Search Results (6,830)

The genetic diversity and population structure of five tapertail anchovy (Coilia nasus) populations—four wild populations from the Yangtze River (Taizhou, Anqing, Shanghai, Hukou) and one cultured population from Yangzhong—were analyzed using 18 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. All loci exhibited high polymorphism, with genetic parameters as follows: mean number of alleles = 20.567, expected heterozygosity = 13.506, Shannon information index = 2.743, and polymorphic information content = 0.9624. F-statistics ranged from 0.02898 to 0.05714, indicating varying degrees of genetic differentiation between all populations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 4% of the total genetic variation was attributable to differences among populations, 23% to variation among individuals within populations, and 73% to within-individual genetic variation. A UPGMA phylogenetic tree based on Nei’s genetic distance showed that the Shanghai population clustered first with Anqing, followed by Taizhou, Hukou, and finally Yangzhong. Additionally, discriminant functions developed from microsatellite data enabled accurate population assignment for all individuals. These findings provide critical insights into the genetic relationships and structure of C. nasus populations, offering valuable implications for their conservation and management. Full article

Agricultural watersheds are undergoing rapid rural–urban transitions, yet the relative contributions of diffuse agricultural runoff versus rural domestic and point sources to organophosphate esters (OPEs) pollution remain poorly understood. This study investigated the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, and potential risks of 17 legacy and emerging OPEs in the Dalongdong River, China. Combined non-target and target analyses revealed mean OPE concentrations of 111.94 ng/L in water and 8.76 ng/g in sediments. Spatially, total OPE concentrations increased progressively from upstream to downstream, with pronounced hotspots downstream of townships and near wastewater treatment facilities, indicating that rural domestic effluents and urban runoff, alongside agricultural activities, are critical contributors to OPE pollution in this watershed. Seasonally, concentrations of six legacy OPEs were significantly higher during the wet season. Furthermore, high-throughput phenotypic screening using Caenorhabditis elegans, combined with toxicological priority index analysis, showed that emerging OPEs generally pose higher integrated health and ecological risks, although certain legacy compounds, such as triphenyl phosphate, still display substantial toxic potential. These findings clarify the potential biological hazards of these compounds and provide baseline data on the fate of OPEs in riverine systems influenced by mixed agricultural and rural–urban anthropogenic activities. Full article

The Chongming Dongtan wetland, a representative coastal wetland in East Asia, faces a significant ecological threat from the invasive species Spartina alterniflora. The mixed ecotone formed between this invasive species and the native Phragmites australis serves as a highly sensitive and critical indicator of alterations in wetland ecosystem structure and function. Using spring and autumn Sentinel-2 imagery from 2016 to 2023, this study developed an integrated method that combines a three-dimensional feature space with multi-threshold Otsu segmentation to accurately extract the mixed S. alterniflora–P. australis ecotone. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the mixed ecotone were analyzed at multiple temporal scales using a centroid migration model and a newly defined Seasonal Area Ratio (SAR) index. The results suggest that: (1) Near-infrared reflectance and NDVI were identified as the optimal spectral indices for spring and autumn, respectively. This approach led to a classification achieving an overall accuracy of 87.3 ± 1.4% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.84 ± 0.02. Notably, the mixed ecotone was mapped with producers’ and users’ accuracies of 85.2% and 83.6%. (2) The vegetation followed a distinct land-to-sea ecological sequence of “pure P. australis–mixed ecotone–pure S. alterniflora”, predominantly distributed as an east–west trending belt. This pattern was fragmented by tidal creeks and micro-topography in the northwest, contrasting with geometrically regular linear features in the central area, indicative of human engineering. (3) The ecotone showed continuous seaward expansion from 2016 to 2023. Spring exhibited a consistent annual area growth of 13.93% and a stable seaward centroid migration, whereas autumn exhibited significant intra-annual fluctuations in both area and centroid, likely influenced by extreme climate events. (4) Analysis using the Seasonal Area Ratio (SAR) index, defined as the ratio of autumn to spring ecotone area, revealed a clear transition in the seasonal competition pattern in 2017, initiating a seven-year spring-dominant phase after a single year of autumn dominance. This spring-dominated era exhibited a distinctive sawtooth fluctuation pattern, indicative of competitive dynamics arising from the phenological advancement of P. australis combined with the niche penetration of S. alterniflora. This study elucidates the multiscale competition mechanisms between S. alterniflora and P. australis, thereby providing a scientific basis for effective invasive species control and ecological restoration in coastal wetlands. Full article

This study investigates how a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model internally represents baseflow contributions in snowmelt-driven, semi-arid mountain basins with heterogeneous geologic characteristics. Five basins in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, spanning fractured Precambrian bedrock and sedimentary-volcanic terrain, were used to evaluate both model performance and interpretability. Baseflow dynamics were inferred post hoc using the Baseflow Index (BFI) and a two-reservoir HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Hydrologic Modeling System) model. Although baseflow components were not explicitly included in model training, internal cell state activations exhibited strong correlations with both shallow and deep baseflow components derived from the HEC-HMS model. To better understand how these relationships may change under climatic stress, BFI-based baseflow patterns were further analyzed under pre-drought and drought conditions. Results indicate that the internal LSTM states differentiated patterns consistent with short- and long-residence flow paths, reflecting physically interpretable hydrologic behavior. This work demonstrates the potential of LSTM models to provide valuable insights into baseflow generation and groundwater–surface water interactions, which is especially critical in water-scarce regions facing increasing drought frequency. Full article

Background: Individuals with mental health conditions frequently experience stigmatization and discrimination. Among the primary objectives in the fight against stigma is to examine groups that play a crucial role in addressing it, such as healthcare professionals. Although research has examined stigma among healthcare professionals, few studies have specifically addressed how nurses perceive and contribute to the stigmatization of individuals with mental health conditions. Objective: The aim of this review was to compile and compare the scientific literature addressing nurses’ stigma toward individuals with mental health conditions. Methods: Following the methodological guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute and in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, an integrative review was conducted of MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, APA PsycInfo (EBSCO), and CINAHL Complete (EBSCO). Database-specific indexing terms were combined with the Boolean operators AND/OR. Studies with quantitative or qualitative methodologies, published in Spanish or English and without restrictions by year of publication, were included. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and performed the critical appraisal. Results: The search retrieved 4256 records, of which 32 articles were finally included. A content analysis of the selected studies was conducted. Most studies used validated questionnaires to assess stigma and its associations with various variables, while only a limited number employed qualitative designs. Across the 32 studies (n = 6283 nurses from 29 countries), stigma was observed across settings but tended to be lower among mental health specialists. Insufficient training and limited contact were consistently associated with higher levels of stigma, whereas specialization and positive contact were linked to lower levels. Associative stigma emerged as a recurrent theme with implications for psychiatric nursing identity. Conclusions: Nurses working in mental health settings generally demonstrate more positive attitudes toward individuals with mental health conditions compared with those in other clinical areas; however, stigma persists across all settings. Associative stigma may be influencing the development and advancement of psychiatric nursing. Specific academic training, capacity building, and specialization in mental health are essential to counteract stigma. Further qualitative research is required to achieve a deeper understanding of this phenomenon. Full article

Rapid land use and land cover (LULC) changes in densely populated watersheds pose serious challenges to the sustainability of ecosystem services (ES), yet their spatially explicit economic consequences remain insufficiently understood. This study analyzes the spatio-temporal dynamics of LULC and ecosystem service values (ESVs) in the Citarum Watershed, Indonesia, one of the country’s most critical and intensively transformed watersheds. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery from 2003, 2013, and 2023 was classified using a Random Forest algorithm, while future LULC conditions for 2043 were projected using a Multi-layer Perceptron–Markov Chain (MLP–MC) model under three scenarios: Business-as-Usual (BAU), Protecting Paddy Field (PPF), and Protecting Forest Area (PFA). ESVs were quantified at multiple spatial scales (county, 250 m grids, and 100 m grids) using both the Traditional Benefit Transfer (TBT) method and a Spatial Benefit Transfer (SBT) approach that integrates biophysical indicators with socio-economic variables. The contribution of LULC transitions to ESV dynamics was further assessed using the Ecosystem Service Change Intensity (ESCI) index. The results reveal substantial historical forest and shrubland losses, alongside rapid expansion of settlements and dryland agriculture, indicating intensifying anthropogenic pressure on watershed functions. Scenario analysis shows continued degradation under BAU, limited mitigation under PPF, and improved forest retention under PFA; although settlement expansion persists across all scenarios. Total ESV declined from USD 2641.33 million in 2003 to USD 1585.01 million in 2023, representing a cumulative loss of 46.13%. Projections indicate severe ESV losses under BAU and PPF by 2043, while PFA substantially reduces, but does not eliminate economic degradation. ESCI results identify forest and shrubland conversion to settlements and dryland agriculture as the dominant drivers of ESV decline. These findings demonstrate that integrating multi-scenario LULC modeling with spatially explicit ESV assessment provides a more robust basis for ecosystem-based spatial planning and supports sustainable watershed management under increasing development pressure. Full article

HVAC systems account for a significant portion of building energy consumption, making them a critical factor in achieving energy efficiency and sustainable development in buildings. The thermal comfort environment within kindergarten buildings has a direct impact on children’s health and learning performance while also being closely linked to building energy consumption. Natural ventilation serves as a fundamental passive technology for ensuring indoor air quality. It offers advantages such as energy savings and emissions reduction while improving thermal comfort, making it a key advancement in promoting sustainable building practices. Air change rate serves as a key indicator for measuring indoor air renewal. This study, based on the characteristics of young children being more sensitive to environmental changes and having weaker resistance, investigated the impact of different air change rates on indoor thermal comfort in kindergartens across three distinct climatic zones in China: hot summer and warm winter, hot summer and cold winter, and temperate areas. Thermal comfort was evaluated using the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and temperature fluctuation rate. And the effects of air change rates on building energy consumption were further examined. Simulation results show that the influence of air change rates on indoor thermal comfort, temperature fluctuations, and energy consumption varies significantly across climate zones. Guided by the sustainable principles of prioritizing children’s health and low-energy operation, the findings indicate that an air change rate of 1.5 is optimal in hot summer and warm winter areas, a rate of 0.5 is most suitable in hot summer and cold winter areas, and a rate of 0.5 is most suitable in temperate areas. This study aims to provide scientific evidence for achieving energy conservation and sustainable ventilation design through natural ventilation in kindergarten buildings across different climate zones, while ensuring children’s health. Full article

Using a fixed-effects panel threshold regression with Driscoll–Kraay inference, this paper examines how institutional quality shapes the distributional effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the ASEAN-5 economies (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) over 2002–2023. The empirical framework allows the impact of FDI on income inequality (net Gini index) to differ across low- and high-institutional regimes and to vary within regimes through interaction terms. Across governance indicators from the Worldwide Governance Indicators and a composite institutional quality index (IQ) constructed via principal component analysis (PCA), the results reveal pronounced nonlinearities, most clearly for government effectiveness, where the association between FDI and inequality switches sign across institutional regimes. For other governance dimensions, the FDI–inequality relationship is similarly regime-dependent and operates partly through regime-specific interaction effects, underscoring the importance of institutional thresholds in mediating distributional outcomes. Robustness checks confirm the directional consistency of the baseline results. Our findings imply that governance reforms must surpass critical institutional thresholds, particularly in effectiveness and implementation capacity, before FDI can contribute to reducing income inequality, highlighting the central role of deep governance improvements in enabling inclusive growth in ASEAN economies. Full article

This study examines the social, economic and cultural impacts that Latin American women face due to climate-induced displacement, considering these impacts as arenas of conflict and negotiation. Using an intersectional framework, the study analyses how climate disasters exacerbate structural inequalities rooted in patriarchal systems, thereby constraining women’s adaptive capacity while simultaneously catalysing resistance strategies. Through a comparative analysis of Bangladesh and the Dry Corridor in Central America using a Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI), the study reveals that displaced women navigate contested spaces, disputing access to resources, legal recognition and territorial belonging, while constructing transnational solidarity networks and cooperative economies. The emergence of women climate refugees challenges international legal frameworks, exposing critical gaps in protection regimes. The findings emphasise the need for gender-responsive policies that recognise women as transformative agents who negotiate power asymmetries in contexts of environmental crisis, not merely as vulnerable populations. This research contributes to our understanding of the nexus between climate change, gender and migration by foregrounding the dialectic of domination and agency in Latin American displacement processes. Full article

Subsistence family farming in Peru is increasingly constrained by ecosystem degradation, climate variability, and limited access to productive services, particularly where environmental exposure is high. This study develops an Agro-productive and Territorial Vulnerability Index (IVAPT) to evaluate environmental, ecosystem, and socioeconomic vulnerability of subsistence agriculture at the district level nationwide. The index integrates district-level agricultural survey data (ENA-2024) with multi-temporal MODIS NDVI series (2000–2024) and comprehensive climatic, topographic, land-cover, and accessibility indicators, processed through multivariate statistics. Three objective weighting schemes (ENTROPY, CRITIC, PCA) construct thematic sub-indices of Environmental Exposure (EnvExp), Ecosystem Condition (EcoCond), and Socioeconomic Capacity (SocioCap). Results show more than half of Peru’s 1552 districts fall within moderate to very high vulnerability, with highest concentration in the Amazon region (Loreto, Ucayali, Madre de Dios), Andean-Amazonian transitions, and highland districts (Huancavelica, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Puno) where biophysical constraints, ecosystem pressure, and socioeconomic isolation converge. Dimensional spatial complementarity EnvExp peaking on coast, EcoCond in Amazon, SocioCap in Andes demonstrates effective vulnerability reduction requires dimension-specific interventions. Despite divergent weighting schemes, spatial patterns remained consistent, validating identified hotspots. IVAPT provides a reproducible framework supporting evidence-based territorial planning and targeted investments in water infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a critical global public health concern, compromising the efficacy of currently available antibiotics. As the development of new antibiotics offers limited long-term solutions, alternative approaches such as efflux pump inhibition have gained attention. This study reports the development of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) co-loaded with Norfloxacin (NOR) and the efflux pump inhibitor 2-amino-thiophen-6CN-Ethyl, to modulate NOR activity against resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains overexpressing efflux pump genes. Methods: NLCs were produced via the hot emulsion method followed by sonication. The formulations were characterized for encapsulation efficiency (EE%), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vitro release kinetics, and stability. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against S. aureus 1199B and K2068 strains. Results: The NLC formulation containing norfloxacin and 6CN-Ethyl (NLC10NOR + 106CN) demonstrated high EE% for both compounds (99.50% for 6CN-Ethyl and 90.91% for NOR) and physicochemical stability over 60 days (particle size < 255 nm, PDI < 0.3, zeta potential < −20 mV). Structural analyses confirmed amorphization and effective encapsulation of the active constituents. Antibacterial assays showed that NLC10NOR + 106CN significantly increased NOR activity compared to the free drug and physical mixture; the effect in 1199B was notably superior to the NOR + CCCP (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) combination. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of NLC-based co-delivery systems as innovative strategies to overcome bacterial resistance, particularly through efflux pump inhibition enhancing antibiotic efficacy. Full article

The development of effective vaccines is a critical step in effective disease management in aquaculture. This study introduces a novel Multiepitope Chimeric Vaccine (MCV) designed to enhance immunity in lumpfish against Vibrio anguillarum, Aeromonas salmonicida, Yersinia ruckeri, Moritella viscosa and Piscirickettsia salmonis. Epitopes from major toxins and virulence factors were selected to construct the MCV in silico. Structural validation showed 96.7% of residues in favored regions, confirming stability. Codon optimization yielded a G+C content of 54.61% and a Codon Adaptation Index (CAI) of 1, indicating strong expression potential in Escherichia coli. Immune simulations predicted robust B- and T-cell responses, suggesting induction of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Experimental vaccination of lumpfish (n = 35/group) with E. coli-expressed MCV led to significantly elevated IgM levels at four- and six-weeks post-vaccination (p ≤ 0.05, p ≤ 0.01, respectively). Upon pathogen challenge, vaccinated groups showed delayed mortality against V. anguillarum, A. salmonicida, and P. salmonis, though survival differences were not statistically significant across treatments. These results highlight the immunogenicity potential of the MCV and its capacity to elicit targeted immune responses. However, further optimization is necessary to improve protective efficacy and survival outcomes. This study lays a foundation for the application of multiepitope vaccines in lumpfish aquaculture and supports ongoing efforts toward sustainable disease control strategies. Full article

Background: Accumulating evidence demonstrates that inflammatory responses play a critical role in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. In recent years, systemic immune-inflammatory (SII) markers have emerged as valuable tools for evaluating tumor grade and prognosis in solid tumors. To assess SII scores associated with neoplasm-related grading and staging in order to investigate the incidence rate in SII levels and cancer-related aggressiveness. Methods: The present review was recorded in Figshare system with id no. 10.6084/m9.figshare.31029121. Observational studies recording grading and staging differences (advanced III–IV vs. early 0–II) in SII values among cancer patients were included in the present review. Frequencies were collected among cancer patients, along with low and high SII levels and related grading and staging scores. Results: A total of ten studies were included in the present review. Considering cancer grading classification and SII levels, our data showed significant associations not recorded in all the selected studies. Additionally, high SII values appeared to be significantly associated with advanced-stage cancer (stages III–IV), while lower SII values were associated with an increased probability of early-stage tumors (stages 0–II), (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The SII marker has shown potential predictive value in cancer. However, the SII is a relatively novel index in which a direct causal effect on tumor initiation or subsequent disease progression remains to be comprehensively investigated. Full article

To enhance intelligent decision-making for tunneling operations in complex geological conditions, this study proposes a high-precision prediction method for TBM cutterhead torque using engineering data from the west return-air roadway of the Shoushan No. 1 Mine in Pingdingshan, Henan (China). A multisource dataset integrating geological exploration data, TBM electro-hydraulic parameters, and surrounding rock–TBM interaction indicators was constructed and preprocessed through outlier removal, interpolation restoration, and Savitzky–Golay filtering to extract high-quality steady-state features. To capture the mechanical properties of composite strata, the equivalent strength parameter of composite strata and an integrity-classification index were introduced as key predictors. Based on these inputs, a hybrid TCN–BiLSTM–Logarithmic Attention model was developed to jointly extract local temporal patterns, model global dependencies, and emphasize critical operating responses. Testing results show that the proposed model consistently outperforms TCN, BiLSTM, and TCN-BiLSTM baselines under intact, transitional, and fractured rock conditions. It achieves an RMSE (19.85) and MAPE (3.72%) in intact strata, while in fractured strata RMSE (29.55) and MAPE (10.82%) are reduced by 23.5% and 22.7% relative to TCN. Performance in transitional strata is likewise superior. Overall, the TCN–BiLSTM–Logarithmic Attention model demonstrates the highest prediction accuracy across intact, transitional, and fractured strata; effectively captures the mechanical characteristics of composite formations; and achieves robust and high-precision prediction of TBM cutterhead torque in complex geological environments. Full article

Growing water scarcity, climate change, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations have intensified the need for advanced wastewater treatment technologies capable of removing emerging contaminants and enabling safe water reuse. This review provides an integrated assessment of recent trends in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), including their role in hybrid treatment systems, with emphasis on contaminant removal efficiency, energy demand, operational complexity, and transformation product formation. In parallel, an exploratory statistical analysis of EUROSTAT indicators—population connected to wastewater treatment plants, Water Exploitation Index (WEI), freshwater availability, and sludge production—was conducted to examine relationships between treatment infrastructure and pressures on water resources across Europe. Correlation and principal component analyses reveal weak to moderate and predominantly indirect relationships between infrastructure expansion and water stress, highlighting that connectivity alone does not reduce resource pressure in the absence of water reuse and advanced treatment. The combined technological and statistical evidence demonstrates that reuse-oriented MBR–AOP systems are critical for improving effluent quality, mitigating emerging pollutant risks, and supporting circular, climate-resilient water management strategies under European policy frameworks. Full article