Search Results (6,990)

Along the French-English Channel coast, fibre flax is traditionally cultivated in spring during a short window from March to July. However, increasingly frequent and severe spring droughts, driven by climate change, cast doubt on the sustainability of this practice. One possible adaptation, inspired by the winter cultivation of oilseed flax and tested over several years, involves extending the growing cycle by cultivating fibre flax in winter. In this system, seeds are sown in autumn, and the crop is harvested in early June. After four consecutive years of monitoring yield and fibre mechanical properties, a selected spring flax variety was grown both in winter 2022/2023 and in spring 2023 for direct comparison. This period included a mild winter favourable for winter crops, and a spring drought that severely impacted spring crops. Plants from the winter crop produced twice as many fibres at mid-stem height as the spring crop, but the mechanical properties of the elementary fibres remained similar in both. However, the elementary fibres in the lower stems of the winter crop averaged only 15 mm in length, compared to 33 mm for the spring crop, which benefited from higher temperatures. Regarding biochemical composition, lignin content in winter flax scutched fibres was significantly higher than in spring flax, at 4.2% versus 2.7%. Cultivating a spring flax variety in winter is thus feasible under favourable conditions, but the resulting fibres are shorter and more lignified, which may pose technical challenges during spinning and could require separating fibres from the lower stems of winter plants to ensure consistent fibre quality. In the final section of the paper, strategies to adapt flax cultivation to climate change are proposed, drawing on the experimental results and current meteorological projections, providing guidance for optimizing crop performance. Full article

To promote green and low-carbon transformation in the transportation sector and achieve the national “dual-carbon” targets, this study examines rooftop photovoltaic (PV) deployment at 12 representative railway stations located on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Using high-resolution solar radiation data, building spatial information, and regional electricity pricing, we develop an integrated analysis framework that combines a PV power-generation simulation, life-cycle cost assessment, and carbon emission reduction evaluation. The model systematically evaluates the power output, economic performance, and emission reduction potential of rooftop PV systems installed on railway station buildings. Two PV array configurations—horizontal angle and optimum tilt angle—together with three business models (T1: all-consumption; T2: all-feed-into-grid; T3: self-consumption with surplus feed-in) are compared. The results indicate that the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau possesses substantial solar energy advantages. Rooftop arrays installed at a horizontal angle significantly increase both installed capacity and lifetime electricity generation, with stations XN and LS producing 523.12 GWh and 300.87 GWh, respectively, values that exceed the corresponding optimum tilt scenarios. In terms of economic performance, the T1 model yields the highest returns, with several stations achieving a lifetime return on investment exceeding 300% over a 25-year period. The T3 model demonstrates strong profit potential at stations such as RKZ and ZN, whereas the T2 model shows the weakest economic viability due to feed-in tariff constraints. Regarding carbon reduction, horizontal systems perform the best, with cumulative CO₂ emission reductions at station XN exceeding 300,000 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent. Overall, the findings highlight the substantial PV development potential of railway station rooftops on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. By selecting appropriate installation angles and business models, significant economic benefits and carbon emission reduction outcomes can be achieved, providing practical guidance for renewable-energy utilization in high-altitude transportation infrastructure. Full article

Variants in neuronal sodium channel genes are responsible for a spectrum of neurological disorders, including developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), with considerable genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity and drug resistance. Gene variants can produce loss-, gain-, or mixed-function effects, resulting in complex genotype-phenotype correlations. Current treatments rely mainly on symptomatic polytherapy with antiseizure medications, with sodium channel blockers contraindicated in loss-of-function cases but beneficial in gain-of-function forms. Existing therapies often provide limited benefit or even no seizure control at all and fail to address developmental impairments, highlighting the need for novel approaches. Emerging strategies include antisense oligonucleotides, gene therapy, and selective small-molecule modulators, which have shown antiseizure potential in preclinical models and in initial clinical studies by modulating SCN gene expression and function. Additionally, pharmacological agents such as fenfluramine, stiripentol, and cannabidiol, although not acting directly on sodium channels, represent recognized therapeutic options for SCN1A-related Dravet syndrome. This review summarizes recent advances in approved and investigational treatments for sodium channel-related neurological disorders, highlighting the transition from symptomatic to precision therapies. Full article

Nitrogen (N) and water are key resources for crop production and improving the efficiency with which they are used remains a major global challenge in intensive cropping systems. Here, we report how crop yield, N and water use efficiency, N surplus, and economic benefits can be improved from optimized management and crop rotations. A conventional winter wheat–summer maize double cropping (CN/WM) rotation in a three-year field experiment in the North China Plain is compared with alternative optimized rotations. The first three optimized treatments were wheat–summer maize rotation with optimized N and irrigation rates, tillage and straw management (ON/WM), and partial manure substitution (ONM/WM) or biochar addition (ONB/WM); the fourth optimized treatment was winter wheat–summer maize–spring maize producing three harvests in two years (ON/WMM); and the last was spring maize incorporating green manure during the fallow season for one harvest per year (ON/GM). The results showed that the ON/WM, ONM/WM, and ONB/WM had comparable yields to CN/WM, but significantly increased N use efficiency by 19–41% and water use efficiency by 13–20% and reduced N surplus to 353–531 kg N ha⁻¹ 2yr⁻¹. From these three optimized treatments, the ONM/WM performed better, with a comprehensive evaluation index of 0.66 and the highest economic benefits. The ON/WMM and ON/GM treatments also significantly increased N and water use efficiency but resulted in relatively low crop yields and profits; nevertheless, they significantly reduced water use and are suitable for water saving cropping systems. We concluded that optimized management-combined manure with synthetic N fertilization in wheat–summer maize rotations can achieve high crop productivity, environmental, and economic benefits, which contribute to a more sustainable crop production. Full article

Future fusion power plants require structural materials that can withstand extreme operating conditions, including high coolant outlet temperatures, mechanical loading, and radiation damage. Reduced-activation ferritic martensitic (RAFM) steels are a primary candidate as a structural material for such applications. This study demonstrates the successful production of a 5.5-tonne RAFM billet via electric arc furnace (EAF) technology, enabling scalable, cost-effective manufacturing. The resulting UK-RAFM alloy offers superior tensile strength and creep lifetime performance compared to Eurofer97. This is attributed to alterations in the initial forging process during manufacture. Modified thermomechanical treatments (TMTs) were subsequently applied to the UK-RAFM, which are shown to enhance the tensile strength further, particularly at 650 °C. Building on this, an Advanced RAFM (ARAFM) steel was designed to exploit the benefits of optimised chemistry to encourage metal carbonitride (MX) precipitate evolution alongside bespoke TMTs. Challenges around ensuring suitable processing windows in these steels, to avoid the over-coarsening of MX precipitates or the formation of deleterious delta-ferrite, are discussed. A subsequent 5.5-tonne ARAFM billet has since been produced using EAF facilities, with performance to be reported separately. This work highlights the synergy between alloy design, process optimisation, and industrial scalability, paving the way for a new generation of low-cost, high-volume, fusion-grade steels. Full article

Grassland degradation threatens ecosystem function and livelihoods, especially in alpine regions where ecosystems are highly sensitive to disturbance. To compare the effectiveness of common restoration measures at fine spatial scales, we examined four household-level practices in the Ruoergai alpine grassland: year-round grazing exclusion (GE), seeding with grazing exclusion (SGE), seasonal grazing rest (GR), and balancing grazing capacity (BG). Using Sentinel-2 remote sensing data, we monitored vegetation dynamics (NDVI, EVI2, and NIRv) and applied a Propensity Score Matching–Difference-in-Differences (PSM–DID) framework, which constructs comparable control areas without any restoration measures and evaluates whether treatment sites experienced greater pre-to-post restoration changes than their matched controls, thereby strengthening causal inference. All four measures produced statistically significant pre-to-post increases in vegetation indices relative to their matched controls, with GE and SGE showing the largest DID-estimated effects. However, these DID-estimated gains did not persist beyond the implementation year, and in some cases (e.g., SGE, BG), the vegetation indices in treated areas fell below those of the controls, indicating limited persistence. GR and BG yielded smaller DID-estimated effects, reflecting the potential influence of socioeconomic incentives and regulatory challenges on restoration outcomes. These findings highlight the need for sustained management and incentive-aligned policies to maintain restoration benefits in alpine grasslands. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutritional supplementation has been proposed as a potential adjunct strategy in myopia prevention and control through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and extracellular matrix-regulating mechanisms. This systematic review aimed to evaluate randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence on the effects of carotenoids, anthocyanins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and combined nutraceutical formulations on refractive outcomes, axial length, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), visual function, and symptoms of visual fatigue. Methods: The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251149727) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR-2 guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched up to 5 August 2025. Eligible studies were RCTs involving individuals with myopia or at risk of myopia, comparing nutritional supplementation with placebo or active controls. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results: Nine RCTs were included. Carotenoids such as crocetin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin produced modest benefits, including improved MPOD, reduced visual fatigue, and—in one pediatric trial—slightly less axial elongation. Anthocyanin-rich extracts improved mesopic contrast sensitivity and subjective asthenopia. A combined carotenoid–polyphenol formulation enhanced accommodative facility. However, no consistent clinically meaningful reduction in myopia progression was observed. Trials were generally small, heterogeneous, and short in duration. Conclusions: Nutritional supplementation may improve visual function and retinal antioxidant status but lacks strong evidence for slowing myopia progression. Larger, long-term RCTs are needed before recommending supplementation for routine myopia management. Full article

The leading cause of post-surgical hospital readmission is the emergence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), where surgical site infections (SSIs) constitute a substantial negative impact on patient outcome and contribute annual direct costs estimated to range from $28.4 billion to $45 billion in the U.S. To address the need for novel antimicrobial coating strategies, previous research has demonstrated that certain microbes can degrade poly(aspartic acid) (PAA)-based coatings, suggesting potential limitations of single-compound approaches that must be considered when designing antimicrobial surfaces. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated whether ordered sequential coatings combining thermally synthesized PAA (tPAA) and oleic acid (OleA) might produce enhanced antimicrobial effects compared to individual compounds. Despite concerns regarding PAA biodegradability, the benefits of using PAA include low cytotoxicity and an ability to chelate metals such as calcium and facilitate bone mineralization and growth post-surgery. Using simple yet effective methods of surface coating applications which utilize tPAA and OleA, we investigated the potential of these ordered coatings to attenuate planktonic and sessile (biofilm) growth and development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli in vitro. Application of these ordered coatings resulted in up to 62% reduction in bacterial carrying capacity for P. aeruginosa and up to 43% reduction in biofilm mass relative to untreated controls. Further, confocal imaging via immunohistochemical labeling revealed methods for evaluating the impact of treatments targeting biofilm development through extracellular DNA quantification. Additionally, these coatings show dose-dependent cytotoxic effects against 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. These preliminary findings, along with results derived from cytotoxicity assessment and physicochemical characterization via dynamic light scattering, suggest that ordered tPAA-OleA coating systems warrant further investigation as potential antimicrobial strategies, though additional validation, including testing against diverse clinical isolates, mechanistic studies, and in vivo evaluation, would be required before clinical application. Full article

Soil fertility constraints, particularly N and P deficiencies, limit the productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Ethiopia. This study is the first to systematically evaluate the combined effects of phosphorus (P) fertilization and Rhizobium inoculation on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and yield across soils with varying levels of indigenous rhizobia populations in southern Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of P fertilization and Rhizobium inoculation on nodulation, growth, yield, nutrient concentration, and BNF in soils characterized by high, moderate, and low indigenous rhizobia populations. Field experiments were conducted over two years using four P rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg P ha⁻¹) and five Rhizobium strains (uninoculated, 102CB, 106CB, 44CB, and HB-429). P application significantly improved nodulation, growth, yield, nutrient concentration, and N₂ fixation, with 20 kg P ha⁻¹ consistently resulting in superior performance. At this rate, grain yields reached 2.51, 2.25, and 2.31 t ha⁻¹ in soils with high, moderate, and low indigenous rhizobia populations, respectively. Inoculation responses depended strongly on indigenous rhizobia abundance: in soils with high indigenous populations, inoculation did not significantly improve growth and yield, whereas in low-population soils, inoculation with strain 102CB produced the highest yield (2.06 t ha⁻¹). For BNF, 20 kg P ha⁻¹ resulted in the highest fixation (44.61 and 36.82 kg N ha⁻¹) in soils with high and moderate indigenous rhizobia populations. Inoculation with 102CB further enhanced N fixation to 44.77 and 36.13 kg N ha⁻¹ in these soils. In low-population soils, the combined application of 102CB and 20 kg P ha⁻¹ significantly increased BNF to 55.34 kg N ha⁻¹. Overall, these findings demonstrate that P fertilization provides universal benefits, while inoculation effectiveness is site-specific. Integrating P fertilization with effective Rhizobium strains offers a practical and sustainable strategy to improve common bean productivity and sustainability of common bean–based farming systems in Ethiopia. Full article

Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as the oyster mushroom, is increasingly recognized as a key agrobiotechnological resource within sustainable development frameworks due to its ecological adaptability, rich nutritional profile, and broad socioeconomic contributions. This review integrates agroecological, socioeconomic, and biotechnological dimensions to examine its taxonomic identity, resilience to diverse environmental conditions, and efficiency in organic waste bioconversion. The species plays a critical role in circular bioeconomy strategies by advancing environmental sustainability, improving food and nutrition security, and supporting rural livelihoods through accessible, low-cost cultivation practices. Additionally, P. ostreatus demonstrates significant nutraceutical and pharmacological properties, making it a promising candidate for innovative biotechnological applications. Drawing on global and local case studies, this review highlights the species’ capacity to strengthen resilient agroecological systems and inclusive approaches to public health and livelihoods. Promoting its cultivation further enhances community well-being by generating equitable economic opportunities, empowering small-scale producers, and fostering social cohesion through sustainable food networks and shared resource systems. According to Mexico’s agroecological conditions, P. ostreatus represents a potential alternative to generate socioeconomic and nutritional benefits for the population at large. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoporosis is highly prevalent and contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality, yet long-term concerns about pharmacologic therapies leave a major treatment gap. Soy isoflavones have been investigated as safer alternatives, but results across trials are inconsistent. A key unresolved issue is the equol-producer phenotype, the gut microbial ability to convert daidzein to S-equol, the most bioactive isoflavone metabolite, which may explain much of this variability. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic, translational, and clinical evidence to clarify the potential skeletal relevance of S-equol. Methods: Literature was identified through PubMed and Scopus searches (January 2000–October 2025) for experimental, mechanistic, and clinical studies examining S-equol, estrogen receptor β (ERβ), and bone metabolism, with emphasis on equol-producing status, bone strength and bone microarchitecture. Results: S-equol acts as a high-affinity ERβ agonist with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but lacks the carcinogenic or thrombotic risks linked to ERα activation. In estrogen-deficient rodent models, S-equol improves trabecular bone volume by 10–20%, increases trabecular number, and enhances biomechanical strength. These findings align with preclinical evidence demonstrating that S-equol preserves trabecular microarchitecture, enhances bone strength, and reduces bone turnover. A limited number of human trials show reductions in bone resorption by 20% at a daily dose of 10 mg S-equol. In contrast, trials of soy isoflavones in humans have produced inconsistent findings, partly because of substantial variability in equol-producer phenotype among participants and the reliance on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, which cannot distinguish trabecular from cortical compartments. Advanced bone imaging and microbiome-informed approaches enable the precise evaluation of S-equol’s skeletal effects on trabecular bone and cortical bone, separately. Conclusions: S-equol represents a promising model for “precision nutrition,” where microbiome, hormonal, and host factors converge with potential to prevent age-related bone fragility. Rigorous trials that integrate microbiome phenotyping and advanced imaging are needed to validate this approach, translate mechanistic promise into clinical benefit, and better define safety. Full article

The present study evaluates the quality of charcoal produced from Quercus scytophylla Liebm. in Guerrero, Mexico, using a portable metal oven, namely, the Guadiana Valley Experimental Field (CEVAG) type. A $2\times 3$ factorial design was employed to analyse the influence of wood heterogeneity (sapwood vs. heartwood) and position within the oven (low, medium, high) on the yield and physicochemical properties of the charcoal. The mean yield of the process was found to be 20.0–26.7%. The characteristics of six properties were determined: moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, basic density, and calorific value. The charcoal exhibited a low moisture content (1.49–3.56%) and ash content (2.18–2.52%), meeting international standards. Volatile matter was higher in heartwood (22%). Fixed carbon (73.73–74.05%) was close to the optimal parameters of international standards. The calorific value exhibited marked variations in accordance with the position during the process of carbonisation, with elevated values observed in the lower section (6751–7508 cal g⁻¹). The basic density of the wood was higher in the sapwood, with a maximum value of 0.57 g cm⁻³ observed in the upper section. A positive linear relationship was identified between the basic density and calorific value, although the coefficient of determination was small ($R^2=0.67$) and therefore inconclusive. The analysis showed the type of relationship that can be established between these two variables. The upper part of the kiln exhibited the optimal physicochemical properties, with the levels deemed acceptable. The utilisation of this oak for charcoal production fosters sustainable forest management and engenders direct economic benefits for rural communities. In conclusion, the research provides a viable technical model for sustainable wood energy production in forestry regions and underscores the need to evaluate other timber species with this potential. Full article

Background: Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) remains highly prevalent worldwide. Although physical activity (PA) interventions have shown potential benefits, evidence on the optimal type, intensity, and duration of exercise for overweight or obese pregnant women remains limited. Methods: Electronic searches of EBSCOhost, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science were performed through August 2025 to identify randomized controlled trials comparing PA interventions versus usual prenatal care in overweight or obese pregnant women. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using Cochrane ROB domains. Continuous outcomes were pooled using inverse-variance meta-analytic methods and heterogeneity was quantified by I². Results: Ten randomized trials (twelve intervention arms) comprising 1150 participants met the inclusion criteria. In the domain of blinding of participants and personnel, three studies (30%) were judged as low risk, while seven (70%) were unclear. PA interventions varied in modality (aerobic, resistance, endurance, walking), setting (clinic, community, home/mHealth), and the intervention period ranges from 10 to 34 weeks. Most interventions (80%) employed moderate intensity, and 30% combined aerobic and resistance training. Results of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled mean GWG was 9.93 ± 5.48 kg in the treatment group and 10.65 ± 5.70 kg in the control group. Overall, PA interventions produced a modest but statistically significant reduction in GWG compared with controls, with negligible between-study heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Conclusions: Tailored, moderate-intensity PA may have the potential to modestly reduce GWG. Although 30% included trials employed combined aerobic and resistance training, current evidence is insufficient to establish whether combined modalities are more effective than aerobic-only or resistance-only interventions. However, the current evidence is limited by small trial sizes, methodological variability and geographic concentration in higher-income settings. Larger, rigorously designed RCTs, including evaluations of digital delivery platforms and carefully supervised higher-intensity protocols, are needed to refine exercise prescriptions and inform clinical guidelines. Full article

Fish display remarkable swimming capabilities through the coordinated interaction of the body and caudal fin, yet the potential role of a passively pitching tail in enhancing hydrodynamic performance remains unresolved. In this work, we evaluate the performance of a carangiform swimmer equipped with either an actively pitching tail or a passively pitching tail. High-fidelity fluid–structure interaction simulations are employed to assess how variations in joint stiffness, damping, and inertia influence thrust generation, power demand, and overall stability at two representative Reynolds numbers, 500 and 5000. The results reveal that actively pitching tails tend to generate greater thrust, while passively pitching tails deliver improved outcomes in terms of power demand at the lower Reynolds number. Larger pitching amplitudes contribute positively only when associated with higher swimming frequency; when produced by reduced inertia or more flexible joints, they lead to unfavorable effects. At the higher Reynolds number, active tails consistently outperform passive ones, although a small subset of passive cases still achieve favorable performance. Across all cases, a recurring balance emerges, with thrust production and power expenditure varying inversely. These findings clarify the hydrodynamic consequences of passive versus active tail motion and establish design principles for bio-inspired underwater vehicles, in which smaller swimmers may benefit from passive tail pitching, whereas larger swimmers are better served by active control. Full article

This study investigates polypropylene (PP)–based biocomposites reinforced with systematically varied jute and glass fiber ratios as sustainable, lightweight alternatives for semi-structural automotive parts. Four formulations (J20/G0, J15/G5, J10/G10, J5/G15) with a constant 20 wt% total fiber were produced by injection molding and characterized through mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses. Tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact tests showed progressive improvements in strength, stiffness, and energy absorption with increasing glass fiber content, while ductility was maintained or slightly enhanced. SEM revealed a transition from fiber pull-out in jute-rich systems to fiber rupture and stronger matrix adhesion in glass-rich hybrids. Thermal analyses confirmed the benefits of hybridization: heat deflection temperature increased from 75 °C (J20/G0) to 103 °C (J5/G15), and thermogravimetry indicated improved stability and higher char residue. DSC showed negligible changes in crystallization and melting, confirming that fiber partitioning does not significantly affect PP crystallinity. Benchmarking demonstrated mechanical and thermal performance comparable to acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate (ASA), widely used in automotive components. Finally, successful molding of a prototype exterior mirror cap from J20/G0 validated industrial processability. These findings highlight jute–glass hybrid PP composites as promising, sustainable alternatives to conventional engineering plastics for automotive engineering applications. Full article