Pleurotus species represent one of the most versatile and significant fungal groups globally, bridging ecological sustainability with human cultural systems through their multifaceted contributions. These macrofungi excel in bioremediating diverse agro‐industrial wastes into nutritionally valuable food while demonstrating remarkable biological efficiencies across various substrates. Pleurotus species enzymatic systems enable efficient decomposition of lignocellulosic materials, making them economically viable crops with steadily expanding global production. Beyond ecological benefits, Pleurotus species provide underappreciated cultural and aesthetic services worldwide. Their distinctive morphology has inspired artistic expressions and innovative sustainable fashion, particularly in eco‐textile development. Indigenous communities across the globe have incorporated these mushrooms into their traditional knowledge systems, ceremonial practices, and cultural narratives. This review article examines the overlooked dimensions of Pleurotus species beyond their conventional applications, bridging mycological science with cultural studies to provide a holistic understanding of their significance. By reviewing both ecological and cultural values of the Pleurotus genus, this article highlights the profound interconnections between fungal biology and human creativity, demonstrating how Pleurotus species simultaneously address environmental challenges while enriching cultural heritage.

Nuclear morphology encodes rich phenotypic information critical for understanding cellular states, yet its full potential remains untapped in biomedical analysis. This study introduces NuSPIRe, a self-supervised deep learning model designed to analyze nuclear morphology using DAPI-stained images. Pretrained on 15.52 million cell nucleus images, NuSPIRe performs robustly in cell type identification and perturbation detection, even with limited annotations. Moreover, NuSPIRe integrates nuclear morphology with spatial omics data, uncovering significant correlations between cellular structure and gene expression. Notably, NuSPIRe further enables AI-driven experimental optimization for region-of-interest identification and field-of-view selection, enhancing data efficiency in spatial omics and molecular cell biology.

The development of effective and environmentally friendly bacterial attachment media remains a challenge in aquaculture wastewater treatment, particularly for systems with high organic loading such as Clarias macrocephalus ponds. In this study, a bentonite-acrylic acid hydrogel was synthesized by gamma irradiation and evaluated as a bacterial attachment medium for aquaculture wastewater treatment. The effects of composition ratio and irradiation dose on gel-forming ability, swelling behavior, and solubility were investigated to determine optimal preparation conditions. The hydrogel prepared at a bentonite-to-acrylic acid ratio of 10:1 (g/mL) and an irradiation dose of 25 kGy exhibited favorable gel properties and structural stability, making it suitable for bacterial immobilization. Two bacterial strains (B4 and B5) demonstrated strong adhesion to the attachment media and stable immobilization behavior. When applied to wastewater treatment, the combined system achieved high removal efficiencies of 99.44% COD, 99.40% BOD₅, 93.20% TP, 98.14% ammonia, 88.39% SS, and 85.21% color meeting the discharge limits of Vietnamese standards. These results indicate that the bentonite-acrylic acid hydrogel synthesized by irradiation is a promising attachment medium for enhancing biological treatment efficiency in aquaculture wastewater systems.

The cultivation of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Indonesia has expanded rapidly and has become one of the country’s prominent horticultural commodities. According to the Directorate General of Horticulture, the demand for oyster mushrooms continues to increase for both domestic consumption and export. Oyster mushroom farming is highly promising for further development due to its economic value, environmental friendliness, and suitability for small- to medium-scale agribusiness. However, farmers often struggle to meet the growing demand because of inadequate infrastructure and limited environmental control technologies. A major challenge in oyster mushroom cultivation is the strict and highly sensitive microclimate requirements—particularly temperature, humidity, air circulation, and light exposure. Even minor deviations in these parameters can significantly affect yield, quality, and biological efficiency. To address these challenges, precision agriculture (PA) offers an effective solution through the integration of intelligent sensing technologies and automated environmental control systems. This study aims to develop an Integrated Mushroom Cultivation System that leverages sensor arrays and Machine Learning to optimize microclimate regulation. The system records environmental data—including light intensity, temperature, and humidity—in a big-data structure, enabling multi-sensor evaluation to generate more accurate environmental decisions. Field data collected from 1–25 August 2025 indicate that the microclimate within the cultivation chamber was relatively stable, with an average temperature around 24 °C. Humidity conditions remained within the Optimal Fruiting range at 80.44%. Meanwhile, peak light-intensity readings reached 55,000–60,000 lumens due to direct sensor exposure to the light source, rather than representing the actual illuminance at the substrate surface. To ensure reliable automated decision-making—particularly for misting and environmental adjustments—sensor calibration and anomaly detection mechanisms must be implemented, focusing especially on parameters that directly influence mushroom growth. The adoption of these recommendations is expected to enhance environmental stability within the cultivation chamber and improve production quality, supporting the development of adaptive systems for precision agriculture.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of graded replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) on growth performance, growth dynamics, carcass characteristics, and economic efficiency in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). A total of 300 one-day-old quail chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in which SBM was replaced with BSFLM at 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% using isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Body weight was recorded weekly, feed intake was measured per cage, and growth dynamics were assessed using the Gompertz growth model. At 42 d of age, 150 quails were slaughtered to determine carcass yield and major carcass components, and economic evaluation was performed using scenario-based analyses to compare feed cost efficiency under contrasting ingredient price conditions. Dietary inclusion of BSFLM had no significant effects on body weight at any measured age, mortality rate, or carcass yield and composition. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved at the 50% BSFLM inclusion level, indicating improved feed efficiency at moderate replacement. Gompertz growth parameters, including mature weight, growth rate, and inflection point traits, were not affected by dietary treatment, confirming that intrinsic growth patterns were maintained. Economic analyses showed that partial replacement of SBM with BSFLM was associated with improved or stabilized feed cost efficiency depending on relative ingredient prices, whereas higher inclusion levels were more sensitive to unfavorable price conditions. In conclusion, BSFLM can be incorporated into Japanese quail diets without detrimental effects on growth performance or carcass traits, with moderate inclusion levels providing the most consistent balance between biological efficiency and economic robustness, thereby supporting risk-aware and sustainable poultry feeding strategies under variable market conditions.

A field experiment was conducted in 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 at Rogoza, Fala, and Brežice in Slovenia to examine the biological viability of a mixed intercropping system and the effect of winter catch crops (WCCs) on maize growth parameters. The experiment included Italian ryegrass (IR) in pure stands, fertilized with nitrogen (N) in spring (70 kg N ha−1), mixtures of crimson clover and red clover 50:50 (C), and intercropping between IR and C (IR+C). Neither mixture was fertilized with N in spring. We evaluated different competition indices and biological efficiency. Relative crowding coefficient (RCC) and actual yield loss (AYL) exceeded 1, indicating a benefit of IR+C intercropping. The IR in intercropping was more aggressive, as indicated by positive aggressivity (A) and a competitive ratio (CR) > 1, and it dominated over C in IR+C (that had negative A values and CR < 1). The competitive balance index (Cb) differed from zero, the relative yield total (RYT) was 2.24, the land equivalent coefficient (LEC) exceeded 0.25, the area–time equivalent ratio (ATER) exceeded 1, and land use efficiency (LUE) exceeded 100%. IR+C exhibited the highest total aboveground dry matter yield of maize (29.22 t ha−1), the highest nitrogen content in dry matter grain yield of maize (206.35 kg ha−1), the highest nitrogen and potassium content in maize stover (105.7 and 105.7 kg ha−1, respectively), and the highest nitrogen and potassium content in the total aboveground dry matter of maize (312 and 267.3 kg ha−1, respectively). The C/N ratio in dry matter yield of IR was 45.35, and in IR+C it was 33.43, which means that the mixture had a positive effect on nutrient release in maize. The ryegrass–clover mixture, according to the calculated biological indices, had advantages over pure stands and had a positive effect on maize yield.

The objects of the current study were the winter wheat varieties ‘Taulan’ and ‘Pamyati Shatilova’, jointly developed by the National Center of Grain named after P.P. Lukyanenko and the Institute of Agriculture of the KBSC RAS. The current paper has presented the 2022–2024 research data on monitoring the main diseases in winter wheat agrocenosis in the steppe area of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. The purpose of the study was to determine the species composition of plant pathogens and the efficiency of chemical and biological fungicides. There have been identified the most harmful plant pathogens, including powdery mildew, net blotch (pyrenophorosis), and Septoria leaf blotch. Winter wheat yield losses from these diseases can reach 30 %, and under unfavorable conditions, they can significantly exceed this percentage, leading to significant economic losses for farmers. Winter wheat was sown after maize. The plot size was 25 m 2 , threefold repetition, and randomized placement of the variants in three tiers. There has been established the efficiency of chemical and biological fungicides Kolosal, KME; Hekata, KME; Ais, KKR; Alirin-B, Zh; Baktofort, Zh; Trikhoplant, SK. There has been made a comparative estimation of the biological efficiency of fungicides against powdery mildew of winter wheat varieties ‘Taulan’ and ‘Pamyati Shatilova’. The chemical fungicide Ais, KKR demonstrated the greatest effect in combating the causative agent of powdery mildew, increasing the biological productivity of the varieties ‘Pamyati Shatilova’ and ‘Taulan’ by 1.2 and 0.3 t/ha, respectively. Among the biofungicides, Trichoplant SK was the best for biological productivity of winter wheat with 5.5 and 4.1 t/ha, respectively. Winter wheat grain quality was tested in the laboratory for chemical analysis and biological research of the Institute of Agriculture KBSC RAS. Harvesting was carried out at a moisture content of 14 %.

The study aims to evaluate the impact of the Zero Energy Poly Tunnel (ZEPT) composting technology for button mushroom cultivation and to identify the socio-economic factors influencing its adoption among mushroom growers in India. It was conducted in Bihar and Haryana among button mushroom growers, covering one complete production cycle from September to March. Primary data were collected from 40 mushroom growers, comprising 20 ZEPT adopters and 20 non-adopters following the conventional long composting method. Detailed information on compost preparation costs, biological efficiency (BE), compost conversion rate, and socio-economic characteristics was collected using structured schedules. The impact of ZEPT adoption was assessed using two-sample t-tests assuming unequal variances. Determinants of technology adoption were analyzed using a Linear Probability Model with adoption status as a binary dependent variable. ZEPT adopters achieved significantly higher biological efficiency (19.69%) compared to non-adopters (17.04%) and a higher compost conversion rate (2.50 vs. 2.01). The average variable cost of compost preparation was lower for ZEPT adopters (₹5.97 per kg) than for non-adopters (₹8.20 per kg). Regression results showed that female growers were 0.27 times more likely to adopt ZEPT than male growers (P = 0.05). Education (β = 0.054, P &lt; 0.01), reliance on mushroom farming as the main occupation (β = 0.344, P = 0.05), and prior training in mushroom cultivation (β = 0.278, P = 0.05) significantly increased the probability of adoption.

Controlling Aedes aegypti populations through traditional methods is increasingly difficult due to the development of insecticide resistance and their use of cryptic breeding habitats. The sterile insect technique has emerged as an effective tool for integrated vector management. Still, its success depends on the ability to mass-rear large numbers of high-quality mosquitoes. Choosing an appropriate larval diet is crucial for scalable mass-rearing, as it directly influences mosquito development, survival, and overall production efficiency. This study compared the effects of 3 larval diets: 1) TetraMin® Tropical Flakes, 2) Ziegler® Tropical Pro-Start45 Meal, and 3) bovine liver powder delivered in cellulose capsules, on the growth and performance of male Ae. aegypti under simulated mass-rearing conditions. Ziegler-reared mosquitoes had significantly larger pupal and adult sizes than those reared on Tetramin or liver powder. The Tetramin diet produced smaller adults, but with longevity comparable to that of the Ziegler diet, whereas the liver powder diet resulted in mosquitoes of similar size to those of the Tetramin diet, but with reduced longevity. While all 3 diets demonstrated viability for mass-rearing, their suitability depends on program-specific goals and constraints. The liver powder diet offered a good balance of biological performance and operational efficiency, but at a substantially higher economic cost. With further optimization of feeding regimens, the Ziegler diet shows the most significant potential to deliver high biological quality at the lowest price, making it a strong candidate for scalable mass-rearing programs.

Accumulation and damage of polyethylene-microplastics to the digestive system of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp exposed through feed.

Micro-granular sludge driven by powder carrier in membrane bioreactor: highly-efficient N & P removal and membrane fouling alleviation.

Enhancing biological denitrification efficiency via Shewanella oneidensis MR-1-mediated electron transfer and metabolic optimization

Neuromorphic systems aim to emulate the energy efficiency and adaptive learning of the human brain. Recent studies have suggested that ions such as Na+, K+, and H+ play key roles in biological decision-making, emphasizing ion-specific signaling in neural processes. Among emerging hardware approaches, proton-based synaptic devices have gained attention for their ability to replicate ion-mediated signaling in synapses. Owing to their high mobility arising from their low atomic mass, protons enable fast, low-power, analog switching, which is crucial for mimicking biological efficiency. This review classifies the switching mechanisms of protonic neuromorphic devices into two types: proton involvement and proton coupling. By analyzing two- and three-terminal architectures, we present a framework showing how each mechanism modulates resistance in different materials. Proton involvement typically involves field- or environment-driven ionic motion, whereas proton coupling refers to mechanisms in which protons interact with other ions to regulate redox activity and transport. In this context, we emphasize the importance of studying ion-mediated processes, particularly those involving protons, as windows into biological adaptability and intelligence. Ultimately, this review highlights that understanding proton-based switching mechanisms is crucial for realizing neuromorphic hardware that emulates the energy efficiency and adaptability of the brain.

In areas such as respiratory disease prevention and control, life science research, and food and drug development, bioaerosol samplers can monitor the surrounding environment in real time. Within bioaerosol research, various gas sensor designs have been developed based on different collection principles, including liquid impaction, solid impaction, cyclone, filtration, and electrostatic methods. However, due to the diverse characteristics of bioaerosols, instruments employing different design principles show variations in physical and biological sampling efficiency for different bioaerosol particles. The objective of this paper is to examine the design of a highly sensitive, high-speed microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) electrode ionization bioaerosol gas sensor. This study investigates the sensitivity characteristics of gas sensors toward aerosols, with the aim of improving upon the limitations of existing gas sensor designs. First, a silicon micropillar sensor composed of a three-electrode structure is proposed for real-time monitoring of multiple parameters, including particulate matter concentration, gas concentration, and temperature. Second, the sensing mechanism of the silicon micropillar toward particulate matter, gas, and temperature is explored. The analysis is based on gas discharge, field-assisted emission, and particle charging theories, establishing a direct detection principle for these parameters. Finally, experiments and simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of micropillar aspect ratio and electrode spacing on sensor performance and bioaerosol sensitivity.

Environmental degradation and the stagnation of farmer welfare in rural Indonesia demand a reorientation of the agricultural management paradigm toward one that is not merely technocratic but also ethical-spiritual. This study examines the concept of Khilāfah fī al-Arḍ as an ontological and axiological foundation for sustainable agricultural development through a thematic exegetical study of QS. Al-Baqarah: 30 and QS. Al-An‘ām: 141. Unlike previous studies that predominantly focus on normative environmental ethics, this research specifically synthesizes exegetical analysis into an ethical-operational framework for agronomy. Employing a qualitative-analytical method, this research integrates classical and contemporary exegetical traditions with an analysis of agronomic and socio-economic data regarding the national agrarian crisis of 2024. The findings demonstrate that QS. Al-Baqarah: 30 defines Khilāfah not as exploitative domination but as a mandate of Imārat al-Arḍ (earth stewardship) which requires competence in knowledge (‘ilm) and the prevention of ecological corruption (fasād). Meanwhile, QS. Al-An‘ām: 141 provides guiding principles for agricultural management through biological diversification (polyculture), distributive justice (ḥaqqahu), and input efficiency (lā tusrifū). The synthesis of these two verses generates an “Agricultural Ecotheology” paradigm that positions the farmer as a guardian of ecosystem balance (mīzān) and an agent of social justice. This framework is highly relevant for addressing soil fatigue caused by excessive agrochemicals and structural poverty in rural areas.

In this study, the effects of reusing spent Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) (Curtis) P. Karst mushroom substrate (SMS) from cultivation—by mixing it with hazelnut branch-based substrate (HB) at different ratios (HB100%, HB75%:SMS25%, HB50%:SMS50%, HB25%:SMS75%, SMS100%)—on the yield, quality, and nutritional composition of mushrooms were investigated. Yield performance, ash contents, and mineral composition of the harvested mushrooms were evaluated. In addition, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Organic Matter (TOM), Nitrogen (N), C/N and Ash contents of the substrates used were determined. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were also conducted to assess structural and thermal changes in the substrates during successive cultivation cycles. Results indicated that the highest biological efficiency (8.32%) and total yield (37.5 g/kg substrate) were observed in the SMS100% and SMS25%:HB75% substrates, respectively. A 29.9% increase in yield was observed when comparing 100% SMS with 100% HB. Mineral contents in mushrooms produced with SMS 100% generally increased compared to HB 100%, except for Cu. A 23.03% decrease was observed in the Cu content when the substrate was changed from 100% HB to 100% SMS. The total phenolic contents of the mushrooms cultivated were found to differ significantly among the substrates. FTIR analysis confirmed structural changes in the substrates, particularly indicating partial hemicellulose degradation and relative lignin enrichment after mushroom cultivation. TGA results showed that spent Ganoderma lucidum substrates exhibited higher thermal stability than raw hazelnut branch substrate (HB), supporting their reuse potential in circular bio-based applications. This study clearly showed that spent Ganoderma lucidum substrate-based HB can be successfully reutilized in new cultivation cycles, offering an economically and environmentally sustainable approach for mushroom production systems.

Light is a crucial environmental regulator for Tricholoma giganteum (T. giganteum). This study investigated the effects of light quality and photoperiod on its growth, physiology, and nutritional composition. During the mycelial stage, blue light (BL) exposure for 5 d promoted the highest growth rate (0.74 mm d−1, 45% higher than dark control, p < 0.05). Red light (RL) enhanced antioxidant capacity, elevating superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity to 240.20 U·mL−1 (after 5 d) and DPPH radical-scavenging activity to 276.11% (after 3 d). Ultraviolet (UV) suppressed polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. BL also increased mycelial polysaccharide content (6.45 g·100 g−1). In the fruiting stage, green light (GL) improved agronomic traits and first-grade yield (3.75 kg), while also promoting the accumulation of glutamate (4.39 g·100 g−1), a key umami compound. Further photoperiod optimization revealed that 4 h of daily GL exposure shortened the fruiting cycle, achieved the highest biological efficiency (98.4%), and maximized both polysaccharide (38.17 g·100 g−1) and glutamate contents (5.70 g·100 g−1). These results recommend a two-stage lighting protocol: BL for mycelial growth and a 4 h daily GL for fruiting, providing a scientific basis for the industrial cultivation of T. giganteum.

Synapses are fundamental units of communication within the nervous system, enabling electrical and chemical signal transmission between neurons. This paper explores the structure and function of biological synapses, with particular emphasis on their role in information processing, learning, and memory through synaptic plasticity. Using a comparative methodology that examines biological fidelity, computational efficiency, and hardware feasibility, this paper investigates how synaptic mechanisms such as Short-Term Depression (STD) and Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) are modeled in artificial systems, particularly in Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) and neuromorphic computing. Pulse integratorsanalog circuits designed to simulate synaptic signal integrationare introduced as core components bridging neuroscience and hardware implementation. This research highlights the increasing relevance of biologically inspired learning rules and hardware in the development of low-power, efficient AI systems. The conclusion emphasizes the potential of synaptic models to advance neuromorphic architectures and improve the adaptability of intelligent machines, with promising applications in edge computing, autonomous systems, and adaptive sensory processing.

The present study assessed the agronomic performance and economic efficiency of sweet corn intercropped with cowpea and black gram under varied spatial arrangements. The comparison of sole sweet corn against six intercropping configurations with varied row ratios-1:1, 1:2, and 2:2-was made through a randomized complete block design with three replications to assess their varying effects on yield enhancement, biological complementarities, and system profitability. The sweet corn productivity increased significantly in all the intercropping treatments. The 2:2 sweet corn + cowpea system (T₆) recorded the maximum cob yield of 12.25 t/ha and stover yield of 21.50 t/ha, which was 64.4% over the mono-crop control. Black gram intercrops also recorded increased yield, and T₇ (2:2) resulted in a 47.3% increase in cob yield. The performance of intercrops also showed similar advantages: cowpea recorded its maximum pod yield of 32.20 q/ha in T₆, while the maximum seed yield of black gram was recorded as 15.63 q/ha in T₇. This benefit is an indication of increased nitrogen fixation, efficient canopy stratification, and better partitioning of resources in the intercropping systems. The economic evaluation revealed that intercropping was significantly superior over mono-cropping in profitability. T₆ recorded the maximum gross return (Rs 3,14,903/ha) and net return (Rs 2,25,964/ha) along with the maximum benefit–cost ratio of 3.51, which is significantly higher over the control. Cowpea-based systems were invariably superior in economic performance compared to black gram-based systems due to their better compatibility and contribution to system-level efficiency. On the whole, the findings suggest that sweet corn–cowpea intercropping, especially the 2:2 arrangement, has an added advantage due to a better yield increase, biological efficiency, and economic return. This might thus place cereal–legume intercropping in a favourable position as a productive, economically viable, and sustainable alternative to monoculture sweet corn cultivation.

Mushrooms are large fungi characterized by their visible basidiocarps. Macrocybe gigantea, commonly known as “Boro dhoodh chattu” for its odour of dehydrated milk. It is a tropical species capable of growing on diverse untreated plant wastes, making it a highly economical crop. However, a very few research has been conducted on its cultivation and nutritional value. In view of the favourable environmental conditions and the availability of agricultural waste in Jammu division, cultivation of Macrocybe gigantea was undertaken. Studies on the cultivation of M. gigantea were conducted from 2019 to 2021. Experiments growing this fungus were carried out in summer (April-June) and monsoon (July-September) using two different agrowastes (wheat and paddy straw) and testing the impacts of farmyard manure, vermicompost and a mixture of the two as casing material. It was observed that the July to September cropping period demonstrated superior performance, yielded maximum output and biological efficiency. Notably, the cropping cycle was shorter during July to September than that recorded during April to June. These findings imply that specific environmental conditions during July to September are conducive to achieving maximum yield of M. gigantea.