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Shape, size, composition, and function of the bones in the human body vary on the macro, micro and nanoscale. This can influence changes caused by taphonomy and post-mortem preservation, including DNA. Highly mineralised compact bone is less susceptible to taphonomic factors than porous trabecular bone. Some studies imply that DNA can be better preserved in trabecular bone, due to remnants of the soft tissue or bacteria better digesting organic matter while not digesting DNA. The aim of this study was to understand the differences between compact (diaphyses) and trabecular (epiphyses) bone on a molecular level and thus the reasons for the better preservation of the DNA in the trabecular bone. The powder obtained from epiphyses and diaphyses of metacarpals and metatarsals was analysed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and compared. Samples with poorest DNA preservation originated from diaphyses, predominantly of metatarsals. They were characterised by higher concentrations of phosphates and crystallinity, while lower collagen quality in comparison to samples with the best DNA preservation. Epiphyses presented higher concentrations of better-preserved collagen while diaphyses had higher concentrations of carbonates and phosphates and higher crystallinity. Due to better-preserved collagen in the epiphyses, the soft tissue remnants hypothesis seems more likely than the bacteria hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape, size, composition, and function of the bones in the human body vary on the macro, micro and nanoscale. This can influence changes caused by taphonomy and post-mortem preservation, including DNA. Highly mineralised compact bone is less susceptible to taphonomic factors than porous trabecular bone. Some studies imply that DNA can be better preserved in trabecular bone, due to remnants of the soft tissue or bacteria better digesting organic matter while not digesting DNA. The aim of this study was to understand the differences between compact (diaphyses) and trabecular (epiphyses) bone on a molecular level and thus the reasons for the better preservation of the DNA in the trabecular bone. The powder obtained from epiphyses and diaphyses of metacarpals and metatarsals was analysed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and compared. Samples with poorest DNA preservation originated from diaphyses, predominantly of metatarsals. They were characterised by higher concentrations of phosphates and crystallinity, while lower collagen quality in comparison to samples with the best DNA preservation. Epiphyses presented higher concentrations of better-preserved collagen while diaphyses had higher concentrations of carbonates and phosphates and higher crystallinity. Due to better-preserved collagen in the epiphyses, the soft tissue remnants hypothesis seems more likely than the bacteria hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic trait prediction in ancient DNA analysis can provide information about the external appearance of individuals from past human populations. Some studies predicting eye and hair color in ancient adult skeletons have been published, but not for ancient subadult skeletons, which are more prone to decay. In this study, eye and hair color were predicted for an early medieval adult skeleton and a subadult skeleton that was anthropologically characterized as a middle-aged man and a subadult of unknown sex about 6 years old. When processing the petrous bones, precautions were taken to prevent contamination with modern DNA. The MillMix tissue homogenizer was used for grinding, 0.5 g of bone powder was decalcified, and DNA was purified in Biorobot EZ1. The PowerQuant System was used for quantification and a customized version of the HIrisPlex panel for massive parallel sequencing (MPS) analysis. Library preparation and templating were performed on the HID Ion Chef Instrument and sequencing on the Ion GeneStudio S5 System. Up to 21 ng DNA/g of powder was obtained from ancient petrous bones. Clean negative controls and no matches with elimination database profiles confirmed no contamination issue. Brown eyes and dark brown or black hair were predicted for the adult skeleton and blue eyes and brown or dark brown hair for the subadult skeleton. The MPS analysis results obtained proved that it is possible to predict hair and eye color not only for an adult from the Early Middle Ages, but also for a subadult skeleton dating to this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Morphological methods for sex assessment achieved accuracy of 72% on non-adults and 97% on adults. Sex was assessed for 71% and determined for 94% of the individuals. Combining morphological and genetic method allowed all the individuals to be sexed. Applied morphological methods performed well on Slovenian post-medieval adults, while poorly on non-adults. The first step in the analysis of human skeletal remains is the establishment of the biological profile of an individual. This includes sex assessment, which depends highly on the age of the individual and on the completeness and preservation state of the remains. Macroscopic methods only provide the assessment of sex, while for sex determination, molecular methods need to be included. However, poor preservation of the remains can make molecular methods impossible and only assessment can be performed. Presented research compares DNA-determined and morphologically assessed sex of adult and non-adult individuals buried in a modern-age cemetery (17th to late 19th century) in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of commonly used macroscopic methods for sex assessment on a Slovenian post-medieval population. Results demonstrate that for adults, macroscopic methods employed are highly reliable and pelvic morphology, even the sciatic notch alone, is more reliable than skull. In non-adults, macroscopic methods are not as reliable as in adults, which agrees with previous research. This study shows how morphological and molecular methods can go hand in hand when building a biological profile of an individual. On their own, each methodology presented some individuals with undetermined sex, while together, sex of all the individuals was provided. Results confirm suitability of sex assessment based on skull and especially pelvic morphology in Slovenian post-medieval adults, while in the non-adult population molecular methods are advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forensic kinship analysis and human identification cases, analysis of STRs is the gold standard. When badly preserved ancient DNA is used for kinship analysis, short identity SNPs are more promising for successful amplification. In this work, kinship analysis was performed on two skeletons from the Early Middle Ages. The surface contaminants of petrous bones were removed by chemical cleaning and UV irradiation; DNA was isolated through full demineralization and purified in an EZ1 Advanced XL machine. The PowerQuant kit was used to analyze DNA yield and degradation, and on average, 17 ng DNA/g of petrous bone was obtained. Both skeletons were typed in duplicate for STR markers using the Investigator EssplexPlus SE QS kit, and comparison of partial consensus genotypes showed shared allelic variants at most loci amplified, indicating close kinship. After statistical calculation, the full-sibling kinship probability was too low for kinship confirmation, and additional analyses were performed with PCR-MPS using the Precision ID Identity Panel. The HID Ion Chef Instrument was used to prepare the libraries and for templating and the Ion GeneStudio S5 System for sequencing. Analysis of identity SNPs produced full genetic profiles from both skeletons. For combined likelihood ratio (LR) calculation, the product rule was used, combining LR for STRs and LR for SNPs, and a combined LR of 3.3 × 107 (corresponding to a full-sibling probability of 99.999997%) was calculated. Through the SNP PCR-MPS that followed the STR analysis, full-sibling kinship between the ancient skeletons excavated from an early medieval grave was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal remains from archaeological and forensic contexts are commonly used for various analyses, including DNA. Our research investigates relatively fast and inexpensive ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with further data manipulation as a potential pre-screening technique for assessing the preservation state of skeletal remains. We seek to correlate spectra and chemometric indices with the biological, chemical, and physical composition of the skeletal tissue, and the quality and quantity of DNA preserved in the tissue, also considering the skeletal element, absolute age, and environmental conditions to which the remains have been exposed. Our research focuses on human bones and teeth derived from archaeological, WWII and forensic contexts. The samples are cleaned and pulverized according to established methodological procedures for DNA extraction. DNA is extracted and quantified, while the remaining powder is analysed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The obtained spectra are manipulated to extract the chemometric indices, which are the base for statistical analyses, machine learning, and prediction algorithms. A compilation of results from several studies shows that ATR-FTIR spectra present a solid base for researchers to better understand the preservation state of phosphates, carbonates, and collagen in the skeletal tissues, assessment of post-mortem interval, and the preservation of the DNA. Although many questions still need to be answered, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with further data manipulation has a high potential for research of taphonomic changes, PMI and DNA preservation in human skeletal remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy is a relatively fast and inexpensive but reliable method that can be used as a rough screening tool for DNA preservation. Although it is an excellent analytical tool, it only provides relative information on the chemical structure of heterogeneous materials such as bone and its usefulness and accuracy for predicting the preservation of DNA in samples originating from different body regions of minimally altered remains was never tested before. 144 bone samples were collected from different body regions of three individuals discovered in a Second World War mass grave. DNA was extracted and quantified, followed by STR typing. Samples were analysed with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Comparing the preservation state of DNA and chemometric indices, the usefulness of the method was tested. Correlations between the DNA preservation and chemometric indices were highly variable, especially when considering different body regions. Best DNA preservation was correlated with a balanced ratio between carbonates and phosphates, and with high collagen quality and quantity. It seems that, when dealing with relatively young and well-preserved remains, more attention should be paid to collagen quality. In addition, the results indicate that DNA quality and DNA quantity correlate differently with chemometric indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectroscopy of skeletal tissues is increasingly used in various fields, including legal medicine, forensic science and archaeology. As it is fast and technically and financially affordable yet accurate and widely applicable, spectroscopy is often used when investigating skeletal tissues. Despite its usefulness, the heterogeneity of skeletal tissues highly affects their chemical composition and complicates the interpretation of the spectroscopy results. Though the research on the use of spectroscopy and skeletal tissues from various contexts is growing, little is known regarding the differences in the chemometric indices caused by intra‐skeleton variability. The objectives were a comparison of the chemometric indices between teeth and bones, between different bone classes and between the skeletal elements within a bone class as well as an attempt to correlate the observed similarities or differences in chemometric indices to the functional or structural differences of skeletal elements. Different skeletal elements of three individuals were analysed with attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and compared. Significant differences between the chemometric indices of the bones and teeth were observed and meaningfully correlated with their structural differences. Though more subtle and harder to understand, significant differences were also observed between and within the bone classes and were tentatively correlated with their structural and functional differences. The observed variability agrees with other studies that stress the importance of intra‐skeleton variability, which should be acknowledged when using spectroscopy to investigate skeletal tissues. Spectroscopy is fast, affordable and accurate technique when investigating skeletal tissues. Significant differences exist between and within the bone classes, likely due to their structural and functional differences. Significant differences exist between DNA preservation in different skeletal elements. Intra‐skeleton variability should be acknowledged when using spectroscopy to investigate skeletal tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy provides detailed information about the physiochemical properties of the analysed material. It is used in archaeology and forensics for various purposes, including characterization of the preservation state of skeletal remains. Building on the previous research, we used an ATR-FTIR spectrometer to analyse samples from the remains at various PMIs (21st century AD – 16th century BC), deposition and storage conditions, and different skeletal elements. We used the spectra to assess the state of preservation of the remains and to test how informative the spectra are for estimating the PMI taking into account the skeletal element and the environmental conditions. The study of the spectra provided information on taphonomically induced physiochemical changes in the organic and inorganic components of the remains, which are related not only to the PMI but also to the conditions under which the remains were discovered or stored and, to a lesser extent, to the skeletal element. A clear separation between 21st and 20th century versus archaeological (≥18th century) samples was possible even in the case of significant taphonomically caused changes. In the older samples some overlaps remained because environmental factors overpowered time, nevertheless 80% of samples were placed in the correct century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis of 26 petrous bones and epiphyses of metacarpals from the Second World War era revealed no significant differences in DNA yield or success in STR typing. This unexpected parity in DNA preservation between the petrous bone, a renowned source of endogenous DNA in skeletal remains, and the epiphyses of metacarpals, which are porous and susceptible to taphonomic changes, is surprising. In this study, we introduced ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as an approach to unravel the correlation between bone molecular structure and DNA preservation. Metacarpals and petrous bones with same taphonomic history were sampled and prepared for DNA analyses. While one portion of the sample was used for DNA analysis, the other underwent ATR-FTIR spectroscopic examination. The normalized spectra and FTIR indices between the epiphyses of metacarpals and petrous bones were compared. Because the taphonomic history of the remains used is relatively short and stable, the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy unveiled subtle structural differences between the two bone types. Petrous bones exhibited higher mineralization, whereas epiphyses contained more organic matter. The unexpected preservation of DNA in the epiphyses of metacarpals can likely be attributed to the presence of soft tissue remnants within the trabeculae. Here observed differences in the molecular structure of bones indicate there are different mechanisms enabling DNA preservation in skeletal tissues. • Petrous bones and metacarpal epiphyses presented no significant difference in DNA yield or in the success of STR typing. • ATR-FTIR spectroscopy results reflect normal differences in the structure of both types of bone. • Comparable preservation can likely be attributed to the preservation of soft tissue in the epiphyses of metacarpals. • Different mechanisms for DNA preservation exist in different bone tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular characteristics of skeletal remains were studied utilizing ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, focusing on comparisons between mature adult and immature non-adult skeletal elements. To cover the intra-skeletal variability, different types of bones were analysed. The objective was to identify significant differences between various skeletal elements of adults and non-adults. Additionally, the correlation between observed differences and DNA preservation was investigated. Despite exposure to taphonomic factors, findings indicate minimal diagenetic changes or a well-balanced alteration in mineral and collagen within bones. The identified differences primarily reflect functional and structural differences among various skeletal elements. Significant differences between adults and non-adults, or lack of it, is attributed to different paths of bone maturation from childhood to adulthood. High DNA preservation in non-adult petrous bones was attributed to the interplay between DNA and carbonates, both occupying hydroxyl sites in the lattice. Conversely, lower DNA content in other bones, especially non-adult bones, was correlated with high relative concentrations of collagen, in which DNA is less stable and more prone to degradation. This study highlights the importance of skeletal variation (inter, intra, developmental stage) when assessing the preservation state of the remains and choosing samples for further analyses such as DNA. For the first time, differences between mature adult and immature non-adult bones are included. • Molecular characteristics of mature and immature skeletal elements using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy are presented. • Minimal diagenetic changes or a well-balanced alteration in mineral and collagen were present. • Differences, or lack of it, between adults and non-adults, is attributed to different paths of bone maturation. • High DNA preservation in non-adult petrous bones was attributed to the interplay between DNA and carbonates. • Lower DNA content in other bones, especially non-adult bones, was correlated with high relative concentrations of collagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of epidemic modelling is to support the epidemic management through forecasts and analyses of past developments. With this in mind a robust and intuitive SEIR (Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Recovered) type model has been developed, applied and validated during the multiple waves of the COVID-19 epidemics in Slovenia since March 2020. The model parameters were based on the general characteristics of the COVID-19 disease reported globally for the entire planet and refined with the aggregate data available mostly on a daily basis in Slovenia, as for example the number of confirmed cases, hospitalized patients, hospitalized patients in intensive care units and deceased. The Slovenian aggregate data was also used to estimate the degree of immunisation due to past infections and vaccination, which reduces the number of susceptible persons for the disease. Examples of the model application are presented to illustrate its robustness and intuitiveness in both the forecasts and analyses of past developments. The analyses of past developments provided specific estimates of modelling parameters for Slovenia and quantified the effects of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions and various events on the development of the epidemics as measured through the reproduction number R. This empirically obtained information was then applied in the forecasts. Accurate forecasts are a great support for decision makers and for hospitals to plan appropriate actions in advance. The inherent uncertainties in the model and data were quantified through intuitive sensitivity analyses represented as different scenarios. The observed accuracy of the forecasts was impressively good also in demanding conditions, when various complex processes influencing the spread of the disease were going on in parallel. This demonstrates the robustness and relevance of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freezing bone samples to preserve their biomolecular properties for various analyses at a later time is a common practice. Storage temperature and freeze–thaw cycles are well-known factors affecting degradation of molecules in the bone, whereas less is known about the form in which the tissue is most stable. In general, as little intervention as possible is advised before storage. In the case of DNA analyses, homogenization of the bone shortly before DNA extraction is recommended. Because recent research on the DNA yield from frozen bone fragments and frozen bone powder indicates better DNA preservation in the latter, the aim of the study presented here was to investigate and compare the chemical composition of both types of samples (fragments versus powder) using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Pairs of bone fragments and bone powder originating from the same femur of 57 individuals from a Second World War mass grave, stored in a freezer at − 20 °C for 10 years, were analyzed. Prior to analysis, the stored fragments were ground into powder, whereas the stored powder was analyzed without any further preparation. Spectroscopic analysis was performed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The spectra obtained were processed and analyzed to determine and compare the chemical composition of both types of samples. The results show that frozen powdered samples have significantly better-preserved organic matter and lower concentrations of B-type carbonates, but higher concentrations of A-type carbonates and stoichiometric apatite. In addition, there are more differences in the samples with a low DNA degradation index and less in the samples with a high DNA degradation index. Because the results are inconsistent with the current understanding of bone preservation, additional research into optimal preparation and long-term storage of bone samples is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting with vigorous rootstocks could offer tomato growers in Texas sustainable and efficient option to achieve reliable yield across a range of production systems and locations. Genotypes (G) of grafted and non-grafted tomato were grown in different environments (E) in the 2017 and 2018 spring seasons. The objectives of the study were to (i) evaluate the effects of production system and grafting on tomato yield traits, (ii) determine the size of genotypic and genotype by environment interaction (G × E) variance components, and (iii) evaluate the relative stability of tested genotypes for yield and its components across production environments. In 2017, genotypes were non-grafted 'TAMU Hot Ty' (TAM) and 'Tycoon' (TY) and each grafted on commercial tomato rootstocks 'Estamino' (TAM/ES, TY/ES) and 'Multifort' (TAM/MU, TY/MU) while in 2018, TAM and 'HM1823' (HM) were grafted on 'Estamino' (TAM/ES, HM/ES) and 'Multifort' (TAM/MU, HM/MU). Testing environments were high tunnel (HT) and open-field (OF) in Uvalde in 2017 while in 2018, these were HT and OF in Lubbock (LU-HT, LU-OF), Overton (OV-HT, OV-OF), Uvalde (UV-HT, UV-OF), and Weslaco (WE-HT, WE-OF). Total and marketable yields, fruit number per plant, and average fruit weight were significantly affected by E, G, and G × E interaction. Environmental component contributed 71–86% to the total variation for all these traits, while genotype explained 1.5–10.8%, and the contribution of G × E ranged between 4.3 to 6.7%. Estimation of the univariate statistic parameters and genotype plus genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analysis indicated that HM/MU and HM/ES were the most stable graft combination with the highest total and marketable yields, while TAM/ES was very unstable for yields across test environments. TAM/MU was stable but with yield lower than the grand mean. These results suggest that high tomato yields could be consistently achieved with grafted combination (HM/MU and HM/ES) especially under high tunnel production system across the regions of Texas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter degradation and water limitation caused by intense farming activities are some of the major threats affecting agricultural production. Accordingly, the concepts of sustainable agricultural systems with optimized irrigation and improved soil quality can be adapted to address these issues. During this 2-year field study, two management factors--humic substances (HS) as organic inputs (HS vs. control) and deficit irrigation as the irrigation method (50% vs. 100% based on evapotranspiration)--were evaluated based on triploid watermelon (Citrullus lanatus cv. Fascination) yield and soil property changes. HS application increased watermelon early yield by 38.6% and total yield by 11.8% compared with the control; the early yield mainly increased under deficit irrigation. Compared with full irrigation, deficit irrigation increased water use efficiency (WUE) without significantly affecting total yield. In addition, HS application significantly increased the soil organic carbon (SOC) content, which was found to be positively correlated with crop WUE. These results indicate that soil organic inputs with HS and deficit irrigation are valuable strategies to establish sustainable systems for watermelon production, which will not only increase yield and WUE but also significantly improve soil quality and save irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of yield and quality traits in nine orange-fleshed melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes was studied over nine environments in south-central Texas (College Station, Uvalde, and Weslaco) over 3 years (2010, 2011, and 2012). Besides yield traits, fruit-quality components such as soluble solids content (SSC), b-carotene, and fruit firmness were also measured. Data were subjected to the combined analysis of variance and trait stability by GGE Biplot. The significant genotype-by-location interactions for yield traits demonstrated the potential to develop location-specific cultivars. However, the temporal fluctuations in productivity emphasized the need to select for stability over several years in potential cultivars for the target environments. Cultivar Mission was confirmed as the most stable and average performing genotype for marketable yield and quality traits at all locations. Uvalde was identified as the ideal location for selecting generally adapted genotypes for south-central Texas. Biplot analysis indicated that Orange Dew was the highest mean performing genotype for SSC. The hybrid Oro Duro, followed by TAMU 146, ranked highest for mean and stability of b-carotene content, but it ranked lowest for fruit firmness. TAMU Orange Casaba exhibited specific adaptation, producing the highest mean fruit yield at Weslaco, while Journey had the highest fruit yield at College Station and Uvalde. Understanding of genotype-by-environment interactions for multiple traits in melon is critical for developing cultivars with high mean performance and stability in target growing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is a fast and accessible, minimally or non-destructive technique which provides information on physiochemical characteristics of analyzed materials. In forensic and archaeological sciences, it is commonly used for answering numerous questions, including the archaeological or forensic context of the human skeletal remains. In this research, the accuracy of ATR-FTIR-obtained spectra for separation between forensic, WWII, and archaeological human skeletal remains was investigated. Building from the previously proposed methodological procedures, various ratio-based and whole spectra separation procedures were applied, carefully analyzed, and evaluated. Results showed that employing whole spectral domains works best for the separation of archaeological, WWII, and forensic samples, even with samples of highly variable origin. Principal component analysis (PCA) further highlighted the necessity of acknowledging all the major components in the remains: amides, phosphates, and carbonates for the separation. Most influential proved to be amide I, namely its secondary structure, which presented well-preserved and organized collagen structure in forensic and WWII samples, while highly degraded in archaeological samples. Using the whole spectral domain for separation between samples from different contexts proved to be fast and simple, with no manipulation beyond baseline correction and normalization of spectra necessary. However, a dataset with samples of known origin is required for the learning model and predictions. A less accurate alternative is separation based on combining ratios of peaks correlating to organics and minerals in the bone, which eliminated overlapping and managed to classify the majority of the samples correctly as archaeological, WWII, or forensic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Total reflection FTIR spectroscopy is suitable technique for characterisation of cremated bones. • Degradation products of thermally degraded bones have been non-invasively characterised. • A non-invasive reflection FTIR spectral database on temperature dependent bones' spectral response was created. • Approximate burning temperature of cremated human remains from different Slovenian archaeological sites was estimated. To better understand and interpret archaeological bone remains, knowledge of thermally induced changes that can be a consequence of cooking or mortuary practices in past cultures are of extreme importance. Due to the high value of the remains, the methods that require no sampling or no sample manipulation should deserve special attention. For that purpose non-invasive spectroscopic analytical research has been carried out on experimentally heated bones to examine their chemical composition, which may represent a starting point for understanding the conservation status of heated bones and the effects of temperature on the detected chemical changes. Total reflection FTIR spectra collected on experimentally heated bones were due to competition of specular and diffuse reflectance phenomena distorted. In the lower spectral region, where specular reflection prevails, the Kramers–Kronig (KK) operation was applied. Derivative-like bands were successfully corrected with the KK operation. However, the most significant band of ν s (PO 4 3−) was inverted by the reststrahlen effect in almost all reflection spectra wherein the KK operation fails. Signals in the spectral region of overtones, combination bands, and OH stretching vibrations were enhanced due to domination of volume reflection and represent additional information about chemical composition and changes that occur during the processes of thermal bone degradation. The created reference database contains crucial information about the chemical composition of heated bones and can represent an important tool for non-invasive characterisation of excavated bone materials. Vibrational characterization of heated bones by means of total reflection FTIR spectroscopy with the KK operation was verified for the first time on cremated human remains excavated from three Slovenian archaeological sites of different chronological age and cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Strength of steam explosion with metal corium is in some cases higher than with oxide corium. • For metal corium at triggering time all droplets are still liquid. • During premixing phase oxidation reduces explosion strength. • During explosion phase oxidation increases explosion strength. • Applying hydrogen film hypothesis shows complex influence of Zr content on results. The worst event that could happen in a nuclear power plant is a severe accident. If during such accident the corium melt comes into contact with the coolant water, a steam explosion may occur. At some stage of the accident progression, the primary system and the containment integrity of the nuclear power plant are jeopardized. In the article, the material influence of the oxide and metal corium on the ex-vessel steam explosion is investigated. The main purpose of the research work was a comparative analysis of different scenarios of steam explosion in the flooded reactor cavity. The purpose was to determine the influence of the material properties of the melt (comparison of oxide and metallic melt) and the oxidation of the metallic melt on the steam explosion strength. A PWR ex-vessel steam explosion study was carried out with the MC3D computer code. A premixing simulation and an explosion simulation were performed for each type of the corium. The explosion was triggered at the time of melt bottom contact. The global jet breakup model was used to simulate the premixing simulations. In the first part comparative calculations with oxide corium and oxide corium with prescribed thermal properties of metal corium are presented to find the isolated influence of thermal properties. The analysis of PWR ex-vessel steam explosion with oxide corium was already performed in the past (Leskovar and Uršič, 2014), but in this paper the comparative calculations with oxide corium and oxide corium with prescribed thermal properties of metal corium are presented for the first time. The purpose was to determine the differences in premixing and the steam explosion strength at simulations considering solely the different thermal properties of the oxide and metal corium. In the second part of the paper the influence of the metal corium oxidation on the ex-vessel steam explosion is presented. Due to the focusing effect the reactor vessel would most likely fail at the side and the outflow of metal corium would occur. First of all it was necessary to collect material properties of metal corium. The ex-vessel steam explosion was investigated and discussed by varying the metal corium oxidation rate. Additionally, based on experimental findings, the hydrogen film hypothesis for oxidation is presented. In this paper the calculations with properties of metal corium are presented for the first time. With the comparison of the simulation results the influence of the corium composition on the strength of the steam explosion is analysed. The simulation results revealed that with metal corium the strength of the steam explosion is in some cases higher than with oxide corium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study confirms that crystalline TiB 2 particles can act as a potent site for the heterogeneous nucleation of the metastable icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (IQC) formed in cast Al-Mn-Si-Cu-Mg alloys. The results show that a primary metastable IQC phase nucleates on facets of TiB 2 particles. Electron backscatter diffraction patterns and selected-area electron diffraction patterns confirmed that at least five orientation relationships (ORs) exist between the stable TiB 2 and the metastable IQC phase. The IQC adopts different ORs with the crystallineTiB 2 particles to form low energy interfaces by matching close-packed planes at the interfaces. In the IQC phase, the close-packed planes are the 5-fold and 2-fold. Microstructural analyses show that inoculation has a noticeable influence on the size and distribution of the primary IQC phase, which in turn has a noticeable influence on the compressive properties of the investigated alloys. Due to their exceptional mechanical properties, these alloys could become a prime candidate for lightweight applications, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries. [Display omitted] • This work confirms for the first time that crystalline TiB 2 inoculants can serve as an effective substrate for IQC phase nucleation. • EBSD and SAED patterns confirm that at least five orientation relationships exist between the close-packed planes of the phases. • The microstructural analyses show that inoculation has a noticeable effect on the size and distribution of the primary IQC phase. • The size and distribution of the primary IQC phase clearly affect the compressive properties. • As-cast, a compressive yield strength of 380 MPa, a compressive strength of 680 MPa, and a compressive fracture strain of 20 % were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the preservation of DNA in different categories of teeth, including permanent and deciduous, fully developed and not fully developed, in both adults and non-adults. Teeth were sampled from a modern-era cemetery in Ljubljana, Slovenia. DNA extraction was performed using a full demineralisation protocol. DNA quantity and quality were assessed using qPCR analyses, and autosomal STR typing was conducted to verify genetic profiles. Results revealed significant differences in DNA preservation among various tooth categories. Fully developed permanent teeth of adults exhibited the highest DNA yields, attributed to their fully developed roots and thicker cementum, which is rich in DNA. Deciduous teeth, with thinner enamel and cementum, showed lower DNA preservation regardless of developmental stage. Non-adult teeth generally yielded less DNA compared to adults, even when considering only fully developed permanent teeth, indicating factors beyond developmental stage. These findings suggest that, in archaeological and forensic contexts, researchers should prioritize fully developed permanent teeth for DNA analysis due to their superior preservation. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of considering tooth type and developmental stage when selecting samples for genetic analysis in cases where petrous bone is unavailable, expanding our understanding of DNA preservation in human remains. ● Teeth are used for DNA analysis due to their mineral composition, low porosity, and resistance to taphonomy and contamination. ● Permanent teeth, consistently yielded higher quantities of DNA compared to deciduous teeth. ● There were significant differences in DNA quantity between teeth from adults and non-adults, with adults providing more DNA. ● Tooth cementum, due to its thickness and resistance to degradation, was highlighted as a valuable source of DNA. ● The study emphasizes the importance of tooth type and age in optimizing DNA sampling strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios of collagen from teeth and bone are used to study human nutrition and health. As bones are constantly remodelling throughout life, isotopic values of bone collagen represent an average of several years. In contrast, human teeth do not remodel and their primary dentine contains only the isotopic data from the time of formation. In contrast to all other bones, human auditory ossicles also appear not to remodel. As they develop in utero and finish formation in the first 2 years of life, their collagen should also represent isotopic values of these two relatively short periods. Aim: By comparing δ13C and δ15N data from ossicles and incremental dentine, this study aims to investigate how two developmental periods of the ossicles, in utero and the first 2 years of life, reflect in collagen obtained from the ossicles. Subject and methods: Ossicle and tooth samples of 12 individuals aged 0.5 ± 0.4 years to 13 ± 1 years from the nineteenth century St. Peter's burial ground in Blackburn were collected and processed to obtain bulk bone and incremental dentine collagen which was measured for δ13C and δ15N. Results: Averaged δ13C and δ15N of ossicles are lower when compared to every age group except after 3 years of age. Average offset between ossicles and dentine of different groups ranges from 0.4–0.9‰ for δ13C and from 0.3–0.9‰ for δ15N, with highest counterbalance at birth and after the first 5 months after birth. Conclusions: There appears to be a systematic offset between the dentine and ossicle data. It seems that the second phase of development does not influence the isotopic values of collagen significantly and the data we are obtaining from ossicles represents the in utero period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Consideration of environmental impacts caused by buildings with the aim of reducing environmental loads has become a high priority for the construction sector. Since the geometry and the size of buildings, two of the multiple design factors, are assumed to affect the building environmental profile, the current paper discusses the influence of the building shape on the building environmental performance. Thus, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted for five simplified reference building models with identical thermal envelope and structural properties, which were used to represent smaller residential timber building typologies such as detached (DH), semi-detached (SDH), terraced (TH), two-storey (2SH) and three-storey houses (3SH). The numerical analysis was performed with the "Baubook eco2soft" tool indicating the environmental performance of the building through the global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP) and non-renewable primary energy content (PENRT) for the lifespans of 50 (50y) and 100 (100y) years. The results show a clear linear correlation between the building shape and environmental performance allowing for the use of linear interpolation and extrapolation as a simple tool to predict an approximate building environmental profile with respect to the building shape. Additionally, the findings offer suggestions towards the improvement of certain building design parameters, which presents a valuable support to building design processes. Highlights • Study considers environmental impacts for smaller cross-laminated timber buildings. • Comparison of environmental quality in regard to building shape. • Strong linear correlation between environmental profile and building shape. • Novelty - generalization of the shape related impacts through linearization. • Possible quick estimation of building environmental profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Nitrogen (N) applied to reach the sufficiency leaf N threshold level (2%) in olive reduced root length intensity. • N application may not be required if pre-plant soil NO 3 levels are normal (∼ 25 mg kg−1). • Gas exchange measurements are not recommended to assess the influence of N application in olives. Abstract Nitrogen (N) status in olive trees is critical to develop several developmental mechanisms that control shoot, root and nutrient uptake capacity. The objective of this field study was to assess the effect of N level and form on root growth dynamics, shoot growth, leaf-level gas exchange [ photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs)] and leaf nutrient content of young olive (Olea europaea cv. Arbequina) trees. Olive cuttings were planted in the field and grown for two years (2015, 2016). In both years, cuttings were subjected to 7 N treatments: control (no N), nitrate (NO 3 −) form applied as calcium nitrate (CN) at 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1, and ammonium (NH 4 +) applied as urea at 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1. Minirhizotron image analysis showed that the application of N significantly reduced root length intensity (L a , mm cm-2) compared to control olives in both years. No significant difference was noticed between N forms for L a in 2015. However, CN treatment had higher L a than urea in April and June 2016. In addition, the overall mean of L a across the study period (2015–2016) showed that L a in the lower soil depths, 40–60 and 60–80 cm was significantly higher than those from the top layers, 0–20 and 20–40 cm. Unfertilized (control) cuttings had also higher tree height, stem diameter and branch number than olives that received 40 or 60 kg ha-1-N across the study period (2015-2016). In both years, leaf N% in control olives was above the N deficiency thresholds; i.e. 2.1% in 2015 and 2.57% in 2016. However, leaf mineral concentrations were inconsistent (P, Ca+2, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu) or not significant (Mn, S and B). In addition, no significant difference was noticed between treatments in gas exchange (Pn , gs and E). Overall, untreated-control young olive trees showed consistently higher L a and shoot growth than N-treated trees (CN and urea) over the study period 2015-2016. Therefore, N application is not needed if leaf N levels are normal during the previous season. In fact, high rates of N in the soil during establishment of young olive trees can negatively affect root and shoot growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of nitrogen application on the growth of olive trees has been well studied. However, little is known about the role of levels and forms of N on the development of roots and physiological traits during establishment of young trees. The objective of this 2-year study was to evaluate the influence of N source and level on shoot morphology (tree height, stem diameter, and branch number) and physiology [leaf area and fresh weight, photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs)], root components (length, diameter, surface area, and fork number) and N content of young olive (Olea europaea cv. Arbequina) cuttings. Three-month-old olive cuttings were planted in 15-L pots filled with a growing substrate composed of peatmoss + bark + sand (2:1:1/by volume) and placed in a screen house. Two N levels, 2.8 and 5.6 g/tree, and control (0 N) and four N sources, calcium nitrate (CN, 12%N, 17%Ca+2), ammonium nitrate (AN, 35%N), urea (46%N), and the slow-release Osmocote (OSC, 18%N, 6%P, 12%K) were evaluated. Effects of low- (2.8 g/tree) and high N (5.6 g/tree) levels on shoot components (plant height, diameter, branch number, leaf area, and fresh weight) and gas exchange (Pn, gs and E) were similar implying that the low rate of N was adequate for the establishment of young olive cuttings. Nitrogen sources, particularly AN and CN had significant effects on shoot and root morphology, physiology, and leaf and root N concentration. In fact, AN and CN were the best fertilizer sources for olive transplants in term of root and shoot growth. Overall, 2.8 g/tree N level and AN or CN sources were the best treatments for newly established olive 'Arbequina' trees. Root components treated with high N rate (5.6 g/tree N) using the slow-release fertilizer (OSC) was similar to those treated with the low AN rate (2.8 g/tree N). Therefore, for nursery containerized olive trees of 'Arbequina' or other cultivars with comparable growth rates, we recommend to apply the CN or AN source at 2.8 g/tree N or the controlled-released fertilizer OSC at 5.6 g/tree N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different nitrogen (N) concentrations on growth changes, leaf N concentration and accumulation patterns, N nutrition index (NNI), fresh weight yield, and N use efficiency (NUE) was determined for lettuce grown over three consecutive seasons (fall, winter, and spring) in a recirculating hydroponic system, under unheated and naturally lit hoop house in Uvalde, TX. The lettuce cultivars Buttercrunch, Dragoon, and Sparx were grown at six N concentrations, initially 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 400 mg·L-1 using a nutrient film technique (NFT). Leaf number, accumulated dry weight (DW) and N, and leaf area index (LAI) followed a logistic trend over time, characterized by a slow increase during early growth followed by a linear increase to a maximum. By contrast, plant total N concentrations were the highest at early stage and decreased slightly over time. Effect of season and cultivar on these growth traits was more pronounced than that of the N concentrations. Averaged across cultivar and N concentrations, DW in spring was 73% and 34% greater than that in fall and winter, respectively. At each sampling date, there were linear, quadratic, or cubic effects of N concentrations on each of these variables. The cultivar Sparx was the most productive, with 63% and 32% higher fresh weight yield in fall, 145% and 114% in spring, than 'Buttercrunch' and 'Dragoon', respectively. Increasing nutrient solution N concentrations from 100 to 400 mg·L-1 increased the yield from 5.9 to 6.7 kg·m-2 in fall, 8.1 to 10.7 kg·m-2 in winter, and 10.3 to 12.6 kg·m-2 in spring. The NUE was the highest at the lowest N concentration (100 mg·L-1) and decreased with increasing N concentrations. The NNI during mid- to late-growth stages was near or greater than one, even at the lowest N. These results demonstrated that N concentrations of 100-150 mg·L-1 maximized the growth and yield of hydroponically grown lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States, most short-day onions are direct seeded. With this method, plant stands can be reduced because of extreme temperatures, weed pressure, and soilborne diseases. Containerized transplants offer an alternative method of stand establishment with less seedling losses while producing uniformbulb sizes and high marketable yield. However, the use of transplants is not a widespread commercial practice because of the high cost of production. This study aims to select the best transplant strategies to improve onion crop performance in semiarid regions of southwest Texas or similar environments. Three sequential transplanting dates of early, mid, and late season (14 Nov., 8 Dec., and 9 Jan.) and two seedling densities of one seed per cell (T1) and three seeds per cell (T3) were evaluated on growth, yield, bulb quality, and phytonutrient content of three onion cultivars, two yellow ('Caramelo' and 'Don Victor'), and one red ('Lambada'). During early development, late-transplanted onions had an increase in plant height and greater leaf elongation rate than early and midtransplanted onions, whereas early plantings required more days to reach maturity than mid and late plantings. Overall, early and midtransplanting dates resulted in higher yields than late plantings. Although increasing seedling density (T3 vs. T1) did not significantly reduce marketable yield in early plantings, T1 produced a higher number of jumbo and colossal bulb sizes than T3. Onion quality was mostly affected by cultivar and not by transplant strategies. The technique of establishing onions from transplants grown from one plant per cell (T1) or multiple plants (T3) from early November to early December provides a practical and economical alternative to achieve earlier crops, while reducing the length of the production season, as planting date is delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We provide instructions on scanning and evaluating whole brain slides. • Cellularity heatmaps highlight a broader glioma infiltration zone compared to MRI. • Fiber tracking maps show displacement of tracts in the tumor vicinity. • Different radiological progression types feature distinct tumor growth patterns. Abstract Aims In brain research, the histopathological examination of coronar whole-brain slides provides important insights into spatial disease characteristics. Regarding brain tumor research, this enables visualization of tumor heterogeneity, infiltration patterns and the relationship with the surrounding brain parenchyma. The precise correlation between radiological imaging and post-mortem brains is of special interest. New Method We developed a wide-field slide scanner, comprising a microscope, a high-precision remotely controllable x–y-stage, a camera and a computer workstation, for automatically scanning uncommonly large formats. We analyzed whole brain slides of three patients and constructed cellularity heatmaps and fiber tract maps using a custom-made image processing pipeline. Results The obtained cellularity heatmaps allow for distinguishing compact tumor (5714 ± 1786 cells/mm², mean ± standard deviation) from white matter (3581 ± 828 cells/mm²) and grey matter (2473 ± 716 cells/mm²). Compared to magnetic resonance imaging, the proposed histopathological work-up (i) reveals a larger zone of tumor infiltration around the compact tumor areas and (ii) shows how pre-existing tracts are displaced by the tumor bulk. Moreover, we highlight differences in the histological tumor growth pattern of two different radiological progression subtypes. Comparison with Existing Method(s) Compared to existing (commercial) solutions, our slide scanning solution is adaptable and cost-efficient. Moreover, we showcase potential clinical applications by mapping whole brain histology to magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions We herein provide instructions on how to (i) construct a custom-built slide scanner capable of scanning arbitrary slide formats, (ii) automatically evaluate the cell density and (iii) perform fiber tracking on whole brain slides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf gas exchange and growth responses of three melon cultivars, i.e., Mission, Da Vinci (var. reticulatus), and Super Nectar (var. inodorus) to two irrigation regimes, 50 and 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) were investigated under water-limited conditions of southwest Texas. In 2012, deficit irrigation (50% ETc) significantly decreased above-ground biomass, leaf area, leaf number, and specific leaf area, while leaf gas exchange, relative water content, water potential, chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), and chlorophyll content (SPAD index) were not affected. However, in the drier year 2011, deficit irrigation significantly reduced net photosynthetic rate (PN) and stomatal conductance (gs). Further, the responses to water deficit varied with cultivars. At 50% ETc, PN and gs were maintained in cv. Da Vinci while decreased in Mission and Super Nectar. Thus, the late maturing cv. Super Nectar appeared to be more sensitive to drought stress, possibly due to the decrease in leaf area and PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on root growth patterns is crucial to understand cultivar adaptations to deficit irrigation, particularly for subsurface drip-irrigated crops, where root systems are more confined than furrow or sprinkler systems. A 2-year field experiment evaluated the effect of deficit irrigation (50% vs. 100% crop evapotranspiration, ETc) on root growth of melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars (Mission, Da Vinci, and Super Nectar) on a mollisol soil in southwestern Texas, USA. Root length intensity (La; mm cm−2), and root length density (RLD; cm cm−3) were measured at different growth stages using the minirhizotron and soil core methods, respectively. A higher La was recorded in 2012 than in 2011 (3.71 mm cm−2 vs. 0.50 mm cm−2), due to differences in temporal distribution of rainfall between years. Overall, deficit irrigation increased La as compared to 100% ETc, but significant effects occurred at depth (> 40 cm below the soil surface and > 25 cm below the subsurface drip tape). In 2012, moderate water deficit promoted deep root growth at the fruit setting stage but not in 2011, while root growth responses to cumulative deficit varied with cultivar. In 2012, deficit irrigation enhanced root growth in cv. Mission (cantaloupe; reticulatus) throughout the season, it was maintained in cv. Da Vinci (Tuscan; reticulatus), while it decreased in cv. Super Nectar (honeydew; inodorus) at the final harvest stage. Thus, the reticulatus melon cvs. Mission and Da Vinci can better adjust to moderate water-deficit conditions as compared to the inodorus melon cv. Super Nectar. Minirhizotron data provided useful information on root growth dynamics in deeper soil layers in a non-destructive way, which makes it a valuable tool in screening cultivars for water deficit adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methods of steady-state and pulsed millimeter-wave rotational spectroscopy were used to probe the vibrationally excited products, CS and SO produced in the laser photolysis of CS2 and SO2 at 193 nm. The time dependence of the vibrational populations was measured for CS up to v=8 and for SO up to v=5. For CS, a Boltzmann-like population distribution was found with a vibrational temperature of 5795 K corresponding to a vibrational energy of 9.8 kcal mol-1. In the case of SO, significant excitation was observed only for the states v=0, 1 and 2 with v=2 having the largest initial population. A small percentage of the SO molecules were found in v=5. The precursor gases were diluted in Ar to enhance the ratio of rotational to vibrational relaxation times. Because rotational transitions were probed, it was necessary to wait for rotational equilibrium to be established before making the measurements. As a result, the vibrational populations may have been partially relaxed at the time of measurement. In order to evaluate the extent of relaxation, a discussion of the various relaxation processes is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying tomato genotypes that can thrive and produce abundantly under arid climatic conditions and addressing the growing food demand caused by population growth are pressing concerns for food security. This research aimed to assess the growth, physiological, phenological, fruit yield, and postharvest quality of tomato genotypes cultivated in an organic hydroponic system in Qatar, where abiotic stress conditions prevail. Ten different tomato genotypes were carefully evaluated, and comprehensive data regarding their growth and development were collected and analyzed. The performance of these tomato genotypes across all traits related to yield and quality showed significant variations. Notably, the 'Velocity' and 'Sigma' genotypes consistently exhibited robust vegetative growth and improved phenological characteristics compared with the other tomato cultivars. Specifically, 'Velocity' and 'Sigma' displayed increased leaf assimilation rates (35% and 32%), stomatal conductance (14% and 11%), and reduced transpiration loss (50% and 44%) compared with 'SV4129TH'. These genotypes also showed lower electrolyte leakage (32% and 28%) and maintained higher intercellular CO2 concentrations. Furthermore, 'Velocity' exhibited an accelerated flowering pattern, with the first flowering occurring 4 days sooner and 50% flowering occurring 5 days sooner than that of 'SV4129TH'. 'Velocity' also demonstrated superior fruit set (14%), pollen viability (24%), and fewer incidences of flower drops (36%) compared with 'SV4129TH'. Notably, 'Velocity' outperformed 'SV4129TH' in terms of marketable fruit yields, with a 32% higher yield. In addition to its impressive yield, 'Velocity' exhibited superior postharvest quality, including firmness, Brix level, acidity, and color. Therefore, overall, 'Velocity' and 'Sigma' emerged as promising genotypes with strong abiotic stress tolerance capabilities. The correlation analysis of these traits provided valuable insights into the selection and breeding of genotypes that can withstand abiotic stress conditions, laying the foundation for effective comparisons and selections of genotypes suitable for organic hydroponic cultivation in stressful environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Organic matter‐derived soil amendments containing humic substances (HS) have a functional role to improve plant growth and soil quality, but their response to water deficit stress is less reported, particularly in vegetable crops. This study assessed the impact of lignite‐derived HS on biota growth and evaluated their potential mitigative effects under water deficit stress in growth chamber and greenhouse environments. Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Revolution) plants were grown in sandy and clay soil previously mixed with lignite‐derived HS and subjected to four irrigation levels (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) based on soil water‐holding capacity. Plant growth traits, soil chemical properties, and microbial populations were measured and analyzed. HS increased plant root development and soil bacteria population in moderate and no stress conditions (60%, 80%). Physiologically, HS rapidly decreased leaf stomatal conductance and transpiration after imposing severe or mild stress (20%, 40%). The results indicate that HS transiently ameliorated plants exposed to water stress by reducing moisture loss. In addition, due to their capacity to improve plant root growth, soil nutrient cycling and microbial activity, application of HS might have long‐term benefits in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study confirms that the stable icosahedral quasicrystal (iQc) phase Al 65 Cu 20 Fe 15 (iQc–AlCuFe) can serve as a substrate for the nucleation of the metastable iQc–AlMnSi phase formed in rapidly solidified Al–Mn–Si alloys. The results reveal that a continuous, thin layer of the metastable iQc–AlMnSi phase can be formed on a stable iQc–AlCuFe particle. Electron backscatter diffraction patterns and selected-area electron diffraction patterns confirmed that epitaxy exists between the stable and the metastable iQc phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watermelon [ Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] and melon ( Cucumis melo L.) are popular annual fruit crops of the gourd family Cucurbitaceae , drawing from discrete botanical backgrounds. For both these dessert fruits, quality is what mainly influences consumer behavior and formulates recurring purchasing habits and brand loyalty within reasonable cost. The current review examines the configuration of sensorial quality attributes during development and ripening, as compounded by highly coordinated growth and differentiation processes of various fruit tissues associated with differential expression of stage-specific genes, which affect flavor, aroma, color and texture. The genotypic effect on fruit quality is examined, which in the case of sweet melon is ramified into varietal groups demonstrating differential ripening physiology of climacteric or non-climacteric nature with important implications for key sensorial characteristics, especially aroma and texture. Current advances on the role of key agronomic factors influential on quality are discussed, such as grafting and rootstock-scion interaction, controlled water and thermal stress, targeted plant nutrition applications, and the genotype × environment × management interaction. Several cardinal issues warranting further research were identified: the ripening-dependent accumulation and metabolism of carotenoids and the link between carotenoid profiles and volatile fractions, particularly the role of apocarotenoids as substrates in the synthesis of aroma volatile molecules; the coexistence of ethylene-dependent and ethylene-independent regulation of ripening processes in melons; physiological incompatibility in melon graft combinations and its implications for fruit quality; rootstock mediation of watermelon volatile fraction; the role of osmoregulatory molecules as l -citrulline in cell expansion and turgor affecting mesocarp firmness; stage-specific carbohydrate partitioning and metabolism in developing fruit and its potential manipulation through thermal treatments; robust model building on transplanting dates, resilient to genotype × environment interaction. Understanding the concerted effects of the genotypic, physiological and agro-environmental factors visited in the current review is instrumental in the efforts for improving quality and expanding market share for watermelon and melon fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onions (Allium cepa L.) are easily outcompeted by weeds because of slow germination and relative growth rates. Therefore, high percentage of seed germination and root vigor are important traits to improve field performance. The effects of exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs), 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon, Eth), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), trans-zeatin (tZ), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) were evaluated on the germination and root growth of 'Don Victor' (yellow) and 'Lambada' (red) onion seedlings. Seeds were soaked for 10 hours in hormonal solutions and water (hydro-priming). Seed germination improved with Eth (30 and 100 μM), Eth (100 μM) + IAA (10 μM), and IAA (3 μM) treatments. Root surface area (RSA) increased in response to Eth at 30 and 100 μM, Eth + IAA, and 3 μM IAA. Root length (RL) and root diameter (RD) were enhanced by 1 μM tZ and 100 μM ACC. Eth reduced RL and RD, whereas IAA showed no effects. A subsequent experiment evaluated synergistic effects of different PGRs. Treatment of seeds with ACC (250 μM) + tZ (0.5 μM) and ACC (250 μM) + tZ (0.5 μM) + Eth (20 μM) enhanced RL and RD. RSA was unaffected by ACC + tZ + Eth. The results suggest that exogenous PGRs could be useful to enhance germination, RL, and RSA of onion seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a two year minirhizotron study (2011 and 2012), the root growth, yield and fruit quality responses of six melon genotypes to two locations with different soil types were investigated. The field experiments were conducted in south Texas at two locations viz. Uvalde with clayey (hyperthermic aridic calciustolls) and Weslaco with sandy loam (hyperthermic typic calciustolls) type soils, with subsurface drip irrigated using black plastic mulch. Root length intensity ( L a , cm cm −2 ), marketable (MFY), total fruit yield (TFY; t ha −1 ), fruit firmness (N) and soluble solids content (SSC; °Bx) of four TAMU inbreds and two commercial hybrids, Mission and Journey were measured. Root length intensity was lower in 2011 than in 2012, possibly due to the variations in climatic, and soil conditions, and minirhizotron tube artifacts. Sandy loam soil produced 77% higher L a (1.6 vs. 0.9 cm cm −2 ) as compared to clay soil. Under sandy loam soils, root growth distribution was deeper (40–70 cm) while it was confined at the depth of drip tape (<30 cm) in clay soils, which indicated that root growth distribution varies with soil type even under same irrigation system. Clay soils produced 40% and 24% higher MFY and TFY respectively as compared to sandy loam soils, most likely due to longer growing season at Uvalde. Texas A&M melon inbreds had similar L a to most popular commercial cultivar Mission and higher L a than Journey. These results reveal that under high input intensive production systems large root systems may not be required for high yielding potential, however under sandy loam soils cultivars vary in their root distribution patterns across soil depth. Further, the great rooting ability of TAMU breeding lines under different soil types and equivalent yield potential to commercial hybrids confirms their suitability as a potential parent for developing genetically improved and stable cultivars for a wide range of environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable transplants grown in commercial high-density trays can quickly outgrow the optimal size for shipping and transplanting, limiting transplant performance, and marketing flexibility for commercial nurseries. Abscisic acid (ABA) and uniconazole can suppress shoot growth by inducing stress-adaptive responses and inhibiting gibberellin synthesis, respectively. We evaluated the effectiveness of the two growth regulators in prolonging marketability of 'Florida 91' and 'Mariana' tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants at commercial nursery greenhouses in Texas and Florida. Spray treatments in the Texas experiment were 0 and 3.8 mM ABA at 7, 5, 3, or 1 days beforematurity (DBM), and those in the Florida experiment were no spray control, 3.8 mM ABA at 7, 5, 3, or 1 DBM, and 34 mM uniconazole at 4 DBM. Both ABA and uniconazole showed minimal cultivar-specific effects. Different growth modifications were induced by ABA and uniconazole. First, suppression of stem elongation by ABA was reversible by 7 days after maturity (DAM), whereas that by uniconazole lasted for 20 days or until 16 DAM with up to 15% suppression in stem elongation. Second, only ABA inhibited leaf expansion and shoot dry matter accumulation. The primary growthmodulating effect of uniconazole was limited to height control, which is beneficial for producing compact transplants, rather than as a growth holding strategy. By contrast, the overall growth suppression by ABA is desirable for prolonging transplant marketability. Importantly, the magnitude of this growth suppression was moderate (up to 22% shoot biomass reduction at 8 DAM) and transient, followed by a rapid recovery. Furthermore, ABA caused relatively smaller inhibition in root growth, allowing sufficient root development and increasing the root-to-shoot ratio at 0 to 8 DAM. The growth suppression by ABA was maximal when it was applied at 7 to 5 DBM, indicating the age-dependent sensitivity of tomato seedlings to exogenous ABA. Although leaf chlorosis was induced by ABA in a similar age-dependent manner, it was transient and reversible by 7 DAM. These results suggest that ABA application 7 to 5 DBM is an effective growth holding strategy for tomato transplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tillage practices are critical for sustaining soil quality necessary for successful crop growth and productivity. A three-year study (2012–2014) was carried out to evaluate the influence of strip and conventional tillage practices and three water status levels [T1 = 100% of evapotranspiration (ET) demands, T2 = 0.75T1and T3 = 0.5T1] on plant morphology, physiology, yield and quality of triploid (seedless) watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus cv. Magestic). Soil chemical and biological properties were also assessed at the end of the experimental study. Tillage practices (strip or ST and conventional or CT) started in 2009 and are being carried out to the present date of 2016. Irrigation was established using a center pivot system. Photosynthesis rate ( Pn ), stomatal conductance ( gs ), and chlorophyll content index (SPAD) were measured at flowering, fruit development and harvest stage and vine length measured at the harvest stage. Total marketable yield and fruit quality (firmness and sugar content) were determined during the harvest period. Soil chemical and microbial analysis were conducted at the end of the experimental period (March 2015). No significant differences ( P = 0.05) were found between water deficit treatments in vine length, SPAD, Pn , gs , fruit firmness, and sugar content during the three-year study, except for vine length in 2013. But, marketable yield from T1 treatment was significantly higher ( P = 0.03) than T3 in 2013. Vine length and SPAD measured from the ST plots were higher than CT, especially in 2012. Interestingly, marketable yield from ST was 8.6, 9.7 and 14.9 t ha −1 higher than CT in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, fruit sugar content under ST was statistically higher ( P = 0.05) than those from CT. After 6 years of tillage practices (2009–2015) in the same site, ST increased total bacteria by 49%, active bacteria by 27%, active and total fungi by 37%, nematodes by 275%, and electrical conductivity by 14% compared to CT. However, ST significantly increased root-feeding nematodes (harmful to plant roots) and reduced phosphorus and nitrate-N compared to CT. Although long-term studies aimed at assessing soil quality and cumulative yield are required to further validate our results, yield and fruit quality (sugar content) responses were consistent across three years and with promising abundance of soil microbial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing timber-frame houses with enlarged glazing mostly placed on the south side of the building offers numerous possibilities of creating structures with a highly attractive shape. Nevertheless, some general design guidelines claim that a non-compact building shape usually results in the increased energy demand for heating, [1] . The aim of the present research therefore is to demonstrate possible avoidance of the latter energy related problem. The research is based on a case study of a one-storey timber-frame house, taking into account the climate data for three different European cities, those of Ljubljana, Munich (Muenchen) and Helsinki, whose average annual temperature and solar potential differ significantly. Apart from the climate data, the main variable parameters are the building's shape factor (F s ) and the AGAW (glazing-to-wall area ratios) in the south façade of the building. With the ground floor area and the heated volume remaining constant, the parametric analysis is carried out for different building shapes, i.e. square, rectangular, L, T and U, with the three-layer insulating glass placed in the south façade only. The results point out that the total annual energy demand for heating and cooling depends on the increasing shape factor to a considerably higher extent in cold climate conditions with a lower solar potential (Helsinki). On the other hand, the analysis of the regions with a higher average annual temperature (Ljubljana) and solar potential in the heating period shows that the influence of highly attractive building shapes on the energy demand is evidently less important, especially when using the appropriate size and position of the insulating glazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective nutrition and irrigation are important nursery strategies to produce high-quality seedlings able to withstand heat and drought stress in the field. The objectives of this study were 2-fold, first to identify the influence of two nitrogen (N) levels (75 and 150 mg·L-1) and two fertigation (FR) methods, overhead (OH) and flotation (FL) of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus cv. Green Globe Improved) transplants on root/shoot growth and leaf physiology during the nursery period. A repeated greenhouse experiment was conducted and morphophysiological measurements were determined at 4 and 7 weeks after seeding (WAS). The second objective was to determine the impact of the nursery treatments (FR method and N level) on the subsequent crop growth and yield under three field irrigation methods [surface drip, subsurface drip, and overhead-linear system (OH-L)]. Field measurements were conducted at 50 and 150 days after field transplanting (DAT) during Fall-Winter 2015. Transplants fertilized with 75 mg·L-1 N (low N) had improved root components as compared to those with 150 mg·L-1 N (high N), especially at 4 WAS. The low N transplants had higher root surface area, root length, root branching, thinner root diameter, and less shoot area than the high N transplants. Wilting for low N transplants was 13.5% less than that for high N at 5 DAT, with a total yield similar or slightly higher than those of high N. Although growth of OH and FL transplants was statistically similar at transplanting, those irrigated with OH (greenhouse) had a 10% higher yield than FL irrigated transplants, regardless of the field irrigation method evaluated. Overall, low N level (75 mg·L-1 N) applied with OH irrigation in the nursery positively improved the transplant root system and transplant quality of artichoke seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When during a severe reactor accident the corium melt comes into contact with the coolant water a steam explosion may occur. If non-oxidized zirconium is present in the corium melt the oxidation of zirconium may significantly affect the steam explosion energetics, as observed in experiments. In the ZREX experiments the steam explosion strength was largely increased by the oxidation of zirconium, whereas in the recently performed OECD SERENA project KROTOS and TROI experiments it seems that the oxidation had an inhibiting effect. To find out the reasons for this qualitatively different behavior, the experimental results were investigated in comparison and computer simulations were performed. In the article, the performed analysis of the influence of oxidation on the steam explosion energetics is presented and discussed. Based on the experimental findings, the hydrogen film hypothesis is proposed, claiming that only a limiting amount of zirconium may be oxidized during the premixing phase in sub-cooled water conditions and that the remaining non-oxidized zirconium is available for the oxidation in the explosion phase. Various computer simulations were performed with the MC3D code to support the hypothesis and to get additional insight. It may be concluded that the proposed hypothesis qualitatively explains the observed experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research study presents two possible approaches to energy-efficient refurbishment of the existing energy-inefficient multi-family buildings. The first involves individual renovation phases, their combinations and a complex energy-efficient refurbishment of the existing multi-family buildings. The second approach analyses the effect on the multi-family building's annual energy need for heating and cooling produced by a timber-glass upgrade module with the optimal glazing size in its south-oriented façade which is installed onto the multi-family building. For the purpose of its applicability, the study involves upgrade modules of various shapes and net floor areas, with the optimal glazing size in the south-oriented façade defined for each of the module shapes. The optimal glazing size of the module is determined by the glazing-to-wall area ratio where the sum total of the annual energy need for heating and cooling of the module is minimal. The study is based on two existing energy-inefficient multi-family buildings with different floor plans on top of which four upgrade modules are installed. The presented results show a possible positive impact the installation of an upgrade module with the optimal glazing size in south-oriented façade has on energy savings of the building. Within the energy refurbishment process the study offers a possibility of selecting various module shapes and even a different number of upgrade modules with appropriately selected parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the Malta Convention/Valletta Treaty the preferable way for the physical protection of archaeological sites is in situ preservation. When planning in situ preservation, in addition to other issues, it is also necessary to consider changes in physical environment and their impact on in situ preserved remains. This is especially important when human interaction takes place. Recently, an increase in construction on the top of archaeological sites has occurred, thus the effects of heavy equipment compaction need to be studied in more detail. This paper presents research on the effects of the use of heavy equipment (e.g. rammers and rollers) compaction on archaeological remains. For the purpose of our research, laboratory testing has been performed. In a custommade steel box, artificial archaeological sites were created using layers of sandy silt and gravel. A variety of archaeological and modern artefacts were placed in these created environments. Some of them were equipped with strain gauges for deformation recording. Through a series of tests a servo-hydraulic piston was used, which simulated the dynamic loading of the artificial sites. Humidity and temperature were recorded before, during, and after each test. Since layers and artefacts were three-dimensionally recorded before and after each test, compaction of layers and movements of artefacts could be studied. With attached strain gauges and visual inspection following each test, deformations and thus damage to artefacts during different stages of loadings was recorded. The goals of our laboratory tests were the development of a new methodological approach to study the effects of heavy equipment compaction to the archaeological sites, getting an insight into the problems of such tests, and the estimation of the applicability of their results. With the presented results, our research has been a step towards better understanding the effects of heavy equipment compaction on archaeological remains and thus to the preservation of archaeological sites in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A steam explosion is an energetic fuel coolant interaction process, which may occur during a severe reactor accident when the molten core comes into contact with the coolant water. In nuclear reactor safety analyses steam explosions are primarily considered in melt jet-coolant pool configurations where sufficiently deep coolant pool conditions provide complete jet breakup and efficient premixture formation. Stratified melt-coolant configurations, i.e. a molten melt layer below a coolant layer, were up to now believed as being unable to generate strong explosive interactions. Based on the hypothesis that there are no interfacial instabilities in a stratified configuration it was assumed that the amount of melt in the premixture is insufficient to produce strong explosions. However, the recently performed experiments in the PULiMS and SES (KTH, Sweden) facilities with oxidic corium simulants revealed that strong steam explosions may develop spontaneously also in stratified melt-coolant configurations, where with high temperature melts and subcooled water conditions a considerable melt-coolant premixed layer is formed. In the article, the performed study of steam explosions in a stratified melt-coolant configuration in PULiMS like conditions is presented. The goal of this analytical work is to supplement the experimental activities within the PULiMS research program by addressing the key questions, especially regarding the explosivity of the formed premixed layer and the mechanisms responsible for the melt-water mixing. To better understand these phenomena a comprehensive parametric analysis was performed with the MC3D code, varying the premixed layer melt fraction, void fraction, and thickness, the melt spreading area, the melt droplet size, the water height, the water subcooling and the trigger strength. The results are discussed and compared to available experimental data. It seems that both identified melt-water mixing processes contribute to the steam explosion, i.e. the premixture formation before the explosion and the melt-water layer mixing during the explosion propagation itself. Suggestions for further analytical and experimental work are also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot and humid conditions create challenges for tomato production under a controlled environment. Low tomato productivity is related to the lack of stress tolerance of existing cultivars and their ability to maximize fruit set and yield. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three management strategies, cultivar selection, grafting, and plant density, for the growth and production efficiency of organically grown hydroponic tomatoes under adverse environmental conditions in Qatar. The experiment used a split-split plot design with 'Velocity F1' and 'Sigma F1' as the main plot treatments and a factorial arrangement of grafting combinations and planting densities (3.5 and 5.5 plants/m2) as subplots. Tomato cultivar Velocity F1 grafted on Maxifort F1 resulted in greater vegetative growth and improved phenological attributes than nongrafted Velocity F1. Grafted 'Velocity F1' plants grown at 3.5 plants/m2 had an increase in leaf photosynthetic rates (18%), less transpiration loss (16%), and less electrolyte leakage (15%) while maintaining stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentrations. At 9 weeks after transplanting, canopy growth was higher (24%) and flowering occurred earlier (3 days) with grafted 'Velocity F1' transplants than with nongrafted transplants. Higher fruit sets (20%), pollen viability (22%), and fewer flower drops (17%) were also observed for grafted 'Velocity F1' transplants than for nongrafted transplants. Marketable fruit yields were higher (26%) with grafted 'Velocity F1' grown at 3.5 plants/m2 than with nongrafted 'Velocity F1'. Both grafted 'Velocity F1' and 'Sigma F1' fruits retained acceptable fruit color (L*, a*, b*, C*, °h), firmness, °Brix, titratable acidity, weight, and prolonged shelf life by 4 additional days than nongrafted ones. We conclude that grafted tomato 'Velocity F1' grown at a plant density of 3.5 plants/m2 was the best management strategy for enhancing seedlings quality, plant growth, and postharvest quality and alleviating abiotic stresses under this protected environment and hydroponic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable transplants quickly outgrow the optimal size for shipping and transplanting, limiting sales, and marketing flexibility in commercial nurseries. Abscisic acid (ABA) and uniconazole can suppress shoot growth by inducing stress-adaptive responses and inhibiting gibberellin biosynthesis, respectively. We evaluated the effectiveness of the two growth regulators in prolonging marketability of ‘Excursion’ and ‘Revolution’ bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) transplants at commercial nursery greenhouses in Texas and Florida. Spray treatments in the Texas experiment were 0 and 3.8 mM ABA at 7, 5, 3, or 1 day before the anticipated maturity date (DBM), and those in the Florida experiment were no spray control, 3.8 mM ABA at 7, 5, 3, or 1 DBM, and 34 μM uniconazole at 4 DBM. Both experiments showed similar results with minimal cultivar-specific effects. Different growth modifications were induced by ABA and uniconazole. First, suppression of stem elongation by ABA was reversible by 7 days after the anticipated maturity date (DAM), whereas that by uniconazole lasted for 20 days or until 16 DAM with up to 15% reductions in stem length. Second, only ABA inhibited shoot and root dry matter accumulation. The growth modulating effect of uniconazole appears to be limited to height control, which is beneficial for producing compact transplants, rather than as a growth holding strategy. By contrast, the overall growth suppression by ABA is desirable for prolonging transplant marketability. Importantly, the magnitude of this growth suppression was moderate (9%–12% shoot biomass reductions at 7–8 DAM) and mostly reversible by 14–16 DAM. Furthermore, root growth inhibition by ABA occurred with a time lag of over a week, allowing sufficient root development and increasing root-to-shoot ratio at 0 DBM. Although these growth holding effects of ABA were generally maximized when it was applied at 7 or 5 DBM, leaf chlorosis and cotyledon abscission were also induced by ABA in a similar age-dependent manner. These results suggest that ABA application 3 DBM is an effective growth holding strategy with minimal negative-side effects for bell pepper transplants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melt droplet solidification is one major phenomenon acting on the mitigation of the strength of vapour explosions in situations related to nuclear safety. The modelling of solidification effects is then an important challenge for the evaluation of fuel–coolant interaction. We present an attempt for modelling the crust that might develop around melt droplets and its effect on the fine fragmentation within an Eulerian formulation of the flow equations, with application to the MC3D code. A physically-based modelling of the melt droplets temperature profile and a fragmentation criterion for partly solidified droplets are presented. The implementation of these models in the specific case of Eulerian modelling of the melt droplet phase is described. Two additional transported model parameters based on the most important droplets features regarding the fuel–coolant interaction behaviour are derived. The first property to transport is the crust stiffness because it enables the correct prediction of the amount of droplets participating in the droplet fragmentation process. The second is related to the energy transfer from the droplet interior to the surface. This enables to improve the surface temperature determination and reflects the history of the droplet cooling. Also the potential effect of solidification on the vapour explosion strength is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]