Search Results (3,227)

With the continuous growth of global energy consumption and the advancement of carbon reduction targets, the development of low-carbon and renewable energy resources has become a central focus in energy science research. As the only renewable carbon source, biomass exhibits significant application potential in future energy and resource systems due to its widespread availability, carbon neutrality, and environmental friendliness. Biochar, the primary solid product generated during biomass pyrolysis, is characterized by its high energy density, excellent thermal stability, and abundant porous structure. It has been increasingly regarded as a promising substitute for conventional fossil-based fuels and feedstocks. In this study, VOSviewer was employed to identify representative applications of biochar in energy systems. Particular attention is given to its roles in fossil fuel substitution and raw material replacement. By summarizing recent research progress, this review aims to provide theoretical support and technical references for the large-scale and efficient utilization of biochar. Full article

Global ambitions for net-zero emissions and resource circularity are propelling industry from linear “make-use-dispose”models toward closed-loop value creation. Remanufacturing, which aims to restore end-of-life products to a “like-new” condition, plays a central role in this transition. However, its stochastic inputs and complex, multi-stage processes pose significant challenges to traditional production planning methods. This study delivers an integrated overview of remanufacturing scheduling by combining a systematic bibliometric review of 190 publications (2005–2025) with a critical synthesis of modelling approaches and enabling technologies. The bibliometric results reveal five thematic clusters and a 14% annual growth rate, highlighting a shift from deterministic, shop-floor-focused models to uncertainty-aware, sustainability-oriented frameworks. The scheduling problems are formalised to capture features arising from variable core quality, multi-phase precedence, and carbon reduction goals, in both centralised and cloud-based systems. Advances in human–robot disassembly, vision-based inspection, hybrid repair, and digital testing demonstrate feedback-rich environments that increasingly integrate planning and execution. A comparative analysis shows that, while mixed-integer programming and metaheuristics perform well in small static settings, dynamic and large-scale contexts benefit from reinforcement learning and hybrid decomposition models. Finally, future directions for dynamic, collaborative, carbon-conscious, and digital-twin-driven scheduling are outlined and investigated. Full article

Mountain glaciers are the most direct and sensitive indicators of climate change. In the context of global warming, monitoring changes in glacier elevation has become a crucial issue in modern cryosphere research. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is a full-waveform laser altimeter with a multi-beam that provides unprecedented measurements of the Earth’s surface. Many studies have investigated its applications in assessing the vertical structure of various forests. However, few studies have assessed GEDI’s performance in detecting variations in glacier elevation in land ice in high-mountain Asia. To address this limitation, we selected the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP), one of the most sensitive areas to climate change, as a test area to assess the feasibility of using GEDI to monitor glacier elevation changes by comparing it with ICESat-2 ATL06 and the reference TanDEM-X DEM products. Moreover, this study further analyzes the influence of environmental factors (e.g., terrain slope and aspect, and altitude distribution) and glacier attributes (e.g., glacier area and debris cover) on changes in glacier elevation. The results show the following: (1) Compared to ICESat-2, in most cases, GEDI overestimated glacier thinning (i.e., elevation reduction) to some extent from 2019 to 2021, with an average overestimation value of about −0.29 m, while the annual average rate of elevation change was relatively close, at −0.70 ± 0.12 m/yr versus −0.62 ± 0.08 m/yr, respectively. (2) In terms of time, GEDI reflected glacier elevation changes at interannual and seasonal scales, and the trend of change was consistent with that found with ICESat-2. The results indicate that glacier accumulation mainly occurred in spring and winter, while the melting rate accelerated in summer and autumn. (3) GEDI effectively monitored and revealed the characteristics and patterns of glacier elevation changes with different terrain features, glacier area grades, etc.; however, as the slope increased, the accuracy of the reported changes in glacier elevation gradually decreased. Nonetheless, GEDI still provided reasonable estimates for changes in mountain glacier elevation. (4) The spatial distribution of GEDI footprints was uneven, directly affecting the accuracy of the monitoring results. Thus, to improve analyses of changes in glacier elevation, terrain factors should be comprehensively considered in further research. Overall, these promising results have the potential to be used as a basic dataset for further investigations of glacier mass and global climate change research. Full article

The global population surge and continuously rising energy demand have led to the rapid depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Over-exploitation of non-renewable fuels is responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases, air pollution, and global warming, which causes serious health issues and ecological imbalance. The present study focuses on the potential of algae-based biofuel as an alternative energy source for fossil fuels. Algal biofuels are more environmentally friendly and economically reasonable to produce on a pilot scale compared to lignocellulosic-derived biofuels. Algae can be cultivated in closed, open, and hybrid photobioreactors. Notably, high-rate raceway ponds with the ability to recycle nutrients can reduce freshwater consumption by 60% compared to closed systems. The algal strain along with various factors such as light, temperature, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and pH is responsible for the growth of biomass and biofuel production. Algal biomass conversion through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can achieve higher energy return on investments (EROI) than conventional techniques, making it a promising Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5–6 pathway toward circular biorefineries. Therefore, algal-based biofuel production offers numerous benefits in terms of socio-economic growth. This review highlights the basic cultivation, dewatering, and processing of algae to produce biofuels using various methods. A simplified multicriteria evaluation strategy was used to compare various catalytic processes based on multiple performance indicators. We also conferred various advantages of an integrated biorefinery system and current technological advancements for algal biofuel production. In addition to this, policies and market regulations are discussed briefly. At the end, critical challenges and future perspectives of algal biorefineries are reviewed. Algal biofuels are environmentally friendly as well as economically sustainable and usually offer more benefits compared to fossil fuels. Full article

Background: Children with disabilities face complex, systemic health access barriers rooted in societal, institutional, and structural inequities, requiring urgent global policy attention. Publications on access to health services for this population category have been found to have a significant growth in both quantity and content. The article aims to examine the structure and evolution of scientific literature in analyzing the healthcare system through the lens of inclusive services. Methods: We present the bibliometric profile of the global literature on access to health services for children with disabilities, the publication trends, the structure of research in this field concerning geographical distribution, methodological approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations, and the core research topics, conceptual clusters, and future research directions in the field. The publications were screened from Web of Science databases, using PRISMA methodology. Finally, 1100 academic publications published between 1984 and 2025, obtained from a total of 432 different sources, the majority of which were peer-reviewed journals, were screened. Results: The calculated annual publication growth rate of 8.37% and the distinct upward trend observed, especially after 2015. The highest level was reached in 2023, with over 90 publications showing that the topic has become a focus of international academic interest. The USA (33.5%), the United Kingdom (15.7%), Australia (9.5%), and Canada (9.5%) stood out in publications, and there were strong collaborative networks among European nations (8.2%). Conclusions: Although high-income countries still appear to play a dominant role in research production, expanding international collaborations and distributing resources more equitably will contribute to the development of more inclusive solutions on a global scale. Temporal trends show an evolution toward diagnostic processes, family-centered approaches, and psychosocial dimensions. The results draw a clear picture of the current research landscape regarding access to health services for pediatric disability populations and identify potential directions for future research. Full article

The mounting global concern regarding the accumulation of plastic waste underscores the necessity for the development of innovative solutions, with particular emphasis on the incorporation of plant-based biofillers into polymer composites as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials. This review provides a comprehensive and structured overview of the recent progress (2020–2025) in the integration of plant-based biofillers into both thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer matrices, with a focus on surface modification techniques, physicochemical characterization, and emerging industrial applications. Unlike the prior literature, this work highlights the dual environmental and material benefits of using plant-derived fillers, particularly in the context of waste valorization and circular material design. By clearly identifying a current research gap—the limited scalability and processing efficiency of biofillers—this review proposes a strategy in which plant-derived materials function as key enablers for sustainable composite development. Special attention is given to extraction methods of lignocellulosic fillers from renewable agricultural waste streams and their subsequent functionalization to improve matrix compatibility. Additionally, it delineates the principal approaches for biofiller modification, demonstrating how their properties can be tailored to meet specific needs in biocomposite production. This critical synthesis of the state-of-the-art literature not only reinforces the role of biofillers in reducing dependence on non-renewable fillers but also outlines future directions in scaling up their use, improving durability, and expanding performance capabilities of sustainable composites. Overall, the presented analysis contributes novel insights into the material design, processing strategies, and potential of plant biofillers as central elements in next-generation green composites. Full article

Global climate change has intensified the frequency, intensity, and spatial heterogeneity of drought events, posing severe threats to the stability of terrestrial ecosystems. Plant drought resilience, which encompasses a plant’s capacity for drought resistance, post-stress recovery, and long-term adaptation and transformation to sustain ecosystem functionality, has emerged as a central focus in botanical and ecological research. This review synthesizes the conceptual evolution of plant drought resilience, from early emphasis on resistance and recovery to the current multi-dimensional framework integrating adaptation and transformation, and synthesizes advances in understanding multi-scale drought resilience in terrestrial plants—spanning molecular, physiological, individual, community, and ecosystem levels. Key mechanisms include molecular/physiological adaptations (osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defense, hydraulic regulation, carbon–water reallocation via gene networks and aquaporins), morpho-anatomical traits (root architectural plasticity, leaf structural modifications, and hydraulic vulnerability segmentation), community/ecosystem drivers (biodiversity effects, microbial symbioses, and soil–plant–feedback dynamics). We critically evaluate quantitative metrics and expose critical gaps, including neglect of stress legacy effects, oversimplified spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and limited integration of concurrent stressors. Future research should prioritize multi-scale and multi-dimensional integrated analysis, long-term multi-scenario simulations with field validation, and harnessing plant–microbe interactions to enhance drought resilience, providing a theoretical basis for ecosystem sustainability and agricultural production under climate change. Full article

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease with limited treatment options focused primarily on symptom management. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary interventions may influence inflammation and pain through modulation of the gut microbiome and metabolome. Methods: We conducted a 4-week open-label pilot trial evaluating the effects of an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention (ITIS diet) in 20 patients with knee OA (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05559463, registered prior to enrollment; sponsor: University of California, San Diego; responsible party: Monica Guma; study start date: 1 October 2021). The following were assessed before and after the intervention: (1) clinical outcomes; (2) gut and salivary microbiomes; and (3) salivary, stool, and plasma metabolomes. Responders were defined as patients achieving ≥30% reduction in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scores. Results: The ITIS diet was well-tolerated, with good adherence (66.2%) and a significant improvement in clinical outcomes, including reduced pain and improved overall health measured with the visual analog scale (VAS). Responders (n = 8) showed distinct gut microbiome and metabolome profiles compared to non-responders (n = 12). Notably, taxa within the Lachnospiraceae family exhibited dynamic, bidirectional shifts post-intervention: Anaerostipes and Limivivens were enriched among responders and negatively correlated with pain scores, while Oliverpabstia and Fusicatenibacter were depleted following dietary intervention. These taxa also showed strong correlations with anti-inflammatory metabolites, including hydroxydecanoic acid derivatives and pyridoxine. Furthermore, subsequent network analysis revealed more structured and selective microbiome–metabolome interactions in responders, specifically post-intervention. Conclusions: This pilot study shows that a short-term anti-inflammatory dietary intervention was associated with meaningful changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome. Members of the Lachnospiraceae family emerged as key taxa associated with pain reduction and anti-inflammatory metabolite production. Our findings suggest that specific microbial responses—rather than global diversity changes—may underlie dietary responsiveness in OA. Although exploratory and limited by sample size, our results support further investigation into personalized, microbiome-informed nutritional strategies for OA management. Full article

Decarbonizing air transport is a major challenge in the global energy transition since electrification is not yet feasible. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a promising solution because it can reduce CO₂ emissions without major infrastructure changes. This study proposes a decentralized model for producing SAF in Spain through the gasification of residual lignocellulosic biomass followed by a refinement process using Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The model uses underexploited agricultural residues such as cereal straw, vine pruning, and olive pruning, converting them into syngas in medium-scale facilities situated near biomass sources. The syngas is then transported to a central upgrading unit to produce SAF compliant with ASTM D7566 standards. The following two configurations were evaluated: one with a single gasification plant and upgrading unit and another with three gasification plants supplying one central FT facility. Energy yields, capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX), logistic costs, and the levelized cost of fuel (LCOF) were assessed. Under a conservative scenario using one-third of the available certain types of biomass from three regions of Spain, annual SAF production could reach 517.6 million liters, with unit costs ranging from 1.63 to 1.24 EUR/L and up to 47,060 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided per year. The findings support the model’s technical and economic viability and its alignment with circular economy principles and climate policy goals. This approach offers a scalable and replicable pathway for decarbonizing the aviation sector using local renewable resources. Full article

Lung cancer remains a foremost cause of cancer-related impermanence globally, demanding innovative and effective therapeutic strategies. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have turned up as a promising transport system for drugs due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and capability to provide controlled and targeted release of therapeutic agents. This review offers a thorough examination of different polymeric NP platforms, such as chitosan, gelatin, alginate, poly (lactic acid), and polycaprolactone, highlighting their mechanisms, formulations, and applications in the treatment of lung cancer. These NPs facilitate the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, gene therapies, and immune modulators, with enhanced bioavailability and reduced systemic toxicity. Additionally, advanced formulations such as ligand-conjugated, stimuli-responsive, and multifunctional NPs demonstrate improved tumor-specific accumulation and cellular uptake. The review also discusses quantum dots, magnetic and lipid-based NPs, and green-synthesized metallic polymeric hybrids, emphasizing their potential in theranostics and combination therapies. Preclinical studies show promising results, yet clinical translation faces challenges; for example, large-scale production, long-term toxicity, and regulatory hurdles. Overall, polymeric NPs represent a powerful platform for advancing personalized lung cancer therapy, with future prospects rooted in multifunctional, targeted, and patient-specific nanomedicine. Full article

As a result of rapid urbanization, ecological and environmental problems have become increasingly severe. Sustainable regional development requires a balance between urbanization and the environment. With the intensification of economic globalization and technological innovation, the flow of various elements such as population, capital, information, and resources has gradually blurred administrative boundaries, leading to new cross-scale evolutionary characteristics in this relationship. However, existing studies have primarily been conducted at the local scale and have failed to capture the impact of cross-regional element flows on the relationship between urbanization and the environment. Under the metacoupling framework, this study improves the existing methodological framework by integrating the flows of production factors and ecosystem service (ES) to characterize the metacoupling between urbanization and the environment in the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration (CCUA). A new comprehensive index system for urbanization and environment was constructed, considering the cross-regional flow of multiple factors. The Coupling Coordination Degree model was employed to calculate the degree of intracoupling, pericoupling, and telecoupling between urbanization and the environment. The Geodetector model was used to determine the effects of local, adjacent, and distant flows of production and ES factors on these degrees. The results show that the intracoupling between urbanization and the environment was low, while the pericoupling and telecoupling increased from local to distant scales. Production factor and ES flows were the common factors affecting the metacoupling between urbanization and the environment, but population flows and capital flows were more strongly explained at the local scale, and ES flow was more strongly explained at the adjacent and distant scales. Based on these results, a systematic understanding of the complex relationship between urbanization and environment is provided, which in turn provides a basis for decision making regarding the coordinated and sustainable development of urban and ecological management in the CCUA as well as other urban agglomerations. Full article

Forest aboveground biomass (AGB) products serve as essential references for research on carbon cycle and climate change. However, significant uncertainties exist regarding forest AGB products and their evaluation methods. This study aims to evaluate AGB products in the context of discrepancies in plot size and product scales, while also investigate the applicability of large-scale AGB products at a regional level. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) and the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Climate Change Initiative (CCI) biomass data were evaluated using sample plots from the National Forest Inventory (NFI). The study was conducted in Jilin Province, located in Northeast China, which is predominantly covered by natural forests. Spatial representativeness evaluation indicators for sample plots were established, followed by a comprehensive representativeness assessment and the selection of sample plots based on the criteria importance through the intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method. Additionally, the study conducted an overall evaluation of the products, as well as evaluations across different biomass ranges and various forest types. The results indicate that the accuracy metrics demonstrated improved performance when using representative plots compared to all plots, with the R² increasing by 15.38%. Both products demonstrated optimal accuracy and stability in the 50–150 Mg/ha range. GEDI and CCI biomass data indicated an overall underestimation, with biases of −25.68 Mg/ha and −83.95 Mg/ha, respectively. Specifically, a slight overestimation occurred in the <50 Mg/ha range, while a gradually increasing underestimation was observed in the ≥50 Mg/ha range. This study highlights the advantages of spatial representativeness analysis in mitigating evaluation uncertainties arising from scale mismatches and enhancing the reliability of product evaluation. The accuracy trends of AGB products offer significant insights that could facilitate improvements and enhance their application. Full article

With the intensification of the global energy crisis, green, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly biomass materials have become the focus of research. Among them, biomass-derived carbon dots (B-CDs), a novel class of sustainable zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, attract significant interest due to their environmental friendliness, low toxicity, and unique optical properties. Research findings indicate that B-CDs, utilizing biomass materials as carbon sources, demonstrate significant potential in numerous application fields through structural design and photo-functionalization. However, the underlying mechanisms and formation processes of B-CDs remain inadequately elucidated, and systematic summarization still requires further refinement. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the synthesis methods, precursor structures, formation mechanisms, luminescent properties, and prevailing applications of B-CDs, with a particular emphasis on recent advances in their use for sensing, anti-counterfeiting, bioimaging, and optronics. In addition, the challenges encountered in performance-oriented controllable preparation and large-scale production were also clarified. This comprehensive review provides a theoretical foundation for further research and multidisciplinary applications of B-CDs, thereby contributing to promoting large-scale commercialization and industrial implementation. Full article

Sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD) poses a significant threat to global sweetpotato production; therefore, early, accurate field-scale detection is necessary. To address the limitations of the currently utilized assays, we propose PLCNet (Plant-Level Classification Network), a rapid, non-destructive SPVD identification framework using UAV-acquired hyperspectral imagery. High-resolution data from early sweetpotato growth stages were processed via three feature selection methods—Random Forest (RF), Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (mRMR), and Local Covariance Matrix (LCM)—in combination with 24 vegetation indices. Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) analysis reduced multicollinearity, yielding an optimized SPVD-sensitive feature set. First, using the RF-selected bands and vegetation indices, we benchmarked four classifiers—Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Residual Network (ResNet), and 3D Convolutional Neural Network (3D-CNN). Under identical inputs, the 3D-CNN achieved superior performance (OA = 96.55%, Macro F1 = 95.36%, UA_mean = 0.9498, PA_mean = 0.9504), outperforming SVM, GBDT, and ResNet. Second, with the same spectral–spatial features and 3D-CNN backbone, we compared a pixel-level baseline (CropdocNet) against our plant-level PLCNet. CropdocNet exhibited spatial fragmentation and isolated errors, whereas PLCNet’s two-stage pipeline—deep feature extraction followed by connected-component analysis and majority voting—aggregated voxel predictions into coherent whole-plant labels, substantially reducing noise and enhancing biological interpretability. By integrating optimized feature selection, deep learning, and plant-level post-processing, PLCNet delivers a scalable, high-throughput solution for precise SPVD monitoring in agricultural fields. Full article

County economies are the cornerstone of China’s economic and social development but face challenges such as a singular industrial structure and the outflow of production factors. As an important policy tool for rural revitalization, the impact mechanism of National-Level Modern Agricultural Industrial Parks (NMAIPs) on county economies remains inadequately explored. This study aims to quantify the dynamic economic effects of the NMAIP policy through rigorous empirical analysis and elucidate the core pathways driving county economic growth. Based on panel data from 44 counties in six central Chinese provinces from 2014 to 2024, this study employs a Multi-Period Difference-in-Differences (DID) model and finds a significant one-year lag effect of the NMAIP policy: in the year following park establishment, county GDP increased by an average of 8.5%, and this positive effect persisted until the fourth year but showed a trend of marginal diminution. Pathway analysis reveals that agricultural scale expansion (measured by gross output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery) and production efficiency improvement (measured by the ratio of output value to agricultural expenditure) are the core driving mechanisms, accounting for 48% and 35% of the total effect, respectively. In contrast, the mediating roles of industrial integration (comprehensive index) and industrial structure upgrading (share of agricultural services) were not statistically significant in the short run. The policy lag primarily arises from the conversion cycle of infrastructure investment to economic output, while pathway differences are closely related to the maturity of the county’s agricultural industrial chain and resource allocation efficiency. This study provides robust empirical evidence for optimizing the timing and pathways of the NMAIP policy design: policy effect evaluations require a 1–2 year “window period”; resources should be prioritized for projects that can rapidly enhance scale and efficiency (e.g., scaled planting, technology-driven efficiency gains), laying a solid agricultural foundation before gradually fostering industrial integration. This aligns with the spirit of “avoiding industrial hollowing-out” proposed in the 2024 Central “Thousand Villages Project” and provides the Chinese experience for the policy evaluation and path selection of global agricultural parks. Full article