytoplasmic invertase (CINV) members exhibited diverse motif combinations. Similarity analysis revealed that sequence similarity was reliable only when the sequence lengths of the compared genes were comparable. Cis-acting elements and miRNA prediction showed that these genes were enriched in MYB elements and regulated by miR156/827/171. Additionally, the expansion of SUS, SPS, and INV genes was driven by segmental duplication events under purifying selection. Furthermore, the ‘Chuliang’ (CL) cultivar exhibited slower on-tree sucrose degradation than SX, with sucrose accounting for 72.2% of total sugars at maturity, which is 33.4% higher than SX. Enzyme activity assay during the sucrose decline stage revealed that SUS, SPS, and INV activities were generally higher in SX pulp than in CL. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that the activities of AINV and A/N-INV were both significantly negatively correlated with TSS and sucrose content, respectively. Additionally, the expression of DlCWINV10 exhibited a negative correlation with TSS (p < 0.05) and sucrose content (r = −0.6, p = 0.07), suggesting that DlCWINV10 may play an important role in the sucrose degradation process. In summary, this study elucidates the characteristics of SUS, SPS, and INV gene families in longan and their potential roles in sucrose metabolism, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding the on-tree sucrose degradation mechanism. Full article