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Oxidation states and distribution of arsenic (As) in annually laminated (varved) lacustrine deposits were analyzed with a seasonal resolution. This deposit was formed in the mid-Holocene landslide-dammed paleolake in the upper reaches of the Ane River, central Japan and the paleolake watershed consists of the Jurassic accretionary complexes (Mino-Tamba belt) including sedimentary and igneous rocks. In the outcrop, centimeter-to-decimeter-scale silty clay layers alternating with laminated layers are well developed. Bulk concentrations of As in the two layers are 77 ± 27 μg/g on average and mostly occurred in the sulfide fraction (59 % ± 9 %). In the laminated layers, millimeter-scale organic matter (OM)-rich and siderite-rich layers were repeated, indicating deposition during the spring and autumn mixings and the summer stratification, respectively. The OM-rich layers distinctively contain As-rich layers concentrated at the margins of the siderite layers, while they have numerous As-rich hotspots coexisting with S and amorphous OM. Synchrotron-based micro-X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis demonstrated that the As-rich layers contain FeAs -I S, As II S, and As III 2 S 3 S is dominant for the As in hotspots. Based on the results, it is suggested that As accumulation in the varved deposit has been controlled by seasonal changes in OM supply and fluctuation in redox potential with post-depositional degradation of OM.-I S is dominant for the As in hotspots. Based on the results, it is suggested that As accumulation in the varved deposit has been controlled by seasonal changes in OM supply and fluctuation in redox potential with post-depositional degradation of OM., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This research report provides a comprehensive overview of the historical trends in heavy metal concentrations in the Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata) populations from both the Danube River and the Black Sea, while also exploring the potential influence of global warming on metal accumulation. Through bibliometric modeling analysis, it reveals significant limitations in existing international research, particularly the lack of comprehensive data on the impact of hydroclimatic changes on heavy metal accumulation in Alosa immaculata. Recognizing the critical importance of studies on heavy metal bioaccumulation in Danube shad, this research underscores their significance in defining tolerance thresholds, quantifying the impact of toxic elements along the aquatic food chain, and enhancing the economic sustainability of ichthyofauna monitoring efforts. Furthermore, these studies contribute invaluable insights into the complex dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, offering essential decision-making support for optimizing commercial fishing management practices on the Danube and ensuring robust support systems for industrial fishing endeavors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Here, we aim to improve the overall sustainability of aquaponic basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.)-sturgeon ( Acipenser baerii ) integrated recirculating systems. We implement new AI methods for operational management together with innovative solutions for plant growth bed, consisting of Rapana venosa shells (R), considered wastes in the food processing industry. To this end, the ARIMA-supervised learning method was used to develop solutions for forecasting the growth of both fish and plant biomass, while multi-linear regression (MLR), generalized additive models (GAM), and XGBoost were used for developing black-box virtual sensors for water quality. The efficiency of the new R substrate was evaluated and compared to the consecrated light expended clay aggregate-LECA aquaponics substrate (H). Considering two different technological scenarios (A-high feed input, B-low feed input, respectively), nutrient reduction rates, plant biomass growth performance and additionally plant quality are analysed. The resulting prediction models reveal a good accuracy, with the best metrics for predicting N-NO 3 concentration in technological water. Furthermore, PCA analysis reveals a high correlation between water dissolved oxygen and pH. The use of innovative R growth substrate assured better basil growth performance. Indeed, this was in terms of both average fresh weight per basil plant, with 22.59% more at AR compared to AH, 16.45% more at BR compared to BH, respectively, as well as for average leaf area (LA) with 8.36% more at AR compared to AH, 9.49% more at BR compared to BH. However, the use of R substrate revealed a lower N-NH 4 and N-NO 3 reduction rate in technological water, compared to H-based variants (19.58% at AR and 18.95% at BR, compared to 20.75% at AH and 26.53% at BH for N-NH 4 ; 2.02% at AR and 4.1% at BR, compared to 3.16% at AH and 5.24% at BH for N-NO 3 ). The concentration of Ca, K, Mg and NO 3 in the basil leaf area registered the following relationship between the experimental variants: AR > AH > BR > BH. In the root area however, the NO 3 were higher in H variants with low feed input. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents in basil roots and aerial parts and the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of experimental variants revealed that the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found in the BH variant (0.348% and 0.169%, respectively in the roots, 0.512% and 0.019%, respectively in the aerial parts), while the methanolic extract obtained from the roots of the same variant showed the most potent antioxidant activity (89.15%). The results revealed that an analytical framework based on supervised learning can be successfully employed in various technological scenarios to optimize operational management in an aquaponic basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.)-sturgeon ( Acipenser baerii ) integrated recirculating systems. Also, the R substrate represents a suitable alternative for replacing conventional aquaponic grow beds. This is because it offers better plant growth performance and plant quality, together with a comparable nitrogen compound reduction rate. Future studies should investigate the long-term efficiency of innovative R aquaponic growth bed. Thus, focusing on the application of the developed prediction and forecasting models developed here, on a wider range of technological scenarios.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate protozoan parasite that can infect mammals and birds. Cats are the definitive host of T. gondii and have a very important role in transmission of toxoplasmosis due to the shedding of millions of unsporulated oocysts, that become infective in the environment. Since cats play a major key role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis, rapid and accurate diagnosis of infected cats has utmost importance. In this study, we developed a novel colorimetric loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay detecting T. gondii RE gene and modified a previously developed colorimetric LAMP assay targeting B1 gene to detect T. gondii DNA in cat feces for the first time. The analytical sensitivity of colorimetric LAMP assays was determined using plasmid controls. The clinical sensitivities of both colorimetric LAMPs were determined using cat fecal DNA samples that were confirmed to be positive by two different real-time PCRs in our previous study. According to the results, analytical sensitivities of both assays were 1 copy plasmid/reaction. Using real-time PCR as a reference method, sensitivities of colorimetric LAMP assays targeting RE and B1 genes were 100% and 97.56% whereas specificities of both assays were 100%. Overall, the colorimetric LAMP RE assay developed in this study brings an advantage in the diagnosis of T. gondii in cat fecal samples since it has higher sensitivity, does not need for experienced personnel, and can be applied in basic laboratories or in the field., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A multicomponent reaction giving easy and cheap access to a variety of bicyclic 5,5-fused hetero-rings has been developed. Then, an usual rearrangement of imidazo[1,5- a ]imidazoles or imidazo[1,2- b ]pyrazoles leading to bi-heterocyclic imidazo- and pyrazolo[1,5- a ]pyrimidines in the presence of a specific amount of I 2 in THF at room temperature has been achieved. This new method enables the hitherto unreported synthesis of functionalized imidazo- and pyrazolo[1,5- a ]pyrimidines., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is an intrinsic thermal response of all magnetic solids which has a direct and strong correlation with the corresponding magnetic phase transition. It has been well recognized that the magnetic phase transition can be tuned by adjusting applied pressure. Therefore, we perform the high hydrostatic pressure magnetization measurements (up to 1.4 GPa) on a recently reported giant MCE material of TmZn. The results indicate that the Curie temperature of T C increases from 8.4 K at the ambient pressure to 11.5 K under the pressure of 1.4 GPa. The field-induced first order metamagnetic transition is getting weak with increasing pressure, which results in a reduction of MCE. The hydrostatic pressure effect on the magnetic phase transition and MCE in the metamagnetic TmZn is discussed.

Anzali and Gomishan wetlands are considered as two of the most important wetlands in southern coast of Caspian Sea. To investigate mercury accumulation in these ecosystems, total mercury concentrations were measured in the muscle tissue of two fish species. Higher mercury concentrations were detected in C. carpio, an omnivorous benthic/pelagic species (Anzali wetland: 0.2 μg g(-1) wet weight; Gomishan wetland: 0.2 μg g(-1) wet weight), than in S. lucioperca, a carnivorous pelagic species (Anzali: 0.06 μg g(-1) wet weight; Gomishan: 0.15 μg g(-1) wet weight).