Search Results (5,840)

Background/Objectives: Historically, echocardiographic imaging of the right heart has been challenging because its abnormal geometry is not conducive to reproducible anatomical and functional assessment. With the development of advanced echocardiographic techniques, it is now possible to complete an integrated assessment of the right heart that has fewer assumptions, resulting in increased accuracy and precision. Echocardiography continues to be the first-line imaging modality for diagnostic analysis and the management of acute and chronic right heart failure because of its portability, versatility, and affordability compared to cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography. Virtually all echocardiographic parameters have been well-validated and have demonstrated prognostic significance. The goal of this narrative review of the echocardiographic parameters of the right heart chambers and hemodynamic alterations associated with right ventricular dysfunction is to present information that must be acquired during each examination to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the right heart and to discuss their clinical significance in right heart failure. Methods: Using a literature search in the PubMed database from 1985 to 2025 and the Cochrane database, which included but was not limited to terminology that are descriptive of right heart anatomy and function, disease states involving acute and chronic right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, and the application of conventional and advanced echocardiographic modalities that strive to elucidate the pathophysiology of right heart failure, we reviewed randomized control trials, observational retrospective and prospective cohort studies, societal guidelines, and systematic review articles. Conclusions: In addition to the conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography and color, spectral, and tissue Doppler measurements, a contemporary echocardiographic assessment of a patient with suspected or proven right heart failure must include 3-dimensional echocardiographic-derived measurements, speckle-tracking echocardiography strain analysis, and hemodynamics parameters to not only characterize the right heart anatomy but to also determine the underlying pathophysiology of right heart failure. Complete and point-of-care echocardiography is available in virtually all clinical settings for routine care, but this imaging tool is particularly indispensable in the emergency department, intensive care units, and operating room, where it can provide an immediate assessment of right ventricular function and associated hemodynamic changes to assist with real-time management decisions. Full article

Existing heuristic algorithms are based on inspiration sources and have not yet done a good job of basing themselves on optimization principles to minimize and utilize historical information, which may lead to low efficiency, accuracy, and stability of the algorithm. To solve this problem, a personalized-template-guided intelligent evolutionary algorithm named PTG is proposed. The core idea of PTG is to generate personalized templates to guide particle optimization. We also find that high-quality templates can be generated to guide the exploration and exploitation of particles by using the information of the population particles when the optimal value remains unchanged, the knowledge of population distribution changes, and the dimensional distribution properties of particles themselves. By conducting an ablation study and comparative experiments on the challenging CEC2022 test and CEC2005 test functions, we have validated the effectiveness of our method and concluded that the stability and accuracy of the solutions obtained by PTG are superior to other algorithms. Finally, we further verified the effectiveness of PTG through four engineering problems. Full article

The eastern Tianshan region in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is characterized by multiple complex tectonic activity of uncertain historical contribution to the construction of the CAOB. This study utilizes a multi-proxy geochemical approach to characterize I-type monzogranite pluton rocks and their associated hornblende-rich dioritic enclaves to decipher the tectonic and magmatic evolution of the Xigebi area, eastern Tianshan. Zircon geochronology indicates a Triassic and Permian crystallization age of ca. 224.2 ± 1.7 Ma and ca. 268.3 ± 3.0 Ma for the host monzogranites and the dioritic enclaves, respectively. Major, trace and rare earth element distribution, together with Hf isotope systematics displaying noticeable positive εHf(t) anomalies for both rock types, point to partial melting of meta-mafic rocks in an intraplate extensional setting. The diorite was formed by the melting of lower crustal meta-igneous rocks mixed with mantle melts, and the monzogranite, predominantly from deep crustal meta-basalts contaminated by shallow metasedimentary rocks, with some degree of mixing with deeply sourced mantle magma. While both the host monzogranites and their dioritic enclaves are the products of upwelling magma, the younger Triassic monzogranites captured and preserved fragments of the dioritic Permian lower continental crust during crystallization. These multiple stages of magmatic underplating and crustal reworking associated with vertical stratification of the juvenile paleo-continental crust suggest the monzogranites and diorites indicate a change from a post-collisional setting to a regional intraplate regime on the southern margin of the CAOB. Full article

Background/Objectives: We sought to characterize the variance and overlap among definitions of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis (PJK) used in the adult spinal deformity (ASD) literature. PJK is defined as excess in PJK angle, a Cobb angle between the upper-instrumented vertebra (UIV) and a supra-adjacent vertebra (SAV), either one (UIV+1) or two (UIV+2) levels rostral of the UIV. No expert consensus exists for threshold angle or which SAV to use. Methods: A total of 116 thoracolumbar fusion patients ≥ 65 years old were reviewed. The UIV+1 and UIV+2 angles were measured. Six definitions of PJK from the literature were evaluated. These definitions were selected based on citation frequency, historical relevance, and accessibility through commonly used databases. Pearson’s Chi-squared and pairwise comparisons were performed to evaluate the distinctness and agreement rates among these definitions. Results: The six definitions of PJK were as follows: [PJK20] PJK angle ≥ 20° with UIV+2 as the (SAV), [PJK10] PJK angle ≥ 10° with a >10° change from pre-op with UIV+2 as the SAV, [PJK2SD] PJK angle > 2 standard deviations from average with UIV+1 as the SAV, [PJK10+10] PJK angle ≥ 10° with a >10° change from pre-op with UIV+1 as the SAV, [PJK15] PJK angle > 15° with UIV+1 as the SAV, and [PJK30] PJK angle > 30° with UIV+2 as the SAV, or displaced rod fracture, or reoperation within 2 years for junctional failure, pseudoarthrosis, or rod fracture. [PJK10] and [PJK2SD] were the most distinct definitions while [PJK20], [PJK10+10], [PJK15], and [PJK30] showed no significant pairwise differences. [PJK2SD] was stringent, while definition [PJK30] included unique diagnostic information not captured by other definitions. Conclusions: The use of [PJK20], [PJK10+10], [PJK15], or [PJK30] is recommended for consistency, with [PJK15] presenting the best balance. Stringent [PJK2SD] may be beneficial for identifying severe PJK, though with low sensitivity. Overall, PJK definitions must be standardized for the consistent reporting of clinical outcomes and research comparability. Full article

The pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii is a devastating pest native to Central America that can cause severe damage to over 35 pepper varieties. Global trade in peppers has significantly increased the risk of its spread and expansion. Moreover, future climate change may add more uncertainty to its distribution, resulting in considerable ecological and economic damage globally. Therefore, we employed an ensemble model combining Random Forests and CLIMEX to predict the potential global distribution of A. eugenii in historical and future climate scenarios. The results indicated that the maximum temperature of the warmest month is an important variable affecting global A. eugenii distribution. Under the historical climate scenario, the potential global distribution of A. eugenii is concentrated in the Midwestern and Southern United States, Central America, the La Plata Plain, parts of the Brazilian Plateau, the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts, sub-Saharan Africa, Northern and Southern China, Southern India, Indochina Peninsula, and coastal area in Eastern Australia. Under future climate scenarios, suitable areas in the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and China, are projected to expand toward higher latitudes. In China, the number of highly suitable areas is expected to increase significantly, mainly in the south and north. Contrastingly, suitable areas in Central America, northern South America, the Brazilian Plateau, India, and the Indochina Peninsula will become less suitable. The total land area suitable for A. eugenii under historical and future low- and high-emission climate scenarios accounted for 73.12, 66.82, and 75.97% of the global land area (except for Antarctica), respectively. The high-suitability areas identified by both models decreased by 19.05 and 35.02% under low- and high-emission scenarios, respectively. Building on these findings, we inferred the future expansion trends of A. eugenii globally. Furthermore, we provide early warning of A. eugenii invasion and a scientific basis for its spread and outbreak, facilitating the development of effective quarantine and control measures. Full article

Numerous studies have demonstrated that in residential areas of Western cities, both luxury and legacy effects significantly shape tree species diversity dynamics. However, the specific mechanisms driving these diversity patterns in China, where urbanization has progressed at an unprecedented pace, remain poorly understood. In this study we selected 20 residential settlements and 7 key socio-economic properties to investigate the change trend of tree diversity (2006–2021) and its socio-economic driving factors in Beijing. Our results demonstrate significant increases in total, native, and exotic tree species richness between 2006 and 2021 (p < 0.05), with average increases of 36%, 26%, and 55%, respectively. Total and exotic tree Shannon-Wiener indices, as well as exotic tree Simpson’s index, were also significantly higher in 2021 (p < 0.05). Housing prices was the dominant driver shaping total and exotic tree diversity, showing significant positive correlations with both metrics. In contrast, native tree diversity exhibited a strong positive association with neighborhood age. Our findings highlight two dominant mechanisms: legacy effect, where older neighborhoods preserve native diversity through historical planting practices, and luxury effect, where affluent communities drive exotic species proliferation through ornamental landscaping initiatives. These findings elucidate the dual dynamics of legacy conservation and luxury-driven cultivation in urban forest development, revealing how historical contingencies and contemporary socioeconomic forces jointly shape tree diversity patterns in urban ecosystems. Full article

Relict fern species, confined to microhabitats with stable historical conditions, are especially vulnerable to climate change. The Alboran Arc hosts a unique relict fern flora, including Culcita macrocarpa, Diplazium caudatum, and Pteris incompleta, and functions as a major Pleistocene refuge. This study assesses the population trends and climate sensitivity of these species in Los Alcornocales Natural Park using annual abundance time series for a decade, empirical survival projections, and principal component analysis to identify key climatic drivers. Results reveal distinct climate response clusters among populations, though intra-specific variation highlights the importance of local conditions. Climate change is already impacting population viability, especially for P. incompleta, which shows high sensitivity to rising maximum temperatures and prolonged heatwaves. Climate-driven models forecast more severe declines than empirical ones, particularly for C. macrocarpa and P. incompleta, with the latter showing a projected collapse by the mid-century. In contrast, D. caudatum exhibits moderate vulnerability. Crucially, the divergence between models underscores the impact of conservation efforts: without reinforcement and reintroduction actions, projected declines would likely be more severe. These results project a decline in the populations of the studied ferns, highlighting the urgent need to continue implementing both in situ and ex situ conservation measures. Full article

While boreal forests constitute 30% of the Earth’s forested area and are responsible for 20% of the global carbon sink, there is considerable concern about their sustainability. This paper focuses on the role of elevated CO₂, examining whether wood volume in these forests has responded to increased CO₂ over the last 60 years. To accomplish this, we use a rich set of wood volume measurement data from the Province of Alberta, Canada, and deploy quasi-experimental techniques to determine the effect of elevated CO₂. While the few experimental studies that have examined boreal forests have found almost no effect of elevated CO₂, our results indicate that a 1.0% increase in lifetime exposure to CO₂ leads to a 1.1% increase in aboveground wood volume in these boreal forests. This study showcases the value of research designs that use natural settings to better account for the effects of prolonged exposure to elevated CO₂. Our results should enable improved delineation of the drivers of historical changes in wood volume and carbon storage in boreal forests. In addition, when combined with other studies, these results will likely aid policymakers in designing management or policy approaches that will enhance the sustainability of forests in boreal regions. Full article

The genus Sonchus (Asteraceae) comprises 98 species, including 17 predominantly herbaceous taxa native to the Mediterranean region. These plants have long been utilized as traditional wild food sources due to their high nutritional value, as they are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, essential minerals, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the taxonomy, geographic distribution, phytochemical composition, traditional uses, historical significance, and pharmacological properties of Sonchus species. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies from 1980 to 2024. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and methodological quality was assessed using standardized tools. A bibliometric analysis of 440 publications (from 1856 to 2025) reveals evolving research trends, with S. oleraceus, S. arvensis, and S. asper being the most extensively studied species. The review provides detailed taxonomic insights into 17 species and 14 subspecies, emphasizing their ecological adaptations and biogeographical patterns. Additionally, it highlights the cultural and medicinal relevance of Sonchus since antiquity while underscoring the threats posed by environmental degradation and changing dietary habits. Sonchus oleraceus and S. tenerrimus dominate the culinary applications of the genus, likely due to favorable taste, wide accessibility, and longstanding cultural importance. The comprehensive nutritional profile of Sonchus species positions these plants as valuable contributors to dietary diversity and food security. Finally, the study identifies current knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions to support the conservation and sustainable utilization of Sonchus species. Full article

Main roads are usually equipped with traffic flow monitoring devices in the road network to record the traffic flow data of the main roads in real time. Three complex scenarios, i.e., Y-junctions, multi-lane merging, and signalized intersections, are considered in this paper by developing a novel modeling system that leverages only historical main-road data to reconstruct branch-road volumes and identify pivotal time points where instantaneous observations enable robust inference of period-aggregate traffic volumes. Four mathematical models (I–IV) are built using the data given in appendix, with performance quantified via error metrics (RMSE, MAE, MAPE) and stability indices (perturbation sensitivity index, structure similarity score). Finally, the significant traffic flow change points are further identified by the PELT algorithm. Full article

This study introduces a novel methodology for assessing ice-jam flood hazards along river channels. It employs empirical equations that relate non-dimensional ice-jam stage to discharge, enabling the generation of an ensemble of longitudinal profiles of ice-jam backwater levels through Monte-Carlo simulations. These simulations produce non-exceedance probability profiles, which indicate the likelihood of various flood levels occurring due to ice jams. The flood levels associated with specific return periods were validated using historical gauge records. The empirical equations require input parameters such as channel width, slope, and thalweg elevation, which were obtained from bathymetric surveys. This approach is applied to assess ice-jam flood hazards by extrapolating data from a gauged reach at Fort Simpson to an ungauged reach at Jean Marie River along the Mackenzie River in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The analysis further suggests that climate change is likely to increase the severity of ice-jam flood hazards in both reaches by the end of the century. This methodology is applicable to other cold-region rivers in Canada and northern Europe, provided similar fluvial geomorphological and hydro-meteorological data are available, making it a valuable tool for ice-jam flood risk assessment in other ungauged areas. Full article

The tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), a Near-Threatened (NT) species endemic to China and Myanmar, requires robust genetic data for effective conservation. However, the genetic landscape of key populations, such as those in Chongqing, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow, and demographic history of tufted deer across this critical region. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 46 non-invasively collected fecal samples from three distinct populations: Jinfo Mountain (JF, n = 13), Simian Mountain (SM, n = 21), and the Northeastern Mountainous region (NEM, n = 12). Genetic variation was assessed using the cytochrome b (Cyt b) and D-loop regions, with analyses including F_st, gene flow (N_m), neutrality tests, and Bayesian Skyline Plots (BSP). Our results revealed the highest genetic diversity in the SM population, establishing it as a genetic hub. In contrast, the JF population exhibited the lowest diversity and significant genetic differentiation (>0.23) from the SM and NEM populations, indicating profound isolation. Gene flow was substantial between SM and NEM but severely restricted for the JF population. Demographic analyses, including BSP, indicated a long history of demographic stability followed by a significant expansion beginning in the Middle to Late Pleistocene. We conclude that the SM/NEM metapopulation serves as the genetic core for the species in this region, while the highly isolated JF population constitutes a distinct and vulnerable Management Unit (MU). This historical demographic expansion is likely linked to climatic and environmental changes during the Pleistocene, rather than recent anthropogenic factors. These findings underscore the urgent need for a dual conservation strategy: targeted management for the isolated JF population and the establishment of ecological corridors to connect the Jinfo Mountain and Simian Mountain populations, ensuring the long-term persistence of this unique species. Full article

Background/Objectives: Legislative changes in educational systems have influenced how student learning is understood and promoted. In physical education (PE), there has been a shift from behaviorist models to more holistic approaches. In this context, physical literacy (PL) is presented as an emerging pedagogical model in school PE, aimed at fostering students’ motor competence in a safe, efficient, and meaningful way. The aim of this study is to analyze the origins, foundations, methodological elements, and educational value of PL, highlighting its potential to promote holistic and inclusive learning as the basis for an emerging PL model. Methods: A narrative review was conducted through a literature search in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SportDiscus databases up to June 2025, focusing on scientific literature related to PL and PE. The analysis included its historical background, philosophical and theoretical foundations, and the key methodological elements and interventions that support its use as a pedagogical model. Results/Discussion: The findings indicate that the PL model can be grounded in key principles, such as student autonomy, teacher training, connection with the environment, inclusion, and collaboration. Additionally, motivation, enjoyment, creativity, and continuous assessment are identified as essential components for effective implementation. Moreover, this model not only guides and supports teachers in the field of PL but also promotes comprehensive benefits for students at the physical, cognitive, affective, and social levels, while encouraging increased levels of physical activity (PA). Conclusions: PL is understood as a dynamic and lifelong process that should be cultivated from early childhood to encourage sustained and active participation in PA. As a pedagogical model, PL represents an effective tool to enhance student learning and well-being in PE classes. Full article

The article addresses the question of the relative importance of human population size and growth in relation to the environmental problems of planetary heating and biodiversity loss in the current, Anthropocene era. To what extent could policies to encourage lower fertility be justified, while observing that this subject is an inherently contested one. It is proposed that a helpful distinction can be made between specific threats to habitats and biodiversity, as opposed to those related to global energy use and warming. Pressures of over-population can be important in relation to the former. But with regard to the latter—rising per capita energy usage—reduced fertility has historically been positively, not negatively correlated. A case can be made that the high-fertility nations of sub-Saharan Africa could benefit from culturally respectful fertility reduction policies. However, where planetary heating is concerned, it is the hydrocarbon-based, per capita energy-consumption patterns of already low-fertility populations on the other five inhabited continents that is rather more critical. While it will be helpful to stabilise global human population, this cannot be viewed as a solution to the climate crisis problem of this century. That requires relentless focus on reducing hydrocarbon use and confronting the rising inequality since c.1980 that has been exacerbating competitive materialist consumerism. This involves the ideological negotiation of values to promote a culture change that understands and politically embraces a new economics of both human and planetary balance, equity, and distribution. Students of populations can contribute by re-assessing what can be the appropriate demographic units and measures for policies engaging with the challenges of the Anthropocene. Full article

Atmospheric warming results in increase in temperatures for the mean, the coldest, and the hottest day of the year, season, or month. Global warming leads to a large increase in the atmospheric water vapor content and to changes in the hydrological cycle, which include an intensification of precipitation extremes. Using the GISS-E2.1 climate model, we present the future changes in the coldest and hottest daily temperatures as well as in extreme precipitation indices (under four main Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs)). The increase in the wet-day precipitation ranges between 6% and 15% per 1 °C global surface temperature warming. Scaling of the 95th percentile versus the total precipitation showed that the sensitivity for the extreme precipitation to the warming is about 10 times stronger than that for the mean total precipitation. For six precipitation extreme indices (Total Precipitation, R95p, RX5day, R10mm, SDII, and CDD), the histograms of probability density functions become flatter, with reduced peaks and increased spread for the global mean compared to the historical period of 1850–2014. The mean values shift to the right end (toward larger precipitation and intensity). The higher the GHG emission of the SSP scenario, the more significant the increase in the index change. We found an intensification of precipitation over the globe but large uncertainties remained regionally and at different scales, especially for extremes. Over land, there is a strong increase in precipitation for the wettest day in all seasons over the mid and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. There is an enlargement of the drying patterns in the subtropics including over large regions around Mediterranean, southern Africa, and western Eurasia. For the continental averages, the reduction in total precipitation was found for South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, and there is an increase in total precipitation over North America, Asia, and the continental Russian Arctic. Over the continental Russian Arctic, there is an increase in all precipitation extremes and a consistent decrease in CDD for all SSP scenarios, with the maximum increase of more than 90% for R95p and R10 mm observed under SSP5–8.5. Full article