Search Results (7,723)

Environmental pressure in Nigeria persistently escalates despite several development efforts, prompting questions about the structural factors contributing to the nation’s ecological vulnerability. Considering this, the study employs a time-series research design that synthesizes collective theoretical perspectives to elucidate the interplay between income inequality (GINI), institutional quality (INST), trade in services (TO), and population density (POPd) in shaping Nigeria’s ecological footprint (ECF), utilizing data for the aforementioned variables from 1960 to 2024. The analysis shows time-varying dynamics across pollution regimes using Quantile-on-Quantile Regression (QQR) and Wavelet Quantile Correlation (WQC). The result reveals notable asymmetries across the ECF distribution. GINI and POPd intensify ecological pressure mainly at higher ECF quantiles. While INST serves as a key mitigating factor of ECF, particularly in a long-term pollution scenario. TO exhibits a regime-dependent effect, aligning with the Pollution Haven expectation in poor environments. These findings suggest that environmental outcomes in emerging economies are shaped by structural inequality and institutional strength. Highlighting the necessity of building institutional capacity to decouple inequality that drives ecological degradation. Thus, connecting national strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17. These provide actionable insights into an inclusive and resilient environment. Full article

By integrating multi-source data, this study systematically analyzes the evolution of land use structure, spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of Ecosystem Service Value (ESV), and core driving mechanisms in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB) in eastern China from 2000 to 2020, based on the ESV equivalent accounting model and XGBoost-SHAP coupled framework. The main results are as follows: (1) The land use structure is dominated by cropland, construction land, and forest land. Over the 20-year period, cropland was continuously converted out, primarily transforming into construction land and forest land, while other land types remained relatively stable. (2) Temporally, the total ESV showed a fluctuating downward trend, first increasing and then decreasing from 2000 to 2020. Spatially, the ESV exhibited a corridor effect of “decreasing from the river channel center to both banks”. High-value areas were concentrated in the eastern river–sea linkage zone and the central-western inland rising zone, while extremely low-value areas in 2020 were located in the northern Huaihai Economic Zone (with dense construction land), indicating an overall medium service level. (3) The evolution of ESV was driven by both natural and human factors: among natural factors, water coverage, elevation, and slope had positive effects, while high temperature had an inhibitory effect; among human–economic factors, population density showed an “increase first and then decrease” effect, and urban expansion significantly weakened ESV in the later period. The spatial differentiation presented a pattern of “natural background support in the upper reaches and socioeconomic intervention in the lower reaches”. This study provides a scientific basis for the optimization of territorial space and ecological protection and restoration in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt, and also offers a replicable research paradigm for ecosystem service management in similar river basin-type regions. Full article

The giant panda holds a critical position in global biodiversity conservation, yet the ongoing fragmentation of its habitat poses a severe threat to the long-term viability of its survival. This study focused on the giant panda habitat in the Xiangling region and systematically analyzed the mechanisms through which human socioeconomic activities drive habitat fragmentation. The analysis was based on data from 2000 to 2023, encompassing land use, population density, transportation networks, mining activities, and nighttime light emissions, utilizing a methodology that integrated Principal Component Analysis, the Moving Window method, trend analysis, and the Geodetector model. The findings reveal the following: First, the degree of habitat fragmentation has intensified over time with significant spatial heterogeneity, exhibiting a pattern of “low fragmentation in the core areas and high fragmentation in the periphery,” where areas of very high fragmentation have expanded markedly along the habitat edges. Second, the trend in fragmentation demonstrates an overall improvement in the core zones, particularly within the Giant Panda National Park, where over 70% of the area shows reduced fragmentation; conversely, nearly 30% of the peripheral areas continue to degrade. Third, the driving factors of habitat fragmentation exhibit bi-factor enhancement and nonlinear enhancement effects, with land use identified as the dominant factor. The study recommends enhancing the overall connectivity and ecological functionality of the habitat through measures such as refining land-use planning, constructing ecological corridors, implementing hierarchical management, and promoting community co-management. Full article

Coloured and variegated leaves are common in shade-tolerant ornamentals. However, it remains unclear whether their photosynthetic performance is determined mainly by pigment abundance or by the organisation of chloroplasts and thylakoids. We tested this in three Epipremnum aureum phenotypes (‘Neon’, ‘Golden’ and ‘Jade’) that share a genetic background but contrast in leaf colour, chloroplast density and thylakoid membrane abundance. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and assessed by hyperspectral and thermal imaging, infrared gas exchange analysis, chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements, and structural, ultrastructural and biochemical analyses. Traits were integrated by principal component analysis, with the quantum yield of CO₂ assimilation per absorbed photon (αCO_2,abs) as the response variable. ‘Neon’ leaves had high specific leaf area and approximately 55% lower maximum Rubisco carboxylation (Vc_MAX) and electron transport capacity (J_MAX) than ‘Jade’, as well as reduced chloroplast and thylakoid abundance and warmer canopies, despite carotenoid enrichment. JIP-test parameters and fluorescence light–response curves showed high absorption and dissipation per PSII reaction centre, elevated excitation pressure, modest non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), low αCO_2,abs, small carbohydrate pools and low intrinsic water-use efficiency. ‘Jade’ leaves developed thick mesophyll with dense chloroplast populations, extensive thylakoid networks, highest NPQ, cool canopies and large carbohydrate reserves, whereas ‘Golden’ leaves combined thin laminae and intermediate chloroplast–thylakoid organisation with early light saturation of CO₂ assimilation and the highest intrinsic water-use efficiency. Principal component analysis revealed a structural axis of chloroplast and thylakoid organisation that better predicted αCO_2,abs, net carbon gain and canopy temperature than pigment abundance. In variegated E. aureum, ‘photon economy’ is therefore governed primarily by chloroplast and thylakoid membrane organisation and abundance rather than by carotenoid accumulation. Full article

Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a short-lived atmospheric pollutant primarily emitted by road traffic, maritime shipping, and industrial combustion. It is a key indicator of anthropogenic air pollution due to its harmful health effects, its role in the formation of secondary particulate matter, and its strong association with other traffic-related pollutants. Elevated NO₂ concentrations are closely linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, with children and elderly populations being particularly vulnerable due to physiological susceptibility and exposure patterns. This study uses satellite-based remote sensing data to assess the spatial and temporal variability of NO₂ concentrations in the Lithuanian coastal zone and adjacent marine areas. The analysis focuses on identifying spatial patterns of NO₂ concentration distribution, localized pollution hotspots, and their relationships with population distribution. Correlation analysis for the 2022–2024 period revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between NO₂ concentrations and distance from the coastline in inland areas, whereas no statistically significant relationship was observed offshore. NO₂ concentrations at 0 m and 50 m were strongly positively correlated across all spatial domains and seasons (r > 0.98, p < 0.001), indicating consistent vertical spatial patterns. Annual mean NO₂ concentrations were also strongly positively associated with population density (r = 0.81). Full article

Molecular interactions underpin the functioning of the living cell. Molecules exist in distinct quaternary structural forms, associate with molecular partners in signaling cascades, form transient quinary interactions, localize in membrane domains, and cluster in membrane-less condensates. Measuring the concentration, size, and dynamics of these molecular assemblies remains an enduring biophysical challenge, particularly in cells, where heterogeneity is the rule rather than the exception. Orthogonal signals derived from fluorescence lifetime, fluorescence fluctuations, and fluorescence polarization provide valuable metrics for probing interactions and environments, concentration and size, and rotational dynamics, respectively. This paper combines fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with image correlation analysis and polarization to determine the concentrations, brightness, lifetime, and rotational correlation time of different fluorescent states. A two-population model is examined as a prototypical example of a heterogeneous system. The analysis is illustrated on a simple fluorescence model system, where cluster densities, relative brightnesses, lifetimes, and rotational correlation times are extracted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the fastest-growing non-communicable diseases globally, with a disproportionate burden in populations undergoing rapid dietary and epidemiological transitions. Beyond traditional clinical risk factors, increasing evidence from nutritional epidemiology suggests that contemporary dietary environments may play a significant role in shaping CKD risk, complications, and progression. This narrative review examines CKD as a potential unintended consequence of global dietary transitions, with particular emphasis on ultra-processed foods and overall diet quality. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted using evidence from prospective cohort studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and mechanistic research. Findings were synthesized within a population-health framework integrating dietary patterns, food processing classification, and biologically plausible pathways relevant to kidney health. Results: Healthier dietary patterns, including Mediterranean, DASH, and plant-forward diets, are consistently associated with lower risk of incident CKD, slower kidney function decline, and reduced mortality. In contrast, Western dietary patterns characterized by high intake of ultra-processed foods are linked to increased CKD risk and adverse cardiometabolic outcomes. Beyond mediators such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, emerging mechanisms include dietary acid load, gut dysbiosis and uremic toxin production, sodium density, and exposure to highly bioavailable phosphate additives. Conclusions: Dietary transitions toward ultra-processed, low-fiber, sodium- and additive-rich food environments may contribute to the growing global burden of CKD through interconnected metabolic, inflammatory, and gut–kidney pathways. Improving diet quality and addressing food processing at the population level represent promising opportunities for CKD prevention and risk reduction. Full article

Regional energy self-sufficiency based on microgeneration from clean, local energy sources is essential and strategic for meeting growing electricity demand. In this context, initiatives driven by local governments are decisive in achieving such progress. This study proposes a methodology for sizing photovoltaic (PV) capacity at the parish level, which is the basic political–administrative unit in Ecuador. Rooftop-based microgeneration and self-supply are considered to entail minimal environmental impact while offering significant potential to meet the basic energy demands of buildings in the Andean equatorial climate. The results demonstrate that, using accessible tools such as drones, computer-aided design software, and Agisoft Metashape, and through low-labour processes, it is feasible to estimate the PV potential of buildings at the parish scale. A total of 1698 rooftops were surveyed, and after discarding those with precarious construction materials, the estimated solar potential was found to be between ten and twenty-three times higher than the electrical demand of the analysed parishes. The estimated annual generation potential reaches 28,101 MWh, compared to an annual demand of 1827 MWh for both parishes combined. The proposed process enables the incorporation of rooftop-based technological capacity, relying on a low-technology, affordable methodological approach and instruments for low-income parish governance offices, with low-density populated areas as the main novelty, providing clear information to both authorities and the local population. Full article

Against the backdrop of accelerating urbanization and population aging, urban parks have emerged as significant venues for enhancing the physical and mental well-being of older adults. The age-friendly quality of these spaces is directly linked to health equity and urban inclusiveness. Using the high-density historic district of Beilin in Xi’an as a case study, we developed an innovative assessment tool to evaluate the age-friendliness of park walking environments. Guided by the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) framework, this tool integrates subjective perceptions and objective data to diagnose environmental strengths and weaknesses across four dimensions: accessibility, safety, comfort, and health-related interactivity. Based on multi-source data and quantitative analysis, the study revealed key variations in the age-friendly attributes of different parks. Our field assessment focused on three representative park types: urban comprehensive, historic–cultural, and community leisure parks. The key findings are: (1) Safety was perceived by experts as the most critical dimension for older adults’ health experience, with a weight of 0.49, accounting for nearly half of the total. However, significant variations exist in safety quality across different types of parks. (2) Age-friendly performance differed profoundly among park types. Benefiting from systematic management, the urban comprehensive park achieved balanced performance and a total score of 84.87. In contrast, the historic–cultural park, constrained by its linear morphology and historical functions, scored the lowest at 66.03, exhibiting notable deficits in safety and comfort. The community leisure park, while vibrant in community activity, attained an intermediate score of 74.76 due to insufficient attention to safety details. (3) The assessment outcomes highlight the association of park typology, site selection, and design sophistication with the lived experience and potential health benefits for older adults. This study provides a refined evaluation tool and tailored optimization strategies for the age-friendly renovation of diverse park types. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare coronary plaque characteristics between Asian and European populations undergoing coronary CT angiography and to examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcification. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, two-center, cross-sectional observational study, 1591 adult patients (1203 of Asian and 388 of European descent) referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) due to suspected coronary artery disease between 2008 and 2025 were included. Demographic, clinical characteristics, and laboratory data were obtained from medical records. Computed tomography (CT) was performed on different CT scanners, including a 64-slice Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS, a 250-slice Siemens SOMATOM, a 640-slice multi-detector Canon Aquilion ONE, and a 128-slice multi-detector GE Revolution scanner with prospective cardiac synchronization and 0.6 mm slice reconstruction. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores were quantified using automated software “Vitrea”. Associations between ethnicity, cardiovascular risk factors, and CAC were assessed using non-parametric analyses and multivariable regression models. Stata 18 software was used for all statistical analyses. Results: European participants demonstrated a higher prevalence of obesity, hypertension, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption compared with Asian participants. The prevalence of CAC > 0 was higher in Europeans than in Asians (60.6% vs. 50.3%, p < 0.01). European individuals were independently associated with CAC presence in multivariable analysis. Multivessel (≥2-vessel) stenosis and calcified plaques were more frequently observed in Europeans, whereas non-calcified and low-density plaques predominated among Asians. Conclusions: Within this referral-based cohort, differences in coronary plaque characteristics were observed between the studied groups within this clinical CCTA cohort. The European group was associated with a higher prevalence of calcified plaques, whereas non-calcified and low-density plaques were more frequently observed among Asian participants. These findings show associations between ethnicity and plaque characteristics within a clinical cohort and require confirmation in prospective studies. Full article

Regulatory bodies have observed an increase in environmental issues due to firms’ interactions with the environment. Nonetheless, reconciliation actions are emerging, driven by the pursuit of sustainable development goals. This study investigated the impact of financial development and foreign direct investment on ecological footprints in sub-Saharan African nations, while examining the mediating role of regulatory quality and control for corruption. The research was motivated by the growing environmental degradation in the region amid growing capital inflows and financial market expansion. Using panel data of 18 sub-Saharan African countries between 1996 and 2023, sourced from the World Bank database and World Governance Indicators, we employed an Autoregressive Distributed Lag model to assess the short- and long-run relationships among ecological footprint, financial development, foreign direct investment, and key institutional factors. Results from the baseline model show that financial development significantly increases ecological footprints, while the effect of foreign direct investments is insignificant in the absence of institutional factors. However, when mediating variables are introduced, foreign direct investment significantly worsens ecological footprint, and regulatory quality and control for corruption show strong moderating effects, confirming the pollution haven hypothesis. Also, all control variables (trade openness, gross domestic product per capita, government expenditure, and population density) show significant outcomes with environmental sustainability. The findings underscore the importance of institutional factors in shaping sustainable foreign direct investment flows and financial systems. These research findings offer policy pathways for aligning investment strategies with sustainability goals in sub-Saharan Africa. Recommendations include strengthening the nation’s institutional framework, linking foreign direct investment to environmental compliance and promoting green finance policies across the region. Full article

Endangered sea turtles are highly vulnerable to environmental pressures and human activities, resulting in major shifts in their population and distribution. Identifying and managing new nesting sites are essential for their reproduction and survival. This study identifies the presence of an unrecorded loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting population at Ghedhabna Beach in Tunisia. A mixed-methods study based on intensive field monitoring over three consecutive nesting seasons (2023–2025) and interviews with 120 local residents was conducted to assess reproductive parameters and community perceptions of sea turtles. An annual mean of 39.33 ± 12.56 nests (range 30–54) and a mean nesting density of 3.93 ± 1.29 nests km⁻¹yr⁻¹ were recorded, highlighting Ghedhabna as the second most important loggerhead nesting site in Tunisia. Incubation durations suggested a potential male-skewed hatchling production, a key factor for the Mediterranean population sustainability under climate warming. The interviews revealed a history of consistent nesting activity in the area and a limited public awareness. The main threats to nesting success include marine debris, uncontrolled beach activities, and predation by the ghost crab (Ocypode cursor). The mixed ecological and social approaches highlighted the urgent need to develop sustainable conservation measures in this zone, based on integrated management, to mitigate existing pressures and ensure population resilience. Full article

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a multisystem immune-mediated disorder increasingly recognized to affect sleep and neurobehavioral functioning. Pediatric data remain limited, and no prior study has examined especially for sleep microstructure in this population. This study evaluates the prevalence and patterns of sleep disturbances in children with CD using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and explores potential electrophysiological correlates through N2 sleep spindle analysis. Methods: Children with biopsy-confirmed CD (n = 31) and age-matched controls (n = 25) completed the SDSC. A subgroup of CD patients with SDSC ≥ 35 and healthy controls underwent quantitative sleep spindle analysis (C3, C4, O1, O2) using automated and visual verification methods combined. Results: Clinically significant sleep disturbances were substantially more prevalent in CD than in controls (77.4% vs. 12%). Excessive somnolence, sleep–wake transition disorders, and sleep hyperhidrosis were the most affected domains. Moreover, among children with CD, those noncompliant with a gluten-free diet exhibited higher rates of excessive somnolence and sleep–wake transition disorders. While spindle parameters did not differ between groups, higher SDSC scores (≥35)—particularly in the somnolence and sleep–wake transition disorder domains—are associated with reduced spindle amplitude and density, suggesting that spindle alterations are linked to sleep disturbance severity rather than disease status per se. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances are common in pediatric CD and worsen with poor dietary adherence. Although sleep microarchitecture is largely preserved, reduced spindle activity is evident in children with higher subjective sleep burden, suggesting that spindle metrics may serve as potential objective markers for sleep disturbance. Longitudinal studies are required for validation. Full article

This research examines the structural evolution and functional performance of urban spatial expansion in Changchun, Northeast China. Utilizing an integrated framework of the Adjusted Sprawl Index, Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (Gaussian 2SFCA) accessibility modeling, and XGBoost-SHAP machine learning, the study identifies a decoupled growth pattern where land development and infrastructure construction proceed without a corresponding increase in population density, reflecting a structural-demographic divergence. Empirical results demonstrate that land expansion reached a significant peak between 2015 and 2020, followed by a transition toward morphological equalization and stabilization after 2020. This process manifests as asynchronous urbanism, where the strategic deployment of physical infrastructure frameworks systematically precedes the functional integration of essential social services. The analysis reveals the emergence of localized service-value misalignment clusters in peripheral zones. The phenomenon represents a deviation from the traditional monocentric paradigm toward McCann’s framework of modern urban economics, as high residential valuations are sustained by social capital and institutional expectations despite physical service gaps. Within these clusters, the club realm and private enclosure function as critical forward-looking mechanisms, where the presence of influential groups signals future social and infrastructural investment. A negative interaction effect between property management levels and regional accessibility confirms that these private governance structures effectively substitute for maturing public resources. These findings suggest that future development should prioritize the functional integration of social systems over mere material expansion. Full article

Rapid agricultural expansion threatens water security in one of the world’s largest hydroelectric systems, the Itaipu dam, located on the Brazil–Paraguay border. Yet regional hydrological responses to land cover change and climate variability remain insufficiently characterized at management-relevant scales. The Upper Paraná River Basin (UPRB), which sustains agriculture, hydropower, and municipal water supply across both countries, exemplifies this challenge as accelerating cropland conversion raises concerns about long-term water availability. This study investigates hydrological transitions and their statistical associations with land cover changes in the Itaipu study region from 2002 to 2023. We integrate GRACE/GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On), Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies (TWSAs), MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) land cover, CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data) precipitation, and LandScan population density using Pettitt’s breakpoint test and Mann–Kendall trend analysis to detect temporal breakpoints and quantify co-variability between hydrology and land surface dynamics. Together, these methods identify a significant basin-wide shift in TWSAs in mid-2009, with storage increases of 151.6 cm at Itaipu and 103.1 cm at Yguazú Reservoir. Over the study period, cropland expanded from 13.5% to 37.9% of total land cover, while savanna declined from 28.1% to 24.2%. After 2009, correlations between land cover and TWSAs strengthened substantially, particularly for wetlands (r = 0.88), croplands (r = 0.73), and savannas (r = −0.81; all p < 0.001), indicating strong coupling between landscape transformation and basin-scale storage variability. Principal Component Analysis shows land use change explains 39–41% of TWSA variance, exceeding hydroclimatic contributions. Granger causality analysis reveals bidirectional coupling between wetlands and water storage at Itaipu, while cropland and savanna dynamics exert predictive influence on downstream hydrology in the Yguazú basin. Water balance decomposition further indicates a post-2009 regime shift, with residual storage transitioning from −10.6 to +4.7 and 78% greater runoff generation per unit precipitation, consistent with reduced infiltration capacity. Together, these findings underscore intensifying land–water feedback and the need for adaptive watershed management under expanding agriculture and climate variability. Full article