Search Results (178)

Horqin Sandy Land suffers from desertification, drought, and low fertility, limiting soybean production. Agrivoltaics provides a promising integrated model; however, the effects of agrivoltaics combined with water–fertilizer management on crop productivity remain unclear. A 2-year field experiment was conducted in a semi-arid area with three treatments, open-field control (Open), shaded area under panels (Under), and light-exposed area inter-panels (Gap). Results showed that photovoltaic systems combined with integrated water–fertilizer management improved soybean yield, soil water, and nutrient conditions. Soybean grain yield was 60.7% and 38.2% higher in the Gap and Under treatments, respectively, than in the Open. The highest yield in the Gap treatment resulted from both enhanced photosynthesis and improved root development. The Under endured light stress but exhibited morphological plasticity (plant height and leaf area increased by 43.1%, 48.2%), and shading alleviated water stress since soil water content was increased by 81.6–119.0% during growing seasons, transpiration rate (Tr) decreased by 55.1%, and leaf water use efficiency (WUE) increased by 48.8%. The Open suffered from soil degradation and water and fertilizer loss, resulting in severely limited yield. Agrivoltaics increased net income by 1466 CNY·ha⁻¹ and improved soil nutrients, demonstrating economic and ecological benefits. Thus, it is a suitable technical model for semi-arid sandy regions. Full article

Western Guangxi is one of the principal bauxite-producing regions in China; however, its metallogenic model remains unclear. Building on previous studies, this paper systematically examines the ore-forming materials, sedimentary setting, ore genesis, mineral assemblages, diaspore formation, and pisoid (ooid) development of sedimentary bauxite deposits in western Guangxi. Based on this synthesis, a comprehensive metallogenic model is proposed to clarify the formation processes of these deposits. Metallogenic evolution is interpreted to involve five successive stages: weathering, leaching and alteration, deposition, post-depositional modification, and capping–sealing. Ore-forming materials are derived from volcanic ash supplied by the Emeishan Large Igneous Province and the Permian magmatic arc of the Paleo-Tethys. These materials are transported to isolated carbonate platforms and subsequently subjected to intense chemical weathering. During the early stages of ore formation, bauxite undergoes leaching and alteration, and variations in leaching intensity lead to the development of distinct ore types. Future work should focus on the genesis of diaspores, the formation of pisoids (ooids), and ore-forming mechanisms, while also addressing the coupling relationships among deep-time paleoclimate, major geological events, and sedimentary bauxite formation. Such efforts are essential for advancing a comprehensive metallogenic framework for sedimentary bauxites. Full article

Liangshan Yanying chicken is a valuable plateau-adapted indigenous poultry breed in China. The poultry cecum modulates nutrient metabolism, gut microbial colonization and intestinal immune barrier establishment, while the molecular mechanisms driving its age-dependent development during the brooding stage remain unclear. Here, integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling coupled with bioinformatics correlation analysis were conducted on cecal samples collected from chickens at post-hatching days 1, 14 and 28. Significant temporal changes were observed in cecal gene expression and metabolite abundance, and day 14 was identified as a critical window for cecal functional maturation and microbial colonization. In total, 2424 metabolites were annotated, including 600 differentially accumulated metabolites. The cecum exhibited phase-specific metabolic patterns: endogenous energy metabolism dominated at 1–14 d, while lipid biosynthesis prevailed at 14–28 d. The intestinal IgA immune network was verified as the core pathway maintaining cecal immune homeostasis in young chicks. Multi-omics conjoint analysis yielded 53 overlapping KEGG pathways, 14 core pathways, 3 pivotal metabolites and 5 hub genes, based on which three interactive regulatory networks were constructed. Transcriptomic data were validated via qRT-PCR. This study reveals cecal metabolic remodeling and regulatory characteristics during the brooding period, supplementing gut developmental research on plateau indigenous chickens. Notably, these results reflect age-related cecal developmental changes rather than breed-specific high-altitude adaptation mechanisms. Further independent verification is required for metabolomic data and predicted regulatory networks. This finding provides a theoretical basis for scientific breeding and feeding management of Liangshan Yanying chickens. Full article

This study uses linguistic evidence to examine the cultural dimensions of the term “matchmaker” within Liangshan Yi society, Sichuan, China. The present linguistic analysis reveals that two distinct Chinese words related to marriage were borrowed into the Liangshan Yi language, based on morphological analyzability, cognate comparison within Sino-Tibetan languages, and phonological and semantic adaptation. Specifically, (i) the Chinese word 伐 (fá), meaning ‘to hew, chop, or matchmake’ was borrowed as a standalone verb, phonologically adapted as ho³³/fu³³ depending on dialect into Liangshan Yi with the meaning ‘to marry (generally)’; and (ii) the term 伐柯 (fákē), originally meaning ‘to cut wood for an axe handle’ and later to ‘matchmaking, matchmaker,’ was borrowed into Liangshan Yi as a noun meaning ‘matchmaker’ (hɔ⁴⁴ka³³/fu⁴⁴ka³³, depending on dialect). Phonological evidence suggests these borrowings occurred during the Late Middle Chinese period, prior to the completion of labiodentalization, but after the shift of labial consonants to labiodental sounds, between the late Tang and Song dynasties (ca. 9th to 13th centuries). The lower limit is 1324 CE, when Zhōngyuán Yīnyùn was compiled. The dating of these borrowings is corroborated by our further corpus analysis of the usage of 伐柯 fákē and 伐 fá in ancient Chinese texts. This analysis reveals that while the two Chinese words originated in Shījīng (Book of Odes, 11th–7th centuries BCE), their usage frequency was extremely low in Early Middle Chinese; a resurgence subsequently occurred in Late Middle Chinese, with the highest frequency attested in the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE). Moreover, a survey of additional Loloish communities shows that 伐柯 fákē serves as the common source of the borrowing for the term “matchmaker” in many Northern Loloish and some Central Loloish varieties, reflecting the influence of Chinese marital customs across a broad range of Yi communities. Although the borrowing derives from a common source, given the similar phonetic forms, the terms for “matchmaker” in these Loloish languages lack sound correspondences. This indicates that the Loloish languages had already diverged from one another by the time the borrowing took place. Finally, the linguistic evidence from the present study illuminates the historical processes that shaped marital customs among Yi ethnic societies, demonstrating that the concept of matchmaker is a recent innovation within Yi cultural practice, linguistically and culturally borrowed from Han Chinese—probably during 9th century to early 14th century—rather than being an indigenous tradition. Full article

Avian influenza virus (AIV), a zoonotic pathogen capable of cross-species transmission, poses a significant global health threat due to its rapid evolutionary adaptation. This review consolidates evidence from the past decade on AIV-autophagy interactions, emphasizing mechanistic insights and therapeutic potential. Research indicates that various AIV strains can trigger autophagosome formation via viral components, although the completeness of autophagic flux is not fully understood. These virus–host interactions are notably influenced by viral genotypes (e.g., H5N1 vs. H9N2) and host species (avian vs. mammalian). Current studies suggest that modulating autophagy may reduce AIV-induced acute lung injury, with pharmacological agents showing potential in mitigating inflammatory responses. We systematically explore three research areas: (1) strain-specific mechanisms of autophagy induction, (2) host-specific autophagic responses in poultry and human models, and (3) the therapeutic potential of stage-specific autophagy manipulation. This synthesis clarifies critical knowledge gaps, particularly the need for standardized autophagic flux assessment in avian cells, while providing a conceptual framework for developing autophagy-targeted strategies against AIV pathogenesis. Full article

Forest fires pose significant threats to ecological security, human settlements, and sustainable regional development, particularly in mountainous regions with complex environmental and anthropogenic conditions. Previous studies have yet to construct a forest fire risk assessment framework that integrates multi-source data, which limits the comprehensiveness and accuracy of existing assessments. To address this gap, taking Liangshan Prefecture in China as a case study, this research selected eight risk factors to characterize vegetation conditions, topographic features, climatic conditions, and human activities. A combined weighting approach integrating the mandatory determination method and the coefficient of variation method was employed to determine the weights of different indicators. Forest fire risk probability was calculated using a weighted comprehensive evaluation model, and spatial autocorrelation analysis based on global Moran’s I and local indicators of spatial association (LISA) was further conducted to investigate spatial clustering characteristics. The results indicate that high-risk and very high-risk areas are mainly concentrated in southeastern Liangshan, particularly in Xichang, Jinyang, Ningnan, Huili, and Huidong, where warmer climatic conditions, dense vegetation coverage, mountainous terrain, and intensive human activities jointly contribute to elevated forest fire risk. The global Moran’s I value of 0.219175 indicates significant positive spatial autocorrelation in forest fire risk distribution. Validation using historical fire-scar data from 2010 to 2020 showed that 83.66% of the fire scars were distributed within medium-, high-, and very high-risk areas, suggesting that the proposed assessment framework provides a reasonable representation of forest fire risk patterns in Liangshan. The findings of this study can support regional forest fire prevention planning, targeted resource allocation, and risk management in mountainous areas. Full article

Feed additives play a crucial role in boosting livestock immunity, but their underlying molecular mechanisms are often incompletely understood. This study used integrated proteomics and metabolomics to systematically investigate the immunomodulatory effects of dietary fermented onion (FO) on the spleen of Liangshan Black Sheep. Results showed that FO supplementation significantly improved systemic antioxidant capacity and immune function, indicated by a higher spleen index and increased serum concentrations of SOD, MCP-1, and IL-2 (p < 0.05). Multi-omics profiling of spleen tissues identified 169 differentially expressed proteins and 168 differential metabolites. Integrated pathway enrichment revealed calcium signaling and purine metabolism as potential core regulatory hubs for the observed immunomodulation. This molecular remodeling correlated with key molecules including protein F2R and metabolites adenosine and hypoxanthine, which may form a coordinated regulatory network. Overall, our findings suggest potential pathways linking dietary FO supplementation to enhanced splenic immune function in Liangshan Black Sheep, likely via synergistic regulation of specific signaling pathways. This work supports FO as a promising functional feed additive and provides a molecular framework for developing novel immunomodulatory strategies in livestock production. Full article

Ensuring frequency security is of vital importance for power systems. As the penetration of renewable energy generation (REG) continues to increase, its impact on frequency stability cannot be neglected. The motion equation model is a suitable modeling method for REGs, which can derive a model with a structure similar to synchronous generators. However, when using the motion equation models for frequency dynamic analysis, only the impact paths related to active power disturbance are retained. Adding that there are different types of motion equation models, it is important to discuss which type is more appropriate. This paper takes the doubly fed induction generator-based wind turbine as an example; two types of motion equation models are first derived and verified. Then, by looking back at the assumptions of the average system frequency model, the adaptability of each model is judged. By comparing the frequency dynamics between different motion equation models and the electromagnetic transient model, the results indicate that the motion equation model employing active power and terminal voltage dynamics as input variables is more suitable for average frequency analysis. Lastly, by utilizing these models in a power system, the analysis is verified through MATLAB/Simulink R2021a. Full article

Plant height is a key component of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plant architecture. It strongly influences lodging resistance, mechanized harvestability, and yield stability. However, the genetic basis of plant height in sunflowers remains underexplored. This study aimed to develop an F₂ population consisting of 715 individuals from a cross between the dwarf inbred line 150A and the tall inbred line PT326. Bulked segregant analysis coupled with whole-genome resequencing was employed to identify loci associated with plant height. Using three complementary analytical methods, a major quantitative trait locus, qPH15, was identified on chromosome 15. This locus was subsequently fine-mapped, using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers and recombinant screening in F₂ and F₃ populations, narrowing it to a 64.66-kb region containing three annotated genes. Among these, HanXRQr2_Chr15g0707451, which encodes an NAC transcription factor designated HaNAC7, was identified as the most promising candidate gene. Haplotype analysis of HaNAC7 across 148 sunflower accessions revealed 4 polymorphic sites defining 6 haplotypes with substantial differences in plant height. The shortest haplotypes, Hap2 and Hap3, were associated with reduced plant height and were predominantly found in Asian germplasm. These findings suggest that HaNAC7 is a strong candidate gene underlying qPH15 and provide useful molecular markers and favorable allelic resources for improving sunflower plant architecture. Full article

This study investigated the fatty acid profile of Muli yak (Bos grunniens) milk and its relationship with compositional parameters across different parities. Milk samples from second-, third-, and fourth-parity yaks were analysed for protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and 37 fatty acids using gas chromatography. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), machine learning algorithms, and molecular docking. Parity significantly affected 15 components (p < 0.05), with third-parity milk showing the highest eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n3) and arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4n6) concentrations. Among 134 significant correlations, calcium-ARA and ARA-EPA exhibited strong positive associations (|r| > 0.67). PCA explained 54.2% of the variance through three principal components, differentiating samples by parity. The optimal prediction models were ARA-XGBoost, EPA-Random Forest, ALA-GAM, and LA-SVM, with calcium and protein serving as key predictors. Molecular docking revealed that EPA-FABP2 had the lowest binding energy. These parity-related shifts in functional long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are meaningful for the nutritional value of yak milk (e.g., omega-3/omega-6 profile) and may also influence technological properties associated with milk fat composition (e.g., oxidative stability and processing behaviour), supporting parity-oriented quality evaluation and targeted utilisation of yak milk. Full article

Background/Objectives: Medication beliefs are important determinants of adherence in patients with chronic diseases. Failure to take medication threatens the successful treatment of tuberculosis. This research aimed to determine the associations of tuberculosis knowledge and psychological distress with medication beliefs in patients with tuberculosis from Southwest China. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design conducted in Liangshan Prefecture, Southwest China, from March 2024 to January 2025. The HIV-TB co-infection group comprised patients newly diagnosed with HIV-TB co-infection in 2024, while the TB mono-infection group comprised individuals randomly selected from those with tuberculosis mono-infection during the same period within the same region. Trained interviewers collected data through structured telephone questionnaires to assess medication beliefs, psychological distress, TB knowledge, and behavioral characteristics. Path analysis was used to examine the relationships between these variables. Results: Overall medication belief scores were low among participants. Beliefs varied significantly across clinical and sociodemographic factors, being relatively higher in groups such as patients with HIV co-infection, residents of formerly impoverished counties, individuals of Yi ethnicity, and those with primary education or less. Path analysis indicated that psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between TB knowledge and medication beliefs. The indirect effect was 0.014 (95% CI: 0.001, 0.033), accounting for 37.12% of the total effect of knowledge on beliefs, while the direct effect was non-significant. Conclusions: These findings underscore that both TB knowledge and psychological distress critically shape medication beliefs. Intervention strategies should therefore integrate evidence-based health education with targeted psychological support to strengthen treatment adherence and improve outcomes. Full article

Shoot branching, as an important architectural trait, influences the number of flower heads and the pattern of flowering in sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.). However, the main genetic factors leading to extensive branching throughout the plant were not clearly understood. In this study, we analyzed branching inheritance and identified a significant locus using an F₂ population (n = 660) from a cross between the non-branched line 150A and the highly branched line PT326. The branching phenotypes varied from having no branches to complete plant branching, with segregation fitting a 3:1 ratio (χ² = 2.916, p > 0.05), suggesting that a single major gene controls this trait, with the non-branched phenotype being dominant. Using bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and whole-genome resequencing, a strong and consistent signal was identified on chromosome 10 across three separate statistical analyses, pinpointing a primary candidate interval of approximately 3.40 Mb, named qBr10. Through the use of 10 developed Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers and recombinant screening, qBr10 was restricted to a 388.5 kb (Chr10:13,422,378–13,780,875). Analysis of this interval identified 21 genes, among which WRKY21 and MTB3 were prioritized as candidate genes for further functional validation. Our findings identified qBr10 as a strong candidate for cloning and offer closely associated markers to aid in marker-assisted improvement of branching and capitulum number in sunflower breeding. Full article

Poverty reduction, which is central to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, drives strategies like poverty alleviation relocation. China’s poverty alleviation relocation program represents a systematic government project to achieve national modernization. However, a holistic perspective of examining the process of reconstructing the social space of resettlement areas in poverty alleviation relocation is relatively limited. Drawing on spatial production theory, this study examines the mechanisms of spatial reconstruction in the Mu’en Di Resettlement Area in China from a holistic perspective, focusing on institutional, material, and spiritual spaces. This study primarily employs field-based ethnography, supplemented by a text analysis of policy documents. The findings reveal that the reconstruction of social space in resettlement areas constitutes a dynamic arena of interactions among state planning, market regulation, and migrant adaptation. This study offers insights for the practice of spatial reconstruction for impoverished migrants and emphasizes the importance of empowering migrants as active agents in this process. Full article

The present work was designed to investigate the impacts of tartary buckwheat flavonoids (TBF) on the growth performance and physiological metabolism of Liangshan Yanying chickens. A total of 144 healthy 4-week-old Liangshan Yanying chickens of uniform body weight were randomly divided into four groups. Each group consisted of six replicates with six chickens per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, whereas the treatment groups received the same basal formulation supplemented with TBF at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg, respectively. The entire feeding trial lasted for 10 consecutive weeks. Growth performance, serum parameters, bone quality, slaughter traits, and hepatic lipid metabolism were determined and statistically analyzed. Results showed that dietary TBF supplementation had no significant impact on the overall growth performance (p > 0.05); however, final body weight and average daily weight gain displayed a positive linear trend in response to increasing TBF levels (0.05 < p < 0.1). For serum parameters, TBF supplementation significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) and decreased malondialdehyde content (p < 0.05) in a linear manner. Specifically, compared with the control group, the 60 mg/kg TBF group increased T-AOC by approximately 64.6% and reduced MDA by approximately 67.9%, demonstrating a robust antioxidant effect. A linear increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels approaching significance (p = 0.055) was also observed. A significant quadratic regulatory effect of TBF was observed on serum glucose concentrations (p < 0.05), whereby the 60 mg/kg TBF dose reduced serum glucose by 15.6% relative to the control (p < 0.05), reflecting a robust hypoglycemic effect. Regarding bone quality, supplementation with 20 and 60 mg/kg TBF significantly elevated tibial phosphorus content relative to the 0 mg/kg TBF group (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that increasing dietary TBF levels linearly elevated tibial calcium content (p < 0.05) and resulted in linear increasing trends in tibial ash content, tibial phosphorus content, femur ash content, and femur calcium content (0.05 < p < 0.1). Concerning slaughter performance, dietary TBF inclusion resulted in a significant linear rise in breast muscle percentage (p < 0.05). At the molecular level, TBF upregulated the mRNA expression of hepatic AMPKα1 and CPT1, while concurrently downregulating the expression of FAS and ACC (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary TBF supplementation in Liangshan Yanying chickens effectively improved antioxidant capacity, promoted tibial calcium and phosphorus deposition, regulated hepatic fatty acid oxidation and synthesis via AMPK-related genes, and enhanced lean meat deposition, with no adverse effects on growth performance under the experimental conditions. Full article

Rapid and balanced situational awareness of fire fronts is critical for effective initial response to forest fires, yet suboptimal task planning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarms can delay intelligence delivery. This paper presents a cloud–edge collaborative approach that integrates edge-driven rapid task partitioning with cloud-based global workload balancing, explicitly addressing the NP-hard multiple traveling salesman problem underlying multi-UAV reconnaissance. At the edge, a fire-spread-informed line clustering algorithm quickly assigns monitoring points to UAVs, exploiting low-latency processing for initial sectorization. The cloud then refines this allocation through a novel cooperative–competitive task transfer mechanism that minimizes the makespan. Extensive simulations and a real-world case study based on the 2020 Liangshan wildfire show that the proposed method reduces makespan by up to 24.5% compared to conventional centralized and distributed baselines, while remaining robust under severe communication constraints. Full article