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Comparative analysis of Byssal thread production, mechanical properties, and composition in diploid and triploid Mytilus edulis
No full text11 pages, 4 tables, 3 figuresMussel fall-off continues to pose a major challenge for suspension-culture farming, leading to substantial crop losses. Although studies on juvenile mussels (50 mm). We also calculated metabolic and filtration rates, as well as scope for growth. Our results revealed that triploid mussels produced 25 % more byssal threads with significantly enhanced mechanical properties. Triploid mussels conditioned at 20 °C exhibited a 48 % higher clearance rate, a 57 % greater scope for growth, and a 40 % stronger valve (breaking strength) compared to diploids. These findings suggest that triploid mussels over 50 mm have superior attachment strength relative to wild mussels, primarily due to increased thread productionThis work was supported by the Ressources Aquatiques Québec Research Network (Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Nature et Technologies), no. 2014-RS-171172), Atlantic Aqua Farms in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada (Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program, Project 17-G-03) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through Discovery Grants awarded to R.T. (no. 299100)Peer reviewe
Maryam’s Granddaughters: Marian conversion, gender and the reproduction of religious belief in Medieval and Early Modern Castile
No full textPeer reviewe
Temporal changes in intensity of bird parasite infections are dependent of latitude in the Western Palearctic
No full textPeer reviewe
Coexistence of biocrusts with vascular plants shapes semiarid dryland multifunctionality
No full text11 páginas.- 7 figuras.- 2 tablas.- referencias.- Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.12827Drylands host complex biocrusts and vascular plant communities, and these ecosystems are vital to human wellbeing, global ecosystem sustainability, and vegetation management; they support multiple ecosystem functions simultaneously across half of our planet. However, studies on the influence of biocrust-plant interactions on multifunctionality in their coexisting state are lacking, limiting the predictability of global drylands resilience under future climate change accurately. Here, we investigated biocrusts from the Loess Plateau of China. We performed a two-year in situ experiment to explore how biocrust-vascular plant interactions affect ecosystem multifunctionality across four key functions in removed biocrusts (shrub and grass) and intact biocrusts (mixed moss and shrub/grass) ecosystems. Vascular plants, particularly grasses, contributed most to dryland ecosystem functioning. However, the combination of intact biocrusts and vascular plants significantly reduced primary productivity, carbon sequestration, nutrient supply and cycling, water and climate regulation, and biodiversity maintenance compared with vascular plants in removed biocrusts plots. The ecosystem multifunctionality index further supported this finding and showed that mixed patches of biocrusts and shrub/grass plants significantly reduced the ecosystem multifunctionality compared with vascular plants of removed biocrusts. Our short-term biocrust removal experiments suggests that potential competition between vascular plants and biocrusts may limit multifunctionality in the semiarid dryland. Therefore, future studies can help elucidate the role of non-vascular and vascular plant competition in supporting functions during global changes, which is necessary for better management of vegetation restoration in dryland ecosystems in the future.This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42477359), the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund (No. 2452024148), the Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Soil Improvement and Utilization (Saline-Alkali Land in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (No. YJTKFJJ202504), and the Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control (No. Z2010025001-KJ2516). M.D-B. acknowledges support from TED2021-130908B-C41/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/Unión Europea Next GenerationEU/PRTR and from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the I + D + i project PID2020-115813RA-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The authors are grateful to the Shenmu Experimental Station of Soil Erosion and Environment, CAS & MOE for its logistical support.Peer reviewe
Virtual representation of fresh produce washing in 4.0 industry: Modelling and calibration through optimal experimental design
No full text11 pages, 6 figures, 4 tablesThis work presents a mechanistic mathematical model describing the dynamics of microbial contamination in water during the washing of fresh produce. The model accounts for key processes, including microbial transfer from food product to water, dilution effects, and inactivation by chlorine-based antimicrobials under varying organic matter loads. These mechanisms reflect those previously identified and endorsed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as relevant for assessing microbial risks in wash water systems. To enable its application across diverse industrial settings, we propose a methodology for case-specific model adaptation. This involves conducting a targeted experiment designed using principles of Optimal Experimental Design (OED), allowing for the collection of data that are sufficiently informative to confidently estimate unknown model parameters. Industrial relevance: The proposed framework provides the food industry with a flexible and efficient tool for estimating unknown parameters essential for microbial risk assessment and for optimizing fresh produce washing processesThis work was funded by EFSA, Contract number OC/EFSA/ BIOCONTAM/2021/02 on “Microbiological hazards associated with the use of water in the post-harvest handling and processing operations of fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables and herbs (ffFVHs)” and the opinions expressed are those of the contractors only and do not represent the contracting authority’s (EFSA’s) official position.
We thank the grants PID2022-136817OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER and the grant IN607B 2023/04 by Xunta de GaliciaPeer reviewe
24 - A journey to the core concepts and fundamentals of Supercritical Fluid Extraction
No full textWelcome, adventurers, to the kingdom of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), a place where precision, power, tunability, and sustainability converge. Having explored the incredible capabilities of supercritical fluid chromatography in previous chapters of this book, you are now poised to witness how supercritical fluids transform the art of extraction. In this chapter, we journey deeper into the science and innovation behind SFE, uncovering how it extracts nature’s treasures with efficiency and environmental harmony. Prepare to navigate a landscape of physicochemical fundamentals, green chemistry principles, equipment, and the promise of sustainable industrial solutions. This chapter is your guide to unlocking the secrets of sub- and supercritical fluid extraction, a powerful tool for extracting valuable treasures from nature and, also, for striking gold from industrial coproducts or from the garbage of industrial byproducts. But forget dry lectures, this journey will be filled with exploration, discovery, and practical application!Peer reviewe
Dataset: miRNA profile in colostrum exosomes of dairy ewes (F0) supplemented with methionine during the early life
No full textMethionine supplementation during the suckling period of ewe lambs (F0) might program persistent changes on DNA methylation, thus modifying miRNA profile of colostrum exosomes during the lactation period when these animals are adults. Identifying these changes is important because may drive some effects on the offspring (F1) under natural rearing conditions. The results of the present study revealed changes in miRNA profile of colostrum exosomes as a consequence of methionine supplementation during the suckling period of ewe lambs (F0).This work was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2021-126489OB-I00, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, “FEDER, Una manera de hacer Europa”); ACRONYM: NUPROVI
Alba Martín gratefully acknowledges receipt of a pre-doctoral grant (PRE2019-089288) from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, “El FSE invierte en tu futuro”); CSIC is acknowledged for supporting Open Access publication.1M_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz (F0-MET) 1M_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz (F0-MET) 8C_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz (F0-CTRL) 8C_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz (F0-CTRL) 19C_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz (F0-CTRL) 19C_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz (F0-CTRL) 28M_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz (F0-MET) 28M_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz (F0-MET) 31M_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz (F0-MET) 31M_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz (F0-MET) 35C_L001_R1_001.fastq.gz (F0-CTRL) 35C_L001_R2_001.fastq.gz (F0-CTRL)Peer reviewe
Impacts of present heat waves in freshwater invironments during out-growth phase in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, underscores the need of new wisely designed mitigation strategies: climatological, physiological and molecular analyses
No full text16 páginas, 7 figurasExtreme temperature events are urgent concerns for fish farming sustainability. Only scarce studies have focused
on the potential effects of heat waves (HW). Here, the incidence of HW in a freshwater basin and the related
abiotic conditions (dissolved oxygen content, water flow rate and water level) in 17 different locations of the
major rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production region in Spain (Castilla y Leon), ´ have been explored
during the last 4 years. Results showed that, HW duration progressively increased (up to 71 days), mean intensities (Imean) ranged 0.56–5.47 ◦C, and maximum intensities (Imax) reached up to 8.94 ◦C. Based on this, the
growth performance and the biochemical and molecular responses at systemic and local levels in rainbow trout
specimens during the out-growth phase (approx. 29 cm and 350 g) have been assessed when exposed to a
conservative model of single HW lasting 19 days, with an Imean of 4.18, and an Imax of 6.9 and (HW group), or
maintained at 14.5 ◦C (Control group). Specimens exposed to this HW event in the freshwater showed different
responses depending on the parameter and level considered. In exposed specimens, body weight tended to
decrease, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content in skin mucus increased. Blood plasma activities of superoxide
dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were also increased in HW specimens. Finally, although HW exposure
didn’t affect the expression of redox balance genes at gills and liver, the expression of particular heat shock
related genes was up-regulated. Considering current and future climate change scenarios, higher environmental
monitoring effort should be done for wise decision-making on operational activities (e.g., better selection of
locations, improved rearing system designs and further adapted husbandry practices, preference for resistant fish
strains, and/or implementing better systems for monitoring and weather forecasting) by fish farm managers to
cope with HW events. Specifically, climatology data on incidence, intensity and duration of HW in southern
Europe should be considered for strategic spatial planning for long-term continental aquaculture sustainabilityThis work was partially funded by the MET2VI project
(Ref. RTI2018-099029-A-I00) funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion ´ y Universidades (MICIU) - Agencia Estatal de Investigacion ´ of the Spanish
Government; and REPHEAT project (PID2021-127782OA-I00) funded
by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, by FEDER “Una manera de
hacer Europa”. I.F. acknowledges the funding from the MICIU and the
European Social Fund, “The European Social Fund invests in your
future” through the Ramon ´ y Cajal (Ref. RYC2018-025337-I) contract
from the Plan Estatal de Investigacion ´ Científica y T´ecnica e Innovacion ´
2017–2020. I.F. acknowledge the excellent technical work of Luis
Miguel Laguna and Blanca Martín, as well as the management assistance
of Ana María Larr´
an from the Aquaculture Research Center (ITACyL).
Authors are also grateful to the personnel of Cuenca Hidrografica ´ del
Duero.Peer reviewe
Development and Calibration of a Spatial Model for the Analysis of Paleolithic Archaeological Potential in the Duero Basin of the Iberian Peninsula
No full text37 p.[EN] The development of spatial modeling has made it possible to address the problem of the spatial location of archaeological sites in the territory with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Applications range from predicting the density and distribution of archaeological sites to modeling and understanding the occupation patterns of past cultures. However, theory-driven deductive strategies for site location modeling are needed in cases where the sample of sites is not large enough to apply statistical methods. This paper presents a methodological proposal for a multicriteria analysis using GIS with expert consultation by the Delphi method to develop maps of archaeological potential. This methodology is applied to the Eresma-Riaza interfluve in the Duero basin, a geomorphologically varied region with significant Paleolithic evidence. To do this, we designed a GIS-based multicriteria analysis to (1) model optimal or unfavourable zones for human occupation; (2) evaluate areas with good or bad preservation of archaeological sites; (3) infer the archaeological potential of our study area. To evaluate the model, we did a cross-check with the Archaeological Inventory of the region. The spatial coincidence of a high number of sites with medium and high potential areas for Paleolithic occupations confirms the usefulness of these analyses not only for investigation purposes but also for urban planning and Heritage preservation.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. Amanda Merino-Pelaz was funded by the Ministry of Universities of Spain (FPU grant FPU21/03533). The ‘Primeros pobladores de Segovia’ (First settlers of Segovia) research project was funded by the Castilla and León regional government. We also extend our gratitude to the Segovia City Council for their collaboration. This research was supported by the Group of Analyses on Socio-ecological Processes, Cultural Changes, and Population Dynamics during Prehistory (GAPS). The Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA) has received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “María de Maeztu” program for Units of Excellence (CEX2019-000945-M).Peer reviewe
Feedstock and transformation processes drive the valorization of agro-livestock waste for a circular agriculture
No full text16 páginas.- 8 figuras.- 1 tabla.- referencias.- Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115243Modern agriculture faces growing challenges from soil degradation, climate variability, and reliance on synthetic fertilizers, threatening long-term productivity and food security. Circular economy strategies, particularly the valorization of agro-livestock residues into bio-based soil amendments, provide solutions for restoring soil health and reducing environmental impacts. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of contrasting organic materials, including lignocellulosic composts, selectively collected composts, compost tea, anaerobic digestates, cattle slurry, and biochars from diverse feedstocks and pyrolysis temperatures. Commercial composts and biochars were included as benchmarks. All materials underwent physicochemical, elemental, and thermogravimetric characterization, trace element analysis, and phytotoxicity testing with barley (Hordeum vulgare) germination assays, a globally important crop recognized as a sensitive phytotoxicity indicator. Compost- and digestate-based amendments displayed agronomically beneficial traits, including high nutrient levels (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), near-neutral pH, and abundant labile organic matter, supporting microbial activity and nutrient availability. Correlation analyses revealed links between ash content and macronutrients, and between pyrolysis conditions, carbon stability, and surface area. Lignocellulosic biochars showed optimal carbon content, recalcitrance, and nutrient balance without exceeding regulatory thresholds for potentially toxic elements. By contrast, wool- and digestate-derived biochars contained elevated Zn, Cd, and Cr, posing phytotoxic risks. All biochars supported germination except wool biochar at 500 °C, which fully inhibited it. Similarly, leachates from composts and digestates reduced germination, likely due to salinity, though biochar co-application mitigated these effects. Overall, results highlight the complementary roles of composts, digestates, and biochars in regenerative agriculture, and emphasize feedstock selection, pyrolysis optimization, and amendment blending to improve agronomic performance.Águeda Sánchez-Martín and Paloma Campos acknowledge funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN) through their Technical Support contracts [PTA2021-020000-I and PTA2023-023661-I, respectively]. The authors also thank the Thermal Analysis Service (SAT 907315) of IRNAS-CSIC (Seville, Spain) for performing the thermogravimetric analyses. Jorge Márquez acknowledges funding from the European Union (EU), the Government of Spain, and the Regional Government of Andalusia through the “Yo Investigo” program [01-2022-39492], under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan for Andalusia, funded by NextGenerationEU/PRTR. The authors acknowledge the Spanish State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación) and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for funding the RES2SOIL and AGRORES projects (grants PID2021-126349OB-C22 and PID2021-126349OB-C21; MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033).Peer reviewe