Search Results (2,298)

Urban mangroves are increasingly recognized for their important blue-carbon functions, yet their long-term aboveground carbon dynamics under climate extremes and human disturbances remain poorly understood. Here, we developed an integrated framework that combines multi-source satellite observations, field survey and LiDAR-constrained modeling to reconstruct annual species composition, canopy structure, and aboveground carbon dynamics from 1990 to 2022 in Shenzhen Bay, which is the only mangrove ecosystem within a megacity in China. Total aboveground carbon increased from 1820 (95% CI: 1386–2199) Mg C in 1990 to 6006 (95% CI: 5280–6618) Mg C in 2022, with habitat expansion accounting for most of the increase. Aboveground carbon accumulation was affected by coastal reclamation, estuarine engineering, and management-driven removal of introduced stands. Species composition emerged as a key determinant of ecosystem response to disturbance and long-term carbon dynamics. Native mangroves remained dominant and exhibited relatively stable canopy greenness during the 2008 extreme cold event. But the introduced Sonneratia apetala experienced a 42.9% drop in greenness and then took about five years to return to the level before the disturbance. By linking long-term changes in species composition, canopy structure, and aboveground carbon storage, this study provides a transferable foundation for monitoring urban blue-carbon ecosystems and evaluating the long-term consequences of disturbance, restoration, and management under accelerating urbanization and climate change. Full article

Paraleyrodes minei is an invasive alien species in China, representing a new record for Yunnan Province and a new sugarcane pest. The mitochondrial genome of P. minei was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The genome sequence was assembled and annotated, and its structural characteristics and nucleotide composition were analyzed. A phylogenetic tree of 18 species in the family Aleyrodidae was constructed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of P. minei within the family Aleyrodidae. The results indicated that the mitochondrial genome of P. minei was 18,774 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 1 non-coding control region. The A+T content of the mitochondrial genome of P. minei was 80.93%, indicating a marked A+T preference. ATN was used as the start codon for the PCGs, and TAA, TAG, TA, and T were used as the stop codons. In the secondary structure of tRNA, the TΨC arm was missing in trnA, trnC, and trnG, and the DHU arm was missing in trnS1 and trnS2, with G-U base mismatches present. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the 18 species of 10 genera in the two subfamilies of the family Aleyrodidae clustered into two major branches: the subfamilies Aleyrodinae and Aleurodicinae. All 10 genera were monophyletic groups; among them, the genus Paraleyrodes and the genus Aleurodicus formed a sister relationship, and both belonged to the subfamily Aleurodicinae. This study represents the first successful sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of P. minei, as well as the first mitochondrial genome of the genus Paraleyrodes, laying the foundation for the control of P. minei and the analysis of phylogenetic relationships among various genera of the family Aleyrodidae. Full article

Impaired wound healing arises from interacting biological and material challenges, including persistent infection, biofilm formation, oxidative stress, unresolved inflammation, impaired angiogenesis, defective epithelialization, hemorrhage, and insufficient real-time assessment of wound status. Quantum dot (QD) and nanodot nanosystems have emerged as a versatile class of bioactive wound interfaces capable of addressing these barriers through functions that extend beyond passive coverage. This review synthesizes the design rationale, material composition, validation strategies, functional outcomes, mechanistic interpretation, and translational relevance of QD-enabled platforms for precision wound repair. Across the reviewed literature, carbon dots, graphene QDs, black phosphorus QDs, metal and metal oxide QDs, transition-metal nanodots, and hybrid nanocomposites were incorporated into hydrogels, films, sponges, nanofibers, microneedles, scaffolds, membranes, sprays, and injectable matrices. Their major precision-enabling attributes include localized antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, redox-adaptive behavior, photothermal and photodynamic activation, inflammatory and macrophage modulation, hemostasis, controlled therapeutic delivery, angiogenic and epithelial support, and fluorescence-based monitoring. The strongest conceptual advance is the transition from static wound dressings toward adaptive biointerfaces that can sense, respond to, or compensate for local wound state abnormalities. Nevertheless, the field remains largely preclinical, with important gaps in long-term safety, standardized characterization, clinically predictive models, manufacturing reproducibility, regulatory alignment, and human validation. Future progress will depend on rationally simplified multifunctional platforms, rigorous comparative testing, wound state-specific evaluation frameworks, and translation-oriented safety and usability studies. QD nanosystems therefore represent a promising foundation for precision wound repair, provided that their multifunctionality is matched by equally rigorous evidence of safety, reproducibility, and clinical relevance. Full article

The European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) commits, in its Treaty foundation, to a fair standard of living for the agricultural community and, in its post-2014 architecture, to enhanced territorial cohesion. Yet repeated reform cycles have left the regional concentration of payments in many Member States visibly untouched. This paper asks why. We document the persistence of the territorial concentration of CAP transfers across the 13 Greek NUTS-2 regions over the 2010–2025 period (€47.65 bn cumulative), identify the CAP design mechanisms that mechanically reproduce it, and quantify how much of the observed aggregate stationarity is the artefact of compositional shifts versus genuinely offsetting forces. Using the universe of payment disbursements aggregated to 13 NUTS-2 regions and 51 NUTS-3 prefectures, we (i) test for σ- and β-convergence and Lorenz dominance, (ii) decompose Theil-T between and within regions and across Pillar I/Pillar II, and (iii) run four counterfactual simulations: Pillar II share held at its 2010 level, Article: 17-style capping at a 12–15% NUTS-2 ceiling, an Article: 29-style lower-tail floor, and a concentration-elasticity perturbation of the top region. The territorial distribution of support proves strikingly stable: standard inequality measures stay within a narrow band for sixteen consecutive years, and the ranking of regions barely changes, so formal convergence tests detect no narrowing over time. Three messages follow. First, this persistence is not accidental but built into the architecture of the CAP—through historical-reference entitlement values, the per-hectare logic of the Basic Payment Scheme, the geographic concentration of coupled support in cotton and livestock, and the cadastral fragmentation of the island prefectures. Second, the apparent stability conceals two large and opposing forces: the post-2014 expansion of Pillar II has reduced regional disparities, while a widening of the Pillar I distribution has increased them by almost the same amount, so aggregate stationarity reflects policy effort cancelling out, not the absence of it. Third, the instruments already in the CAP toolbox have real redistributive power: capping the largest region’s envelope and redistributing the surplus to lagging regions, or introducing a lower-tail floor, would roughly halve measured inequality. Therefore, the spatial concentration of CAP transfers in Greece is a designed equilibrium rather than an unsolved residual, and reducing it requires instruments that act asymmetrically on the top of the distribution. Full article

Even though the functional food market has rapidly increased in recent years, the links between bioactive-rich formulations and consumers’ health benefit are not fully established, mainly because of insufficient consideration of food matrix effects. This review provides a comprehensive and integrated evaluation of how food matrix properties (structural and physicochemical) affect the bioaccessibility of plant bioactive compounds. Unlike many reviews that focus on a single nutrient approach, we highlight quantitative evidence of how bioaccessibility can be affected by matrix properties, illustrating the interactions between main food components (lipids, proteins, dietary fiber and minerals). This review integrates fragmented information among different areas of food and nutrition sciences, i.e., food structure, gastrointestinal science, mineral chemistry, protein chemistry, providing a holistic framework for Quality by Design (QbD) functional food development. Synergisms and antagonistic behaviors, threshold effects, and concentration-dependent behaviors are analyzed comparatively for the most common plant-derived bioactives, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, curcuminoids and minerals (iron, zinc and calcium). We propose a matrix-informed optimization as a prerequisite for credible health claims and sustainable plant-based nutrition strategies. This can ultimately serve as a foundation for next-generation functional food development based on bioaccessibility, supporting the central argument that functional food development should move from composition-based fortification to bioaccessibility-based matrix engineering. Full article

Titanium-bearing blast furnace slag is rich in high-melting-point titanium-containing minerals including perovskite, melilite and spinel, which result in the loss of titanium resources and hinder the comprehensive utilization of such slag. On this basis, combined with process mineralogy theories, this study adopted multiple characterization methods, including a polarized light microscope with transmitted and reflected light, XRD and EPMA. These simulations reveal that the bulk SiO₂ content dictates titanium distribution among the mineral phases, thereby laying a solid foundation for the subsequent experiments. Meanwhile, quantitative analyses were performed on the microstructure, mineral composition and perovskite grain size of the slag. The occurrence state and migration law of titanium in the slag were systematically investigated. The results show that the microstructure of titanium-bearing blast furnace slag presents a porphyritic structure at different SiO₂ levels. Its main mineral phases include perovskite, pyroxene, spinel and glass. Titanium is predominantly hosted in perovskite, with small amounts distributed in the pyroxene, spinel and glass phases. Reducing the SiO₂ content facilitates the formation and grain coarsening of perovskite and promotes the migration of titanium from pyroxene and glass into perovskite. When the SiO₂ content is 20%, the perovskite content reaches 44.3%. Among them, the proportion of grains larger than 40 μm is 59.94%, and the distribution ratio of titanium in perovskite is 86.78%. Under the experimental conditions of this study, 20% SiO₂ is the optimal level. These findings can provide a theoretical reference for the efficient separation and recovery of titanium from titanium-bearing blast furnace slag. Full article

FAR1/FHY3 transcription factors are key regulators of plant growth and development, but their identification and functions in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) remain largely unexplored. In this study, 47 FaFAR1/FHY3 genes in cultivated strawberries were systematically identified, which were categorized into six subfamilies and randomly distributed across 15 chromosomes, with segmental duplication as the main driver of the expansion of this gene family. Integration of phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, and conserved motif composition uncovered distinct divergences among the subfamilies. A cis-acting element analysis of promoters and gene expression profiles showed that these genes responded to various abiotic and biotic stresses, phytohormones, and far-red light signals, with FaFAR1-7 and FaFAR1-44 strongly responding to multiple stresses, including temperature, drought, and pathogen infection. Additionally, FaFAR1-12 and FaFAR1-18 exhibited positive correlations with anthocyanin accumulation and the expression of key anthocyanin biosynthesis genes during fruit development. Dual-luciferase reporter assays further confirmed that FaFAR1-12 and FaFAR1-18 significantly activated the promoters of key structural genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis, indicating that these two TFs exert vital regulatory functions in anthocyanin accumulation during strawberry fruit development. This study comprehensively identifies and characterizes the FaFAR1/FHY3 genes in cultivated strawberries, laying a foundation for their functional analysis and for screening out the key regulatory genes for strawberry fruit quality improvement. Full article

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are pivotal regulators mediating plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses, especially during seed germination under stressful conditions. However, the ARF gene family has not been thoroughly studied or characterized in sesame. The identification and characterization of ARF family members in the sesame genome were analyzed by bioinformatics methods, and the expression patterns of sesame ARF genes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. In this study, a total of 23 ARF genes were identified in the sesame genome, distributed unevenly across 12 chromosomes. Additionally, 15 segmental duplication events were detected. Phylogenetic analysis classified the SiARF genes into four subfamilies, with members within each subgroup sharing conserved structural features and motif compositions. Promoter analysis revealed multiple cis-acting elements associated with plant growth, phytohormone responses, and stress responses. Expression profiling demonstrated distinct tissue-specific expression patterns among the SiARF genes. Notably, SiARF5 and SiARF15 showed predominant expression in seeds 5 days after pollination, whereas SiARF14 exhibited broad expression in roots, stems, leaves, and seeds germinated for 24 h. QRT-PCR analysis identified eight SiARF genes exhibiting biphasic expression patterns during seed germination under abiotic stresses, characterized by initial downregulation and subsequent upregulation. Among them, SiARF11 showed significant induction under all three stress conditions, while SiARF9 was specifically upregulated under salt stress, suggesting their critical roles in stress response regulation. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation into Auxin-mediated responses to abiotic stress during seed germination in sesame. Full article

This study investigated the influences of geographical origin, harvest season, and plucking position on the chemical composition and flavor characteristics of Hainan Dayezhong black tea. Systematic analysis of basic components, volatile profiles and metabolomes of tea samples collected under different pre-harvest conditions revealed significant variations in polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins, as well as distinct differences in volatile composition. Key aroma-active compounds identified were nerolidol, linalool, benzaldehyde, benzeneacetaldehyde and methyl salicylate, which were determined to be decisive for the characteristic aroma profile of Dayezhong black tea. Untargeted metabolomics further demonstrated that these factors do not merely alter individual metabolite levels, but also reprogram energy metabolism, carbon–nitrogen allocation, and secondary metabolic pathways, resulting in distinct metabolic signatures among samples. From a systematic chemical perspective, this study elucidates the metabolic basis of Hainan Dayezhong black tea quality formation and establishes a scientific foundation for targeted quality optimization through regulation of key components. Full article

With the continuous increase in the manufacturing cost of conventional WC-Co cemented carbides, the development of low-cost, high-performance cobalt-free or low-cobalt cemented carbides has become a research hotspot in the industry. In this study, cobalt-free WC-Ni-Fe-Mo cemented carbides were successfully prepared by low-pressure sintering using fine WC powder as the raw material and Ni-Fe-Mo as the composite binder phase. The effect of Mo content variation on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and friction and wear properties of the alloys was systematically investigated. The results show that the as-prepared alloys consist of a two-phase structure composed of WC phase and γ-(Fe, Ni) phase. The addition of Mo further leads to the formation of Mo₂C and Ni₃W₃C phases. With increasing Mo content, the average WC grain size gradually decreases from 0.45 μm to 0.31 μm, and the grain size distribution becomes more uniform. Meanwhile, the alloy density gradually decreases, hardness gradually increases, fracture toughness decreases, and transverse rupture strength first increases and then decreases. Affected by the brittle Ni₃W₃C phase, the wear resistance of the alloys gradually deteriorates. When the Mo content is 0.25 wt%, the alloy exhibits the best comprehensive performance, with a transverse rupture strength of 4078 MPa, a hardness of 90.5 HRA, a fracture toughness of 12.11 MPa·m^1/2, and a friction coefficient of 0.42. This indicates that an appropriate addition of molybdenum has a significant strengthening effect on the mechanical properties of the material, thereby laying an experimental foundation and providing process guidance for the development of novel low-cost, high-performance cobalt-free cemented carbides. Full article

This study aimed to systematically compare the functional properties of the four major components (albumin, globulin, prolamin, and glutelin) of protein from Yunnan deep-veined walnuts to screen for protein-based carrier materials with good processing adaptability and the ability to efficiently encapsulate the active ingredient rutin. In addition, the binding and molecular interactions between the preferred protein and rutin were analyzed. The results indicated that albumin exhibited superior performance compared to the other three components in solubility, emulsifying properties, foaming properties, and gel properties, and demonstrated the strongest processing applicability. Further analysis revealed that albumin possessed an excellent amino acid composition (essential amino acid content accounting for 42.30%) and antioxidant activity (with the highest ABTS scavenging rate reaching 85.71 ± 0.26%), which indicated its considerable potential as a functional carrier. Loading rutin onto albumin yielded a walnut albumin–rutin complex (WA@Rut), which significantly enhanced the thermal stability of albumin (with the thermal denaturation temperature elevated to 108.72 °C) and the storage stability of rutin (66.16 ± 5.05% retention after 22 days of storage). Combined analyses of FT-IR spectroscopy, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that rutin primarily bound to albumin via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, and formed a stable complex structure. SEM images revealed that the composite surface was smooth and exhibited a flake-like morphology. In conclusion, walnut albumin is a protein resource with significant functional potential in Yunnan deep-veined walnuts, and it exhibits strong processing applicability and enables efficient encapsulation and protection of active ingredients. This study provides novel strategies and theoretical foundations for the high-value utilization of walnut protein. Full article

Optimizing the structural stability of foundations is challenging in modern geotechnical engineering. This study investigated the mechanism of geocell-reinforced foundations through discrete element modeling based on transparent soil model tests. A three-dimensional particle flow code (PFC^3D) model was developed to investigate the micromechanical soil–geocell interactions in both unreinforced and geocell-reinforced foundations under strip loading. Particle displacement, contact force distribution, and structural deformation within the foundation system were analyzed to quantify the performance of geocell reinforcement. The results show that geocell inclusion enhances structural performance by 2.1 times compared to an unreinforced foundation, increasing the bearing capacity from 60.6 to 126.8 kPa at a defined bearing capacity criterion. The geocell walls act as rigid physical boundaries that microscopically intercept the lateral migration and horizontal extrusion of soil particles. The kinematic trajectories of soil particles beneath the loading plate are forced into a downward realignment, decreasing the displacement vector rotation angle from 42° in the unreinforced soil to 27° in the reinforced soil and effectively mitigating the heave of adjacent surfaces. Furthermore, the quasi-rigid three-dimensional network completely interrupts the continuous steep contact force chains inherent in unreinforced foundations. Concentrated vertical stresses are converted into horizontal components through interfacial friction and mechanical interlocking, resulting in the lateral redistribution of the applied load by a distance of approximately 0.06 m. The geocell–soil composite considered as a flexible raft foundation extends load dispersion and reduces average subsoil pressure. A coupled tension and compression stress state in the horizontal plane is developed within the geocell structure. Forces are channeled along rigid paths by elevated bending moments and stress concentrations at the cell junctions. These findings provide micromechanical insights into the performance of geocell-reinforced-foundation systems. Full article

Partially replacing cement with mine tailings offers a sustainable strategy for solid waste resource utilization. As a cement admixture, the compressive strength of tailings-based cement materials serves as a critical performance indicator. Machine learning (ML) techniques offer high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and superior predictive accuracy. However, variations in the chemical composition of tailings often introduce uncertainties into model predictions. Consequently, this study developed an integrated approach incorporating chemical composition and activation methods as input parameters. Four optimized ML models were deployed to predict the compressive strength of tailings-based cementitious materials. Multiple metrics were employed to evaluate model performance, which identified the PSO-XGBoost model as the superior predictive architecture. SHAP analysis revealed that mechanical grinding, NaOH concentration, and the proportions of gypsum and tailings were the primary features influencing compressive strength. Experimental validation yielded a low prediction error of 8.7%, confirming the model’s high predictive accuracy. This research establishes a robust framework for predicting the strength of tailings-based cementitious materials, providing a theoretical foundation for solid waste upcycling. Full article

Probiotics are widely studied as antibiotic alternatives in commercial aquaculture, yet their effects on fish maintained under long-term aquarium conditions remain poorly understood. This study addressed this gap by evaluating dietary Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) supplementation on gut microbiota and inflammatory cytokine expression in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂) from a recirculating aquarium system. In this study, hybrid grouper were maintained in triplicate tanks under long-term aquarium environments, and fed a basal diet with 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g EcN (SS group) or a control diet (CS group) for 28 consecutive days. Based on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and qPCR, the intestinal microbiota and expression levels of IL-4, TNF-α, and IL-1β were measured. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased from 15.63% (CS) to 66.70% (SS), while Proteobacteria decreased from 76.77% to 30.61%. At the genus level, Exiguobacterium became the dominant taxon in the SS group. Furthermore, EcN supplementation significantly upregulated IL-4 expression and downregulated TNF-α and IL-1β expression. EcN supplementation significantly altered gut microbiota composition, with marked changes in community structure and notable shifts in dominant taxa. Thus, this study provides one of the investigations into EcN-mediated restructuring of intestinal bacterial communities and modulation of host immune transcriptional responses in hybrid grouper maintained under controlled aquarium settings. These findings offer a foundation for designing microbiome-targeted interventions in captive marine fish systems. Full article

This paper presents a comparative analysis of selected economic indicators within the Italian railway passenger transport sector during the 2010–2024 period. Characterized by high-speed rail (HSR) saturation and advanced market liberalization, the Italian railway system serves as a reference model for investigating structural shifts within mature transport networks. The study aims to quantify the dynamics of transport performance through a synthesis of multiple analytical dimensions: passenger volume, transport performance (passenger-kilometers), modal split, average transport distances, and indicators of general and dynamic population mobility. The methodological framework is based on the application of chain and base indices, enabling the precise identification of cyclical fluctuations, exogenous disruptions (primarily the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic), and the subsequent degree of systemic resilience. The analysis suggests a significant shift in demand composition after 2014, characterized by an expansion of short- and medium-distance segments alongside a transformation in travel behavior. The research findings determine the correlation between infrastructure investment and the actual positioning of rail transport within a multimodal system. This work provides an analytical foundation for strategic planning in transport policy and sustainable mobility within the context of European transport integration. Moreover, these insights are practically applicable for transport operators and planners in forecasting demand, optimizing network capacity, and enhancing infrastructure resilience against future exogenous shocks. Full article