Search Results (664)

This qualitative systematic review evaluates the potential of modular prefabricated OSB/plywood housing systems in low-technification, high-seismicity settings. These systems are promoted as low-carbon options for emerging contexts, and we assess how far the evidence supports that promise and under which conditions they can contribute to net-zero housing pathways. An adapted PRISMA 2020 workflow was applied to Scopus (TITLE-ABS, 2000–2025); 153 studies were synthesized in a table-first, coded matrix into axes for structural, digital fabrication, sustainability/circularity, and extrapolatable systems—supplemented by curated housing cases—with other EWPs used only for contrast. To address fragmentation and heterogeneity across domains, we developed a domain-based QA/QC instrument (STRUCTURAL, LCA, and FABRICATION) to judge whether studies provide minimally comparable evidence. Structural performance is relatively mature for certain patterns (calibrated FEM, cyclic tests, some 1:1 trials), whereas digital fabrication and LCA evidence remain partial: file-to-factory workflows rarely report verifiable QA/QC traceability, and most LCAs stop at A1–A3 with uneven treatment of A4, C/D, and biogenic carbon. Full convergence of adequate STRUCTURAL, LCA, and FABRICATION evidence within the same system type is rare, so both transferability to low-technification, seismic-prone settings and alignment with net-zero objectives must be characterized as conditional rather than established. The review identifies minimum multi-domain thresholds—technical robustness, whole-life LCA coverage, and verifiable QA/QC—as prerequisites for positioning modular OSB/plywood housing as a credible low-carbon pathway. These conclusions are limited by Scopus-only, English-language coverage and methodological heterogeneity, especially in the LCA. Full article

This review paper synthesizes the application and evolution of environmentally extended input–output (EEIO) analysis in agricultural research, drawing on 647 publications (Scopus and Web of Science, 1978–2025) following the PRISMA method and using the Bibliometrix package in the R statistical computing environment. EEIO has become a leading method for assessing system-level environmental impacts by quantifying direct and indirect flows across complete supply chains. Bibliometric and thematic analyses reveal accelerated growth since 2015 and four principal domains of enquiry: emissions embodied in trade, water-resource management, energy and climate impacts, and the sustainability of agri-food supply chains. EEIO’s principal value lies in its capacity to support production- versus consumption-based accounting and to reveal intersectoral trade-offs that single-sector approaches overlook. However, standard EEIO frameworks remain constrained by fixed technical coefficients, coarse sectoral aggregation, and uncertainty in environmental extensions, which limit their capacity to resolve farm-scale processes, structural change, and feedbacks. To enhance analytical rigor and policy relevance, we advocate hybridization with life-cycle and farm-level data, development of higher-resolution multi-regional EEIO tables, incorporation of stochastic and scenario analyses, dynamic formulations to capture technological change, and adoption of open-data standards with transparent reporting. Advancing these priorities will improve comparability, reproducibility and the practical uptake of EEIO for evidence-based transitions in agricultural systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inequality in survival across socioeconomic strata has been growing in the US for decades. Traditional measures of this inequality increasingly fail to capture the heterogeneous biological realities of the US population. Using new measures, this study provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of mortality inequality across ten socioeconomic deciles in the United States from 1982 to 2019. Methods: The data come from annual life tables from US counties, aggregated according to their socioeconomic characteristics. Measures of Inequality: Three measures of inequality are used, capturing survival inequality from different perspectives, inequality in ages of death over the lifecycle, inequality in survival at older ages, and inequality in survival in midlife. For the latter, the equal survivorship age (ESA)—a metric defined as the age at which a specific subgroup’s survival probability from age 20 matches the survival probability from age 20 to 65 of the total population—is used. Results: We find consistently growing inequality, largely unaffected by economic circumstances such as the Great Recession. By 2019, the ESA for the lowest socioeconomic decile was nearly 11 years lower than the ESA of the highest decile. Conclusions: This “survival gap” in the ESA suggests that low-socioeconomic status (SES) populations effectively exhaust their survival reserves a decade earlier than their high SES counterparts. These findings challenge the equity of the use of universal chronological ages in public policies and underscore the need for “Social-Determinant-Adjusted” geriatric policy models. The growing inequality in the ESA suggests the importance of cohort-based influences. Full article

The food packaging industry requires sustainable solutions to reduce plastic waste and replace synthetic additives. This study addresses the need for scalable methods to transform conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging into active food preservation systems using natural biocides. Commercial PET packaging was surface-activated using industrial-scale corona treatment, followed by coating with natural biocides—carvacrol (CV) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (tCN). The resulting active packaging materials (PET-CV and PET-tCN) were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, AFM, and desorption kinetics. Packaging properties including mechanical strength, oxygen barrier, antioxidant (DPPH), and antibacterial activity (against S. aureus and E. coli) were evaluated. Real-food preservation tests were conducted using fresh minced pork (4 °C, 6 days) and table olives (23 °C, 21 days), monitoring microbiological (TVC), colorimetric (CIE L*a*b*), and pH changes. Corona treatment successfully anchored both biocides through physical adsorption, with tCN exhibiting stronger surface interaction (desorption energy: 128.0 kJ/mol). Both coatings significantly improved oxygen barrier properties (61% reduction for PET-CV, 80% for PET-tCN). PET-tCN demonstrated superior antibacterial activity (inhibition zones: 15.0 mm against E. coli). In pork preservation, PET-tCN achieved a 2-log reduction in TVC, maintained meat redness (a*: 12.80 vs. 5.10 for control), and stabilized pH. For olives, PET-tCN reduced TVC by 2.35 log cycles and preserved green color. This corona-assisted coating approach, demonstrated here at laboratory scale, successfully transforms inert PET into multi-functional active packaging with potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and barrier properties, significantly extending food shelf-life and offering a sustainable solution for reducing food waste. Full article

The compatibility of insecticides with biological control agents is a critical component of integrated pest management (IPM). In this study, the lethal and sublethal effects of acrinactrin, chlorantraniliprole, flupyradifurone, pyriproxyfen, spinosad, and spiromesifen on the egg stage of Orius niger (Wollf) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Egg hatchability, immature survival, reproductive performance, and population parameters were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. Egg hatchability was lowest in the acrinactrin treatment (51%) and highest in the pyriproxyfen treatment (93%). Nymphal survival varied from 0% to 80%, with acrinactrin causing complete mortality and a significant reduction in spinosad, while the highest nymphal survival and population growth was recorded in spiromesifen treatment. The intrinsic rate of increase (r, day⁻¹) was 0.00, 0.05, 0.05, 0.08, 0.004, and 0.06 for acrinactrin, chlorantraniliprole, flupyradifurone, pyriproxyfen, spinosad, and spiromesifen, respectively, while fecundity (F, eggs female⁻¹) values were 0, 15.20, 15.83, 42.32, 10.37, and 21.85, respectively. According to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) classification, acrinactrin was harmful, spinosad moderately harmful, and the remaining insecticides slightly harmful to O. niger eggs. Pyriproxyfen and spiromesifen were the most compatible with IPM programs. Caution is warranted for chlorantraniliprole due to its effects on reproductive parameters, whereas spinosad and acrinactrin should be avoided on O. niger eggs. Full article

Kyoho grape, a leading table grape variety in China, is prone to rapid postharvest deterioration due to its soft texture and high respiration rate. Despite the use of low-temperature storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), systematic studies defining the optimal combination of subzero temperature and gas composition for Kyoho grapes remain lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the synergistic effects of subzero temperature and MAP on quality preservation. Results demonstrated that storage at −1 °C most effectively maintained fruit firmness, stem freshness, and key biochemical components. Based on this temperature, a gas composition of 3% O₂, 15% CO₂, and 82% N₂ was identified as the most effective, extending postharvest shelf life to 54 days. Additionally, a kinetic shelf-life prediction model based on firmness changes was developed with relative errors below 10%, demonstrating high accuracy. This study establishes an integrated preservation strategy combining subzero temperature (−1 °C) and optimized MAP (3% O₂, 15% CO₂, 82% N₂) that significantly extends the shelf life of Kyoho grapes, providing a practical solution for enhancing postharvest quality. Full article

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is a globally important agricultural pest whose management is increasingly challenged by widespread insecticide resistance, prompting interest in alternative and sustainable control strategies such as endophytic fungi. This study evaluated the effects of two endophytic fungi, Trichoderma harzianum and Chaetomium cupreum, applied individually or as a 1:1 mixture, on the population ecology of M. persicae feeding on capia-type red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Aphid development, survival, and reproduction were assessed using age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. Contrary to expectations, T. harzianum significantly enhanced aphid population growth, resulting in a higher intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.42 d⁻¹), finite rate of increase (λ = 1.52 d⁻¹), and net reproductive rate (R₀ = 87.67 offspring) compared to the Control (r = 0.32 d⁻¹, λ = 1.37 d⁻¹, R₀ = 42.90 offspring). The Mixture treatment also increased population parameters, whereas C. cupreum showed limited effects on aphid life table traits. Population projections indicated that T. harzianum treatment could produce aphid populations approximately 380 times larger than the Control after 60 days. These results suggest that T. harzianum may improve host plant quality in ways that indirectly favor M. persicae. The findings highlight the importance of evaluating plant–fungus–herbivore interactions before incorporating endophytic fungi into integrated pest management programs. Full article

Leucania loreyi (Duponchel, 1827) is a major lepidopteran pest that infests a wide range of crops worldwide. Effective mass production of insects for pest management programs depends on the availability of suitable artificial diets. Here, we evaluated 14 artificial diets (D1–D14) formulated from maize or cowpea seeds (19.5 g) plus standard diet components and supplemented with 1 g of pollen from different sources (rapeseed, date palm, maize, common hollyhock, saffron, and honey bee), along with control diets. We assessed their effects on demographic traits of L. loreyi. The maize seed–maize pollen diet (D3) and the cowpea seed–maize pollen diet (D10) produced the shortest developmental times (37.53 and 38.10 days, respectively), whereas the maize seed–saffron pollen (D5) and cowpea seed–saffron pollen (D12) diets resulted in the longest development (45.83 and 45.56 days, respectively). Diet also D3 yielded the shortest adult and total pre-oviposition periods (APOP and TROP), the greatest female longevity, and the highest fecundity and net reproductive rate (R₀) (801.69 and 88.69 offspring, respectively). In contrast, diet D12 produced the lowest fecundity and R₀ (339.73 and 68.15 offspring, respectively). Consistent with these patterns, D3 generated the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), while diets D5 and D12 were associated with lower population growth rates. Cluster analysis further identified D3 as the most nutritionally favorable formulation under our experimental conditions, supporting its potential utility for large-scale L. loreyi rearing. Full article

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show strong potential for improving crop productivity and stress resilience, but their direct effects on agricultural pests require careful evaluation. Here, we assessed single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) on the spider mite Tetranychus turkestani (Acari: Tetranychidae) using an age-stage, two-sex life table. Leaf disks treated with SWCNTs (0.004, 0.04, 0.2, 0.4 mg/mL) were used to measure development, survival, and reproduction. SWCNT exposure significantly prolonged pre-adult development and reduced female fecundity in a concentration-dependent manner. Population parameters (r, λ) declined significantly in treated groups, while mean generation time (T) increased with concentration. At 0.4 mg/mL, fecundity dropped to 40.57 ± 2.42 offspring per female and population projection was lowest. Overall, SWCNTs inhibited mite development and reproduction in a concentration-dependent manner, providing a demographic basis for ecological risk assessment and suggesting potential utility as a tool or carrier system for integrated spider mite management. Full article

In many developing regions, the lack of a continuous cold chain poses a significant challenge for the preservation of table eggs. This study developed bioactive coatings based on citric pectin enriched with Cordia verbenacea DC aqueous extract to maintain egg quality under non-refrigerated conditions (25 days). A total of 144 fresh eggs were divided into a Control group and five treatment groups with increasing extract concentrations (0% to 100%). Quality was assessed through physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters, supported by principal component analysis (PCA) and random forest (RF) modeling. The results showed that all coated eggs maintained significantly higher Haugh units (classified as Grade B) compared to the control (grade C) (p < 0.05). The microbial load on the shell, a fundamental indicator of sanitary-hygienic conditions, was reduced from 70.0 ± 5.8 CFU/egg in the control to zero in the 100% extract treatment. The RF model achieved 97.06% accuracy in classifying the treatments, identifying microbial load and Haugh unit as the primary predictors of quality. This bioactive coating represents a sustainable and low-cost technology to enhance the shelf life and safety of eggs in markets without refrigeration infrastructure. Full article

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, is an important pest in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill. To investigate the adaptability of various A. glycines generations to high temperatures, this study assessed various life parameters of A. glycines exposed to a diurnal temperature of 33 °C and a nocturnal temperature of 20 °C (33 °C/20 °C) over three generations, compared to a diurnal temperature of 25 °C and a nocturnal temperature of 20 °C (25 °C/20 °C), by life table approach. The adult survival rates of A. glycines in the first (G₁), second (G₂), and third generations (G₃) at 33 °C/20 °C were found to be lower than those at 25 °C/20 °C. Additionally, exposure to 33 °C/20 °C reduced aphid total longevity, oviposition day, and fecundity for G₁, G₂, and G₃ compared to 25 °C/20 °C. These findings indicate that A. glycines can develop and reproduce at a diurnal temperature of 33 °C across the three tested generations, albeit with variations in certain life parameters compared to 25 °C. The results are important for understanding the adaptability of A. glycines to temperature fluctuations and for predicting the population dynamics of this pest in soybeans in Heilongjiang, China, which is currently experiencing rising environmental temperatures. Full article

The Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål.) (Hemiptera: Delphinidae), is one of the most destructive pests of rice. Its reproductive and developmental traits are influenced by various environmental and biological factors including endosymbiotic microorganisms. Arsenophonus, a widespread endosymbiotic bacterium of insects, can affect host fitness and metabolic processes. This study investigates the role of Arsenophonus in modulating the developmental and reproductive traits of N. lugens fed on transgenic cry30Fa1 rice (KF30-14) and its parent variety Minghui 86 (MH86). Life table analysis revealed that Arsenophonus infection (Ars⁺) increased the development time and reduced the reproductive capacity of N. lugens, especially those feeding on KF30-14. The first-instar nymphs in MH86 Ars⁺ (infected) exhibited slower development compared to MH86 Ars⁻ (uninfected). Similarly, the third and fourth-instar nymphs in KF30-14 Ars⁺ exhibited prolonged development time compared to KF30-14 Ars⁻. In addition, KF30-14 Ars⁺ females had significantly reduced reproductive capacity, smaller ovarian tubules and lower relative expression levels of reproduction-related genes including Trehalose transporter (Tret), Vitellogenin (Vg) and Cytochrome P450 hydroxylase (cyp314a1), while Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) expression was upregulated. RNA sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes involved in lipid, amino acid, and vitamin metabolisms, with Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase implicated as a key regulator of lipid metabolism and reproductive fitness. These results highlight the complex interactions between endosymbionts, host plants and pest biology, offering a solid foundation for sustainable approaches to control N. lugens in rice production systems. Full article

Within the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework, breast-feeding is a modifiable early postnatal exposure, but its long-term associations are difficult to separate from socioeconomic and family context. We conducted a structured literature search (PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus; January 2015–December 2025) and prioritised large prospective/birth cohorts and genetic epidemiology studies reporting quantitative associations between breastfeeding in infancy (ever versus never, duration and, where available, exclusivity) and adult outcomes. Eighteen key primary studies were included in evidence tables across cardiometabolic, cancer, and neurocognitive domains. Overall, breastfeeding was associated with modestly lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, small reductions in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and slightly more favour-able cardiometabolic profiles, including lower adiposity and higher HDL cholesterol. Where reported, effect sizes were generally small (e.g., hazard ratios typically close to 1.00), indicating limited clinical impact at the individual level but potential population relevance. Genetic analyses provide cautious support for a protective association with coronary outcomes, although lipid-mediated pathways appear to explain only a small proportion of the observed associations. Evidence for adult cancer outcomes remains mixed and largely inconclusive, while longer breastfeeding is associated with small ad-vantages in cognitive performance, educational attainment and selected psychological outcomes. Taken together, current evidence suggests that breastfeeding is associated with modestly more favourable adult cardiometabolic and neurobehavioural profiles, but its contribution to long-term health is small relative to the influence of later-life lifestyle and clinical risk factors and should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Full article

Introduction: Mucinous ovarian tumors are the second most common type of epithelial ovarian tumors. This study aimed to determine the recurrence rates and risk factors for mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (MBOTs) and mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MOCs). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 188 patients at Tu Du Hospital, Vietnam, from May 2019 to March 2023, with follow-ups until August 2024. The recurrence rates were calculated using life tables, while associated factors were analyzed through the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The median time to recurrence was 13 months (range: 9–19 months), with twelve patients experiencing a recurrence. Overall cumulative recurrence rates (both MBOT and MOC) were 2.66% at 12 months, 5.32% at 24 months, and 6.45% at 36, 48, and 60 months. In the MBOT group, the recurrence rate was 5.80% at 60 months, while in the MOC group, it was 7.65% at 60 months. A significant relationship was found between higher recurrence rates and larger tumor size (1 cm increase resulted in a 10% risk reduction, HR = 0.90, p < 0.05), advanced FIGO stages (Stage III compared to Stage I, HR = 16.07, p < 0.05), and capsule rupture (HR = 6.79, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The total recurrence rate of MBOT and MOC after 60 months in Southern Vietnam was 6.45%. It is crucial to adopt follow-up strategies for high-risk patients to ensure early detection and treatment of recurrences. Additional studies with longer follow-up are necessary to identify late recurrences. Full article

Phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted significant attention for their capacity to store and release large amounts of latent heat in response to ambient temperature variations, offering an effective strategy for thermal regulation in buildings. Meanwhile, recent research is focused on microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCMs), which provide enhanced thermal efficiency, improved stability, and easier integration into construction materials. This study stands apart from offering a structured comparative analysis of PCM and MPCM systems. Using detailed synthesis tables, the review systematically evaluates materials, encapsulation approaches, and performance indicators. The review presents an integrative framework that correlates materials’ thermophysical properties with specialized simulation software and region-specific climatic conditions. MPCMs are assessed in terms of composition, phase change characteristics, and encapsulation techniques, with complex information condensed into practical selection criteria. Furthermore, MPCM products covering phase change temperature ranges from 18 °C to 32 °C are systematically aligned with specific climate zones and life cycle assessment outcomes, offering a clear framework for optimization. The polymers play a vital role in MPCM technology, and their applications for buildings have been studied thoroughly. This work also aims to guide research and development toward scalable, energy-efficient, and sustainable building technologies for both academic and industrial stakeholders. Full article