Search Results (844)

Betula. platyphylla Sukaczev (B. platyphylla) forest is an important montane forest type. Global warming has impacted its distribution. However, how it affects suitable distribution across ecoregions and corresponding biodiversity protection measures remains unclear. This study used the Maxent model to analyze the suitable distribution and driving variables of B. platyphylla forest in China and its four ecoregions. The minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model was applied to construct corridors nationwide. Results show that B. platyphylla forest in China is currently mainly distributed in the four ecoregions; specifically, in Gansu and Shaanxi Province in Northwest China, Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, Sichuan Province in Southwest China, and Hebei Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in North China. Precipitation and temperature are the main factors affecting suitable distribution. With global warming, the suitable areas in China including the North, Northwest China ecoregions are projected to expand, while Northeast and Southwest China ecoregions will decline. Based on the suitable areas, we considered 45 corridors in China, spanning the four ecoregions. Our results help understand dynamic changes in the distribution of B. platyphylla forest in China under global warming, providing scientific guidance for montane forests’ sustainable development. Full article

Understanding the early-stage physical interactions between polymeric membranes and supersaturated salt solutions is crucial for advancing membrane-assisted crystallization (MCr) processes. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the short-term morphological response of an isotactic polypropylene (PP) membrane in contact with LiF solutions at different concentrations (5.8 M and 8.9 M) and temperatures (300–353 K), across multiple time points (0, 150, and 300 ns). These data were used as input for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate structural descriptors of the membrane, including tortuosity, connectivity, void fraction, anisotropy, and deviatoric anisotropy, under varying thermodynamic conditions. The results show subtle but consistent rearrangements of polymer chains upon exposure to the hypersaline environment, with a marked reduction in anisotropy and connectivity, indicating a more compact and isotropic local structure. Surface charge density analyses further suggest a temperature- and concentration-dependent modulation of chain mobility and terminal group orientation at the membrane–solution interface. Despite localized rearrangements, the membrane consistently maintains a net negative surface charge. This electrostatic feature may influence ion–membrane interactions during the crystallization process. While these non-reactive, short-timescale simulations do not capture long-term degradation or fouling mechanisms, they provide mechanistic insight into the initial physical response of PP membranes under MCr-relevant conditions. This study lays a computational foundation for future investigations bridging atomistic modeling and membrane performance in real-world applications. Full article

Feed supplementation strategies are essential for optimizing cattle productivity, and the incorporation of non-conventional feed resources may reduce both production costs and environmental impact. This study evaluated the effects of pelletized protein concentrates (including Acacia farnesiana, A. schaffneri, and Agave duranguensis bagasse) on rumen fermentation parameters, microbial communities, and gas emissions. Fistulated bullocks received the concentrate daily, and ruminal contents were collected and filtered before and after supplementation to assess in vitro gas and methane production, pH, and microbial composition using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and mcrA amplicons. In addition, in situ degradability was evaluated during and after the supplementation period. Supplementation led to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in degradability parameters and methane production, along with a marked decrease in the abundance of Methanobrevibacter and an increase in succinate-producing taxa. These effects were attributed to the enhanced levels of non-fiber carbohydrates, hemicellulose, crude protein, and the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites and methanol. Rumen microbiota composition was consistent with previously described core communities, and mcrA-based sequencing proved to be a valuable tool for targeted methanogen detection. Overall, the inclusion of non-conventional ingredients in protein concentrates may improve ruminal fermentation efficiency and contribute to methane mitigation in ruminants, although further in vivo trials on a larger scale are recommended. Full article

Freshwater ecosystems—home to roughly 10% of known species—are losing biodiversity to river-morphology alteration, hydraulic infrastructure, and pollution, yet most ecological network (EN) studies focus on terrestrial systems and overlook hydrological connectivity under human disturbance. To address this, we devised and tested a dual EN framework in the Yangtze River Delta’s Ecological Green Integration Demonstration Zone, constructing freshwater and terrestrial networks independently before merging them. Using InVEST Habitat Quality, MSPA, the MCR model, and Linkage Mapper, we delineated sources and corridors: freshwater sources combined NDWI-InVEST indicators with a modified, sluice-weighted resistance surface, producing 78 patches (mean 348.7 ha) clustered around major lakes and 456.4 km of corridors (42.50% primary). Terrestrial sources used NDVI-InVEST with a conventional resistance surface, yielding 100 smaller patches (mean 121.6 ha) dispersed across woodlands and agricultural belts and 658.8 km of corridors (36.45% primary). Unified models typically favor large sources from dominant ecosystems while overlooking small, high-value patches in non-dominant systems, generating corridors that span both freshwater and terrestrial habitats and mismatch species migration patterns. Our dual framework better reflects species migration characteristics, accurately captures dispersal paths, and successfully integrates key agroforestry-complex patches that unified models miss, providing a practical tool for biodiversity protection in disturbed freshwater–terrestrial landscapes. Full article

The construction and maintenance of an ecological security pattern (ESP) are important for promoting the regional development of ecological civilizations, realizing sustainable and healthy development, and creating a harmonious and beautiful space for human beings and nature to thrive. Traditional construction methods have the limitations of a single dimension, a single method, and excessive human subjective intervention for source and corridor identification, without considering the multidimensional quality of the sources and the structural connectivity and resilience optimization of the corridors. Therefore, an ecological civilization demonstration area (Jiangxi Province) was used as the study area, a new research method for ESP was proposed, and an empirical study was conducted. To evaluate ecosystem service (ES) importance–disturbance–risk and extract sustainability sources through the deep embedded clustering–self-organizing map (DEC–SOM) deep unsupervised learning clustering algorithm, ecological networks (ENs) were constructed by applying the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) gravity model and circuit theory. The ENs were then optimized to improve performance by combining the comparative advantages of the two approaches in terms of structural connectivity and resilience. A comparative analysis of EN performance was constructed among different functional control zones, and the ESP was constructed to include 42 ecological sources, 134 corridors, 210 restoration nodes, and 280 protection nodes. An ESP of ‘1 nucleus, 3 belts, 6 zones, and multiple corridors’ was constructed, and the key restoration components and protection functions were clarified. This study offers a valuable reference for ecological management, protection, and restoration and provides insights into the promotion of harmonious symbiosis between human beings and nature and sustainable regional development. Full article

Multiple metrics for read-level DNA methylation pattern analysis have provided new insights into DNA methylation modifications. However, the performance of these metrics and their relationship with DNA methylation ratios in identifying biologically meaningful regions have remained unclear. Here, we systematically benchmarked five read-level DNA methylation metrics using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data from 59 individuals across six healthy tissue types and six tumor types. We found that DNA methylation concurrence (MCR) effectively captured tissue-specific features independent of the DNA methylation ratios. Regions that exhibited decreased MCR (MCDRs) in tumors were significantly enriched in promoter and intergenic regions and strongly overlapped with tumor-gained chromatin accessibility sites. The further analysis of histone modifications, including H3K4me3, H3K27ac, and H3K9ac, confirmed that MCDRs marked active gene regulatory elements. Motif enrichment analysis revealed a strong preference for CTCF binding within MCDRs. Additionally, 3D genome analysis supported a model in which MCDRs, independent of DNA methylation ratios, contribute to active gene regulation by facilitating CTCF binding and long-range chromatin interactions. Full article

The degradation process of HVOF-MCrAlY + APS-nanostructured YSZ (APS-nYSZ) thermal barrier coatings, produced using gas turbine OEM-approved MCrAlY powders, is investigated by studying the TGO growth and crack propagation behaviors in a thermal cycling environment. The TGO growth yields a parabolic mechanism on the surfaces of all HVOF-MCrAlYs, and the growth rate increases with the aluminum content in the “classical” MCrAlYs. The APS-nYSZ layer comprises micro-structured YSZ (mYSZ) and nanostructured YSZ (nYSZ) zones. Both mYSZ/mYSZ and mYSZ/nYSZ interfaces appear to be crack nucleation sites, resulting in crack propagation and consequent crack coalescence within the APS-nYSZ layer in the APS-nYSZ/HVOF-MCrAlY vicinity. Crack propagation in the TBCs can be characterized as a steady-state crack propagation stage, where crack length has a nearly linear relationship with TGO thickness, and an accelerating crack propagation stage, which is apparently a result of the coalescence of neighboring cracks. All TBCs fail in the same way as APS-/HVOF-MCrAlY + APS-conventional YSZ analogs, but the difference in thermal cycling lives is not substantial, although the HVOF-low Al-NiCrAlY encounters chemical failure in the early stage of thermal cycling. Full article

Mobile Charging Robots (MCRs), essentially high-voltage batteries mounted on mobile platforms, offer a flexible solution for electric vehicle (EV) charging, particularly in environments like supermarket parking lots with photovoltaic (PV) generation. Unlike fixed charging stations, MCRs must be strategically dispatched and recharged to maximize operational efficiency and revenue. This study investigates a Model Predictive Control (MPC) approach using Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to coordinate MCR charging and movement, accounting for the additional complexity that EVs can park at arbitrary locations. The performance impact of EV arrival and demand forecasts is evaluated, comparing perfect foresight with data-driven predictions using long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. A slack variable method is also introduced to ensure timely recharging of the MCRs. Results show that incorporating forecasts significantly improves performance compared to no prediction, with perfect forecasts outperforming LSTM-based ones due to better-timed recharging decisions. The study highlights that inaccurate forecasts—especially in the evening—can lead to suboptimal MCR utilization and reduced profitability. These findings demonstrate that combining MPC with predictive models enhances MCR-based EV charging strategies and underlines the importance of accurate forecasting for future smart charging systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in food and clinical environments necessitates new, clean-label antimicrobials. This study assessed eight Greek native essential oils—oregano, thyme, dittany, rosemary, peppermint, lavender, cistus and helichrysum—for activity against six genetically and phenotypically diverse E. coli strains (reference, pNorm, mecA, mcr-1, blaOXA and O157:H7). We aimed to identify oils with broad-spectrum efficacy and clarify the chemical constituents responsible. Methods: Disk-diffusion assays measured inhibition zones at dilutions from 50% to 1.56% (v/v). MIC and MBC values were determined by broth microdilution. GC–MS profiling identified dominant components, and Spearman rank-order correlations (ρ) linked composition to activity. Shapiro–Wilk tests (W = 0.706–0.913, p ≤ 0.002) indicated non-normal data, so strain comparisons used Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA with Dunn’s post hoc and Bonferroni correction. Results: Oregano, thyme and dittany oils—rich in carvacrol and thymol—exhibited the strongest activity, with MIC/MBC ≤ 0.0625% (v/v) against all strains and inhibition zones > 25 mm at 50%. No strain-specific differences were detected (H = 0.30–3.85; p = 0.998–0.571; p_adj = 1.000). Spearman correlations confirmed that carvacrol and thymol content strongly predicted efficacy (ρ = 0.527–0.881, p < 0.001). Oils dominated by non-phenolic terpenes (rosemary, peppermint, lavender, cistus, helichrysum) showed minimal or no activity. Conclusions: Phenolic-rich EOs maintain potent, strain-independent antimicrobial effects—including against multidrug-resistant and O157:H7 strains—via a multi-target mode that overcomes classical resistance. Their low-dose efficacy and GRAS status support their use as clean-label food preservatives or adjuncts to antibiotics or bacteriophages to combat antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a major pathogen responsible for healthcare-associated infections, particularly in intensive care units, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality due to its multidrug resistance and ability to persist in clinical environments. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genomic characteristics of all multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates collected between January and June 2022 from two tertiary care hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece. A total of 40 isolates were included. All isolates exhibited resistance to colistin; however, none harbored the mcr-1 to mcr-9 genes, as confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR-based screening for virulence-associated genes revealed high prevalence rates of basD (100%), pld (95%), csuE (87.5%), and bap (77.5%). In contrast, ompA and pglC were not detected. Twitching motility ranged from 2 to 50 mm, with 25% of the isolates classified as non-motile and 20% as highly motile. Swarming motility was observed in all strains. Additionally, all isolates demonstrated positive α-hemolysis, suggesting a potential virulence mechanism involving tissue damage and iron acquisition. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed significant genomic diversity among the isolates, indicating a low likelihood of patient-to-patient or clonal transmission within the hospital setting. These findings highlight the complex relationship between antimicrobial resistance and virulence in clinical A. baumannii isolates and emphasize the urgent need for robust infection control strategies and continued microbiological surveillance. Full article

While significant progress has been made in controlling point source pollution, agricultural non-point source pollution (AGNPSP) has emerged as a major contributor to global water pollution, posing a severe threat to ecological quality. According to China’s Second National Pollution Source Census, AGNPSP constitutes a substantial proportion of water pollution, making its mitigation a critical challenge. Identifying AGNPSP risk zones is essential for targeted management and effective intervention. This study focuses on Yongchuan District, a representative hilly–mountainous area in the Yangtze River Basin. Applying the landscape ecology “source–sink” theory, we selected seven natural factors influencing AGNPSP and constructed a minimum cumulative resistance model using remote sensing post-processing data. An attempt was made to classify the “source” and “sink” landscapes, and ultimately conduct a risk assessment of AGNPSP in Yongchuan District, identifying the key areas for AGNPSP control. Key findings include: 1. Vegetation coverage is the most significant natural factor affecting AGNPSP. 2. Extremely high- and high-risk zones cover 90% of Yongchuan, primarily concentrated in the central and southern regions, indicating severe AGNPSP pressure that demands urgent management. 3. The levels of ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus in the typical sections are related to the risk levels of the corresponding sections. Consequently, the risk level of AGNPSP directly correlates with the pollutant concentrations measured in the sections. This study provides a robust scientific basis for AGNPSP risk assessment and targeted control strategies, offering valuable insights for pollution management in Yongchuan and similar regions. Full article

Reclaimed fields have a low soil fertility and low productivity compared to conventional arable land, necessitating research on productivity enhancement. The rice–frog co-culture model is an ecologically intensive practice that combines biodiversity objectives with agricultural production needs, offering high ecological and economic value. However, there is a lack of research on this model that has focused on factors other than soil nutrient levels. The present study evaluated the rice–frog co-culture model in a reclaimed paddy field across three experimental plots with varying frog stocking densities: a rice monoculture (CG), low-density co-culture (LRF), and high-density co-culture (HRF). We investigated the effects of the frog density on greenhouse gas emissions throughout the rice growth. The rice–frog co-culture model significantly reduced methane (CH₄) emissions, with fluxes highest in the CG plot, followed by the LRF and then HRF plots. This reduction was achieved by altering the soil pH, the cation exchange capacity, the mcrA gene abundance, and the mcrA/pmoA gene abundance ratio. However, there was a contrasting nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission pattern. The co-culture model actually increased N₂O emissions, with fluxes being highest in the HRF plots, followed by the LRF and then CG plots. The correlation analysis identified the soil nosZ gene abundance, redox potential, urease activity, nirS gene abundance, and ratio of the combined nirK and nirS abundance to the nosZ abundance as key factors associated with N₂O emissions. While the co-cultivation model increased N₂O emissions, it also significantly reduced CH₄ emissions. Overall, the rice–frog co-culture model, especially at a high density, offers a favorable sustainable agricultural production model. Full article

Ecological security patterns (ESPs) are fundamental to safeguarding regional ecological integrity and enhancing human well-being. Consequently, research on conservation and restoration in critical regions is vital for ensuring ecological security and optimizing territorial ecological spatial configurations. Focusing on the Henan section of the Yellow River Basin, this study established the regional ESP and conservation–restoration framework through an integrated approach: (1) assessing four key ecosystem services—soil conservation, water retention, carbon sequestration, and habitat quality; (2) identifying ecological sources based on ecosystem service importance classification; (3) calculating a comprehensive resistance surface using the entropy weight method, incorporating key factors (land cover type, NDVI, topographic relief, and slope); (4) delineating ecological corridors and nodes using Linkage Mapper and the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) theory; and (5) integrating ecological functional zoning to synthesize the final spatial conservation and restoration strategy. Key findings reveal: (1) 20 ecological sources, totaling 8947 km² (20.9% of the study area), and 43 ecological corridors, spanning 778.24 km, were delineated within the basin. Nineteen ecological barriers (predominantly located in farmland, bare land, construction land, and low-coverage grassland) and twenty-one ecological pinch points (primarily clustered in forestland, grassland, water bodies, and wetlands) were identified. Collectively, these elements form the Henan section’s Ecological Security Pattern (ESP), integrating source areas, a corridor network, and key regional nodes for ecological conservation and restoration. (2) Building upon the ESP and the ecological baseline, and informed by ecological functional zoning, we identified a spatial framework for conservation and restoration characterized by “one axis, two cores, and multiple zones”. Tailored conservation and restoration strategies were subsequently proposed. This study provides critical data support for reconciling ecological security and economic development in the Henan Yellow River Basin, offering a scientific foundation and practical guidance for regional territorial spatial ecological restoration planning and implementation. Full article

Revegetation is considered a sustainable option for mine area remediation. However, the sustainability and risk evolution of revegetation for large antimony mine slag remain incompletely understood. In this study, we focused on the revegetation project of the waste slag heap of XKS, the world’s largest antimony mine. Systematically analyzed the physicochemical properties, total metal(loid) content, and BCR sequential extraction and applied the modified comprehensive pollution risk assessment (MCR) method to evaluate ecological risk evolution. The results showed that revegetation can effectively increase the nutrient content, and the total content of nitrogen and phosphorus maximally increased by 5.15 and 1.89 times, respectively, after 10 years of remediation. Long-term revegetation could mitigate the metal(loid) contamination, and the average contents of As and Sb decreased by 88.72–93.18% and 93.47–89.87%, respectively. BCR analysis showed that the percentage of residual As and residual Sb increased from 64.75% and 85.88% to 78.38% and 91.58%, respectively. The MCR assessment method showed that revegetation could effectively reduce the ecological risk level. This study provides important multidimensional evidence for the ecological restoration of antimony mining areas, which can provide practical guidance for subsequent slag management and risk control. Full article

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) enable the efficient assembly of complex small molecules via multiple bond-forming events in a single step. However, individual MCRs typically yield products with similar core structures, limiting access to larger, more intricate scaffolds. Strategic selection of reactants allows the combination of distinct MCRs, thus facilitating the synthesis of advanced molecular architectures with potential biological significance. Using our previously reported method for performing the aza-Friedel Crafts multicomponent reaction under green heterogeneous conditions, we have incorporated some of the obtained products into diverse multicomponent reactions to generate, in an unprecedent approach, eight novel products, some of which were also characterized by two-dimensional NMR techniques. The biological properties of such products are under investigation. Full article