Search Results (1,659)

Essential oils (EOs) from wild Calamintha nepeta (Portugal) populations collected in Portugal (Évora) were investigated in order to evaluate the impact of Mediterranean seasonal conditions on their phytochemical composition and biological activity. Essential oil GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed distinct seasonal chemotypes, with spring samples dominated by isopulegone/pulegone, whereas autumn samples contained higher proportions of isomenthone and menthol. Antioxidant activity was assessed through lipid peroxidation inhibition, DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing power assays, while antibacterial activity was evaluated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates. Seasonal differences were reflected in both EO chemical composition and bioactivity. Autumn samples displayed greater antioxidant potential, with Y1A showing the highest inhibition of lipid peroxidation (IC₅₀ = 0.85 mg/mL) and Y2A exhibiting the highest ferric reducing power. Conversely, spring samples were more active against MDR bacteria. Among them, Y1S showed the broadest antimicrobial spectrum, with MIC values ranging from 465 to 1767 μg/mL. The unusually wet spring season coincided with marked isopulegone accumulation (≈50%), while warmer autumn conditions favoured higher levels of isomenthone and menthol in the EOs. These findings highlight the importance of seasonal environmental conditions in determining the phytochemical profile and bioactive potential of C. nepeta EOs, providing valuable insights for their standardisation and valorisation in pharmaceutical, food and conservation-related applications. Full article

Monitoring inland surface water quality is essential for water security, ecosystem conservation, public health, and sustainable water resource management. Although in situ measurements remain indispensable, they are often limited by high costs, restricted spatial coverage, low temporal frequency, and discontinuous monitoring networks. This study presents a systematic literature review, guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework, of empirical studies published between 2021 and 2025 on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing (RS) for inland surface water quality monitoring. Searches were conducted in the Web of Science database, resulting in a final corpus of 367 peer-reviewed articles. Preliminary bibliometric characterization and qualitative content analysis were performed to identify sensors, platforms, AI paradigms, algorithms, estimated parameters, validation strategies, limitations, challenges, trends, and research gaps. The results show rapid growth in the field, with Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 as the most recurrent sensors and multispectral data as the dominant spectral source. Machine learning approaches, especially Random Forest, Artificial Neural Networks, XGBoost, and Support Vector Machine, predominated, while deep learning, multi-source integration, hybrid models, and Explainable AI emerged as relevant trends. AI–RS integration shows strong potential to complement conventional monitoring, but persistent challenges remain regarding in situ data dependence, limited external and temporal validation, model transferability, generalization, uncertainty reporting, validation robustness, and interpretability. Full article

Digital twin technology is becoming a core enabler for the intelligent transformation of civil engineering. This review adopts an integrated mixed-method design that combines a reproducible bibliometric protocol with structured content analysis to connect macro-level knowledge evolution with domain-specific engineering implementation. Based on the Web of Science Core Collection, the study analyzes publication trends, collaboration patterns, highly cited studies, keyword co-occurrence, network centrality, and citation bursts, and then reviews application status and technical pathways across five thematic areas: intelligent construction, bridge engineering, tunnel engineering, smart water conservancy, and other infrastructure. Key findings include: rapid growth in publication volume after 2021, three dominant keyword clusters (model/system construction, structural health monitoring and sensing, and AI-enabled optimization/decision-making), and an evolution of research frontiers from concept introduction to engineering scenario deepening and further to three-dimensional reconstruction, knowledge fusion, and intelligent decision-making. The content analysis shows differentiated technical pathways across sub-domains and identifies data heterogeneity/interoperability as the most urgent bottleneck because it constrains model updating, cross-platform integration, and engineering-scale deployment. Future directions should focus on data standardization, hybrid modeling, platform interoperability, artificial intelligence empowerment, and full-lifecycle cross-system coordination. This review provides a quantitatively supported panoramic reference for digital twin research in civil engineering. Full article

Although microbial self-healing concrete technology has been widely studied, limited attention has been paid to the effect of the dosage of microbial self-healing materials on concrete crack repair performance. To address this, this study investigates the influence of the dosage of microbial self-healing materials on the crack repair performance of concrete using planar thin-plate specimens. The results are summarized as follows: (1) Increasing the dosage of microbial self-healing materials effectively delays the initial cracking time of concrete specimens. When the dosage levels were 10%, 20%, and 30%, the initial cracking time was prolonged by 50%, 65%, and 70%, respectively, compared with the blank group without microbial addition. (2) After 28 d of water spraying and coating curing, the total crack area of concrete decreased significantly compared with that at the early age (1 d). For dosages of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of microbial self-healing materials, the total crack area per unit surface area decreased by 12.2%, 21.9%, 22.7%, and 31.8%, respectively, compared with the initial stage. (3) Through X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), and morphological characterization, the presence of microbial mineralization products, including calcite and vaterite, on the concrete crack surfaces was confirmed. Full article

Protected area (PA) managers balance the need to provide quality visitor experiences with other management objectives (e.g., conservation, economic use), particularly in multi-use agencies. Sustainability science has informed PA management, emphasizing consideration of economic, environmental, and social interactions. Sustainable management of outdoor recreation has received far less attention. Moreover, there has been a lack of agreement among PA managers about how sustainable outdoor recreation is defined, operationalized, managed, or monitored. Having a shared understanding of ‘sustainable recreation’ will provide a foundation for PA managers to identify specific sustainability objectives and design strategies in alignment with agency goals. In this review article, we reflect on two decades of outdoor recreation research and synthesize ideas generated by a workshop of outdoor recreation scholars and practitioners. We compare notions of sustainable recreation across PA agencies in the U.S. to demonstrate the need for a unified approach and to inform the selection of appropriate recreation management and planning tools. Our definition of sustainable recreation builds on traditional pillars of sustainability while embracing notions of stewardship and resilience. We conclude by discussing a potential operational model for sustainable recreation and identifying future research needs to advance the field in new directions. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Acute appendicitis following blunt abdominal trauma is a rare and historically debated clinical entity. We present a century-spanning descriptive review of 106 cases of post-traumatic appendicitis, embedded with an illustrative pediatric case initially managed conservatively. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, encompassing a 100-year period (1925–2025). Clinical variables, trauma mechanisms, and outcomes were extracted and statistically analyzed by age cohort (Pediatric ≤ 18 vs. Adult > 18) and historical medical era. Results: A total of 106 cases were analyzed. High-energy trauma predominated in adults compared to the pediatric cohort (48.8% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.001). The overall complication rate was exceptionally high (66.0%), with no significant difference between pediatric and adult cohorts (61.5% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.293). An epoch-based analysis revealed a significant drop in perforation rates from the historical era (1925–1980) to the modern era (2001–2025) (51.7% to 27.0%, p = 0.033) due to improved diagnostic timelines. Crucially, purely mechanical injuries such as complete appendiceal auto-amputation remained a constant signature of blunt trauma across the century (11.5% overall rate). Conclusions: Our synthesis of historical cases suggests that post-traumatic appendicitis might be a relevant clinical entity where trauma mechanics appear to play a significant role in injury severity, irrespective of patient age. While conservative management could be feasible and safe in the acute setting of uncomplicated cases, we hypothesize that the initial kinetic impact might cause subtle structural changes or alter local appendiceal dynamics, potentially predisposing the organ to recurrent inflammation, warranting close follow-up or elective surgery. Full article

Land capitalization has become one of the central issues in contemporary China’s economic development and land system reform. Existing scholarship has predominantly approached this topic from the perspectives of effects, governance, and property rights, while a spatial analytical lens remains conspicuously absent. This study draws on the theoretical perspective of the production of space (spatial politics) and selects Xunliao Bay, a coastal tourism destination currently undergoing rapid land capitalization, as a typical case. Based on qualitative methods, including three-phase, five-time interviews and non-participatory observation conducted in Xunliao Bay, it investigates the spatial logic and restructuring processes of land capitalization in coastal tourism areas. The findings reveal that: (1) Land capitalization in coastal tourism destinations is essentially a process of the spatialization of capital, following a logical sequence of “spatial occupation–spatial planning–spatial production.” (2) In Xunliao Bay, land capitalization has generated multifaceted spatial consequences, leading to the reconfiguration of land property rights, land functional attributes, and land morphology. (3) Far from being a purely economic value-adding endeavor, land capitalization in coastal tourism destinations constitutes a spatial political process fraught with power struggles, interest negotiations, and conflicts. In this process, capital forges “growth coalitions” with local governments to complete land consolidation and property rights restructuring, subsequently redefines land attributes through planning mechanisms to safeguard its own interests, and ultimately engages in selective land use to carry out landscape construction and spatial production, thereby profoundly reshaping the local socio-spatial fabric. This study extends the spatial perspective and tourism context within land capitalization research and deepens the theoretical understanding of land capitalization as a socio-spatial and political process. Full article

Arthropod natural enemies—encompassing predators and parasitoids—form the backbone of sustainable agriculture, delivering irreplaceable ecosystem services via biological pest suppression. Driven by global demand for eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic pesticides, research in this domain has grown sharply over the past decade. Here, we report a systematic bibliometric analysis of 6515 Web of Science Core Collection papers focused on arthropod natural enemies in biological control (2016–2025), with the goal of charting the field’s intellectual structure. Performance metrics confirmed an initial rapid increase from 2016 to 2019 followed by a plateau and a slight rise in 2025, with the US, China, and Brazil dominating output. Keyword co-occurrence networks pinpointed core themes, including conservation biological control, predatory mites, and integrated pest management (IPM). Temporal trends further revealed a pivot toward applied work on invasive pest systems. Co-citation analysis uncovered six foundational research clusters, while bibliographic coupling of 2021–2025 papers uncovered five active emerging subfields: landscape ecology and habitat manipulation, tri-trophic interaction mechanisms, high-impact invasive pest biocontrol, non-target risk assessment for introduced agents, and fall armyworm integrated management. We synthesize cross-cutting implications and outline future priorities—including AI-enabled rearing systems, functional biodiversity boosting, climate adaptation, and multifunctional landscape tuning. By consolidating historical progress and forward-looking directions, this framework empowers researchers, extension practitioners, and policymakers to scale sustainable pest management worldwide. Full article

Amid accelerating global environmental change, assessing ecological vulnerability is critical for sustainability science. Focusing on the Yellow River Source Region (YRSR)—a key water source and ecological shield in China—this study develops an integrated assessment system based on the “Pressure–State–Response” (PSR) framework, incorporating 29 indicators. A combined weighting approach integrating analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with entropy-based objective weighting characterizes the spatiotemporal patterns, drivers, and future trajectories of ecological vulnerability. Key findings reveal: (1) heterogeneous warming–wetting trends with stronger humidification in the south and relative stability in the north drive divergent hydrological responses, highlighting the limitations of single-climate metrics in explaining vulnerability dynamics; (2) vulnerability patterns are primarily shaped by climatic factors—especially temperature and potential evapotranspiration—with anthropogenic pressures serving as secondary modulators, reinforcing the foundational role of thermal and moisture regimes in alpine ecosystem resilience; and (3) scenario projections consistently identify the northeast as a persistently high-vulnerability zone, yet show that balanced socioeconomic development can reconcile ecological protection with development needs. Based on these insights, a four-tier ecological zoning scheme and a governance framework comprising three strategies—strict conservation, adaptive regulation, and sustainable utilization—are proposed. This work offers actionable scientific guidance for tailored ecological conservation in the YRSR and contributes methodological advancements for vulnerability assessment and adaptive management of high-elevation ecosystems globally. Full article

The 1st International Online Conference on Biology (IOCBI 2026), held from 10 to 12 February 2026, brought together researchers from around the world to share and discuss recent advances across a wide spectrum of biological disciplines. Organized under the auspices of the journal Biology (MDPI), the conference provided an open, interactive forum for scientific exchange in a fully online, accessible format. The scientific program encompassed key areas of contemporary biology, including evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation biology, infection biology, zoology, marine biology, and plant sciences. Through keynote lectures, invited talks, oral communications, and flash presentations, the conference highlighted both fundamental questions and emerging challenges that define current biological research. Beyond the diversity of topics, IOCBI 2026 underscored the increasing need for integrative approaches in biology. The contributions collected in this volume reflect a shared effort to connect processes across different levels of biological organization—from molecular systems to ecosystems—revealing life as a complex and evolving network of interactions. This perspective is essential not only for advancing fundamental knowledge but also for addressing pressing global challenges in health, biodiversity, and environmental change. All accepted abstracts included in this volume of Biology and Life Sciences Forum provide a citable record of the work presented at the conference and illustrate current trends and future directions in the biological sciences. We sincerely thank all authors, speakers, reviewers, and organizers for their valuable contributions, which made IOCBI 2026 a successful and stimulating scientific event. Full article

Sorghum halepense is widely recognised as one of the most aggressive invasive perennial grasses affecting agricultural ecosystems worldwide. This systematic review synthesises existing scientific evidence on the ecological invasion dynamics, origin, distribution patterns, impacts on both biodiversity and livestock, and management strategies. A systematic literature review approach was employed to identify and evaluate peer-reviewed and grey literature. Relevant studies were retrieved from major scientific databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate, using predefined search terms related to S. halepense, invasion, impact on native plants and livestock, and possible control measures. Articles were screened based on relevance, methodological quality, and thematic alignment with the objectives of the review. The results showed that Johnsongrass is making a gradual invasion in South Africa through seed production and rhizome systems. Sorghum halepense alters native species composition, subsequently reduces biodiversity, and outcompetes native species. Although it may provide forage under certain conditions, its accumulation of cyanogenic compounds and nitrates poses serious poisoning risks to herbivores. Management strategies such as mechanical, burning, and chemical methods vary in terms of effectiveness. Some of these measures are influenced by the genetic make-up of the plant, costs associated with each control measure and other environmental factors. This review highlights the need for integrated management approaches that balance invasive weed control with sustainable forage production. This review emphasises the importance of adopting integrated management strategies that effectively control both seed production and underground stems. Future research should prioritise climate-responsive management approaches, improved understanding of invasion ecology, and the development of cost-effective control measures. Bringing together policy makers and specialists in weed science, natural conservation science, and animal health will be essential for reaching consensus on the actions required to curb the expansion and reduce the economic losses associated with the abundance of Sorghum halepense in our ecosystems. Full article

Empathy toward animals has received increasing attention because of its relationship to prosocial attitudes, conservation engagement, and environmental concern. Despite growing interest, the way empathy toward animals is measured varies widely across disciplines and applied contexts, making it difficult to compare findings or assess the strength of existing instruments. This paper examines the measurement landscape of empathy toward animals by identifying and describing tools used in both academic research and conservation practice. A search of Web of Science yielded 2155 unique records, resulting in a final sample of 65 peer-reviewed studies with empathy assessment instruments published between 2000 and 2025. These were supplemented by 42 instruments shared by members of the Advancing Conservation through Empathy for Wildlife (ACE for Wildlife^®) Network, one of the largest known networks of professionals focused on enhancing and evaluating empathy toward animals. Across these sources, we observe substantial variation in how empathy is operationalized, including differences in construct emphasis, focal species, intended audiences, and attention to reliability and validity. Academic studies primarily use surveys emphasizing affective empathy toward mammals, whereas practitioner-developed tools are more diverse and often assess cognitive and motivational dimensions across cohort groups. In mapping differences in approaches, we identify persistent gaps and provide suggestions to better align scholarly and applied assessment tools. Full article

The present work introduces the Bulgarian Spectral Database for Painting Materials, a freely accessible web-based resource containing FTIR and Raman spectra, together with complementary analytical information, for materials commonly found in Bulgarian artworks. The database encompasses a collection of over 200 reference materials and more than 100 entries derived from authentic samples obtained from wall paintings, dating from the 5th century BC to the 20th century. The largest section of the database consists of inorganic reference materials, including natural and synthetic mineral pigments, fillers, and additives commonly identified in historical mural paintings, complemented by organic binders and natural dyes. Reference model mixtures simulating historical painting techniques are also included. The database provides interactive visualization and downloadable spectra in plain text formats (.txt) compatible with all spectroscopic software. The integration of spectral data obtained from artworks represents a distinctive feature of the resource. The database is a practical tool for material identification, comparative studies, and conservation research in the field of cultural heritage science. It also provides a robust foundation for comparative studies and facilitates interdisciplinary research across the Balkan region and beyond. Full article

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular dietary strategy for improving weight and cardiometabolic health. However, its effectiveness and potential risks across different adult age trajectories remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the age-specific effects of IF on body composition and cardiometabolic markers. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to September 2025. Participants were stratified into three cohorts: <30 years, 30–44 years, and ≥45 years. Random-effects meta-analyses and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were conducted on body composition, lipid profiles, glycemic markers, and blood pressure. Additionally, a conservative methodological sensitivity analysis (imputed correlation r = 0.5) and subgroup analyses by fasting modality (TRF vs. intermittent energy restriction) were performed. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. Results: Analysis of 28 RCTs (N = 1833) demonstrated that IF significantly reduced body weight and BMI across all age groups. Notably, subgroup analyses revealed comparable physiological responses between TRF and intermittent energy restriction modalities. Cardiometabolic adaptations were highly age-dependent. Young adults exhibited significant reductions in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, alongside a robust reduction in fat mass. However, a significant loss of fat-free mass (FFM) was observed in both young and older cohorts. While middle-aged and older adults experienced the most pronounced improvements in triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity, our conservative sensitivity analysis unmasked a significant elevation in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in this group, mirroring the robust LDL-C increase observed in young adults. Early middle-aged adults exhibited highly variable responses with no significant overall improvements in cardiometabolic parameters. Conclusions: IF is an effective weight-management tool, but elicits distinct, age-specific metabolic trajectories. While middle-aged and older adults derive pronounced cardiometabolic benefits, they face critical risks of lean mass depletion, necessitating a combined “IF+” strategy (adequate protein and resistance training). Crucially, the age-specific risk of LDL-C elevation dictates a mandate for vigilant lipid monitoring. Given that the certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low per GRADE criteria, these age-specific patterns should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating, warranting validation in future large-scale trials. Full article

This study examines the dynamical behavior of the dual-mode nonlinear Schrödinger equation (d-mNLSE), which describes the interaction, amplification, and attenuation of two coexisting wave modes in nonlinear media. The model incorporates key physical parameters including the nonlinearity coefficient, interaction phase velocity, and dispersion parameter, which significantly influence the evolution of nonlinear waves. By applying the modified Sardar sub-equation method (mSS-EM), a wide spectrum of exact analytical solutions is derived. These solutions include mixed trigonometric waves, shock-type structures, singular solutions, complex dark–bright solitons, multi-peak solitons, periodic and mixed-periodic waves, as well as mixed hyperbolic structures. The analytical findings provide useful insight into nonlinear wave propagation phenomena arising in fluid mechanics, water wave dynamics, ocean engineering, and related physical systems. Moreover, the conservation laws of the d-mNLSE are established, which leads to the conserved quantities of impulse power, momentum, and energy and describes the invariant characteristics of the soliton solutions during their propagation. The bifurcation analysis of the reduced dynamical model is carried out to explore the qualitative characteristics of the obtained solutions. The equilibrium points of the considered model are calculated, and their stability properties are analyzed systematically. To demonstrate the physical characteristics of the obtained solutions, different kinds of two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and contour plots are plotted using symbolic computations software. These findings confirm that the analytical method used to obtain the soliton solutions can be used to obtain a variety of soliton solutions of nonlinear evolution equations that appear in applied sciences and engineering. Full article