Search Results (263)

Reducing the application of chemical fertilizers and remediating heavy metal pollution in soil are important directions in current agricultural research. Utilizing the plant-growth-promoting and remediation capabilities of bacteria can provide more environmentally friendly assistance to agricultural production. In this study, the Burkholderia alba YIM B08401 strain was isolated and identified from rhizospheric soil, subjected to whole-genome sequencing and analysis, and its Cd²⁺ adsorption efficiency and characteristics were confirmed using multiple experimental methods, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results showed that the genome of strain YIM B08401 has a total length of 7,322,157 bp, a GC content of 66.39%, and predicts 6504 protein-coding sequences. It contains abundant functional genes related to nutrient conversion (phosphate solubilization, sulfur metabolism, zinc solubilization, siderophore production), plant hormone regulation (indole-3-acetic acid secretion, ACC deaminase production), phenolic acid degradation, root colonization, heavy metal tolerance, pathogen antagonism, and the production of antagonistic secondary metabolites. Additionally, strain YIM B08401 can specifically bind to Cd²⁺ through various functional groups on the cell surface, such as C-O-C, P=O, and O-H, enabling biosorption. In conclusion, strain YIM B08401 is an excellent strain with plant-growth-promoting, disease-resistant, and bioremediation capabilities, warranting further development as a biofertilizer for agricultural applications to promote green and sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Due to its superior maneuverability and concealment, the micro flapping-wing aircraft has great application prospects in both military and civilian fields. However, the development and optimization of lightweight materials have always been the key factors limiting performance enhancement. This paper designs the flapping mechanism of a single-degree-of-freedom miniature flapping wing aircraft. In this study, T800 carbon fiber composite material was used as the frame material. Three typical wing membrane materials, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PI), and non-woven kite fabric, were selected for comparative analysis. Three flapping wing configurations with different stiffness were proposed. These wings adopted carbon fiber composite material frames. The wing membrane material is bonded to the frame through a coating. Inspired by bionics, a flapping wing that mimics the membrane vein structure of insect wings is designed. By changing the type of membrane material and the distribution of carbon fiber composite materials on the wing, the stiffness of the flapping wing can be controlled, thereby affecting the mechanical properties of the flapping wing aircraft. The modal analysis of the flapping-wing structure was conducted using the finite element analysis method, and the experimental prototype was fabricated by using 3D printing technology. To evaluate the influence of different wing membrane materials on lift performance, a high-precision force measurement experimental platform was built, systematic tests were carried out, and the lift characteristics under different flapping frequencies were analyzed. Through computational modeling and experiments, it has been proven that under the same flapping wing frequency, the T800 carbon fiber composite material frame can significantly improve the stiffness and durability of the flapping wing. In addition, the selection of wing membrane materials has a significant impact on lift performance. Among the test materials, the PET wing film demonstrated excellent stability and lift performance under high-frequency conditions. This research provides crucial experimental evidence for the optimal selection of wing membrane materials for micro flapping-wing aircraft, verifies the application potential of T800 carbon fiber composite materials in micro flapping-wing aircraft, and opens up new avenues for the application of advanced composite materials in high-performance micro flapping-wing aircraft. Full article

With the increasing complexity of ecological and environmental problems, eco-anxiety is increasingly recognized as an essential problem in China. Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of valid measurements in China. The purpose of the present study was to expand the Hogg Eco-anxiety Scale (HEAS) under the Chinese context and evaluate the psychometric attributes of the expanded scale. Specifically, a qualitative study was conducted in Study 1 (n = 17) to expand the HEAS in the Chinese context. Exploratory factor analysis in Study 2 (n = 297) and confirmatory factor analysis in Study 3 (n = 374) were conducted to validate the scale. The climate change anxiety scale and pro-environmental behavior scale were used to assess criterion-related validity in Study 4 (n = 305). Results indicated that a new eco-anxiety scale (i.e., EAS-20) including 20 items attributed to four dimension (somatic symptoms, affective symptoms, rumination, and behavioral symptoms) was developed. It showed satisfactory psychometric properties, including high internal consistency (α = 0.97) and a four-factor structure explaining 84.36% of the variance. The criterion-related validity was acceptable (0.25 ≤ r ≤ 0.37). The article concludes that the 20-item Eco-Anxiety Scale (EAS-20) has good psychometric properties and can be applied to measure eco-anxiety in the Chinese adult population. Full article

The precise identification of priority areas for conservation based on connectivity can significantly enhance protection efficacy and mitigate biodiversity loss in fragmented landscapes. Priority area selection efforts are typically conducted in landscapes with a limited number of patches or simplified to focus on large patches, while landscapes with numerous patches are rarely explored. In this paper, we used a forest in Kanas, Xinjiang, China, as a case study to explore priority patches for conservation according to their contribution to maintaining overall landscape connectivity, as well as to assess how structural factors influence patch importance in connectivity, based on graph theory. We found that the rank of patches varied with patch importance indices (which can be used to calculate the contribution of individual patches to maintaining overall landscape). Dispersal distances were selected, as they placed different emphasis on the size and topological location of patches, and different types of links (binary or probabilistic connection) were used. One critical and seven important connected patches were identified as priority patches for conservation after taking multiple connectivity indices and dispersal distances into comprehensive consideration. In addition, neighboring patch density was the dominant factor that influenced patch importance for species with 50 and 100 m dispersal distances, while patch size contributed most for species with 200 m and longer dispersal distances; therefore, we suggested that neighboring patch density and patch size could be used to support efforts to identify priority patches. Overall, our results provide a unique perspective and a more simplified process for the selection of priority protected sites in patch-rich landscapes, allowing us to highlight which action is suitable for optimizing landscape connectivity and biodiversity conservation. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s “dual-carbon” initiative, this study innovatively applies a process-based life cycle assessment (PLCA) methodology, meticulously tracking energy and carbon flows across material production, transportation, and maintenance processes. By comparing six asphalt pavement maintenance technologies in Xinjiang, the research reveals that milling and resurfacing (MR) exhibits the highest energy consumption 250,809 MJ/10³ m²) and carbon emissions (15,095.67 kg CO₂/10³ m²), while preventive techniques like hot asphalt grouting reduce emissions by up to 87%. The PLCA approach uncovers a critical insight: 40–60% of total emissions originate from the raw material production phase, with cement and asphalt identified as primary contributors. This granular analysis, unique in regional road maintenance research, challenges traditional assumptions and emphasizes the necessity of upstream intervention. By contrasting reactive and preventive strategies, the study validates that early-stage maintenance aligns seamlessly with circular economy principles. Tailored to a local arid climate and vast transportation network, the study concludes that prioritizing preventive maintenance, adopting low-carbon materials, and optimizing logistics can significantly decarbonize road infrastructure. These region-specific strategies, underpinned by the novel application of PLCA, not only provide actionable guidance for local policymakers but also offer a replicable framework for sustainable road development worldwide, bridging the gap between scientific research and practical decarbonization efforts. Full article

Lead-free (Bi_1/2Na_1/2)(Ti_1−x(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_x)O₃ ceramics were synthesized using the solid-phase method, and the effects of varying (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ content, substituting for Ti⁴⁺ ions at the B-site of the BNT perovskite lattice, on piezoelectric performance were systematically investigated. The influence of sintering temperature on both piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties was also explored, revealing that sintering temperature significantly affects both the microstructure and the electrical properties of the ceramics. The results indicate that the incorporation of (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ significantly enhances the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of BNT ceramics. Specifically, a maximum piezoelectric constant of 91 pC/N was achieved at a sintering temperature of 1160 °C and a doping concentration of x = 0.01. By comparing the ferroelectric properties across different doping levels and sintering temperatures, this study provides valuable insights for further design and process optimization of BNT-based piezoelectric materials. Full article

To better understand the temperature changes in face slab concrete and address challenges such as delayed curing and outdated methods in complex and variable environments, this study investigates the use of visualization and real-time feedback control in concrete construction. The conducted study systematically develops an intelligent curing control system for face slab concrete based on multi-source measured data. A tailored multi-source data acquisition scheme was proposed, supported by an IoT-based transmission framework. Cloud-based data analysis and feedback control mechanisms were implemented, along with a decoupled front-end and back-end system platform. This platform integrates essential functions such as two-way communication with gateway devices, data processing and analysis, system visualization, and intelligent curing control. In conjunction with the ongoing Maerdang concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD) project, located in a high-altitude, cold-climate region, an intelligent curing system platform for face slab concrete was developed. The platform enables three core visualization functions: (1) monitoring the pouring progress of face slab concrete, (2) the early warning and prediction of temperature exceedance, and (3) dynamic feedback and adjustment of curing measures. The research outcomes were successfully applied to the intelligent curing of the Maerdang face slab concrete, providing both theoretical insight and practical support for achieving scientific and precise curing control. Full article

(1) Background: As a prominent zoonotic parasitic disease, fascioliasis threatens the sustainable development of animal husbandry and public health. Current research focuses mainly on individual species (parasite or intermediate host), neglecting systematic evaluation of the transmission chain and exposure risks to animal husbandry. Thus, comprehensive studies are urgently needed, especially in the ecologically fragile alpine region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; (2) Methods: Distribution data of Radix spp. and Fasciola hepatica in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent areas were gathered to establish a potential distribution model, which was overlaid on a map of livestock farming in the region; (3) Results: The key environmental factors influencing Radix spp. distribution were temperature seasonality (21.4%), elevation (16.4%), and mean temperature of the driest quarter (14.7%). For F. hepatica, the main factors were elevation (41.3%), human footprint index (30.5%), and Precipitation of the driest month (12.1%), with all AUC values exceeding 0.9. Both species exhibited extensive suitable habitats in Qinghai and Tibet, with higher F. hepatica transmission risk in Qinghai than Tibet; (4) Conclusions: The significant transmission risk and its impacts on the livestock industry in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau highlight the need for proactive prevention and control measures. This study provides a scientific foundation for targeted alpine diseases control, establishes an interdisciplinary risk assessment framework, fills gaps in high-altitude eco-epidemiology, and offers insights for ecological conservation of the plateau. Full article

The research and application of green fertilizers have long been constrained by financial and technical barriers. Farmers’ adoption of green fertilizers is also highly dependent on government policy support. As an intermediary organization bridging the government and farmers, the STB plays a crucial role in encouraging the use of green fertilizers. In order to explore the impact of the STB’s research and development investment, as well as government intervention on farmers’ green production behavior, this paper constructs a tripartite dynamic game model involving farmers, the STB, and the government. The study systematically analyzes the decision-making mechanisms of the different stakeholders and their evolutionary paths. The results show the following: (1) Under certain conditions, the system converges to two stable states: government withdrawal (1,1,0) and continued government participation (1,1,1). (2) Government intervention shows a phased decrease. As the green fertilizer production system matures, farmers and the STB gradually form a stable collaborative mechanism. At this stage, the government shifts from direct participation to a supervisory role, with its implementation coefficient increasing to between 0.75 and 1, indicating that government supervision becomes the primary mode of action. (3) The research and development efforts of the STB are influenced by both the intensity of government support and technological breakthroughs. During periods of high-intensity government support (with a research and development investment coefficient between 0.05 and 0.15), and when technological accumulation achieves a critical breakthrough, the growth rate of investment increases significantly (the coefficient jumps to 0.15–0.3). (4) Farmers’ demand for green fertilizers is stable and consistent, and the market-oriented collaboration between the STB and farmers tends to favor green production technology, which verifies the feasibility of the government’s withdrawal of functions in the later stage of the green agricultural transformation. This study provides a scientific basis for decision-making regarding the STB’s research and development of green fertilizers, while also laying a theoretical foundation for promoting the green transformation of farmers through green fertilizer innovation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pyodermatitis–pyostomatitis vegetans (PPV) is a rare, chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disorder. However, the etiology of PPV remains controversial. Methods: A review of online PPV case studies from PubMed, Wanfang database, Web of Science, and books has been performed. Comparative analysis of langerin expression has been conducted to verify the hypothesis summarized from the literature review by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: A total of 63 patients were analyzed across 5 reviews, 44 case reports, and 1 book chapter. Our findings revealed distinct immunological alterations in PPV patients. Innate immunity was upregulated, marked by increased neutrophil and eosinophil counts and enhanced macrophage activity. Adaptive immunity was suppressed, with reduced dendritic cell (DC) numbers and activity and diminished adaptive immune responses. We hypothesize that langerin was a critical factor, contributing to adaptive immune suppression and a compensatory innate immune hyperactivation. Conclusions: We propose the hypothesis that langerin expression on Langerhans cells (LCs) plays a pivotal role in PPV pathogenesis by shifting the immune balance toward innate hyperactivation at the expense of adaptive immunity. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and low-phosphorus (LP) stress significantly limits cotton productivity. Here, we conducted single- and multi-locus genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on four LP-related traits using 419 upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) accessions genotyped with 2.97 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Phenotypic analysis reveals substantial variation under LP stress, with LP-SDW showing the highest coefficient of variation (33.69%). The GWASs identified thousands of significant SNPs, including pleiotropic loci associated with multiple traits. Chromosomes A08, D09, and D12 harbored novel associated signals. Multi-locus models significantly enhanced detection sensitivity, identifying 123 SNPs undetected by single-locus approaches. Functional annotations prioritized six candidate genes near associated SNPs, including GhM_A08G1315 (remorin protein) and GhM_D06G1152 (carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase), whose LP-induced expression patterns were validated by qRT-PCR. These genes are implicated in membrane signaling, root architecture modulation, and hormone metabolism. Our findings provide novel genetic insights into LP tolerance and establish a foundation for breeding phosphorus-efficient varieties through marker-assisted selection in cotton. Full article

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are strategic resources that have been extensively utilized in industrial manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and defense technology. Beyond their technological applications, REEs have been demonstrated to enhance agricultural productivity through growth promotion mechanisms in various crops, leading to their recognition as valuable trace element fertilizers in modern farming practices. Consequently, REEs have been increasingly introduced into ecosystems, where they are continuously accumulated in soil and transmitted into food chains, resulting in REE pollution, which has become a significant environmental concern. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling REE contamination are not well understood. In recent years, the environmental impacts of REEs have attracted increasing attention, especially in their pollution mitigation from industrial and agricultural REE emissions. Bioremediation is regarded as a promising method for contaminated soil treatment. The application of plants and microorganisms to REE-polluted environments has been explored as an emerging research field that combines the synergistic advantages of plant rhizospheric microorganisms and vegetation systems. The combination of phytoremediation and microbial remediation approaches has been shown to enhance soil health restoration, thereby improving the purification efficiency of REE-contaminated soil. This paper, citing 179 references, reviews the roles of plants, microorganisms, and plant–microbe interactions in REE-contaminated soil remediation, and summarizes the available practical methods with which to address REE pollution and the fundamental mechanisms involved. Full article

In the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR), particularly for water control in high-temperature reservoirs, there is a critical need for effective in-depth water shutoff and conformance control technologies. Polymer-based in situ-cross-linked gels are extensively employed for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), yet their short gelation time under high-temperature reservoir conditions (e.g., >120 °C) limits effective in-depth water shutoff and conformance control. To address this, we developed a hydrogel system via the in situ cross-linking of polyacrylamide (PAM) with phenolic resin (PR), reinforced by silica sol (SS) nanoparticles. We employed a variety of research methods, including bottle tests, viscosity and rheology measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) measurement, contact angle (CA) measurement, injectivity and temporary plugging performance evaluations, etc. The composite gel exhibits an exceptional gelation period of 72 h at 130 °C, surpassing conventional systems by more than 4.5 times in terms of duration. The gelation rate remains almost unchanged with the introduction of SS, due to the highly pre-dispersed silica nanoparticles that provide exceptional colloidal stability and the system’s pH changing slightly throughout the gelation process. DFT and SEM results reveal that synergistic interactions between organic (PAM-PR networks) and inorganic (SS) components create a stacked hybrid network, enhancing both mechanical strength and thermal stability. A core flooding experiment demonstrates that the gel system achieves 92.4% plugging efficiency. The tailored nanocomposite allows for the precise management of gelation kinetics and microstructure formation, effectively addressing water control and enhancing the plugging effect in high-temperature reservoirs. These findings advance the mechanistic understanding of organic–inorganic hybrid gel systems and provide a framework for developing next-generation EOR technologies under extreme reservoir conditions. Full article

The rapid spread of misinformation threatens public safety and social stability. Although deep learning-based detection methods have achieved promising results, their effectiveness heavily relies on large amounts of labeled data, limiting their applicability in low-resource scenarios. Existing approaches, such as domain adaptation and metalearning, attempt to transfer knowledge from related source domains but often fail to fully address the challenges of data scarcity and annotation costs. Moreover, traditional active learning strategies typically focus solely on textual uncertainty, overlooking domain-specific discrepancies and the critical role of affective information in misinformation content. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a dual-aspect active learning framework with domain-adversarial training (DDT), tailored for low-resource misinformation detection. The framework integrates a dual-aspect sampling strategy that jointly considers textual and affective features to select samples that are both informative (diverse from labeled data) and uncertain (near decision boundaries). Additionally, a domain-adversarial training module is employed to extract domain-invariant representations, mitigating distribution shifts between source and target domains. Experimental results on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate that DDT consistently outperforms baseline methods in low-resource settings, enhancing the robustness and generalizability of misinformation detection models. Full article

(1) Background: Mineral nutrient deficiencies are a major constraint on grapevine growth and productivity, yet the clear identification of deficiency symptoms and their physiological impacts remains challenging. (2) Methods: In this study, ‘Thompson Seedless’ grapevines were grown hydroponically under the controlled omission of ten essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu) to assess their impact on growth, leaf morphology, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, respiration, and tissue nutrient concentrations. (3) Results: Deficiencies in N, P, K, Mn, and B caused distinct leaf symptoms: nitrogen (N) deficiency led to pale leaves with bluish-green veins, phosphorus (P) deficiency caused yellowing in apical leaves followed by interveinal chlorosis, and potassium (K) deficiency induced pale yellow discoloration, curling, and rotting of the leaves. Manganese (Mn) and boron (B) deficiencies showed symptoms such as irregular leaf shapes and brittle, glossy leaves, respectively. These deficiencies resulted in reduced dry matter accumulation, decreased shoot length, and lower chlorophyll content. In contrast, iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) deficiencies had minimal effects, closely resembling those of the control conditions with only slight growth suppression. Notably, N, B, and Mg deficiencies led to significant reductions in Cu, Mg, B, and N levels, particularly evident through distinct symptoms in newly formed leaves. (4) Conclusions: Deficiencies in N, P, K, Mg, and B significantly affect grapevine growth, physiological processes, and nutritional quality. These findings emphasize the importance of maintaining balanced mineral nutrition for optimal grapevine health and productivity. Full article