Search Results (585)

Genetic transformation is an essential tool for investigating gene function and editing genomes. Kiwifruit, recognized as a significant global fresh fruit crop, holds considerable economic and nutritional importance. However, current genetic transformation techniques for kiwifruit are impeded by low efficiency, lengthy culture durations (a minimum of six months), and substantial labor requirements. In this research, we established an efficient system for shoot regeneration and the stable genetic transformation of the ‘Hayward’ cultivar, utilizing leaf explants in conjunction with two strains of Agrobacterium that harbor the expression vector pBI121-35S::GFP, which contains the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene as a visible marker within the T-DNA region. Our results show that 93.3% of leaf explants responded positively to the regeneration medium, producing multiple independent adventitious shoots around the explants within a six-week period. Furthermore, over 71% of kanamycin-resistant plantlets exhibited robust GFP expression, and the entire transformation process was completed within four months of culture. Southern blot analysis confirmed the stable integration of GFP into the genome, while RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy validated the sustained expression of GFP in mature plants. This efficient protocol for regeneration and transformation provides a solid foundation for micropropagation and the enhancement of desirable traits in kiwifruit through overexpression and gene silencing techniques. Full article

Olive mill wastewaters (OMWWs) are an environmental problem in the Mediterranean region, and it is crucial to explore strategies for their treatment and repurposing. The chemical precipitation technique (CPT) has been presented as a cost-effective wastewater treatment solution that might be applied to OMWW. The CPT-resulting precipitant subproducts (sludge) may be reprocessed (e.g., agricultural fertilizer and/or soil amendment), while the treated wastewater may be repurposed or reused (e.g., irrigation, aquaponic, or industrial processes). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CPT in treating wastewater from the olive oil industry from an ecotoxicological perspective. Additionally, to assess the safe use of the obtained sludge in CPT treatment, its effects on soil biota were assessed. For this, a set of ecotoxicological assays using freshwater (Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna and Danio rerio), terrestrial invertebrates (Folsomia candida and Enchytraeus crypticus), and plants (Brassica oleracea and Lolium perenne) were used as model organisms. Results demonstrated that CPT reduced OMWW toxicity to freshwater organisms, offering a favorable outlook on CPT’s potential as a wastewater treatment method. Increasing application rates of sludge in soil reduced the shoot biomass and the hydric content of both plants compared to the control. Survival of F. candida and E. crypticus was not affected by sludge in soil at any tested application rate, yet sludge application negatively affected the reproduction of both species, even at relevant sludge application rates (2%) of sludge in soils. Overall, the applicability of this sludge obtained by the CPT treatment in soils should be carefully evaluated due to the observed adverse effects on soil biota. Although the results of CPT were promising in reducing the toxicity of OMWW for these aquatic species, some adjustments/improvements should be performed to improve this technique and use all the obtained resources (treated water and sludge) in a fully circular perspective. Full article

Roses are one of the most essential ornamental flowers in the world. At present, traditional techniques such as cross breeding are mainly used in rose breeding. The inefficiency of the in vitro regeneration system has become the limiting step for the innovation and genetic improvement of rose germplasm resources. A tissue culture rapid propagation system of Rosa ‘Pompon Veranda’ was established using the stem segments with shoots as the initial experimental material. The results showed that the best disinfection method was to soak the explants in 75% ethanol for 1 min, and then soak them in 15% sodium hypochlorite solution for 15 min. The contamination rate was only about 6%. The best rooting medium for tissue culture seedlings was 1/2MS with 0.1 mg∙L⁻¹ NAA, and the rooting rate can reach around 95%. On this basis, calluses were induced by using leaflets of tissue-cultured seedlings as explants. The results showed that the optimal medium for inducing callus tissue was MS + 5.0 mg∙L⁻¹ 2,4-D, with an induction rate of 100%. The calluses were cultured in the medium of MS with 0.01 mg∙L⁻¹ NAA, 1.5 mg∙L⁻¹ TDZ and 0.1 mg∙L⁻¹ GA₃ for 12 days in the dark and then transferred to light conditions. The differentiation rate of callus was 10.87%. On the medium of MS with 0.5 mg∙L⁻¹ 6-BA, 0.004 mg∙L⁻¹ NAA and 0.1 mg∙L⁻¹ GA₃, the shoots could regenerate into whole plants. This study has established an in vitro regeneration system of R. ‘Pompon Veranda’, which is a key perquisite for the subsequent establishment of its genetic transformation system. Moreover, this method will also be an important reference for studies on quality traits such as floral scent and prickles of Rosa plants. Full article

The sheaths of bamboo shoots, characterized by distinct colors and spotting patterns, are key phenotypic markers influencing species classification, market value, and genetic studies. This study introduces YOLOv8-BS, a deep learning model optimized for detecting these traits in Chimonobambusa utilis using a dataset from Jinfo Mountain, China. Enhanced by data augmentation techniques, including translation, flipping, and contrast adjustment, YOLOv8-BS outperformed benchmark models (YOLOv7, YOLOv5, YOLOX, and Faster R-CNN) in color and spot detection. For color detection, it achieved a precision of 85.9%, a recall of 83.4%, an F1-score of 84.6%, and an average precision (AP) of 86.8%. For spot detection, it recorded a precision of 90.1%, a recall of 92.5%, an F1-score of 91.1%, and an AP of 96.1%. These results demonstrate superior accuracy and robustness, enabling precise phenotypic analysis for bamboo germplasm evaluation and genetic diversity studies. YOLOv8-BS supports precision agriculture by providing a scalable tool for sustainable bamboo-based industries. Future improvements could enhance model adaptability for fine-grained varietal differences and real-time applications. Full article

Aphelenchoides besseyi is considered a highly prevalent facultative plant-parasitic nematode and has a significant impact on various economically important crops globally. Due to the lack of knowledge on the efficacy of various management techniques, A. besseyi is still challenging to control in the open field. The present investigation successfully shed light on some significant new points, including the following: (1) A. besseyi was confirmed inside all soybean tissues—including roots, stems, leaves, and seeds—indicating its endoparasitic nature and its strong ability to reach the upper foliar system where it causes green stem and foliar retention syndrome (GSFR) symptoms; (2) inoculated plants exhibited reduced vegetative growth parameters, as non-inoculated control soybean plants showed higher values of plant height (PH), fresh root weight (FRW), and fresh shoot weight (FSW) compared to inoculated plants; (3) Yudou 29 was identified as highly resistant to A. besseyi, as results from the resistance screening assay among different Chinese soybean cultivars confirmed its strong resistance under natural field infestation conditions; and (4) soybean seeds may act as inoculum sources of A. besseyi, highlighting the need to develop more effective control measures to prevent or limit nematode dissemination through seed transmission. Full article

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to be applied in wound ballistics, showing preliminary potential to improve the accuracy and objectivity of forensic analyses. This review explores the current state of AI applications in forensic firearm wound analysis, emphasizing its potential to address challenges such as subjective interpretations and data heterogeneity. Methods: A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted using databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. Keywords focused on AI and GSW classification identified 502 studies, narrowed down to 4 relevant articles after rigorous screening based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: These studies examined the role of deep learning (DL) models in classifying GSWs by type, shooting distance, and entry or exit characteristics. The key findings demonstrated that DL models like TinyResNet, ResNet152, and ConvNext Tiny achieved accuracy ranging from 87.99% to 98%. Models were effective in tasks such as classifying GSWs and estimating shooting distances. However, most studies were exploratory in nature, with small sample sizes and, in some cases, reliance on animal models, which limits generalizability to real-world forensic scenarios. Conclusions: Comparisons with other forensic AI applications revealed that large, diverse datasets significantly enhance model performance. Transparent and interpretable AI systems utilizing techniques are essential for judicial acceptance and ethical compliance. Despite the encouraging results, the field remains in an early stage of development. Limitations highlight the need for standardized protocols, cross-institutional collaboration, and the integration of multimodal data for robust forensic AI systems. Future research should focus on overcoming current data and validation constraints, ensuring the ethical use of human forensic data, and developing AI tools that are scientifically sound and legally defensible. Full article

In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of fungi in horticultural crops. Their beneficial roles and pathogenic effects are investigated. In addition, the recent advancements in fungal detection and management strategies (especially the use of spectral analysis) are summarized. Beneficial fungi, including plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), enhance nutrient uptake, promote root and shoot development, improve photosynthetic efficiency, and support plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, beneficial fungi contribute to flowering, seed germination, and disease management through biofertilizers, microbial pesticides, and mycoinsecticides. Conversely, pathogenic fungi cause significant diseases affecting roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, leading to crop yield losses. Advanced spectral analysis techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), Raman, and Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (Vis-NIR), alongside traditional methods like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), have shown promise in detecting and managing fungal pathogens. Emerging applications of fungi in sustainable agriculture, including biofertilizers and eco-friendly pest management, are discussed, underscoring their potential to enhance crop productivity and mitigate environmental impacts. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex roles of fungi in horticulture and explores innovative detection and management strategies. Full article

Magnetic field (MF) priming provides a chemical-free alternative to conventional methods; however, static exposure approaches are often limited by spatial heterogeneity in field–seed interaction caused by fixed seed positioning, undermining both treatment uniformity and reproducibility. To address this, the present study investigated the effects of dynamic MF exposure on the germination and early growth of Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) rice seeds. A novel MF testing apparatus was developed using a 150 mT permanent magnet and a vortex-based air injection system designed to continuously rotate and redistribute seeds, ensuring uniform exposure. Seeds were treated for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min to evaluate effects on vigor, germination, and seedling growth. The results showed that 5 and 10 min exposures significantly enhanced seed vigor (93.00% and 94.67%, respectively) compared to the control (83.33%), with 10 min yielding the highest improvement (p < 0.05, DMRT). Shoot and root growth also increased by 14.21% and 99.59%, respectively. These findings suggest that moderate-duration dynamic MF exposure is an efficient, eco-friendly priming technique for improving seed vigor and early growth. Future research should explore long-term agronomic impacts, economic feasibility, and varietal responses. The apparatus’s scalable design supports integration into industrial seed processing lines, advancing sustainable rice production. Full article

Advancements in biosensing technologies have introduced opportunities for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of salivary biomarkers, enabling progress in fields ranging from personalized medicine to public health. Identifying and prioritizing the most critical analytes to measure in saliva is essential for estimating physiological status and forecasting performance in applied contexts. This study examined the value of 12 salivary analytes, including hormones, metabolites, and enzymes, for predicting cognitive and physical performance outcomes in military personnel (N = 115) engaged in stressful laboratory and field tasks. We calculated a series of features to quantify time-series analyte data and applied multiple regression techniques, including Elastic Net, Partial Least Squares, and Random Forest regression, to evaluate their predictive utility for five outcomes of interest: the ability to move, shoot, communicate, navigate, and sustain performance under stress. Predictive performance was poor across all models, with R-squared values near zero and limited evidence that salivary analytes provided stable or meaningful performance predictions. While certain features (e.g., post-peak slopes and variance metrics) appeared more frequently than others, no individual analyte emerged as a reliable predictor. These results suggest that salivary biomarkers alone are unlikely to provide robust insights into cognitive and physical performance outcomes. Future research may benefit from combining salivary and other biosensor data with contextual variables to improve predictive accuracy in real-world settings. Full article

Graphene interfaces in layered dielectrics can support unique electromagnetic modes, but analyzing these modes requires robust computational techniques. This work presents a numerical method for computing TE-polarized eigenmodes in a planar stratified dielectric slab with an infinitesimally thin graphene sheet at its interface. The governing boundary-value problem is reformulated as coupled initial-value problems and solved via a customized shooting method, enabling accurate calculation of complex propagation constants and field profiles despite the discontinuity at the graphene layer. We demonstrate that the graphene significantly alters the modal spectrum, introducing complex leaky and surface waves with attenuation due to graphene’s conductivity. Numerical results illustrate how the layers’ inhomogeneity and the graphene’s surface conductivity influence mode confinement and loss. These findings confirm the robustness of the proposed computational approach and provide insights relevant to the design and analysis of graphene-based waveguiding devices. Full article

Black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) is a temperate shrub with flowers and fruits that are edible after processing. This species is not yet widely known in the global agricultural sector, but its adaptability and drought tolerance may generate more interest in this crop. Our study aimed to find suitable micropropagation techniques for the black elder ‘Albida’ and compare suitable statistical methods for evaluating multiplication and rooting. For micropropagation, we tested the Murashige and Skoog (MS) growth medium with selected auxins and cytokinins. Five proliferation MS media containing 1, 2, and 4 mg/L BAP or 0.5 and 1 mg/L TDZ were tested. To induce root formation, three types of auxins were tested at a concentration of 1 mg/L in a 50% MS medium: IBA, IAA, and NAA. Data analysis was performed using different parametric and nonparametric tests to robustly capture the effects of treatments across varying distributional scenarios in developing explants subjected to the interactions of internal native and externally added plant growth regulators. The average multiplication rate ranged from 1.6 to 2.0 shoots per explant. High multiplication was recorded on the MS medium with 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine. The root number per rooted explant was highly variable, ranging from 3.0 to 12.0 roots per explant. The highest average root number result was observed when 1 mg/L α-naphthalenacetic acid was used. All rooted plants were successfully acclimated to normal growing conditions. This in vitro propagation protocol allows for the production of hundreds to thousands of rooted plants from one initial explant within one year, enabling faster introduction to the agronomic sector. Full article

This study aims to address the critical lack of standardized guidelines for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image acquisition strategies utilizing structure-from-motion (SfM) by focusing on 3D building exterior modeling. A comprehensive experimental analysis was conducted to systematically investigate and quantitatively evaluate the effects of various shooting patterns and parameters on SfM reconstruction quality and processing efficiency. This study implemented a systematic experimental framework to test various UAV flight patterns, including circular, surface, and aerial configurations. Under controlled environmental conditions on representative building structures, key variables were manipulated, and all collected data were processed through a consistent SfM pipeline based on the SIFT algorithm. Quantitative evaluation results using various analytical methodologies (multiple regression analysis, Kruskal–Wallis test, random forest feature importance, principal component analysis including K-means clustering, response surface methodology (RSM), preference ranking technique based on similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS), and Pareto optimization) revealed that the basic shooting pattern ‘type’ has a significant and statistically significant influence on all major SfM performance metrics (reprojection error, final point count, computation time, reconstruction completeness; Kruskal–Wallis p < 0.001). Additionally, within the patterns, clear parameter sensitivity and complex nonlinear relationships were identified (e.g., overlapping variables play a decisive role in determining the point count and completeness of surface patterns, with an adjusted R² ≈ 0.70; the results of circular patterns are strongly influenced by the interaction between radius and tilt angle on reprojection error and point count, with an adjusted R² ≈ 0.80). Furthermore, composite pattern analysis using TOPSIS identified excellent combinations that balanced multiple criteria, and Pareto optimization explicitly quantified the inherent trade-offs between conflicting objectives (e.g., time vs. accuracy, number of points vs. completeness). In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates that hierarchical strategic approaches are essential for optimizing UAV-SfM data collection. Additionally, it provides important empirical data, a validated methodological framework, and specific quantitative guidelines for standardizing UAV data collection workflows, thereby improving existing empirical or case-specific approaches. Full article

Sustainable rural development seeks to balance social, economic, and environmental needs in rural areas, improving the quality of life of communities and the long-term protection of natural resources. Indigenous local solutions give place to grassroots entrepreneurial initiatives, which together with associative and economic integration are key factors for agricultural production, transformation of products, self-consumption, and commercialization. This study was done in Hñähñu communities with the aim to test if participative workshops based on detonating questions are an effective approach for developing entrepreneurship agriculture initiatives of self-managed social enterprises. The initiatives were proposed by the communities to solve local problems. Three initiatives arose: (1) a community seed bank of local species associated with the Milpa including agave; (2) reforestation with agave to produce agave shoots, leaves, and sap; and (3) a company to produce agave-sap syrup. The participants, based on their traditional knowledge, developed the projects, including economic evaluation, risk analysis, and environmental aspects. Some impacts are the conservation of soil and endangered landraces, accessibility to quality seeds not commercially available, building of local organizational and entrepreneurial capacities, strengthening the community, improving the family’s income, recovery of traditional agroecological techniques, and conservation of agrobiodiversity. In conclusion, the methodology is effective for the Indigenous communities to develop initiatives for sustainable self-managed social enterprises. Full article

Previous research has shown the benefits of splitting nutrient application to plant roots either temporally or spatially. A split-root nutrient film technique (SR-NFT) was developed for lettuce where an NFT channel is divided longitudinally into two separate channels, each with its own input and drain line. In this system, plant roots can be intentionally divided to supply different nutrient solutions without mixing them. Plant growth was observed using combinations of three different hydroponic fertilizer concentrations: EC 0.5 dS∙m⁻¹ (L, tap water), EC 1.8 dS∙m⁻¹ (M, nutrient solution), and EC 3.1 dS∙m⁻¹ (H, nutrient solution). For the same average concentration of solution (EC 1.8 dS∙m-1), SR-NFT that supplied different concentrations of solution on the left and right side (SHL, Left; EC 0.5 dS∙m⁻¹, Right; EC 3.1 dS∙m⁻¹) increased the shoot fresh and dry weight by 15%, shoot dry weight by 14%, and root dry weight by 25% without increasing number of tipburn leaves compared to conventional NFT (MM, EC 1.8 dS∙m⁻¹). In addition, the lowest concentration with SR-NFT (SML, Left; EC 1.8 dS∙m⁻¹, Right; EC 0.5 dS∙m⁻¹) reduced the number of tipburn leaves without reducing the shoot fresh weight in all conditions except SMM (Left; EC 1.8 dS∙m⁻¹, Right; EC 1.8 dS∙m⁻¹). In other words, the use of tap water on one side is expected to suppress tipburn or increase yield. Full article

Salvia atropatana is a medicinal plant native to Middle Eastern countries. It has been traditionally used in Turkish and Iranian folk medicine to treat infections, wounds, inflammatory diseases, spastic conditions, and diabetes. Its therapeutic potential has been attributed to its essential oil, polyphenolic acid, flavonoid, and diterpenoid content. The aim of the study was to determine the optimal conditions of in vitro S. atropatana shoot culture to enhance proliferation and secondary metabolite production. It examined the effects of various cytokinins and culture duration on culture growth parameters and phenolic compound accumulation. Exogenous cytokinin supplementation significantly enhanced shoot proliferation, with the highest proliferation ratio (6.3) observed with 1 and 2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Biomass accumulation was the highest at 0.5 mg/L BAP, followed by 1 and 2 mg/L meta-toplin (mTOP). Phenolic profiling identified nine compounds, with rosmarinic acid (RA) as the dominant metabolite. The highest RA content (16 mg/g dry weight) was achieved with 1 and 2 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L of its ryboside. The TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method identified 1 mg/L BAP as the optimal treatment, balancing high proliferation, biomass, and polyphenol accumulation. Extending culture duration to 50 days increased biomass and phenolic content reaching 19.25 mg/g dry weight. However, morphological changes, including apical necrosis, were observed, and a significantly longer cultivation period was needed, questioning the value of the procedure. This study provides a basis for scalable in vitro production of bioactive compounds in S. atropatana. Full article