Search Results (3,899)

Chlorinated solvents such as vinyl chloride (VC) and trichloroethylene (TCE) represent a persistent threat to groundwater-derived drinking-water supplies, including riverbank filtration well fields in alluvial aquifers. This work presents a laboratory-scale evaluation of an electrochemical barrier concept for targeted VC and TCE removal performed using synthetic groundwater representative of a riverbank filtration setting in the Danube River basin. Experiments were conducted in a covered batch reactor equipped with Ti/IrO₂–RuO₂ mixed-metal-oxide anodes and Ti cathodes, systematically varying current intensity (10–60 mA), treatment time (0–60 min), active anode surface area (12–48 cm²), and inter-electrode distance (0.5–2.5 cm). At 60 mA, VC and TCE removals of 97% and 95%, respectively, were achieved within 20 min, while prolonged treatment to 60 min increased removal to about 99% for VC and 98.5% for TCE. Multivariate analysis (PCA) and correlation assessment identified applied current as the dominant control parameter, particularly for TCE removal, whereas electrode configuration and spacing played secondary roles within the investigated range. For the most cost-effective treatments meeting Serbian drinking-water criteria, estimated electricity costs were 0.39 €/m³ for VC and 0.10 €/m³ for TCE. Overall, the results demonstrate the technical feasibility and promising cost-effectiveness of electrochemical barriers as a proactive measure to protect riverbank filtration systems from future VC and TCE contamination n urban environments, while highlighting the need for follow-up studies on by-product formation and long-term performance. Full article

The increase in population and demand for the various needs of citizens increases the interaction with the geo-environment. Thus, the rate of natural events affecting daily human life increases. Such an event occurred on a rock cliff in a densely populated area in İstanbul (Türkiye). More than four rock blocks (approximately 3–5 m³) belonging to the Paleozoic sequence of İstanbul, composed of nodular limestone with sandy-clay interlayers, detached and fell. The blocks traveled along a path of approximately 60 m and stopped by crushing a couple of buildings downslope. The path was rough and contained various surface conditions (e.g., bedrock, talus, and plants). This study was initiated by the examination of the dimensions of failed rock blocks, their paths, and topographic conditions. Unmanned vehicles (drones) facilitated the generation of 3D numerical models of topographic changes on the site. Quantifying discontinuity properties (such as persistence, spacing, roughness, etc.) and defining weathering properties comprises the second stage, along with sampling. Based on digital topographic data and field observations, cross-sections were defined by means of possible rockfall areas within the area of potentially unstable blocks. Numerical analysis and rockfall analysis were conducted along these critical sections. Interpretation of laboratory data and results obtained from numerical studies leads to an understanding of the mechanism of the recent rockfall event and demonstrates the most critical areas to be considered and reinforced. The research comprises proposing appropriate reinforcement techniques due to the strong Turkish regulations along the “Bosphorus Waterfront Protected Zone”. The study advises pre-cleaning of potentially unstable blocks after a fence production on paths where rocks could fall, and rock anchors in some localities with varying lengths. The latest part of the research covers the re-assessment of mitigation processes with numerical models, which shows that the factor of safety increased to the desired levels. The reinforcement applications at the site match well with the proposed prevention methods. Full article

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key early pathological process in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), leading to oxidative stress, impaired energy metabolism, and neuronal apoptosis prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Although mitochondria represent important therapeutic targets, effective interventions targeting mitochondrial function remain limited. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the mechanisms by which melatonin protects mitochondria and evaluates its therapeutic relevance, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease—the major protagonists of NDs—while briefly covering other NDs such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and prion diseases. Melatonin selectively accumulates in neuronal mitochondria and exerts neuroprotection through multiple pathways: (1) direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS); (2) transcriptional activation of antioxidant defenses via the SIRT3 and Nrf2 pathways; (3) regulation of mitochondrial dynamics through DRP1 and OPA1; and (4) promotion of PINK1- and Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Additionally, melatonin exhibits context-dependent pleiotropy: under conditions of mild mitochondrial stress, it restores mitochondrial homeostasis; under conditions of severe mitochondrial damage, it promotes pro-survival autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, thereby conferring stage-specific therapeutic advantages. Overall, melatonin offers a sophisticated mitochondria-targeting strategy for the treatment of NDs. However, successful clinical translation requires clarification of receptor-dependent signaling pathways, development of standardized dosing strategies, and validation in large-scale randomized controlled trials. Full article

Liners made of natural materials, such as expansive soil with sand, have a wide range of applications, including geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications. Besides being environmentally friendly, these materials are locally available and can be constructed at a low cost. The concern regarding these liners is sustainability and serviceability in the long run. The research conducted revealed significant degradation in hydraulic performance after periods of operation under continuous flow, which was attributed to the migration of fines. This study investigated the stabilization of these liners by using biopolymers as a cementitious agent to prevent the migration of fines and enhance sustainability in the long run. Two different biopolymers were examined in this study, including guar gum (GG) and sodium alginate (SA). The hydraulic conductivity tests were conducted in the laboratory under continuous flow for a long period (i.e., more than 360 days). The results revealed that incorporating biopolymers into these liners is of great significance for enhancing their sustainability and hydraulic performance stability. Further in-depth identification of the interaction mechanisms demonstrates that biopolymer–soil interactions create cross-links between soil particles through adhesive bonding, forming a cementitious gel that stabilizes fines and enhances the stability of the liners’ internal structure. Both examined biopolymers show significant stabilization of fines and stable hydraulic performance within the acceptable range, with high superiority of SA with EC20. The outcomes of this study are valuable for conducting an adequate and sustainable design for liner protection layers as hydraulic barriers or covers. Full article

Rice is a key food crop worldwide, but its yield and quality are severely constrained by insect pests. As environmental and regulatory restrictions on chemical pesticides grow, developing insect-resistant rice varieties has become a sustainable way to protect food security. This review covers recent progress in functional genomics and molecular marker mapping related to insect resistance in rice. We highlight the identification, cloning, and functional analysis of resistance genes targeting major pests, including the brown planthopper, rice gall midge, white-backed planthopper, small brown planthopper, and rice leaf roller. Several important resistance genes (such as Bph14, Bph3, and Bph29) have been cloned, and their roles in rice immunity have been clarified—covering insect feeding signal recognition, activation of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways, and regulation of MAPK cascades, calcium signaling, and reactive oxygen species production. We also discuss how molecular marker-assisted selection, gene pyramiding, and transgenic techniques are used in modern rice breeding. Finally, we address future challenges and opportunities, stressing the importance of utilizing wild rice germplasm, understanding insect effector–plant immune interactions, and applying molecular design breeding to create long-lasting insect-resistant rice varieties that can withstand changing pest pressures and climate conditions. Full article

The rapid expansion of wind energy in Southeast Europe has raised concerns about its long-term impacts on bird populations, particularly through collisions with wind turbines. Here, we analyze systematic collision monitoring data collected between 2010 and 2024 within the Integrated System for Protection of Birds in the Kaliakra Protected Area (northeast Bulgaria). Monitoring covered 52 wind turbines until 2017 and 114 turbines from 2018 onwards, using daily carcass searches within standardized 200 × 200 m plots around each turbine. Collision rate was analyzed using effort-normalized statistical models and spatial (GIS-based) analyses to assess temporal trends and habitat context derived from land-cover data. Effort-normalized analyses indicate that collision rate per turbine varied over time and exhibited a pronounced long-term decline, together with clear spatial heterogeneity. Turbines located in open steppe landscapes were associated with consistently higher collision rates compared to turbines situated in other habitat types. These results provide long-term empirical evidence from an operational wind farm area, contributing robust baseline information for cumulative impact assessment and spatial planning. From a sustainability perspective, long-term, effort-standardized collision monitoring represents a critical tool for balancing renewable energy expansion with biodiversity conservation. By providing empirical evidence on how collision occurrence evolves under sustained operational conditions, this study supports adaptive mitigation, cumulative impact assessment, and spatial planning frameworks essential for the sustainable development of wind energy in ecologically sensitive regions. Full article

(1) Forest fragmentation and associated edge effects can strongly modify the diversity and distribution of soil invertebrates, yet their responses in temperate floodplain forests remain poorly understood. We investigated myriapod (centipede and millipede) assemblages in a fragmented forest mosaic in the protected landscape area Litovelské Pomoraví (Czech Republic), focusing on the role of stand age, ecotones and key microhabitat variables. (2) Myriapods were sampled continuously during two years using pitfall traps arranged along transects crossing four neighboring patches (clear-cut with seedlings, 10-year-old stand, 87-year-old and 127-year-old Querco–Ulmetum forests). Species diversity was quantified using the Shannon–Wiener index, and patterns were analyzed by t-tests, canonical correspondence analysis and generalized additive models. (3) We collected over six thousand individuals (10 centipede and 10 millipede species). Diversity peaked in old-growth stands and adjacent ecotones, and two of the three ecotones supported particularly high species abundances. Litter cover and thickness, stand age, and the structure of the herb and shrub layers were the most important predictors of species distributions. Dominant species (e.g., Glomeris tetrasticha Brandt, 1833, Lithobius mutabilis L. Koch, 1862, L. forficatus (Linnaeus, 1758)) showed contrasting habitat preferences, reflecting niche differentiation along microhabitat and stand-age gradients. (4) Our findings indicate that conserving a fine-grained mosaic of stand ages, together with structurally complex forest interiors and ecotones, is essential for maintaining myriapod diversity and the ecosystem functions they provide in Central European forests. Full article

Resource-constrained Internet of Things (IoT) devices are increasingly deployed in critical domains but remain vulnerable to stealthy attacks that can bypass conventional defenses. At the same time, privacy constraints limit centralized data collection and processing, complicating anomaly detection. This systematic review surveys methods for privacy-preserving anomaly detection in resource-constrained IoT and introduces a five-dimension taxonomy covering deployment paradigms, resource constraints, real-time requirements, protection techniques, and communication constraints. We review how the literature measures and reports resource and privacy costs and identify three major gaps: (1) a shortage of co-designed detector-plus-privacy solutions tailored to constrained hardware, (2) inconsistent reporting of resource and privacy trade-offs, and (3) limited robustness against adaptive attackers and realistic deployment noise. We conclude with actionable recommendations and a prioritized research roadmap. Furthermore, the multi-dimensional taxonomy we introduce provides a structured framework to guide design choices and systematically improve the comparability, deployability, and overall trustworthiness of anomaly detection systems for constrained IoT. Full article

Assessing the vulnerability of species to climate change is currently one of the hot issues in ecology and conservation biology. Although species sensitivity and adaptability play a crucial role in determining species vulnerability to climate change, most studies have only focused on habitat exposure, hindering a comprehensive understanding of species vulnerability to climate change and the implementation of effective conservation actions and policies. Here, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of the species sensitivity, habitat exposure and vulnerability of 122 Chinese Theaceae species and the spatial distribution patterns of their sensitivity, habitat exposure and vulnerability, as well as the effectiveness of China’s protected area network in protecting these species under future climate change. Our analyses suggest that species vulnerability was mainly determined by species sensitivity rather than habitat exposure. In addition, these species generally exhibit a high sensitivity and vulnerability to temperature-related variables, such as the annual mean temperature and temperature annual range, while exhibiting a high exposure to precipitation variables, such as total annual precipitation and precipitation seasonality. Furthermore, our analyses show that the high-vulnerability areas are mainly distributed in western and eastern China. However, no more than 17% of the high-vulnerability areas would be covered by China’s protected area network and no more than 15% of the median- and low-vulnerability areas would be covered by China’s protected area network. These findings can contribute to a new understanding of the vulnerability of the 122 Chinese Theaceae species to future climate change and guide effective conservation prioritizing in a rapidly changing climate. Full article

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound isolated from Curcuma longa, which is widely recognized for its therapeutic properties: particularly its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, its practical incorporation into functional foods, especially aqueous dairy beverages, is severely hindered by its extremely low water solubility, poor chemical stability (notably at the near-neutral pH of milk), and very limited oral bioavailability. This review provides a critical synthesis of the literature published in the last two decades, with a focus on the development and application of food-grade oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions to advanced colloidal delivery systems. It covers the fundamental principles of nanoemulsion formulation, including the selection of the oil phase, surfactants, and stabilizers, as well as both high-energy and low-energy fabrication techniques. It further examines the integration of these nano-delivery systems into dairy matrices (milk, yogurt, cheese), highlighting key interactions between nanoemulsion droplets and native dairy constituents such as casein micelles and whey proteins. Critically, findings indicate that nanoencapsulation not only enhances curcumin’s solubility but also protects it from chemical degradation during industrial processes, including pasteurization and sterilization. Moreover, the dairy matrix structure plays a key role in modulating curcumin bioaccessibility, with fortified products frequently exhibiting enhanced stability, shelf life, and sensory attributes. Finally, key technological challenges addressed the heterogeneous global regulatory landscape surrounding biopolymers and future trends: most notably, the growing shift toward “clean-label” biopolymer-based delivery systems. Full article

Fecal retention is a distinctive reproductive strategy in certain leaf beetles, which enables females to use accumulated fecal material to protect their eggs and enhance offspring survival. The adult flea beetle Asiophrida xanthospilota (Baly, 1881) is a specialist herbivore that feeds on the leaves of Cotinus coggygria Scop. (Anacardiaceae). Using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-computed tomography, we described and illustrated the hindgut anatomy of adult female A. xanthospilota during the pre-mated and post-mated reproductive phases. We further examined the physiological changes in the hindgut associated with fecal retention, and assessed hindgut muscle activity across these two reproductive stages. The hindgut of adult A. xanthospilota consists of three regions: ileum, colon, and rectum. The ileum is a thin, straight or coiled, tube enclosed by malpighian tubules and supported by circular and longitudinal muscles. The colon lies between the ileum and rectum, possesses a chitinized cuticle, and is externally covered with tracheae and tracheoles. A rectal valve separates the colon from the rectum, which forms the posterior end of the alimentary canal and is characterized by intimal spines and robust circular muscles. During the post-mated phase, fecal retention causes pronounced dilation of the hindgut, substantially increasing the volume occupied by food remnants. Electromyographic recordings revealed high hindgut muscle activity in pre-mated females, characterized by short and variable bursts, whereas post-mated females exhibited reduced activity with longer and more sustained bursts. The functional implications of these specialized structural features are discussed. Overall, these morphological and physiological adaptations enhance the fecal retention strategy by increasing fecal capacity, regulating hindgut motility, and enabling the formation of a protective fecal case around the egg mass. Full article

Accurate nearshore bathymetry is essential for various marine applications, including navigation, resource management, and the protection of coastal ecosystems and the services they provide. This study presents an approach to enhance the accuracy of bathymetric estimates derived from high-spatial- and high-temporal-resolution optical satellite imagery. The proposed technique is particularly suited for multispectral sensors that acquire spectral bands sequentially rather than simultaneously. PlanetScope SuperDove imagery was employed and validated against bathymetric data collected using a multibeam echosounder. The study area is the Gulf of Sciacca, located along the southwestern coast of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, multibeam data were acquired along transects that are subparallel to the shoreline, covering depths ranging from approximately 7 m to 50 m. Satellite imagery was radiometrically and atmospherically corrected and then processed using a simplified radiative transfer transformation to generate a continuous bathymetric map extending over the entire gulf. The resulting satellite-derived bathymetry achieved reliable accuracy between approximately 5 m and 25 m depth. Beyond these limits, excessive signal attenuation for higher depths and increased water turbidity close to shore introduced significant uncertainties. The innovative aspect of this approach lies in the combined use of spectral averaging among the most water-penetrating bands, temporal averaging across multiple acquisitions, and a liquid-facets noise reduction technique. The integration of these multi-layer inputs led to improved accuracy compared to using single-date or single-band imagery alone. Results show a strong correlation between the satellite-derived bathymetry and multibeam measurements over sandy substrates, with an estimated error of ±6% at a 95% confidence interval. Some discrepancies, however, were observed in the presence of mixed pixels (e.g., submerged vegetation or rocky substrates) or surface artifacts. Full article

How are Pentecostal theologies, doctrines, and practices deployed in navigating urban spaces? This paper examines how covering—a concept and practice deployed in some Pentecostal and charismatic churches—is deployed and negotiated in navigating life in the city. Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork initiated in Johannesburg’s vibrant yet complex urban landscape, this research investigates how covering extends beyond church walls to influence broader urban experiences through power-laden interactions. Within my case study church, Speak in Tongues International (SITI), covering refers to multilayered spiritual authority, protection, and accountability structures that create relationships between the divine and human, and between leaders and followers. This paper contributes to the affect-sensitive urban studies literature by theorising how, in contrast to the city riddled by fear, anxiety and insecurity, religious conceptions mediate how some congregants understand themselves as moving through city spaces under a protective divine canopy that shields them from moral contamination whilst simultaneously imposing behavioural and social constraints. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolism is fundamental to all living organisms. It comprises a highly complex network of fine-tuned chemical reactions that sustain life but also generate by-products that damage cellular biomolecules, including DNA, thereby contributing to aging and disease. As metabolism can be largely modified by dietary alterations, it has the potential to positively or negatively affect health and disease. Interestingly, many aging-associated illnesses known to be influenced by diet also show a causal relation with DNA damage. As DNA keeps all instructions for life, and DNA lesions, if unrepaired, interfere with vital processes such as DNA replication and transcription, DNA damage may be an important mediator of the impact of nutrition on health and aging. Methods: Here, we discuss the genome-protective effects of various oral interventions in mice, aiming to elucidate which nutritional alterations lower DNA damage and promote overall health. Results: Our analysis covers a wide range of interventions with reported positive impacts on genomic stability, including modified diets (e.g., dietary restriction, probiotics, micronutrients, fatty acids, and hormones), NAD+ precursors (e.g., nicotinamide riboside), plant derivatives, and synthetic drugs. Among these, caloric and dietary restriction emerge as the most potent, generic modulators of DNA damage and repair processes, enhancing aspects of repair efficiency through metabolic recalibration and improved cellular resilience. Other interventions, like NAD+ precursors, activate partly similar pathways without necessitating reduced food intake. Conclusions: While many interventions show promise, their effects are often less pronounced or are process-specific compared to caloric or dietary restriction. Additionally, many substances lack comprehensive exploration of their genome-protective effects in mice, with often only a small number of studies examining their impact on genome stability. Moreover, the heterogeneity between studies limits direct comparison. However, the observed overlap in mechanistic effects between treatments lends credibility to their potential efficacy. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could pave the way for translating these findings into, e.g., combination treatments to promote healthy aging in humans. Full article

Land use/cover change (LUCC) is a dominant driver of ecosystem service dynamics in arid inland basins. Focusing on the Yarkant River Basin (YRB), Xinjiang, we coupled the PLUS land-use simulation with the InVEST Habitat Quality Model to project 2040 land-use patterns under four policy scenarios—Natural Development (ND), Arable Protection (AP), Ecological Protection (EP), and Economic Development (ED)—and to quantify their impact on habitat quality. Model validation against the 2020 map indicated strong agreement (Kappa = 0.792; FOM = 0.342), supporting scenario inference. From 1990 to 2023, arable land expanded by 58.17% and construction land by 121.64%, while forest land declined by 37.45%; these shifts corresponded to a basin-wide decline and increasing spatial heterogeneity of habitat quality. Scenario comparisons showed the EP pathway performed best, with 32.11% of the basin classified as very high-quality habitat and only 8.36% as very low-quality. In contrast, under ED, the combined share of very low + low quality reached 11.17%, alongside greater fragmentation. Spatially, high-quality habitat concentrates in forest and grassland zones of the middle–upper basin, whereas low-quality areas cluster along the oasis–desert transition and urban peripheries. Expansion of arable and construction land emerges as the primary driver of degradation. These results underscore the need to prioritize ecological-protection strategies especially improving habitat quality in oasis regions and strengthening landscape connectivity to support spatial planning and ecological security in dryland inland river basins. Full article