Search Results (18,281)

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) are highly sensitive to cold, but grafting onto cold-tolerant rootstocks can enhance their low-temperature resilience. This study investigates the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which exogenous vitamin C (Vc) mitigates cold stress in grafted cucumber seedlings. Using cucumber ‘Chiyu 505’ as the scion and pumpkin ‘Chuangfan No.1’ as the rootstock, seedlings were grafted using the whip grafting method. In the third true leaf expansion stage, seedlings were foliar sprayed with Vc at concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L⁻¹. Three days after initial spraying, seedlings were subjected to cold stress (8 °C) for 3 days, with continued spraying. After that, morphological and physiological parameters were assessed. Results showed that 150 mg L⁻¹ Vc treatment was most impactive, significantly reducing the cold damage index while increasing the root-to-shoot ratio, root vitality, chlorophyll content, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT). Moreover, this treatment enhanced levels of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline compared to control. However, 200 mg L⁻¹ treatment elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content, indicating potential oxidative stress. For transcriptomic analysis, leaves from the 150 mg L⁻¹ Vc and CK treatments were sampled at 0, 1, 2, and 3 days of cold stress. Differential gene expression revealed that genes associated with photosynthesis (LHCA1), stress signal transduction (MYC2-1, MYC2-2, WRKY22, WRKY2), and antioxidant defense (SOD-1, SOD-2) were initially up-regulated and subsequently down-regulated, as validated by qRT-PCR. Overall, we found that the application of 150 mg L⁻¹ Vc enhanced cold tolerance in grafted cucumber seedlings by modulating gene expression networks related to photosynthesis, stress response, and the antioxidant defense system. This study provides a way for developing Vc biostimulants to enhance cold tolerance in grafted cucumbers, improving sustainable cultivation in low-temperature regions. Full article

430 stainless steel exhibits soft magnetic properties, excellent formability, and corrosion resistance, making it widely used in industrial applications. This study investigates the effects of different cold working rates on the properties of 430 stainless steel subjected to various magnetic annealing atmospheres (F-1.5Si, F-1.5Si-10%, F-1.5Si-40%, F-1.5Si-10% (MA), F-1.5Si-40% (MA), F-1.5Si-10% (H₂), and F-1.5Si-40% (H₂)). The results indicate that increasing the cold working rate improves the material’s mechanical properties; however, it negatively impacts its magnetic and corrosion resistance properties. Additionally, the magnetic annealing process improves the mechanical properties, while atmospheric magnetic annealing optimizes the overall magnetic performance. In contrast, magnetic annealing in a hydrogen atmosphere does not enhance the magnetic properties as effectively as atmospheric magnetic annealing. Still, it promotes the formation of a protective layer, preserving the mechanical properties and providing better corrosion resistance. Furthermore, regardless of whether magnetic annealing is conducted in an atmospheric or hydrogen environment, materials with 10% cold work rate (F-1.5Si-10% (MA) and F-1.5Si-10% (H₂)) exhibit the lowest coercive force (286 and 293 A/m in the 10 Hz test condition), making them ideal for electromagnetic applications. Full article

Lightweight steel-framing (LSF) systems have become increasingly prominent in modern construction due to their structural efficiency, design flexibility, and sustainability. However, traditional facade materials such as stone are often cost-prohibitive, and brick veneers—despite their popularity—pose seismic performance concerns. This study introduces an innovative porcelain sheathing system for cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls. Porcelain has no veins thus it offers integrated and reliable strength unlike granite. Four full-scale CFS shear walls incorporating screwed porcelain sheathing (SPS) were tested under combined cyclic lateral and constant gravity loading. The experimental program investigated key seismic characteristics, including lateral stiffness and strength, deformation capacity, failure modes, and energy dissipation, to calculate the system response modification factor (R). The test results showed that configurations with horizontal sheathing, double mid-studs, and three blocking rows improved performance, achieving up to 21.1 kN lateral resistance and 2.5% drift capacity. The average R-factor was 4.2, which exceeds the current design code values (AISI S213: R = 3; AS/NZS 4600: R = 2), suggesting the enhanced seismic resilience of the SPS-CFS system. This study also proposes design improvements to reduce the risk of brittle failure and enhance inelastic behavior. In addition, the results inform discussions on permissible building heights and contribute to the advancement of CFS design codes for seismic regions. Full article

Inertial navigation systems (INSs) exhibit distinctive characteristics, such as long-duration operation, full autonomy, and exceptional covertness compared to other navigation systems. However, errors are accumulated over time due to operational principles and the limitations of sensors. To address this problem, this study theoretically explores a numerically simulated integrated inertial navigation system consisting of a single-axis cold atom interferometer gyroscope (CAIG) and a conventional inertial measurement unit (IMU). The system leverages the low bias and drift of the CAIG and the high sampling rate of the conventional IMU to obtain more accurate navigation information. Furthermore, an adaptive gradient ascent (AGA) method is proposed to estimate the variance of the measurement noise online for the Kalman filter. It was found that errors of latitude, longitude, and positioning are reduced by 43.9%, 32.6%, and 32.3% compared with the conventional IMU over 24 h. On this basis, errors from inertial sensor drift could be further reduced by the online Kalman filter. Full article

Urban parks play an essential role in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect driven by urbanization. A rigorous understanding of the cooling effects of urban parks can support urban planning efforts aimed at mitigating the UHI effect and enhancing urban sustainability. However, previous research has primarily focused on the maximum cooling impact, often overlooking the accumulative effects arising from spatial continuity. The present study fills this gap by investigating 74 urban parks located in the central area of Jinan and constructing a comprehensive cooling evaluation framework through two dimensions: maximum impact (Park Cooling Area, PCA; Park Cooling Efficiency, PCE) and cumulative impact (Park Cooling Intensity, PCI; Park Cooling Gradient, PCG). We further systematically examined the influence of park attributes and the surrounding urban structures on these metrics. The findings indicate that urban parks, as a whole, significantly contribute to lowering the ambient temperatures in their vicinity: 62.3% are located in surface temperature cold spots, reducing ambient temperatures by up to 7.77 °C. However, cooling intensity, range, and efficiency vary significantly across parks, with an average PCI of 0.0280, PCG of 0.99 °C, PCA of 46.00 ha, and PCE of 5.34. For maximum impact, PCA is jointly determined by park area, boundary length, and shape complexity, while smaller parks generally exhibit higher PCE—reflecting diminished cooling efficiency at excessive scales. For cumulative impact, building density and spatial enclosure degree surrounding parks critically regulate PCI and PCG by influencing cool-air aggregation and diffusion. Based on these findings, this study classified urban parks according to their cooling characteristics, clarified the functional differences among different park types, and proposed targeted recommendations. Full article

Global warming and anthropogenic climate change are projected to expand the geographic distribution and population abundance of ectothermic species and exacerbate the biological invasion of exotic species. DNA methylation, as a reversible epigenetic modification, could provide a putative link between the phenotypic plasticity of invasive species and environmental temperature variations. We assessed and interpreted the epigenetic mechanisms of invasive and indigenous species’ differential tolerance to thermal stress through the invasive species Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED) and the indigenous species Bemisia tabaci AsiaII3. We examine their thermal tolerance following exposure to heat and cold stress. We found that MED exhibits higher thermal resistance than AsiaII3 under heat stress. The fluorescence-labeled methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (F-MSAP) results proved that the increased thermal tolerance in MED is closely related to DNA methylation changes, other than genetic variation. Furthermore, the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting analysis of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts) suggested that increased expression of Dnmt3 regulates the higher thermal tolerance of female MED adults. A mechanism is revealed whereby DNA methylation enhances thermal tolerance in invasive species. Our results show that the Dnmt-mediated regulation mechanism is particularly significant for understanding invasive species’ successful invasion and rapid adaptation under global warming, providing new potential targets for controlling invasive species worldwide. Full article

In recent years, large-scale linear infrastructure developments have been developed across hundreds of kilometers of permafrost regions on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The implementation of major engineering projects, including the Qinghai–Tibet Highway, oil pipelines, communication cables, and the Qinghai–Tibet Railway, has spurred intensified research into permafrost dynamics. Climate warming has accelerated permafrost degradation, leading to a range of geological hazards, most notably widespread thermokarst landslides. This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and influencing factors of thermokarst landslides in Qinghai Province through an integrated approach combining field surveys, remote sensing interpretation, and statistical analysis. The study utilized multi-source datasets, including Landsat-8 imagery, Google Earth, GF-1, and ZY-3 satellite data, supplemented by meteorological records and geospatial information. The remote sensing interpretation identified 1208 cryogenic hazards in Qinghai’s permafrost regions, comprising 273 coarse-grained soil landslides, 346 fine-grained soil landslides, 146 thermokarst slope failures, 440 gelifluction flows, and 3 frost mounds. Spatial analysis revealed clusters of hazards in Zhiduo, Qilian, and Qumalai counties, with the Yangtze River Basin and Qilian Mountains showing the highest hazard density. Most hazards occur in seasonally frozen ground areas (3500–3900 m and 4300–4900 m elevation ranges), predominantly on north and northwest-facing slopes with gradients of 10–20°. Notably, hazard frequency decreases with increasing permafrost stability. These findings provide critical insights for the sustainable development of cold-region infrastructure, environmental protection, and hazard mitigation strategies in alpine engineering projects. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the environmentally friendly management and reutilization of electronic waste (e-waste) plastics in flexible pavement construction. The discussion begins with an overview of e-waste management challenges and outlines key recycling approaches for converting plastic waste into asphalt-compatible materials. This review then discusses the types of e-waste plastics used for asphalt modification, their incorporation methods, and compatibility challenges. Physical and chemical treatment techniques, including the use of free radical initiators, are then explored for improving dispersion and performance. Additionally, in situations where advanced pretreatment methods are not applicable due to cost, safety, or technical constraints, the application of alternative approaches, such as the use of low-cost complementary additives, is discussed as a practical solution to enhance compatibility and performance. Finally, the influence of e-waste plastics on the conventional and rheological properties of asphalt binders, as well as the performance of asphalt mixtures, is also evaluated. Findings indicate that e-waste plastics, when combined with appropriate pretreatment methods and complementary additives, can enhance workability, cold-weather cracking resistance, high-temperature anti-rutting performance, and resistance against moisture-induced damage while also offering environmental and economic benefits. This review highlights the potential of e-waste plastics as sustainable asphalt modifiers and provides insights across the full utilization pathway, from recovery to in-field performance. Full article

Background: This paper deals with the detection of amino acid composition of Iraqi Ocimum basilicum (basil) leaves and evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of the plant leaf extract on human colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Leaves of Ocimum basilicum were collected from Iraq in November 2024. After drying and powdering, the plant material went through cold methanol extraction. Initial phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. Amino acid analysis was completed by an amino acid analyzer with fluorescence detection. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated via the MTT assay on HRT-18 cell lines. Morphological changes were further tested using dual Propidium Iodide/Acridine Orange assay fluorescent staining. Results: Seventeen amino acids were detected in the plant extract. The extract showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on HRT-18 cells, with significant reduction in cell viability at concentrations of more than 25 µg/mL. Morphological alterations of membrane blebbing and cell shrinkage were observed, suggesting apoptotic activity. The IC₅₀ value confirmed strong cytotoxic potential. Conclusions: The extract of Ocimum basilicum leaf cultivated in Iraq shows a rich amino acid profile and significant cytotoxic activity against colorectal cancer cells that highlights its potential effect as a natural source of anticancer compounds. Full article

This case report presents a multidisciplinary forensic investigation into a cold case involving a missing person in Italy, likely linked to a homicide that occurred in 2008. The investigation applied a standardized protocol integrating satellite imagery analysis, site reconnaissance, vegetation clearance, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and cadaver dog (K9) deployment. A dedicated decision tree guided each phase, allowing for efficient allocation of resources and minimizing investigative delays. Although no human remains were recovered, the case demonstrates the practical utility and operational robustness of a structured, evidence-based model that supports decision-making even in the absence of positive findings. The approach highlights the relevance of “negative” results, which, when derived through scientifically validated procedures, offer substantial value by excluding burial scenarios with a high degree of reliability. This case is particularly significant in the Italian forensic context, where the adoption of standardized search protocols remains limited, especially in complex outdoor environments. The integration of geophysical, remote sensing, and canine methodologies—rooted in forensic geoarchaeology—provides a replicable framework that enhances both investigative effectiveness and the evidentiary admissibility of findings in court. The protocol illustrated in this study supports the consistent evaluation of large and morphologically complex areas, reduces the risk of interpretive error, and reinforces the transparency and scientific rigor expected in judicial settings. As such, it offers a model for improving forensic search strategies in both national and international contexts, particularly in long-standing or high-profile missing persons cases. Full article

The Complementary Relationship (CR) principle of evapotranspiration provides an efficient approach for estimating actual evapotranspiration (ET_a), owing to its simplified computation and effectiveness in utilizing meteorological factors. Accurate estimation of actual evapotranspiration (ET_a) is crucial for understanding surface energy and water cycles, especially in permafrost regions. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of two Complementary Relationship (CR)-based methods—Bouchet’s in 1963 and Brutsaert’s in 2015—for estimating ETa on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP), using observations from Eddy Covariance (EC) systems. The potential evapotranspiration (ET_p) was calculated using the Penman equation with two wind functions: the Rome wind function and the Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST). The comparison revealed that Bouchet’s method underestimated ET_a during frozen soil periods and overestimated it during thawed periods. In contrast, Brutsaert’s method combined with the MOST yielded the lowest RMSE values (0.67–0.70 mm/day) and the highest correlation coefficients (r > 0.85), indicating superior performance. Sensitivity analysis showed that net radiation (Rn) had the strongest influence on ET_a, with a daily sensitivity coefficient of up to 1.35. This study highlights the improved accuracy and reliability of Brutsaert’s CR method in cold alpine environments, underscoring the importance of considering freeze–thaw dynamics in ET modeling. Future research should incorporate seasonal calibration of key parameters (e.g., ε) to further reduce uncertainty. Full article

During the Pleistocene, the successive ice ages prompted the southward expansion of the “Mammoth Steppe” ecosystem, a prevalent habitat that supported species adapted to cold environments such as the mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, and reindeer. Previously, the earliest evidence for such cold-adapted species in the Iberian Peninsula dated back to Marine Isotope Stage 6 (MIS 6, ~191–123 ka). This paper reports the discovery of a reindeer (Rangifer) tooth from Unit GIII of the Galería site at the Atapuerca-Trinchera site complex, dated to MIS 8 (~300–243 ka). This find is significant as it represents not only the oldest evidence of glacial fauna in the Iberian Peninsula but also the southernmost occurrence of reindeer in Europe of this age. The presence of Rangifer at this latitude (42°21′ N) during MIS 8 suggests that the glacial conditions affected the Iberian fauna earlier and with greater intensity than previously understood. Over the subsequent climatic cycles, cold-adapted species spread further south, reaching Madrid (40°20′) during the penultimate glacial period and the province of Granada (37°01′) during the last glacial maximum. The coexistence of human fossils and lithic artefacts within Units GII and GIII at Galería indicates that early humans also inhabited these glacial environments at Atapuerca. This study elaborates on the morphological and archaeological significance of the reindeer fossil, emphasizing its role in understanding the biogeographical patterns of glacial fauna and the adaptability of Middle Pleistocene human populations. Full article

This study investigated into how different current input levels during cold metal transfer (CMT) welding affected the characteristics of the weld bead. For the current variation, three input values were taken: 80 A, 90 A, and 100 A. Weld beads fabricated from all three current inputs were compared by analysing their microstructure, microhardness, tensile strength, and residual stress. The microhardness of the weld bead decreased when the current parameter was increased from 80 A to 100 A. The average tensile strength increased from 80 A to 90 A. The lowest residual stress calculated was −135 MPa with 100 A current. Full article

The swift advancements in autonomous vehicle systems have facilitated their implementation across various industries, including agriculture. However, studies primarily focus on passenger vehicles, with fewer examining autonomous trucks. Therefore, this study reviews autonomous truck systems implementation in North Dakota’s agricultural industry to develop comprehensive technology readiness frameworks and strategic deployment approaches. The review integrates systematic literature review and event history analysis of 52 studies, categorized using Social–Ecological–Technological Systems framework across six dimensions: technological, economic, social change, legal, environmental, and implementation challenges. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) analysis reveals 39.5% of technologies achieving commercial readiness (TRL 8–9), including GPS/RTK positioning and V2V communication demonstrated through Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative deployments, while gaps exist in TRL 4–6 technologies, particularly cold-weather operations. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including legislative fragmentation, inadequate rural infrastructure, and barriers to public acceptance. The study provides evidence-based recommendations that support a strategic three-phase deployment approach for the adoption of autonomous trucks in agriculture. Full article

To study the effect of cold plasma (CP) on the refrigerator shelf life of coconut water, microorganism growth and diversity and physicochemical properties were investigated. Results indicated that CP treatment did not cause significant color changes in coconut water, with turbidity remaining lower than the control even after 6 days of storage. Enzymatic activity analysis revealed reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) levels in treated samples. Specifically, the 12 s CP treatment resulted in the lowest antioxidant capacity values: 15.77 Fe²⁺/g for ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 37.15% for DPPH radical scavenging, and 39.51% for ABTS⁺ radical scavenging. Microbial enumeration showed that extended CP treatment effectively inhibited the growth of total viable counts, psychrophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast. High-throughput sequencing identified Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium, and Lactobacillus as the dominant bacterial genera. During storage, Carnobacterium was the primary genus in the early stage, while Leuconostoc emerged as the dominant genus by the end of the storage period. In summary, CP as an effective non-thermal technology was able to maintain quality and antioxidant capacity, inhibit microbial growth, and delay the spoilage in coconut water to help extend the refrigerated shelf life of the product. Full article