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This study presents a multi-dimensional approach to assess urban climate risks under the dual pressures of climate change and land-use transformations, with a focus on the city of Shanghai. By integrating climate, land-use, and socio-economic factors, our approach provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate the potential impacts of future climate and land-use scenarios on urban environments. Utilizing the patch-generating simulation (PLUS) model and downscaled Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) data, this research projected land-use patterns and climate indicators for 2030 under various Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The results reveals a complex interplay between climatic hazards, urban development, and socio-economic dynamics, which highlights the pattern of higher extreme climate risks in the northwest and lower in the southeast of Shanghai. By 2030, while land transformation is projected to decrease, the increase in impervious surfaces is expected to persist. The Climate Risk Index (CR) for Shanghai, under scenarios SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585, is primarily influenced by climatic factors, with extreme precipitation and heatwaves being significant. The findings underscore the necessity of a holistic approach to urban climate risk assessment, emphasizing the primary influence of climatic factors, followed by land-use changes, with socio-economic factors playing a less pronounced role. This study enhances the understanding of urban climate risk within the context of global environmental changes and provides a replicable methodology for other urban centers confronting similar challenges.
Due to intensive crop cultivation, soil depletion has increased interest in intercropping, cover crops, and permanent land use. In our experiment, we investigated the effect of growing oats alone or together with vetch and green manure on the structure of the rhizosphere bacteriome. As a control, we used the bacteriome of bulk soil before sowing, during the growing season, and three months after green manure. The results revealed that its composition and structure change significantly due to the type of cultivation and the presence of plants. Plant roots had a significant impact by reducing pH and mobilizing nutrients. It was more evident in intercropping compared to the cultivation of oats alone. The rhizosphere bacteriome structure significantly differed from that of bulk soil. The different habitats in the rhizosphere and bulk soil led to a decrease in the representation of Proteobacteria and an increase in that of Actinobacteria. Intercropping contributed significantly to increased alpha diversity compared to the cultivation of oats alone and increased availability of nitrogen and potassium. The richness and inverse Simpson diversity index in the rhizosphere ranged from 7.361 to 8.015 across soils subjected to traditional oat cultivation or intercropping. However, the bacteriomes of the rhizosphere soil clustered together and were significantly different from those of the bulk soil. Our study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the influence of roots and cultivation type on bacteriome structure. It offers novel insights for soil management and plant health by reducing pathogens present in soil.
Sheep coat color is an important visual trait for breed differentiation and characterization. In some native sheep breeds, coat color is a patterned phenotype that is the basis of selection. The diversity of coat color provides an important model phenotype for exploring gene roles and studying gene mutations. The present study investigates the genetic polymorphisms in the Agouti signaling protein (ASIP) and melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) genes and their association with coat colour in native Bulgarian sheep breeds. A total of 247 individuals belonging to 7 native sheep breeds from 38 herds were genotyped for the ASIP and MC1R genes. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the MC1R gene, and three haplotypes were identified in the studied sheep breeds. The MC1R dominant allele (ED) allele could be the sole cause of fully pigmented sheep (either black or brown coat colour) in the Native Karnobatska population. However, in the population of Karakachanska and Cupper-red Shumenska breeds, the cause of pigmentation can be both ED and recessive non-agouti (Aa) alleles. In the samples of the Patch-faced Maritza and Dubenska breeds, the ED allele of the MC1R gene is absent, and therefore the fully pigmented and "patch-faced" phenotypes are due to the recessive Aa allele. Genetic mechanisms for white phenotypes exist to some extent in the White Maritza, Native Starazagorska and Dubenska breeds. However, the white phenotype in these breeds cannot be explained by a double copy of the ASIP allele alone. The results of this study provide new insights into the genetic causes of coat colour variation in populations of seven native Bulgarian sheep breeds. Further research is needed to elucidate the complex genetic mechanism of coat colour in native Bulgarian sheep breeds, particularly the role of the Agouti gene in coat colour expression. Therefore, the results of this study can be considered as a starting point for improving the management and conservation of genetic diversity of coat colour varieties in breeding programmes for native Bulgarian sheep breeds.
Methoxycamalexins are close structural derivatives of the indolic phytoalexin Camalexin, which is a well-known drug lead with an antiproliferative and antioxidant profile. 6-methoxycamalexin, 7-methoxycamalexin, and 6,7-dimethoxycamalexin are natural bioactive products, and there is significant interest in the development of efficient methods for the synthesis of structurally related analogues. Herein, we describe an efficient and high-yielding method for the synthesis of variously substituted hydroxy-, bezyloxy, and methoxycamalexins. A set of methoxy-, hydroxy-, and benzyloxy-indoles were successfully amidoalkylated with N-acyliminium reagents derived in situ from the reaction of thiazole or methylthiazoles with Troc chloride. Eleven novel N-acylated analogues were synthesized, with yields ranging from 77% to 98%. Subsequent oxidative reactions with o-chloranil or DDQ led to 10 novel oxy-camalexins in 62–98% yield. This two-step approach allowed the synthesis of two 4,6-dimethoxy camalexins, which are difficult to obtain using published methods. The structure of the obtained products was unequivocally determined by 1H-, 13C{1H}-, HSQC-NMR, FTIR, and HRMS spectral analyses. An in silico assay was carried out on the obtained products to assess their general toxicity and physicochemical properties, including their compliance with Lipinski’s rule of five. The results indicate that all compounds have good potential to be developed as drugs or agrochemicals.
The present study analyses the relationship between asset structure and financial sustainability of agricultural holdings in Bulgaria, using data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for the period 2014-2020. Through a combined approach of structural and correlation analysis, the study examines the connections between fixed and current assets, liquidity, and indebtedness in farms of different economic categories (from below 8 to above 500 thousand euros standard output). The results reveal a significant predominance of fixed over current assets across all categories, with a negative correlation observed between fixed assets and liquidity, particularly in small holdings. The study establishes that large farms demonstrate better ability to balance between long-term investments and maintaining liquidity, whilst small and medium-sized holdings show greater dependence on external financing for fixed asset acquisition. The analysis of subsidies reveals a differentiated role according to farm size - for small and medium-sized holdings, they are a primary source for financing fixed assets, whereas large farms use subsidies more flexibly, both for capital investments and maintaining short-term liquidity. The research identifies the need for differentiated asset management strategies according to the economic size of holdings, with small farms needing to focus on improving liquidity through more effective management of current assets. These findings provide valuable guidance for improving financial sustainability in the agricultural sector.
