Evaluation of the sorption/desorption processes of pesticides in biodegradable mulch films used in agriculture.

Microplastics from mulch films can be a source of chemical contamination to agricultural soils. In this context, biodegradable films have been widely positioned as a greener choice. However, their sorption/desorption capabilities, in contrast to the conventional plastic types remain understudied.

Optimization of a pre-concentration method for the analysis of mercury isotopes in low-concentration foliar samples.

Hg isotope analysis in samples from background regions is constrained by the presence of low Hg concentration and therefore requires a pre-concentration method. Existing Hg pre-concentration methods are constrained by long sample processing time and limited sample loading capacity. Using foliar samples as a test case, an optimized Hg pre-concentration method is presented that involves the microwave-assisted digestion of samples for Hg isotope analysis with the addition of a pre-digestion step.

Evaluation of two-phase sample transport upon ablation of gelatin as a proxy for soft biological matrices using nanosecond laser ablation - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry.

Background: Recent papers on LA-ICP-MS have reported that certain elements are transported in particulate form, others in gaseous form and still others in a combination of both upon ablation of C-based materials. These two phases display different transport behaviour characteristics, potentially causing smearing in elemental maps, and could be processed differently in the ICP which raises concerns as to accuracy of quantification and emphasizes the need for matrix-matching of external standards. This work aims at a better understanding of two-phase sample transport by evaluating the peak profile changes observed upon varying parameters such as laser energy density and wavelength.

Exploring the mesoscale connectivity of phytoplankton periodic assemblages' succession in northern Adriatic pelagic habitats.

An appropriate model for phytoplankton distribution patterns is critical for understanding biogeochemical cycles and trophic interactions in the oceans and seas. Because phytoplankton dynamics in coastal waters are more complex due to shallow depth and proximity to land, more accurate models applied to the correct spatial and temporal scales are needed. Our study investigates the role of the atmosphere and hydrosphere in pelagic habitat by modelling phytoplankton assemblages at two Long Term Ecological Research sites in the northern Adriatic Sea using niche-forming environmental variables (wind, temperature, salinity, river discharge, rain, and water column stratification).

Genetic susceptibility to low-level lead exposure in men: Insights from ALAD polymorphisms.

The genetic susceptibility to low-level lead (Pb) exposure in general populations has been poorly investigated and is limited to the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800435 in the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase gene (ALAD). This study explored associations between ten selected ALAD SNPs with Pb concentrations in blood (BPb) and urine (UPb) among 281 men aged 18-49 years from Slovenia, including 20 individuals residing in a Pb-contaminated area. The geometric mean (range) of BPb and UPb were 19.

Empowering Participatory Research in Urban Health: Wearable Biometric and Environmental Sensors for Activity Recognition.

Participatory exposure research, which tracks behaviour and assesses exposure to stressors like air pollution, traditionally relies on time-activity diaries. This study introduces a novel approach, employing machine learning (ML) to empower laypersons in human activity recognition (HAR), aiming to reduce dependence on manual recording by leveraging data from wearable sensors. Recognising complex activities such as smoking and cooking presents unique challenges due to specific environmental conditions.

Virome analysis of irrigation water sources provides extensive insights into the diversity and distribution of plant viruses in agroecosystems.

Plant viruses pose a significant threat to agriculture. Several are stable outside their hosts, can enter water bodies and remain infective for prolonged periods of time. Even though the quality of irrigation water is of increasing importance in the context of plant health, the presence of plant viruses in irrigation waters is understudied.

Protocol Article: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Children's Feet and Lower Extremities.

Background: The health of children's lower extremities and feet is a focus area for caregivers and healthcare professionals such as doctors, school nurses, and podiatrists. Our study aims to investigate the general health status of Danish children's lower extremities and feet to identify anthropometric parameters that might be preconditions for pain and evaluate for foot diseases and whether they are associated with pain intensity and location, three-dimensional foot dimensions and foot pressure mapping, shoe dimensions, types and intensity of sports activity, quality of life, and foot health. The aim is that we will be able to identify parameters pre-dispositioning for pain, thus providing recommendations for sports activities in relation to the anthropometric conditions of a child as a potential preventive measure for pain.

The efficient magneto-mechanical actuation of cancer cells using a very low concentration of non-interacting ferrimagnetic hexaferrite nanoplatelets.

Magneto-mechanical actuation (MMA) using the low-frequency alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) of magnetic nanoparticles internalized into cancer cells can be used to irreparably damage these cells. However, nanoparticles in cells usually agglomerate, thus greatly augmenting the delivered force compared to single nanoparticles. Here, we demonstrate that MMA also decreases the cell viability, with the MMA mediated by individual, non-interacting nanoparticles.

Fine particulate matter (PM) exposure assessment among active daily commuters to induce behaviour change to reduce air pollution.

Fine particulate matter (PM), a detrimental urban air pollutant primarily emitted by traffic and biomass burning, poses disproportionately significant health risks at relatively limited exposure during commuting. Previous studies have mainly focused on fixed locations when assessing PM exposure, while neglecting pedestrians and cyclists, who often experience higher pollution levels. In response, this research aimed to independently validate the effectiveness of bicycle-mounted low-cost sensors (LCS) adopted by citizens, evaluate temporal and spatial PM exposure, and assess associated health risks in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Explicit learning based on reward prediction error facilitates agile motor adaptations.

Error based motor learning can be driven by both sensory prediction error and reward prediction error. Learning based on sensory prediction error is termed sensorimotor adaptation, while learning based on reward prediction error is termed reward learning. To investigate the characteristics and differences between sensorimotor adaptation and reward learning, we adapted a visuomotor paradigm where subjects performed arm movements while presented with either the sensory prediction error, signed end-point error, or binary reward.

Corrigendum: Evaluation of the marker for metabarcoding of marine diatoms and inference of population structure of selected genera.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.

Xerophilic fungi contaminating historically valuable easel paintings from Slovenia.

Historically valuable canvas paintings are often exposed to conditions enabling microbial deterioration. Painting materials, mainly of organic origin, in combination with high humidity and other environmental conditions, favor microbial metabolism and growth. These preconditions are often present during exhibitions or storage in old buildings, such as churches and castles, and also in museum storage depositories.

Quantification of nanoplastic uptake and distribution in the root, stem and leaves of the edible herb Lepidum sativum.

This study confirms the uptake, translocation and bioaccumulation of 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics in the root, stem and leaves of the plant Lepidum sativum at exposure concentrations ranging from environmentally realistic 10 μg/L up to a high of 100 mg/L. Accumulation in plant tissues was characterised by aggregation in the intercellular spaces and heterogeneous distribution. Nanoplastic presence was confirmed in the root tips, root surface and stele, lateral roots, root hairs, stem vascular bundles, leaf veins and mesophyll, as well as leaf epidermis including stomatal sites.

Analytical Gas Sensing in the Terahertz Spectral Range.

Exploiting the terahertz (THz) part of the electromagnetic spectrum is attracting attention in various scientific and applied disciplines worldwide. THz technology has also revealed its potential as an effective tool for gas analysis in astronomy, biomedicine and chemical analysis. Recently, it has also become important in environmental applications for monitoring hazardous and toxic gases in the atmosphere.

The Role of Cysteine Protease Cathepsins B, H, C, and X/Z in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer.

Papain-like cysteine proteases are composed of 11 human cysteine cathepsins, originally located in the lysosomes. They exhibit broad specificity and act as endopeptidases and/or exopeptidases. Among them, only cathepsins B, H, C, and X/Z exhibit exopeptidase activity.

Insights into seasonal variations in mercury isotope composition of lichens.

Lichens are commonly used to assess mercury (Hg) concentrations in air because of their cost-effectiveness. However, recent research has revealed temporal variations in the isotopic composition of Hg. Previous work on this topic leaves open questions about the repeatability of data over multiple seasons, different types of sampling (transplantation or in-situ collection), and diverse locations.

The Combined Inhibition of Autophagy and Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase-Mediated Lipid Droplet Biogenesis Induces Cancer Cell Death during Acute Amino Acid Starvation.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles involved in the management of fatty acid trafficking and metabolism. Recent studies suggest that autophagy and LDs serve complementary roles in the protection against nutrient stress, but the autophagy-LD interplay in cancer cells is not well understood. Here, we examined the relationship between autophagy and LDs in starving HeLa cervical cancer- and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Changing the default order of food items in an online grocery store may nudge healthier food choices.

Restructuring food environments, such as online grocery stores, has the potential to improve consumer health by encouraging healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to investigate whether repositioning foods within an experimental online grocery store can be used to nudge healthier choices. Specifically, we investigated whether repositioning product categories displayed on the website main page, and repositioning individual products within those categories, will influence selection.

Assessment of dimethyl sulphide odorous emissions during coal extraction process in Coal Mine Velenje.

Underground coal extraction at Coal Mine Velenje occasionally gives rise to odour complaints from local residents. This manuscript describes a robust quantification of odorous emissions of mine sources and a model-based analysis aimed to establish a better understanding of the sources, concentrations, dispersion, and possible control of odorous compounds during coal extraction process. Major odour sources during underground mining are released volatile sulphur compounds from coal seam that have characteristic malodours at extremely low concentrations at micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m) levels.

Corrigendum: Epidemiology of flavescence dorée and hazelnut decline in Slovenia: geographical distribution and genetic diversity of the associated 16SrV phytoplasmas.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.

How does day-to-day stress appraisal relate to coping among office workers in academia? An ecological momentary assessment study.

Existing literature indicates that academic staff experience increasing levels of work stress. This study investigated associations between day-to-day threat and challenge appraisal and day-to-day problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and seeking social support among academic office workers. This study is based on an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) design with a 15-working day data collection period utilising our self-developed STRAW smartphone application.

Profiling the barriers to the spreading of news using news headlines.

News headlines can be a good data source for detecting the barriers to the spreading of news in news media, which can be useful in many real-world applications. In this study, we utilize semantic knowledge through the inference-based model COMET and the sentiments of news headlines for barrier classification. We consider five barriers, including cultural, economic, political, linguistic, and geographical and different types of news headlines, including health, sports, science, recreation, games, homes, society, shopping, computers, and business.

Assessing comparability and uncertainty of analytical methods for methylated mercury species in seawater.

Background: The relative distribution and importance of monomethylmercury (MMHg) and dimethylmercury (DMHg) in seawater is still under debate. A lack of comparability between measurements at sub-picomolar levels hampered the further understanding of the biogeochemical Hg cycle. To overcome this, we assessed the relative standard measurement uncertainties (U) for direct measurements of MMHg and DMHg by species-specific isotope dilution ICP-MS and cryo-focusing GC-ICP-MS at femtomolar concentrations.