Search Results (22,440)

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle and soil quality assessment. The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is one of the largest plateaus in the world. Therefore, in this region, SOC density and the spatial distribution of SOC are highly sensitive to climate change and human intervention. Given the insufficient understanding of the spatial distribution of SOC density in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, this study utilized machine learning (ML) algorithms to estimate the density and distribution pattern of SOC density in the region. In this study, we first collected multisource data, such as optical remote sensing data, synthetic aperture radar) (SAR) data, and other environmental variables, including socioeconomic factors, topographic factors, climate factors, and soil properties. Then, we used ML algorithms, namely random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), to estimate the topsoil SOC density and spatial distribution patterns of SOC density. We also aimed to investigate any driving factors. The results are as follows: (1) The average SOC density is 5.30 kg/m². (2) Among the three ML algorithms used, LightGBM showed the highest validation accuracy (R² = 0.7537, RMSE = 2.4928 kgC/m², MAE = 1.7195). (3) The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), valley depth (VD), and temperature are crucial in predicting the spatial distribution of topsoil SOC density. Feature importance analyses conducted using the three ML models all showed these factors to be among the top three in importance, with contribution rates of 14.08%, 12.29%, and 14.06%; 17.32%, 20.73%, and 24.62%; and 16.72%, 11.96%, and 20.03%. (4) Spatially, the southeastern part of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has the highest topsoil SOC density, with recorded values ranging from 8.41 kg/m² to 13.2 kg/m², while the northwestern part has the lowest density, with recorded values ranging from 0.85 kg/m² to 2.88 kg/m². Different land cover types showed varying SOC density values, with forests and grasslands having higher SOC densities compared to urban and bare land areas. The findings of this study provide a scientific basis for future soil resource management and improved carbon sequestration accounting in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Full article

According to various research, the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is strongly influenced by genetic variations. Population, familial, and molecular studies provide strong empirical support for a polygenic pattern of inheritance, mainly due to relatively common allelic variants in the general population. The strongest MS susceptibility locus, which was unmistakably identified in tested populations, is the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 6p21.3. However, the effect of a given predisposing variant remains modest, so there is the possibility that multiple gene–gene and/or gene–environment interactions could significantly increase the contribution of specific variants to the overall genetic risk. Furthermore, as is known, susceptibility genes can be subject to epigenetic modifications, which greatly increase the complexity of MS heritability. Investigating epigenetic and environmental factors can provide new opportunities for the molecular basis of the MS, which shows complicated pathogenesis. Although studies of epigenetic changes in MS only began in the last decade, a growing body of literature suggests that these may be involved in the development of MS. Here, we summarize recent studies regarding epigenetic changes related to MS initiation and progression. Furthermore, we discuss how current studies address important clinical questions and how future studies could be used in clinical practice. Full article

This study investigates the transformative effects of incorporating Trinidad Lake asphalt (TLA), crumb rubber modifier (CRM), and the warm mix additive leadcap (LC) into petroleum-based asphalt binder PG 64-22. Our results show that LC significantly reduces binder viscosity, leading to easier application and lower energy consumption, especially when combined with TLA and CRM. The addition of TLA and CRM enhances rutting resistance, with notable improvements in both pre- and post-aging conditions, particularly in formulations combining PG 64-22, 20% TLA, and 10% CRM. These formulations exhibit superior performance metrics, such as increased percentage recovery (% rec) and reduced non-recoverable creep compliance (J_nr), indicating improved flexibility and deformation resistance. Furthermore, LC balances increased rigidity and susceptibility to fatigue cracking from higher TLA and CRM levels, respectively. These modifications also promote environmental sustainability by reducing energy usage and emissions during production and paving. This study highlights LC’s critical role in advancing high-performance, eco-friendly warm mix asphalt binders, offering valuable insights for sustainable pavement engineering and setting a new benchmark for advanced asphalt technologies. Full article

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by inflammatory back pain and bony fusion of vertebral joints. Genetic associations and environmental factors have been proposed to explain the immunopathogenesis of AS. In the past few years, there have been major advances in understanding T cell dysfunction in AS. Clinically, targeting interleukin-17A, a major cytokine secreted by T helper 17 cells, has been approved for treating patients with active AS. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are RNA transcripts that do not translate into proteins. The ncRNAs regulate both innate and adaptive immunity and participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including AS. The main purpose of this article is to review the up-to-date studies investigating the aberrant expression of ncRNAs in T cells from patients with AS and to summarize their roles in its pathogenesis. After searching PubMed for studies published between January 2013 and June 2024, nine studies investigating the expression of ncRNAs in AS T cells were included. We found that aberrantly expressed ncRNAs in AS T cells could cause abnormal cytokine release, cell signaling abnormalities, and dysregulated cell proliferation and death, which contribute to the immunopathogenesis of AS. We discussed some limitations of these studies and suggested several research fields for further investigation. Full article

The main objective of this work was to investigate the influence of environmental factors, including air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature–humidity index (THI), on the difference between rectal temperature (RT) and eye temperature (ET) of dairy cows. The monitoring of these parameters is important for the further possible introduction of digitalization in animal welfare, especially in dairy cattle. The mean calculated difference between rectal temperature and eye temperature (RT–ET) was 1.5 °C. The average value of AT was 16.4 °C, and the average value of RH was 59.2%. The average value of THI was 60.4. The results of the study showed that, for the temperature difference ET-RT, a low degree of correlation was found both with temperature and with the temperature-humidity index THI (R = 0.22; R = 0.23). However, the observed temperature difference of the animal (ET-RT) showed a moderate degree of dependence on the relative humidity of air (R = −0.32). Although the positive correlation coefficient for AT and THI points to the higher criticality of summer measurements, the negative correlation coefficient for RH supports the use of infrared thermography for determining the temperature of animals even in a moister barn environment. Full article

This study investigated relations between a measure of early-stage visual function and self-reported visual anomalies in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P). Eleven individuals at CHR identified via the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS) were recruited from a CHR-P research program in NYC. The sample was ~36% female, ranging from 16 to 33 years old (M = 23.90, SD = 6.14). Participants completed a contrast sensitivity task on an iPad with five spatial frequencies (0.41–13 cycles/degree) and completed the self-report Audio-Visual Abnormalities Questionnaire. Higher contrast sensitivity (better performance) to low spatial frequencies was associated with higher perceptual (r = 0.616, p = 0.044) and visual disturbances (r = 0.667, p = 0.025); lower contrast sensitivity to a middle spatial frequency was also associated with higher perceptual (r = −0.604, p = 0.049) and visual disturbances (r = −0.606, p = 0.048). This relation between the questionnaire and contrast sensitivity to low spatial frequency may be indicative of a reduction in lateral inhibition and “flooding” of environmental stimuli. The association with middle spatial frequencies, which play a critical role in face processing, may result in a range of perceptual abnormalities. These findings demonstrate that self-reported perceptual anomalies occur in these individuals and are linked to performance on a measure of early visual processing. Full article

The literature has reached a consensus that ISO standardization enhances the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance of companies, which in turn has a positive effect on corporate financial performance (CFP). There is less understanding in terms of the effect of different certifications and underlying mechanisms between the effect of the ISO certification on the CFP. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of different ISO certifications on the CFP of Turkish companies listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange (BIST). Based on audited financial statements of a population of 148 manufacturing companies listed during 2010–2022 and using the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique, this study shows that the number of ISO certifications has a positive impact on return on asset (ROA) and Tobin’s Q, however, no direct effect on operational efficient and R&D intensity. While there is no effect of the occupational health and safety management systems certification on ROA and Tobin’s Q, the analysis brought forward that ROA seems to be positively affected by the standards referring to environmental, energy, quality, and information security management systems certification while Tobin’s Q is positively affected by the last two certifications. Full article

In South Korea, environmental complaints related to livestock odors continue to increase, and various efforts are underway to overcome them. An objective of this study is to monitor indoor concentrations of ammonia and sulfur-based odorous substances emitted from laying hen houses in South Korea through on-site visits for one year to understand their temporal emission patterns. The highest concentration was found in ammonia (NH₃), at 6.92 ppmv, followed by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), at 8.98 ppbv. The concentrations of methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) ranged from sub ppbv to 10 ppbv. In general, there was no consistent concentration distribution of ammonia and sulfur-based odorous substances in laying hen houses between those with forced ventilation and natural ventilation. Regarding the seasonal distribution of odorous compounds, their concentrations in winter season (December to February) when the ventilation rate in laying hen houses decreased were generally higher than those in the summer season (June to August) when the ventilation rate in poultry buildings was relatively high, which is applied to properly maintain the thermal environment in laying hen houses. The limitation of this study is that unexpected conditions such as clearance of laying hen houses, chicken shipments, and disorders of exhaust fans were not controlled for intentionally due to on-site investigations. Full article

Tetracycline (TC) contamination in water is one of the key issues in global environmental protection, and traditional water treatment methods are difficult to remove antibiotic pollutants.Therefore, efficient and environmentally friendly treatment technologies are urgently needed. In this study, activated persulfate (PS) using a biochar-loaded nano zero-valent iron (BC-nZVI) advanced oxidation system was used to investigate the degradation effect, influencing factors, and mechanism of TC. BC-nZVI was prepared using the liquid-phase reduction method, and its structure and properties were analyzed by various characterization means. The results showed that nZVI was uniformly distributed on the surface or in the pores of BC, forming a stable complex. Degradation experiments showed that the BC-nZVI/PS system could degrade TC up to 99.57% under optimal conditions. The experiments under different conditions revealed that the iron-carbon ratio, dosing amount, PS concentration, and pH value all affected the degradation efficiency. Free radical burst and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments confirmed the dominant roles of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals in the degradation process, and LC–MS experiments revealed the multi-step reaction process of TC degradation. This study provides a scientific basis for the efficient treatment of TC pollution in water. Full article

The Matsu Islands Tern Refuge comprises eight reefs located at a relay station on the East Asian bird migration route, and it attracts many transiting, wintering, or breeding birds to inhabit and live on the reefs every year. In order to understand the compositions of plant communities as a breeding habitat for seabirds, we investigated the plant communities of the eight reefs. A total of 130 plots of 10 × 10 square meters were established, from which we found 107 species of plants in 102 genera and 51 families. Among this, we found one critically endangered (CR) species, four vulnerable (VU) species, and three near-threatened (NT) species. The result of two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and indicator value (IndVal) showed 130 samples were divided into 11 vegetation types; most of the vegetation types had significant indicator species. We also use the two-way to present the plot of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) by vegetation types and reefs. Moreover, this result reveals that these samples were more clearly cluster divided by islands. Our results reveal that the compositions and characteristics of plant communities were related clearly to the environmental factors for each reef in the Matsu Islands Tern Refuge. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that species composition of vegetation yielded high correlation with soil property, especially with soil pH. In addition, we found that the traces of bird activity is relevant to the characteristics and structures of plant communities. We found that the plant communities comprising low-grass shrubs would provide relatively soft nesting materials and sheltering effects for eggs or hatchlings for terns. Compared to low-grass shrubs, the traits of high-grass shrubs would not be beneficial to nest for breeding of terns on the ground, and no nested trace was found in these plant communities. Full article

The economic belt on the north slope of the Tianshan Mountains is a highly productive area in Xinjiang, but with the rapid development of the economy and industry and the acceleration of urbanization in recent years, the fragile ecological environment in the region has further deteriorated. Exploring shifts in land utilization across different eras and regions, along with the transformation of terrain configurations, provides key perspectives that can propel sustainable societal and environmental growth within this particular area. The research analyzed four periods (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020) of remote sensing image data combined with field monitoring data using methods such as land use variability, landscape pattern index, and grey relational model. Focusing on investigating the dynamics of the ecological environment in high-intensity human activity areas, examining alterations in land use patterns over time and space, transitions in land use types, and trends in landscape pattern indices. (1) The dominant land environments situated in the economic zone adjacent to the northern base of the Tianshan mountain range encompass extensive expanses of grassy plains and unexploited landscapes, making up 45% and 38% of the area, correspondingly. The single dynamic change degree of construction land was the largest due to the implementation of long-term land development and urbanization policies. Land use transfer change mainly occurred among cultivated land, grassland, forestland, and unused land. With strong human activities, the construction land area has expanded by 145.16% (2089.7 km²), and this number is still increasing. (2) The spatial landscape structure on the north slope of Tianshan Mountain is becoming more complicated and diversified; the cities with the highest degree of fragmentation were concentrated in the middle and western sections. Grassland is the most dominant patch type in the landscape. The shape of patches tends to be irregular and complex in general, and the fragmentation degree and dispersion degree of landscape patches are enhanced as the proportion of different landscape types increases. (3) Grey correlation analysis indicates that grasslands, cultivated land, and unused land are key elements in the landscape pattern changes on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. Central urban agglomeration is an area with strong landscape pattern changes, and ecological protection should be emphasized while promoting economic development. Full article

Fish passage facilities are essential for restoring river connectivity and protecting ecosystems, effectively balancing economic and ecological benefits. Systematic and comprehensive monitoring, assessment, and optimized management are therefore crucial. This study quantitatively evaluated the entire upstream migration process of fish from the downstream river to the entrance and exit of the fishway and investigated the upstream movement patterns of fish under various environmental factors. A total of 19 fish species were monitored in the Heishuihe River downstream of the dam, with 15 species reaching the fishway entrance and 12 species successfully passing through it. The entrance attraction and passage rates of the vertical-slot fishway at the Songxin hydropower station were 15.7% and 40.42%, respectively. The best upstream performance was observed in May, with fish demonstrating better upstream timing and speed during nighttime compared to daytime. Specifically, the highest entrance attraction efficiency was recorded at a flow rate of 6–7 m³/s and a temperature of 19–20 °C, while the optimal passage efficiency was observed at a flow rate of 0–0.5 m³/s and a temperature of 17–20 °C. Additionally, a multifactorial Cox proportional hazards regression model was constructed to identify key factors influencing the probability of fishway entrance attraction and successful passage. The model elucidated the impact patterns of these key factors on fish upstream migration, ultimately generating an alignment diagram for prediction and control. This study provides a theoretical foundation and data support for developing optimized operational schedules for fishways. The findings offer a more comprehensive and systematic approach for monitoring and evaluating fish passage facilities, serving as a scientific basis for ecological restoration and fish conservation in this region and similar areas. Full article

Green nanoparticles are synthesized using environmentally friendly methods, and natural materials hold significant importance. This makes the process environmentally sustainable and reduces the production of harmful waste by-products. Green nanoparticles exhibit reduced toxicity which is crucial for biomedical applications. The current study suggested that yttrium nanoparticles (YNPs) should be synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their diverse biological applications due to the rise in antibacterial resistance. The YNPs were prepared using a pine needle leaf extract (PNLE). The structural and morphological features have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The XRD pattern demonstrated the presence of yttrium oxide and yttrium nitrate phases. The crystallite size and particle size of the synthesized YNPs measured 1.696 nm and 24.55 nm, respectively. The XPS peaks showed two components with binding energies at 530.940 eV and 532.18 eV due to the bond between O–Y and OH–Y, respectively. Additionally, the ferromagnetic nature of the YNPs was confirmed by VSM analysis. The YNPs were tested for antibacterial activity on six uropathogenic bacteria (S. aureus, S. haemolyticus, E. faecalis, E. coli, K. pneumonia, and P. aeruginosa) using the microdilution assays, to find the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) as well as the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the agar well diffusion assay, and antibiofilm screening assays, where they showed bacteriostatic action against all isolates (0.5–1 mg/mL MIC) and significant inhibition of biofilm formation (80% inhibition rate). The antioxidant capacity assessed by 1,1, diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging revealed 50% DPPH scavenging. Moreover, docking studies exhibited that YNPs inhibit crucial bacterial enzymes, including DNA gyrase, penicillin-binding proteins, carbapenemase, LasR-binding protein, and dihydropteroate synthase. These findings may explain the mechanisms responsible for the observed antibacterial effects of YNPs. Overall, these findings underscore YNPs as promising candidates for antioxidant and antibacterial applications. Full article

A decline in European students’ interest in STEM subjects, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of education, has raised concerns about the continent’s future workforce. To address this challenge, this study investigates the efficacy of the BIG GAME project methodology, a cooperative story-driven digital game approach designed to engage secondary students in collaborative environmental problem-solving. Implemented across Romania, Italy, Estonia, and Finland, this six-month study employed a mixed-methods design involving 62 teachers and 239 students in ten distinct game missions focused on environmental challenges. The quantitative results indicated significant improvements in students’ transversal skills (teamwork, communication, and critical thinking), as reported by over 75% of teachers. The qualitative data emphasised the value of structured peer review in developing students’ reflective practices. This research underscores the importance of teacher facilitation in game-based learning and problem-based simulations and highlights the potential of such methodologies to boost student engagement and environmental awareness. These findings suggest that the BIG GAME project approach could be a valuable tool for revitalising STEM education and cultivating future-ready citizens. Full article

The large-scale use of composite materials reinforced with carbon–aramid hybrid fabric in various outdoor applications, which ensures increased mechanical resistance including in impact loadings, led to the need to investigate the effects of aggressive environmental factors (moisture absorption, temperature, thermal cycles, ultra-violet rays) on the variation of their mechanical properties. Since the literature is still lacking in research on this topic, this article aims to compare the low-velocity impact behaviour of two carbon–aramid hybrid composite materials (with and without rubber core) and to investigate the effects of water absorption on impact properties. The main objectives of this research were as follows: (i) the investigation of the mechanical behavior in tests for two impact energies of 25 J and 50 J; (ii) comparison of the results obtained in terms of the force, displacement, velocity, and energy related to the time; (iii) analysis of the water absorption data; (iii) low-velocity impact testing of wet specimens after saturation; (iv) comparison between the impact behaviour of the wet specimens with that of the dried ones. One of the main findings was that for the wet specimens without rubber core, absorbed impact energy was 16% less than the one recorded for dried specimens at an impact energy of 50 J. The failure modes of the dried specimens without rubber core are breakage for both carbon and aramid fibres, matrix cracks, and delamination at matrix–fibre interfaces. The degradation for the wet specimens with rubber core is much more pronounced because the decrease in the absorbed impact energy was 53.26% after 10,513 h of immersion in water and all the layers were broken. Full article