Search Results (533)

Background: Comprehensive and accurate compound composition characterization in natural sources has high relevance in food and nutrition, health and medicine, environmental and agriculture research areas, though profiling of plant metabolites is a challenging task due to the structural complexity of natural products. This study delves into the identification and characterization of compounds within the Plantago genus, leveraging state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Methods: Utilizing an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system in conjunction with Orbitrap™ IQ-X™ Tribrid™ mass spectrometer (MS), we employed a Phenyl-Hexyl HPLC column alongside optimized extraction protocols to analyze both husk and leaf samples. To maximize compound identification, we implemented data-dependent acquisition (DDA) methods including MS² (ddMS2), MS³ (ddMS3), AcquireX™ deep scan, and real-time library search (RTLS). Results: Our results demonstrate a significant increase in the number of putatively yet confidently assigned compounds, with 472 matches in P. lanceolata leaves and 233 in P. ovata husk identified through combined acquisition methods. The inclusion of an additional fragmentation level (MS³) noticeably enhanced the confidence in compound annotation, facilitating the differentiation of isomeric compounds. Furthermore, the application of low-energy fragmentation (10 normalized collision energy (NCE) for higher-energy collisional dissociation (HCD)) improved the detection and grouping of MS¹ fragments by 55% in positive mode and by 16% in negative mode, contributing to a more comprehensive analysis with minimal loss in compound identification. Conclusions: These advancements underscore the potential of our methodologies in expanding the chemical profile of plant materials, offering valuable insights into natural product analysis and dereplication of untargeted data. Full article

The environmental pollution caused by emerging organic contaminants—such as ibuprofen—is becoming increasingly a cause for alarm. New treatments for their removal are currently being developed, but the nature and toxicity of the transformation products (TPs) formed during the processes cannot be readily assessed experimentally. Atomistic simulations are thus of high interest in predicting the chemical structure of these TPs. In this paper, we demonstrate that the transformation of a contaminant molecule under irradiation can be studied using the threshold algorithm combined with the density functional-based tight-binding (DFTB) method. The fragmentation pathways of an ibuprofen molecule under irradiation are studied as a function of the energy added to the system. Specifically, the chemical structures of ibuprofen’s TPs, the paths between them, their stabilities, probabilities of occurrence, and the related mass spectra were obtained as a function of the amount of energy absorbed. We also simulated the evolution of the ibuprofen molecule as a function of the number of pulses, i.e., for a sequence of energy depositions. A dominant fragmentation scheme is identified, where first the OH group is released, followed by the loss of the CO group. The photon energy and the number of pulses are found to be key parameters for the selection of this degradation route among all identified fragmentation pathways. Full article

In the context of sustainable development and the growing emphasis on decent work and productivity, understanding the human factors that shape employee performance has become a central concern for organizations and policymakers. While intelligence has long been linked to work outcomes, existing research remains fragmented and predominantly focused on single dimensions, offering limited insight into how different forms of intelligence interact across employees’ career life cycles. Addressing this gap, the present study advances a multi-dimensional perspective on intelligence and examines its relevance for sustainable employee productivity, thereby contributing to the human resource management literature and to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The study assesses the impact of five types of intelligence (cognitive—IQ, emotional—EQ, physical—PQ, vitality—VQ, and social—SQ) on employee productivity across distinct career life cycle stages. The research was conducted in two phases: (1) measurement of intelligence dimensions and employee productivity using standardized psychometric instruments, including MSCEIT V2.0, the Guilford–O’Sullivan test, the Eysenck test, the Chekhov vitality method, and biological age indicators; (2) statistical analysis of the relationships between intelligence, productivity, and career stages using open-source Python tools. Empirical data were collected from enterprises in the Ukrainian construction industry. The findings demonstrate that the influence of intelligence on productivity varies across career stages. Emotional intelligence emerges as a consistently significant factor throughout the employee life cycle, while other intelligence dimensions exhibit stage-specific effects. These results confirm the dynamic and non-uniform nature of intelligence–productivity relationships. The study provides practical insights for sustainable human resource management by highlighting the need for stage-sensitive development strategies that align intelligence profiles with career phases. Implementing such targeted approaches can enhance employee productivity, organizational effectiveness, and long-term economic sustainability, thereby supporting progress toward SDG 8. Full article

The accelerated expansion of telework, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed global work dynamics. Despite this, limited research exists on the implications of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) on home workspaces. Factors like thermal comfort, lighting, air quality, and noise significantly influence the well-being, productivity, and health of teleworkers. Home spaces are often not designed to meet the environmental quality standards of traditional offices, altering indoor conditions. This scoping review investigates the IEQ–telework relationship, analyzing 41 studies from 18 countries. Findings show that elevated noise levels and insufficient lighting increase stress and fatigue, while inadequate air quality reduces cognitive performance and creativity. Conversely, access to natural light, pleasant views, and thermal comfort improves overall satisfaction and productivity. The study identifies a fragmented and poorly connected research network, with few active global groups studying IEQ in home workspaces. These results underscore the need for interdisciplinary research to address the societal and environmental challenges of teleworking and develop equitable, healthy remote environments. Future studies must consider cultural diversity and underrepresented regions to bridge existing knowledge gaps. Full article

Set in the vocational education and training sector in England, this article draws attention to how top-down, centre–periphery approaches to curriculum design and development in vocational education fail for at least three reasons. First, they misconstrue the nature of knowledge. Second, they lead to perfunctory and fragmented approaches to curriculum design, coupled with mechanistic measures of quality and achievement, which often require little more than “one-off” and superficially assessed demonstrations of performance. Finally, they underplay the role and importance of the teacher as researcher and artist in putting the cultural resources of society to work in creative curriculum design and pedagogy. Teacher artistry is pivotal in animating and heightening the vitality of vocational curricula. It is through this artistry that teachers make theories, ideas and concepts in vocational subjects and disciplines accessible and meaningful to all learners in coherent ways in the contexts of their learning and their lives. The consequences of the epistemic faux pas underpinning centre-to-periphery models of curriculum design and development are highlighted in this article in vocational tutors’ accounts of experiences of problems and issues in curriculum design, development and assessment encountered in their practice. Participants in the research teach in a variety of vocational education settings, including Apprenticeships and Higher-Level Technical Education; English Language at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level; Health and Social Care; Information and Communications Technology; Construction (Plumbing); Digital Production, Design and Development and High-Tech Precision Engineering. Data are analysed and reported through systematic, thematic analysis This article draws upon qualitative data derived from a study funded by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) in England over a two-year period from 2021 to 2023. The research population consists of a group of eight practitioner–researchers working in three colleges of Further Education (FE) and one Industry Training Centre (ITC) in England. All of the teachers of vocational education reported here volunteered to participate in the study. Research methods include semi-structured interviews, analysis of critical incidents and case studies produced by practitioner–researchers from across the FE and Skills sector in England. Full article

Understanding how land tenure and socio-economic pressures shape landscape transformation is critical for sustainable management in biodiversity-rich regions. This study examines three decades (1987–2017) of land use and land cover (LU&LC) change in the Ngerenyi area of the Taita Hills, Kenya, by integrating multispectral Landsat analysis with household survey data. Harmonized pre-processing and supervised classification of four LU&LC classes, agriculture, built-up areas, high-canopy vegetation, and low-canopy vegetation, achieved overall accuracies above 80% and Kappa values exceeding 0.75. Transition modeling using the Minimum Information Loss Transition Estimation (MILTE) approach, combined with net-versus-swap metrics, revealed persistent decline and fragmentation of high-canopy vegetation, cyclical transitions between agriculture and low-canopy vegetation, and the near-irreversible expansion of built-up areas. Low-canopy vegetation exhibited the highest dynamism, reflecting both degradation from canopy loss and natural regeneration from fallowed cropland. Household surveys (n = 141) identified agricultural expansion, charcoal production, fuelwood extraction, and population growth as the dominant perceived drivers, with significant variation across tenure categories. The population in Taita Taveta County increased from 205,334 in 2009 to 340,671 in 2019, reinforcing documented pressures on land resources and woody biomass. As part of the Eastern Arc biodiversity hotspot, the landscape’s diminishing high-canopy patches underscore the importance of conserving undisturbed vegetation remnants as ecological baselines and biodiversity refuges. The findings highlight the need for tenure-sensitive, landscape-scale planning that integrates private landowners, regulates subdivision, promotes agroforestry and alternative energy options, and safeguards remaining high-canopy vegetation to enhance ecological resilience while supporting local livelihoods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding the genetic basis of growth and fat deposition is crucial for improving beef productivity in Kalmyk cattle, a breed well adapted to the extreme climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. The present study aimed to determine the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRTC2 and ELOVL6 genes on intramuscular fat content and to evaluate their associations with growth and meat quality traits in 18-month-old Kalmyk heifers raised under different environmental conditions. Methods: A total of 400 clinically healthy Kalmyk heifers (200 from LLP “Qazaq Asyldary” and 200 from LLP “Agrofirma Turikpen”) were examined. All animals originated from closed breeding herds, and only unrelated individuals without common ancestors to the third generation were included. Zootechnical measurements— live weight, withers height, chest depth, chest girth, and body length—were performed twice by a trained specialist. Backfat thickness and musculus longissimus dorsi depth were measured postmortem. Blood samples were collected for genomic DNA extraction using the GeneJET purification kit, and DNA quality was assessed by Nanodrop, Qubit, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Target fragments of CRTC2 and ELOVL6 were amplified (150–200 bp) and sequenced on an ABI 3500 system. SNP identification, allele frequencies, and genotyping were performed by alignment to the Bos taurus ARS-UCD1.2 reference genome. Statistical analyses were conducted in RStudio using linear and mixed models with “farm” as a random effect. Results: Only one informative polymorphism, g.133528A>G in ELOVL6, was detected. Three genotypes (AA, AG, GG) were observed, with the heterozygous AG genotype showing significantly higher live weight, greater body length, and improved linear measurements compared to AA and GG. No significant associations were detected with backfat thickness or muscle depth. The g.133528A>G polymorphism in ELOVL6 positively influences growth traits without increasing fatness, aligning with the naturally lean phenotype of Kalmyk cattle. Conclusions: The AG genotype may serve as a promising marker for selecting faster-growing animals in marker-assisted breeding programs. Full article

In the context of a study on selected fragments of ancient architecture belonging to a collection of the archaeological museum “Luigi Bernabò Brea” in Lipari (Aeolian Islands, Messina, Italy), we analysed, using the non-destructive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method, dozens of artefacts dating back to the sixth century BCE. The aim was to identify the origin of the raw materials used by craftsmen in the production of ceramic artefacts. The quantitative analyses, based on the composition and trace elements, suggest that the composition material used is consistent with local natural resources, given the presence of kaolinite–clay deposits in the northern part of Lipari. By comparing the ancient fragments with local raw kaolin powders still available today, this study aims to confirm the use of these materials in past ceramic production and decoration. These results support the hypothesis that the investigated fragments were locally manufactured, providing deeper insights into the production techniques of the time and the raw materials of the region. Full article

As a crucial ecological security barrier in China, the Yellow River Basin faces pressing challenges in balancing human activities and environmental sustainability. This study introduces the production–living–ecological space (PLES) framework to analyze land transformation and its ecological consequences from 1995 to 2024. Using land use transfer matrices, landscape metrics, the InVEST model, and geographical detector analysis, we quantified the spatiotemporal evolution of PLES and its impacts on landscape patterns and habitat quality across topographic gradients. Results show that living space consistently expanded, primarily at the expense of production and ecological spaces, leading to increased landscape fragmentation and habitat degradation. These adverse effects were most severe in low-topographic areas, revealing a clear topographic gradient effect. Both natural and anthropogenic drivers jointly shaped the spatial heterogeneity of ecological impacts. The key contribution of this study lies in systematically coupling PLES transitions with topographic gradients, offering a spatially explicit perspective for understanding regional human–environment interactions. Our findings provide a scientific basis for designing differentiated ecological restoration and spatial governance strategies in the Yellow River Basin, supporting its sustainable development under China’s national strategic framework. Full article

The problem of global climate change is becoming increasingly serious, drawing worldwide attention to the need for carbon emissions reduction. As a primary mode of transport, maritime shipping accounts for 2% of global carbon emissions. Therefore, researchers have turned their attention to marine carbon emissions. Specifically, lifecycle assessment (LCA) has attracted wide attention due to its comprehensiveness and objectivity. This article reviews alternate fuels like biodiesel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. These fuels generate fewer Tank-to-Wake (TTW) carbon emissions than conventional diesel but higher emissions in the Well-to-Tank (WTT) stage owing to production-related emissions, resulting in varying overall carbon footprints. Most carbon emissions in marine transportation come from fuel consumption. Selecting the shortest route can cut fuel use and emissions. Port greening and electrification are vital for emission cuts. Current marine LCA research exhibits key gaps, including fragmented case studies, a lack of methodological standardization, and insufficient dynamic predictive capacity, severely constraining its guiding value for industry decarbonization pathways. This study systematically reviews and categorizes marine LCA research from the past decade in both Chinese and English from the Web of Science and CNKI databases through a Ship-Route-Port framework. Specifically, 34 papers underwent quantitative or qualitative analysis, comprehensively comparing the full lifecycles of six mainstream marine alternative fuels: biodiesel, LNG, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, and electricity. This study also underscores the need for unified standards to boost low-carbon fuel use and explores the unique challenges and uncertainties involved in applying LCA to the marine sector. LCA applied to the maritime sector shows promise as a valuable tool for guiding low-carbon transition strategies. Full article

We investigated the Diels-Alder cycloaddition of methylcyclopentadiene with conjugated nitroalkenes and examined the influence of solvent polarity and substituent effects on the reaction mechanism. In nonpolar media (toluene), pathways A and C proceed via a pre-reactive molecular complex (MC), two transition states, and a heterocyclic intermediate, whereas pathways B and D follow a single-transition-state route directly to the norbornene product. Moderate increases in solvent polarity (acetone) do not qualitatively alter the energy profiles or mechanistic patterns, whereas highly polar solvents (methanol, acetonitrile, water, nitromethane) induce a fundamental transformation in pathway B, which adopts a stepwise, zwitterionic mechanism. NPA, MEP, and NCI analyses confirm the polar, charge-separated nature of the zwitterionic intermediate, while BET analysis elucidates the sequential electronic reorganization, highlighting early polarization toward the nitro fragment and stepwise formation of the C-C bonds. Substituent effect studies using Hammett σ parameters reveal that electron-withdrawing groups lower activation barriers, whereas electron-donating groups increase them, indicating that electronic effects dominate over steric factors. Overall, the study demonstrates a general, solvent- and substituent-dependent Diels-Alder mechanism, with pathway B proceeding through a polar, highly asynchronous, stepwise route involving a zwitterionic intermediate. Full article

This paper examines the historical evolution and pathways of rural transformation (RT) at the regional level in four Asian countries—Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, and Pakistan. We conduct a comparative spatial analysis of regional level changes in high-value agricultural production (HVAP) and non-farm rural employment (NFRE). Using long-run data and bivariate mapping, we trace how rural economies have evolved over the past four decades and identify multiple transformation pathways. The results reveal both common upward trends and stark regional contrasts. China demonstrates the most rapid and synergic rise, integrating agricultural upgrading with widespread non-farm rural expansion. Bangladesh and Indonesia show more diverse trajectories, shaped by migration, urbanization, and agro-industrial linkages. Pakistan’s transformation is slower and more fragmented, marked by strong progress in some regions but persistent lags in others. The findings underscore that RT is not linear and can follow diverse pathways—synergic, HVAP-driven, NFRE-driven, remittance-based, or stagnant—depending on geography, natural endowments, policy, and local resource endowments. Our research highlights the need for regionally tailored strategies that link agricultural upgrading with rural labor diversification, strengthen rural–urban connectivity, and ensure that lagging regions are not left further behind. Full article

Background/Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat due to its increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from natural sources represent a promising alternative. Fragments of spider membrane-active toxins can serve as AMPs with anti-MRSA activity. Methods: To demonstrate this, amino acid sequences of approximately 2000 linear spider venom peptides were fragmented into 9–22-residue-long moieties (75,235 in total) and pre-trained neural networks were used to predict their anti-MRSA activity. As many as 15 peptides with high predicted activity were synthesized, and three AMPs with high anti-MRSA and low hemolytic activities were selected. One of these peptides was studied using high-resolution ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy in an aqueous solution and lyso-palmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (LPPG) micelles. Wide-line ³¹P-NMR was applied to multilamellar phospholipid liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Results: Low hemolytic activity is explained by non-specific interaction with PC whereas high antibacterial activity arises from specific interaction with PG accompanied with the formation of a tight complex between the N-terminal tripeptide fragment and PG headgroup. The structure of a such complex, stabilized by an ionic interaction between the N-terminal NH₃⁺ group and the lipid phosphate, was determined based on peptide–LPPG NOEs. The most favorable ratio between anti-MRSA and hemolytic activities, i.e., selectivity of the peptides, is attained when the tripeptide consists exclusively of phenylalanine and tryptophan residues. Confocal microscopy confirmed that the most selective peptide deteriorates the plasma membrane of S. aureus. Conclusions: This approach may enable the production of highly selective AMPs against Stapylococci, including MRSA. Full article

Building resilient and sustainable food production systems is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to environmental, climatic, and economic pressures. Farmers in the region must adopt effective adaptation strategies to maintain productivity and contribute toward achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2, “Zero Hunger.” Among these, water scarcity adaptation strategies are critical for building resilient food systems that also address poverty reduction. However, various obstacles hinder their widespread adoption, and documentation on these strategies remains fragmented. This paper examines available water scarcity adaptation strategies, the opportunities and challenges faced by farmers, and the policy and infrastructure implications for sustainable food production. The findings highlight the essential role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in adopting these strategies. IKS supports natural resource conservation, promotes inclusive market participation, strengthens institutional frameworks, and improves resource-use efficiency under climate stress. The paper recommends further research on transferring Indigenous Knowledge to future generations and exploring the role of policy in preserving and promoting IKS, especially within the SSA context. Emphasizing Indigenous Knowledge is crucial for creating sustainable, resilient agricultural systems that can thrive amid the region’s growing environmental challenges. Full article

The global spread of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has emerged as a major public health concern, with the 2022 outbreak underscoring the urgent need for effective antiviral therapies. Current treatment options are limited because no drugs specifically target Mpox, and existing recommendations rely on repurposed smallpox antivirals that may cause resistance. This highlights the critical need for novel therapeutic agents targeting key viral and host factors involved in MPXV pathogenesis. Medicinal plants provide a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with potential antiviral activity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where they play an essential role in healthcare. To address this issue, we conducted a review exploring innovative in silico approaches for natural product-based drug discovery against MPXV. Computational studies identified phytochemicals such as curcumin, punicalagin, rosmarinic acid, and quercitrin with strong affinities for key viral proteins including DNA polymerase, TMPK, DdRp, A42R, MTase, p37, and envelope proteins and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles Despite these promising findings, fragmented biological datasets, viral mutability, and limited in vitro and in vivo validation hinder clinical translation. Our analysis highlights integrating AI-driven virtual screening with experimental validation to accelerate MPXV drug discovery, providing a scalable framework for managing emerging viral threats. Full article