Search Results (166)

A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of five biogenic amines (BAs)—histamine (HIS), tyramine (TYR), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) in cold-chain fish by portable ion trap mass spectrometry with nano-electrospray(nESI) ionization. Samples were homogenized and extracted with aqueous solution containing 1% (v/v) formic acid and 80% (v/v) acetonitrile. With HIS-d4 as an internal standard, the sample solutions were directly injected with the nESI injection device and detected by a portable ion trap mass spectrometer at MS/MS detection mode. The results showed good linearity in the invested range of 0.2 (or 0.5)–10 μg mL⁻¹ with R² > 0.992, The limit of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) for HIS were less than 1.5 mg/kg and 4.0 mg/kg, respectively; the LOD and LOQ for other four BAs were less than 4.0 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg, respectively. Recoveries at three fortified levels ranged from 84.26% to 106.6% with relative standard deviations between 4.56% and 13.84%. With the safety limits of HIS as the concentrations of concern, this method demonstrated excellent performance when applied to the eligibility fast screening of HIS in cold-chain fish. The study provided a valuable methodological reference for the rapid detection of BAs in food. Full article

Ants are widely used as bioindicators because of their sensitivity to environmental change and their functional roles in ecosystems. This study presents the first comparative analysis of ant communities in two habitats, an agricultural system and a semi-natural forest, within the Natural Park of Montesinho (northeastern Portugal). From May to October 2022, four plots were sampled per habitat: (i) semi-natural oak forest and (ii) chestnut orchard under human management, using five pitfall traps in each plot. A total of 1969 ants were captured, representing 32 species and 15 genera. Traditional chestnut orchards supported more exclusive species and greater functional diversity, dominated by generalist and thermophilic taxa. In contrast, oak forests hosted more specialist and cold-adapted species, which may reflect a higher structural stability. Seasonal variation was more pronounced in chestnut orchards, consistent with disturbance-driven dynamics. The functional composition also differed: chestnut orchards favoured granivores and scavengers, while oak forests supported predators and mutualists. These findings highlight the value of ant communities as sensitive indicators of land use and ecosystem condition in Mediterranean mountain systems. Full article

Accurately quantifying the driving mechanisms of land surface temperature (LST) is fundamental to developing climate-resilient urban strategies. However, traditional linear models often fail to capture the complex nonlinear interactions and spatial non-stationarity inherent in urban thermal environments, especially when hindered by multicollinearity among morphological indicators. This study proposes a multi-scale spatial explainability attribution framework by integrating an XGBoost machine learning model with SHAP (SHapley Additive Explanations) to decipher the thermal dynamics of Changchun, a representative cold-region city in China. Utilizing a 500 m grid-based dataset, we incorporated 3D urban morphology (BVD), land cover (NDVI, NDWI), and socioeconomic factors. The results indicate that the XGBoost model achieves superior predictive performance (R² = 0.694) compared to traditional OLS models. SHAP global attribution identified Building Volume Density (BVD) as the primary warming driver, as its three-dimensional volume creates “thermal traps” through radiation trapping and reduced ventilation. Notably, NDVI exhibits a significant nonlinear “cooling threshold effect” at 0.3, beyond which its mitigation efficiency stagnates or even reverses due to vegetation fragmentation and heat-induced physiological stress. Furthermore, spatial mapping reveals a distinct “sign reversal” in NDWI’s impact, reflecting the dualistic thermal regulation of water bodies across different urban–rural gradients. These findings suggest that urban thermal management strategies should shift from merely restricting 2D surface occupancy (e.g., Building Density) to a more sophisticated approach focused on precisely controlling 3D volume intensity (BVD). This study provides a “point-to-area” diagnostic tool supporting a transition to spatially targeted urban planning interventions. Full article

Despite recent advances in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) research on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), studies investigating the transport potential and accumulation dynamics of these contaminants in the Hengduan Mountains, especially in forest soils which are important sinks for atmospheric PAHs, remain scarce. In the present study, soil and lichen samples (partially located under the forest canopy) were concurrently collected from 62 sampling sites across the Hengduan Mountains to characterize the occurrence, spatial distribution patterns, and underlying controlling factors of PAHs. The total concentrations of the 16 US EPA priority PAHs (∑₁₆PAHs) in soils and lichens ranged from 59.8 to 1163 ng/g and 174 to 3362 ng/g, respectively—values consistently higher than those reported in corresponding matrices from the northern and northwestern TP. Further, concentrations of PAHs in both soil and lichen under the forest canopy are significantly higher than those on the leeward slope without forest. Compositional fractionation of PAHs along the longitudinal and latitudinal gradients of sampling locations indicates significant modulation of PAH distribution by both the Indian monsoon and East Asian monsoon, a pattern further corroborated by air mass backward trajectory analysis. Our results confirm that PAHs can be transported to the southeastern TP slope via long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT). Notably, the combined effects of mountain cold-trapping and forest filtering jointly govern the deposition and spatial distribution of PAHs in this region. Full article

Soil erosion in mountain environments is governed by the interaction of climatic drivers, surface conditions, and geomorphic connectivity. Recently, disturbance by large herbivores has been recognized as a potentially important but poorly quantified geomorphic driver. However, the combined effects of freeze–thaw processes and ungulate disturbance on sediment production remain unclear. This study provides quantitative field-based evidence linking deer activity to hillslope sediment flux in a montane forest catchment in central Japan. A six-year dataset (2019–2025), including climatic conditions, deer detections from camera traps, understory vegetation cover, and hillslope sediment flux (<9.5 mm) was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using daily sediment flux as the response variable and maximum 1 h rainfall, freeze–thaw frequency, and daily deer detections as explanatory variables. The results showed that deer detections had a significant positive effect on sediment flux, whereas rainfall intensity and freeze–thaw frequency did not exhibit strong independent effects. Particle-size analysis further indicated that eroded sediment was markedly coarser than the surface soil, suggesting that short-term climatic drivers alone did not control sediment transport. These findings demonstrate that biotic disturbance by large herbivores can play a dominant role in hillslope sediment flux under cold, high-elevation conditions by modifying surface conditions and sediment connectivity. From a sustainability perspective, these results highlight the importance of managing deer populations to maintain ecosystem stability, prevent land degradation, and support sustainable forest and watershed management under changing environmental conditions. Full article

Potassium superoxide (KO₂) can form during the oxidation of residual potassium in NaK-contaminated cold traps of sodium-cooled fast reactors. Its strong oxidizing nature, combined with limited thermal stability, raises safety concerns during shutdown and maintenance. Here, we integrate first-principles calculations with experiments to clarify the facet stability, temperature-driven surface evolution, and stepwise thermal decomposition of KO₂. Guided by the tetragonal I4/mmm crystal symmetry of bulk KO₂, symmetry-non-equivalent low-index facets and relevant surface terminations were systematically evaluated to identify physically meaningful exposed surfaces. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations further show that heating induces progressive surface amorphization and enhanced oxygen mobility, accompanied by the emergence of shortened O-O bonds and outward migration of oxygen species. Kinetic analysis using the climbing-image nudged elastic band (CI-NEB) method indicates that oxygen evolution is preferentially mediated by O₂ release rather than atomic oxygen escape. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveals two endothermic events consistent with sequential decomposition, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the transformation of KO₂ into K₂O. Collectively, these results provide an atomistic-to-macroscopic understanding of KO₂ decomposition, offering practical guidance for defining safer preheating windows and handling strategies for NaK-contaminated components. Full article

Emerging contaminants (ECs) comprise diverse pollutant classes that are increasingly detected in remote environments due to their persistence and long-range transport potential. In cold regions, atmospheric cold-trapping processes favour their accumulation in high-altitude and high-latitude snow and ice, which act as sensitive archives and secondary sources of contamination. While previous studies have addressed individual environmental compartments (e.g., snowpack, glacier ice, meltwater), focusing on specific contaminant classes, a systematic review integrating the occurrence, behaviour and impacts of major EC groups in polar and alpine snow and ice is still lacking. To fill this gap, this work synthesised current knowledge on the environmental fate of three key EC categories in the cryosphere: metals and metalloids (MMs), industrial chemicals and by-products (ICBs), and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). PRISMA guidelines were accurately followed for research, which was based on a Google Scholar search combining keywords on cryospheric matrices (snow, firn, ice cores), geographical regions (Arctic, Antarctic, Alps, high mountains), and contaminant classes. Of 350 records initially identified, 300 met the eligibility criteria (post-industrial snow, firn, or ice cores studies) after excluding studies focused on aerosol or meltwater-only, method-focused papers, pre-industrial datasets, urban-only investigations, and duplicates. Risk of bias was qualitatively assessed through manual screening, evaluating matrix eligibility, temporal consistency, analytical methods, detection limits, and duplicate data, with particular attention to inconsistencies in ECs classification. Strict operational definitions were therefore applied to ensure methodological coherence. Concentration data were harmonised into a standardised database, and findings were synthesised through a structured narrative supported by tabulated datasets organised by matrix and site. Overall, the evidence indicates widespread occurrence of ECs in the global cryosphere, with spatial variability linked to emission sources, long-range transport pathways, and snow physicochemical properties. Climate-change-driven alterations of snow dynamics, glacier retreat and permafrost thaw are expected to modify partitioning equilibria and enhance the secondary release of legacy and contemporary contaminants. However, significant limitations persist, including geographical gaps, variability in analytical sensitivity, lack of long-term monitoring for certain EC classes, and inconsistencies in contaminant classification frameworks. Despite these constraints, the synthesis highlights consistent emerging patterns and underscores the need to strengthen existing environmental protocols to mitigate potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Full article

The spotted lanternfly (SLF, Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper causing severe agricultural and environmental damage in 20 U.S. states. SLF control remains constrained by (1) overreliance on broad-spectrum pesticides that harm nearby ecosystems, (2) inefficiency and ecological risk of alternative methods, and (3) underutilization of SLF behavioral traits and artificial intelligence (AI) in IPM. This study introduces AI-LyD, an AI-driven IPM framework integrating behavioral ecology, predictive modeling, image-based detection, and low-cost physical controls. Incorporating SLF behavioral constraints, including cold-exposure requirements for egg hatching, into ecological models improved prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.821, Sensitivity = 0.888, Kappa = 0.642) and reconstructed SLF distributions consistent with current proliferation trends. A YOLO-based detection model leveraging SLF clustering behavior improved identification accuracy from 84% to 96% and reduced false positives from 42% to 8% in real-world drone-collected imagery. Exploiting SLF crawling, jumping, and hydrophobic behaviors, the novel Aquabex water-moat device with an optimized 60° opening trapped 85% of Stage I–IV nymphs and reduced adult invasions by 67%, at an estimated cost below USD $0.50 per unit. Field deployments across four locations in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, achieved a 91% population reduction (95% CI: 90.1–92.0%). Together, these results establish AI-LyD as the first operational, scalable SLF IPM system, and this paradigm can be applied to controlling other invasive species. Full article

Clarifying migration pathways and the source area–destination relationships of the domestic and foreign beet webworm Loxostege sticticalis (Linnaeus) populations, as well as understanding the meteorological mechanisms shaping these processes, is pivotal for remote, accurate, and location-specific pest early warning and forecasting. Based on light trap data from northern China and field survey data from Mongolia in 2022, we simulated the migration trajectories, source regions, and primary landing areas of L. sticticalis by using the HYSPLIT model and analyzed the synoptic systems, processes and conditions during its migration. The results indicate the frequent exchange of L. sticticalis populations between China and Mongolia in 2022. The L. sticticalis migrants initiating their flights from Mongolia primarily undertook a southeastward migration pathway, supplemented by eastward ‘cyclonic’ and southwestward paths. The main landing areas were located in North China and Northeast China, with migration events potentially extending to the Shandong, Heilongjiang, and Xinjiang provinces. Populations originating from North China exhibited a capacity for migrating into Northeast China and Mongolia through 1–5 consecutive nights of flight. During this period, the Northeast China Cold Vortex (NCCV) and the Mongolian Cyclone alternately regulated the synoptic circulation pattern governing the migration of L. sticticalis. The spatiotemporal distributions and intensities of these systems were key determinants of the transboundary migration routes and distances of L. sticticalis. The NCCV dominated, and the precipitation and downdrafts it induced were crucial for the massive landing of L. sticticalis in northern China. Full article

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) is a critical molecule in the central nervous system (CNS) with functions that depend on its subcellular localization, exhibiting biphasic regulatory roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Under physiological conditions, intracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (iCIRP) contributes to the maintenance of circadian rhythms by regulating the stability of core clock gene mRNAs and exerts neuroprotective effects during mild hypothermia by preserving the blood–brain barrier and inhibiting apoptosis. Pathologically, extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP) functions as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that drives neuroinflammation and brain injury. In ischemic stroke (IS), eCIRP promotes neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and increases microglial activity via the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway. In cerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury, eCIRP activates oxidative stress and the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome through the TLR4 axis, exacerbating mitochondrial damage. In intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), eCIRP further amplifies inflammation via the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. In traumatic brain injury (TBI), eCIRP activates the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway, intensifying apoptosis. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), eCIRP regulates tau phosphorylation and β-amyloid (Aβ) metabolism and may mediate the link between alcohol exposure and AD pathology. Preclinical studies indicate that serum eCIRP levels correlate with IS and ICH severity, highlighting its potential as a biomarker. This systematic review elucidates the mechanisms of CIRP in CNS diseases, providing insights for understanding and preventing conditions such as IS, cerebral I/R injury, ICH, TBI, and AD. Full article

Topography plays a crucial role in shaping local urban microclimates and can drive the formation of cold-air pools in valley bottoms. This study examines the Eiras Valley (Coimbra, Portugal), a rapidly growing peri-urban area, to identify the conditions under which cold-air pools form and to characterize their spatial and vertical dynamics. Field measurements were carried out using Tinytag Plus 2 data loggers at the surface (≈1.5 m above ground) and mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for vertical profiles, complemented by high-resolution thermal mapping through Empirical Bayesian Kriging. The results show that a nocturnal cold-air pool develops within the valley under clear, anticyclonic winter conditions, persisting into the early morning hours and dissipating after sunrise due to solar heating. In contrast, under overcast or summer conditions, no cold-air pooling was observed. The temperature inversion capping the cold-air pool was found at approximately 275 m altitude, inhibiting vertical mixing and trapping pollutants near the ground. These findings underscore the importance of topoclimatology in urban and regional planning, with implications for thermal comfort, air quality, and public health. The study contributes to urban climate research by highlighting how local topography and seasonal atmospheric stability govern cold-air pool formation in valley environments, supporting the development of mitigation strategies aligned with urban sustainability goals. Full article

This paper investigates the degradation characteristics of a DC/DC converter operating under cold redundancy conditions when subjected to total ionizing dose (TID) effects. An optimized RCC isolated auxiliary power supply circuit was evaluated through ⁶⁰Co γ-ray irradiation up to 100 krad(Si) at dose rates of 3.89, 8.89, and 13.89 rad (Si)/s, with electrical characterizations performed at both the system level and the device level, focusing on the critical VDMOS transistors. The results indicate that the main output voltage and conversion efficiency remain essentially stable after irradiation, whereas the auxiliary supply voltage and efficiency degrade significantly, leading to a pronounced reduction in the controller supply margin. Device-level measurements reveal a negative threshold voltage shift of approximately 0.5–1.0 V with clear dose-rate dependence, while the subthreshold swing shows no obvious variation, suggesting that the degradation is primarily dominated by oxide-trapped charge effects. In addition, a substantial increase in drain current at low gate voltages is observed, which may further exacerbate restart risks under cold redundancy conditions. These findings demonstrate that the auxiliary power supply and startup margin constitute critical vulnerability points of cold-redundant DC/DC converters under TID stress and should therefore be primary targets for radiation-hardened design. Full article

The Mpemba effect, where a hotter system can enter a cold phase faster than a cooler one, remains a counterintuitive phenomenon whose origins are still being unraveled. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a simple and general mechanism for the genuine, phase transition-driven Mpemba effect. Our mechanism requires only a single order parameter to describe the system’s state and operates within a standard Markovian framework, distinguishing it from previous models that necessitate multiple order parameters or non-Markovian dynamics. The core of the effect lies in the distinct relaxation pathways following a sudden quench: a system prepared at a higher initial temperature may be projected onto a region of the final free-energy landscape that requires it to cross fewer energy barriers to reach the stable low-temperature phase, whereas a system prepared at an intermediate temperature may be trapped in a metastable state, requiring the crossing of multiple barriers. We concretely illustrate this mechanism using the extended spin-1 Nagle–Kardar model, where an appropriate choice of parameters yields the requisite free-energy topography. Through extensive Monte Carlo simulations, we confirm that the initially hot system consistently reaches the final ferromagnetic phase in less time than its initially warm counterpart, thereby exhibiting a robust Mpemba effect. Our findings provide a minimal and clear explanation for how the initial state’s position in order parameter space can dictate the kinetics of a first-order phase transition, leading to this anomalous acceleration of cooling. Full article

This study aimed to assess various social–ecological traps of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fisheries and to investigate the factors that significantly impact livelihood adaptation strategies during the ban period, based on fieldwork in coastal fishing communities. To collect empirical data, a total of 247 in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire along with six focus group discussions, oral history, and ten key informant interviews in the Chattogram and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. A conceptual framework derived from a strategy for reducing poverty, known as the Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA), is applied to determine the livelihood outcomes of hilsa fishers. The results showed that low income (<5000 BDT/month), high interest in loans from dadondar (lender) (10–12%) and aratdar (lessor of the vessel) (5%), high harvesting costs, an increasing number of hilsa fishermen, and intergenerational traps (81.78%) are creating social–ecological traps (SETs) in the hilsa fishery. The significant factors affecting the choice of adaptation strategies include family members, training facilities, home ownership, and belonging to a formal society. Apart from fighting against some extreme climate events, negative feedback comes from the absence of cold storage facilities, illegal use of fishing nets, frequent ban seasons, ignorance of conservation laws, limited opportunities for alternative occupations, and poor supply of drinking water. Hilsa fishermen in these regions depended on aratdar and dadondar for their financial support, which resulted in lower prices than the prevailing market prices. To escape from the SETs, this study identifies potential alternatives, such as government–community finance schemes, the promotion of alternative livelihoods, opportunities for technical education of their children, improvement of the local framework, and strong cooperation between local stakeholders and management authorities that are necessary to maintain the sustainability of hilsa fisheries. Full article

Spatiotemporal niche differentiation plays a critical role in facilitating mutual adaptation and sustaining coexistence among sympatric species. We investigated these patterns in sympatric ungulates through an infrared camera trap survey conducted in the Kazila Mountain region of southwestern China from July 2023 to May 2025. A total of seven species were recorded across 54 camera sites, with tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) being the most frequently detected, while forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) and Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus) were the least. Nocturnality indices (β > 0.54 indicating nocturnal, β < 0.54 indicating diurnal, and β = 0.54 indicating no distinct diel preference) revealed significant differences in activity patterns among the five species. Tufted deer (β = 0.415), alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) (β = 0.438), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) (β = 0.234) were predominantly diurnal. In contrast, sambar (Rusa unicolor) (β = 0.571) was nocturnal, while the Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) (β = 0.534) showed no strong diel preference. Nine of ten species pairs exhibited significant diel rhythm differences, with the exception of sambar-Chinese serow, and these rhythms showed marked seasonal variation, particularly in tufted deer, Chinese serow, and sambar. Temporal overlap was generally higher in the cold season for seven species pairs, suggesting that such overlap may be related to resource availability and increased interspecific competition under harsher conditions. Pianka’s overlap index (Oik) (ranging from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates no overlap and 1 indicates complete overlap) was used to assess spatial niche overlap, with values ranging from 0.16 (alpine musk deer–wild boar) to 0.86 (tufted deer–wild boar). Spatial autocorrelation and clustering analysis showed that tufted deer exhibited significant positive spatial autocorrelation, indicating a clustered high-value distribution, while the other species were randomly distributed. Spatial hotspot analysis revealed substantial overlap between tufted deer and wild boar, while the remaining species showed higher levels of spatial segregation. Collectively, these results suggest that seasonal variation in activity patterns, coupled with spatial segregation, mitigates interspecific competition and supports the stable sympatric coexistence of ungulates in this montane ecosystem. Full article