Search Results (136)

Climate change and landscape fragmentation have made fires the primary drivers of forest degradation in Southern Amazonia. Understanding their impacts is crucial for informing public conservation policies. In this study, we assessed the effects of repeated fires on trees with a diameter ≥10 cm across three distinct vegetation types in this threatened region: Amazonian successional forest (SF), transitional forest (TF), and ombrophilous forest (OF). Two anthropogenic fires affected all three vegetation types in consecutive years. We hypothesized that SF would be the least impacted due to its more open structure and the presence of fire-adapted savanna (Cerrado) species. As expected, SF experienced the lowest tree mortality rate (9.1%). However, both TF and OF were heavily affected, with mortality rates of 28.0% and 29.7%, respectively. Despite SF’s apparent fire resilience, all vegetation types experienced a significant net loss of species and individuals. These results indicate a fire-induced degradation stage in both TF and OF, characterized by reduced species diversity and structural integrity. Our findings suggest that recurrent fires may trigger irreversible vegetation shifts and broader ecosystem tipping points across the Amazonian frontier. Full article

This study delivers a rigorous and in-depth bibliometric examination of 693 scholarly publications addressing the intersection of metaverse technologies and banking, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Through advanced scientometric tools, including VOSviewer and Bibliometrix, the research systematically unpacks the evolving intellectual and thematic contours of this interdisciplinary frontier. The co-occurrence analysis of keywords reveals a landscape shaped by seven core thematic clusters, encompassing immersive user environments, digital infrastructure, experiential design, and ethical considerations. Factorial analysis uncovers a marked bifurcation between experience-driven narratives and technology-centric frameworks, with integrative concepts such as technology, information, and consumption serving as conceptual bridges. Network visualizations of authorship patterns point to the emergence of high-density collaboration clusters, particularly centered around influential contributors such as Dwivedi and Ooi, while regional distribution patterns indicate a tri-continental dominance led by Asia, North America, and Western Europe. Temporal analysis identifies a significant surge in academic interest beginning in 2022, aligning with increased institutional and commercial experimentation in virtual financial platforms. Our findings argue that the incorporation of metaverse paradigms into banking is not merely a technological shift but a systemic transformation in progress—one that blurs the boundaries between speculative innovation and tangible implementation. This work contributes foundational insights for future inquiry into digital finance systems, algorithmic governance, trust architecture, and the wider socio-economic consequences of banking in virtualized environments. Whether a genuine leap toward financial evolution or a sophisticated illusion, the metaverse in banking must now be treated as a systemic phenomenon worthy of serious scrutiny. Full article

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of literature is imperative to elucidate current research landscapes and hotspots in the interplay between gut microbiota and hypertension, identify knowledge gaps, and establish theoretical foundations for the future. We used publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and SCOPUS databases (January 2001–December 2024) to analyze the annual publication trends with GraphPad Prism 9.5.1, to evaluate co-authorship, keywords clusters, and co-citation patterns with VOSviewer 1.6.20, and conducted keyword burst detection and keyword co-occurrence utilizing CiteSpace v6.4.1. We have retrieved 2485 relevant publications published over the past 24 years. A 481-fold increase in global annual publications in this field was observed. China was identified as the most productive country, while the United States demonstrated the highest research impact. For the contributor, Yang Tao (University of Toledo, USA) and the University of Florida (USA) have emerged as the most influential contributors. Among journals, the highest number of articles was published in Nutrients (n = 135), which also achieved the highest citation count (n = 5397). The emergence of novel research hotspots was indicated by high-frequency keywords, mainly “hypertensive disorders of pregnancy”, “mendelian randomization”, “gut-heart axis”, and “hepatitis B virus”. “Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)” and “receptor” may represent promising new research frontiers in the gut microbiota–hypertension nexus. The current research trends are shifting from exploring the factors influencing gut microbiota and hypertension to understanding the underlying mechanisms of these factors and the potential therapeutic applications of microbial modulation for hypertension management. Full article

Historic districts of ancient towns serve as significant carriers of historical and cultural heritage while also being popular tourist destinations. Within the context of urbanization and organic renewal, the protection and development of historic districts have become crucial research topics. This study collects literature from the Web of Science database and applies manual screening to ensure relevance to the research theme. Using CiteSpace as an analytical tool, the study conducts a visual analysis from multiple perspectives, including keywords, writing time, authors, centrality, keyword clustering analysis, and timeline visualization. By constructing a knowledge graph, this research explores the key pathways and knowledge nodes in the organic renewal of spatial environments in historic districts of ancient towns. Based on literature clustering, the study categorizes research into four major aspects: heritage conservation, cultural and tourism development, spatial planning and design, and environmental enhancement. Based on this, universal strategies for the cultural and tourism development of historic districts in ancient towns are proposed. The research focus shifts from emphasizing cultural heritage preservation to the integrated development of culture and tourism. In the spatial development of historic districts, everyday life scenes should be incorporated while new technologies should be utilized to enhance environmental comfort. This paper summarizes the current research frontiers in this field and proposes future research trends, providing valuable references for scholars in related areas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Community benefit (CB) obligations by not-for-profit (NFP) hospitals have attracted renewed scrutiny at federal and state levels due to wide variation in CB spending. In 2020, Oregon implemented a CB policy for all NFP hospitals that included requirements to expand patient financial assistance and a hospital-specific minimum CB spending floor. We examined trends in CB spending after the implementation of Oregon’s CB policy. Methods: Interrupted time-series analyses to compare hospital CB spending before and after policy implementation. Results: Overall, Oregon’s CB policy was not associated with changes in CB spending, except for a 0.2% decrease in the Social Determinants of Health spending (−0.0018; p < 0.05). Among hospitals in the first tercile of pre-policy CB spending, Oregon’s policy was associated with a 0.4% decrease in charity care (−0.0041; p < 0.05) and a 0.6% increase in subsidized health services spending (0.0063; p < 0.05). Hospitals in the second tercile of pre-policy CB spending experienced a 0.7% decrease in subsidized health services (−0.0074; p < 0.05). Among frontier hospitals, total CB spending and Medicaid shortfalls increased by 2.9% (0.0292; p < 0.10) and 2.2% (0.0220; p < 0.10) respectively, while non-frontier hospitals experienced a 0.7% decrease in Medicaid shortfall (−0.0068; p < 0.05). Critical access hospitals experienced a 1.3% increase in subsidized health services spending (0.0131; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although total CB spending did not change in the two years following Oregon’s CB policy implementation, findings suggest that hospitals may be shifting the composition of their CB spending. Oregon’s CB policy encourages proactive CB spending tailored to community needs, but opportunities exist to fine-tune the policy to boost hospital CB spending. Specifically, planned spending in categories such as charity care may alleviate the increasing burden of medical debt and its financial implications for patients. Full article

At the intersection of nanotechnology and cancer biology, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as more than passive carriers—they are active agents capable of reshaping cellular fate. Among their most promising attributes is the potential to modulate apoptosis and autophagy, two intricately linked pathways that determine tumor response to stress, damage, and treatment. Apoptosis serves as the principal mechanism of programmed cell death, while autophagy offers a dualistic role—preserving survival under transient stress or contributing to cell death under sustained insult. Thus, understanding how these mechanisms interact—and how AuNPs influence this crosstalk—may be key to unlocking more effective oncologic therapies. This review explores the molecular interplay between apoptosis and autophagy in cancer and evaluates how AuNPs impact these pathways. By enhancing radiosensitization in radiation therapy and improving drug delivery and chemotherapeutic precision, AuNPs offer a unique strategy to circumvent resistance in aggressive or refractory tumors towards shaping their biological behavior and cellular pathways and, therefore, forming a patient-centered personalized therapeutic potential. Yet, clinical translation remains challenging. The dynamic physicochemical nature of AuNPs makes their biological behavior highly context-dependent. Combined with the complexity of apoptotic and autophagic signaling and tumor heterogeneity, this creates a triad of profound intricacy. However, within this complexity lies therapeutic opportunity. Framing AuNPs, apoptosis, and autophagy as a synergistic axis may enable mechanism-informed, adaptable, and patient-specific cancer therapies. This paradigm shift invites a more strategic integration of nanotechnology with molecular oncology, advancing the frontier of precision medicine. Full article

In the pursuit of advancing sustainable energy storage solutions, solid-state batteries (SSBs) have emerged as a formidable contender to traditional lithium-ion batteries, distinguished by their superior energy density, augmented safety measures, and improved cyclability. Amid escalating concerns regarding resource scarcity, environmental ramifications, and the safety hazards posed by lithium-ion technologies, the exploration into non-lithium SSBs has emerged as a crucial frontier for technological breakthroughs. This exhaustive review delves into the latest progressions and persisting challenges within the sphere of sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) SSBs, spotlighting seminal materials, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic approaches propelling advancements in this vibrant domain. Despite considerable progress, hurdles such as amplifying ionic conductivity, mitigating the intricacies at the electrode–electrolyte interface, and realizing scalable production methodologies continue to loom. Nevertheless, the trajectory for non-lithium SSBs holds considerable promise, poised to redefine the landscape of electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid stabilization technologies, thereby marking a significant leap toward realizing a sustainable and energy-secure future. This review article aims to provide a detailed overview of the materials and methodologies underpinning the development of these next-generation energy storage devices, underscoring their potential to catalyze a paradigm shift in our approach to energy storage and utilization. Full article

Tobacco use remains a critical global health issue, with extensive research focusing on its impact on public health, particularly its strong association with oral cavity cancer. It is a leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide, affecting millions each year. Despite increased awareness and regulatory measures, tobacco continues to pose significant challenges, prompting ongoing investigations into its health effects and related behaviors. Objective: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of smoking and smokeless tobacco research from 2014 to 2024, focusing on identifying key research trends, influential contributors, emerging topics, and collaborative networks on a global scale. Methods: A dataset of 2694 research papers from PubMed was analyzed using bibliometric tools. Keyword co-occurrence, authorship patterns, and institutional collaborations were mapped to reveal dominant themes and trends. Additionally, country-specific publications were examined to assess geographical contributions and emerging research frontiers. Results: The analysis indicates a 7.3% annual increase in publications, with a peak in 2021 likely influenced by COVID-19. Research topics have shifted from traditional tobacco-related health impacts, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases, to newer areas like e-cigarettes and social determinants of health. Strong international collaborations were noted, with the U.S., China, and Europe as dominant contributors. Emerging research frontiers include electronic nicotine delivery systems and strategies aimed at controlling tobacco-related health risks. Conclusion: This bibliometric study highlights significant growth in tobacco-related research over the past decade. Evolving trends reflect a shift toward newer tobacco products and public health challenges. These findings provide valuable insights for shaping future research agendas and informing global tobacco control policies. Full article

The Gobi Wall is a 321 km-long structure made of earth, stone, and wood, located in the Gobi highland desert of Mongolia. It is the least understood section of the medieval wall system that extends from China into Mongolia. This study aims to determine its builders, purpose, and chronology. Additionally, we seek to better understand the ecological implications of constructing such an extensive system of walls, trenches, garrisons, and fortresses in the remote and harsh environment of the Gobi Desert. Our field expedition combined remote sensing, pedestrian surveys, and targeted excavations at key sites. The results indicate that the garrison walls and main long wall were primarily constructed using rammed earth, with wood and stone reinforcements. Excavations of garrisons uncovered evidence of long-term occupation, including artifacts spanning from 2nd c. BCE to 19th c. CE. According to our findings, the main construction and usage phase of the wall and its associated structures occurred throughout the Xi Xia dynasty (1038–1227 CE), a period characterized by advanced frontier defense systems and significant geopolitical shifts. This study challenges the perception of such structures as being purely defensive, revealing the Gobi Wall’s multifunctional role as an imperial tool for demarcating boundaries, managing populations and resources, and consolidating territorial control. Furthermore, our spatial and ecological analysis demonstrates that the distribution of local resources, such as water and wood, was critical in determining the route of the wall and the placement of associated garrisons and forts. Other geographic factors, including the location of mountain passes and the spread of sand dunes, were strategically utilized to enhance the effectiveness of the wall system. The results of this study reshape our understanding of medieval Inner Asian imperial infrastructure and its lasting impact on geopolitical landscapes. By integrating historical and archeological evidence with geographical analysis of the locations of garrisons and fortifications, we underscore the Xi Xia kingdom’s strategic emphasis on regulating trade, securing transportation routes, and monitoring frontier movement. Full article

In this paper, the non-parametric frontier methodology (DEA) with input orientation, variable returns to scale, and the Malmquist productivity indices are used to study the level of national and regional efficiency and know the productive change of Spanish hotels in the period 2014–2021, after the health crisis caused by COVID-19. The main objective of this paper is to know if the national and regional efficiency and total productivity of this sector have changed due to this pandemic. The data were extracted from the Iberian Balance Sheet Analysis System (SABI) and the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE). The results obtained make it possible to determine which regions are the most efficient (Asturias, Castilla-León, and Cantabria) and to know that changes in productivity have their origin in efficiency. Furthermore, in 2021, after eliminating the restrictions imposed to fight COVID-19, investments made by hotel companies led to great technical progress. Thus, contrary to what one might think, the pandemic did positively affect the productivity of these companies, thanks to great technical progress and better adjustment of their scale. Besides, it is possible that COVID-19 has shifted tourism from regions with large cities to those with more natural areas, so the most efficient regions are those where natural tourism stands out. Full article

Gut microbiota plays an important role in gut health, and its dysbiosis is closely related to the pathogenesis of various intestinal diseases. The field of gut microbiota and intestinal diseases has not yet been systematically quantified through bibliometric methods. This study conducted bibliometric analysis to delineate the evolution of research on gut microbiota and intestinal diseases. Data were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2009 to 2023 and were scientometrically analyzed using CiteSpace. We have found that the number of annual publications has been steadily increasing and showing an upward trend. China and the Chinese Academy of Sciences are the country and institution with the most contributions, respectively. Frontiers in Microbiology and Nutrients are the journals with the most publications, while Plos One and Nature are the journals with the most citations. The field has shifted from focusing on traditional descriptive analysis of gut microbiota composition to exploring the causal relationship between gut microbiota and intestinal diseases. The research hotspots and trends mainly include the correlation between specific intestinal diseases and gut microbiota diversity, the mechanism of gut microbiota involvement in intestinal diseases, the exploration of important gut microbiota related to intestinal diseases, and the relationship between gut microbiota and human gut health. This study provides a comprehensive knowledge map of gut microbiota and intestinal diseases, highlights key research areas, and outlines potential future directions. Full article

Electric wheel loaders (EWLs) have emerged as a pivotal innovation in the 2020s, representing a transformative shift toward high-efficiency, low-emission construction machinery. Despite their growing technological and environmental significance, a systematic synthesis of advancements in EWL design, energy optimization, and intelligent control remains absent in the literature. To bridge this gap, this review critically evaluates over 140 studies for comparative analysis. Building on the authors’ ongoing research, this paper categorizes EWL architectures and examines breakthroughs in hydraulic systems, drivetrain configurations, and bucket dynamics optimization. A dedicated focus is placed on energy-saving strategies, including advancements in battery technology, fast-charging infrastructure, intelligent torque distribution, and data-driven modeling of shoveling and operational resistance. The analysis reveals that integrating optimal control strategies with machine learning algorithms—such as model predictive control (MPC)—is a critical pathway to achieving energy-efficient and assisted driving in next-generation EWLs. Furthermore, this review advocates for the adoption of distributed electro-hydraulic drive systems to minimize hydraulic losses and enable efficient energy recovery during actuator control. By synthesizing these insights, this work not only highlights current technological frontiers but also proposes actionable research directions to accelerate the commercialization of intelligent, sustainable EWLs. Full article

Climate warming poses a significant threat to China’s national food security as grain production encounters the daunting challenge of climate change. Thus, promoting the shift of agriculture toward climate-smart practices has become an inevitable choice. This study investigated climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices using agricultural and environmental indicators that affect the technical efficiency of grain farming in Northeast China. The study employs the stochastic frontier analysis approach to estimate the efficiency of the production function and highlight the significant factors that affect efficiency. The entropy weight method was also used to analyze the climate-smart agricultural development index (CSA-DI) and climate-smart balanced development index (CSA-BDI) in Northeast China. The provincial panel data from 1980 to 2017 revealed an increasing trend for the CSA-DI and CSA-BDI. Although the region has achieved initial results in systematicity and coordination, there is still room for improvement in food security and climate change adaptation. Based on these results, this study proposes policy recommendations for CSA technologies and the promotion of comprehensive projects to endorse climate-smart agriculture for regional shared benefits and responsibilities. Full article

The patent openness decisions of frontier enterprises and the consequent investment tendencies of laggard enterprises play a significant role in their profitability. Despite the benefits resulting from directly using open patents, in order to capture market share and surpass frontier enterprises, laggard enterprises must decide whether they are going to invest in R&D or expansion. In this context, based on evolutionary game theory and the operational behaviors of both frontier and laggard enterprises, this study constructed a model of enterprise revenue under asymmetric competition, exploring the impact of patent openness with and without government subsidies on enterprise revenue. This study discovered that: (1) when the industry scale is small, frontier enterprises gain significant social effects through patent openness, while laggard enterprises invest in expansion; (2) as the industry scale gradually expands, frontier enterprises tend to prefer not to open their patents, and laggard enterprises gradually shift from imitation to independent innovation when the return on R&D investment increases more than that on expansion investment; and (3) when the R&D costs of laggard enterprises are high, frontier enterprises usually choose not to open their patents, forcing laggard enterprises to turn to investment in expansion. This allows frontier enterprises to reduce the losses from patent openness while enjoying the benefits of reduced industry production costs. This study provides new perspectives on patent openness and investment tendencies with the help of an evolutionary game mechanism and offers managerial policy recommendations. Full article

The urban–rural fringe, serving as a frontier space and protective barrier for urban–rural factor circulation, is a complex area marked by significant human–land conflicts. Therefore, scientifically identifying and dynamically monitoring the urban–rural fringe is crucial for its integrated development and spatial governance. In this context, this paper constructs an information entropy model using land use data, combined with the central gravitational agglomeration method, to accurately identify the evolution of Harbin’s urban–rural fringe over the past 40 years. The research reveals that Harbin’s urban–rural fringe exhibits a distinct circling pattern, with spatial morphology changes characterized as “low-speed spreading—jumping expansion—internal dissimilarity”, allowing for improved identification of its three types: stable, expanding, and degrading. The study also tracks the scale of the urban–rural fringe in Harbin with three types of stable, expanding, and degrading urban–rural fringe. Drawing on previous research, we visualize the fringe area’s functional spatial positioning, showing its dominant function shifting from a production–ecological composite to a production–life–ecological coordinated function. Concurrently, the study’s findings, alongside Harbin’s socioeconomic development, indicate that the urban–rural fringe’s evolution is driven by economic, policy, and environmental factors. Based on the multi-dimensional research outcomes, we conclude that the evolution of Harbin’s urban–rural fringe can be divided into three stages: a slow gestation period (1980–1990), a rapid development period (1990–2010), and a stable reconstruction phase (2010–2020). In the initial phase, urban and rural development is minimal; during the second phase, the trend of urban expansion is significant, and the urban–rural fringe is rapidly shifted to the city; and in the latter stage, urban and rural elements are stabilized and coordinated, and urban and rural areas are realized to be developed and reconstructed as one. This paper provides a scientific basis for understanding the dynamic evolution of the urban–rural fringe in Harbin City and is an important reference for future territorial spatial planning and development. Full article