Search Results (23,818)

The central inversion tectonic belt of the Xihu Sag is a typical inversion structural zone in the East China Sea Shelf Basin and a key target for hydrocarbon exploration. The Ningbo structure underwent five evolutionary stages—rifting, post-rift transition, depression, transpressional inversion, and regional subsidence—during which the stress regime evolved from extension to transpression-dominated strike-slip deformation. This study employs seismic interpretation, fault-throw analysis and sandbox analogue modeling to clarify its genetic mechanism and controlling factors. The results show that the fault system exhibits characteristics typical of strike-slip deformation, including high-angle master faults and well-developed flower structures. Along strike, fault throw alternates between normal and reverse displacement over short distances, forming a “dolphin effect,” reflecting spatial alternation between transtensional and transpressional domains. Comparison of three experimental models demonstrates that the overlap and lateral spacing of pre-existing basement faults primarily control deformation style. Greater overlap and closer spacing promote through-going fault linkage and the formation of a principal displacement zone, generating a narrow, continuous uplift belt. A three-dimensional genetic model is established, providing a unified explanation of structural patterns, with implications for similar inversion systems. Full article

The evaluation of potentially toxic element concentrations (PTEs) in soils and plants is essential for understanding environmental quality and potential human exposure in areas affected by intense anthropogenic activity. This study addresses a research gap in the Valencian Region, focusing on soil–plant interactions of PTEs in urban and industrial environments. We assess the status of the soil–plant system in a region of the Valencian Community (eastern Spain) subjected to strong urban, industrial and agricultural pressure. A total of 55 soil samples and 47 plant samples were collected from agricultural, urban and industrial sites and analysed for soil properties, major elements (Al, Mg, Fe) and PTEs (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Ni, Sr, V and Zn). Land use significantly influenced soil physicochemical characteristics, with clear differentiation among environments. Soil texture and organic matter were the main factors controlling element retention, while Al, Fe and Mg dominated the geochemical composition, consistent with Mediterranean calcareous soils. Correlation analyses revealed strong co-occurrence patterns among lithogenic elements (e.g., Fe-Al, r = 0.917 p < 0.01), soil texture and chemical properties, indicating a shared origin and preferential retention in the fine fraction and soil organic matter. Contamination indices identified potential environmental risk mainly associated with Cu, Pb, Sr and Zn, particularly in densely populated areas. Mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were, respectively, 0.63 mg kg⁻¹, 42.25 mg kg⁻¹, 31.49 mg kg⁻¹, 56.91 mg kg⁻¹ and 76.08 mg kg⁻¹. These elements exceeded Spanish regulatory reference values in several soils. Bioaccumulation indices indicated notable plant uptake of As, Sr and Zn, highlighting their potential for trophic transfer. Full article

The fig tree (Ficus carica L.) is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees in the Mediterranean region and represents an important genetic resource for both traditional and emerging production systems. Despite its agronomic and economic relevance, modern fig breeding remains limited, and large-scale phenotypic evaluations across Mediterranean germplasms are still scarce. The objective of this study was to assess phenotypic diversity and identify key agronomic traits relevant for fig breeding. A total of 257 female fig genotypes conserved in germplasm banks located in Spain, Turkey, and Tunisia were used. Over two consecutive seasons (2021 and 2022), a total of 27 morphological, phenological, and pomological traits were assessed according to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) descriptors for fig (TG265/1), with 23 phenotypic traits retained for statistical analyses. Linear mixed models were used to estimate marginal means and to partition genetic and environmental variance, while multivariate analyses and trait correlations were employed to explore the structure of phenotypic diversity. The germplasm exhibits remarkable variation in productive type, reproductive behaviour, harvesting date, and fruit quality traits. Harvesting date spans nearly three months. Fruit weight ranges from 11.7 to 134.5 g, total soluble solids from 9 to 39 °Brix, and maturation index values reached high levels, indicating pronounced sweetness during fruit ripening. Most genotypes showed high skin scratch resistance, absence of cracking at maturity, and medium or small ostiole size, highlighting the presence of ideotypes specifically suited for fresh market production. Heritability estimates indicate strong genetic control of key traits, such as fruit weight, fruit size, and total soluble solids, highlighting their suitability for selection in breeding programs. Stakeholder prioritisation further confirmed the relevance of fruit size, sweetness, firmness, and ostiole characteristics, helping to identify best genotypes for breeding and agronomic purposes. Overall, this study demonstrates the value of Mediterranean fig germplasm as a reservoir of valuable agronomic and commercial traits and provides a robust phenotypic framework to support future breeding, conservation, and cultivar selection strategies. Full article

This study analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of the vegetation ecological quality under climate change. Focusing on the vegetation conditions, a vegetation ecological quality index was constructed, expressing as the product of vegetation fraction cover (VFC), net primary productivity (NPP), and geographic coverage area. The results of trend and significance analysis showed that from 2000 to 2023, the VEQI in the Qinling Mountains exhibited a significant improvement, with an average slope of 4.91 gC·a⁻¹ and 96.2% of the area showing high stable improvement. Partial correlation analysis revealed that precipitation had a stronger positive influence on VEQI than temperature, with over 98% of the area showing a positive correlation with precipitation, while temperature was positively correlated in 95.0% of the area but negatively correlated in high-altitude mountain zones. Therefore, four climate-driven patterns were identified: precipitation-driven (31.2%), temperature-driven (2.3%), co-driven (54.2%), and climate-stable (12.3%), suggesting that vegetation ecological quality in most regions is co-driven by both temperature and precipitation. Based on the results of trend and significance analysis and climate-driven patterns, the Qinling Mountains were divided into three ecological risk zones: low-risk (36.1%), middle-risk (56.9%), and high-risk (7.0%), with corresponding differentiated control measures proposed. Full article

Avian wings enable autonomous control over flight trajectory and speed, and their swept-wing geometry inspires the application of sweep modifications to horizontal-axis wind turbine blades, an approach that is critical for improving aerodynamic performance. Hence, wind tunnel experiments were performed to evaluate the output power and wake features of a baseline straight-bladed and a swept-blade wind turbine. The experimental results demonstrate that inflow turbulence intensity (T.I.) affects the peak power coefficient of the swept-bladed turbine, with power coefficient gains being more significant when the tip speed ratio is greater than 3.0 and under yawed conditions. At a yaw angle of 20°, when the T.I. is 0.5%, 10.5%, and 19.0%, respectively, the corresponding increased values are 13.17%, 3.44%, and 4.68%. Cross-stream velocity in the near-wake region of the swept-bladed turbine is markedly higher than that for the baseline condition. The averaged T.I. in the wake velocity region of the swept-blade conditions is greater than that of the baseline condition at most measurement positions. Moreover, power spectral density (PSD) magnitudes behind the blade tip for the swept-blade configuration are higher than those of the baseline, particularly in the medium- and high-frequency domains. This work clarifies the aerodynamic characteristics of swept-blade wind turbines to varying levels of turbulent inflow. Full article

Radon has long been investigated as a potential earthquake precursor, yet its interpretation remains challenged by meteorological, hydrological, and instrumental variability that can generate apparent departures unrelated to tectonic processes. This review synthesises how artificial intelligence is being applied in radon-based earthquake precursor research, with particular emphasis on anomaly detection and the evaluation of radon seismicity associations. Following a PRISMA-guided workflow, Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection are searched and screened for eligibility, yielding 26 journal articles, most of which are concentrated in a limited number of tectonically active regions. Across the reviewed literature, a consistent pattern emerges: AI is used primarily to model the expected radon background, while candidate precursors are identified mainly through threshold-based indices derived from residuals or concentration ratios rather than through explicit earthquake-probability outputs. Although pre-seismic departures are reported repeatedly, this review shows that the evidence base remains constrained by heterogeneous operational definitions of anomaly, strong methodological variation across studies, a predominant emphasis on background goodness-of-fit instead of alarm-level performance, and limited use of time-ordered validation. These findings highlight both the promise and the current limitations of AI-enabled radon analysis. The main contribution of the field so far is not direct earthquake prediction but a more structured framework for separating potential tectonic signals from non-seismic variability. In this sense, the review provides an important methodological synthesis for future research and shows that more reproducible and operationally useful radon monitoring will depend on clearer anomaly definitions, stronger confounder control, more rigorous temporal validation, and more standardised performance reporting. Full article

Background: Resistance to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis represents a significant public health challenge, particularly in high-burden tuberculosis (TB) settings such as Pakistan, where multidrug-resistant (MDR) forms further complicate disease control efforts. Drug resistance is primarily associated with mutations in rpoB, inhA, katG, embA, embB, embC, and pncA. The emergence of novel, region-specific variants underscores the urgent need for integrating genomic surveillance into routine TB diagnostics and regional control programs. This study aimed to identify the spectrum of mutations contributing to first-line drug resistance in MDR-TB isolates from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 16 clinical isolates (12 MDR and 4 drug-susceptible) to identify resistance-associated mutations in rpoB, inhA, katG, embA, embB, embC, and pncA. Detected variants were interpreted using the World Health Organization (WHO) mutation catalogue to determine their association with drug resistance. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC) platform. Results: A total of 16 M. tuberculosis isolates were analyzed to evaluate resistance to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. In rpoB, 76 distinct variants were identified, including canonical mutations such as Ser450Leu and His445Arg, as well as a potentially novel substitution, Ser431Phe, predicted to confer high-level rifampicin resistance. The katG and inhA genes harbored 24 and 27 mutations, respectively, including well-characterized substitutions such as Ser315Thr and Ala114Glu, which are strongly associated with isoniazid resistance. Mutations in embA and embB were linked to ethambutol resistance, with several variants localized within conserved transmembrane domains critical for drug interaction. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial genetic diversity and evidence of local transmission among MDR-TB isolates. Conclusions: This study suggests that the genetic landscape of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis is highly dynamic in endemic regions. The findings highlight the importance of integrating region-specific mutation profiles into molecular diagnostic frameworks to enhance early detection, guide individualized therapeutic interventions, and strengthen strategies aimed at controlling the transmission of MDR-TB. Full article

The global shift toward decentralized generation has established standalone energy supply systems as a vital solution for remote regions. However, the integration of intermittent renewable sources and the inherent lack of rotational inertia in power electronic interfaces create significant challenges for frequency stability. This study addresses these issues by introducing an original Two-Tier Fractional-Order PID (TTFOPID) controller designed for robust Load Frequency Control (LFC) in a hybrid system comprising solar, diesel, biodiesel, and battery energy storage (BESS). The research utilizes the Multi-Objective Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (MOICA), enhanced with an attractive and repulsive assimilation phase, to navigate the high-dimensional parameter space. A unique framework is established to simultaneously tune controller gains and high-level system parameters, specifically BESS sizing and droop settings. Results demonstrate that the MOICA-tuned TTFOPID provides superior performance, achieving a 72% improvement in the Integral of Time-Weighted Absolute Error (ITAE) compared to NSGA-II and a 56% improvement in the Integral of the Square of Control (ISC) compared to MOPSO. Furthermore, robustness analysis validates the controller’s stability against significant parametric variations. The study concludes that the integrated TTFOPID-MOICA approach provides a superior pathway for stabilizing autonomous energy supply systems while protecting hardware longevity through optimized control effort. Full article

Introduction: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient regions and often presents with subclinical hypothyroidism. Selenium (Sel) has immunomodulatory effects, while myo-inositol (MI) may enhance thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) signaling. This study evaluated whether adding myo-inositol to selenium provides additional benefit compared with selenium alone in these patients. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to 7 March 2026. Studies comparing myo-inositol plus selenium (MI + Sel) with Sel monotherapy were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a frequentist random-effects model. Outcomes of interest included TSH, free T3 and T4, thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to assess the robustness of significant findings. Results: Three studies involving 288 patients were included (151 receiving MI + Sel and 137 receiving Sel alone). Combination therapy significantly reduced TSH levels compared with Sel monotherapy (SMD −1.26; 95% CI −1.51 to −1.00; p < 0.01; I² = 0%), and TSA suggested that this finding may be robust, although the evidence is limited by the small number of studies. TgAb levels were also significantly reduced (SMD −0.51; 95% CI −0.78 to −0.24; p < 0.01; I² = 0%); however, TSA indicated a potential risk of type I error. No significant differences were observed for T3 (SMD 0.15; 95% CI −0.09 to 0.38; p = 0.22; I² = 7%), T4 (SMD −0.01; 95% CI −0.72 to 0.69; p = 0.97; I² = 88%), or TPOAb (SMD −0.18; 95% CI −0.44 to 0.09; p = 0.20; I² = 0%). Conclusions: MI combined with Sel was associated with a significant reduction in TSH levels compared with Sel alone in patients with HT and subclinical hypothyroidism, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit. However, given the limited number of studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Further large randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the effects on thyroid function and autoimmunity. Full article

Understanding the development characteristics and controlling factors of organic-rich shales in carbonate platform settings is essential for predicting their distribution and assessing their natural gas exploration potential. However, the mechanisms governing the accumulation of such shales in these specific sedimentary environments remain poorly constrained, and the lack of integrated petrological and geochemical studies limits accurate evaluation of their resource potential. The key objective of this study is to investigate the development characteristics and formation mechanisms of organic-rich shales within intraplatform depressions. To address this objective, we conducted a comprehensive petrological and geochemical analysis of the Cambrian Shuijingtuo Formation organic-rich shale deposits deposited in a carbonate platform setting, particularly from Well EYY3 in Western Hubei, Central Yangtze region. The obtained results indicate that total organic carbon (TOC) contents in the Shuijingtuo Formation can reach up to 4.77%, with a thickness of approximately 9.5 m for shales containing over 2% TOC. Vertically, TOC content exhibits a rapid increase at the base, followed by a gradual decline toward the top, reflecting the evolution of depositional environments. The characteristics of organic-rich shale indicate a significant presence of carbonate minerals, which increase in concentration, alongside tuff lenticular bodies and lithological transition surfaces between tuff and shale. While the longitudinal variation of SiO₂ content in shale is subtle, there is a slight increase in land-sourced clasts and excess silica, and TOC has a significant positive correlation. At the base of the Shuijingtuo Formation, redox parameters, including U-EF and Mo-EF, display a rapid increase followed by a gradual decrease. Conversely, changes in Ni-EF, which indicate paleoproductivity, are less pronounced, and their correlation with TOC is relatively poor. These findings suggest that rapid sea-level rise associated with Cambrian transgressions was the main factor influencing organic matter enrichment in the carbonate platform depressions. This rise supplied nutrients and silica-rich organisms, altering the biological landscape and fostering anoxic conditions in the intraplatform depressions, promoting organic-rich shale formation. As sea levels declined, water circulation became restricted, leading to oxidation of shallow water bodies, decreased paleoproductivity, and shale deposits transitioned to tuff. Therefore, organic-rich shale can also be developed on carbonate platforms, with its formation primarily controlled by fluctuations in sea level. During highstand periods, intraplatform depressions may serve as favorable zones for shale gas exploration. Full article

Environmental loading is a major driver of nonlinear GNSS vertical displacements, yet its spatiotemporal heterogeneity remains insufficiently understood in regions with complex topography. In this study, we investigate the environmental loading effects on GNSS vertical motions across Southwest China using observations from a network of 66 stations. Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) and Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis were applied to extract annual signals, while component-wise RMS reduction quantified hydrological and atmospheric loading contributions. Spatial statistical analysis, cross-wavelet transform, and k-means clustering examined correlation patterns and phase hysteresis between GNSS observations and modeled loads. Results show that hydrological loading dominates seasonal vertical oscillations, but crustal responses exhibit pronounced spatial heterogeneity controlled by regional topography and hydro-climatic gradients. EOF analysis reveals a dipole pattern induced by the Hengduan Mountains’moisture-blocking effect. Atmospheric loading anomalously dominates the eastern Sichuan Basin, whereas Yunnan displays strong amplitudes with high heterogeneity due to karst hydrogeology. Phase analysis identifies three distinct regimes: a rapid elastic response on the Tibetan Plateau, (with the lag of ~20 ± 5 days, correlation coefficient R ≈ 0.65), intermediate delays in Yunnan (~60 ± 5 days, R ≈ 0.58), and pronounced hysteresis in the Sichuan Basin (~105 ± 5 days, R ≈ 0.38) linked to slow groundwater diffusion and poroelastic processes. These findings highlight the critical role of local hydrogeological dynamics in modulating GNSS vertical deformation and provide new insights for improving environmental loading corrections in complex mountainous regions. Full article

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and a major public health concern in Mexico. Regulatory variants in KRAS, particularly within the 3′UTR and intronic regions, may influence gene expression through microRNA binding and transcriptional regulation. Methods: Five regulatory single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in KRAS (rs12228277, rs1137196, rs8720, rs12587, and rs12245) were genotyped in BC patients and cancer-free controls. Associations were evaluated using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, alcohol, and tobacco use. Multiple testing was corrected using the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR). Linkage disequilibrium (LD), multilocus combinations, and in silico functional analyses were also performed. Results: Variants rs12228277, rs1137196, rs8720, and rs12245 showed significant genotype-level associations with BC susceptibility, all remaining significant after FDR correction (pFDR < 0.05). No clinicopathological associations remained significant after correction in single-variant analyses. Multilocus analysis identified specific high-risk combinations (e.g., involving rs12228277, rs1137196, and rs8720) associated with increased BC susceptibility. At the nominal level, these combinations showed associations with clinicopathological features, including hormone receptor–positive status (PR and ER), proliferation markers, and Luminal B subtype; however, none remained significant after FDR correction. LD analysis indicated weak linkage among variants. In silico analyses suggested potential regulatory effects on microRNA binding and KRAS expression. Conclusions: Regulatory variants in KRAS are associated with BC susceptibility through independent effects and potential combinatorial patterns. These findings support the relevance of non-coding variation in cancer risk and warrant further functional and replication studies. Full article

Wind energy is an important form of clean energy, and its rational utilization represents a crucial solution for mitigating the energy crisis and global warming. In this study, wind energy potential and its long-term changes in the South China Sea (SCS) are evaluated using ERA5 100 m wind data from 1944 to 2023, validated against ASCAT observations. High wind speeds and high wind power density (WPD) are concentrated southwest of Taiwan and southeast of Vietnam. Annual wind availability exceeds 6457 h across most regions, reaching up to 8283 h in optimal locations. WPD and capacity factor peak in winter (up to 2.4 × 10⁸ Wh·m⁻² and >50% capacity factor), with the most stable conditions occurring in the southwestern Taiwan Strait, southeast of the Pearl River Delta, and the Beibu Gulf. Empirical orthogonal function analysis reveals that the first mode of winter WPD accounts for 65.7% of the total variance, with a statistically significant increasing trend since 1990. The interannual variation in wind energy resources in the SCS during winter is controlled by the combined effects of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Pacific and the Arctic Barents Sea. Specifically, in the years with strong wind anomalies in the SCS, mega-La Niña-type SST patterns in the tropical Pacific trigger anomalous cyclonic circulation in the SCS and the eastern Philippine Sea, while warm anomalies in the Arctic Barents Sea surface drive a wave-like structure of “anticyclone–cyclone–anticyclone” from Siberia to South China. The coupling of the two systems jointly promotes the strengthening of the South China Sea monsoon, leading to increased wind speeds and elevated WPD in the northern SCS. These findings provide a scientific basis for wind farm siting and long-term operational planning in the region. Full article

Ductility dip cracking (DDC) remains a persistent challenge in multipass welds of high-chromium nickel-based alloys used in the nuclear power generation industry. While dynamic recrystallization (DRX) has been observed to arrest DDC crack growth and has been associated with weld regions that experience less DDC, there exists no quantitative relationship between the extent of recrystallization in a microstructure and DDC susceptibility. This research examines the influence of intragranular carbides on DRX behavior and establishes an experimental relationship between DDC susceptibility and extent of recrystallization in high-chromium nickel-based weld metals, novel contributions for this alloy system. In this work, the DRX behavior of the weld metal of high-chromium nickel-based filler metals (FM-52, FM-52M, FM-52i, and FM-52xl) was investigated under controlled thermo-mechanical conditions, and its effect on DDC susceptibility was established. Weld metal specimens were subjected to uniaxial deformation at 1100 °C to a true strain of 2% at strain rates of 10⁻³/s and 10⁻⁴/s using a Gleeble 3800^TM. Recrystallization was quantified using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) via grain orientation spread (GOS) analysis and dislocation–precipitate interactions were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Strain-to-fracture (STF) testing at 950 °C was employed to assess DDC susceptibility as a function of the extent of recrystallization and grain surface area. All tested weld metals exhibited increased recrystallization and grain refinement, as the strain rate decreased from 10⁻³/s to 10⁻⁴ s. The FM-52i weld metal specimens exhibited the highest grain refinement under high temperature deformation, followed by the FM-52xl, FM-52, and FM-52M weld metals with a percent reduction in average grain surface area of 51.22%, 41.66%, 35.48%, and 24.40%, respectively. The FM-52i weld metal specimens also exhibited the highest recrystallization response, followed by FM-52M, FM-52xl, and FM-52 weld metals at 75%, 40%, 39% and 21% recrystallized, respectively. Weld metals containing strong carbide formers experienced higher recrystallization responses than those without due to precipitate–carbide interactions. All tested weld metals experienced drastic reductions in DDC response with increasing extent of recrystallization and decreasing average grain surface areas. DRX in STF specimens was observed to facilitate uniform plastic strain accumulation, lowering overall DDC susceptibility compared to non-recrystallized specimens. Full article

Chinese cabbage is one of the major vegetable crops in northern Asia. Its leaves are the major organ for photosynthesis and production, and leaf color directly influences its yield and quality. Here, we obtained a pale green mutant pgm3. This mutant line was derived from EMS mutagenesis of Chinese cabbage DH line FT. pgm3 exhibited chlorosis and etiolation, delayed growth, reduced photosynthetic pigment content and net photosynthetic rates, and impaired development of the chloroplast inner membrane system. Genetic analysis revealed that the pale green phenotype was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene, Brpgm3. Mutmap analysis indicated that Brpgm3 is located on a 13.9 Mb region in A03. Within this region, a single SNP (A03: 7194530) with an SNP-index of 1, located in BraA03g015750.3C (BrClpC1), was identified from 40 differential SNPs. KASP genotyping demonstrated that the SNP co-segregated with the pale green phenotype in the F₂ population. Sanger sequencing confirmed a G-to-A SNP in exon 4 of BrClpC1, which resulted in an amino acid substitution from S to G. Furthermore, multiple sequence alignment of homologs from 28 species demonstrated that this mutated residue is highly conserved. BrClpC1 was predominantly expressed in leaves and exhibited the highest transcript abundance among the nine members of the Class I Clp gene family in Brassica rapa. This is the first report identifying ClpC1 in Brassica crops. Our results not only confirmed BrClpC1 as a strong candidate gene for the pale green mutant of Chinese cabbage, but also highlighted BrClpC1 as a target for chloroplast biology research in Brassica crops. Full article