Search Results (37,607)

Vegetation phenology (VP) is a crucial biological indicator for monitoring terrestrial ecosystems and global climate change. However, VP monitoring using traditional remote sensing vegetation indices has significant limitations in precise analysis. Furthermore, most studies have overlooked the distinction between stable and short-term VP in relation to climate change and have failed to clearly identify the seasonal variation in the impact of climatic factors on stable VP (SVP). This study compared the accuracy of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and three traditional vegetation indices (e.g., Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) for estimating SVP in China, using ground-based data for validation. Additionally, this study employs Sen’s slope, the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, and the Hurst index to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of the Start of Season (SOS), End of Season (EOS), and Length of Growing Season (LOS) over the past two decades. Partial correlation analysis and random forest importance evaluation are used to accurately identify the key climatic drivers of SVP across different climate zones and to assess the seasonal contributions of climate to SVP. The results indicate that (1) phenological metrics derived from SIF data showed the strongest correlation coefficients with ground-based observations, with all correlation coefficients (R) exceeding 0.69 and an average of 0.75. (2) The spatial distribution of SVP in China has revealed three primary spatial patterns: the Tibetan Plateau, and regions north and south of the Qinling–Huaihe Line. From arid, cold-to-warm, and humid regions, the rate of SOS advancement gradually increases; EOS transitions from earlier to nearly unchanged; and the rate of LOS delay increases accordingly. (3) The spring climate primarily drives the advancement of SOS across China, contributing up to 70%, with temperatures generally having a negative effect on SOS (r = −0.53, p < 0.05). In contrast, EOS is regulated and more complex, with the vapor pressure deficit exerting a dual ‘limitation–promotion’ effect in autumn (r = −0.39, p < 0.05) and summer (r = 0.77, p < 0.05). This study contributes to a deeper scientific understanding of the interannual variability in SVP under seasonal climate change. Full article

Proper rehabilitation following rotator cuff repair (RCR) is necessary for successful postoperative outcomes, though the average course of physical therapy (PT) is lengthy and costly. The goals of this study were to (1) develop exercise programs for the CuffLink mHealth system and (2) evaluate early prototype efforts at meeting the needs of RCR clients. A panel of 24 clinicians participated in a Delphi study to identify consensus in rehabilitation, key informatic needs, and appropriate interface modalities for client usage. Utilizing the Delphi findings, the iA CuffLink mHealth system was developed, and a pilot evaluation assessed the feasibility and usability of CuffLink through the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ). During the pilot evaluation, the overall MAUQ score was 6.14. All participants (n = 18) viewed messaging the care team and a real time rep counter as “important” or “very important”. All participants either agreed or strongly agreed that quantifying progress would help motivate them to be compliant, and that the app helped them achieve their recovery outcomes compared to the shoulder device alone. Participants were generally pleased with the ease of use, information arrangement, and usefulness of CuffLink. These findings can advance our understanding of the informatics and usability needs in telerehabilitation systems. Full article

Persons with disabilities are disproportionately and differentially impacted by climate change, particularly in low-income settings. Our novel study reports findings from a survey of 104 Nigerians with disabilities and focus groups; examines the climate change impacts perceived by persons with disabilities; enumerates the barriers to climate responses they experience; and identifies disability-inclusive key climate action priorities and climate solutions in Abia State, Nigeria. Our findings indicate that the dominant climate impacts perceived by respondents with disabilities were poverty, loss of agricultural productivity and livelihood, and effects on wellbeing. Climate response measures were predominantly inaccessible to participants with disabilities facing structural barriers including stigma and discrimination, a lack of meaningful inclusion in decision-making, and a scarcity of disability-inclusive climate resources. Key climate action priorities identified by respondents included advancing understanding of the disparate impact of climate change on persons with disabilities, promoting inclusive disaster risk reduction, centering and prioritizing disability equity within climate action, and enabling inclusive sustainable livelihoods. Experiential insights at the micro-level from persons with disabilities are vital to formulating climate-related policy and climate decision-making. We recommend innovative cross-cutting policies and interventions to repair structural disability discrimination and promote urgent inclusive climate action that benefits all of society. Full article

Adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) lose their proliferative capacity shortly after birth, posing a major challenge for cardiac repair following injury such as myocardial infarction (MI). Despite significant advances over the past decade, many strategies for promoting cardiac regeneration have faced limitations, underscoring the need to identify novel molecular pathways and targets. Pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2 (PKM2), a key metabolic enzyme, has emerged as a compelling candidate in this context due to its multifaceted roles in cellular metabolism, proliferation, redox balance, angiogenesis, and master gene regulator in repair. Recent studies highlight the critical function of PKM2 in cardiac repair and regeneration. PKM2 not only promotes the proliferation of CMs but also protects the heart from oxidative stress by redirecting glycolytic intermediates toward the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), thereby increasing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) levels, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), and minimizing DNA damage. Moreover, PKM2 interacts with key signaling molecules, including β-catenin, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1a), and checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), to promote CM cell cycle reentry, angiogenesis, and enhanced cell survival. Collectively, these multifaceted actions highlight PKM2 as both a metabolic and signaling hub in cardiac repair by promoting myocardial remuscularization, protection, and revascularization and position PKM2 as a promising therapeutic. This review explores the diverse roles of PKM2 in myocardial repair and discusses its potential as a novel avenue for advancing regenerative therapies in cardiovascular medicine. Full article

Background and Objectives: Postpartum lumbopelvic pain (PLPP) is a common condition that negatively affects many women’s quality of life. We aimed to analyze the influence of emotional well-being, kinesiophobia, and sleep quality as predictors of PLPP during the first year postpartum. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 192 women in their first year postpartum. Validated questionnaires were administered to evaluate pain (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), postpartum depression (PPD) (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), and kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK-11). Bivariate correlations and binary logistic regression were performed to identify predictors of PLPP. Results: Overall, 42.2% of participants reported lumbopelvic pain. The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms was 59.9%, and kinesiophobia was present in 30.7% of women with pain. Both PPD and kinesiophobia were significantly associated with the presence of PLPP (p < 0.001). In the multivariate model, depression was the main predictor (OR = 8.1), followed by kinesiophobia (OR = 3.6). Sleep quality was not an independent predictor but may be related to PLPP through indirect mechanisms. No significant associations were found with sociodemographic, obstetric, or lifestyle variables. Conclusions: PPD and kinesiophobia are key factors in the occurrence of PLPP, while sleep quality may act as a mediating variable. These findings highlight the need for postnatal interventions addressing emotional health and fear of movement to improve the prevention and management of lumbopelvic pain in this population. Full article

The olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is a significant aquaculture species in Korea, yet production has stagnated due to rising costs, environmental pressures, and shifting consumer preferences. Enhancing farm efficiency is critical not only for economic viability but also for environmental sustainability, as efficient production reduces resource waste, lowers feed inputs, and minimizes the carbon output of aquaculture operations. This study estimated the production function and efficiency of olive flounder farms in Korea using stochastic frontier analysis, drawing on survey data collected directly from producers. Results indicate that the Cobb–Douglas model is more suitable than the translog model for empirical analysis. The average farm efficiency was 0.38, with the lowest recorded efficiency at 0.13. Key determinants of production efficiency included fry quality, workforce size, and feed management. Regional differences were also observed in the technical inefficiency factor. By identifying inefficiencies and management gaps, this study highlights opportunities to enhance resource use efficiency, reduce environmental and economic waste, and promote more sustainable practices. The findings provide insights for policymakers and farm managers seeking to strengthen both the profitability and sustainability of the Korean olive flounder aquaculture industry. Full article

Dermatophilosis, caused by the Gram-positive, filamentous bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis, is an important skin disease that adversely affects cattle health and productivity. It also affects other domestic and wild animals and occasionally humans. This review provides a detailed overview of the molecular characteristics and resistome profile of D. congolensis, highlighting recent advances in genomic research. We examine the bacterium’s genome architecture, including its genome size, GC content, gene composition, and phylogenetic placement within the Actinomycetales. Key virulence factors are discussed, including proteolytic enzymes, hyphal invasion, zoospore motility, and the gene products of nasp and agac, emphasizing their roles in tissue invasion, pathogenesis, and diagnostic detection. Furthermore, we analyze resistome, focusing on identified antibiotic resistance genes, diverse resistance mechanisms such as efflux pumps and beta-lactamases, and the contribution of mobile genetic elements to horizontal gene transfer. The implications of these molecular insights for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and antibiotic stewardship in cattle production are critically evaluated. Finally, we highlight future research priorities aimed at deepening our understanding of D. congolensis biology and improving strategies for disease control. This review underscores the importance of integrating molecular surveillance with antimicrobial monitoring to safeguard cattle health and promote sustainable livestock management. Full article

Background: Movement is crucial for human development, particularly during childhood. Fundamental movement skills (FMSs) are essential movement patterns that support physical, cognitive, and social development. Recent studies indicate an alarming worldwide decline in FMS acquisition, potentially impacting children’s long-term physical fitness and health. This scoping review explored FMSs, their relationship to motor competence and physical literacy, associations with physical activity and fitness, assessment methods, and effective interventions. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases. The search utilized key phrases related to FMSs, motor competence, and physical literacy. Initially, 2251 publications were identified. Results: After rigorous screening, 95 English-language literature reviews and meta-analyses focusing on FMSs in healthy children were selected for detailed analysis. The accepted publications were categorized into five thematic areas: FMSs and motor development (11 publications), conceptual terms in FMS context (8 publications), relationships between FMSs and other parameters (15 publications), FMS assessment tools (14 publications), and intervention effects on FMSs (47 publications). Conclusions: Effective FMS acquisition requires collaborative interventions involving teachers, parents, sports professionals, and healthcare providers. Future research should focus on developing standardized assessment tools, interpreting FMSs as part of physical literacy to understand their association with PA level and design efficient intervention strategies. Full article

To advance global sustainability and meet climate targets, the development of reliable renewable energy infrastructure is paramount. Offshore wind energy is a key factor in achieving this goal, and ensuring its operational efficiency requires a deep understanding of the sources of uncertainty faced by offshore wind turbines (OWTs). This study proposes and implements an integrated framework for sensitivity analysis (SA) to investigate the key sources of uncertainty influencing the dynamic response of an OWT. This framework is based on the XGBoost surrogate model and Sobol’s method, aiming to efficiently and accurately quantify the impact of various uncertain parameters. A key methodological novelty lies in the integrated use of Sobol’s method and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), which provides a unique cross-validating mechanism for the sensitivity results. This study demonstrates the strongly condition-dependent nature of the OWT’s sensitivity characteristics by analyzing design load cases. The results indicate that wind speed is the dominant factor influencing the structural response under normal operating conditions. In contrast, under extreme shutdown conditions, the response of the OWT is primarily governed by the physical and material properties of the structure. In addition, the high consistency between the results of SHAP technology and the SA results obtained by Sobol’s method confirms the reliability of the proposed framework. The identified key sources of uncertainty provide direct practical insights for design optimization and reliability assessment of OWTs. Full article

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) is a powerful tool for identifying genetic disorders prior to gestation. For hemoglobinopathies like thalassemias and sickle cell disease, PGT-M offers a preventative strategy to ensure that only embryos deemed genetically healthy are transferred. A comprehensive review of 22 original articles explores and summarizes the existing evidence on PGT-M techniques in hemoglobinopathies. The review focuses on key aspects such as accuracy, benefits, and drawbacks related to various hemoglobinopathies. Given the limited quantity of DNA obtained from an embryo biopsy, whole genome amplification (WGA) is a critical step for amplifying the sample. One of the available methods of WGA, multiple displacement amplification (MDA) is one of the most widely adopted method with acceptable allele drop-out (ADO) rates for hemoglobinopathies compared with traditional methods. Dealing with ADO constitutes a primary technical obstacle in PGT-M. The failure to amplify one allele in single-cell analysis is a major factor limiting the overall diagnostic accuracy of the procedure. To mitigate this issue, PCR-based and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based approaches are employed. These methods incorporate linkage analysis with genetic markers such as short tandem repeats (STRs) or single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to reduce the risk of incorrect interpretations from ADO and enhance the proportion of conclusive results. A future direction for PGT-M that involves the development of non-invasive methods (niPGT) will be included and discussed. Full article

Assessing ecosystem service (ES) supply–demand relationships and identifying their driving forces are essential for ecological security and sustainable ecosystem development. Using ES supply–demand mismatches as a basis, this study characterized the spatiotemporal evolution of ES supply and demand from 2000 to 2023. Additionally, a SHAP-informed Stacking Bayesian optimization model was employed to identify key drivers of supply–demand imbalances. Building on this, threshold-aware spatial optimization of ecosystem service flows was performed using an improved minimum-cost algorithm within an NSGA-II multi-objective framework. The results showed that: (1) The YREB’s supply–demand balance (SDB) exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. Water SDB declined with fluctuations, decreasing from 5.343 × 10¹¹ m³ to 4.433 × 10¹¹ m³, whereas carbon SDB shifted from a surplus (+1.514 × 10⁹ t) to a deficit (−1.673 × 10⁹ t) during the study period. Crop SDB rose from 1.361 × 10⁸ to 1.450 × 10⁸ t across the study period. (2) Nighttime light intensity (NLI) was the dominant factor for water SDB and carbon SDB, while cropland area was the key driver for crop SDB. (3) Over 2000–2023, water SDB flow increased from 8.5 × 10⁹ m³ to 1.43 × 10¹⁰ m³. Carbon SDB flows more than tripled from 9.576 × 10⁷ tons to 2.89 × 10⁸ tons. Crop SDB flow increased nearly twelvefold over 2000–2023, from 3.3 × 10⁵ t to 3.93 × 10⁶ t. The findings provide scientific support for coordinating ecological conservation and high-quality development across the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a global health issue with immediate and long-term maternal–fetal complications. Current diagnostic approaches, such as the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), have limitations in accessibility, sensitivity, and timing. This study aimed to identify key nodes and structural interactions associated with GDM using graph theory and network analysis to improve early predictive strategies. Methods: A literature review inspired by PRISMA guidelines (2004–2025) identified 44 clinically relevant factors. A directed graph was constructed using Python (version 3.10.12), and centrality metrics (closeness, betweenness, eigenvector), k-core decomposition, and a Minimum Dominating Set (MDS) were computed. The MDS, derived using an integer linear programming model, was used to determine the smallest subset of nodes with systemic dominance across the network. Results: The MDS included 20 nodes, with seven showing a high out-degree (≥4), notably Apo A1, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, and sedentary lifestyle. Vitamin D exhibited 15 outgoing edges, connecting directly to protective factors like HDL and inversely to risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Sedentary behavior also showed high structural influence. Closeness centrality highlighted triglycerides, insulin resistance, uric acid, fasting plasma glucose, and HDL as nodes with strong predictive potential, based on their high closeness and multiple incoming connections. Conclusions: Vitamin D and sedentary behavior emerged as structurally dominant nodes in the GDM network. Alongside metabolically relevant nodes with high closeness centrality, these findings support the utility of graph-based network analysis for early detection and targeted clinical interventions in maternal health. Full article

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) is a lentivirus closely related to HIV-1 but exhibits distinct molecular and clinical features that influence viral infectivity and efficacy of antiretroviral therapy. The HIV capsid is a critical structural component with multifaceted roles during infection and mediates some of the observed divergence between HIV-1 and HIV-2. Unlike HIV-1, study of the HIV-2 capsid is limited and standard protocols for the in vitro assembly of HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) lattice structures have not been successfully translated to the HIV-2 context. This work identifies effective approaches for the assembly of the HIV-2 CA lattice and leverages this to biochemically characterize HIV-2 CA assemblies and mutant phenotypes. Our findings elaborate on the sensitivity of HIV-2 CA to chemical conditions and reveal that it assembles into a more varied spectrum of particle morphologies compared to HIV-1. Utilizing these assemblies, we tested the hypothesis that HIV-1 and HIV-2 employ divergent mechanisms to stabilize CA oligomer forms and investigate the effects of non-conserved substitutions at the CA inter-protomer interfaces. This work advances our understanding of the key biochemical determinants of HIV-2 CA assembly that are distinct from HIV-1 and may contribute to their divergent virological properties. Full article

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, is a major pest affecting economically important crops like tomatoes, causing significant global economic losses and exhibiting increasing resistance to pesticides. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally friendly control method that is sustainable for both ecosystems and human health. This study used age-stage, two-sex life tables, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to analyze how irradiation affects the reproductive capacity of male T. absoluta. Compared to the control group, the irradiated offspring showed reduced total lifespan, pre-adult survival rate, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic growth rate. Transcriptomic analysis identified 232 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that irradiation impacted biological processes in male adults related to key biomolecules, hormone metabolism and synthesis, and immune responses. Of the 14 selected genes validated through RT-qPCR, 13 were identified as potential regulators of male reproductive capacity, offering possible targets for controlling T. absoluta using inherited sterility-based SIT strategies. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for applying SIT in field control and identifies potential genetic targets for managing T. absoluta populations through a genetic sterile insect technique. Full article

Although bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a key contributor to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) worldwide, there are few detailed reports of BRSV-related outbreaks in Brazil. This study describes the clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and molecular findings from a BRD outbreak in adult dairy cows from Southern Brazil. The affected cattle had dyspnea, nasal discharge, and coughing. One cow died, and samples were collected for diagnosis. Histopathology revealed interstitial pneumonia with multinucleated giant cells. IHC identified BRSV antigens in pulmonary tissue. A multiplex real-time PCR identified BRSV, Histophilus somni, and Pasteurella multocida in nasal and oral swabs, while only BRSV and H. somni were detected in the tissues of the cow that died. All animals had co-infections involving BRSV. The average cycle threshold (Cq) values for BRSV were 27.43 (nasal) and 32.68 (oral), with significant differences (p = 0.016), indicating higher nasal shedding. This qPCR assay was effective for detecting BRD pathogens, the quantification of viral and bacterial loads in animals with BRD and can be used for the rapid detection of respiratory pathogens. The elevated BRSV detection in oral samples suggests that this route may be an alternative for the collection of samples in cattle with profuse nasal discharge. Full article