Search Results (79)

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 roof slab, as a critical component for partitioning the vertical space within RC frame structures, can effectively mitigate the propagation of shock waves and reduce damage levels in adjacent rooms. This study employed finite element (FE) modeling to investigate the vertical propagation of blast waves and roof ejection velocity in RC frames. The model’s reliability was verified by reconstructing internal explosion tests on RC frames and close-in explosion tests on masonry walls. On this basis, two typical single-room RC frame structures that are vertically adjacent were designed, and numerical simulations of the internal explosion were conducted under four explosive equivalents and four venting coefficients. The propagation of shock waves, load characteristics in the vertically adjacent room, and the dynamic response of roof slabs were examined. The results show that shock waves propagated to the vertically adjacent room decreased by approximately two orders of magnitude for peak overpressure and one order of magnitude for impulse due to the obstruction of shock waves by roof slabs, respectively, compared to the source explosion room. For larger venting coefficients, abundant energy was released through the venting openings, making it difficult to form a quasi-static pressure with a long duration inside the source explosion room. In addition to the shock wave, the explosive ejection of roof slabs in the explosion source room will further exacerbate the damage to the vertically adjacent room. Peak overpressure and impulse propagated to the vertically adjacent room were reduced significantly by the increase in the venting coefficient, resulting in an attenuation of structural damage. Finally, empirical models incorporating the venting coefficient were established to characterize the attenuation coefficients of power parameters, demonstrating the predictive capability for peak overpressure, impulse, and roof ejection velocity in both the explosion source room and the vertically adjacent room. Full article

Peonies (Paeonia spp.) are renowned for their beautiful ornamental flowers and significant cultural, medicinal, and economic values. Based on growth habit, peonies are categorized into herbaceous and tree peonies. Viral infections in peonies, historically referred to as “peony ringspot” or “peony mosaic” diseases, have been reported worldwide over decades. Infections symptoms typically include leaf discoloration and diminished flowering, substantially reducing both ornamental and commercial quality. In severe cases, viral diseases can cause stunted plant growth and impaired flowering, directly affecting peony cultivation and the floriculture profitability. This review systematically summarizes the current research on key viral diseases in peonies, addressing disease classification, symptomatology, causative viruses, pathogenesis, molecular virus–host interactions, and contemporary approaches for prevention and management. The insights provided in this review offer a theoretical foundation and practical guidelines to facilitate effective control of peony viral diseases, potentially promoting sustainable development within the peony industry. Full article

This study proposes a mechanical model for evaluating the stability of thickened structural walls (TSWs) under complex local loading conditions. The model allows for the calculation of stress distribution and yielding status of TSWs based on the Drucker–Prager (D–P) yield criterion. Compared with two existing theoretical models, the proposed model improves calculation accuracy by approximately 5% and 53%, respectively. The analysis results indicate that the maximum principal stress of TSWs primarily occurs at the midpoint of the left boundary (0, h/2), the center of lateral loading on the bottom boundary (LP, 0), or the center of lateral loading (LP, h/2). As the lateral load position (LP) and width (LW) increase, both the maximum principal stress and the yielding area increase. Increasing the sidewall thickness (ST) and length (SL), while reducing the sidewall height (SH), significantly enhances the overall stability of TSWs. To meet residual ore recovery requirements, it is recommended to increase SL and reduce LP, LW, and SH. In the residual ore recovery project of the Jubankeng tungsten mine, the critical thicknesses of four TSWs were calculated using the proposed mechanical model, yielding values of 4.6 m, 4.2 m, 2.6 m, and 11.9 m. Based on field validation conducted in stopes V3412 and V3301, the discrepancy in maximum principal stress (MPS) between the mechanical model and numerical simulations was within 4% for both cases, further confirming the accuracy and applicability of the proposed model in engineering practice. Full article

The phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) has been widely applied in various fields. However, due to fading noise, false alarms often occur; this limits its engineering applications. In this paper, a fading suppression method for Φ-OTDR systems based on multi-domain multiplexing (MDM) is proposed. The principles and limitations of existing suppression methods such as spatial-domain multiplexing (SDM), polarization-domain multiplexing (PDM), and frequency-domain multiplexing (FDM) are analyzed. The principle of MDM is explained in detail, and an experimental system is established to test the fading noise suppression capabilities of different parameter combinations of the PDM, FDM, and SDM methods. Experimental results show that it is difficult to comprehensively suppress fading noise with single-domain multiplexing. Through optimizations of different parameter combinations, MDM can comprehensively suppress fading noise by appropriately selecting the number of FDM frequencies, the spatial weighting intervals, and using PDM, thus obtaining the optimal anti-fading solution between performance and hardware complexity. Through MDM, the fade-free measurement is achieved, providing a promising technical solution for the practical application of the Φ-OTDR technology. Full article

In the Industry 4.0 era, digital transformation is crucial for college libraries aiming to improve reader service quality. The current research proposes various digital transformation initiatives for college libraries but ignores readers’ willingness to use digital services, which is key to a successful digital transformation. To better help college libraries in their digital transformation, this study explores readers’ willingness to use digital services from a perceived benefit–risk perspective. Using structural equation modeling, it examines factors that influence this willingness, like readers’ attitudes, trust, perceived benefit, and perceived risk. The results show that perceived benefits positively affect the willingness to adopt, while perceived risks have a negative effect. Readers’ attitudes and trust indirectly influence this willingness by affecting their benefit–risk perceptions. This study is practically significant for guiding strategies to boost readers’ willingness to use digital services, offering valuable insights for universities in digital transformation complexity. Full article

Positron emission tomography (PET) is one of the most advanced imaging diagnostic devices in the medical field, playing a crucial role in tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, patient motion during scanning can lead to motion artifacts, which affect diagnostic accuracy. This study aims to develop a head motion monitoring system to identify and select images with excessive motion and corresponding periods. The system, based on an RGB-D structured-light camera, implements facial feature point detection, 3D information acquisition, and head motion monitoring, along with a user interaction software. Through phantom experiments and volunteer experiments, the system’s performance was tested under various conditions, including stillness, pitch movement, yaw movement, and comprehensive movement. Experimental results show that the system’s translational error is less than 2.5 mm, rotational error is less than 2.0°, and it can output motion monitoring results within 10 s after the PET scanning, meeting clinical accuracy requirements and showing significant potential for clinical application. Full article

As a common neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) manifests as progressive memory loss, cognitive deficits, and dementia in older adults. As the basis of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Goji berries, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) has been proven to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence supports that LBP can enhance cognitive function and holds promise in counteracting AD. In order to determine the neuroprotective effects of LBP, this study was conducted on an AD rat model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ_1–42 peptides. From 24 h after induction until the end of the behavioral experiment, rats were orally administered LBP (150 and 300 mg/kg) once a day. Neurobehavioral parameters were evaluated starting 1 week after administration. After behavioral tests, rats were euthanized, and the whole brain and cortex were isolated to detect the variations in histopathology and biochemical parameters. LBP significantly reversed cognitive impairments, assessed through the Y-maze, Passive Avoidance Test (PAT), and Morris water maze (MWM) test, respectively. Furthermore, LBP not only attenuated NFκB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, AChE, and oxidative/nitrosative stress levels but also increased IL-4, IL-10, and ACh levels and ChAT activity in the cortex. HE staining also exhibited the neuroprotection of LBP. Our study findings imply that LBP may improve cognitive function through multiple mechanisms and is a potential anti-AD compound. Full article

Background: Despite advancements in diagnostic efficiency, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with increasing incidence rates. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a closed-loop, generally stable noncoding RNA that functions as a sponge for microRNAs in CRC. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function and underlying mechanism of circ_RUSC2, a new circRNA, in CRC. The expression levels of circ_RUSC2, miR-661, and TUSC2 were assessed using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Functional assays, including CCK-8, Transwell, and scratch wound healing, were performed to evaluate cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. RNA pull-down and actinomycin D assays were used to study RNA interactions and stability. In both CRC cells and tissues, miR-661 was markedly elevated, while circ_RUSC2 expression was considerably reduced. Poor differentiation, distant metastases, lymph node metastases, and an advanced stage were all strongly correlated with either miR-661 overexpression or circ_RUSC2 downregulation. circ_RUSC2 was more stable compared to its linear RUSC2 mRNA. CRC cell invasion, migration, and proliferation were suppressed by circ_RUSC2 ectopic expression; this inhibitory effect was restored by a miR-661 mimic. Circ_RUSC2 served as miR-661’s sponge. TUSC2 counteracted the effects of miR-661, which stimulated CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. At the post-transcriptional level, miR-661 controlled the expression of TUSC2 in CRC cells. In comparison to the negative control, circ_RUSC2 expression was markedly reduced, and its half-life was shortened by methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) knockdown. Circ_RUSC2 is a stable cytoplasmic circRNA. Circ_RUSC2 inhibits CRC cell malignant phenotypes via the miR-661/TUSC2 axis. The onset and progression of CRC are linked to the downregulation of Circ_RUSC2. circ_RUSC2 might become more stable through N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation regulated by METTL3. According to our research, circ_RUSC2 might be a new biomarker and treatment target for CRC. Full article

Clinacanthus nutans is a valuable traditional medicinal plant that contains enriched active compounds such as triterpenoids and flavonoids. Understanding the accuulation process of these secondary metabolites in C. nutans requires exploring gene expression regulation under abiotic stresses and hormonal stimuli. qRT-PCR is a powerful method for gene expression analysis, with the selection of suitable reference genes being paramount. However, reports on stably expressed reference genes in C. nutans and even across the entire family Acanthaceae are limited. In this study, we evaluated the expression stability of 12 candidate reference genes (CnUBQ, CnRPL, CnRPS, CnPTB1, CnTIP41, CnACT, CnUBC, CnGAPDH, Cn18S, CnCYP, CnEF1α, and CnTUB) in C. nutans across different tissues and under abiotic stresses and MeJA treatment using three programs (geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper). The integrated ranking results indicated that CnUBC, CnRPL, and CnCYP were the most stably expressed genes across different tissues. Under abiotic stress conditions, CnUBC, CnRPL, and CnEF1α were the most stable, while under MeJA treatment, CnRPL, CnEF1α, and CnGAPDH exhibited the highest stability. Additionally, CnRPL, CnUBC, and CnEF1α were the most stable reference genes across all tested samples, whereas CnGAPDH was the least stable. CnRPL, consistently ranking among the top three most stable genes, may therefore serve as an ideal reference gene for qRT-PCR analysis in C. nutans. To further validate the selected reference genes, we assessed the expression of two key biosynthetic genes, CnPAL and CnHMGR. The results confirmed that using the most stable reference genes yielded expression patterns consistent with biological expectations, while using unstable reference genes led to significant deviations. These findings offer valuable insights for accurately quantifying target genes via qRT-PCR in C. nutans, facilitating investigations into the mechanisms underlying active compound accumulation. Full article

Quantifying the unequal supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs) is a prerequisite for hierarchical ecological governance decisions. However, previous studies have largely overlooked the scale effect of spatially adjacent units and the role of spatial compactness in shaping inequality. To address these research gaps, this study conducted a survey in six counties within the Danjiangkou Basin in China. By adopting a moving window-based local Gini coefficient method, we quantified the inequality in the supply and demand of ESs in this region, and introduced a refined coefficient of variation to measure spatial compactness, analyzing the impact of urbanization on this inequality. The results indicate that the inequality in the supply and demand of ESs in this region is gradually intensifying. However, from a local perspective, the inequality exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, decreasing gradually from urban centers to suburbs and rural areas, while maintaining strong spatial continuity. Furthermore, we found that urbanization is the primary factor exacerbating this inequality, while compact urban development can mitigate it. The findings of this study can provide practical guidance for cross-county ecological coordination, ecological restoration, and sustainable urban development. Full article

This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of cow placenta peptides (CPP) on intestinal barrier damage in aging model mice. Forty-eight male ICR mice were assigned to four groups: a control group (N), an aging model group (M), a CPP treatment group (T), and a vitamin C treatment group (P). Groups T and P received oral administration of CPP (2000 mg/kg/day) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg/day), respectively, while groups M, T, and P were subjected to intraperitoneal injections of D-galactose (D-gal) (300 mg/kg/day). Group N received an equivalent volume of normal saline via intraperitoneal injection. Treatments were administered once daily for 8 weeks. The results demonstrated that CPP significantly alleviated D-galactose-induced intestinal structural damage, increasing the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and reducing serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. CPP notably alleviated intestinal oxidative stress and inflammation, restored tight junction expression, and enhanced intestinal barrier integrity. Transcriptome sequencing identified 1396 DEGs associated with CPP’s effects, highlighting TLR4, IL-1β, and Mmp9 as core regulatory genes through protein–protein interaction network analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses implicated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, which was further validated. Western blotting confirmed that CPP significantly down-regulated TLR4, IKKβ, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression in the intestines of aging mice. In conclusion, CPP effectively alleviates D-gal-induced intestinal barrier damage in aging mice by enhancing antioxidant defense and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby diminishing inflammation and protecting intestinal barrier integrity. Full article

The quarantine pest, Cylas formicarius, is a key pest of sweet potatoes during both production and storage, posing a major threat to food security in various countries. To investigate behavioral mechanisms, the ultrastructure of the heads of larval and adult stages was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, with an emphasis on the sensilla of the mouthparts and antennae. The results reveal degeneration of the antennae and ocelli in larvae. The larval mouthparts are equipped with three types and six subtypes of sensilla. Both male and female adults have four types and six subtypes of sensilla on their mouthparts. Compared to larvae, the adult mouthparts display a greater diversity of sensilla types and higher numbers of sensilla basicaonica (SB), sensilla chaetica (SC), and sensilla digitiformia (SD). Adult antennae consist of a scape, a pedicel, and eight flagellomeres (F1–F8), with F8 showing sexual dimorphism. Seven types of sensilla, excluding SB and sensilla ligulate (SL), each with two subtypes, were identified on the antennae of adults of both sexes. SC, sensilla furcatea, Böhm bristles, and SL were newly observed in the antennae of C. formicarius adults. Additionally, one type and seven subtypes of sensilla on the adult antennae exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism in terms of structure or number. The relationship between the head structure and adaptability of C. formicarius was examined, and the functions of each sensilla were discussed, providing a theoretical basis for future studies on the behavior of this pest. Full article

The accurate identification of channel-coding types plays a crucial role in wireless communication systems. The recognition of convolutional codes presents challenges, primarily due to their strong temporal dependencies, varying constraint lengths, and additional contamination from noise. However, existing algorithms often rely on manual feature extraction or are limited to a restricted number of coding types, rendering them inadequate for practical applications. To tackle this problem, we propose ConvLSTM-TFN (temporal feature network), an innovative blind-recognition network that integrates convolutional layers, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and a self-attention mechanism. The proposed approach enhances the acquisition of features from soft-decision sequence information, leading to improved recognition performance without necessitating prior knowledge of coding parameters, sequence starting positions, or other metadata. The experimental results demonstrate that our method is effective within a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range of 0 to 20 dB, achieving more than 90% recognition accuracy across 17 convolutional code types, with an average accuracy of 98.7%. Our method effectively distinguishes diverse coding features, surpassing existing models and establishing a new benchmark for channel-coding recognition. Full article

Groundwater serves as an indispensable global resource, essential for agriculture, industry, and the urban water supply. Predicting the groundwater level in karst regions presents notable challenges due to the intricate geological structures and fluctuating climatic conditions. This study examines Qingzhen City, China, introducing an innovative hybrid model, the Hodrick–Prescott (HP) filter–Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network (HP-LSTM), which integrates the HP filter with the LSTM network to enhance the precision of groundwater level forecasting. By attenuating short-term noise, the HP-LSTM model improves the long-term trend prediction accuracy. Findings reveal that the HP-LSTM model significantly outperformed the conventional LSTM, attaining R² values of 0.99, 0.96, and 0.98 on the training, validation, and test datasets, respectively, in contrast to LSTM values of 0.92, 0.76, and 0.95. The HP-LSTM model achieved an RMSE of 0.0276 and a MAPE of 2.92% on the test set, significantly outperforming the LSTM model (RMSE: 0.1149; MAPE: 9.14%) in capturing long-term patterns and reducing short-term fluctuations. While the LSTM model is effective at modeling short-term dynamics, it is more prone to noise, resulting in greater prediction errors. Overall, the HP-LSTM model demonstrates superior robustness for long-term groundwater level prediction, whereas the LSTM model may be better suited for scenarios requiring rapid adaptation to short-term variations. Selecting an appropriate model tailored to specific predictive needs can thus optimize groundwater management strategies. Full article