Search Results (846)

Forest ginseng (FG) is a rare medicinal and culinary plant in China, and its drying quality is heavily dependent on the drying method. This study investigated the effects of traditional hot air drying (HAD) and the self-developed negative-pressure circulating airflow-assisted desiccator drying (PCAD) method on the quality of FG using metabolomics and enzyme activity. The results revealed that the enzyme activities of dried FG were reduced considerably. PCAD preserved higher enzyme activity than HAD. Metabolomics data demonstrate that HAD promotes the formation of primary metabolites (amino acids, lipids, nucleotides, etc.), whereas PCAD promotes the formation of secondary metabolites (terpenoids, phenolic acids, etc.). A change-transformation network was built by combining the metabolites listed above and their biosynthetic pathways, and it was discovered that these biosynthetic pathways were primarily associated with the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, lipid metabolism, phenylpropane biosynthesis, and nucleotide metabolism. It is also believed that these findings are related to the chemical stimulation induced by thermal degradation and the ongoing catalysis of enzyme responses to drought stress. The facts presented above will give a scientific basis for the selection of FG drying processes, as well as helpful references for increasing the nutritional quality of processed FG. Full article

This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. ar. ‘Aureus’), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. ‘Severn seas’), mint (Mentha spicata L. ‘Moroccan’), and sage (Salvia officinalis L. subsp. Officinalis). Due to the rotating solar panels, two distinct ground zones were identified: a consistently shaded area under the panels (UP), and a partially shaded area between the panels (BP). These were compared to an adjacent full-sun control area (T). Microclimate parameters, including solar radiation, air and leaf infrared temperature, and soil temperature, were recorded throughout the cultivation season. Reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) was calculated using Turc’s method, and crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) was estimated with species-specific crop coefficients (K_C). Results showed significantly lower microclimatic values in the UP plot compared to both BP and especially T, resulting in ET_C reductions of 81.1% in UP and 13.1% in BP relative to T, an advantage in water-scarce environments. Growth and yield responses varied among species and treatment plots. Except for mint, all species showed a significant reduction in fresh biomass (40.1% to 48.8%) under the high shading of UP compared to T. However, no biomass reductions were observed in BP. Notably, essential oil yields were higher in both UP and BP plots (0.60–2.63%) compared to the T plot (0.51–1.90%). These findings demonstrate that dynamic AV systems can enhance water use efficiency and essential oil yield, offering promising opportunities for sustainable, high-quality medicinal crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

As urbanization accelerates and climate change intensifies, the ecological integrity of urban riparian forests faces growing threats, underscoring the need for a systematic framework to guide their sustainable management. To address this gap, we developed a causal framework by applying text mining and sentence classification to 1001 abstracts from previous studies, structured within the DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) model. The analysis identified six dominant thematic clusters—water quality, ecosystem services, basin and land use management, climate-related stressors, anthropogenic impacts, and greenhouse gas emissions—which reflect the multifaceted concerns surrounding urban riparian forest research. These themes were synthesized into a structured causal model that illustrates how urbanization, land use, and pollution contribute to ecological degradation, while also suggesting potential restoration pathways. To validate its applicability, the framework was applied to four major urban streams in Seoul, where indicator-based analysis and correlation mapping revealed meaningful linkages among urban drivers, biodiversity, air quality, and civic engagement. Ultimately, by integrating large-scale text mining with causal inference modeling, this study offers a transferable approach to support adaptive planning and evidence-based decision-making under the uncertainties posed by climate change. Full article

With the growing severity of environmental pollution, people are paying increasing attention to their health. However, naturally occurring wood with health benefits and applications in human healthcare is still scarce. Natural wood exhibits a limited negative oxygen ion release capacity, and this release has a short duration, failing to meet practical application requirements. This study innovatively developed a humidity-responsive, healthy wood material with a high negative oxygen ion release capacity based on fast-growing poplar. Through vacuum cyclic impregnation technology, hexagonal stone powder was infused into the pores of poplar wood, endowing it with the ability to continuously release negative oxygen ions. The healthy wood demonstrated a static average negative oxygen ion release rate of 537 ions/cm³ (peaking at 617 ions/cm³) and a dynamic average release rate of 3,170 ions/cm³ (peaking at 10,590 ions/cm³). The results showed that the particle size of hexagonal stone powder in suspension was influenced by the dispersants and dispersion processes. The composite dispersion process demonstrated optimal performance when using 0.5 wt% silane coupling agent γ-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH570), achieving the smallest particle size of 8.93 μm. The healthy wood demonstrated excellent impregnation performance, with a weight gain exceeding 14.61% and a liquid absorption rate surpassing 165.18%. The optimal impregnation cycle for vacuum circulation technology was determined to be six cycles, regardless of the type of dispersant. Compared with poplar wood, the hygroscopic swelling rate of healthy wood was lower, especially in PEG-treated samples, where the tangential, radial, longitudinal, and volumetric swelling rates decreased by 70.93%, 71.67%, 69.41%, and 71.35%, respectively. Combining hexagonal stone powder with fast-growing poplar wood can effectively enhance the release of negative oxygen ions. The static average release of negative oxygen ions from healthy wood is 1.44 times that of untreated hexagonal stone powder, and the dynamic release reaches 2 to 3 times the concentration of negative oxygen ions specified by national fresh air standards. The water-responsive mechanism revealed that negative oxygen ion release surged when ambient humidity exceeded 70%. This work proposes a sustainable and effective method to prepare healthy wood with permanent negative oxygen ion release capability. It demonstrates great potential for improving indoor air quality and enhancing human health. Full article

To address the problems of the time consumption, labor intensiveness, easy contamination, uneven drying, and impact on the medicinal efficacy of Fritillaria ussuriensis in the traditional drying method, the hot-air-drying characteristics of Fritillaria ussuriensis were studied. The changes in the moisture ratio and drying rate of Fritillaria ussuriensis under different hot-air-drying conditions (45 °C, 55 °C, 65 °C) were compared and analyzed. Six common mathematical models were used to fit the moisture change law, and it was found that the cubic model was the most suitable for describing the drying characteristics of Fritillaria ussuriensis. The R² values after fitting under the three temperature conditions were all greater than 0.99, and the maximum was achieved at 45 °C. Based on the principle of hot-air drying, a drying device for Fritillaria ussuriensis with a processing capacity of 15 kg/h was designed. It adopted a thermal circulation structure of inner and outer drying ovens, with the heating chamber separated from the drying chamber. The structural parameters were optimized based on Fluent simulation analysis. After optimization, the temperature of each layer was stable at 338 K ± 2 K, and the pressure field and velocity field were evenly distributed. The drying process parameters of Fritillaria ussuriensis were optimized based on response surface analysis, and the optimal process parameters were obtained as follows: inlet temperature: 338 K (65 °C), inlet air velocity: 3 m/s, and drying time: 10 h. The simulation results showed that the predicted moisture content of Fritillaria ussuriensis under the optimal working conditions was 12.58%, the temperature difference of Fritillaria ussuriensis at different positions was within 0.8 °C, and the humidity deviation was about 1%. A prototype of the drying device was built, and the drying test of Fritillaria ussuriensis was carried out. It was found that the temperature and moisture content of Fritillaria ussuriensis were consistent with the simulation results and met the design requirements, verifying the rationality of the device structure and the reliability of the simulation model. This design can significantly improve the distribution of the internal flow field and temperature field of the drying device, improve the drying quality and production efficiency of Fritillaria ussuriensis, and provide a technical reference for the Chinese herbal medicine-drying industry. Full article

Wood, as a natural material that stores carbon, is gaining increasing attention and has potential for use in interior architectural applications. Given the long indoor stay time characteristic of modern society, it is important to scientifically understand the effects of indoor wood application on the occupants. In this study, three residential buildings with an identical area and structure were constructed with different degrees of wood coverage (0%, 45%, 90%) using Larix kaempferi. Subsequently, indoor air quality (IAQ) evaluations and relative humidity measurements were conducted to assess the physical and chemical changes in each environment. The IAQ in wooden and non-wooden environments met the recommended IAQ standards established in South Korea. The results of the 8-month observation showed that, the higher the wood coverage ratio, the more the indoor humidity fluctuations were alleviated, and, in the case of the 90% wood coverage ratio condition, the humidity was maintained 5.2% lower in the summer and 10.9% higher in the winter compared to the 0% condition. To further assess the physiological responses induced by the wooden environment, the heart rate variability (HRV) was measured and compared for 26 participants exposed to each environment for two hours. In environments with a 0% and 90% degree of wood coverage, no statistically significant differences were found in the participants’ HRV indicators. But, in the group exposed to the 45% wooden environment, the results showed an increase in HRV indicators, natural logarithm of high frequency power (lnHF): 4.87 → 5.40 (p < 0.05), and standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN): 30.57 → 38.48 (p < 0.05), which are known indicators of parasympathetic nervous system activation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder that significantly impacts quality of life and daily functioning. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is effective, long-term adherence remains a challenge. This single-arm observational study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and adherence patterns during telemedicine-supported CPAP therapy and identify distinct phenotypic response clusters in Romanian patients with OSA. Methods: This prospective observational study included 86 adults diagnosed with OSA, treated with ResMed Auto CPAP devices at “Victor Babeș” University Hospital in Timișoara, Romania. All patients were remotely monitored via the AirView™ platform and received monthly telephone interventions to promote adherence when necessary. Clinical outcomes were assessed through objective telemonitoring data. K-means clustering and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) were employed to explore phenotypic response patterns. Results: During telemedicine-supported CPAP therapy, significant clinical improvements were observed. The apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 42.0 ± 21.1 to 1.9 ± 1.3 events/hour. CPAP adherence improved from 75.5% to 90.5% over six months. Average daily usage increased from 348.4 ± 85.8 to 384.2 ± 65.2 min. However, post hoc analysis revealed significant concerns about the validity of self-reported psychological improvements. Self-esteem changes showed negligible correlation with objective clinical measures (r < 0.2, all p > 0.1), with only 3.3% of variance being explained by measurable therapeutic factors (R² = 0.033). Clustering analysis identified four distinct adherence and outcome profiles, yet paradoxically, patients with lower adherence showed greater self-esteem improvements, contradicting therapeutic causation. Conclusions: Telemedicine-supported CPAP therapy with structured monthly interventions was associated with substantial clinical improvements, including excellent AHI reduction (22-fold) and high adherence rates (+15% after 6 months). Data-driven phenotyping successfully identified distinct patient response profiles, supporting personalized management approaches. However, the single-arm design prevents definitive attribution of improvements to telemonitoring versus natural adaptation or placebo effects. Self-reported psychological outcomes showed concerning patterns suggesting predominant placebo responses rather than therapeutic benefits. While the overall findings demonstrate the potential value of structured telemonitoring for objective CPAP outcomes, controlled trials are essential to establishing true therapeutic efficacy and distinguishing intervention effects from measurement bias. Full article

This study examines the regional disparities in public perceptions of decarbonization and the acceptance of the bioeconomy within Western Macedonia, a Greek region undergoing structural economic change. While the environmental benefits of decarbonization, such as reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality, are widely acknowledged, perceptions of economic and social outcomes, including investments, new business development, and policy support, vary significantly across sub-regions. To this end, a structured survey was conducted among 765 residents, utilizing Likert-scale items to assess attitudes, with demographic data providing a contextual framework. Statistical analyses, incorporating techniques such as one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kruskal–Wallis, and multiple regression, were employed to explore spatial variations and identify the primary drivers of bioeconomy acceptance. The results indicate that perceived government action, visible investment, new enterprises, and a positive view of public sentiment are all significant predictors of acceptance, with institutional support showing the strongest influence. The findings reveal that certain areas feel less engaged in the transition, expressing skepticism about its benefits, while others report more optimism. This disparity in perception underscores the necessity for targeted policy interventions to ensure inclusive and equitable participation. The study emphasizes the necessity for regionally responsive governance, enhanced communication strategies, and tangible local development initiatives to cultivate public trust and support. The study makes a significant contribution to the broader discourse on just transitions by emphasizing the role of place-based perceptions in shaping sustainable change. Full article

The production of thermal energy in buildings using internal greenhouses makes it possible to obtain substantial gains in energy consumption and, at the same time, contribute to improving occupants’ thermal comfort (TC) levels. This article proposes a study on the producing and transporting of renewable thermal energy in a circular auditorium equipped with an enveloping semi-circular greenhouse. The numerical study is based on software that simulates the building geometry and the building thermal response (BTR) numerical model and assesses the TC level and indoor air quality (IAQ) provided to occupants in spaces ventilated by the proposed system. The building considered in this study is a circular auditorium constructed from three semi-circular auditoriums supplied with internal semi-circular greenhouses. Each of the semi-circular auditoriums faces south, northeast, and northwest, respectively. The semi-circular auditoriums are occupied by 80 people each: the one facing south throughout the day, while the one facing northeast is only occupied in the morning, and the one facing northwest is only occupied in the afternoon. The south-facing semi-circular greenhouse is used by itself to heat all three semi-circular auditoriums. The other two semi-circular greenhouses are only used to heat the interior space of the greenhouse. It was considered that the building is located in a Mediterranean-type climate and subject to the typical characteristics of clear winter days. The results allow us to verify that the proposed heating system, in which the heat provided to the occupied spaces is generated only in the semi-circular greenhouse facing south, can guarantee acceptable TC conditions for the occupants throughout the occupancy cycle. Full article

The demand for rapid, portable, and cost-effective analytical tools has driven advances in smartphone-based microfluidic sensors. By combining microfluidic precision with the accessibility and processing power of smartphones, these devices offer real-time and on-site diagnostic capabilities. This review explores recent developments in smartphone-integrated microfluidic sensors, focusing on their design, fabrication, smartphone integration, and analytical functions with the applications in forensic science, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. In forensic science, these sensors provide fast, field-based alternatives to traditional lab methods for detecting substances like DNA, drugs, and explosives, improving investigation efficiency. In agriculture, they support precision farming by enabling on-demand analysis of soil nutrients, water quality, and plant health, enhancing crop management. In environmental monitoring, these sensors allow the timely detection of pollutants in air, water, and soil, enabling quicker responses to hazards. Their portability and user-friendliness make them particularly valuable in resource-limited settings. Overall, this review highlights the transformative potential of smartphone-based microfluidic sensors in enabling accessible, real-time diagnostics across multiple disciplines. Full article

Integrating nature-based solutions into sustainable urban design has become increasingly important in response to rapid urbanization and climate-related environmental challenges. As part of these solutions, green walls not only enhance the thermal and acoustic performance of buildings but also contribute to urban ecosystem health by supporting biodiversity. In this context, the careful selection of plant species is essential to ensure ecological efficiency, resilience, and low maintenance. This study presents a model for selecting plant species suitable for natural green walls in Mediterranean cities, with a focus on habitats protected under Directive 92/43/EEC. The selection followed a multi-phase process applied to the native flora of Italy, using criteria such as chorological type, life form, ecological indicator values, altitudinal range, and habitat type. Alien and invasive species were excluded, favoring only native Mediterranean species adapted to local pedoclimatic conditions and capable of providing ecosystem, esthetic, and functional benefits. The outcome of this rigorous screening led to the identification of a pool of species suitable for green wall systems in Mediterranean urban settings. These selections offer a practical contribution to mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and enhancing biodiversity, thus providing a valuable tool for designing more sustainable and climate-adaptive buildings. Full article

Urban form plays a crucial role in regulating urban thermal environments and air pollution patterns. However, the indirect mechanisms through which urban form influences PM2.5 concentrations via land surface temperature (LST) remain poorly understood. This study investigates these pathways by analyzing representative two- and three-dimensional urban form indices (UFIs) in the central urban area of Taiyuan, China. Multiple log-linear regression and mediation analysis were applied to evaluate the combined effects of urban form on LST and PM2.5. The results indicate that UFIs significantly influence both LST and PM2.5. The frontal area index (FAI) and sky view factor (SVF) emerged as key variables, with LST playing a significant mediating role. The indirect pathways affecting PM2.5 via LST, along with the direct LST-PM2.5 correlation, exhibit pronounced seasonal differences in direction and intensity. Moreover, different urban functional zones exhibit heterogeneous responses to the same form indices, highlighting the spatial variability of these linkages. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating seasonal and spatial differences into urban design. Accordingly, this study proposes targeted urban form optimization strategies to improve air quality and thermal comfort, offering theoretical insights and practical guidance for sustainable urban planning. Full article

This study investigates the health impacts of air pollution in the Greater Athens Area (GAA), Greece, by estimating the Relative Risk (RR) of hospital admissions (HA) for cardiovascular (CVD) and respiratory diseases (RD) from 2018 to 2020. The analysis focuses on daily exceedances of key air pollutants—PM₁₀, O₃, and NO₂—based on the “Fair” threshold and above, as defined by the European Union Air Quality Index (EU AQI). Data from ten monitoring stations operated by the Ministry of Environment and Energy were spatially matched with six hospitals across the GAA. A Distributed Lag Non-linear Model (DLNM) was employed to capture both the delayed and non-linear exposure–response (ER) relationships between pollutant exceedances and daily HA. Additionally, the synergistic effects of pollutant interactions were assessed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of cumulative health risks. The combined exposure term showed a peak RR of 1.49 (95% CI: 0.79–2.78), indicating a notable amplification of risk when multiple pollutants exceed thresholds simultaneously. The study utilizes R for data processing and statistical modeling. Findings aim to inform public health strategies by identifying critical exposure thresholds and time-lagged effects, ultimately supporting targeted interventions in urban environments experiencing air quality challenges. Full article

Agriculture and animal feeding operations are responsible for 87% of ammonia emissions in the UK. Controlling NH₃ concentrations below 20 ppm is crucial to preserve workers’ and livestock’s well-being. Therefore, ammonia control systems are required for maintaining adequate air quality in livestock facilities. This study assessed the ammonia reduction efficiency of a novel air pollution abatement (APA) system used in a pig farm building. The monitoring duration was 11 weeks. The results were compared with the baseline from a previous pig cycle during the same time of year in 2023. A ventilation-controlled room was monitored during a two-phase campaign, and the actual ammonia concentrations were measured at different locations within the site and at the inlet/outlet of the APA system. A 98% ammonia reduction was achieved at the APA outlet through NH₃ absorption in tap water. Ion chromatography analyses of farm water samples revealed NH₃ concentrations of up to 530 ppm within 83 days of APA operation. Further scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray inspections revealed the presence of salts and organic/inorganic matter in the solid residues. This research can contribute to meeting current ammonia regulations (NECRs), also by reusing the process water as a potential nitrogen fertiliser in agriculture. Full article

In alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 13 (Climate Action), this research explores the sustainable valorization of mangosteen peels into mangosteen peel powder (MPP), a value-added product with pharmaceutical properties. Mangosteen peels are an abundant agricultural waste in Thailand. This study evaluates six MPP production schemes, each employing different drying methods. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is utilized to assess the global warming potential (GWP) of these schemes, and the quality of the MPP produced is also compared. The results show that a combination of frozen storage and freeze-drying (scheme 4) has the highest GWP (1091.897 kgCO₂eq) due to substantial electricity usage, whereas a combination of frozen storage and sun-drying (scheme 5) has the lowest GWP (0.031 kgCO₂eq) but is prone to microbial contamination. Frozen storage without coarse grinding, combined with hot-air drying (scheme 6), is identified as the optimal scheme in terms of GWP (11.236 kgCO₂eq) and product quality. Due to the lack of an onsite hot-air-drying facility, two transportation strategies are integrated into scheme 6 for scenarios A and B. These transportation strategies include transporting mangosteen peels from orchards to a facility in another province or transporting a mobile hot-air-drying unit to the orchards. The analysis indicates that scenario B is more favorable both operationally and environmentally, due to its lower emissions. This research is the first to comparatively assess the GWP of different MPP production schemes using LCA. Furthermore, it aligns with the growing trend in international trade which places greater emphasis on environmentally friendly production processes. Full article