A Latitudinal Variation in Growth Rate Caused by the Differences in the Length of the Period Suitable for Larval Growth in the Japanese Black Salamander, .

In ectotherms, body size differences between latitudes resulting from shorter activity periods at higher latitudes may disappear due to higher growth rates. Although such latitudinal variations have been examined for various taxa, only a few studies have examined such variations in Japanese vertebrates. is widely distributed in the northern part of Honshu, Japan, and although their larval period in the wild is shorter at high latitudes, there is no latitudinal variation in the body size of juveniles in the wild.

Light-activated channelrhodopsins: a revolutionary toolkit for the remote control of plant signalling.

Channelrhodopsins (CHRs), originating within algae and protists, are membrane-spanning ion channel proteins that are directly activated and/or deactivated by specific wavelengths of light. Since 2005, CHRs have been deployed as genetically encoded optogenetic tools to rapidly advance understanding of neuronal networks. CHRs provide the opportunity to finely tune ion transport across membranes and regulate membrane potential.

Phenotypic characterization of Nguni goats in four agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province, South Africa.

The study was conducted to phenotypically characterize Nguni goats from four agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province, South Africa. A total of 426 goats were sampled from four agro-ecological zones. The quantitative traits that were studied for phenotypic characterization using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were heart girth (HG), body length (BL), withers height (WH), sternum height (SH), rump height (RH), rump length (RL), rump width (RW), cannon circumference (CC), testicular length (TL) and scrotal circumference (SC) while qualitative traits were coat colour pattern and type, back profile, ear orientation, presence of horn, horn shape and orientation.

Octanoic Acid and Decanoic Acid Inhibit Tunicamycin-Induced ER Stress in Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.

ER stress is a crucial factor in the progression of vascular cell diseases. Notably, octanoic acid (OA; C8:0) and decanoic acid (DA; C10:0), prominent components of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), may provide potential health benefits. However, their effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remain unknown.

Fabrication and characterization of novel electrospun nanofibers based on grass pea ( L.) protein isolate loaded with sumac ( L.) extract.

In this study, sumac extract was utilized as an active ingredient and combined with grass pea protein isolate and polyvinyl alcohol to produce novel active nanofiber mats using an electrospinning technique. First, nanofiber mats were fabricated by different ratios (100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70, 10:90, 0:100) of grass pea protein isolate and polyvinyl alcohol. The characterization of nanofiber mats revealed that the nanofibers with a polymer ratio of 50:50 had appropriate mechanical properties and presented a fibrous and uniform morphology.

[Spatiotemporal Changes and Driving Force Analysis of Vegetation Cover in the Urban Belt Along the Yellow River in Ningxia].

The urban belt along the Yellow River in Ningxia, located in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River, serves as the population and economic center of Ningxia. Quantitatively analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the fraction of vegetation cover （FVC） in this region and its driving factors is of great significance for promoting ecological protection and the construction of a leading area for high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. In this study, Landsat satellite remote sensing data were utilized to derive the vegetation cover from 2001 to 2020 in the cities along the Yellow River in Ningxia using a pixel-based binary model.

Application of isotope and multi-element fingerprinting in subregional milk authentication - The case of Ningxia, China.

Traceability of origin enhances the branding and safety of agricultural products. This study developed a subregional milk origin tracing method by selecting thirty large-scale farms: twenty-seven in Ningxia and three in Beijing. The farms were classified into six groups based on subregions: A (Yinchuan), B (Shizuishan), C (Qingtongxia), D (Yanchi), E (Zhongwei), and F (Beijing).

Linking phenology, harvest index and genetics to improve chickpea grain yield.

Understanding phenology and its regulation is central for the agronomic adaptation of chickpea. We grew 24 chickpea genotypes in 12 environments to analyse: the environmental and genotypic drivers of phenology; associations between phenology and yield; and phenotypes associated with allelic variants of three flowering related candidate loci: CaELF3a; a cluster of three FT genes on chromosome 3; and an orthologue of the floral promoter GIGANTEA on chromosome 4. A simple model with 3 genotype-specific parameters explained the differences in flowering response to daylength.

Site-specific impact of polyphenols on the gastrointestinal microbiome.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract hosts a diverse microbiota composed of trillions of microorganisms that play crucial roles in maintaining human homeostasis, health, and overall well-being. Dietary polyphenols, primarily found in edible plants, exhibit intricate interactions with the GI microbiota. These polyphenols undergo biotransformation by microbial activity and can modulate the growth of microorganisms, either promoting or inhibiting their proliferation.

Enhancement of Rice Zinc Content Using Green Synthesized ZnO-NPs by Foliar and Nano-Priming Applications.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) can enhance zinc bioavailability in plants, improving crop nutritional quality and addressing global zinc deficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), obtained by a green synthesis method, on the growth, yield parameters, and zinc content of rice plants. In the study, two different application strategies of ZnO-NPs on rice plants were evaluated, i.

What drives the development of digital rural life in China?

Background And Objective: Empowering rural life through digital technology reflects the collective aspirations of millions of farmers striving for a better quality of life. Ensuring that the benefits of digital advancements reach every corner of the population is a crucial and inevitable choice. To expedite the establishment of an inclusive digital life for all citizens, the Chinese government has exerted substantial efforts by positioning the development of digital villages as a national strategy.

Lactic acid bacteria: A sustainable solution against phytopathogenic agents.

Biological control agents (BCAs) are beneficial living organisms used in plant protection to control pathogens sustainably. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have gained attention in biopesticides due to their safety as recognized by the Food and Drug Administration. These bacteria possess antifungal properties, demonstrating inhibitory effects through nutrient competition or the production of antimicrobial metabolites.

Toxicity evaluation and degradation of cypermethrin-contaminated soil using biochar and Bacillus cereus amendments.

Cypermethrin (Cyp), a persistent synthetic pyrethroid insecticide widely used for insect control. The persistence of Cyp creates toxicity to both humans and the environment This study investigates biochar and Bacillus cereus distinct and collective effects on Cyp -contaminated soil during a 90-day incubation. This study also investigates the effects of different concentrations of Cyp (50, 100, ,500 to 1000 mg kg) on soil physicochemical and biological activities during a 90-day incubation period.