Water-scarcity driven by climate change, stagnant agricultural productivity, and rapid population growth trigger food security. Sustainable alternatives such as the use of plant-growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM), including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), yeast (PGPY) and rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer promising sustainable solutions. However, the potential of microbial consortia remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) on the morphophysiological responses of maize, common bean, and squash under drought stress. Six microbial strains (two AMF, two PGPY and two PGPR) were combined into eight SynComs. Seeds were inoculated with AMF at germination, followed by PGPY and PGPR every 15 days after transplanting. Biomass production and leaf water potential were assessed under controlled drought conditions. Water-deficit reduced overall biomass production; yet specific SynComs, significantly enhanced plant performance. Maize and common bean inoculated with the consortium Funneliformis mosseae, Naganishia albida and Bacillus tequilensis showed increases exceeding 40
Mining tailings are waste generated continuously in large quantities and have accumulated over time, posing significant environmental challenges. This study evaluates the influence of low (MinPC) and high (MaxPC) current densities on the recovery of elements from untreated mining tailings obtained from SCM Paicav & iacute; by electrodeposition. To define both conditions, tailings were placed in containers with electrodes spaced 3-18 cm apart, and controlled currents of 1-100 mA were applied. Although MaxPC electrodes recovered a greater mass of material (1.51 g) than MinPC (0.22 g), the latter achieved higher enrichment of elements such as Ni and Mn. Under MinPC conditions, Ni exhibited the highest recovery, enrichment (19.3), and selectivity (4.8), whereas under MaxPC, the enrichment and selectivity decreased to 9.6 and 2.0, respectively. Elemental analyses (XRF, AAS, ICP-MS), together with mineralogical characterization (XRD, FT-IR, and SEM-EDS), identified quartz, pyrite, and chlorite as the main phases associated with the recovered elements. Overall, the results demonstrate that direct electrodeposition enables selective metal recovery from untreated tailings without pretreatment, chemical reagents, or additional water consumption, providing a novel and environmentally sustainable route for tailings valorization.
Despite increased recognition of gifted students' diverse cognitive and motivational characteristics, research has overlooked the assessment of intragroup differences. This study aimed to identify profiles of self-regulatory learning skills among gifted students, to identify individual and contextual variables associated with profiles, and to examine the association between profiles and indicators of achievement and learning engagement in these learners. Data were collected from 287 adolescents enrolled in an educational enrichment program targeting gifted students in Grades 6-12. Profiles were identified using three indicators: effort regulation, critical thinking, and metacognitive self-regulation. Four distinct profiles of self-regulated learning were identified using latent profile analysis: high, medium-high, effortful, and low self-regulated learners. School socioeconomic vulnerability was associated with a significantly higher probability of belonging to the low rather than the high self-regulated profile. The high self-regulated profile was associated with more engagement and better results in the enrichment program.
Subjective financial well-being (SFWB) affects the quality of life of young people and depends on multiple cognitive and contextual factors. This study analyzes the influence of executive functions (EF) of planning and initiative, and self-control, on financial behavior (FB) and financial self-efficacy (FSE), and how these factors affect individuals' SFWB. A quantitative cross-sectional approach was adopted, employing a structural equation model estimated through the consistent robust partial least squares method. The sample consisted of 403 participants, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A structured survey, specifically designed for this study based on validated scales, was administered. The findings show that planning and initiative have a direct positive effect on FB and FSE, while self-control has a negative direct effect (given that, according to the scale used, high self-control scores indicate a lower capacity for impulsive regulation). Furthermore, it was found that FB and FSE mediate the indirect effect of executive functions on SFWB. The influence of the executive functions of planning, initiative, and self-control on SFWB, mediated by FB and FSE, is highlighted. The results underscore that strengthening cognitive skills, such as planning and self-control, may be key to promoting better financial well-being through healthier financial behaviors. These findings have relevant implications for the design of educational strategies aimed at improving financial literacy among young people.
Lobesia botrana is a major pest in grapevine, monitored using sex pheromone as a standard practice. However, when the sex pheromone is used in mating disruption (MD), monitoring becomes ineffective. A blend of 2-phenylethanol (2-PET) and acetic acid (AA) was identified as an attractant for L. botrana in MD vineyards. With the aim of increasing the attraction of 2-PET/AA, we evaluated whether terpenoid-based attractants and trap color could enhance the catches of L. botrana in traps baited with 2-PET/AA. First, we assessed the attraction to 2-PET/AA in combination with two terpenoid mixtures. Grape Mimic Mixture 1 (GMM1) contained a 100:78:9 proportion of (E)-beta-caryophyllene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, and (E)-beta-farnesene, and Grape Mimic Mixture 2 (GMM2) was composed of a 10:1:1:1:1:1 proportion of limonene, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, (+/-)-linalool, (E)-caryophyllene, farnesene, and methyl salicylate. Furthermore, we assessed whether traps of different colors (blue, green, orange, red, white, and transparent) could enhance L. botrana catches. Neither GMM1 nor GMM2 improved L. botrana catches over 2-PET/AA alone. In addition, the proportion of mated L. botrana females was similar across treatments. Transparent traps caught more moths than other colors. Our results suggest a modification in the color and odor of traps to improve the monitoring of L. botrana in vineyards treated with MD.
