Search Results (62,467)

Sludge dewatering is a key step in the overall process of sludge treatment and disposal. In this study, ferric tannate was synthesized by chemically complexing tannic acid with Fe₂(SO₄)₃ under various conditions and then was innovatively employed to enhance electrochemical conditioning (ECC) for municipal sludge dewatering. The optimal preparation conditions of ferric tannate were determined as a tannic acid to iron ion molar ratio of 0.8:10, pH of 10, and reaction time of 2 h. Subsequently, ferric tannate-enhanced ECC was investigated under different dosages and operating parameters. The optimal conditions were identified as ferric tannate dosage of 20% total solid, voltage of 50 V, and reaction time of 30 min, under which capillary suction time, specific resistance to filtration, and water content of dewatered sludge cake decreased by 84.3%, 84.2%, and 17.6%, respectively. Results of the mechanism analysis indicated that ferric tannate effectively reduced sludge viscosity, increased zeta potential, and neutralized the negative surface charges via charge neutralization, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bonding. Meanwhile, adsorption bridging promoted floc aggregation and particle growth. Compared with the ECC process alone, the addition of ferric tannate in the ferric tannate-enhanced ECC process generated more ^•OH, promoting the extracellular polymeric substance degradation and protein removal, thereby improving sludge hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the floc structure was reconstructed into a more compact and smooth morphology, facilitating the release of bound water during filtration. These findings provide new technical and theoretical support for the development of eco-friendly and efficient sludge conditioning and dewatering processes. Full article

Ischemic stroke triggers a dynamic immune response that influences both acute damage and long-term recovery. This review synthesizes a decade of evidence on immunological and inflammatory biomarkers in ischemic stroke, emphasizing their prognostic and therapeutic significance. Following ischemic insult, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and chemokines like interleukin-8 (IL-8) rapidly rise, promoting blood–brain barrier disruption, leukocyte infiltration, and neuronal death. Conversely, anti-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) facilitate repair, neurogenesis, and immune regulation in later phases. The balance between these pathways determines outcomes and is reflected in circulating biomarkers. Composite hematological indices including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) offer accessible and cost-effective prognostic tools. Several biomarkers correlate with infarct size, neurological deterioration, and mortality, and may predict complications like hemorrhagic transformation or infection. Therapeutic strategies targeting cytokines, especially IL-1 and IL-6, have shown promise in modulating inflammation and improving outcomes. Future directions include personalized immune profiling, real-time cytokine monitoring, and combining immunotherapy with neurorestorative approaches. By integrating immune biomarkers into stroke care, clinicians may enhance risk stratification, optimize treatment timing, and identify candidates for novel interventions. This review underscores inflammation’s dual role and evolving therapeutic and prognostic relevance in ischemic stroke. Full article

As chemical messengers, phytohormones can enhance the tolerance of plants to stress caused by toxic elements (TEs) such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). This study investigated the combined toxicity of Cd, Pb, and Zn, and its impact on stress phytohormones (jasmonates, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid), in oat (Avena sativa L.) using anthropogenically contaminated soil in a 4-week pot experiment. The uptake of TEs by the roots increased in the multi-contaminated soil, while Zn was the only TE to be translocated to the leaves. The toxic effect of the TEs was assessed in terms of plant growth, revealing a decline in leaf dry biomass, whereas the impact on the roots was insignificant. These findings align with the levels of stress phytohormones. An increase in bioactive forms of stress phytohormones in leaves due to TEs indicates TE toxicity and leaf sensitivity. Conversely, low levels of these phytohormones, along with crosstalk between them, suggest reduced defense against TEs in the roots. The abundance of stress phytohormones declined in the following order: salicylic acid > jasmonates > abscisic acid. These results help to understand the mechanism by which plants respond to TEs, particularly their combined toxicity. Full article

Plants are constantly exposed to various environmental challenges, such as drought, flooding, heavy metal toxicity, and pathogen attacks. To cope with these stresses, they employ several adaptive strategies. This review highlights the potential of plant-derived smoke (PDS) solution as a natural biostimulant for improving plant health and resilience, contributing to both crop productivity and ecological restoration under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Mitigating effects of PDS solution against various stresses were observed at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels in plants. PDS solution application involves strengthening the cell membrane by minimizing electrolyte leakage, which enhances cell membrane stability and stomatal conductance. The increased reactive-oxygen species were managed by the activation of the antioxidant system including ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase to meet oxidative damage caused by challenging conditions imposed by flooding, drought, and heavy metal stress. PDS solution along with other by-products of fire, such as charred organic matter and ash, can enrich the soil by slightly increasing its pH and improving nutrient availability. Additionally, some studies indicated that PDS solution may influence phytohormonal pathways, particularly auxins and gibberellic acids, which can contribute to root development and enhance symbiotic interactions with soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi. These combined effects may support overall plant growth, though the extent of PDS contribution may vary depending on species and environmental conditions. This boost in plant growth contributes to protecting the plants against pathogens, which shows the role of PDS in enduring biotic stress. Collectively, PDS solution mitigates stress tolerance in plants via multifaceted changes, including the regulation of physico-chemical responses, enhancement of the antioxidant system, modulation of heavy metal speciation, and key adjustments of photosynthesis, respiration, cell membrane transport, and the antioxidant system at genomic/proteomic levels. This review focuses on the role of PDS solution in fortifying plants against environmental stresses. It is suggested that PDS solution, which already has been determined to be a biostimulant, has potential for the revival of plant growth and soil ecosystem under abiotic and biotic stresses. Full article

Accurate maize yield forecasting under climate uncertainty remains a critical challenge for global food security, yet existing studies predominantly rely on single-model frameworks, limiting generalizability and actionable insights. This study selected three regions, specifically Dali, Lijiang, and Zhaotong, and collected data on 12 agronomic traits of 114 varieties, along with eight sets of meteorological data, covering the period from 2019 to 2023. We employed three machine learning models: Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and XGBoost. The results revealed a strong correlation between yield and multiple agronomic traits, particularly grain weight per spike (GWPS) and hundred-kernel weight (HKW). Notably, the XGBoost model emerged as the top performer across all three regions. The model achieved the lowest RMSE (0.22–191.13) and a good R² (0.98–0.99), demonstrating exceptional predictive accuracy for yield-related traits. The comparative analysis revealed that XGBoost exhibited superior accuracy and stability compared to RF and SVM. Through feature importance analysis, four critical determinants of yield were identified: GWPS, shelling percentage (SP), growth period (GP), and plant height (PH). Furthermore, partial dependence plots (PDPs) provided deeper insights into the nonlinear interactive effects between GWPS, SP, GP, PH, and yield, offering a more comprehensive understanding of their complex relationships. This study presents an innovative, data-driven methodology designed to accurately forecast corn yield across diverse locations. This approach offers valuable scientific insights that can significantly enhance precision agricultural practices by enabling the precise tailoring of fertilizer usage and irrigation strategies. The results highlight the importance of integrating agronomic and meteorological data in yield forecasting, paving the way for development of agricultural decision-support systems in the context of future climate change scenarios. This study presents an innovative, data-driven methodology designed to accurately forecast corn yield across diverse locations. This approach offers valuable scientific insights that can significantly enhance precision agricultural practices by enabling the precise tailoring of fertilizer usage and irrigation strategies. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a devastating neurological condition characterized by loss of sensory, motor and autonomic function. Despite decades of research, no FDA-approved regenerative therapies currently exist to restore lost function following SCI. Schwann cells (SCs) support axon regeneration, remyelination, and neuroprotection after SCI, with their therapeutic potential validated in clinical trials demonstrating safe and feasible transplantation in humans. Although SC transplantation has shown promising results, challenges remain, including modest graft survival, limited host integration, and restricted migration that collectively contribute to constrain efficacy. To address these limitations, biomaterial scaffolds have been explored as synergistic platforms to enhance SC delivery and function. When combined with natural or synthetic biomaterials such as hydrogels, nanofiber scaffolds, or ECM-mimetic matrices, SCs demonstrate improved survival, retention, spatial distribution, and regenerative activity. The intrinsic regenerative properties of SCs, first demonstrated in models of peripheral nerve injury, make them particularly well-suited for neural repair of the central nervous system (CNS) compared to other cell types and their effectiveness can be enhanced synergistically when combined with biomaterials. These constructs not only provide structural support but also modulate the lesion microenvironment, enhance axon growth and improve SC integration with host tissue. Combinatorial approaches incorporating biomaterials with SCs are emerging as next-generation strategies to optimize repair for clinical translation. This review focuses on current progress in SC-based therapies combined with biomaterials, highlighting key preclinical advances, clinical translation efforts, and the path forward toward effective regenerative interventions for SCI. Full article

Clarifying the spatiotemporal relationship between urban ecosystem services and changes in landscape patterns is essential, as it has significant implications for balancing ecological protection with socio-economic development. However, existing studies have largely focused on the one-sided impact of landscape patterns on either the supply or demand of ESs, with limited investigation into how changes in these patterns affect the growth rates of both supply and demand. The central urban area, characterized by complex urban functions, intricate land use structures, and diverse environmental challenges, further complicates this relationship; yet, the spatiotemporal differentiation patterns of ecosystem services’ supply–demand dynamics in such regions, along with the underlying influencing mechanisms, remain insufficiently explored. To address this gap, the present study uses Shenyang’s central urban area, China as a case study, integrating multiple data sources to quantify the spatiotemporal variations in landscape pattern indices and five ecosystem services: water retention, flood regulation, air purification, carbon sequestration, and habitat quality. The XGBoost model is employed to construct non-linear relationships between landscape pattern indices and the supply–demand ratios of these services. Using SHAP values and LOWESS analysis, this study evaluates both the magnitude and direction of each landscape pattern index’s influence on the ecological supply–demand ratio. The findings outlined above indicate that: there are distinct disparities in the spatiotemporal distribution of landscape pattern indices at the patch type level. Additionally, the changing trends in the supply, demand, and supply–demand ratios of ecosystem services show spatiotemporal differentiation. Overall, the ecosystem services in the study area are developing negatively. Further, the impact of landscape pattern characteristics on ecosystem services is non-linear. Each index has a unique effect, and there are notable threshold intervals. This study provides a novel analytical approach for understanding the intricate relationship between landscape patterns and ESs, offering a scientific foundation and practical guidance for urban ecological protection, restoration initiatives, and territorial spatial planning. Full article

Colored shade nets have gained attention due to their ability to reduce light intensity and alter the light spectrum, thereby influencing vegetable crop quality and yield. However, limited research has examined their effects on jalapeño pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) growth and yield. This study evaluated the impact of four nets—black, red, silver, and white (40% shade factor)—compared to an unshaded control. The red net altered light quality by increasing the proportion of red and far-red wavelengths, while the other nets reduced light intensity without spectral modification. Although differences in mean air temperature were minimal between shaded and unshaded conditions, root zone temperatures were consistently lower under shade nets. Shade treatments significantly increased plant height, stem diameter, and leaf chlorophyll content relative to the unshaded control. The highest rates of leaf transpiration and stomatal conductance were recorded under unshaded and white net conditions. Net photosynthesis, electron transport rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, or photosynthetic water use efficiency were similar among net treatments. Marketable and total yields did not differ significantly among net treatments in either year; however, in 2021, they were positively associated with light intensity. In conclusion, while colored shade nets promoted vegetative growth, they did not enhance fruit yield relative to unshaded conditions in jalapeño pepper. Full article

Variegated Cymbidium lancifolium is a highly valued ornamental plant sought after in local and international markets. The commercial production of variegated C. lancifolium through traditional propagation methods faces significant challenges, such as low propagation rates and prolonged growth periods. This study aims to develop effective in vitro propagation techniques for variegated C. lancifolium through asymbiotic seed germination to enhance production efficiency and meet market demand. We examined the effects of various plant growth regulators and coconut water (CW) on in vitro seed germination. The highest germination percentage (46.8%) was recorded in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 50 mL/L CW, 4.0 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2.3 µM kinetin (KN), and 2.9 µM gibberellic acid (GA₃). Seed-derived rhizomes were placed on MS medium containing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and NAA for proliferation. Among the auxins, NAA was the most effective, significantly increasing rhizome proliferation, with the highest number (17.4) and length (2.1 cm) observed at 5.0 µM. The rhizome explants were cultured in MS medium enriched with kinetin (KN), N⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine (2-IP), and N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) to promote plantlet regeneration. Of the cytokinins tested, BA at 10.0 µM resulted in the highest rate of plantlet regeneration (79.4%), the greatest number of plantlets (4.4 per culture), and notable plantlet height (8.5 cm). We obtained plantlets with dark green leaves, light green leaves, and distinct variegation patterns. They were transferred to three different substrate mixtures for acclimatization. The substrate made of orchid stone (30%), wood bark (30%), coconut husk chips (20%), and perlite (20%) supported the highest survival rate (95.9%). This study successfully established optimized in vitro propagation techniques for variegated C. lancifolium, enabling enhanced germination, rhizome proliferation, and plantlet regeneration to meet the growing market demand. Full article

Picea neoveitchii Mast., a critically endangered spruce species endemic to China, is classified as a national second-level key protected wild plant and listed as critically endangered (CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its habitat features complex forest light environments, and global climate change coupled with environmental pollution has increased regional nitrogen deposition, posing significant challenges to its survival. This study explores the effects of light–nitrogen interactions on the leaf functional traits of Picea neoveitchii Mast. seedlings by simulating combinations of light intensities (100%, 70%, and 40% full sunlight) and nitrogen application levels (0, 10, and 20 g N·m ⁻²·a⁻¹, where g N·m⁻²·a⁻¹ denotes grams of nitrogen applied per square meter per year). We examined changes in morphological traits, anatomical structures, photosynthetic physiology, and stress resistance traits. Results indicate that moderate shading (70% full sunlight) significantly enhances leaf morphological traits (e.g., leaf length, leaf area, and specific leaf area) and anatomical features (e.g., mesophyll tissue area and resin duct cavity area), improving light capture and stress resistance. Medium- to high-nitrogen treatments (10 or 20 g N·m⁻²·a⁻¹) under moderate shading further increase photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, and antioxidant enzyme activity. According to the comprehensive membership function evaluation, the L2N0 (70% full sunlight, 0 g N·m⁻²·a⁻¹) treatment exhibits the most balanced performance across both growth and stress-related traits. These findings underscore the critical role of light–nitrogen interactions in the growth and adaptability of Picea neoveitchii Mast. leaves, offering a scientific foundation for the conservation and ecological restoration of endangered plant populations. Full article

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is an important global food crop, yet propagation through greenhouse-produced slips is limited by low transplant establishment rates. Previous studies have focused on external morphological traits to improve transplant quality, but the internal anatomical structure of sweetpotato slips remains largely unexplored. This study examined the effects of four plant growth regulators (PGRs)—flurprimidol, paclobutrazol, uniconazole, and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)—applied foliarly at varying rates to sweetpotato slips grown in a greenhouse. Cross-sections of the stem were stained with toluidine blue O and analyzed microscopically to assess epidermal, collenchyma, parenchyma, and xylem tissue thickness. Flurprimidol at 120 mg·L⁻¹ significantly increased epidermal thickness by 31.8% compared to the control. Paclobutrazol at 30 and 60 mg·L⁻¹ significantly reduced collenchyma thickness by 37.8% and 39.7%, respectively. Other treatments showed no statistically significant differences across measured tissues, although some trends were observed. These findings suggest that certain PGRs may influence internal slip anatomy, particularly the epidermis, which could improve transplant resilience and field performance. Further research is needed to optimize application rates and evaluate long-term agronomic outcomes of anatomical modifications in sweetpotato slips. Full article

This study investigates the effects of repeated cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization cycles on the surface and mechanical properties of medical-grade silicone, including both pure silicone and silicone–steel composite samples. Given the critical importance of sterilization for infection control, understanding its long-term impact on material performance is essential. Samples were subjected to up to 1000 cycles, with evaluations at the initial state and after 200, 500, and 1000 cycles. The contact angle initially decreased from 117.1° to 104.0° after 200 cycles, then gradually increased, approaching the original value after 1000 cycles, likely due to the removal of degraded surface layers. Hardness measurements showed a steady increase at each stage, with an approximate 5% rise per cycle group. Notch growth testing revealed a sixfold increase in crack length after 200 cycles and a twofold increase between 500 and 1000 cycles, indicating substantial loss of mechanical integrity. Optical microscopy of the silicone–steel interface revealed progressive deterioration, including crack formation, erosion, and partial debonding, particularly after 1000 cycles. These findings highlight the material and interfacial vulnerabilities of silicone-based medical devices under prolonged sterilization protocols. Full article

Use of sedation for disbudding is common practice in a number European countries, with United Kingdom (UK) practices adopting its use. This study assessed the effects of disbudding with and without xylazine sedation on growth rates and calf health on a UK calf rearing unit. Data was collected from 485 dairy crossed with beef breed calves between April and August 2024 from a single calf rearing unit in England. Calves were purchased from multiple farms across the UK and arrived on site at approximately 21 days of age. Calves were disbudded—and, in the case of male calves, surgically castrated—at approximately three weeks after arrival on farm. Pens of calves were assigned to undergo disbudding with (SED, n = 238) or without (CTL = 234) xylazine sedation at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg administered intramuscularly. Calves from both groups were provided with local anaesthetic (procaine hydrochloride) as a cornual nerve block and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (meloxicam). While other studies have demonstrated some behavioural and physiological indicators of pain to be reduced with sedation, this study found that calves in the SED group had a reduced daily liveweight gain (DLWG) of 0.14 kg/day in the short term (mean 20 days) following disbudding (p < 0.001), but there was no difference in growth rates in the medium-term (mean 43 days) post-disbudding (p = 0.30). Some of this difference could be explained by the slightly higher DLWG pre-disbudding in the CTR group, and it is likely that the physiological impacts of sedation accounted for the rest of this difference. This initial reduction in DLWG following disbudding with sedation should be considered by vets, especially on farms where growth rates may already be compromised. In the sedated calves, 19.3% exhibited either some movement or entry into sternal recumbency. Specifically, a light plane of sedation with calves entering sternal recumbency was associated with a reduction in DLWG of 0.89 kg/day compared to 0.98 kg/day for those that remained in lateral recumbency throughout (p = 0.008). The light plane of sedation may have created additional calf stress, impacted feeding behaviours, and impinged welfare, with further work needed to establish the reasons for insufficient sedation. There was no difference in the number of post-disbudding treatment outcomes between calves disbudded with and without sedation (p = 0.97). Full article

This study examines the impact of renewable energy, economic growth, and trade openness on CO₂ emissions in the EU-15 countries over the period 1980–2022, employing the ARDL modeling framework. In addition, a panel PMG-ARDL model is employed as a robustness check. The analysis identifies cointegration among the variables in 11 out of the 15 countries studied. Economic growth is found to increase CO₂ emissions, highlighting the ongoing challenge of aligning economic expansion with environmental objectives. The estimated coefficients for economic growth range from 0.43 to 5.70, depending on the country. Renewable energy significantly reduces emissions, highlighting its critical role in achieving sustainability (the corresponding coefficient moves in the range −0.13 to −0.96). Trade openness generally shows a neutral impact on emissions across most cases. Overall, renewable energy contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions, whereas the effects of economic growth and trade openness remain mixed and country-specific. These findings highlight the need to promote cleaner technologies, enhance energy efficiency, and ensure broader access to environmentally friendly energy sources. Full article

This study investigated the effects of light intensity regulation on yield and energy efficiency during potato pre-basic seed propagation in plant factories. Using virus-free ‘Favorita’ potato seedlings as experimental material, gradient light intensities (200, 300, and 400 μmol·m²·s⁻¹) were applied at four developmental stages: the seedling stage (SS), tuber formation stage (TFS), tuber growth stage (TGS), and harvest stage (HS), to explore the physiological mechanisms of stage-specific light intensity regulation and energy utilization efficiency. The results revealed that: (1) The per-plant tuber yield of the high yield group reached 72.91 g (T59 treatment), representing a 25% increase compared to the medium yield group and a 168% increase compared to the low yield group. Additionally, the high yield group exhibited superior leaf area, photosynthetic rate, and accumulation of sucrose and starch. (2) The impact of light intensity on tuber development exhibited stage specificity: low light intensity (200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during TFS promoted early tuber initiation, while a high light intensity (400 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) enhanced tuber formation efficiency. Increasing the light intensity during TGS facilitated the accumulation of sucrose and starch in tubers. (3) Energy use efficiency (EUE) increased significantly with yield, with the high yield group reaching 3.2 g MJ⁻¹, representing 52% and 88% improvements over the medium yield (2.1 g MJ⁻¹) and low yield (1.7 g MJ⁻¹) groups, respectively. A “stage-specific precision light supplementation” strategy was proposed, involving moderate light reduction (200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during TFS and light enhancement (300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during TGS to coordinate source-sink relationships and optimize carbohydrate metabolism. This study provides a theoretical basis for efficient potato production in plant factories. Full article