Ferrisia dasylirii (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous mealybug species and native to North America, but has spread to Asia and Africa. In this study, we report F. dasylirii for the first time from China using an integrated taxonomy approach combining morphological characters and molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene. It was found on 12 tropical fruit species in Hainan Province: Annonaceae: Annona squamosa L. and A. squamosa ‘Purple’; Myrtaceae: Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. and Psidium guajava L.; Malvaceae: Theobroma cacao Linn.; Lecythidaceae: Lecythis pisonis Cambess.; Sapotaceae: Pouteria campechiana (Kunth) Baehni and P. sapota (Jacq.) H.E.Moore & Stearn; Rubiaceae: Coffea liberica W. Bull ex Hiern; Cunoniaceae: Davidsonia pruriens F. Muell; Arecaceae: Areca catechu Linn.; Musaceae: Musa nana Lour.; Malpighiaceae: Malpighia emarginata Sesse & Noc.ex DC.; and Phyllanthaceae: Phyllanthus emblica Linn. This record increases the known geographic range of F. dasylirii and underscores the importance of combined morphological and molecular approaches for accurate mealybug identification.

Evidence-based diet quality screeners that can be completed within a few minutes are suitable tools for evaluating diet quality in time-limited settings; however, no such tool has yet been developed in Japan. This study aimed to develop a screener to assess adherence to the Diet Quality Score for Japanese (DQSJ) and to describe its development process. The DQSJ is a 10-component index that was previously developed. The present study developed questions and assigned scores based on dietary data analysis and evidence on diet-health associations. Dietary data from 392 Japanese adults were analysed to identify the intake of food groups in the DQSJ. The mean intakes of 4-non-consecutive-day dietary records were described for each food group across the consumption frequencies in dietary questionnaires. Questions about sodium intake were derived from a sodium screener. Consequently, the DQSJ screener comprised 12 questions: two for red and processed meat, two for sodium and one for each of the other eight food groups (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, dairy, fish and sugar-sweetened beverages). The screener asked about the number of servings consumed for vegetables, dairy and sugar-sweetened beverages and the consumption frequencies for the other food groups. The maximum scores were assigned with consideration of optimal and feasible consumption for health outcomes. The total DQSJ was calculated by summing all item scores, resulting in a range of 0–30. The DQSJ screener has the potential to facilitate the assessment of diet quality in time-limited settings in Japan; the next step is to examine its validity.

In 250 men (21.4 ± 2.9 years; BMI 24.2 ± 3.0 kg∙m-2) commencing arduous military training during winter, we investigated the effect of 12 weeks vitamin D supplementation on lower body (pelvic girdle, sacrum, coccyx, and lower limb) overuse musculoskeletal injury risk in a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants received either simulated sunlight (1.3× standard erythemal dose in T-shirt and shorts, three times per week for 4 weeks and then once per week for 8 weeks), oral vitamin D3 (1000 IU∙d-1 for 4 weeks and then 400 IU∙d-1 for 8 weeks), or placebo for each intervention. Serum vitamin D metabolites and bone metabolism biomarkers were measured at baseline, week 5, and 12. At baseline, 29% of participants were vitamin D sufficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥50 nmol∙L-1). Vitamin D supplementation achieved vitamin D sufficiency in 95% of participants after 4 weeks. During 6 months of training and subsequent 3 years of military service, 100 lower body overuse musculoskeletal injuries were diagnosed by clinicians. Frailty models indicated no difference in injury risk between vitamin D and placebo during military training (HRplacebo:vitamin D = 1.23 [95% CI: 0.57–2.66], P = 0.597) or military service (HRplacebo:vitamin D = 0.94 [95% CI: 0.60–1.46], P = 0.782). Both safe simulated sunlight and oral vitamin D3 were effective in achieving and maintaining vitamin D sufficiency in almost all. There was no clear evidence for vitamin D to affect the risk of lower body overuse musculoskeletal injury during 6 months of military training or subsequent 3 years of military service.

Understanding chicken cognition is essential for improving welfare in production systems, as it reveals how animals perceive and respond to their environment. Barren housing can compromise welfare, including negative affective states and cognitive deficits, but previous research mostly focused on effects of barren environments on young animals. Here, we investigated whether hens moved to battery cages once adults show lower cognitive performance than those kept cage-free. Because stable inter-individual differences (personality traits) can modulate how animals respond to environmental changes, we also explored whether personality modulates this effect. Sixty hens were reared in enriched aviary pens; at 18 weeks, half were transferred to battery cages (456 cm² per hen) and the rest remained cage-free (5,333 cm² per hen) for 64 days before testing. Personality was assessed through four standardised tests, and spatial memory was evaluated with a modified hole-board task. Working memory (WM), general working memory (GWM), and reference memory (RM) were calculated from visit ratios. Behaviours after birds consumed all baited rewards were recorded to assess responses to reward omission (e.g. extinction learning). Battery hens outperformed cage-free hens in all memory metrics and were more active during the post-reward period, showing more empty-cup visits. While the enhanced memory performance of battery hens is likely driven by increased reward motivation and greater engagement with the task, our results also suggest these birds showed a deficit in extinction learning. Personality also influenced performance: more fearful hens had lower WM and GWM and were slower to find baited cups. Housing and personality jointly shaped cognition in laying hens, highlighting that enhanced performance under poor conditions may not indicate better welfare, but rather a shift in motivation for food rewards.

Knotroot foxtail is a troublesome perennial grass found in pastures across the Southeastern United States. Herbicides such as hexazinone and quinclorac are labeled for control of this weed; however, their efficacy can be inconsistent due to delayed or excessive rainfall, which limits herbicide movement into the soil for root uptake, allowing knotroot foxtail rhizomes to survive and produce new shoots, resulting in reduced control. A greenhouse study was conducted at Auburn University, Alabama, in 2023 and 2024 to evaluate the effect of rainfall timing on the efficacy of quinclorac and hexazinone in controlling knotroot foxtail. Knotroot foxtail plants averaging 28 cm in height were treated with quinclorac (0.4 kg ae ha-1) or hexazinone (0.8 kg ai ha-1), followed by simulated rainfall (6.3 mm) applied at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days after herbicide treatment. Hexazinone provided greater knotroot foxtail control and rhizome biomass reduction than quinclorac. At 51 days after each rainfall treatment (DAERT), hexazinone provided 90% control, compared with 76% with quinclorac. In 2024, at 51 DAERT, control with hexazinone ranged from 99% to 92% when rainfall occurred within 0 to 6 days after application, but declined to 85% and 81% when rainfall was delayed until 12 and 15 days, respectively. Similarly, quinclorac-treated plants achieved 87% to 77% control when rainfall occurred within 0 to 9 days, but control dropped to 67% to 62% with delayed rainfall at 12 to 15 days. Relative to the nontreated control, hexazinone and quinclorac reduced knotroot foxtail rhizome biomass by 72% and 42%, respectively. Early rainfall (0 to 6 days) after herbicide application enhanced knotroot foxtail control, while delayed rainfall reduced herbicide effectiveness. This study underscores the importance of the timing of application when hexazinone or quinclorac is used for knotroot foxtail management before precipitation events.

Strategic soil inversion is advocated as a periodic weed management strategy, typically recommended every 4 to 8 yr if the goal is to delay the evolution of herbicide resistance. It is assumed that the weed seeds buried during the inversion process will lose viability during this period. However, long-term seedbank persistence following soil inversion has not been investigated. If the buried seeds retain viability, subsequent inversions or other deep-tillage operations may return them to the soil surface, potentially replenishing the weed seedbank. The current study identified 30 sites within the wheatbelt of Western Australia (in 2020) that had previously been subject to a single soil inversion event, to investigate viability of the buried seed. At each site, soil was sampled at 10-cm increments from 0 to 40 cm, and weed seedling emergence from these samples was assessed during the following year. Weed emergence was dominated by six species: rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare L.), clammy goosefoot [Dysphania pumilio (R. Br.) Mosyakin & Clemants], capeweed [Arctotheca calendula (L.) Levyns], and ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth). Weed emergence was greatest from the 10- to 20-cm soil depth, with limited weed emergence beyond this depth, despite inversion operations generally placing topsoil below 20-cm depth. Of the six predominant species, the seedbank persisted for at least 8 yr, except for B. diandrus. This species did not emerge from sites where the inversion was performed more than 2 yr before the survey. This likely reflects species-specific differences in seed size and seedling emergence depth, as B. diandrus produces relatively large seeds capable of emerging from 10 to 20 cm (i.e., the most common burial depth). The findings confirm that the buried seedbank for most species remains viable over extended periods.

The interaction between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and physical activity (PA) in influencing hypertension remains underexplored. This study aimed to examine their independent and joint associations with hypertension risk among 5,327 participants aged ≥50 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants were categorized by 25(OH)D status (sufficient, ≥50 nmol/L; insufficient, ≥30 to <50 nmol/L; deficient, <30 nmol/L) and self-reported PA levels. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for the season of measurement and sociodemographic confounders, showed that sufficient 25(OH)D (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.56–0.78) and higher PA (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71–0.94) were independently associated with reduced hypertension prevalence. In joint analyses, the group combining higher PA and sufficient 25(OH)D exhibited the lowest odds of hypertension (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.43–0.70) compared to the lower PA and deficient group. A significant synergistic interaction was identified, indicating that the combined protective effect of these factors was greater than the sum of their individual associations. These results were corroborated by Mendelian randomization analysis, which identified inverse causal associations between genetically predicted 25(OH)D, vigorous PA, and hypertension risk across independent datasets. These findings emphasize that vitamin D sufficiency acts in synergy with an active lifestyle to enhance cardiovascular protection. This relationship underscores the critical importance in nutritional science of integrating micronutrient status with physical activity to develop more effective, multifaceted lifestyle-based strategies for hypertension management in middle-aged and older populations.

The global climate is changing, characterized by rising temperatures (projected to increase by 1.5–2 C by the end of the century) and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels (>410 ppm), which are recognized as the primary drivers of climate change. These changes significantly affect multiple aspects of weed biology, including seed germination, seedbank dynamics, photosynthesis, root growth, phenology, and biomass production, often enhancing weed growth and competitive ability by 60–90% under elevated temperature and CO2 conditions. Climate change not only modifies the biological traits of weeds but also influences the effectiveness of current management practices, including herbicide application, potentially increasing herbicide resistance. In this context, smart agriculture and artificial intelligence–based technologies offer promising tools for precise weed identification, monitoring of distribution patterns, and prediction of weed dynamics, thereby optimizing management strategies, reducing herbicide use, and improving control efficiency. Understanding climate-induced biological changes in weeds and integrating advanced technologies into management approaches are crucial for mitigating ecological threats and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production.

Recurrent drought increasingly threatens almond production in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, highlighting the need to exploit plant genetic resources with stable adaptive traits. This study reports a 3-year multi-genotypic evaluation of 41 almond genetic resources grown under rainfed conditions in a semi-arid environment characterized by interannual rainfall variability. Significant genotypic and interannual variability was observed across morphological, physiological and biochemical traits. Chlorophyll content (r = 0.7 with PC1; CV < 12%) emerged as a stable primary discriminant trait. Leaf nitrogen content, wood density, yield and leaf area also contributed significantly to genotype differentiation in multivariate analyses, together explaining 60% of total variance in the first principal component. A two-level hierarchical classification consistently separated tolerant, intermediate and sensitive genotypes. Among the evaluated genetic resources, ‘Princesse n° 3’, ‘Ferragnes*princesse 23’, ‘F1 melange 68/2’, ‘L 158’, ‘II A 7’, ‘(486*217)16’ and ‘GN9’ were identified as high-performing and drought-tolerant genotypes, highlighting their potential value for almond breeding and conservation programmes. This integrative, multi-year phenotypic approach provides a robust framework for identifying and utilizing drought-resilient almond genetic resources.

Translocations are a conservation method used to establish or supplement self-sustaining populations. However, research regarding the welfare implications of this strategy is limited, particularly in recipient wild populations. Introductions of captive-born individuals are commonly used to supplement populations of endangered white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), the UK’s only native crayfish species. To determine effects of translocation, both introduced and wild crayfish were marked and PIT-tagged, then monitored through behavioural observations and body condition scoring. We undertook analysis on welfare indicators, comparing resident and captive crayfish, as well as resident crayfish pre- and post-introduction. Our results provide some evidence that translocation events alter behaviour of resident crayfish. We also found some evidence that wild and captive-born crayfish differ in behaviour, with potentially negative welfare implications. By contrast, body condition analysis showed no variation pre- and post-introduction, suggesting that captive-born crayfish can effectively adapt to natural environments. Some behavioural differences were also better explained by other predictors rather than origin of animal. Multiple influences on the behaviour of crayfish were identified, including sex and weather conditions. Moreover, we identified factors which could enhance the welfare of this species in captivity and increase translocation efficacy, such as replicating features of natural environments in hatcheries. We also establish a basis for future research which could enhance conservation and understanding of the species.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is emerging as the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, with a spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves genetic, metabolic, and gut microbiota factors. Gut microbiota, through the gut-liver axis, plays a crucial role in the progression of MAFLD. Here, we investigated the association between DI-GM, a novel metric reflecting diet-microbiota interactions, MAFLD, and liver fibrosis, with a focus on the mediating role of vitamins. Using data from 13,498 participants across seven NHANES cycles (2007–2018), we found that higher DI-GM scores, indicative of a healthier gut microbiota-promoting diet, were associated with a reduced prevalence of MAFLD (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88–0.99) and high-risk liver fibrosis (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90–0.98) in fully adjusted models. Notably, the relationship between DI-GM and MAFLD and the risk of liver fibrosis is largely mediated by specific vitamins and carotenoids, with vitamin C and cis-β-carotene emerging as key mediators. These findings suggest that dietary interventions targeting the gut microbiota and vitamin supplementation could offer new strategies for the prevention and management of MAFLD. Our study provides the first comprehensive evidence linking DI-GM to MAFLD and the risk of liver fibrosis, highlighting the potential of diet and nutrition to modulate metabolic liver diseases. Future research should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms and validating these findings through prospective studies and clinical trials.

Widespread evolution of glyphosate resistance among kochia populations is a serious challenge for growers across the North American Great Plains. Dicamba has historically been used to control glyphosate-resistant (Gly-R) kochia. However, the increasing spread of dicamba-resistant kochia and current restrictions on dicamba use (low volatile formulations) warrant alternative herbicide options to control Gly-R kochia. In this context, field-based dose response experiments were conducted in fallow at Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center, Hays, KS, during 2021 and 2022 to determine and compare the effectiveness of 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p applied alone, and in a premixture of 2,4-D/dicamba/dichlorprop-p for controlling Gly-R kochia. Averaged across two years, results indicated that substantially lower doses of 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p were required in a premixture to achieve effective control of Gly-R kochia compared with their standalone applications. Specifically, the ED90 values for Gly-R kochia control were reduced by 90-, 4-, and 6-times for 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p, respectively, when applied as a premixture. Similarly, achieving 90% biomass reduction required approximately 1021-, 3-, and 4-times lower doses of 2,4-D, dicamba, and dichlorprop-p, respectively, in the premixture than when applied alone. Altogether, these results demonstrated that the premixture of 2,4-D/dicamba/dichlorprop-p can be an effective alternative for managing Gly-R kochia in fallow. The reduced dose requirements in a premixture also suggested potential benefits for resistance management, cost efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

To effectively prioritize the management of invasive plants, it is necessary to reduce the risks posed by trade. This is particularly critical for the ornamental plant sector, which acts as a primary pathway for the introduction and distribution of non-native plant species. In this context, it is necessary to understand the perceptions of ornamental plant producers, who are the primary actors in the ornamental plant trade, about non-native plants, their impacts and risks. Using the Altınova district of Yalova province, Türkiye, we conducted a survey to explore the perceptions of 20 ornamental plant producers regarding non-native and invasive ornamental plant taxa. We also generated a list of ornamental plant taxa produced in the study area by using local sources referencing ornamental plants (such as producers’ catalogues). We found that of the 121 plants produced, 92 taxa were non-native, 23 were native and six were non-native hybrids, of which 31 taxa (11 taxa native and 20 taxa non-native to Türkiye) were found to be invasive elsewhere. Most of the plants produced were perennials (103 taxa). The vast majority of producers (70%) had heard the term “invasive plant” before. However, the concept of invasive plants is considered in the context of “plants other than for production purposes, i.e. weeds”. There is a lack of awareness among producers about the possible impacts caused by non-native taxa and their management status. We conclude that appropriate regulations should be made for the sale and use of non-native plants and awareness activities should be organized for all stakeholders and the public. Further research is required to identify, prioritize, and manage non-native ornamental plants and their potential impacts across all countries engaged in the ornamental plant trade to prevent future ornamental plant invasions.

Direct-seeding of rice by sowing dry seeds on dry soils often results in poor seedling emergence due to erratic rainfall. Adjusting the sowing depth to a given rainfall pattern may improve rice emergence. To assess risks of crop failure in direct-seeded rice, we developed a platform for modeling and simulation of rice emergence at different sowing depths. We combined the HYDRUS-1D soil simulation model, which simulates the surface soil’s moisture dynamics, with two rice emergence models recently developed by our research group. The platform used 48 years of daily weather data (1977–2024) for the study site as inputs for the soil model to simulate soil moisture and temperature at designated depths. We then input the simulated values and sowing depths into the emergence models to simulate final emergence and the emergence date. The simulated soil water tension at a depth of 1 cm showed huge interannual variation, reaching 10 MPa in dry years. The simulation showed that relative to a 1-cm sowing depth, depths of 4 and 6 cm greatly reduce the probability of crop failure under rainfed conditions (from 8% to between 1% and 2%). Our novel platform for risk assessment should therefore facilitate the use of direct-seeded rice in suboptimal environments. The platform also fills a knowledge gap for simulation of crop establishment in direct-seeded rice under future climate scenarios.

The ventral structure of the trilobite family Lichakephalidae has hitherto been mainly inferred. A new discovery of a nearly complete internal mold of Archikainella vomerinus Liu, 1982, from the Sandu Formation (Cambrian, Furongian) of South China, shows its rostral plate and conterminant hypostomal condition. It is the first identified lichakephalid rostral plate. The conterminant hypostomal condition of this lichakephalid specimen is similar to that of the more derived Lichidae and supports the hypothesis that lichakephalid trilobites are a primitive group of lichids.

This study investigated how hormonal induction, female presence, and production system affect sperm quality in Astyanax lacustris across three experiments. In Experiment 1, males and females were kept together in the same recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) before testing. Hormonal induction consistently boosted initial motility and prolonged sperm activity, while female presence offered only a modest benefit to non-induced males and no measurable effect when males were induced. Sperm concentration remained similar across treatments. Experiment 2 evaluated the same factors using broodstock originating from different rearing environments. When males and females came from separate RAS units, hormonal induction again sustained higher motility, and induced males paired with females showed higher sperm concentration than some non-induced groups. In the RAS–biofloc technology (BFT) pairing, hormonal induction maintained motility regardless of female presence; however, in the absence of hormonal induction, both sperm motility and concentration were modulated by the rearing system of females, with non-induced males paired with BFT females exhibiting lower reproductive performance. Overall, hormonal induction proved to be the most reliable strategy for ensuring high semen quality in A. lacustris. Nonetheless, when induction was not applied, male reproductive performance became more sensitive to female origin and rearing environment, highlighting the importance of broodstock compatibility and production system history in reproductive management protocols.

Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] is one of the most common and malignant weeds that seriously affects wheat yield. Investigating its germination ecology and competitive dynamics with wheat is essential for predicting its potential invasion areas and developing effective management strategies. This study evaluated the effects of key environmental factors (pH, temperature, light, salinity, osmotic stress, and burial depth) on the seed germination and emergence of L. perenne ssp. multiflorum, and further quantified the impact of varying weed densities on wheat yield. The results showed that L. perenne ssp. multiflorum exhibits broad adaptability to environmental conditions. Optimal germination (70% to 86%) occurred at constant temperatures of 10 to 25 C. High germination rates (84% to 98%) were sustained across a wide pH range (4 to 10). Germination remained above 50% at osmotic potentials as low as -0.7 MPa. The germination rate of L. perenne ssp. multiflorum decreases with the increase in salt concentration, and was completely inhibited at 300 mM NaCl. Emergence was highest (92%) at 2 cm burial depth, remained above 80% from 0.5 to 6 cm, declined sharply beyond 10 cm, and was negligible at 14 cm. Field experiments demonstrated a density-dependent reduction in wheat yield by competition from L. perenne ssp. multiflorum, primarily through decreased wheat spike density and grains per spike, thereby reducing yield. Increasing wheat sowing density from 67.5 to 202.5 kg ha-1 could significantly mitigate these losses. These findings provide critical insights into the ecological adaptability of L. perenne ssp. multiflorum and its potential impact on agricultural systems, which can inform integrated weed management strategies.