62880 research outputs found
Sort by
Molecular horticulture & advances in production system technology
No full textThe exigencies of the 21st century have been marked by rapid climate shifts, expanding global populations, and finite land resources. These challenges mandate a transformative approach to food production, and particularly for horticultural crops and species, which are often overlooked in favour of agricultural staples such as wheat and rice. Horticulture is the discipline dedicated to the cultivation of high-value crops including fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals, and is central to meeting global food security and nutritional challenges. This volume, Molecular Horticulture & Advanced Production System Technology, synthesizes contemporary advances that signify a pivot from traditional breeding methodologies to approaches rooted in deep molecular understanding and sophisticated controlled environment engineerin
Inter-individual differences in T1, T2, and proton density using quantitative synthetic imaging for 1H-MRS quantification
Full text linkPurpose: Metabolite concentrations can be determined from proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) data using water as an internal reference. This calculation requires tissue-specific water T1 and T2 relaxation constants and proton density (PD). Although literature values are commonly used, these vary with age and within clinical conditions, potentially introducing variability or masking metabolite effects. The introduction of rapid multi-dynamic multi-echo (MDME) imaging to generate multiparametric maps allows fast measurement of these parameters for each individual within a single acquisition.
Methods: 1H‐MRS and MDME data were collected from 26 healthy volunteers (aged 18-40 years). The agreement between metabolite concentrations derived using individually measured T1, T2 and PD values and literature-based values was assessed. A sensitivity analysis was also used to determine the impact of extended value ranges on metabolite concentrations.
Results: Using a MDME sequence to determine individually measured T1, T2 and PD values for tissue correction was successful. Strong agreement between metabolite concentrations calculated using literature and measured values was seen, although concentrations calculated using literature values tended to be slightly lower than when using measured values. The sensitivity analysis showed T1 relaxation contributed most strongly to the calculated concentration variability.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a MDME acquisition to acquire individual- specific parameters values for tissue correction. This provides a fast, effective method to acquire individual relaxation parameters, which will be highly relevant for populations where these parameters will vary (such as the elderly, paediatrics or with clinical diagnoses)
Modelling the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in oat plant-based milk alternatives: the synergistic potential of HHP and nisin
Full text linkThe growing popularity of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs), particularly oat-based beverages, is driven by consumer demand for sustainable, vegan, and lactose-free options. High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) is a non-thermal technology capable of extending shelf life and enhancing microbial safety, especially when combined with natural antimicrobials such as nisin. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the inactivation of L. monocytogenes strains LO28 and 10403S in oat-based PBMA treated with HHP alone or in combination with nisin (500 IU/mL). Inoculated oat PBMA samples with or without nisin were subjected to 300, 350, and 400 MPa (20 °C) for different holding times, up to 40 min. Inactivation followed a log-linear behavior at 300 MPa and biphasic kinetics at 350 and 400 MPa. The addition of nisin significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the time to 3-log reduction (3DP) compared to HHP alone at all pressures for LO28 and at 400 MPa for 10403S. For LO28 at 350 MPa, 3DP values decreased from 7.65 ± 0.42 min (HHP alone) to 3.11 ± 0.28 min (HHP + nisin), indicating a synergistic effect as nisin alone had no impact. Secondary modeling confirmed that HHP efficacy was both strain- and nisin-dependent. Pressure resistance (zP) was significantly lower for LO28 (102.7 ± 2.7 MPa) than 10403S (193.8 ± 10.6 MPa). Nisin notably reduced zP in 10403S (193.8 ± 10.6 to 107.4 ± 4.6 MPa) enhancing its pressure sensitivity. These findings demonstrate that HHP combined with nisin represents an effective hurdle strategy for producing safe, refrigerated, clean-label oat-based PBMAs. Optimized processing conditions may allow lower pressures or shorter treatment times, reducing costs while preserving product quality. Further work should assess microbial stability during refrigerated storage and consumer acceptance
House dust mites in three contrasting climatic regions of Saudi Arabia
No full textJust a handful of mite species are suspected inhabiting the dust of houses within arid areas of the Arabian Peninsula.
In this study, we identified and compared the house dust mite diversity in three different climatic areas within Saudi Arabia. Sampling was carried out over one year and two months, with samples collected in the desert, the coast, and in the highlands. It reviews all known mites of house dust of Saudi Arabia.
A total of 832 mites were collected belonging to 23 species in 14 families. Pyroglyphidae (Astigmata) were the most abundant. The interaction among pyroglyphid species in the climatic regions was analysed. While variation in abundance of Pyroglyphidae among regions was weak, there was a strong desert region Cheyletus eruditus–Dermatophagoides farinae association, perhaps explaining that D. farinae populations from the desert have become C. eruditus’ favourite prey. Another interesting association is that of Pyroglyphidae with Acaridae. D. pteronyssinus shows significant numerical dominance in the highlands. A newly discovered species of Dermatophagoides did not interact with any of the other 2 species and was restricted to the coastal region. Dermatophagoides n. sp. and Cheletopsis sp. can be used as markers of location in forensic analyses (provenance), based on their unique association with the coast and desert, respectively.
A new species of Dermatophagoides has been identified. Five species are new to Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula including house dust, ten species are new to the house dust mite fauna of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula but have been recorded as storage mites, totalling 15 new house dust mites for the Arabian Peninsula. Two species are new to house dust in Saudi Arabia, but already known from house dust in Kuwait. Of the fifteen new house dust mites for the Arabian Peninsula, five species are new to the dust mite fauna worldwide: Prostigmata: Cheletopsis sp. (Cheyletidae); Mesostigmata: Proctolaelaps pygmaeus (Melicharidae), Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Macrochelidae); and Oribatida: Oribatula tibialis (Oribatulidae), and Ceratozetes sp. (Ceratozetidae)
Intervening against the Fed
No full textThis paper studies the effectiveness and mechanism of foreign exchange interventions (FXIs) for mitigating US monetary policy spillovers. Without interventions, contractionary US monetary policy shocks trigger foreign exchange depreciations, raise risk premiums, and induce portfolio outflows, thereby reducing foreign stock prices. The stock prices of firms with US dollar debt decline significantly more, indicating a strong role for a balance sheet channel. However, ‘‘intervening against the Fed’’ stabilizes exchange rate depreciations, the risk premium, and portfolio flows. FXIs also disproportionately cushion the reduction in stock prices for firms with US dollar debt, muting the balance sheet channel of exchange rates
Development and characterization of chitosan-based films enriched with Callistemon citrinus extract for food packaging of cheddar cheese
Full text linkThis study investigated the effect of Callistemon citrinus flower extract (C.E.) on the structural and functional properties of chitosan-based bioplastics for food packaging applications. Increasing C.E. concentration produced changes in colour and opacity, with reduced L values and higher a values at 5% C.E., resulting in a reddish appearance. Film
opacity increased from 2.49% ± 0.10 for control to 13.60% ± 0.72 for film with 5% C.E., reducing transparency. The addition of 5% C.E. improved oxygen barrier properties, reducing O2 permeability compared to the control that was similar to Low-density polyethylene (LDPE). A qualitative antimicrobial screening showed that 5% C.E. effectively inhibited S. aureus (16 mm) and L. monocytogenes (12 mm), while no inhibition was detected
against E. coli. Cheddar cheese packaged in films with C.E. exhibited higher weight loss (11.63% at 28 days) than LDPE (2.90%), whereas moisture retention remained moderate
(76.62% for the film with 5% C.E.). Oxidative stability improved with lower lipid oxidation (K232 = 2.90 at 28 days) in cheese wrapped in C.E. films. Consumer evaluation indicated a
positive perception, with 73% of participants willing to purchase products in C.E.-packaged films. Overall, C.E. enhanced antioxidant and antibacterial benefits, but further optimization may be required to improve moisture retention
Comparative efficacy of electrokinetic and static leaching for selective metal recovery and nutrient release from porphyry cu tailings
No full textThis study presents the first systematic comparison of electrokinetic (EK)-assisted and static leaching (SL) for the selective extraction of Cu from porphyry Cu tailings, while also assessing the potential biotoxicity and nutrient release within treated residues. Twelve lixiviants were tested, comprising: inorganic acids, organic acids, chloride solutions and deep eutectic solvents (DES). EK consistently enhanced metal leaching due to the additional mass transfer under a superimposed voltage gradient. Citric acid (0.5M) proved most effective, achieving 60.8% Cu recovery with EK (2 V/cm) over 22 days, compared to 41.9% with SL. EK also markedly improved DES performance; CaCl₂:ethylene glycol achieved a 25-fold increase in Cu recovery (17.6% vs. 0.7% for SL), demonstrating that EK can substantially mitigate masstransfer constraints in such viscous solvents. Principal Component Analysis showed greater variability under EK, indicating lixiviant-specific amplification of leaching efficacy. Whilst EKassisted leaching increased the concentration of actually bioavailable toxic metals within treated residues, suggesting short-term ecological risks if such metals are not effectively captured, it simultaneously increased the bioavailability of plant-available nutrients: Fe, K, Mg and P, whilst also substantially decreasing the total potentially bioavailable concentration for all metals. Overall, these findings show that EK-assisted leaching, particularly when combined with citric acid, offers a potentially transformative approach for target metal recovery from porphyry Cu tailings whilst also lowering their total potential long-term ecological impact and enhancing nutrient availability
Grasslands and climate change
No full textThe strong feedback loop between climate change and grasslands, in combination with the world’s huge grassland area, highlights the urgency of understanding and managing their reaction to a changing climate. As rapid climate change continues to alter the climatic envelopes of these ecosystems, the resilience and functioning of grasslands are increasingly at risk. Measuring and monitoring these impacts require methodologies from hyper-local soil analysis to remote sensing techniques covering tens of hectares or larger areas. Long-term observational data and interdisciplinary collaboration are
essential for accurately assessing the vulnerability of grasslands to climate change and developing effective response prediction models and adaptation strategies. Research that elucidates the specifc vulnerabilities of grassland ecosystems should be prioritised and, in collaboration with stakeholders, used to evaluate and implement adaptation strategies. Scientifc insights must be integrated into policy-making processes to incentivise sustainable grassland management practices, as losing grassland ecosystems erodes our non-arable food production capacity
Overwhelming supervening acts - all theory, no practice?: R v Ayre [2025] EWCA Crim 255
Full text linkThis is a case comment on R v Ayre [2025] EWCA Crim 255. In Ayre, the Court of Appeal (CA) dismissed appeals against convictions for manslaughter and related offences arising from a deliberate car attack following a confrontation. The appellants argued there was insufficient evidence of encouragement and that the driver’s actions constituted an ‘overwhelming supervening act’ (OSA), breaking the chain of liability. The court rejected this, holding that a secondary party need only intentionally assist or encourage the principal with the requisite intent; it was unnecessary to prove that such encouragement had had a positive effect. The appellants’ conduct (threatening the victims and joining the armed pursuit) remained contemporaneous encouragement and had not ‘faded’ into the background. My commentary criticises the decision for adopting an unduly narrow approach to OSA, rendering it rarely applicable once a shared intent to cause grievous bodily harm is established, even where the principal offender significantly escalates the violence. This raises concerns that OSA has become largely theoretical in practice, providing no or no meaningful constraint on (constructive) accessory liability