Search Results (260)

This study examines a convergence event at the trailing end of a cold front observed in the United States’ Southern Great Plains region on 28 September 1997, using an array of in situ and remote sensing instruments. The event exhibited a structure with elevated divergence near 3 km AGL and moisture transport over both warm and cold sectors. Data from Raman lidar (RL), Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI), and Radar Wind Profilers (RWP) were used to characterize vertical profiles of the event, revealing the presence of a narrow moist updraft, horizontal moisture advection, and cloud development ahead of the front. Convection parameters, Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) and Convective Inhibition (CIN), were derived from collocated AERI and RL. Regions of high CAPE were aligned with areas of high moisture, indicating that convection was more favorable at moist elevated levels than near the surface. RWP observations revealed vorticity structures consistent with existing theories. This study highlights the value of high-resolution, continuous profiling from remote sensors to resolve mesoscale processes and evaluate convection potential. The event underscores the role of elevated moisture and wind shear in modulating convection initiation along a trailing-end cold front boundary where mesoscale and synoptic forces interact. Full article

FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) is a key integrator of flowering pathways. White lupin, a grain legume, encodes four FT homologs: LalbFTa1, LalbFTa2, LalbFTc1, and LalbFTc2. Widespread distribution of white lupin implies diverse phenological adaptations to contrasting ecosystems. Recent studies highlighted associations between FT indels and flowering regulation. Therefore, we surveyed the global white lupin collection for the presence of such indels and potential links to phenology. A panel of 626 white lupin genotypes, representing several European and African agro-climates, was phenotyped under a long-day photoperiod in a two-year study, showing up to 80 days of flowering time difference between early landraces from Eastern Mediterranean and late accessions from France, Madeira, the Canaries, Greece, Italy, and the Azores. As many as seventeen indel variants were identified for LalbFTc1, twelve for LalbFTa2, nine for LalbFTa1, and four for LalbFTc2, yielding roughly three hundred allelic combinations. Significant correlations with phenology were confirmed for one LalbFTa1 indel and twelve LalbFTc1 indels. A large, highly correlated LalbFTc1 indel was revealed to be conserved among all domesticated Old World lupins, carrying all FTc1-promoter candidate binding sites of the same major floral repressor, AGAMOUS-LIKE 15. A small LalbFTa1 indel, providing additional contribution to earliness, showed homology between white and yellow lupins. LalbFTc1 indel-based PCR markers revealed high discriminatory power towards early (PR_42a and PR_71b) or late (PR_58c, PR_36b, PR_80, and PR_60b) flowering. Full article

Jatropha curcas L. is a shrub of the Euphorbiaceae family with non-toxic varieties found in Mexico that holds significant potential for biofuel production and other industrial applications. However, its limited in vitro regenerative capacity is a barrier to the development of productive species. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) offers a strategy to establish a regeneration system to overcome these challenges and enable genetic improvement. In this work, proteomic and gene expression analyses were utilized to identify key factors involved in SE induction in a non-toxic variety of J. curcas. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with mass spectrometry was used to compare the proteomes of pre-globular and globular somatic embryos. RT-qPCR was used for gene expression analysis of the BBM, AGL15, SERK, IAA26 and eIF3f genes. The globular stage showed enrichment in the pathways related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, protein folding, and stress response. In addition, the gene expression analysis of selected genes revealed a significantly elevated expression of BBM, AGL15, and IAA26 in globular embryos compared to pre-globular embryos. In contrast, SERK expression was low, and eIF3f expression remained unchanged between stages. These expression patterns may contribute to developmental arrest at the globular stage. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating early SE in J. curcas and offer potential strategies for improving its propagation and industrial applications. Full article

Transition metal oxide aerogels (AGLs) have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their exceptional properties, including high surface area, significant porosity, and ultralow density. In this study, we report the first-time synthesis of zinc oxide nano-wafers and zinc aerogels for application as supercapacitor electrodes. The aerogels were synthesized via a novel one-pot hydrolysis method using NaBH₄ as a reducing agent and subsequently annealed at 200 °C (Zn_AGL(200)) and 450 °C (Zn_AGL(450)) to investigate the influence of temperature on their electrochemical properties. Structural and morphological characterizations were conducted using XRD, FTIR, BET, XPS, SEM, and TEM analyses. Among the fabricated electrodes, the aerogel annealed at 200 °C (Zn_AGL(200)) exhibited superior energy storage performance, attributed to its amorphous, continuous network structure, which enhanced its surface area and reduced its density compared to both the as-synthesized (Zn_AGL(RT)) and 450 °C-annealed (Zn_AGL(450)) counterparts. A two-electrode device demonstrated excellent cycling stability over 10,000 cycles, achieving an energy density of 7.97 Wh/kg and a power density of 15 kW/kg. These findings highlight the potential of zinc aerogels as materials for next-generation lightweight energy storage systems, with promising applications in industrial, mechanical, and aerospace technologies. Full article

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) serves as a model system for dissecting floral morphogenesis mechanisms. Petal malformation in A. majus impacts ornamental value, but its genetic basis remains poorly understood. We compared transcriptomes of the wild-type (Am11) and a petal-malformed mutant (AmDP2) to identify 2303 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including E-class MIKC-type MADS-box genes SEP3 (AmMADS25/61/20/26) and SEP2 (AmMADS85). Weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA), protein-protein interaction (PPI), qRT-PCR and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) analyses revealed interactions between SEP2/SEP3 and C/A/B-class MADS-box genes (AG, AP1, AP3), co-regulated MADS transcription factors (MTFs) AGL15 (AmMADS16), and auxin signaling genes (SAUR1, IAA13). qRT-PCR validated upregulation of SEP3 and downregulation of SEP2 in AmDP2. Our results suggest that E-class MADS-box genes are associated with petal malformation through coordinated interactions with hormonal pathways. These findings provide candidate targets for further functional studies in snapdragon. Full article

This study explores the potential of wind energy to address electricity shortages in South Africa, focusing on the Ekuphumleni community in Whittlesea. Given the challenges of expanding the national grid to these areas, wind energy is considered to be a feasible alternative to provide clean, renewable energy and reduce fossil fuel dependence in this community. This research evaluates wind potential utilizing the two-parameter Weibull distribution, with scale and shape parameters estimated by five traditional numerical methods and one metaheuristic optimization technique: whale optimization algorithm (WOA). Goodness-of-fit tests, such as the coefficient of determination (R²) and wind power density error (WPDE), were utilized to determine the best method for accurately estimating Weibull scale and shape parameters. Furthermore, net fitness, which combines R² and WPDE, was employed to provide a holistic assessment of overall performance. Whittlesea showed moderate wind speeds, averaging 3.88 m/s at 10 m above ground level (AGL), with the highest speeds in winter (4.87 m/s) and optimum in July. The WOA method outperformed all five numerical methods in this study in accurately estimating Weibull distribution parameters. Interestingly, the openwind method (OWM), a numerical technique based on iterative methods, and the Brent method showed comparable performance to WOA. The wind power density was 67.29 W/m², categorizing Whittlesea’s potential as poor and suitable for small-scale wind turbines. The east wind patterns favor efficient turbine placement. The study recommends using augmented wind turbines for the site to maximize energy capture at moderate speeds. Full article

The MIKC-type MADS-box (MIKC) gene family is essential for controlling various plant developmental processes, including flowering time and dormancy transitions. Although the MIKC gene family has been widely studied across different plants, its characterization and functional study in herbaceous peony remain limited. In this study, 19 Paeonia lactiflora Pall. MIKC-type (PlMIKC) genes were identified from the transcriptome of a low-chilling requirement Paeonia lactiflora Pall. cultivar ‘Hang Baishao’. These MIKC genes were categorized into seven clades: six were classified as MIKC^C-type, including FUL/AP1, DAM, PI, AGL18, AGL12, AG, and SOC1, and one, AGL30, was classified as MIKC*-type. Notably, the FLC clade genes were absent in Paeonia lactiflora Pall. The PlMIKC genes were predominantly localized to the nucleus, and their sequences contained highly conserved MADS and K-domains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that PlMIKC genes share a strong evolutionary affinity with the MIKC genes from grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and poplar (Populus trichocarpa). A low-temperature-induced bud dormancy transition (BDT) experiment revealed that PlMIKC genes, such as PlFUL and PlDAM, were highly expressed during dormancy maintenance, while PlSOC1, PlAGL12, and PlAGL30 were upregulated during BDT. Additionally, the transient overexpression of PlSOC1 in ‘Hang Baishao’ significantly accelerated BDT and promoted bud break, suggesting that SOC1, traditionally linked to flowering regulation, also plays a key role in dormancy transition. Since limited literature on the MIKC gene family is currently available in herbaceous peony, this study expands the knowledge of the MIKC genes in Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and offers valuable insights into the molecular regulation of bud dormancy in response to low temperatures. Full article

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) is a key vegetable crop in Asia, but its commercial value is often reduced by premature flowering triggered by vernalization. The molecular mechanisms behind this process are not fully understood. MADS-box genes, as crucial transcriptional regulators, play vital roles in plant development, including flowering. In this study, 102 MADS-box genes were identified in Chinese cabbage through bioinformatics analyses, covering phylogeny, chromosomal localization, and gene structure. Real-time quantitative PCR and RNA-seq data analysis revealed that the expression level of AGL27 declined as vernalization time increased. To determine BrAGL27′s functions, we obtained BrAGL27-overexpressed (OE) Arabidopsis thaliana lines that showed significantly later flowering compared with the wild type (WT). The expression levels of flowering suppressor genes AtFLC and AtTEM1 were significantly high-regulated in the BrAGL27-OE lines compared to WT plants, while the expression levels of the floral genes AtSPL15, AtSOC1, AtFT, and AtAP3 were significantly lower in the BrAGL27-overexpressed lines than in the wild type. These findings enhance understanding of MADS-box genes in vernalization and flowering regulation, offering a basis for further research on bolting resistance and flowering control in Chinese cabbage. Full article

Rubber dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin, TKS), also referred to as Russian dandelion, is one of the most promising natural rubber (NR)-producing plants that produce high-quality NR comparable to that from the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis, Hb), currently the only commercial source. It needs further breeding to improve the agricultural traits. However, little has been known about the genetic mechanisms underlying the regulation of floral induction and flower development in TKS, an important trait that remains to be improved for commercial production. The MADS-box gene AGAMOUS-LIKE 24 (AGL24) plays important roles in floral induction and flower development. As the first step in understanding its roles in TKS, this study isolated and characterized the AGL24-homologous gene TkAGL24 in TKS. The TkAGL24 gene had a 705 bp coding sequence (CDS) that encoded a protein of 234 amino acids containing the conserved classic MADS-box type II domain and K-box domain, sharing 55.32% protein sequence identity with the AtAGL24 protein from Arabidopsis. TkAGL24 was highly expressed in leaf, latex, root, and peduncle but rarely or not in mature flower. The TkAGL24 protein was located in the nucleus and cytoplasm and did not have transcription activation activity in yeast cells. The overexpression of TkAGL24 in Arabidopsis could promote flowering and cause the abnormal development of flowers, similar to other AGL24-homologous genes from other species. Furthermore, the overexpression of TkAGL24 in TKS also affected the development of ligulate flowers. These results suggested that the cloned TkAGL24 gene is functional and may play important roles in floral induction and flower development in TKS, providing an insight into the possibility for the further studies of its roles and application to breeding. Full article

The availability of agricultural land is central to stimulating reserves in sustainable food and crop production amidst accelerating economic sustainability and growth. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the influence of agricultural land (AGL) on food production (FP) and crop production (CP) with the linkage of environmental sustainability (ES) as a moderator from 1990 to 2021 for the economy of China with the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing estimation model. Our findings showed that the ARDL model estimates the long-term and short-term joint matching relationships between agricultural land and the independent variables in the model, which is a statistically significant outcome. Therefore, in the long term, the food and crop production adjustment for speed to steadiness was huge as it was projected at 1.337%, 53.6%, 133.5%, and 37.4%, respectively, in all the models, which shows that the adjustment for speed of models is a good post-shock association process. We found evidence for a significant and positive relationship between agricultural land and food and crop production in ordinary least square (OLS) estimation, which also ensured the outcomes of the primary model. Furthermore, Toda–Yamamoto Granger causality test estimation found reverse causality between food production (FP) and crop production (CP) and showed evidence of the conservation hypothesis. We found bidirectional causality between food production and agricultural land and between crop production and agricultural land, which shows evidence of the feedback hypothesis. Additionally, the empirical findings of a robustness check with fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) techniques showed consistency with the investigations of ARDL estimation in the long run, ensuring the validity and strength of the primary outcomes. Overall, the present paper brings fresh knowledge about agricultural land use, and food and crop production to promote environmental sustainability. Full article

Rose is one of the most popular ornamental plants worldwide. The double-flower trait, referring to flowers with extra petals, has been a key focus in rose breeding history. However, the genetic mechanisms regulating petal number in roses are still not fully understood. Here, we identified the CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 3 (RhCUC3) gene in the miniature rose (Rosa hybrida ‘Eclair’). The expression of RhCUC3 was high during the petal and stamen primordium differentiation stages but declined sharply during pistil primordium development. RhCUC3 belongs to the NAM/CUC3 subgroup of NAC transcription factors and is localized in the nucleus. The transcript level of RhCUC3 increased significantly with ABA and GA treatments and was inversely down-regulated with MeJA and 6-BA treatments. Silencing RhCUC3 using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in rose ‘Eclair’ significantly decreased the number of petaloid stamens and normal petals while slightly increasing the number of stamens. Additionally, the expression of RhAG and RhAGL, two MADS-box genes associated with floral organ identity, was significantly higher in TRV-RhCUC3 compared to the TRV control. These findings suggest that RhCUC3 enhances stamen petaloidy and petal number, potentially by modulating the expression of RhAG and RhAGL, providing new insights into the function of NAC transcription factors in plants. Full article

Flower induction in pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is regulated by complex gene networks involving multiple signaling pathways that ensure flower bud (FB) formation, but its molecular determinants remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify key genes and pathways involved in pitaya flower induction by analyzing transcriptomics profiles from differentiating buds. Our results indicate that the flower induction process is driven by a combination of sugar, hormone, transcription factor (TF), and flowering-related genes. We found that during the FB induction period, the levels of sugar, starch, auxin (AUX), cytokinin (CTK) active forms dihydrozeatin riboside (dhZR), zeatin riboside (ZR), N6-isopentenyladenosine (iPA), and brassinosteroid (BR) increase in the late stage (LS), while active gibberellins (GA3, GA4) decrease, signaling a metabolic and hormonal shift essential for flowering. Differential gene expression analysis identified key genes involved in starch and sugar metabolism, AUX, CTK, BR synthesis, and (GA) degradation, with notable differential expression in photoperiod (COL, CDF, TCP), age-related (SPL), and key flowering pathways (FT, FTIP, AGL, SOC1). This study reveals a multidimensional regulatory network for FB formation in pitaya, primarily mediated by the crosstalk between sugar and hormone signaling pathways, providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of FB formation in pitaya. Full article

To investigate the evolutionary trajectory during the recent speciation of AA-genome Oryza species, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the MADS-box gene family across eight Oryza species. We identified 1093 MADS-box genes in total and systematically examined their evolutionary history, gene family expansion, and expression divergence. Our results revealed that extensive lineage-specific expansions occurred in AA-genome Oryza species, which were primarily generated by proximal and tandem duplications, with a particularly notable episode in Type-I genes. Despite the significant expansion, Type-I genes were generally expressed at low levels or not expressed across various organs. In contrast, the expansion of Type-II genes was primarily observed in the AG, AGL12, SOC1, GGM13, and MIKC* subfamilies, which exhibited high levels of expression in reproductive organs such as panicles and stigmas. Additionally, we found species-specific gene expression in the two out-crossing wild rice species, Oryza rufipogon and Oryza longistaminata. Notably, a unique MADS-box gene in O. longistaminata exhibited high expression levels in rhizomes and stems, which may be associated with the species’ distinctive rhizomatous growth habit. Full article

The precise selection of agricultural land is essential for guaranteeing global food security and sustainable development. Additionally, agricultural land suitability (AgLS) analysis is crucial for tackling issues including resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and rising food demands. This research examines the synergies and trade-offs among the sustainable development goals (SDGs) using a hybrid geographic information system (GIS)–fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)–geostatistical framework for AgLS analysis in Attur Taluk, India. The area was chosen for its varied agro-climatic conditions, riverine habitats, and agricultural importance. Accordingly, data from ten topographical, climatic, and soil physiochemical variables, such as slope, temperature, and soil texture, were obtained and analyzed to carry out the study. The geostatistical analysis demonstrated the spatial variability of soil parameters, providing essential insights into key factors in the study area. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the results showed that the FAHP method (AUC = 0.71) outperformed the equal-weighting scheme (AUC = 0.602). Moreover, suitability mapping designated 17.31% of the study area as highly suitable (S1), 41.32% as moderately suitable (S2), and 7.82% as permanently unsuitable (N2). The research identified reinforcing and conflicting correlations with SDGs, emphasizing the need for policies to address trade-offs. The findings showed 40% alignment to climate action (SDG 13) via improved resilience, 33% to clean water (SDG 6) by identifying low-salinity zones, and 50% to zero hunger (SDG 2) through sustainable food systems. Conflicts arose with SDG 13 (20%) due to reliance on rain-fed agriculture, SDG 15 (11%) from soil degradation, and SDG 2 (13%) due to inefficiencies in low-productivity zones. A sustainable action plan (SAP) can tackle these issues by promoting drought-resistant crops, nutrient management, and participatory land-use planning. This study can provide a replicable framework for integrating agriculture with global sustainability objectives worldwide. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral cancers in patients with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL-OSCC) exhibit different clinical and prognostic outcomes from those seen in conventional oral squamous cell carcinomas (cOSSCs). The aim of the present study is to compare the genome-wide DNA methylation signatures in fresh frozen tissues between oral squamous cell carcinomas in patients with PVL and cOSCC using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Methods: This case–control study was carried out at the Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the General University Hospital of Valencia. For the epigenomic study, unsupervised exploratory bioinformatic analyses were performed using principal component and heatmap analysis. Supervised differential methylation analyses were conducted using a rank-based regression model and a penalized logistic regression model to identify potential prognostic biomarkers. Results: The unsupervised analyses of the global methylation profiles did not allow us to differentiate between the distinct oral cancer groups. However, the two supervised analyses confirmed the existence of two oral carcinoma phenotypes. We identified 21 differentially methylated CpGs corresponding to 14 genes. Among them, three CpGs had not been previously assigned to any known gene, and the remaining were associated with genes unrelated to oral cancer. The AGL, WRB, and ARL15 genes were identified as potential prognostic biomarkers. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the significant role of epigenetic dysregulation in OSCC, particularly in cases preceded by PVL. We have provided data on differential methylation genes that could be involved in the molecular carcinogenesis of PVL-OSCC. Full article