Search Results (785)

Climate change is altering soil organic carbon stocks and the associated carbon fluxes of cropland ecosystems—including organic matter mineralization, microbial respiration rates, and CO₂ emissions—through shifts in temperature and moisture regimes. Ecosystem respiration, the main pathway linking terrestrial carbon pools to atmospheric CO₂, directly governs the carbon source–sink balance of croplands. As integral components of the agroecosystem, soil microorganisms directly participate in ecosystem respiration and organic carbon transformation: they contribute to heterotrophic respiration through the decomposition of organic matter, while also synthesizing new organic compounds, forming microbial biomass, and promoting organic carbon stabilization, with their community composition and metabolic activity adjusting to changing environmental conditions. To synthesize research progress and clarify how the field has evolved over the past three decades, we analyzed 290 publications (1991–2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection, combining bibliometric tools (CiteSpace 7.0, VOSviewer 1.6.20) with a structured evidence synthesis to map the research landscape, knowledge structure, hotspot evolution, and mechanistic understanding of the microbial processes underlying cropland ecosystem respiration. Publication output has grown steadily, led by China (161 publications; 55.5%) and the United States (47; 16.2%), which together account for 71.7% of the sample. The knowledge structure has coalesced around five core themes (ecosystem respiration, soil microbial communities, soil organic carbon, carbon cycling, and agricultural management), corresponding to 14 major thematic clusters (Q = 0.668, S = 0.778). Rather than strictly sequential stages, these thematic areas developed largely in parallel, with a gradual shift in research emphasis over time: early work centered on fundamental carbon-cycle processes, including soil respiration flux, organic matter decomposition, and CO₂ release, whereas later research increasingly emphasized microbial community structure, functional mechanisms, carbon use efficiency, soil organic carbon stabilization, carbon sequestration, fungal communities, and ecological stoichiometry. The responses of cropland respiration to climate change are context-dependent: under specific conditions their direction and magnitude may be dominated by a single limiting factor, whereas overall they emerge from the coordinated interplay of temperature, moisture, substrate supply, and agricultural management, within which microbial processes play a central but still incompletely resolved role. Future research should prioritize long-term in situ observations, multi-factor coupling experiments, and functional validation of microbial processes, and integrate microbial mechanisms into ecosystem models to strengthen predictions of cropland carbon cycling and support agricultural emission reduction, carbon sequestration, and sustainable management. Full article

Accurate quantification of forest biomass in the karst mountainous region of Southwest China is critical for regional carbon sink accounting. However, remote sensing-based inversion of forest biomass in this region is subject to the dual constraints of scale effects and spatial heterogeneity. Taking two typical karst landforms—plateau karst and peak-cluster depression karst—as case studies, this study developed an inversion framework that integrates multi-scale synergy (plot—small watershed—region) with geomorphological zoning modeling. Specifically, the high-precision forest aboveground biomass (AGB), retrieved by integrating high-resolution satellite imagery (2 m) of small watersheds with field plot data, was used as the scale-conversion bridge. The dominant class variability-weighted method was applied to upscale the spatial resolution from 2 m to 30 m. Subsequently, Landsat-8 OLI imagery, land use/land cover data, and topographic factors were integrated to construct landform-specific neural network models, namely BPANN-GY for plateau karst and BPANN-FC for peak-cluster depression karst, with validation RMSEs of 11.02% and 12.39%, respectively. The results showed that the mean forest AGB in the plateau karst region was 110.66 t·ha⁻¹ in 2013 and 111.46 t·ha⁻¹ in 2024; in the peak-cluster depression karst region, the mean forest AGB was 123.98 t·ha⁻¹ in 2014 and 125.57 t·ha⁻¹ in 2024. Compared with the baseline years (2013/2014), total forest AGB in both regions increased significantly by 2024, up to 11.43% in the plateau karst region and 6.43% in the peak-cluster depression karst region. Spatially, the most marked increase in AGB occurred in the mid-to-high slope zones, while the differences in forest AGB among slope grades gradually narrowed, indicating progressively enhanced forest structural integrity and functional stability under effective land management. This study methodologically validates the scientific soundness and feasibility of using high-precision AGB retrieved from high-resolution satellite imagery as a scale-conversion bridge. The established AGB inversion system provides a methodological framework and data foundation for carbon sink accounting, ecological restoration, and land management in the karst region of Southwest China, and offers a transferable approach for forest AGB inversion in other highly heterogeneous landscapes. Full article

Traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO) easily falls into premature convergence, while differential evolution (DE) is highly sensitive to fixed control parameters. Existing PSO-DE hybrid frameworks suffer from static population sizes and insufficient cross-population information exchange. This paper proposes PSO-DE-ADP, a hybrid optimizer with sinusoidal adaptive parameters, elite-guided mutation, ring neighborhood-weighted PSO and fitness-driven dynamic dual-population allocation. Four complementary mechanisms are integrated: (i) sine-wave perturbation superimposed on linear decay adaptively adjusts PSO inertia weight, acceleration factors and DE scaling/crossover coefficients to balance search stages; (ii) global elite individuals are embedded into DE mutation to reduce blind random search; (iii) ring topology with weighted learning realizes bidirectional information interaction between PSO and DE subpopulations; (iv) the proportion of PSO/DE individuals is dynamically adjusted according to elite ratio to allocate computing resources. Experiments adopt the CEC2017 30-dimensional benchmark with 30 test functions covering unimodal, multimodal, hybrid and composite landscapes. Compared with 8 state-of-the-art metaheuristics, PSO-DE-ADP achieves the lowest Friedman rank (1.08 vs. 2.23–4.90 for PSO variants; 1.53 vs. 2.07–5.00 for non-PSO algorithms). Ablation tests prove each component significantly boosts accuracy; The algorithm only costs 0.172 s average runtime, superior to all competitors. Statistical Wilcoxon and Friedman tests verify its significant superiority. Future work extends this method to multi-objective, constrained and real engineering optimization tasks. Full article

Recreation suitability in national parks refers to the capacity of a place to support low-impact recreation while maintaining ecological integrity and complying with conservation objectives. In alpine protected areas, high landscape attractiveness does not necessarily indicate feasible recreation space because ecological fragility, remoteness, and strict protection requirements may constrain use. Using Sanjiangyuan National Park, China, as a case study, we integrated multi-source geospatial data to construct an Ecological Recreation Suitability Index from Ecological Recreation Provisioning, the Landscape Attractiveness Index, and the Wilderness Degree Index. WDI was transformed into a nonlinear compatibility function that constrained the realization of landscape attractiveness, and ecological support was then integrated with wilderness-compatible attractiveness. Relatively high- and high-suitability zones accounted for 30.88% of the valid assessment area and were mainly concentrated in the eastern and southeastern parts of the park, where higher ecological recreation provisioning and landscape attractiveness under suitable wilderness constraints jointly contributed to greater recreation suitability. Western and northwestern areas were constrained chiefly by weak ecological support and high wilderness conditions. These findings show that recreation suitability is not a direct expression of landscape attractiveness. The principal scientific contribution is a condition-dependent coupling structure that distinguishes potential attraction from conservation-compatible recreation suitability. Full article

Urban and peri-urban regions increasingly face climate-related pressures, competing land-use demands, and the need to expand renewable-energy infrastructure while maintaining agricultural land and landscape functions. Agrivoltaics, which combines photovoltaic energy generation with agricultural production, represents a potentially multifunctional approach to land use; however, regional GIS assessments often stop at environmental suitability surfaces without translating those results into planning-relevant cadastral inventories. This study develops and applies a planning-oriented Geographic Information System (GIS) framework for preliminary statewide agrivoltaic screening in Connecticut. Annual global solar radiation and terrain slope were integrated through a weighted suitability model, while incompatible land-cover classes were treated as hard exclusions through a binary land-cover mask. The workflow subsequently excluded protected and open-space lands, associated suitable areas with cadastral parcels, normalized and dissolved parcel identifiers using ParcelKey, and a recalculated suitable area from the resulting unique parcel geometries and then applied a minimum requirement of 1 ha of cumulative suitable area per retained parcel. The final baseline inventory contained 3497 normalized unique cadastral parcels encompassing 16,366.49 ha of GIS-identified suitable area, with suitable land representing an average of 42.46% of total parcel area. Peri-urban contexts accounted for the largest share of the final suitable area, containing 2497 parcels and 73.16% of the total, compared with 476 urban and 524 rural parcels. Sensitivity analysis indicated strong stability under alternative weighting schemes, with spatial overlap exceeding 99% relative to the baseline. Reducing the suitability-score threshold from 3.0 to 2.5 produced only minor changes, whereas increasing it to 3.5 reduced the inventory to 3095 parcels and 13,712.89 ha. From a sustainability perspective, the framework provides a spatial decision-support approach for coordinating renewable-energy planning with agricultural land stewardship, conservation constraints, and more efficient use of already fragmented land resources. By making the effects of exclusions, parcel thresholds, and analytical assumptions explicit, the approach supports more transparent and reproducible evaluation of land-use trade-offs relevant to sustainable development. The resulting inventory is intended as a first-stage planning resource rather than a determination of project feasibility or site-level sustainability performance. Full article

Plant genomes exhibit extensive structural diversity generated by large-scale genomic alterations, collectively known as structural variations (SVs). Unlike single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions/deletions (indels), SVs can reshape genome architecture through changes in sequence content, gene dosage, regulatory landscapes, and chromosome organization. Recent advances in long-read sequencing (LRS), pan-genome construction, and multi-omics technologies have greatly expanded our ability to identify and interpret SVs across plant species. In this review, we summarize recent progress in understanding the formation mechanisms, classification, and functional consequences of plant SVs. We discuss major sources of SV generation, including transposable element activity, non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR), horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and genome restructuring following polyploidization. We further highlight how LRS and graph-based pan-genomes overcome limitations of traditional linear reference genomes and enable more comprehensive characterization of genetic diversity. Beyond variant discovery, we emphasize the importance of integrating genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and spatial omics datasets to decipher how SVs influence gene regulation and complex agronomic traits. We also discuss current challenges, including repetitive genomes, polyploidy, computational complexity, and translation of SV knowledge into practical breeding applications. Together, these advances establish SV-centered genomics as a critical framework for understanding plant genome evolution and accelerating precision crop improvement. Full article

Skeletal muscle development and regeneration rely on coordinated transcriptional programs controlled by muscle stem cells and their progeny. Nuclear Factor I X (NFIX) plays essential roles in fetal myogenesis and adult muscle regeneration. However, the mechanisms regulating its transcription and isoform expression remain unclear. Here, integrating multi-omics analyses with in vitro functional assays, we define the transcriptional and epigenetic landscape controlling Nfix expression during skeletal muscle development and regeneration. We show that Nfix promoter usage is dynamically regulated according to myogenic cell state: promoter 2 is associated with quiescent and stem-like states, whereas promoter 1 is activated during myogenic commitment and regeneration. These programs are accompanied by differential enhancer accessibility and DNA methylation changes within the Nfix locus, indicating coordinated epigenetic regulation. We further demonstrate that alternative promoter usage and exon 7/9 splicing generate distinct NFIX isoforms affecting myoblast proliferation and fusion, while transcriptomic profiling identified NFIX-dependent networks involved in muscle structure and metabolism. Overall, our findings uncover multilayered mechanisms controlling Nfix expression and identify promoter- and isoform-specific NFIX programs associated with stem, regenerative, and differentiated myogenic states. These results provide a molecular framework for future therapeutic strategies targeting NFIX in muscle diseases. Full article

Rapid and unplanned urbanization in Dhaka is reshaping land use, intensifying peripheral expansion, and increasing pressure on urban and ecological resources. Understanding these growth dynamics is essential for effective urban growth boundary delineation and sustainable planning, yet integrated assessments of historical and future urban growth remain limited. The current study evaluates spatiotemporal urban expansion from 2010 to 2025, delineates the urban growth boundary using a morphological framework, and simulates future growth for 2030 through a coupled cellular automaton-neural network model. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery (2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025) was classified in Google Earth Engine using supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification. Urban growth patterns were quantified using the urban expansion intensity index (UEII), annual urban expansion rate (AUER), and landscape expansion index (LEI). The urban largest continuous patch index (ULCPI) approach was applied to extract functional urban boundaries. Model performance was validated using the Chi-square (χ²) goodness-of-fit test. Results show a substantial increase in built-up land from 115.85 km² to 171.42 km² between 2010 and 2025, accompanied by a decline of approximately 60 km² in urban green spaces. LEI results demonstrate a transition from compact infilling growth (2010–2015) to dominant edge and outlying expansion (2015–2020), indicating progressive peri-urbanization. The urban largest continuous patch (ULCP) nearly doubled from 78.58 km² to 152.13 km² over the same period, accentuating rapid spatial consolidation. The 2030 projection anticipates continued corridor-oriented expansion, particularly toward the northern and eastern peripheries, with predictive agreement from the CA–ANN model (χ² = 0.03 < 7.8). The study identifies a clear transition from monocentric compactness to polycentric expansion, emphasizing the necessity for enforceable growth containment, transit-oriented development, and ecologically responsive planning strategies to ensure long-term urban sustainability. Full article

Effective conservation of the Near Threatened (NT) black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) requires standardized frameworks for organizing multi-scale biodiversity data. This study proposes the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) system as an optimal structure for archiving and sharing biodiversity data such as Habitat Suitability Index (HSI). Developed by the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), the EBV framework is an emerging system offering a robust solution for standardizing data exchange. Based on 483,592 valid location records of 106 black-necked cranes using satellite telemetry, we apply species distribution models and demonstrate how the multi-dimensional EBV architecture accommodates distinct life-stage preferences: breeding sites favor mid-elevations modulated by temperature; migration staging relies on precipitation regimes; and wintering grounds are driven by moisture availability and the avoidance of human-modified landscapes. The EBV NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) format functions as a self-describing hypercube that captures spatial, temporal, and life-stage dimensions while ensuring metadata transparency. This integration facilitates critical applications, including the identification of priority conservation areas and climate vulnerability assessments, thereby bridging the gap between species-specific modeling and global biodiversity monitoring standards. Full article

Under globalization, architectural forms, spatial logic, and consumption experiences have become increasingly homogeneous, making placelessness particularly evident in large-scale commercial complexes. Establishing meaningful connections between globalized commercial spaces and local culture, urban memory, and everyday life has consequently become an important issue in research on architectural cultural sustainability. Guided by critical regionalism, this study takes placelessness as its point of departure and cultural sustainability as its evaluative perspective. It develops a two-level analytical framework comprising architectural analysis and user perception evaluation and applies this framework to the Chengdu New Century Global Center. Architectural analysis examines the building’s objective characteristics in terms of spatial image, functional organization, environmental setting, and cultural expression. User perception data were collected through a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews, followed by descriptive statistics and comparative analysis across four corresponding dimensions: spatial, functional, environmental, and cultural perception. The results indicate that the building’s megascale form, contemporary architectural appearance, and multifunctional organization contribute to higher levels of spatial and functional perception. Environmental perception is also relatively positive, although deficiencies remain in resting facilities, route organization, and detailed spatial experience. By contrast, cultural perception is substantially lower than the other dimensions. The marine theme, exoticized settings, and entertainment-oriented imagery are more closely associated with a globalized consumer landscape than with the spatial translation of Chengdu’s local culture, urban memory, and everyday life. Consequently, the building’s thematic identity has not been effectively translated into users’ recognition of place-specific characteristics, suggesting that the production of commercial complex space continues to prioritize consumption efficiency over cultural expression. By operationalizing the critical regionalist concept of sense of place as an empirically assessable analytical tool, this study extends its applicability to large-scale commercial complexes and provides a diagnostic framework and practical strategies for enhancing their cultural sustainability. Full article

Neurodevelopmental disorder, speech impairment, and dysmorphic facies (NEDSID) is an autosomal dominant condition primarily driven by SETD1A haploinsufficiency. While most documented cases are sporadic, genomic mechanisms underlying intrafamilial phenotypic heterogeneity remain poorly understood. This study presents a comprehensive clinical, neurophysiological, and molecular characterization of a two-generation Mexican family segregating a novel heterozygous missense SETD1A variant. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) identified a c.1604G>A (p.Gly535Glu) substitution localized within the critical Functional Location on SETD1A (FLOS) domain, which was validated via automated Sanger sequencing across all family members and 100 ethnically matched controls. The proband exhibited a moderate NEDSID phenotype, including global developmental delay, macrocephaly, borderline IQ (79) with pronounced information-processing deficits, and abnormal EEG sharp waves. Conversely, first-degree relatives carrying the identical variant presented with mild, non-intellectually disabling phenotypes characterized primarily by isolated psychiatric disorders (bipolar disorder, depression) and minimal dysmorphism. Structural 3D modeling and multi-algorithmic in silico profiling confirmed high evolutionary conservation and a deleterious impact (CADD: 22.2, SIFT: 0.00, GERP: 2.924), classifying the variant as a Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS)/Likely Pathogenic according to ACMG/AMP criteria (PM2, PP1, PP3, PP4). Furthermore, epigenetic dysregulation and chromatin remodeling defects increasingly link these histone-modifier variants to broader psychiatric landscapes. Emerging transcriptomic profiling confirms that dosage-sensitive COMPASS complex disruptions alter downstream neurodevelopmental gene cascades. Our findings present observational evidence of intrafamilial clinical variability in a single pedigree with a SETD1A missense alteration, supporting the hypothesis that non-catalytic domain substitutions may contribute to diverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Full article

Background: Previous studies have examined bioactive constituents of Prunus dulcis oil, Pinus sylvestris essential oil, and related phytochemical matrices separately; however, their combined chemical profile, comparator-context molecular-docking landscape, and comparative cellular response in melanoma and non-malignant fibroblast models remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: The analyzed study samples were profiled by GC/MS and GC/FID-based fatty-acid methyl ester analysis. An archived molecular-docking dataset was used to summarize structurally plausible interactions of six formulation-associated markers with eight melanoma-relevant or melanoma-adjacent targets and to present representative three-dimensional complexes. Because complete protocol metadata and co-crystallized-ligand redocking records were unavailable, the computational findings were interpreted descriptively. Neutral-red uptake assays assessed the 24 h viability of B16F10 melanoma cells and MRC-5 fibroblasts after exposure to each oil, the dual-oil formulation, or cisplatin. Four-parameter logistic models provided estimated IC₅₀ values, and exact two-sided permutation tests were used for Spearman rank analyses. Results: The dual-oil formulation yielded estimated IC₅₀ values of 1.42% v/v in B16F10 cells and 4.85% v/v in MRC-5 cells, corresponding to an apparent selectivity index of 3.41. The complete eight-concentration series was non-monotonic and showed no significant rank association (B16F10: ρs = −0.4286, exact p = 0.2992; MRC-5: ρs = −0.3810, exact p = 0.3599). In a post hoc analysis of the descending branch (≥0.37% v/v), the association was perfect in B16F10 cells (ρs = −1.0000, exact p = 0.0167) but did not reach significance in MRC-5 cells (ρs = −0.9000, exact p = 0.0833). The docking matrix identified target-dependent numerical prioritization patterns; however, small score differences were not interpreted as evidence of stronger binding or cellular target engagement. Conclusions: The findings define an exploratory chemical–computational–cellular framework and a preliminary formulation-level viability phenotype. They do not establish synergy, apoptosis, pathway modulation, therapeutic efficacy, or clinical safety. Independent multi-batch chemical confirmation, a fully documented and redocking-validated computational protocol, expanded melanoma and normal-skin cell panels, orthogonal functional assays, longer exposure periods, mechanistic validation, and subsequent in vivo studies are required. Full article

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a key strategy to address complex and intensifying urban sustainability challenges, yet empirical assessments of regulatory frameworks that operationalize these strategies remain limited. This study addresses that gap through an empirical evaluation of the Green Area Ratio (GAR), a hybrid performance-based zoning regulation for sustainable landscapes in Washington, DC, using more than a decade of regulatory implementation data. Regulatory plan approval records from 1329 private properties subject to GAR between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed to examine trends in landscaping Best Management Practice (BMP) selection, relationships with parcel characteristics, and interactions with stormwater management requirements. Over this period, approximately 184 ha of multifunctional NBS were approved through GAR plans primarily consisting of landscaping areas, plantings, and tree planting and preservation, often combined through BMP stacking and amplified by a native plant bonus. BMP selection varied significantly according to zoning district, lot area, and GAR Score Requirement. Importantly, GAR requirements influenced BMP selection differently than stormwater requirements. The findings suggest that simplicity, flexibility, and adaptability of the GAR make the regulation a versatile policy instrument for DC and a useful model for cities seeking to expand NBS through performance-based zoning regulation. Full article

MXene composites represent an exceptionally promising member of the family of two-dimensional multifunctional materials known for outstanding electrical properties, mechanical strength, chemical tuning abilities, and the potential for wide applications. The paper conducts a profound patent landscape investigation of MXene composites with the help of the WIPO PATENTSCOPE database. In total, 658 patent families were found; duplicate patent entries were eliminated through the application of the Single Family Member method. The results show that China is a patent leader worldwide, followed by PCT applications and the patenting activity of the USA, India, and other countries, which indicates a growing international interest in MXene technologies and materials. The classification of patents also shows that this technology is actively researched in relation to the development of technologies in the field of electrochemical energy storage, polymer engineering, sensing technologies, catalysis, environmental remediation, electronics, and biomedical applications. Additionally, the paper studies the technology development in the field of the creation of MXene antennas, semiconductor devices, and ceramic oxide composites, materials that change shape, anti-corrosion coatings, electrochemical sensors, and many others. Even though substantial advances have been made, obstacles related to efficient manufacturing, oxidation resistance, quality assurance, sustainability, and industry adoption persist. The overall picture of patents shows that MXene-based composite materials have progressed from the testing stage to commercial products with high potential for next-generation technologies. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major environmental factor contributing to photoaging, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and photocarcinogenesis. Conventional UV filters, although widely used in sunscreen formulations, are associated with limitations including photoinstability, photocatalytic ROS generation, potential toxicity, and environmental concerns. In recent years, plant-mediated nanomaterials have emerged as promising multifunctional photoprotective systems, combining UV attenuation with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and biologically adaptive properties. Plant extracts are increasingly used as reducing and stabilising agents in the green synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. Among these, ZnO and TiO₂ serve as established inorganic UV filters, whereas Ag and Au nanoparticles have primarily been investigated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and ROS-modulating properties, which may indirectly enhance photoprotection. In parallel, plant-derived organic nanoparticles and herbal nanocomposites have demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility and multifunctional performance. This review critically examines the current landscape of plant-mediated photoprotective nanomaterials, focusing on the mechanistic interplay among optical UV attenuation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation, and cellular signalling regulation. Particular emphasis is placed on structure–function relationships governing nanoparticle size, surface chemistry, bandgap properties, antioxidant behaviour, and biological interactions. The review further discusses translational challenges, including reproducibility, standardisation, scalability, long-term safety, regulatory classification, and limitations in benchmarking. Importantly, current evidence suggests that no single material system simultaneously optimises UV-blocking efficiency, ROS control, biocompatibility, and industrial scalability, highlighting the need for multifunctional hybrid design strategies. Finally, future perspectives involving predictive nanoengineering, computational modelling, machine learning-guided optimisation, and adaptive photoprotective systems are discussed as emerging directions for next-generation sustainable photoprotective technologies. Full article