Search Results (4,354)

Understanding the spatial dynamics and drivers of armed conflict is crucial for anticipating risk and informing targeted interventions. However, current research rarely considers the spatio-temporal clustering characteristics of armed conflicts. Here, we assess the distribution dynamics and driving factors of armed conflict from the perspective of armed conflict clusters, employing complex network dynamic community detection methods and interpretable machine learning approaches. The results show that conflict clusters vary in terms of regional distribution. Sub-Saharan Africa boasts the highest number of conflict clusters, accounting for 37.9% of the global total and covering 40.4% of the total cluster area. In contrast, South Asia and Afghanistan, despite having a smaller proportion of clusters at 12.1%, hold the second-largest cluster area, which is 18.1% of the total. The characteristics of different conflict networks are influenced by different factors. Historical exposure, socio-economic deprivation, and spatial structure are the primary determinants of conflict patterns, while climatic variables contribute less prominently as part of a broader system of environmental vulnerability. Moreover, the influence of driving factors shows spatial heterogeneity. By integrating cluster-level analysis with interpretable machine learning, this study offers a novel perspective for understanding the multidimensional characteristics of armed conflicts. Full article

In the digital era, secure data sharing has become a core requirement for enabling cross-domain collaboration, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, as well as a critical measure for safeguarding privacy and defending against malicious attacks. In light of the risks of data leakage and misuse in open environments, achieving efficient, controllable, and privacy-preserving data sharing has emerged as a key research focus. This paper first provides a systematic review of the prevailing secure data sharing technologies, including proxy re-encryption, searchable encryption, key agreement and distribution, and attribute-based encryption, summarizing their design principles and application features. Subsequently, game-theoretic modeling based on incentive theory is introduced to construct a strategic interaction framework between data owners and data users, aiming to analyze and optimize benefit allocation mechanisms. Furthermore, the paper explores the integration of game theory with secure sharing mechanisms to enhance the sustainability and stability of the data sharing ecosystem. Finally, it outlines the critical challenges currently faced in secure data sharing and discusses future research directions, offering theoretical insights and technical references for building a more comprehensive data sharing framework. Full article

Obtaining the echo of individual fish is an important prerequisite for fisheries acoustic applications, such as in situ measurement of fish target strength and assessment of fish abundance using the counting method. It is also the foundation for evaluating the growth status of farmed fish and managing aquaculture risks. The density of farmed fish populations is typically higher, and such high-density aquaculture further increases the difficulty of obtaining individual fish echoes in practical applications. Building upon previous research and considering the behavioral characteristics of fish in aquaculture settings, this study conducted performance simulations, live fish experiments in simulated aquaculture cages, and comparative evaluations of three individual fish broadband echo detection methods based on a broadband signal system: the amplitude pulse width method (APM) based on echo envelopes, the peak detection and time delay estimation method (PDM), and the peak time delay combined with instantaneous frequency method (PDIM). This study assumed a dorsolateral fish orientation, which limits its research scope and applicability. The results showed that the PDIM achieved a detection accuracy of 78.34% and a false recognition rate of 1.32%. The APM based on echo envelopes was insensitive to individual fish echoes and had lower recognition accuracy. The PDM exhibited better individual fish echo capture capabilities, while the PDIM demonstrated superior overlapping echo rejection capabilities. Full article

To study the effect of aggregate type on the adhesion between asphalt and aggregate, limestone, basalt, diabase, and 70# asphalt with SBS asphalt were selected. The mineral phase composition of the aggregates was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The surface energy theory was used to calculate the adhesion work and the work of flaking. The modified water boiling method combined with image processing technology was used to quantitatively characterize the flaking behavior of the asphalt. The results show that the aggregate type is closely related to the asphalt–aggregate adhesion. The mineral compositions of different types of aggregates vary significantly, with limestone, being a strongly alkaline aggregate predominantly comprising CaCO₃, exhibiting better adhesion with asphalt. The contact angle test and modified boiling method also yielded the same results, and the adhesion relationship with asphalt was limestone > basalt > diabase. Image processing technology effectively characterizes the spalling situation of asphalt and conducts quantitative analysis. Full article

Astragalus sinicus, a key leguminous green manure widely cultivated in Southern China’s rice-based cropping systems, plays a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil organic matter sequestration, improving rice yield, and elevating grain quality. The symbiotic nitrogen-fixing association between A. sinicus and its matching rhizobia is fundamental to its agronomic value; however, suboptimal inoculant efficiency and field application methodologies constrain its full potential. To address these limitations, we conducted a multi-phase study involving (1) rhizobial strain screening under controlled greenhouse conditions, (2) an optimized lyophilization protocol evaluating cryoprotectant (trehalose, skimmed milk powder and others), and (3) seed pelleting trails with rhizobial viability and nodulation assessments over different storage periods. Our results demonstrate that Mesorhizobium huakuii CCBAU 33470 exhibits a superior nitrogen-fixing efficacy, significantly enhancing key traits in A. sinicus, including leaf chlorophyll content, tiller number, and aboveground biomass. Lyophilized inoculants prepared with cryoprotectants (20% trehalose or 20% skimmed milk powder) maintained >90% bacterial viability for 60 days and markedly improved nodulation capacity relative to unprotected formulations. The optimized seed pellets sustained high rhizobial loads (5.5 × 10³ cells/seed) with an undiminished viability after 15 days of storage and nodulation ability after 40 days of storage. This integrated approach of rhizobial selection, inoculant formulation, and seed coating overcomes cultivation bottlenecks, boosting symbiotic nitrogen fixation for A. sinicus cultivation. Full article

Background and Objectives: Hysterectomy is a common non-obstetric procedure. Minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery, have replaced open surgery for benign gynecologic conditions. Robotic surgery offers reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stays but is limited by high costs. Articulating laparoscopic instruments aim to replicate robotic dexterity cost-effectively. However, comparative data on these two approaches in hysterectomy are limited. Materials and Methods: This multicenter study analyzed the outcomes of hysterectomies for benign gynecological diseases using articulating laparoscopic instruments (prospectively recruited) and robot-assisted surgery (retrospectively reviewed). The surgeries were performed by minimally invasive gynecological surgeons in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. The baseline characteristics, operative details, and outcomes, including operative time, blood loss, complications, and hospital stay, were compared. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 151 patients were analyzed, including 67 in the articulating laparoscopy group and 84 in the robot-assisted group. The operating times were comparable (114.9 vs. 119.9 min, p = 0.22). The articulating group primarily underwent dual-port surgery (79.1%), whereas the robot-assisted group required four or more ports in 71.4% of the cases (p < 0.001). Postoperative complications occurred in both groups, without a significant difference (9.0% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.17). No severe complications or significant differences in the 30-day readmission rates were observed. Conclusions: Articulating laparoscopic instruments provide outcomes comparable to robot-assisted surgery in hysterectomy while reducing the number of ports required. Further studies are needed to explore the learning curve and long-term impact on surgical outcomes. Full article

With the increasing awareness of energy consumption issues, there has been a growing emphasis on energy-saving retrofits for central air-conditioning systems that constitute a significant proportion of energy consumption in buildings. Efficient energy utilization can be achieved by optimizing the modeling of the equipment within the chiller plants of central air-conditioning systems. Traditional modeling approaches have been static and have focused on modeling within narrow time frames when a certain amount of equipment operating data has accumulated, thus prioritizing the precision of the model itself while overlooking the fact that energy-saving retrofits are a long-term process. This study proposes a modeling scheme for the equipment within chiller plants throughout the energy-saving retrofit process. Based on the differences in the amount of available operating data for the equipment and the progress of retrofit implementation, the retrofit process was divided into three stages, each employing different modeling techniques and ensuring smooth transitions between the stages. The equipment within the chiller plants is categorized into two types based on the clarity of their operating characteristics, and two modeling schemes are proposed accordingly. Based on the proposed modeling scheme, chillers and chilled-water pumps were selected to represent the two types of equipment. Real operating data from actual retrofit projects was used to model the equipment and evaluate the accuracy of the model predictions. The results indicate that the models established by the proposed modeling scheme exhibit good accuracy at each stage of the retrofit, with the coefficients of variation (CV) remaining below 6.88%. Furthermore, the prediction accuracy improved as the retrofitting process progressed. The modeling scheme performs better on equipment with simpler and clearer operating characteristics, with a CV as low as 0.67% during normal operation stages. This underscores the potential application of the proposed modeling scheme throughout the energy-saving retrofit process and provides a model foundation for the subsequent optimization of the refrigeration system. Full article

The complex system of high-entropy materials makes it challenging to reveal the specific function of each site for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, with nickel foam (NF) as the substrate, FeCoNiCrMo/NF is designed to be prepared by metal–organic frameworks (MOF) as a precursor under an argon atmosphere. XRD analysis confirms that it retains a partial MOF crystal structure (characteristic peak at 2θ = 11.8°) with amorphous carbon (peaks at 22° and 48°). SEM-EDS mapping and XPS demonstrate uniform distribution of Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, and Mo with a molar ratio of 27:24:30:11:9. Electrochemical test results show that FeCoNiCrMo/NF has excellent OER characteristics compared with other reference prepared samples. FeCoNiCrMo/NF has an overpotential of 285 mV at 100 mA cm⁻² and performs continuously for 100 h without significant decline. The OER mechanism of FeCoNiCrMo/NF further reveal that Co and Ni are true active sites, and the dissolution of Cr and Mo promote the conversion of active sites into MOOH following the lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM). The precipitation–dissolution equilibrium of Fe also plays an important role in the OER process. The study of different reaction sites in complex systems points the way to designing efficient and robust catalysts. Full article

The biological effects of nanoparticles are closely related to their intracellular content and location, both of which are influenced by various factors. This study investigates the effects of surface charge on the uptake, intracellular distribution, and exocytosis of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in Raw264.7 macrophages. Negatively charged 3-mercaptopropanoic acid functionalized QDs (QDs-MPA) show higher cellular uptake than positively charged 2-mercaptoethylamine functionalized QDs (QDs-MEA), and serum enhances the uptake of both types of QDs via protein corona-mediated receptor endocytosis. QDs-MEA primarily enter the cells through clathrin/caveolae-mediated pathways and predominantly accumulate in lysosomes, while QDs-MPA are mainly internalized through clathrin-mediated endocytosis and localize to both lysosomes and mitochondria. Exocytosis of QDs-MPA is faster and more efficient than that of QDs-MEA, though both exhibit limited excretion. In addition to endocytosis and exocytosis, cell division influences intracellular QD content over time. These results reveal the charge-dependent interactions between QDs and macrophages, providing a basis for designing biocompatible nanomaterials. Full article

Spawning diversity plays an essential role in fish survival and reproduction, which contributes to the exceptional diversity of teleosts among vertebrates. Different zona radiata structures reflect the adaptability of fish to the environment of spawning and early embryonic development. The morphological and transcriptional characteristics of fish follicle development between different spawning habits, particularly the zona radiata variations, have been poorly documented. In this study, we integrated histology and transcriptomics to investigate the differences in the zona radiata structure and gene expression profiles among follicles from different spawning habits of Culter alburnus. Our results revealed that stage Ⅲ was the crucial period for zona radiata thickening and structure differentiation. Transcriptomic analyses of adhesive and semi-buoyant eggs at stage Ⅲ revealed a significant upregulation of genes involved in glycoprotein synthesis, extracellular matrix formation, and regulation of protease activity in adhesive eggs, such as the wfdc and a2ml gene family. This upregulation likely underpins the thicker zona radiata in adhesive eggs, facilitating their attachment to substrates. This study represents the first elucidation of the ultrastructure of the zona radiata and gene expression patterns in different developmental stages of adhesive and semi-buoyant eggs of Culter alburnus, offering new perspectives for aquaculture research in understanding fish reproductive adaptations. Full article

Green innovation is a critical driver of sustainable development, yet it often faces efficiency challenges in rapidly industrializing economies. This study investigates the effect of China’s Circular Economy Demonstration Policy (CEDP) on urban green innovation efficiency (GIE) using city-level panel data from 2010 to 2021. Employing a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we find that CEDP significantly enhances GIE, with the policy effect becoming statistically significant after a three-year lag and accumulating over time. Robustness tests, including placebo analyses, alternative dependent variables, and propensity score matching, confirm the validity of the results. Mechanism analysis reveals that the policy improves green innovation primarily by reducing capital distortion, promoting market integration, and enhancing resource allocation efficiency. Further heterogeneity analyses show that the positive effects are stronger in central cities, capital cities, and eastern regions, reflecting the role of local economic and institutional conditions. The study concludes with policy implications emphasizing regionally tailored implementation, capacity building, and long-term commitment to maximize green innovation outcomes. Full article

Oxybenzone (OBZ), an organic ultraviolet filter, is an emerging contaminant posing severe threats to ecosystem health. Using tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) as a model plant, this study investigated the alleviation mechanisms of exogenous silicon (Na₂SiO₃, Si) and bamboo-based biochar (Bc) under OBZ stress. We systematically analyzed physiological and biochemical responses, including phenotypic parameters, reactive oxygen species metabolism, photosynthetic function, chlorophyll synthesis, and endogenous hormone levels. Results reveal that OBZ significantly inhibited tobacco growth and triggered a reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst. Additionally, OBZ disrupted antioxidant enzyme activities and hormonal balance. Exogenous Bc mitigated OBZ toxicity by adsorbing OBZ, directly scavenging ROS, and restoring the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, thereby enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, while Si alleviated stress via cell wall silicification, preferential regulation of root development and hormonal signaling, and repair of chlorophyll biosynthesis precursor metabolism and PSII function. The mechanisms of the two stress mitigators were complementary, Bc primarily relied on physical adsorption and ROS scavenging, whereas Si emphasized metabolic regulation and structural reinforcement. These findings provide practical strategies for simultaneously mitigating organic UV filter pollution and enhancing plant resilience in contaminated soils. Full article

Promoting sustainable development requires a clear understanding of how short-term fluctuations in anthropogenic emissions affect urban environmental quality. This is especially relevant for cities experiencing rapid industrial changes or emergency policy interventions. Among key environmental concerns, variations in ambient pollutants like ozone (O₃) are closely tied to both public health and long-term sustainability goals. However, traditional chemical transport models often face challenges in accurately estimating emission changes and providing timely assessments. In contrast, statistical approaches such as the difference-in-differences (DID) model utilize observational data to improve evaluation accuracy and efficiency. This study leverages the synthetic difference-in-differences (SDID) approach, which integrates the strengths of both DID and the synthetic control method (SCM), to provide a more reliable and accurate analysis of the impacts of interventions on city-level air quality. Using Shanghai’s 2022 lockdown as a case study, we compare the deweathered ozone (O₃) concentration in Shanghai to a counterfactual constructed from a weighted average of cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) that did not undergo lockdown. The quasi-natural experiment reveals an average increase of 4.4 μg/m³ (95% CI: 0.24–8.56) in Shanghai’s maximum daily 8 h O₃ concentration attributable to the lockdown. The SDID method reduces reliance on the parallel trends assumption and improves the estimate stability through unit- and time-specific weights. Multiple robustness checks confirm the reliability of these findings, underscoring the efficacy of the SDID approach in quantitatively evaluating the causal impact of emission perturbations on air quality. This study provides credible causal evidence of the environmental impact of short-term policy interventions, highlighting the utility of SDID in informing adaptive air quality management. The findings support the development of timely, evidence-based strategies for sustainable urban governance and environmental policy design. Full article

Widespread species may exhibit considerable genetic variation among populations due to their extensive distribution ranges, and may even give rise to new species in remote areas. Integrative species delimitation via multiple types can provide a robust framework for accurate species identification and rapid discovery of cryptic diversity. The subgenus Tliponius (Hemiptera: Coreidae: Homoeocerus) has several species and three broadly distributed species across China. In this study, we selected as many geographical sample sites of widely distributed species as possible and conducted species identification based on integrated taxonomy of morphological, mitochondrial and SNP data for 28 individuals within Tliponius. Our results revealed a cryptic lineage previously subsumed under the polytypic H. unipunctatus in Yunnan Province and described as Homoeocerus (Tliponius) dianensis Liang, Li & Bu sp. nov. The presence of seven distinct species within Tliponius was supported by species delimitation and divided into two clades: (H. dilatatus + (H. marginellus + (H. unipunctatus + H. dianensis sp. nov.))) and (H. yunnanensis + (H. laevilineus + H. marginiventris). Based on our findings, extensive sampling of widespread species is highly important for the accuracy of species delimitation and the discovery of cryptic species. Full article