Search Results (1,031)

Coral reefs in the South China Sea (SCS) are critical for regional marine biodiversity and ecosystem services but face escalating threats from climate change and anthropogenic stressors. However, a holistic evaluation of habitat suitability spanning the distinct environmental gradients from low-latitude deep-water atolls to high-latitude marginal reefs remains limited. This study utilized high-resolution remote sensing data and the MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) model combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to systematically map potential habitat suitability and elucidate the multi-scale environmental drivers shaping the realized niche of SCS corals. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity characterized by a distinct “High South, Low North” latitudinal gradient, with Unsuitable areas dominating 85.5% of the study region, followed by Marginally Suitable habitats at 5.0%, while the northern Nansha Islands were identified as the core distribution area with the highest suitability and continuity. Minimum Phosphate (Min. Phos.) concentration and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) were identified as the core environmental factors determining the spatial distribution of coral reefs in the South China Sea. The optimal environmental ranges were identified as: SST between 28.52 °C and 29.41 °C, water depth shallower than 34 m, extremely low phosphate (0–0.005 mmol/m³), and low cumulative thermal stress (DHW < 0.83 °C-weeks). Crucially, PCA further quantified two potential climate refugia: low-latitude thermal refugia in the southern Nansha Islands, characterized by high environmental stability, and high-latitude marginal refugia in the Beibu Gulf, which offer physical buffering against warming, while necessitating targeted efforts to mitigate the risks of habitat degradation and eutrophication driven by intensifying anthropogenic activities These findings challenge the traditional conservation view relying solely on high-latitude migration, advocating for a climate-resilient spatial planning strategy that prioritizes strict protection of southern biodiversity source banks while enhancing the connectivity of northern marginal stepping stones. Full article

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) and microbial biocontrol agents have emerged as key tools for improving crop productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability. However, central questions remain regarding which factors determine their consistent field performance and how these factors interact under real agronomic conditions. Previous research has demonstrated that PGPMs enhance nutrient acquisition, regulate phytohormone balance, improve stress tolerance, and suppress plant pathogens through diverse biochemical and ecological mechanisms. Advances in omics technologies, genome mining, and synthetic microbial communities have further expanded understanding of their functional potential. Nevertheless, many studies rely on laboratory-scale experiments or short-term trials, with limited multi-season and cross-regional validation. This gap contributes to inconsistent field outcomes and restricts large-scale agricultural adoption. Long-term multi-season validation and reproducibility assessment remain essential priorities for improving reliability of microbial agricultural products. This review synthesizes recent advances in PGPM-based biofertilizers and microbial biocontrol technologies, critically examining their mechanisms of action, scalability constraints, formulation challenges, and regulatory limitations. It identifies major translational barriers, including context dependency, mechanistic uncertainties, reproducibility gaps, and insufficient systems-level integration. Full article

Under ongoing climate change and rapid urbanization, urban hydrothermal regimes are being reshaped, intensifying drought hazards and increasing stress on urban forests. Yet, systematic assessments of drought-induced stability dynamics of urban vegetation remain limited. We identified drought events across 330 Chinese cities during 2000–2022 and quantified vegetation resistance and resilience using multi-source remote sensing data. Pronounced latitudinal divergence emerged: high-latitude cities showed lower resistance but higher resilience, whereas low-latitude cities exhibited stronger resistance but weaker recovery. Across climatic zones, resistance was greater in humid and arid cities, whereas resilience was stronger in sub-humid and semi-arid cities, indicating a climate-dependent trade-off between disturbance buffering and recovery capacity. From 2000–2011 to 2012–2022, resistance increased significantly, whereas resilience declined. Seasonally, resistance was lowest and resilience highest in summer. Drought severity and climatic background—especially drought intensity and duration—primarily governed stability patterns: stronger droughts reduced resistance but enhanced recovery. Anthropogenic factors, including population density, economic development, and CO₂ emissions, also played a significant role in shaping vegetation stability. These findings highlight the need for long-term drought monitoring and climate-specific urban forest management to strengthen ecosystem stability in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Depression is a common and consequential comorbidity among adults with diagnosed diabetes. Prior research has largely emphasized individual health behaviors, with less attention to emotional burden, social context, or theory-driven interpretation. The Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of Health Behavior Change offers an integrative framework for examining behavioral, emotional, and environmental correlates of health outcomes. This study applied MTM to examine correlates of lifetime diagnosed depression among U.S. adults with diagnosed diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 19,967 adults with diagnosed diabetes, representing approximately 30 million U.S. adults after survey weighting. Lifetime diagnosed depression was assessed based on respondents reporting that a health professional had told them they had a depressive disorder, representing a lifetime history of depression rather than current depressive symptoms. Independent variables were organized into behavioral, emotional, and environmental domains consistent with MTM. Survey-weighted descriptive analyses, Rao–Scott χ² tests, and nested survey-weighted logistic regression models were conducted. Results: The weighted prevalence of lifetime diagnosed depression among adults with diagnosed diabetes was 24.3%. In the fully adjusted MTM-guided model, emotional and environmental domains showed the strongest associations with lifetime diagnosed depression. Frequent mental distress was associated with substantially higher odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio ≈ 10.4, p < 0.001). High social or economic stress and fair or poor self-rated health remained independently associated (p < 0.001). Behavioral factors, including physical activity, smoking, and body mass index, were attenuated after adjustment. Conclusions: Lifetime diagnosed depression among adults with diagnosed diabetes was more strongly associated with emotional burden and adverse social conditions than with health behavior alone, supporting the integration of distress screening and context-responsive interventions into diabetes care. Full article

6PPD-Quinone (6PPD-Q) is a tire derivative formed by the oxidation of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), a commonly used antioxidant and ozone stabilizer in rubber products, and has emerged as a significant environmental concern in recent years. It is widely present in the atmosphere, surface lakes, and soil. The primary routes of exposure to 6PPD-Q are the digestive tract and respiratory tract. Studies indicate that it is a major factor causing acute mortality in coastal coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Reports indicate that 6PPD-Q exhibits greater chemical stability and stronger biological toxicity than 6PPD, demonstrating toxic effects across multiple species. 6PPD-Q has been detected in human urine samples, indicating a need for heightened attention to its potential health risks. 6PPD-Q exhibits multi-organ toxicity in organisms, including intestinal, hepatic, neurotoxic, and reproductive toxicity. Its potential toxic mechanisms are associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and it can disrupt amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism while interfering with signal transduction pathways by binding to specific receptors. This paper reviews the environmental contamination of 6PPD-Q, explores its potential toxic effects on organisms and underlying mechanisms, analyzes gaps in the current research and future trends, and contributes to a better understanding of its environmental occurrence and biological hazards. Full article

The pore pressure coefficient B, defined as the change in pore pressure per unit increment of confining pressure under undrained conditions, is a fundamental parameter in soil mechanics. It characterizes the coupling between soil skeleton deformation and pore water pressure and plays a critical role in establishing the effective stress framework for frozen soils. Existing studies mainly focus on unfrozen soils, while the temperature sensitivity and stress-path dependence of B in frozen soils undergoing phase transition remain insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study conducts temperature-controlled triaxial tests and constant strain-rate loading tests to investigate the evolution of B in frozen sandy silt over a temperature range of −11 °C to −2 °C under different stress histories. The results show that: (1) post-loading B-values at −5 °C to −8 °C are significantly higher than those at −2 °C and −10 °C, by 6.5% and 8.2%, respectively; (2) within the framework of Gassmann’s equation, a theoretical model incorporating the soil freezing characteristic curve and the coupled effects of ice–water phase transition and soil skeleton deformation is developed to explain the temperature-dependent behavior of unfrozen water and B; and (3) a predictive model incorporating a temperature correction factor is proposed, which accurately captures the variation trend of B in frozen sandy silt. This study elucidates the evolution mechanism of the pore pressure coefficient under multi-field coupling conditions and provides a theoretical basis for frost heave assessment and constitutive modeling in cold-region engineering. Full article

The study systematically investigates the effect of molybdenum (Mo) content (0.70–1.57 wt.%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of quenched and tempered martensitic steel for ultra-high-strength and -toughness oil well pipes. The results demonstrate that increasing the Mo content substantially enhances the strength of the steel. The yield strength (YS) increases from 1135 MPa to 1233 MPa, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) rises from 1176 MPa to 1285 MPa, and the elongation after fracture is marginally improved to 19%. However, the low-temperature impact energy (AKV₂) of the steel at −20 °C exhibits a pronounced decrease, from 117 J to 36 J. Mo refines the multi-scale martensitic microstructure, increases the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) and dislocation density, and promotes the precipitation of three types of carbides. Quantitative analysis indicates that grain refinement strengthening is the predominant factor contributing to the enhancement of steel strength. The decline in the steel’s resistance to low temperatures is attributed to the separation of coarse, blocky M₃C-type carbides at the grain boundaries. This results in the accumulation of stress at these boundaries, leading to a transformation in the steel’s fracture mode from ductile to brittle. Full article

Traditional villages in the Jiangnan region have experienced significant spatial transformation under rural revitalization, yet thermal environment regulation in public spaces remains insufficiently addressed. This study examines how spatial morphology influences microclimate and outdoor thermal comfort during summer and proposes evidence-based climate-responsive strategies. Three representative provincial-level traditional villages in Wuxi—Yaogeli Village, Zhu Village, and Huangtutang Ancient Village Area—were selected as case studies. Public spaces were classified into open, semi-open, and semi-private types according to spatial openness. Field microclimate measurements and thermal comfort surveys were conducted, and Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was calculated to evaluate thermal conditions. Results show that rural public spaces generally experience significant summer heat stress, with PET exceeding the neutral range during most daytime periods. Spatial openness is significantly positively correlated with PET, identifying solar radiation as the dominant thermal driver. Water bodies provide cooling benefits within limited spatial ranges, constrained by configuration and ventilation conditions. Ecological and composite surfaces reduce heat accumulation compared to single materials. These findings indicate that thermal comfort in rural public spaces is a multi-factor and interaction-driven process, providing empirical support for climate-adaptive rural renewal. Full article

The successful application of 3D and 4D food printing is fundamentally governed by the rheology and microstructure of edible inks. These factors control every step, from extrusion and nozzle deposition to the final product functionality. This review systematically examines how formulation variables, including starch/protein composition, water content, and hydrocolloids, determine the network architecture and critical rheological properties, such as yield stress and viscoelasticity. These properties determine printing outcomes such as filament formation, stacking accuracy, and the stability of sensitive components. This review explores 4D printing as a “3D + 1D function,” where printed structures provide additional features over time, such as a controlled color change or bioactive release, while post-printing treatment often activates these features. Through case studies of novel inks, we show how interfacial chemistry and process parameters influence texture and stability. Finally, we discuss the application of rheological metrics for predicting printability and outline the critical need for developing multi-parameter, process-relevant printability indices to advance the field of digital food manufacturing. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the primary cause of human morbidity and mortality in the world. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular remodeling are the key factors that make CVDs worse. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway is a major regulator in the progression of CVDs. NF-κB activates wrongly, induces the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), and enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These accelerate endothelial dysfunction, myocardial damage, and atherosclerotic plaque development. Natural products are structurally diverse, multi-targeted, and low toxicity. They offer a promising way to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. This review summarizes the recent studies about using natural products (including flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and polysaccharides) to treat CVDs through the NF-κB pathway, with a critical analysis of evidence strength according to CVDs indication (atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, pulmonary arterial hypertension, etc.) and study type (in vitro, in vivo animal, and human clinical research). We detail their molecular mechanisms, such as inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, downregulating IκB phosphorylation, blocking upstream signaling (e.g., TLR4/MyD88, PI3K/Akt, MAPK), and affecting with other pathways (e.g., Nrf2/HO-1, SIRT1) to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress together. We also detail the effects of these natural products in various CVDs models, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary arterial hypertension, highlighting the characteristics of their treatments. Finally, we discuss the challenges of bringing natural products into the clinic and share some ideas to solve difficulties, with an in-depth critical analysis of the translational bottlenecks (poor bioavailability, unclear structure–activity relationships, incomplete mechanistic elucidation, and lack of large-scale clinical trials) and their underlying causes across different natural product classes. In summary, this review offers new perspectives on developing natural product-based therapies targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway for CVDs. It offers useful references for both preclinical studies and clinical applications. Full article

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a global health crisis, projected to be the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. Its progression is driven by a reinforcing loop of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation. The AMPK-NRF2–FOXO axis serves as a central “redox-metabolic rheostat” that maintains renal homeostasis but is commonly dysfunctional in CKD. Herein, we explore the molecular crosstalk within this network, where AMPK acts as a metabolic and redox sensor, NRF2 governs the cytoprotective response, and FOXO isoforms regulate autophagy, antioxidative defense, and senescence. We highlight the functional paradoxes within the axis and evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of nutraceuticals and pharmacological agents, such as NRF2 inducer bardoxolone methyl, underscoring the necessity for context-dependent modulation. Furthermore, we examine the AMPK–NRF2–FOXO axis within the current clinical management, according to the 2024/2026 KDIGO guidelines. These guidelines reflect a shift toward a multi-targeted pharmacological approach involving metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, finerenone, and hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors. Full article

Digital stress, the psychological strain from constant connectivity, is a growing challenge, but the research field remains conceptually fragmented. This study aims to (1) map the evolution of digital stress research via bibliometric and scientometric analyses; (2) quantify measurement consistency through a meta-analysis of the Digital Stress Scale (DSS); and (3) synthesize thematic trends to clarify the construct’s boundaries. A multi-method review was conducted, integrating bibliometric analysis of 215 documents (Scopus/WoS), Google Ngram analysis, a random-effects meta-analysis of 10 DSS studies (n = 8572), and a thematic analysis of keyword co-occurrence. Bibliometrics and Ngram analysis show the field is maturing, with publications rising sharply post-2020, distinguishing it from ‘technostress.’ The construct evolved from biomedical/engineering uses to a psychosocial concept linked to ‘social media’ and ‘mental health.’ The meta-analysis found a moderate pooled mean stress level (2.45 on a 1–5 scale, 95% CI: 2.12–2.78), falling within the ‘average’ range of U.S. norms. High heterogeneity (I² = 99.7%) confirmed that cultural and contextual factors significantly moderate stress levels. Thematic analysis identified four key dimensions: conceptual ambiguity, contextual moderators, the digital transformation paradox, and digital well-being. Digital stress is a distinct, multidimensional construct encompassing social-evaluative pressures beyond original technostress models. This review consolidates its theoretical boundaries and confirms the DSS’s psychometric consistency, highlighting digital stress as a critical, context-dependent factor in human adaptation to technology. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, oxidative stress (OS), and chronic inflammation drive synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has emerged as a candidate neuroprotective gas with selective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, although its efficacy in amyloid-driven pathology remains incompletely defined. In this study, 5xFAD transgenic mice harboring human amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin-1 (PSEN1) mutations and age-matched C57BL/6 wild-type mice were exposed to 2% H₂ by inhalation for 1 h/day over 4 weeks. H₂ inhalation reduced hippocampal reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased systemic catalase activity, and enhanced hippocampal ATP levels. In serum, H₂ decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β, restored IL-10, and partially normalized IL-13, shifting the peripheral environment toward a less pro-inflammatory profile. In the hippocampus, H₂ upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), attenuated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, reduced the BAX/BCL-2 ratio, preserved neuronal nuclei (NEUN) expression, and decreased hippocampal Aβ42 burden. Collectively, these findings indicate that H₂ inhalation confers multi-faceted neuroprotection in 5xFAD mice by restoring redox homeostasis, suppressing inflammation, improving mitochondrial function, and limiting Aβ accumulation. Full article

The Shaanxi section of the Qinling Mountains serves as a critical ecological transition zone and security barrier between northern and southern China. Monitoring the dynamics of its vegetation Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is essential for understanding regional carbon cycling and informing ecological management strategies. This study integrates three complementary analytical frameworks: the Mann–Kendall test combined with the Theil–Sen slope for linear trend extrapolation (MK-Theil-Sen), mechanistic simulation (CASA model), and machine learning (random forest). First, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of NPP from 2000 to 2023. Then, based on three CMIP6 scenarios (SSP119, SSP245, SSP585), we projected NPP changes for 2030–2050 and compared results across different models and scenarios. The key findings are as follows: ① From 2000 to 2023, NPP in the Shaanxi section of the Qinling Mountains exhibited a fluctuating upward trend with a cumulative increase of 16.7%. Spatially, it showed a pattern of “higher in the south, lower in the north; higher in the west, lower in the east”. ② Multiple models predict continued NPP growth, though the magnitude remains uncertain. Mechanistic models, incorporating climate stress factors, yield relatively conservative projections. ③ Emission scenarios significantly influence future trends, with low-emission pathways (SSP119) favoring NPP enhancement and extended growing seasons. ④ Different vegetation types exhibit varying responses to scenario changes: broadleaf forests show the highest sensitivity, while grasslands and meadows demonstrate strong climate stability across models, with cultivated vegetation exhibiting intermediate sensitivity. This study provides comprehensive scientific references for regional ecological security assessment and adaptive management through historical analysis and multi-model, multi-scenario projections of NPP in the Shaanxi section of the Qinling Mountains. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) originated in tropical and subtropical regions. During its growth and development, cold stress severely threatens seedling survival rates and final yield by inducing oxidative stress, compromising cell membrane integrity, and causing “physiological drought.” The Domain of Unknown Function 966 (DUF966) gene family comprises a class of regulatory factors containing conserved domains of undetermined function. Although they are considered to be extensively involved in plant growth, development, and stress response, their specific roles within the maize cold-tolerance regulatory network remain to be explored. In this study, 10 ZmDUF966 family members were identified via genome-wide analysis, and their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, chromosomal localizations, and cis-acting elements were systematically analyzed. The results indicate that the ZmDUF966 family is highly conserved among Poaceae species, and its promoters are enriched with stress-responsive elements such as LTR and ABRE. The core gene, ZmDUF966-10, was significantly up-regulated (approximately 35-fold at 48 h, p < 0.05) as validated by RT-qPCR under cold stress and is post-transcriptionally regulated by conserved miRNAs such as zma-miR159. Further yeast two-hybrid experiments revealed a preliminary physical interaction between the ZmDUF966-10 protein and an ABA/WDS-induced protein, suggesting its potential involvement in ABA-mediated stress signaling, though functional validation remains to be conducted. In conclusion, this study identifies ZmDUF966-10 as a promising candidate gene that responds to cold signals through multi-level regulatory networks, providing a valuable gene resource for further functional characterization and potential application in cold-tolerant maize improvement. Full article