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A practical guide to designing and maintaining shade gardens while dealing with a changing climate, shrinking resources, and challenging new weather patterns.-- Source other than Library of Congress.

The yield of crops in both agrivoltaic (AV) and agroforestry (AF) systems is difficult to predict. The shade pattern of an AV system is not typical and is quite different from the one of AF systems. Most countries allow AV systems on croplands only if the crop productivity is maintained (e.g., in France) or slightly reduced, as in Japan and Germany, with 80% and 66% minimum relative yield (RY) required, respectively. I suggest using the Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR: ratio of area of photovoltaic panels to area of land) as an indicator of the crop potential productivity in AV systems. The GCR can easily be computed and controlled for all kinds of AV systems with panels that are either fixed (horizontal, tilted, or vertical) or mobile (on 1- or 2-axis trackers). Here, I provide a synthesis of published data for crop productivity under AV systems. Only publications that provided both the GCR of the system and the crop RYs were included. Measuring RYs requires a reliable non-AV control plot. Several publications were excluded because of doubts regarding the measurements’ validity (e.g., systems that are too small, resulting in strong edge effects, or unreliable control plots). Despite the scattering of results, a clear pattern is evidenced: RYs decrease rapidly when GCRs increase. It appears that a GCR < 25% is required to ensure that most crop RYs stay > 80%. These results are consistent with a recent meta-analysis examining the impact of shade on crops. The use of the GCR criterion to validate AV projects is a simple and cost-effective alternative to the tricky control of crop yields in the fields.

When Victoria meets Moonshine, an ex-racehorse saved from the slaughterhouse and abuse, she despairs at having to ride such a difficult horse. The pair compete in dressage, a sport that tests the unity of horse and rider as they engage in what can only be called dancing. They compete against horses bred solely for the sport, always struggling to overcome the bias against horses like Moony. As she grows and comes of age, Victoria teaches Moonshine to trust, and Moony teaches Victoria the importance of heart and perseverance. Together, they master many trials and compete in the Junior Nationals in this inspiring and compelling true story of how a girl and her horse changed each other lives forever.

The author of The Natural Shade Garden offers a comprehensive new guide to climate-conscious gardening--beautifully illustrated with 400 photos.There is a new generation of gardeners who are planting gardens not only for their visual beauty but also for their ability to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Despite the large body of research surrounding crop growth parameters, there is still a lack of systematic assessments on how harvestable yields of different crop types respond to varying levels of shading. However, with the advent of agrivoltaic systems, a technology that combines energy and food production, shade tolerance of cropping systems is becoming increasingly important. To address this research gap, a meta-analysis with data from two experimental approaches (intercropping and artificial shading with cloths, nets or solar panels) was performed. The aim was to quantitatively assess the susceptibility of different temperate crop types to increasing levels of shading. Crop type specific yield response curves were developed as a function of reduction in solar radiation, estimating relative crop yields compared to the unshaded controls. Only studies that reported reduction in solar radiation and crop yield per area in temperate and subtropical areas were included. The results suggested a nonlinear relationship between achieved crop yields and reduction in solar radiation for all crop types. Most crops tolerate reduced solar radiation up to 15%, showing a less than proportional yield decline. However, significant differences between the response curves of the following crop types existed: Berries, fruits and fruity vegetables benefited from reduction in solar radiation up to 30%. Forages, leafy vegetables, tubers/root crops, and C 3 cereals initially showed less than proportional crop yield loss. In contrast, maize and grain legumes experienced strong crop yield losses even at low shade levels. The results provide a set of initial indicators that may be used in assessing the suitability of crop types for shade systems, and thus for agrivoltaic or other dual land-use systems. Detailed yield response curves, as provided by this study, are valuable tools in optimizing the output of annual crop components in these systems.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of bleaching pen and bleaching mouthwash to remove coffee stains from teeth surfaces and single-shade resin composite restorations by assessing their Vita Classic shades, changes in the Shade Guide Units (ΔSGU) and color differences (∆E00). In addition, a control group subjected to simulated toothbrushing with non-whitening toothpaste was included for comparison. Class V cavities were prepared in the labial surfaces of 30 extracted sound anterior teeth and restored with single-shade resin composite. The restored teeth were immersed in coffee at 37 °C for 12 days. The stained restored teeth were randomly distributed into three groups (n = 10): Group 1: teeth subjected to simulated toothbrushing with non-whitening toothpaste for one week (control), while groups 2 and 3 were divided according to the bleaching system applied for one week as follows: Group 2: bleaching pen and Group 3: bleaching mouthwash. Using a spectrophotometer (Vita Easy Shade V, Germany), the color was measured before and after coffee staining as well as after toothbrushing or bleaching in each tooth at the middle 1/3 (tooth surface) and cervical 1/3 (restoration). The assessment was performed in two approaches: (a) Vita Classic shades which were used to calculate ΔSGU (b) Color parameters which were utilized to assess the color difference (ΔE00). After coffee staining, the color changes were higher in the teeth surfaces (ΔSGU = 7 and ΔE00=23.8) than restorations (ΔSGU = 4 and ΔE00=8.3). These color changes were unacceptable in both the teeth and resin composite restorations (exceeding the acceptability threshold; ΔE00=1.8). The effect of toothbrushing in removing coffee stains was significantly lower than the bleaching pen and the bleaching mouthwash in both resin composite restorations and teeth (least ΔE00, P = 0.0001). After toothbrushing, the shade of the stained restorations did not change than that after coffee (ΔSGU = 0), while the shade of the stained teeth became slight lighter but still darker than the baseline. After applying the bleaching pen or the bleaching mouthwash, the color returned to the baseline in both the restorations and teeth (ΔSGU = 0). Using the ΔE00 to compare the stain removal potentials of both bleaching pen and bleaching mouthwash, there were no significant differences between them in both resin composite restorations and teeth at cervical and middle one-thirds (P = 0.1 and 0.2, respectively). Toothbrushing with non-whitening toothpaste partially reduced coffee stains, but not completely. In contrast, bleaching pens and bleaching mouthwashes effectively removed coffee discoloration from both teeth and single-shade resin composite. Color changes could be assessed using the Vita Classic shade guide unit differences (ΔSGU) and color difference (ΔE₀₀).

Shade stress induces significant metabolic reallocation in soybeans, altering both nutritional composition and adaptation strategies to low-light environments. Using Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) of the shade-sensitive variety C103, we identified 19 differential metabolites (Variable Importance in Projection, VIP > 1; p  < 0.05), including 9 upregulated metabolites—such as essential amino acids—that may enhance protein quality under shade. Conversely, 10 metabolites, primarily key flavonoids like daidzein and genistin, were downregulated, indicating potential compromises in antioxidant capacity and stress resilience. Shade stress markedly reshaped the phenylpropanoid pathway, particularly affecting the biosynthesis of isoflavones, anthocyanins, and lignin. Shade-tolerant varieties displayed elevated isoflavone and anthocyanin accumulation while moderating lignin synthesis, reflecting a strategic focus on metabolites with adaptive and health-promoting functions. In contrast, shade-sensitive varieties prioritized lignin production at the expense of isoflavones, potentially reducing their nutritional and functional value. Organ-specific responses were evident: in C103 seedlings, roots maintained sustained isoflavone accumulation under moderate shade (Red/Far-Red ratio, R/FR = 0.7), while leaves showed a decline with prolonged exposure. These results highlight a metabolic trade-off between defense investment and energy conservation in different tissues. Overall, this study underscores the pivotal role of metabolic reallocation—especially within the phenylpropanoid pathway—in mediating soybean shade adaptation and nutritional traits. By integrating metabolomic profiling with pathway analysis, our findings offer new insights for breeding and management strategies to enhance soybean performance and sustainability under low-light conditions.

The intensification of abiotic stresses, particularly drought and elevated temperatures driven by climate change, requires the widespread adoption of protected cultivation. A pivotal innovation within this system is the use of spectral-selective filters, which modify the solar spectrum to provide environmental protection and direct physiological control over plant growth, especially for high-value ornamental species. The application of colored shade nets in this study, positively influenced nutrient uptake and growth parameters except for stem diameter, spike length, number of flowers and plant and flower dry mass in Polianthes cut flowers. The highest concentration of potassium (2.78%), nitrogen (2.02%), and phosphorus (0.14%) was found in the green and blue shade treatments, but there was no significant difference between the treatments. Furthermore, the most substantial improvement in flower diameter was observed under the green shade net, resulting in a 20.75% increase, while the white shade net showed the smallest enhancement at 9.66% in comparison with full sunlight. Additionally, peroxidase activity and photosynthetic pigment levels were elevated in plants under green and white shading compared to those under blue nets. Proline content was significantly reduced by all colored shade treatments, with the highest accumulation observed in plants exposed to full sunlight. In conclusion, although the use of all shade nets improved some flower quality indices and somewhat increased the potassium, chlorophyll, and carotenoids contents and reduced proline in the plant, overall, the use of green shades is recommended.

Background: Attaining ideal esthetics in terms of accurate shade selection is fundamental in contemporary restorative dentistry, which is affected by multiple factors. Literature suggests varied response regarding shade matching among specialists and post-graduate students. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate differences in shade perception between post-graduate students and dental specialists, focusing on their ability to accurately match hue and chroma using standardized shade guides. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 156 participants at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar including post-graduate students and specialists from various departments. Shade perception was assessed using four preselected VITA Classical shade tabs (C3, D2, B1, A4) under standardized lighting. Participants matched the hue and chroma of each tab using a separate shade guide. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25, chi square test and one sample t-test were used to identify statistically significant differences based on operator level with varying age and gender. Results: Out of 156 participants, differences in shade perception between postgraduate students (n=132) and dental specialists (n=24) were evaluated across four shade tabs. Specialists demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in Tab 1 chroma matching (p =0.006) and Tab 2 hue matching (p =0.005), highlighting their superior performance. However, postgraduate students exceeded specialists in certain tasks, notably in Tab 4 chroma matching (p =0.106), though this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: While specialists showed superior shade perception in specific tasks, post-graduate students demonstrated comparable accuracy in many areas, indicating effective training. The findings suggest that experience enhances precision in shade-matching.