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It is imperative to explore the contribution of the Indian state to the country's impressive long-term growth performance during the free-market era, given the looming demand deficiency problem arising from this iniquitous growth process. Drawing on Marx's idea of circuit of capital, this article investigates the various ways in which the state contributes to the process of accumulation and economic growth, especially in the context of India during the period of market-oriented reforms. Additionally, this study aims to trace the changing nature of interventions of the Indian state to ascertain the domain and extent of its withdrawal and continued presence. Furthermore, it investigates the interventions undertaken by the Indian state to sustain or cushion the growth momentum at times of economic downturn during the free-market era. JEL Classification : B51, E62, O11, P16 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this article is to assess the macroeconomic consequences of some specific aspects of financialization (i.e. share buy-back) using a hybrid post-Keynesian model of growth and distribution based on Kaldorian and Kaleckian characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: The study follows a post-Keynesian approach and deals with financialization issues by implementing several numerical simulations. Findings: The numerical simulations reveal the negative real impacts of massive share repurchases on the rate of accumulation because they immediately siphon off revenues directly intended for investment projects. Moreover, the negative effect of share buy-backs is reinforced especially when firms' investment decisions are more sensitive to a variation in retained earnings. Next, this macro-model also reproduces several well-known figures of the Kaleckian tradition and the paradox of costs. Research limitations/implications: The present article can be considered as a starting point for further theoretical extensions and requires empirical validation. Originality/value: The Kaldor-Kalecki macro-model could be useful for policymakers who are interested in containing some of the negative excesses of financialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using Panax japonicus as research material, callus induction and culture were carried out, and high-yielding cell lines were screened to establish a suspension culture system that promotes callus growth and the accumulation of the "total saponins" (total content of triterpenoid glycosides or ginsenosides). Using the root as an explant, the medium for callus induction and proliferation was optimized by adjusting culture conditions (initial inoculation amount, carbon source, shaking speed, hormone concentration, culture time) and a high-yielding cell line with efficient proliferation and high total saponins content was screened out. The conditions of suspension culture were refined to find out the most suitable conditions for the suspension culture of callus, and finally, the suspension culture system was established. We found that the lowest (5%) contamination rate was achieved by disinfecting the fresh roots with 75% alcohol for 60 s, followed by soaking in 10% NaClO for 15 min. The highest induction rate (88.17%) of callus was obtained using the medium MS + 16.11 μmol·L−1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L−1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L−1 sucrose + 7.5 g·L−1 agar. The callus was loose when the callus subcultured on the proliferation medium (MS + 5.37 μmol·L−1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L−1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L−1 sucrose + 3.8 g·L−1 gellan gum) for 21 days. The callus growth was cultured in a liquid growth medium (MS + 5.37 μmol·L−1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L−1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L−1 sucrose) with an initial inoculation amount of 40 g·L−1, a shaking speed of 110 r/min and darkness. Cell growth was fastest with a culture period of 21 days. We replaced the growth medium with the production medium (MS + 5.37 μmol·L−1 NAA + 13.32 μmol·L−1 6-BA + 30.0 g·L−1 glucose) for maximum accumulation of total saponins. [Conclusion] A callus induction and suspension culture system for the root of P. japonicus was established. In this way, we can promote the accumulation of total saponins in callus cells and provide a basis for large-scale cell culture and industrial production of medicinal total saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the territory of the industrial site of the Udachny Mining and Processing Division (Yakutia, Russia). The objects of study were permafrost soils and two species of shrubs (Betula middendorffii T. and Duschekia fruticose R.). Soil and plant samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry for the presence of potentially toxic elements (Pb, Ni, Mn, Cd, Co, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu, and As). The bioaccumulation factor for each element was also calculated. In the studied plants, the investigated elements were arranged in the following descending row in terms of their content: Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > As > Co > Cd, but in terms of bioaccumulation degree, they decrease in the following row: Cr > Zn > Ni > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cd > Co—for Betula middendorffii, Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Mn > Mn > Cd > Co—for Duschekia fruticose. The bioaccumulation factor results confirmed that Betula middendorffiii and Duschekia fruticosa are resistant to high concentrations of Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn elements coherent to kimberlites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the features of accumulation of eroded soil material at the foot of the plowed slope and further to the side of the valley in the presence of a lynchet resulting from mechanical tillage on the lower border of arable land. A small catchment area in the area of intense Chernobyl pollution has been studied, where the position of the lower boundary of the arable land coincides with the upper boundary of the side of the valley over the past few decades. This made it possible to trace the spatial patterns of distribution of eroded material under conditions of stable functioning of the lynchet as an important lithodynamic boundary that accumulates and redistributes the slope runoff of sediments. The volume of material from arable slopes was determined using mathematical modeling of erosion based on a high-precision digital terrain model, climate data, soil erodibility, and crop rotations. The intensity of accumulation was estimated using 137Cs of Chernobyl origin as a reliable tracer. The bulk of the eroded material enters the valley network through a system of slope hollows that concentrate the slope runoff and cut through the valleys. In areas of the valley sides outside the runoff concentration zones, the redeposition of the material generally depends on the morphology of the arable slope, occurs locally, and is associated with episodic overflows as a result of the gradual filling of the depression before the lynchet. Under the existing conditions, the proportion of sediments accumulated on the sides of the valley is relatively low in the total sediment balance of the studied catchment area. Significant changes may occur due to a gradual reduction of the barrier role of the lynchet as a result of accumulation of sediments and climate changes that contribute to an increase in erosion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryzasativa) is an important nutritional grain for the majority of Asian countries, but it is also a major source of cadmium (Cd) accumulation. A pot experiment was carried out to investigate the Cd uptake and translocation of high Cd (IR-50) and low Cd (White Ponni) rice cultivars in Cd-contaminated soils. The findings revealed that Cd impacts on rice development and growth differed depending on rice cultivars. Soil Cd levels in the seedling stage exceeded the critical levels (3–6 mg kg−1) only 5.0 mg kg−1 Cd treatment for the IR-50 (7.47 mg kg−1). At higher Cd treatments (1.0 and 5.0 mg kg−1), morphometric characteristics and yield of grains showed a declining and increasing trend in both rice varieties, respectively. The accumulation of Cd was higher in soil and roots during seedling and tillering stages, whereas in booting and maturity stages increased in stems and leaves in IR-50 and WP rice varieties. Cd levels in rice grains above the maximum allowable limit (0.4 mg kg−1) only in IR-50 (0.51 mg kg−1) rice cultivar at maturity stage. The EF of Cd were classified as minor enrichment to ‘moderate enrichment’ in both rice cultivars. TF values exhibited > 1 in booting and maturity stages in both rice cultivars at higher Cd treatments. The study concluded that the IR-50 rice variety exhibited increased Cd intake and transported to various parts of rice plants, particularly grains. The findings indicate that WP rice cultivar is more resistant to Cd toxicity, reducing health hazards for persons who preferred the staple food rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem reserve remobilization plays a prominent role in maintaining the stability of wheat grain yield. The present study aimed at comparing the amount of dry matter remobilization by employing both the entire stem and the separately weighted internodes in 18 wheat cultivars. To this end, the cultivars were examined under well-watered and terminal drought stress conditions at a Mediterranean climate during 2007–2009. They were also examined under well-watered condition in a subtropical climate during 2014–2015. Time-dependent changes in the weights of the entire stem as well as those of the internodes (peduncle, penultimate, and the lower internodes) were measured after anthesis. Results showed that the lower internodes remobilized their stored dry matter much earlier than the peduncle and penultimate. Moreover, in the majority of cultivars, the amount of entire stem dry matter remobilization was observed to be lower than that of the cumulative internode remobilization (i.e., sum of the remobilized dry matter from the individual internodes). This indicates that the employment of the entire stem for the calculation of the dry matter remobilization might underestimate this trait. Depending on the cultivars and the environmental conditions, the amount of underestimated remobilization was also found to range from 4 to 202 mg. Therefore, for the more precise measurement of the carbohydrate remobilization in wheat stems, the separate measurement of this trait in each internode is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-year pot experiment was designed to investigate cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the various parts of poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. cv. ‘Lux’ I-69/55) by setting up 5 Cd application treatments (0, 5, 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg dry soil). The results showed that poplar exhibited a high tolerance to Cd stress, with Cd uptake significantly increasing across all plant parts as soil Cd levels rose. In general, leaves exhibited the highest Cd concentration while stems had the lowest. An upward increase trend of the accumulation of Cd in the aboveground parts from the base wood, along the stem to the branch, until the leaves, as well as a radially outward increase of Cd from the wood near the pith, to the wood near the bark, and finally to the bark, were observed. Over the three successive years, poplar trees exhibited a generally increasing extraction ability in terms of Cd concentration and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) in their aboveground parts, attributed to the enhanced leaf transpiration and conducting tissue development. The BCFs of various parts of poplar ranged from 0.09 to 6.30, following the trend of leaf > bark > branch > root > stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a promising treatment for myocardial infarction (MI), but their therapeutic efficacy is limited by inefficient accumulation at the target site. A minimally invasive MSC EV therapy that enhances EV accumulation at the disease site and extends EV retention could significantly improve post‐infarct cardiac regeneration. Here, we show that EVs decorated with the next‐generation of high‐affinity (HiA) heterodimerizing leucine zippers, termed HiA Zippersomes, amplify targetable surface areas through in situ crosslinking and exhibited ~7‐fold enhanced accumulation within the infarcted myocardium in mice after 3 days and continued to be retained up to Day 21, surpassing the performance of unmodified EVs. After MI in mice, HiA Zippersomes increase the ejection fraction by 53% and 100% compared with unmodified EVs and phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), respectively. This notable improvement in cardiac function played a crucial role in restoring healthy heart performance. HiA Zippersomes also robustly decrease infarct size by 52% and 60% compared with unmodified EVs and PBS, respectively, thus representing a promising platform for minimally invasive vesicle delivery to the infarcted heart compared to intramyocardial injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impacts of LEDs on the phytoremediation of arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) by Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. were investigated, along with the examination of the biochemical characteristics of plants exposed to metal-induced toxicity. In vitro multiple and rapid plant propagations were successfully achieved by adding 1.0 mg/L 6-Benzyl amino purine (BAP) to the Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salt and vitamin culture medium. For plant-based remediation experiments, different concentrations of As (0–1.0 mg/L) and Hg (0–0.2 mg/L) were added to the water environment, and trials were conducted for four different application periods (1–21 days). White, red, and blue LEDs, as well as white fluorescent light, were preferred as the light environment. The results revealed that LED lights were more effective for heavy metal accumulation, with red LED light significantly enhancing the plant's phytoremediation capacity compared to other LED applications. Moreover, when examining biochemical stress parameters such as levels of photosynthetic pigments, protein concentrations, and lipid peroxidation, plants under red LED light showed better results. Generally, the lowest results were obtained under white fluorescent light. These findings contribute to phytoremediation studies by highlighting the integration of LED lights, thereby enabling the development of a more effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally sustainable remediation system compared to other treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although narrow deposits hold economic and environmental importance, the assessment of their mineral resources with kriging is often challenging due to the shortage of paired data for variogram analysis along the narrow dimension. This study addresses the problem of modeling alumina and silica grades in a layered bauxite deposit using three geostatistical approaches. The first one is the direct approach, where grades are cokriged inside the mineralized layer interpreted by geologists; the second one (indirect approach) substitutes the grades with the layer thickness and accumulations as service variables; the third approach trades the traditional random field representation for a deterministic representation to jointly predict the alumina and silica grades inside the mineralized layer, based on an innovative technique called transitive cokriging. A comparative analysis of the results highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, in terms of data preparation, geological modeling, and mineral resources modeling. The study concludes that the transitive approach is a promising alternative for mapping ore grades in deposits with narrow dimensions, due to a more congenial structural analysis and a reduced smoothing effect in comparison with the direct approach, while it avoids scaling down the representation of the deposit to two dimensions as in the indirect approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The karst area has become a high-risk area for Cadmium (Cd) exposure. Interestingly, the high levels of Cd in soils do not result in an excessive bioaccumulation of Cd in rice. Carbonate rock dissolution ions (CRIs) could limit the accumulation and translocation of Cd in rice. CRIs can become a major bottleneck in the remediation and management of farmlands in karst areas. However, there is limited research on the effects of CRIs in soils on Cd accumulation in rice. The karst area of lime soil (LS) and the non-karst areas of yellow soil (YS) were collected, and an external Cd was added to conduct rice cultivation experiments. Cd and CRIs (Ca2+, Mg2+, CO32−/HCO3−, and OH−) in the rice–soil system were investigated from the grain-filling to maturity periods. The results showed that CRIs of LS were significantly higher than that of YS in different treatments. CRIs of LS were 2.05 mg·kg−1 for Ca2+, 0.90 mg·kg−1 for Mg2+, and 42.29 mg·kg−1 for CO32− in LS. CRIs could influence DTPA Cd, resulting in DTPA Cd of LS being lower than that of YS. DTPA Cd of YS was one to three times larger than that of YS. Cd content in different parts of rice in YS was higher than that of LS. Cd in rice grains of YS was one to six times larger than that of LS. The uptake of Cd from the soil during Filling III was critical in determining rice Cd accumulation. CRIs in the soil could affect Cd accumulation in rice. Ca2+ and Mg2+ had significant negative effects on Cd accumulation of rice at maturity and filling, respectively. CO32−/HCO3− and OH− had significant negative effects on DTPA Cd in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics merit attention as they can be ingested by lower trophic organisms, transferred to the food web, and pose potential risks to higher trophic levels. This study investigated the accumulation and effects of polyethylene microbeads (PEMBs, 63–75 μm) on adult water flea Moina macrocopa (600–800 μm), an order-magnitude difference in size, as a result of acute exposure. The organisms were exposed to PEMBs in four treatments of 0 (the Control), 5, 50, and 500 mg PEMB/L for examining PEMB accumulation, survival and reproduction of the organisms after the 24- and 48-h exposures. In general, M. macrocopa ingested PEMBs within 24-h exposure and reached the cumulative PEMB accumulation value of 0.17 ± 0.21 beads/adult after 48-h exposure in the 500 mg PEMB/L treatment. Exposure to PEMBs resulted in a statistically significant decrease of the cumulative survival rates, from 93 ± 12% in the Control to 37 ± 21% in the 500 mg/L treatment. Nevertheless, exposure to PEMBs did not significantly reduce the cumulative reproduction (p > 0.05), although a decrease was observed. This study suggests that the relatively large-size PEMBs could be ingested by the relatively small-size M. macrocopa and pose potential risks to these organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils has emerged as a significant concern, particularly due to its potential impact on plant-based food. Soil pH reductions can exacerbate Cd mobility, leading to excessive accumulation in crops. While liming has been demonstrated as an effective method to mitigate Cd accumulation in rice grains in acid soils of southern China, its efficacy in remediating acid soils in northern China remains unclear. In this study, a multi-year field experiment was conducted on farmland impacted by zinc ore smelting at coordinates of 33.92° N 112.46° E to investigate the use of limestone for controlling Cd accumulation in wheat and maize grains. The results indicated that applying 7.5 t ha−1 of limestone significantly raised the soil pH from 4.5 to 6.8 as anticipated. Different rates of limestone application (2.25, 4.45, and 7.50 t ha−1) reduced Cd bioavailability in the soil by 20–54%, and Cd accumulation in wheat grains by 5–38% and maize grains by 21–63%, without yield penalty. The remediation effects were sustained for at least 27 months, highlighting limestone as a promising ameliorant for smelting-affected farmland in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro/nanoplastics are widespread in terrestrial ecosystem. Even though many studies have been reported on the effects of these in marine environment, studies concerning their accumulation and impact on terrestrial ecosystem have been scanty. The current study was designed to determine how terrestrial plants, especially legumes, interact with micro/nanoplastics to gain insights into their uptake and translocation. The paper describes the synthesis of fluorescent carbon dot embedded polystyrene (CDPS) followed by its characterization. Translocation studies at different concentrations from 2 to 100% (v/v) for tracking the movement and accumulation of microplastics in Vigna radiata and Vigna angularis were performed. The optical properties of the synthesized CDPS were investigated, and their translocation within the plants was visualized using fluorescence microscopy. These findings were further validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the plant sections. The results showed that concentrations higher than 6% (v/v) displayed noticeable fluorescence in the vascular region and on the cell walls, while concentrations below this threshold did not. The study highlights the potential of utilizing fluorescent CDPS as markers for investigating the ecological consequences and biological absorption of microplastics in agricultural systems. This method offers a unique technique for monitoring and analyzing the routes of microplastic accumulation in edible plants, with significant implications for both food safety and environmental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtained from Aquilaria Lam. and Gyrinops Gaertn., agarwood is a prestigious perfume and medicinal material in the world. Its primary chemical constituents and indicators of agarwood's development are 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones (PECs). However, how PECs affect its quality, accumulation, and transformation pattern is still unclear. The present study investigated this issue by monitoring resin filling in agarwood generated by the whole-tree agarwood-inducing technique over a span of a year, observing the ethanol extract concentration at different sampling times, and statistically examining PECs in agarwood from each sampling period. In agarwood, the resin accumulated over time, except during the 4th-6th month due to the creation of a barrier layer. The relative content of total PECs demonstrated an overall increase throughout the year but a decrease from the 4th month to the 6th month, and the relative content of 19 PECs that persisted throughout the year was positively correlated with the content of ethanol extracts. In addition, the process of chromone accumulation was accompanied by the production and transformation of different types of chromones, with flindersia type 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, epoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, and diepoxy-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones being the major chromone components; in addition, the content of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones kept increasing after 6 months of agarwood formation. Three main trends were identified from 58 analogs of PECs, each with notable variation. The first type had the highest content at the beginning of resin formation. The second type had the highest content at 6 months and then started to decrease, and the third type had a slowly increasing content. As a whole, this study systematically investigated the accumulation of PECs during injury-induced agarwood production in A. sinensis, which is of scientific significance in resolving the transformation of PECs and revealing the secret of agarwood formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular and isotopic compositions of shale gases exhibit substantial differences under different storage conditions. Gas geochemistry is widely used when evaluating gas accumulation and expulsion in petroleum systems. Gas geochemical characteristics can provide important references for determining the enrichment mechanism of shale gas reservoirs and predicting shale gas production capacity in different regions. In tectonically stable regions with similar reservoir formation and evolution histories, shale gas reservoirs are expected to exhibit favorable storage conditions with only relatively small variations in gas geochemical characteristics. In tectonically active regions, shale gas preservation conditions are expected to be more variable. In this study, we systematically analyzed the stable isotope signatures (δ[sup 13]C and δD) of alkane gases (CH4, C2H6, and C3H8), along with noble gas compositions and isotopic signatures, of normally pressured Wufeng-Longmaxi marine shale gas samples comprising a continuous pressure coefficient series from a structurally active region at the transition between an orogenic belt and the southeastern (SE) Sichuan Basin, China. The relationships between noble gas contents, isotopic signatures, and shale gas yields were evaluated, and a mechanism for normally pressured shale gas accumulation and expulsion was presented. The δ13C and δD data suggest that the normally pressured shale gas originated from late-mature thermogenic generation, equivalent to shale gas from other production areas in the inner Sichuan Basin. Gas dryness ratios [C[sub 1]/(C[sub 2] + C[sub 3])] exhibit negative relationships with δ13C1 and δ13C2. Normally pressured shale gas yields exhibit a negative correlation with δ13C and a positive correlation with [C1/(C2 + C3)], suggesting differences in shale gas accumulation and expulsion across the studied region related to changes in the pressure coefficient. Noble gas isotope data suggest that the normally pressured Longmaxi shale gas received a substantial contribution of crust-derived He. Coupling noble gas and stable C/H isotope data reveals that the abundance of He and Ar, along with the δ13C signatures of alkane gases, is affected by the abundance of shale gas during the accumulation and expulsion process. The noble gas and stable isotope distribution trends presented herein can be used to evaluate Wufeng-Longmaxi's normally pressured shale gas accumulation and expulsion in complex structural areas of the southeastern Sichuan Basin. Better preservation conditions accompanying lower tectonic activity will normally result in higher shale gas production and a lower concentration of noble gases. The above findings show that gas geochemical characteristics could be used as effective evaluation indicators for determining shale gas accumulation mechanisms in tectonically active regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the remediation potential of peanut plants to phthalate esters (PAEs) contamination, the absorption and accumulation patterns of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis (2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and diisononyl ortho‐phthalate (DINP), as well as their metabolites—monoalkyl phthalate esters (MPEs), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), and monoisononyl phthalate (MINP), were examined in peanut plant during the entire growth period. It was found that the amounts of DBP and MBP in peanut plants correlated positively, when the DBP content is high, the MBP content is also high, as well as DEHP and MEHP. Additionally, the root contained the highest overall concentrations of DBP, DEHP, DINP, MBP, and MEHP over the course of the growth cycle. To evaluate PAEs contamination and dietary risk of peanuts in China, 18 PAEs and seven MPEs in 490 peanut samples collected from 17 provinces of China were detected by UPLC‐MS/MS, the detection rate of 18 selected PAE in peanut was 100%. The dietary risk assessment suggested that the general population and high consuming population are not at risk of non‐carcinogenic from the PAEs and MPEs found in peanuts of China. There is no need for the general consumption group to take any precautions against the carcinogenic risk of DEHP, and the high consumption group's carcinogenic risk is also within an acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPhytoextraction is an attractive method to extract excess soil phosphorus (P) builds up from the soils. The crops potential to extract an enriched P in soil is still lacking. Therefore, four crops were grown in three different soils with variable P levels (0 to 200 mg P/kg soil) and screened for P acquisition potentials. Total P accumulation in roots and shoot was high with enriched P levels in all soils, for example in soil A at 200 mg P/kg soil, the values were 0.44% for cucumber (Cucumis sativus), 0.40% for sunflower (Helianthus annus), and ∼0.30% for cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and 0.20% for Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The cucumber and sunflower showed a greater biomass production (>6.0 g/pot) with enriched P levels and exhibited more prominent root characteristics, suggests more favorable for P acquisition from the P enriched soils. More prominent enhanced phosphomonoesterase and phytase activities in these crops possibly contributing to their P accumulation ability under high soil P conditions. This study shows that, cucumber and sunflower can generate high dry matter content and can accumulate greater quantity of P from the soils through different mechanisms and they can be potential candidates for phytoextraction of P from the soil P enriched areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subsurface natural hydrogen accumulations that can be economically and safely recovered are a major target of the present roadmap towards the use of hydrogen as an alternative and C-free energy resource. The existence of H 2 -rich reservoirs in ophiolites, where H 2 is produced via serpentinization, was theoretically predicted based on the intensity of gas seeps in Turkey and Albania. Here, we examine the geological bases supporting the potential existence of H 2 reservoirs within ophiolites in general, also considering available data on ophiolitic petroleum reservoirs, and we document a direct observation of a H 2 -rich accumulation within an ophiolite. We studied the case of a borehole, drilled in the 1970s for metal mining exploration purposes within the Tișovița–Iuți ophiolite, in Romania, which accidentally encountered pressurized gas with ∼29 vol% H 2 at a depth of about 800 m. We reconstructed the geometry of the ophiolite sequence in correspondence with the well and suggested that the reservoir is within cataclastic dunite near the tectonic contact between layered dunite and the harzburgite-dunite peridotites; the upper, non deformed portion of serpentinized layered dunite, likely with the contribution of tonalite veins, acted as a fluid trap. Although plugged, we detected H 2 leakage from this well and from a second well in the same area, with H 2 concentrations exceeding 100 ppmv in the air and 0.1 mg H 2 /L in the water within the wellhead open casing. We propose a broad conceptual model in which deformed, fractured, and non-deformed, impermeable sections of serpentinized peridotites can determine ophiolitic H 2 -rich reservoirs and traps, respectively, as factors that shall be considered in the guidelines for H 2 reservoir exploration. • Direct observation of pressurized H 2 -rich reservoir in ophiolite (Romania). • Potential reservoirs and cap rocks in ophiolites. • H 2 leakage observed in the abandoned wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a condition initiated by the assimilation of β-amyloid plaques (Aβ) and tau tangles, leading to neurodegeneration. It involves frequently cognitive decline as well as memory impairment in patients. Efforts in therapeutic interventions are currently facing challenges in identifying targets within this scaffold that can significantly alter the clinical course for individuals with AD. Moreover, in AD, neurons release a protein called endostatin, which accumulates in Aβ plaques and enhances AD. This accumulation of Aβ in the triggers a cascade of events leading to synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and ultimately neuronal death. Environmental factors nowadays increase the risk of AD with prolonged exposure of heavy metals such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and other pesticides. It has been observed that these factors can cause the aggregation of Aβ and tau which initiates the plaque formation and hence leads to enhanced pathogenesis of AD. This review summarizes the interlinking between heavy metals, environmental factors, pesticides, endostatin, and progression of AD has been deliberated with recent findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and earthworms are threatened by anthropogenic contamination resulting from olive mill waste dumping on the soil due to their pollutant properties. While several studies have explored the effects of olive mill waste on soil properties and the accumulation of heavy metals in soil, there is currently a gap in the literature regarding the potential bioaccumulation of heavy metals from olive mill waste in earthworms. In this study, soil with earthworms from two ecological categories (endogeic: Aporrectodea trapezoides and epigeic: Eisenia fetida) was treated with increasing doses of olive mill wastewater (OMWW) and olive mill pomace (OMP), applied individually or combined, in an indoor experiment in plastic containers, under laboratory conditions. The results revealed the presence of significant concentrations of heavy metals in the two types of wastes ranging as follows: Fe˃ Zn˃ Cu˃ Cd˃ Cr for OMWW, and Fe˃ Zn˃ Cu˃ Cr for OMP (with Cd below the detection limit). The study demonstrated distinct effects of OMWW and OMP, both individually and in combination, on soil heavy metal content, ranging as follows: soil OMWW > soil Combination > soil OMP for Cd; soil Combination > soil OMWW > soil OMP for Cr and Fe; and soil Combination > soil OMP > soil OMWW for Cu and Zn. Additionally, our investigation showed that both earthworm species exhibited significant uptake of these metals into their tissues, particularly the endogeic species. Interestingly, the most significant difference between species was in the accumulation of Cu, with the epigeic species accumulating significantly lower amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we investigated challenges associated with comprehension of graphical patterns of accumulation (Experiment 1) and how to improve accumulation-based reasoning via nudging (Experiment 2). On each trial participants were presented with two separate graphs, each depicting a linear, saturating, or exponential data trajectory. They were then asked to make a binary decision based on their forecasts of how these trends would evolve. Correct responses were associated with a focus on the rate of increase in graphs; incorrect responses were driven by prior knowledge and beliefs regarding the context and/or selective attention towards the early phases of the line trajectories. To encourage participants to think more critically and accurately about the presented data, in Experiment 2, participants completed a nudge phase: they either made a forecast about a near horizon or read particular values on the studied trajectories prior to making their decisions. Forecasting about how the studied trajectories would progress led to improvements in determining expected accumulation growth. Merely reading values on the existing trajectory did not lead to improvements in decision accuracy. We demonstrate that actively asking participants to make specific forecasts prior to making decisions based on the accumulation trajectories improves decision accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores how beneficiaries of South Africa's land reform programme attempt to navigate the contradictory dynamics of production and social reproduction in collectively owned agricultural enterprises. The Mphuzanyoni Communal Property Association in KwaZulu‐Natal province farms with commercial beef herds and the Mayime Cooperative in the Eastern Cape province is engaged in a joint venture dairy farming scheme in partnership with an agribusiness firm. Severe tensions are evident between the social reproduction of households and the requirements of simple or expanded reproduction of agricultural enterprises. Bernstein's concept of competing 'funds' is used to examine struggles over production and reproduction on the farms, in which members of socially differentiated households contest divergent visions for the collective enterprises. Conflicts centre on how labour and capital should be mobilised, how income and other benefits in kind should be distributed to households and whether or not income should be invested for purposes of simple or expanded reproduction of the enterprise. Challenges of governance are rooted in these conflicts rather than in group ownership as a form of property right. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants play a crucial role as a removal pathway in constructed wetlands, demonstrating the ability to absorb and tolerate antibiotics from wastewater. However, the specific contribution of plants in this regard has not yet to be sufficiently established. To gain a more comprehensive insight into the associated processes, we selected three common wetland plant species, Canna indica L. (C. indica), Cyperus alternifolius L. (C. alternifolius), and Thalia dealbata Fraser (T. dealbata), to evaluate their capacity for uptake, accumulation, and physiological response in the removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) at varying initial concentrations (10, 30, 100, and 300 µg/L) under hydroponic conditions. The results showed that SMX removal was more efficient at lower concentrations (10 and 30 µg/L) than at higher concentrations (100 and 300 µg/L). Moreover, plant systems were found to consistently outperform unplanted systems in SMX removal. Among the assessed species, C. indica was identified as being relatively effective in the removal of SMX, whereas the performance of C. alternifolius was notably less pronounced. A positive correlation was observed between the concentration of SMX in the plant tissues and that in the external aqueous medium. However, plant tissue residues contributed only a minor fraction to the overall removal of SMX. Wetland plants absorb SMX through their roots, and we accordingly detected significantly higher concentrations in submerged plant tissues. Furthermore, we also detected reductions in net photosynthetic rates indicative of potential phytotoxicity, which is associated with the accumulation of antibiotic in the shoot tissues. Accumulation of SMX in the roots and rhizomes was also found to be associated with the development of shorter roots, with this effect becoming more pronounced with an increase in the concentration of exogenous SMX. However, despite these adverse effects, plants can detoxify antibiotics via the glutathione pathway. Of the assessed plant species, C. indica was identified as the most SMX tolerant, as indicated by Km and Vmax values, with C. alternifolius being the least tolerant. Our findings in this study reveal the potential value of wetland plants in the sequestration of antibiotics and provide evidence for the underlying mechanisms of action. These findings could make an important contribution to the implementation of phytoremediation in antibiotic-contaminated water. Three wetland plants with fibrous root systems, namely Canna indica, Cyperus alterniflius, and Thalia dealbata, were selected to investigate the removal efficiencies of sulfamethoxazole in the hydroponic system by different emergent plants, quantify the contribution of uptake and accumulation for sulfamethoxazole in plant tissues, and assess the physiological responses of plants and their effect on the removal of sulfamethoxazole. The knowledge obtained from this study shows the potential use of wetland plants for removing antibiotics and the inherent mechanisms, which will be useful for the application of phytoremediation in antibiotic contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing the delivery and penetration of nano-sized drugs within liver cancer sites, along with remodeling the tumor microenvironment, is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. For this study, a platelet (PLT)-mediated nanodrug delivery system (DASA+ATO@PLT) was developed to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This system delivers nano-sized dasatinib and atovaquone specifically to liver tumor sites and facilitates intra-tumoral permeation upon release. Through JC-1, immunohistochemistry, and DNA damage analyses, the therapeutic effect of DASA+ATO@PLT was assessed. In vitro simulation and intravital imaging were carried out to determine the accumulation of dasatinib and atovaquone in liver tumor sites. The experiment demonstrated the accumulation of dasatinib and atovaquone in tumor sites, followed by deep permeation in the tumor microenvironment with the assistance of PLTs, while simultaneously revealing the ability of DASA+ATO@PLT to remodel the liver cancer microenvironment (overcoming hypoxia) and enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy. This system utilizes the natural tumor recognition ability of PLTs and enhances the chemo-immunotherapeutic effect through targeted delivery of nano-chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor, resulting in effective accumulation and infiltration. The PLT-mediated nanodrug delivery system serves as a "Trojan horse" to carry therapeutic drugs as cargo and deliver them to target cells, leading to favorable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, geographical scholarship has paid an increasing amount of attention to the accumulation strategies of energy and public utility companies. This article contributes to these debates by emphasizing the multiscalar nature of profit extraction by transnational energy companies through financialization, dependent power relations, and state regulation regarding transnational energy companies. Empirically, this article analyzes German energy companies' activities in Hungary. These energy giants bought Hungarian gas and electricity providers, networks, and power plants during the privatization waves of the 1990s, and largely left the Hungarian market after the 2010s re-nationalization process. Previous literature emphasized nation-state agency in the Hungarian energy sector's development. This study—based on an analysis of companies' annual reports, media coverage, and financial statements—draws attention to firm-level strategies in understanding techniques and strategies of accumulation by German energy companies in Hungary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endorheic river basins and their terminal lakes are highly sensitive to climate change and human activities. Based on chemical and pollen indicators, lake level, and erosion/accumulation rates of rivers, we explore the phasing of the evolution of the river system in the Hexi Corridor during the Holocene. The results suggest that climate change dominated the evolution of the river system during the early-Mid-Holocene. Entering the historical period, humans began to have an impact on runoff, water resources, and lake evolution, and since 1000 BP, anthropogenic perturbations recorded by regional proxies increased and humans dominated the migrations of river. In addition, we discuss the widespread erosion of rivers in the global endorheic zone and the impact of human activities in this context and found the timing of human influence on river evolution is not the same in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Phenolic acid exhibits a variety of well‐known physiological functions. In this study, optimal germination conditions to ensure total phenolic acid enrichment in barley sprouts induced by salicylic acid treatment and its effects on sprout physiology and activity, as well as the gene expression of key enzymes for phenolic acid biosynthesis, were investigated. RESULTS: When sprouts were treated with 1 mmol L−1 salicylic acid during germination and germinated at 25 °C for 4 days, the phenolic acid content was 1.82 times that of the control, reaching 1221.54 μg g−1 fresh weight. Salicylic acid significantly increased the activity of phenylalanine aminolase and cinnamic acid‐4‐hydroxylase and the gene expression of phenylalanine aminolase, cinnamic acid‐3‐hydroxylase, cinnamic acid‐4‐hydroxylase, 4‐coumaric acid‐coenzyme A, caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase, and ferulate‐5‐hydroxylase in barley sprouts. However, salicylic acid treatment significantly increased malondialdehyde and H2O2 content, H2O2 and O2− fluorescence intensity, as well as significantly decreasing sprout length and fresh weight. Salicylic acid treatment markedly increased the activity of peroxidase and catalase and the gene expression of peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase in barley sprouts. CONCLUSION: Salicylic acid treatment during barley germination significantly promoted the enrichment of total phenolic acid by increasing the activities and gene expression levels of enzymes involved in the phenolic acid biosynthesis pathway. Salicylic acid induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, inhibited sprout growth, and activated the antioxidant system. This study provides a basis for the future development of functional foods using phenol acid‐rich plants as raw materials. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic computing is a non‐traditional computing approach that utilizes stochastic bitstreams to represent numerical values. This representation enables the implementation of circuits using basic logic gates, named stochastic circuits. This work proposes a versatile architecture with correlated input bitstreams for biased accumulation. The design offers a notable reduction in the reliance on random number generators, resulting in lower hardware costs and higher computing accuracy when compared with the existing designs. Experimental results show that the application of Gaussian smoothing has a reduction in area by at least 45% and an improvement in peak signal‐to‐noise ratio of at least 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peganum harmala L., commonly known as Harmal, is an aromatic and medicinal plant that grows in North Africa. P harmala is a pseudometallophyte that occur both in heavy metals contaminated and non contaminated soils. In order to identify the best adapted and suitable populations within P. harmala species, a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses to lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were performed in three metallicolous populations (MP) and a non-metallicolous one (NMP). In Zaida, Mibladen, and Aouli Morrocan sites, P. harmala growing soils show a low organic matter content, high Pb and Zn concentrations, and a pollution index higher than 1, indicating a significant contamination level. The effects of Pb and Zn on growth, physiological, antioxidant enzyme activities, and Pb/Zn accumulation capacity were compared between a NMP and three MP of P. harmala. Plants were grown in hydroponic culture with 100 µM of ZnSO4 or 100 µM of Pb(NO3)2 for 15 days. Our results show that Pb and Zn significantly decreased the aboveground biomass in the NMP, MP-Mibladen, and MP-Aouli compared to MP-Zaida. Pb and Zn decreased significantly the root biomass in the NMP compared to the MP. There is no significant difference in chlorophyll a and b contents between NMP and MP. Under Pb exposure, anthocyanin content is shown to be significantly higher in MP-Zaida than in other populations. In contrast, there is no difference between NMP and MP under Zn stress. Proline content as well as the catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase activities was significantly higher in NMP than in MP under Pb and Zn exposure. In particular, lower proline content, and antioxidant activities were observed in MP-Zaida under the Pb and Zn exposure. Pb and Zn accumulations were significantly higher in the NMP than in the MP, both in roots and aboveground parts, showing that the NMP plants accumulated highly but tolerated less compared to the MP. In the present study, the MP-Zaida accumulated less Pb and Zn in their tissues and tolerated more than the other populations, suggesting this population as a good candidate for a phytostabilization strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoride is an essential element in preventing tooth decay, but excessive consumption can be harmful to health. There are various sources of fluoride exposure, including oral intake from water, tea, dates, toothpaste, and green vegetables; however, the extent of exposure varies among different groups in the population. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the consumption of these sources to avoid the risk of excessive fluoride intake. Our study, analyzing 33 varieties of root, fruit, tuber, and leaf vegetables produced in the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region of Morocco, should be aiming to understand fluoride accumulation in vegetables, classify different varieties based on their fluoride content, and assess the risks associated with high fluoride exposure through vegetable consumption. The results revealed fluoride levels ranging from 2.3 to 36.2 mg/kg for leaves of consumable plants, 0.17 to 13.2 mg/kg for leafy vegetables, 0 to 5.19 mg/kg for fruit vegetables, 1.45 to 3.66 mg/kg for tuber vegetables, 1.62 to 8.33 mg/kg for bulb vegetables, and 0.85 to 3.40 mg/kg for root vegetables. This study emphasizes the significance of understanding fluoride concentrations in vegetables. It suggests classifying different varieties based on their fluoride content to prevent the risks associated with excessive fluoride exposure from consuming these vegetables. High fluoride exposure through vegetables can result in various health problems, including dental, skeletal, and other types of fluorosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has a long history of use and multiple applications worldwide owing to its medicinal and health benefits. However, the safety of its use is seriously affected by its high Cd content. To regulate and reduce the Cd content, it is necessary to understand the accumulation, absorption patterns, and detoxification mechanisms in response to Cd stress. In this study, we analyzed Cd bioaccumulation, subcellular distribution, and chemical morphology of S. baicalensis after Cd exposure using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Cd mainly accumulated in the root tissues and mainly bound to the cell wall (49.40%-61.71%). Cd mainly existed in low-mobility and lowtoxicity chemical forms, and the proportion of the soluble fraction increased with the duration of Cd stress. Therefore, Cd retention in root tissues, cell wall deposition, vesicle sequestration, and the formation of low-mobility and low-toxicity chemical forms may have been the tolerance and detoxification strategies of S. baicalensis in response to Cd stress. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for studying Cd accumulation and detoxification mechanisms in S. baicalensis, which will assist in future cultivation of high-quality and low-contamination products. This study also provides important information for regulating and reducing Cd accumulation in other medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effect of the photoperiod on the accumulation and distribution of dry matter in potato, a pot experiment was carried out in 2021 and 2022 with two varieties (Atlantic and Hezuo 88). The varieties were used as the main plot, and light treatments (short-day and long-day) were used as the subplot. The results showed that extended hours of light delayed tuber formation in Hezuo 88, however, the effect was not obvious for the Atlantic. Comprehensive analyses were carried out using the potato developmental process, dynamic equation fitting of the tuber and whole-plant dry matter accumulation, and the dry matter accumulation and distribution rate of each organ of the two varieties under two photoperiods. The two photoperiods had different effects on the parameters of rapid tuber and whole-plant dry matter accumulation: the starting point of the period of the rapid dry matter accumulation (t1), the duration period of the rapid dry matter accumulation (Δt), and the average growth rate of the period of the rapid dry matter accumulation (Vmean). According to comprehensive analysis, tuber dry matter accumulation in Atlantic was the highest under the short-day condition, while Hezuo 88 showed the lowest tuber dry matter accumulation under the long-day condition and was the latest to enter the rapid tuber dry matter accumulation period. The whole-plant dry matter accumulation in Atlantic was the highest under the long-day condition and lowest in Hezuo 88; meanwhile, Hezuo 88 was the latest to enter the rapid whole-plant dry matter accumulation period. In terms of the dry matter accumulation and dry matter partitioning ratio of various organs, Hezuo 88 had the lowest mean tuber dry matter accumulation and partitioning ratio under the long-day condition but the highest mean stem, leaf, root, underground stem, and stolon dry matter partitioning ratio. On the contrary, Atlantic had the highest mean tuber dry matter accumulation and portioning ratio under the short-day condition but the lowest mean stem, leaf, root, underground stem, and stolon dry matter partitioning ratio. It was concluded that different varieties of potato respond differently to the photoperiod. In the case of Hezuo 88, prolonging the photoperiod affected the dynamics and distribution of dry matter accumulation; increased the stem, leaf, root, and underground stem dry matter partitioning ratio; and decreased the tuber dry matter partitioning ratio, which resulted in a decrease in tuber dry matter accumulation and consequently delayed the emergence of the equilibrium period between the aboveground and underground dry matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have emerged as effective biotechnological solutions for wastewater treatment in recent decades. While plants are recognized components of these systems, their specific role in nutrient and heavy metal (HM) uptake warrants further investigation. This study assesses the efficacy of a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) unit planted with Phragmites australis in treating HM-laden wastewater. Through standard methods, wastewater samples from inlet and outlet were analyzed for HMs (Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu), alongside plant and sediment samples. Planted CWs demonstrated remarkable removal efficiencies: 89.34% for Cd, 76.27% for Zn, 68.14% for Cu, and 66.42% for Pb, surpassing unplanted systems (18.27% to 33.16% removal). Notably, P. australis exhibited strategic pollutant absorption, with highest HM concentrations below-ground. Though above-ground HM accumulation was relatively minor, it exceeded soil concentrations. Analysis of accumulation factors confirmed roots and rhizomes as primary bio-accumulators, with transfer factor values (Cd > Pb > Zn > Cu) indicating efficient uptake. These findings underscore the pivotal role of P. australis in enhancing HM removal within VFCW systems, emphasizing the importance of plant-based strategies in HM remediation. Recommendations include further exploration of plant-assisted methods to optimize HM treatment in CWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Inorganic arsenic (iAs), which predominantly occurs as arsenite (As3+) and arsenate (As5+) in natural water, is primarily accumulated by seaweed in marine environments. However, the detailed mechanisms through which As3+ and As5+ affect the physiological processes of these organisms remain largely unknown. This study focused on evaluating the toxicological effects of As3+ and As5+ on the seaweed Sarcodia suae. Exposure to As3+ and As5+ resulted in IC50 values of 401.5 ± 9.4 μg L−1 and 975.8 ± 13 μg L−1, respectively. Morphological alterations and a reduction in phycoerythrin content were observed, particularly under As3+ exposure, with increased lipid peroxidation as evidenced by higher malondialdehyde levels. Exposure to As3+ also elevated the production of superoxide radicals, while decreasing hydrogen peroxide levels specifically in the presence of As3+. The induction of antioxidative enzyme activities, namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase was observed, signaling an adaptive response to iAs-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, levels of the antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione were elevated post-exposure, especially in response to As3+. Additionally, bioaccumulation of arsenic was significantly higher in the As3+ compared to As5+. Collectively, the data suggest that As3+ imposes greater adverse effects and oxidative stress to S. suae, which responds by adjusting its antioxidative defense mechanisms to mitigate oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The accumulation and storage of large-scale radioactive waste (RAW) in Ukraine poses a serious threat to the environment. Approximately 2500 tons of nuclear fuel waste was generated during the operation of the RVPK-1000 reactors. About 2800 tons of RW are materials containing nuclear fuel, including reactor graphite, fuel dust, etc. Objectives: The study is aimed at finding the most rational processes for managing accumulated and newly generated radioactive waste. Methods: To resolve complex, poorly formalized problems, system analysis provides the best efficiency. In the current study, an attempt was made to apply exactly this method to the management of radioactive waste. Results: The problem of RW management is complex and requires consideration of numerous factors. The initial basis, should be a functional approach. That is, the representation of the entire system through functional subsystems – groups of objects on which they behave with RW, and the subsequent division of each of the functional subsystems into further subsystems according to the types of accumulated and generated RW (aggregate state, activity level, radionuclide composition, etc.), which in turn is divided into elements. Conclusions: Proposed conceptual model structures the RW management system with all the variety of objects - sources of RW generation, types of RW and types of activities with them in separate subsystems – stages of RW management from their generation to disposal, and thus allows to significantly reduce the number of directions necessary for safety regulations in adoption of solutions.

High metal concentrations in the body’s biological substrates often result from a persistent, cumulative impact of adverse environmental conditions. This article considers the quantitative composition of human biological substrates as an indicator of the state of urban ecosystem components. Assessing the accumulation of metals in the body by directly measuring their concentrations in biological substrates is a multi-step analytical procedure. Here, a quick-and-easy method for determining metal concentrations in biological substrates based on a neural network algorithm was introduced. A complex neural network model was developed to enable the determination of metal inputs from the air and food-water system without the need for invasive sampling of biomaterials or too difficult processing and analysis of the samples obtained. The model also proved to be feasible in solving the inverse problems associated with the determination of metal thresholds in various components of urban ecosystems.

Insufficient information on the characteristics of changes in nutrients of Sudan grass according to the phases of growth and development is one of the main obstacles to the widespread use of this crop in feed production. The purpose of the study is to analyze changes in the content of protein and dry matter in green mass of Sudan grass varieties during a vegetation period depending on the sowing method. The research was carried out in the Rostov region on ordinary carbonate chernozem. The growing seasons were characterized by a contrasting hydrothermal regime: in 2022 – average aridity, in 2021 and 2023. – insufficient hydration. The objects of the study were the Sudan grass varieties ‘Aleksandrina’, ‘Alisa’, ‘Gratsiya’, ‘Kudesnitsa’ bred by the Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”. With the row sowing method (row spacing 15 cm, seeding rate 1.6 million pcs/ha), a more rapid accumulation of dry matter occurs in all studied varieties at the beginning of the vegetation period. By the end of the vegetation period, the dry matter content is higher with wide-row sowing (70 cm row spacing, 340 thousand pieces/ha), by 4.21% on average among the varieties. Rapid accumulation of dry matter was noted from the end of the “heading” phase up to the “milk ripeness” phase. The protein content in dry matter with wide-row sowing at the beginning of the growing season was two times higher than with continuous sowing and amounted to 21.33–24.17 %. Starting from the “heading” phase, the value of the trait decreased sharply and by the time of full grain ripeness it was 5.17–6.74 % for row sowing and 8.01–8.61 % for wide-row sowing. This change in protein in the dry matter of green mass indicates the practicability of using the crop in early stages of the vegetation period to obtain the best feed quality.

To explore the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the physiology of Pyrrosia petiolosa as well as the synthesis and accumulation of chlorogenic acid (CGA), tissue culture seedlings of P. petiolosa were used as materials, and three concentration gradients of low nutrient (no fertilization: N0, P0, K0), normal fertilization (N: 0.20 g·kg-1, P: 0.15 g·kg-1, K: 0.15 g·kg-1) and high nutrient (N1: 0.40 g·kg-1, P1: 0.30 g·kg-1, K1: 0.30 g·kg-1) were set up. Seven treatments were set up to NPK, N0PK, N1PK, NP0K, NP1K, NPK0 and NPK1, and the resistance physiological indexes, CGA contents and key enzyme activities of P. petiolosa under different treatments were determined. The results were as follows: (1) Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers had significant effects on the resistance physiology of P. petiolosa. The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) increased significantly under high nitrogen and low potassium treatments, but catalase (CAT) activities rose significantly under low and high treatments of three nutrients. (2) The contents of CGA in P. petiolosa was significantly affected by different nutrient levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The CGA level in normal fertilization was the highest, reaching 12.92 mg·g-1, while the CGA content in high potassium fertilization was the lowest, 7.79 mg·g-1. Potassium fertilizer had the most significant effect on CGA content. (3) The key enzyme activities of CGA synthesis were significantly different in different fertilization treatments. The content of CGA was positively correlated with the activities of quinate o-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) and 4-coumaroyl coenzyme ligase (4CL), and negatively correlated with the activity of quinic acid shikimate o-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT). HQT, 4CL and HCT were the key factors leading to the difference of CGA content. The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for the artificial cultivation of P. petiolosa.

Abstract Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCS) are the hidden fluid flow skeletons that provide meaningful information about the Lagrangian circulation. In this study, we computed the monthly climatological LCSs (cLCS) maps utilizing 24 years (1994–2017) of HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) currents and ECMWF re-analysis winds in the Bay of Bengal (BoB). The seasonal reversal of winds and associated reversal of currents makes the BoB dynamic. Therefore, we primarily aim to reveal the cLCSs associated with seasonal monsoon currents and mesoscale (eddies) processes over BoB. The simulated cLCS were augmented with the complex empirical orthogonal functions to confirm the dominant lagrangian transport pattern features better. The constructed cLCS patterns show a seasonal accumulation zone and the transport pattern of freshwater plumes along the coastal region of the BoB. We further validated with the satellite imagery of real-time oil spill dispersion and modelled oil spill trajectories that match well with the LCS patterns. In addition, the application of cLCSs to study the transport of hypothetical oil spills occurring at one of the active oil exploration sites (Krishna-Godavari basin) was described. Thus, demonstrated the accumulation zones in the BoB and confirmed that the persistent monthly cLCS maps are reasonably performing well for the trajectory prediction of pollutants such as oil spills. These maps will help to initiate mitigation measures in case of any occurrence of oil spills in the future.

The aim of this study was to investigate microplastic (MP) exposure by Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in laboratory conditions. A total of 150 tilapia fishes were equally distributed randomly in 15 different glass tanks with five experimental conditions. Observed results depicted that the presence of MPs in different organs was mainly accumulated from the fish feed rather than externally added MPs in the culture tanks. It was also revealed that the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was found to be the most susceptible to MPs accumulation followed by gills and muscles in order. However, muscle contained the least size of MPs followed by GITs and gills. A statistical test showed significant correlations among the average length and weight of fish with MP exposure. A filamentous shape was found to be dominant in both GITs and gills while fragment shape was dominant in muscles. FTIR results revealed a total of 12 different polymers in the fish of which two polymers (polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene vinyl acetate) were not detected in the feed-only tanks. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were found to be dominant polymers in all the experimental GIT, gills, and muscle organs. FESEM results indicated the presence of different textures including cracks, edges, flakes, scratches, grooves, and adhering particles. EDX results exhibited the presence of Na, Si, K, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Cd in the analyzed samples that may pose additional health risks. Thus, this study could act as baseline data for laboratory-based studies of aquaculture species in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A specific feature of mushrooms (including those of the genus Pleurotus) is their natural ability to absorb and accumulate many chemical substances present in their immediate environment, which makes them an excellent natural sorption material. Hence, fruiting bodies of mushrooms have been recognized for years as excellent indicators of the environment, reflecting its current state. Nevertheless, mushrooms can accumulate both health-promoting substances, such as bioelements, and toxic substances, such as heavy metals and organic compounds, including bisphenol A® (BPA). This organic chemical compound in the phenol group, although it has been withdrawn in the EU since 2010, is widely present in the environment around us. In the present experiment, we aimed to determine the effect of adding BPA to liquid media for in vitro cultures of Pleurotus spp. The biomass increases were determined. Moreover, the degrees of adsorption and desorption of BPA from the obtained freeze-dried biomass in two different environments (neutral and acidic) were determined as a function of time. This is the first study to determine the bioavailability of adsorbed BPA in obtained biomass by extracting the mycelium into artificial digestive juices in a model digestive system. BPA was added to the liquid Oddoux medium in the following amounts: 0.01, 0.5, and 0.5 g/250 mL of medium. The amounts of adsorbed and desorbed BPA were determined by flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection. The addition of BPA to the substrate reduced the biomass growth in each of the discussed cases. BPA adsorption by the mycelium occurred at over 90% and depended on the morphology of the mushroom (structure, surface development, and pore size). BPA desorption depended on the pH of the environment and the desorption time. Mushrooms are an excellent natural remedial material, but BPA is extracted into artificial digestive juices; therefore, consuming mushrooms from industrialized areas may have health consequences for our bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]