Search Results (3,000)

With 493 taxa and 63 sections, Astragalus L. is the largest genus in Türkiye. Most of these are narrow endemics and usually found in marginal habitats or require edaphic specializations (about 42% of the species are endemic). Due to the genus’s extensive diversity of species and common economic use, numerous scientific studies have concentrated on specific species. Taxonomic categorization based on morphological characteristics is insufficient to distinguish certain taxonomic groups. However, there is no systematic molecular phylogenetic analysis of Turkish species that deals with speciation in this genus. To concentrate on molecular-level speciation, fresh leaves from 152 samples representing 30 species across six sections native to Türkiye were collected over several months of comprehensive field studies and analyzed with regard to the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nrDNA and the trn L5′-L3′ + L3′-F(GAA) + mat K of cpDNA regions. Additionally, molecular clock estimations and biogeographical histories were analyzed to clearly understand the species’ divergence. Based on all studied regions, the Poterion section was found to be the newest and most divergent section, while the Megalocystis Bunge and Halicacabus Bunge sections were the closest and older ones. Furthermore, A. vaginans from section Hymenocoleus Bunge were included not only in this section but also in several other lineages. It is noteworthy that A. dipodurus and A. oleaefolius species from the section Macrophyllium Bunge are usually put together in a distinct sub-branch from other species members of the section in phylogenetic trees generated using both researched cpDNA and nrDNA regions. Moreover, some of the species are divided by the Anatolian diagonal, and the speciation of a significant number of species began during the Pleistocene geological time period. Geographical isolations or other weak isolation mechanisms preceded speciation in Astragalus, which requires more research in the future. Full article

Background: Cold feet syndrome is characterized by hypersensitivity of sympathetic nerves to cold stimuli, resulting in vasoconstriction and reduced peripheral blood flow. This condition causes an intense cold sensation, particularly in the extremities. Although hormonal changes (e.g., during childbirth or menopause) and psychological stress have been implicated, the mechanisms and effective treatments remain unclear. Methods: Ninety adult volunteers were randomized into three groups based on the type of heating mat applied to the feet, with surface temperatures gradually increased from 20 °C to 50 °C. Group A (control) used non-FIR electric mats, Group B used carbon FIR mats, and Group C used loess bio-ball FIR mats. Blood flow (mL/min/100 g) and epidermal temperature (°C) in the left big toe (LBT) and right big toe (RBT) were measured before and after heating or FIR exposure using laser Doppler flowmetry and infrared thermometers. Results: No significant changes in blood flow or skin temperature were observed in Group A. In Group B, blood flow increased by 15.07 mL/min/100 g in the LBT (from 4.12 ± 2.22 to 19.19 ± 5.44) and by 14.55 mL/min/100 g in the RBT (from 4.26 ± 2.29 to 18.81 ± 4.29). In Group C, blood flow increased by 32.86 mL/min/100 g in the LBT (from 4.23 ± 1.64 to 37.09 ± 6.04) and by 32.63 mL/min/100 g in the RBT (from 4.20 ± 1.61 to 36.83 ± 6.48). Epidermal temperature also increased significantly in Group C. All changes in Groups B and C were statistically significant (p < 0.05), with Group C showing the most prominent enhancement. Conclusions: The loess bio-ball mat significantly increased both peripheral blood flow and epidermal temperature compared to the electric and carbon mats. These findings suggest that FIR emitted from loess bio-balls may enhance peripheral circulation through hypothalamus thermogenic response and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathways and could serve as a complementary and non-invasive intervention for individuals with poor blood flow. Full article

DNA barcoding of intraspecific diversity of agricultural crops is important to develop the genetic passports of valuable genotypes and cultivars. The advantage of DNA-barcoding as compared to traditional genotyping of cultivars is that the procedure can be unified and applied for the broad range of accessions. This not only makes it cost efficient, but also allows to develop open access genetic databases to accumulate information of the world’s germplasm collections of different crops. In this regard, the aim of the review was to analyze the latest research in this field, including the selection of loci, universal primers, strategies of amplicons analysis, bioinformatic tools, and the development of databases. We reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy with the focus of cultivars identification. The data indicates that following chloroplast loci are the most prominent for the intraspecific diversity analysis: (trnE-UUC/trnT-GUU, rpl23/rpl2.l, psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF, trnK, rpoC1, ycf1-a, rpl32-trnL, trnH-psbA and matK). We suggest that the combination of three or four of these loci can be a sufficient DNA barcode for cultivar-level identification. This combination has to be selected for each crop. Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches of amplicons analysis are discussed. The bioinformatic tools and databases for the plant barcoding are reviewed. This review will be useful for selecting appropriate strategies for barcoding of intraspecific diversity of agricultural crops to develop genetic passports of valuable cultivars in germplasm collections worldwide. Full article

Evaluating performance is a necessary and specific process across all sectors and organizational levels, shaped by context, indicators, and purpose. Considering global sustainability transitions, understanding financial performance entails a deeper perspective on technical accuracy, conceptual clarity, and systemic integration. This study investigates how financial performance is assessed and interpreted in sustainability-focused research, drawing on a bibliometric analysis of 490 articles indexed in the Web of Science from 2007 to 2023. Using SciMAT, we traced thematic evolutions and revealed a fragmented research landscape marked by competing theoretical, methodological, and practical orientations. To address this conceptual dispersion, we applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate five key alternatives to financial-performance assessment (quantitative measurement, definition-oriented reasoning, theoretical frameworks, experiential comparison, and integration with sustainability and ethics) against three conceptual criteria (philosophical depth, holistic scope, and multidisciplinary relevance). The results highlight a strong preference for holistic and integrative models of financial performance, with quantitative measurement ranking highest in practical terms, followed by experiential and sustainability-driven approaches. These results underscore the need to align financial evaluation more closely with sustainability values, bridging short-term metrics with long-term societal impact. By combining diachronic thematic mapping with structured decision analysis, this study advances a more reflective and forward-looking framework for performance research. It contributes to sustainability research by identifying underexplored epistemological pathways and supporting the development of financial evaluation models that are inclusive, ethically grounded, and aligned with sustainable development goals. Full article

This study presents the development and characterization of electrospun nanofibers composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and natural beeswax (BW). A stable emulsion containing 9 wt% PVA and 5 wt% BW was successfully formulated and electrospun. The effects of beeswax incorporation on solution properties-viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension—were systematically evaluated. Electrospinning was performed at 30 kV and a working distance of 14.5 cm, yielding nanofibers with diameters between 125 and 425 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed increased surface roughness and diameter variability in PVA/BW fibers compared to the PVA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed physical incorporation of BW without evidence of chemical bonding. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analyses (TGA/DSC) demonstrated altered behavior and an expanded profile of temperature transitions due to the waxy components. The solubility test of the nanofiber mat in saline indicated that BW slows dissolution and improves the structural integrity of the fibers. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the incorporation of beeswax into electrospun PVA nanofibers with improved structural and thermal properties, indicating potential for further exploration in biomedical material design. Full article

The acute rise in temperature due to marine heatwaves has a strong impact on marine phytoplankton. To determine whether these effects depend on ambient temperature and cell size, we acclimated two diatom species, smaller Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hasle and Heimdal, 1970) and larger Thalassiosira rotula (Meunier, 1910), at low (LAT), medium (MAT) and high ambient temperatures (HAT) and examined their physiochemical and transcriptional responses to temperature rise (AT + 6 °C). The specific growth rate (µ) of smaller cells was increased by 32% due to temperature rise at LAT, but decreased by 13% at HAT, with the stimulatory and inhibitory extent being ~50% less than that of larger cells. At LAT, chlorophyll a (Chl a), carotenoid (Car) and carbon (POC) contents were increased in smaller cells due to temperature rise, but were decreased in larger cells; at HAT, Chl a and Car were increased in both smaller and larger cells and POC was increased in only smaller cells. At LAT, temperature rise led to a disproportionate increase in photosynthesis and dark respiration, resulting in an increase in carbon utilization efficiency (CUE) in smaller cells and a decrease in CUE in larger cells; at HAT, there was a decrease in CUE in both the smaller and larger cells, but to a lesser extent in the former than in the latter. Our results also show that smaller cells cope with the acute temperature rise mainly by strengthening their enzyme activity (e.g., the antioxidant system) and conservatively regulating their metabolism, while larger cells mainly regulate their photosynthetic and central carbon metabolism. Moreover, larger cells can outperform their smaller counterparts when the temperature rise occurs at lower ambient temperature. Full article

Despite the shale revolution triggering global shale oil and gas exploration, our understanding of the sedimentary environments of deep-water organic-matter-rich shale remains unclear. The sedimentary environment and facies of some siliceous shales at the bottom of the Longmaxi Formation in the Weiyuan area of the Sichuan Basin, China, were therefore analyzed. Nano-resolution petrological characterization and genesis analysis of the siliceous shales studied were conducted using nano-resolution petrologic image datasets. We identified these siliceous shales as microbial mats formed by deep-water traction current sedimentation. The microbial mats’ formation and burial diagenesis processes were divided into seven stages. The silt-grade bioclastic carpet deposits initially, colonizing mud-grade siliceous microbes and forming the siliceous microbial mat. Subsequently, carbohydrate-rich microbes thrive in sediment voids, forming the carbohydrate-rich microbial mat. Additionally, SOM undergoes four stages of burial diagenesis process, progressing from kerogens to pre-oil bitumen generation and ultimately transforming into porous pyrobitumen and nonporous pyrobitumen. This study will improve the understanding of deep-water traction current sedimentation and has implications for guiding shale gas exploration and development. Full article

In recent times, fiber reinforced polymer composite materials have become more popular due to their remarkable features such as high specific strength, high stiffness and durability. Particularly, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites are one of the most prominent materials used in the field of transportation and building engineering, replacing conventional materials due to their attractive properties as mentioned. In this work, a CFRP laminate is fabricated with carbon fiber mats and epoxy by a hand layup technique. Alumina (Al₂O₃) micro particles are used as a filler material, mixed with epoxy at different weight fractions of 0% to 4% during the fabrication of CFRP laminates. The important objective of the study is to investigate the influence of alumina micro particles on the mechanical performance of the laminates through characterization for various physical and mechanical properties. It is revealed from the results of study that the mass density of the laminates steadily increased with the quantity of alumina micro particles added and subsequently, the porosity of the laminates is reduced significantly. The SEM micrograph confirmed the constituents of the laminate and uniform distribution of Al₂O₃ micro particles with no significant agglomeration. The hardness of the CFRP laminates increased significantly for about 60% with an increase in weight % of Al₂O₃ from 0% to 4%, whereas the water gain % gradually drops from 0 to 2%, after which a substantial rise is observed for 3 to 4%. The improved interlocking due to the addition of filler material reduced the voids in the interfaces and thereby resist the absorption of water and in turn reduced the plasticity of the resin too. Tensile, flexural and inter-laminar shear strengths of the CFRP laminate were improved appreciably with the addition of alumina particles through extended grain boundary and enhanced interfacial bonding between the fibers, epoxy and alumina particles, except at 1 and 3 wt.% of Al₂O₃, which may be due to the pooling of alumina particles within the matrix. Inclusion of hard alumina particles resulted in a significant drop in impact strength due to appreciable reduction in softness of the core region of the laminates. Full article

In this article, we examine water chemistry and carbonate precipitation in the alkaline waterbody Lake Van in Turkey, analyzing the possible role of microbial communities in stromatolite formation. Lake Van represents a unique environment characterized by high salinity and pH and extensive microbial communities, as revealed by SEM observation. Microbial activity, including that of cyanobacteria, can influence carbonate precipitation processes, leading to the formation of authigenic carbonates through physicochemical or metabolic mechanisms such as photosynthesis or sulfate reduction. In these environments, which are often dominated by cyanobacteria, carbonate precipitation can be influenced by biologically induced processes. This study presents new data on the hydrochemistry of lake water, focusing on the behavior of rare-earth elements (REEs) in this water and the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonate microbial mats. The oxygen isotope data suggest that inorganic carbonate precipitation is the dominant process, but a biological influence on inorganic precipitation cannot be ruled out. For a deeper understanding of the role of biological processes in Lake Van, further studies on microbialites are needed. Full article

A restriction enzyme PsaI, an isoschizomer of the type II restriction endonuclease HindIII, has been purified to homogeneity from Gram-negative bacilli Pseudomonas anguilliseptica KM9 found in a wastewater treatment plant in Poland. Experimental data revealed that R.PsaI is highly active in the presence of Co²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ and reached a maximal level of activity between 2.5 and 10 mM while its activity was significantly decreased in the presence of Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Ni²⁺. Moreover, we found that the purified R.PsaI did not require NaCl for enzyme activity. Restriction cleavage analysis followed by sequencing confirmed 5′-AAGCTT-3′ as the recognition site. The genes for restriction–modification system PsaI were identified and characterized. Downstream of the psaIM gene, we noticed an ORF that shares extensive similarity with recombinase family protein specifically involved in genome rearrangements. Sequence analysis revealed that the PsaI R-M gene complex showed striking nucleotide sequence similarity (>98%) with the genes of the PanI R-M system from a P. anguilliseptica MatS1 strain identified in a soil sample from Sri Lanka. Full article

Understanding morphological descriptions of plants documented by ancient peoples over 1000 years ago and identifying the species they described are critical for reconstructing the natural geographic distribution of plant taxa, tracking taxonomic variations, and inferring historical climate dynamics. Analyzing shifts in plant communities and climatic conditions during this period is essential to unravel the interplay among floristic composition, climate fluctuations, and anthropogenic impacts. However, research in this field remains limited, with greater emphasis placed on plant taxa from hundreds of millions of years ago. Investigations into flora and climate during the last two millennia are sparse, and pre-millennial climatic conditions remain poorly characterized. In this study, a historical text written 1475 years ago was analyzed to compile plant names and morphological features, followed by taxonomic identification. The research identified three gymnosperm species (one in Pinaceae, two in Cupressaceae), 1 Tamaricaceae species (dicotyledon), and 19 dicotyledon species. However, three plant groups could only be identified at the genus level. Using textual analysis and woody plant coexistence methods, the climate of 1475 years ago in western Henan Province, located in the middle-lower Yellow River basin in East Asia, was reconstructed. Results indicate that the mean temperature of the coldest month (MTCM) was approximately 1.3 °C higher than modern values. In comparison, the mean temperature of the warmest month (MTWM) and mean annual temperature (MAT) were lower than present-day levels. This suggests slightly cooler overall conditions with milder seasonal extremes in ancient Luoyang—a finding supported by contemporaneous studies. Furthermore, annual precipitation (AP), precipitation of the warmest quarter (PWQ), and precipitation of the coldest quarter (PCQ) in the Luoyang region 1475 years ago exceeded modern measurements, despite the area’s monsoonal climate. This suggests significantly higher atmospheric moisture content in ancient air masses compared to today. This study provides floristic and climatic baseline data for advancing our understanding of global climate variability at millennial scales. Full article

This study investigates the excavation of the cataclastic loose rock slope at the mixing plant on the right bank of the BDa Hydropower Station, which is situated in the upper reaches of Lancang River. The dominant structural plane of the cataclastic loose rock mass was obtained using unmanned aerial vehicle tilt photography and 3D point cloud technology. The actual 3D numerical model of the study area was developed using the 3DEC discrete element numerical simulation software. The excavation response characteristics and overall stability of the cataclastic loose rock slope were analyzed. The support effect was evaluated considering the preliminary shaft micropile and Macintosh reinforced mat as slope support measures, and the stability was assessed by applying seismic waves. The results showed the main deformation and failure area after slope cleaning excavation at the junction of the cataclastic loose rock mass and Q^edl deposits in the shallow surface of the excavation face. Moreover, the maximum total displacement could reach 18.3 cm. Subsequently, the overall displacement of the slope was significantly reduced, and the maximum total displacement decreased to 2.78 cm. The support effect was significant. Under an earthquake load, the slope with support exhibited considerable displacement in the shallow surface of the excavation slope, with collapse deformation primarily occurring through shear failure. Full article

Due to the high demand for fuel efficiency, electric vehicles have come into the picture, as they only use batteries to power the vehicle. This requires constant charging of the batteries at charging stations, which are costly and impractical to install. But it is possible to install charging stations by making use of photovoltaic (PV) cells and demagnetization currents to self-charge batteries under stand-still conditions. The design of a bidirectional converter with asymmetrical half-bridge converter based on a switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive, using PV for electric vehicles, is implemented in this paper. It consists of developing a control unit (GCU), Li-ion battery pack, and photovoltaic (PV) solar cells that are integrated with a bidirectional converter and asymmetrical half-bridge converter (AHBC) to provide power to the SRM drive. The solar-assisted SRM drive can be operated in either the motoring mode or charging mode. In the motoring-mode GCU, the battery or PV energy can be used in any combination to power the SRM. In the charging-mode PV, the GCU and AC grids are used to charge the battery under stand-still conditions. This work helps in the self-charging of batteries using either the GCU or PV cells, as well as aids in the improvement in the performance characteristics. Also, this work compares the performance metrics for the proposed system and conventional system. The performance of the drive system using PV cells/GCU is evaluated and verified through MatLab/Simulink and experimental results. Full article

Ensuring vibration and impact isolation is crucial in industrial flooring design, especially where vibroacoustic comfort is a priority. Excessive vibrations can negatively affect sensitive equipment, structural durability, and personnel comfort. With the rise of automation and high-precision processes, effective vibration control in floor systems is increasingly important. Traditional solutions like elastomer pads, rubber mats, or floating floors often have high installation costs, complex construction, and long-term degradation. Therefore, there is growing interest in integrated, durable alternatives that can be incorporated directly into concrete structures. One such approach uses rubber granulates from recycled tires as a modifying additive in cementitious composites. This can improve damping, enhance impact energy absorption, and reduce the need for external insulating layers. However, adding rubber particles to concrete may affect its compressive strength, a key design parameter. This article presents experimental research on concrete and mortar mixtures modified with rubber granulates for vibration-isolating industrial floor systems. The proposed solution combines a conventional concrete subbase with a rubber-enhanced mortar layer, forming a composite system to mitigate vibration transmission. Laboratory tests and real-scale verification under industrial conditions showed that the slab with hybrid EPDM/SBR rubber granulate mortar achieved the highest vibration-damping efficiency, reducing vertical acceleration by 58.6% compared to the reference slab. The EPDM-only mortar also showed a significant reduction of 45.5%. Full article

Weak seedlings and poor growth uniformity affect the mechanical transplanting of densely sown rice seedlings. To address these issues, seedlings of the conventional japonica rice “Zhehexiang 2” were grown in a traditional flat tray (control), pot-mat tray (26 × 52 bowls; BT(26)), and pot-mat tray (30 × 58 bowls; BT(30)) to compare the effects of different specifications of pot-mat trays (BTs) on the growth and quality of mechanical transplanting of densely sown rice seedlings with 250 g/tray. The BT-raised seedlings showed improved seedling quality, with increases in the shoot and root dry weights by 7.44% and 20.11%, respectively, compared to the flat tray. Under the dense sowing rate, the plant height uniformity of the BT(26) and BT(30) treatments was significantly increased by 6.95% and 3.43%, and the root entwining force of the seedlings was 14.28% and 10.21% higher, respectively, compared with those of the control. The missing hill rate for BT-raised seedlings after mechanical transplanting was significantly reduced by 53.15%. The loss of roots during mechanical transplanting was reduced. Compared with the control, the root length, root surface area, and root number were increased, and a greater number of large roots were retained, which promoted the early development of seedlings after mechanical transplanting. The proportion of holes with two to five seedlings was higher after mechanical transplanting. The pot-mat tray divided the root growth area of seedlings, promoted the growth of the seedlings, and reduced the root loss and missing hill rate under the high sowing rate. Thus, the quality of mechanical transplanting of densely sown seedlings was improved. Full article