Search Results (69,673)

We introduce a bivariate Hahn-factorial q-Laguerre–Tricomi–Appell polynomial class obtained by multiplying a nonsingular Appell factor by a Hahn-factorial deformation of the two-variable q-Laguerre–Tricomi generating kernel. The construction is interpreted formally, coefficientwise, and is not presented as an orthogonality or Laguerre–Hahn functional characterization. Its defining product yields a finite q-binomial convolution, which is the principal mechanism for transferring algebraic and operational properties from the base family to the Appell deformation. We establish direct and inverse connection formulas, a Hessenberg determinant representation, recurrence and higher Hahn-difference formulas, Hahn-shift identities, operational transfer formulas, and quasi-monomiality relations through a basis-defined raising operator. We also derive reductions to the underlying Hahn-factorial q-Laguerre–Tricomi family, one-variable Hahn-Appell and q-Appell families, translated q-Laguerre specializations, admissible Bernoulli–Euler-type subclasses, a singular Genocchi-type convolution, and the joint classical limit $q\to 1^{-}$, $w\to 0$. A finite coefficient scheme is then used to study representative zero distributions and graphical behavior. The results show that the proposed class is a coherent Appell-type deformation of a Hahn-factorial q-Laguerre–Tricomi kernel and that its structural identities follow from explicitly invertible q-binomial transforms whenever the Appell factor has a nonzero constant term. Full article

As the primary substitutes for traditional brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely employed in industrial manufacturing and consumer products, and they have been detected in most rivers across China. The Zhuozhang River, a major tributary of the Haihe River, is situated in a region characterized by intensive anthropogenic activities and water scarcity. Nevertheless, research on OPE contamination and its associated environmental impacts in the Zhuozhang River basin remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigated the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of 12 OPEs in water samples collected from representative sites, including major reservoirs, upstream river sections, main river channels, and wastewater treatment plants. The results showed that tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) were the dominant compounds by mass, with concentrations ranging from 1108 to 1977 ng/L and 202 to 238 ng/L in the mainstream. Ecological risk assessment using the RQ method revealed that EHDPP and TDCIPP fall into the moderate-risk category. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to explore the sources of OPEs. The results show that plastic-related industries most likely serve as the dominant contributors to OPE contamination. Full article

Jujube flower disease (JFD) is a recurrent disorder affecting honeybees during the flowering period of Ziziphus jujuba, but its molecular basis remains unclear. To characterize JFD-associated molecular changes, we integrated widely targeted metabolomics and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in exposed asymptomatic jujube flower foragers (HC) and in bees showing characteristic JFD symptoms. Filtered metabolomic profiles showed clear separation between HC and JFD samples and revealed two major metabolite-level alterations. Tryptophan metabolism was the strongest enriched pathway among differentially abundant metabolites (Rich Factor = 14/16; FDR = $9.15\times {10}^{-7}$), whereas metabolites decreased in JFD were enriched mainly in galactose metabolism (Rich Factor = 7/16; FDR = $1.23\times {10}^{-4}$), amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism (Rich Factor = 5/15; FDR = 0.00762), biosynthesis of nucleotide sugars (Rich Factor = 4/15; FDR = 0.0318), and starch and sucrose metabolism (Rich Factor = 3/8; FDR = 0.0318). RNA-seq detected 10,259 genes and identified 23 differentially expressed genes under the selected threshold, including 20 increased and 3 decreased genes in JFD bees. Although individual-gene differential expression was limited, preranked gene-set enrichment analysis identified moderate negative enrichment of the sugar supply/storage gene set (NES = −1.96; FDR = 0.024). The tryptophan/aromatic amino acid gene set was not enriched at the transcriptomic level, indicating that the tryptophan-related alteration was mainly observed at the metabolite level. Within these gene sets, HK showed the largest downward RNA-seq trend among the five displayed sugar-axis enzyme genes and a directionally concordant qRT-PCR trend; on this basis, HK was retained only as a candidate for future functional validation. Overall, these findings suggest that JFD is associated with altered tryptophan-related metabolism and reduced carbohydrate/nucleotide sugar-related metabolite abundance, with partial transcriptomic support for altered sugar supply and storage. This molecular profile provides candidate pathways and genes for future mechanistic investigation rather than established biomarkers, regulatory mechanisms, or evidence of disease causation. Full article

Landfilling remains a widely used method for municipal solid waste disposal but may pose long-term risks to soil and groundwater. To address the fragmented management of landfill-related environmental information, this study developed a geographic information system (GIS)-based “One Map” framework that integrates landfill facilities, hydrogeological information, environmental monitoring data, pollutant indicators, and sensitive receptors into a unified spatial database. The framework links spatial features with attribute information and supports visualization, multi-criteria queries, statistical analysis, groundwater-quality assessment, and the preliminary screening of potentially undetected environmental risks. A municipal solid waste landfill in Xichuan County, Nanyang City, China, was selected as a case study, and groundwater quality was evaluated using the single-factor pollution index and Nemerow comprehensive pollution index. No Class III standard exceedance was identified at the five monitoring wells during the sampling event; however, the available hydrogeological and operational data were insufficient to attribute differences among wells to landfill-derived contaminant transport. The primary contribution is not a new GIS engine, but a landfill-specific data model and workflow that integrate fragmented survey outputs into a spatial decision-support environment. Because the case study comprises five wells and a single monitoring campaign, the findings represent a point-specific workflow demonstration rather than temporal or regional validation. Interpretation followed a source–pathway–receptor framework, but source attribution remained constrained by the absence of contemporaneous hydraulic-head data, a verified operational chronology, and quantitative leachate-management records. Repeated monitoring, an upgradient baseline, and a denser well network are required for stronger environmental inference. Full article

Fusarium wilt of Phalaenopsis spp., caused by Fusarium species, is a major soil-borne disease that severely threatens the yield and ornamental quality of Phalaenopsis. Endophytic fungi can serve as natural biocontrol agents against soil-borne pathogens and have potential applications in biological control. In this study, a pathogenic isolate, HT-1, was obtained from Fusarium-wilted Phalaenopsis plants, and its pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation assays on detached leaves and intact plants. Morphological observations, together with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF-1α) sequence analyses, identified HT-1 as Fusarium proliferatum. Seven endophytic fungi with strong antagonism against F. proliferatum were screened using a dual-culture assay. All seven isolates consistently inhibited five representative plant pathogens in vitro, showing broad-spectrum and promising biocontrol potential. Detached leaf inoculation assays showed that both Trichoderma virens and Trichoderma asperellum significantly reduced lesion area and disease severity caused by F. proliferatum, indicating potential application in disease management. In summary, this study identified seven endophytic fungi from Phalaenopsis with broad-spectrum antagonistic potential against multiple plant pathogenic fungi. Meanwhile, the protective effects of T. virens and T. asperellum against F. proliferatum were preliminarily evaluated using detached leaves. These findings provide theoretical reference and fungal resources for screening candidate biocontrol strains against Phalaenopsis Fusarium wilt and related plant diseases, and lay a foundation for future studies on biocontrol mechanisms, whole-plant efficacy verification, and practical application. Full article

Petit-spot volcanism is a type of intraplate volcanism that commonly occurs near the outer rise in subducting plates. Although deformation of the incoming plate is considered important for its development, the deeper mantle processes contributing to this volcanism remain poorly understood. Here, we use more than 1500 broadband seismograms containing long-period SS precursors to investigate the mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath the Sunda–Java subduction system. Beneath the northern Sunda–Java region, the 660 km discontinuity (d660) reaches ~690 km depth, resulting in an MTZ thicker than 270 km, consistent with the thermal influence of the subducted Indo-Australian slab. The associated weakening of S660S amplitudes may reflect hydration or other factors affecting the lower MTZ. South of the trench, the MTZ beneath most of the Christmas Island Seamount Province is relatively uniform, with a thickness of ~251 km. Beneath Christmas Island, however, the 410 km discontinuity (d410) is depressed to ~420–425 km, whereas d660 remains near 670–675 km, producing a localized thinner MTZ of ~245–250 km. This structure is compatible with localized slab-related mantle processes and may reflect thermal or compositional heterogeneity near the top of the MTZ. Although our observations do not directly resolve volatile transport or melt generation, they provide new constraints on the deep-mantle environment associated with rejuvenated petit-spot volcanism at Christmas Island. Full article

In high-density built environments, traditional single-source street-level data are often limited by spatial blind spots when measuring the Green View Index (GVI). Street-view images (SVIs) have been widely used for extracting GVI, but their coverage is often discontinuous. To achieve a more continuous estimation of GVI in complex urban blocks, this study proposes an estimation framework that combines SVI-derived GVI extraction with ensemble learning and multi-source geospatial data. Shichahai Subdistrict in Beijing is used as a case study. Spatial morphology and vegetation-related factors are quantified within multi-scale buffers, and a Stacking ensemble model combining Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) is used to infer missing GVI values. The Stacking model achieved the best overall validation performance among the tested models, with an MAE of 0.0651 and an R² of 0.81, outperforming the single models and simpler benchmark models. Environmental factors also exhibited scale sensitivity, with vegetation factors showing stronger explanatory power at the 25 m micro-scale and building morphology factors showing negative associations at larger scales. In this case study, the framework mitigates discontinuities caused by gaps in street-view data and provides quantitative evidence for refined green renewal in high-density historic urban areas, but the results should be interpreted as site-specific interpolation rather than general cross-city prediction. Full article

To preliminarily elucidate the bidirectional metabolic effects caused by changes in PFKM expression, provide research clues for further investigation of the molecular mechanisms through which PFKM regulates porcine skeletal muscle metabolism and myogenic differentiation, and offer a reference for identifying candidate genes associated with meat production traits and studying gene regulation in pig breeding, this study compared skeletal muscle protein expression profiles between Large White and Bama pigs. Candidate regulatory factors related to muscle growth and energy metabolism were screened, and the effects of altered muscle-type phosphofructokinase (PFKM) expression on metabolic homeostasis and myogenic differentiation in porcine skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) were preliminarily evaluated. Longissimus dorsi muscle tissues from Large White and Bama pigs were analyzed using iTRAQ-based proteomics. A total of 2040 reliably quantified proteins were identified, of which 51 were relatively upregulated in Large White pigs and 73 were relatively upregulated in Bama pigs. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in glycolysis, mitochondrial energy metabolism, protein synthesis, and the regulation of muscle fiber structure and function. PFKM was therefore selected as a key candidate differentially expressed protein. Porcine SMSC models comprising a PFKM knockdown group (PFKM-KD), a PFKM overexpression group (PFKM-OE), and a normal control group (PFKM-CON) were subsequently established. Glucose consumption and lactate accumulation in the culture medium, ATP levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins, and myogenic differentiation markers were then examined. Compared with the PFKM-CON group, the PFKM-OE group showed significantly increased glucose consumption and lactate accumulation, together with significant increases in ROS levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis, whereas ATP levels were significantly reduced. In the PFKM-KD group, glucose consumption and lactate accumulation were significantly decreased, accompanied by reductions in mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS, ATP levels, and apoptosis. PFKM overexpression mainly induced oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and increased apoptosis, whereas PFKM knockdown primarily reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS, and ATP levels, indicating a relatively low-metabolic state. Both treatments were accompanied by dysregulated expression of the mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins DRP1, MFN2, and OPA1, although their patterns of change were not identical. Western blotting and immunofluorescence consistently showed that the expression levels of the myogenic differentiation markers MyoD and MYH were significantly lower in both the PFKM-KD and PFKM-OE groups than in the control group, suggesting that either excessive or insufficient PFKM expression may impair the myogenic differentiation potential of SMSCs. In conclusion, changes in PFKM expression are closely associated with glycolysis-related metabolism, energy and redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function-related indicators, and myogenic differentiation capacity in porcine SMSCs. The normal biological function of PFKM may therefore depend on its expression being maintained within an appropriate range. Full article

Digital payment systems have become increasingly important in contemporary financial environments; however, understanding the factors that drive their adoption remains a significant research challenge. This study examines the determinants of behavioral intention and actual use of digital payments by applying an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that incorporates perceived risk and trust alongside the traditional TAM constructs. Data were collected through an online survey of 154 Slovenian and international students enrolled in finance-related programs at the University of Maribor, Slovenia, and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) using WarpPLS (version: 8.0). The results indicate that perceived ease of use positively affects perceived usefulness and behavioral intention, while perceived usefulness significantly increases behavioral intention. Perceived risk negatively influences trust, whereas trust positively affects behavioral intention. Furthermore, behavioral intention is the strongest predictor of actual use. All hypothesized relationships were statistically significant. The findings confirm the suitability of the extended TAM for explaining digital payment adoption in the studied group of young people and highlight the importance of usability, perceived benefits, trust, and risk perceptions in shaping digital payment behavior. Full article

Background and Objectives: Blood transfusion is a key component of sickle cell disease (SCD) management, and ABO and Rh compatibility is essential to minimize transfusion-related complications. This study investigated factors associated with blood transfusion history and examined the relationships of ABO and Rh blood groups with clinical and laboratory markers of disease severity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 309 patients attending a hematology outpatient clinic in Saudi Arabia between October and December 2025. Clinical data were collected through patient interviews, and laboratory results were obtained from medical records. Results: Overall, 89.9% of patients had a history of blood transfusion. Older age, chronic disease, higher platelet count, MCV, MCH, and HbA2 levels were associated with blood transfusion history. In contrast, higher hemoglobin and HbF levels were associated with fewer transfusions. Patients with blood group O had lower odds of transfusion than those with non-O blood groups (OR = 0.340, 95% CI: 0.135–0.856; p = 0.022). Hydroxyurea use was associated with lower LDH levels, while G6PD deficiency and higher MCV were independently associated with higher LDH levels. ABO and Rh blood groups were not associated with acute chest syndrome or LDH levels. Conclusions: Blood transfusion history in SCD was associated with several clinical and hematological factors. These findings support further investigation of G6PD status and reinforce the known benefits of hydroxyurea. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of ABO and Rh blood groups in disease progression and transfusion practices. Full article

Historically framed as a behavioral addiction, gambling disorder (GD) has had its somatic dimension neglected by standard clinical evaluation. This is a narrative, hypothesis-generating review focusing on the somatic aspects of GD. Cross-sectional and prospective evidence increasingly shows a somatic phenotype distributed across four axes: cardiovascular (hypertension, angina, stroke, acute stress-induced cardiac events), metabolic (obesity, type 2 diabetes, chronic liver disease), sleep-related (insomnia, poor sleep quality, daytime sleepiness), and—as an emerging and insufficiently characterized dimension—neurological (clustering with seizures and frontal lobe epilepsy). Three candidate biological systems may translate this exposure into multi-system physiology: (i) a hyperreactive mesostriatal reward circuit hypothesized to sustain a behavioral cluster of smoking, hazardous alcohol use, low physical activity, and unhealthy diet; (ii) an integrated stress response postulated to shift from acute hyperreactivity to chronic basal cortisol blunting and reduced vagal tone; and (iii) putative alterations in peripheral neurotrophic signaling and frontal-callosal structure, marked by elevated peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and by frontal-callosal white-matter alterations—with cumulative allostatic load serving as a conceptual integrating frame. We propose that GD can be a behaviorally driven systemic medical condition, warranting internal medicine involvement alongside addiction psychiatry. Within this framework, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists emerge as an exploratory therapeutic hypothesis warranting dedicated evaluation in GD, given their action on the mesolimbic reward substrate and phase 3 evidence in adjacent cardiometabolic, hepatic, and sleep conditions. Full article

Population aging is a growing problem. This process is driven not only by genetic factors but also by environmental factors, such as diet. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide, characterized by cognitive decline, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. Despite extensive research, effective disease-modifying therapies remain limited. Increasing evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a central role in AD pathogenesis, acting as a key link between β-amyloid accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Accordingly, dietary strategies have been proposed to mitigate these pathological processes and may represent an important component of Alzheimer’s disease prevention. Moreover, emerging evidence on the gut–brain axis highlights the critical role of gut microbiota in regulating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Dysbiosis has been associated with increased permeability of the intestinal barrier, systemic inflammation, and accelerated neurodegeneration. Dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets may exert beneficial effects by simultaneously influencing antioxidant status and microbial composition. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease and evaluate the potential of dietary interventions in modulating mechanisms involved in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and supporting cognitive health. Particular attention is given to the neuroprotective effects of dietary antioxidants, including vitamins, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which act through the reduction in reactive oxygen species, modulation of inflammatory pathways, and support of neuronal survival. Although current findings are promising, inconsistencies in clinical data indicate the need for further well-designed studies. Future research should focus on personalized nutritional strategies integrating dietary, genetic, and microbiome-related factors. Targeting oxidative stress through diet and microbiota modulation represents a promising complementary strategy for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and supportive management, although further clinical studies are required to establish disease-modifying effects. Full article

As urban agglomerations reshape China’s urban–rural relations, existing evaluations still focus mainly on development levels within administrative units, with limited attention to spatial interactions between urban and rural territorial systems. Taking the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC) as a case, this study develops a spatial interaction-based framework for measuring urban–rural integration. The framework integrates population, land and economic factors to characterize urban–rural development status, orientation, coordination and interaction intensity. The Geographical Detector is further employed to identify the driving mechanisms. Compared with conventional within-unit assessments, this framework captures the direction, intensity, and cross-regional dependence of urban–rural linkages, thereby providing a more relational understanding of urban–rural integration. The results show that the CCEC experienced a transition from factor differentiation toward functional restructuring, characterized by continued urban concentration of population and land factors and a relative balancing of economic factors between urban and rural areas. Urban–rural integration exhibited clear directional and spatial dependence: urban-to-rural interactions were mainly concentrated around the Chengdu–Chongqing dual cores and major development corridors, whereas rural-to-urban interactions formed a more dispersed support network. The driving mechanisms were not dominated by individual factors but emerged from the interaction of economic foundations, spatial conditions, policy environments and regional linkages, with different factors playing varying roles across development stages. This study provides new insights into the evolution mechanisms of urban–rural integration in emerging urban agglomerations characterized by strong core–periphery disparities, highlighting the importance of spatial interactions, policy guidance and regional development conditions. Full article

With the rapid expansion of intensive aquaculture, the frequent outbreak of diseases and the overuse of antibiotics have become increasingly critical issues. Therefore, developing green and efficient antibiotic alternatives is essential for the sustainable growth of the industry. As a novel probiotic, Bacillus velezensis has shown great potential in improving the disease resistance of aquatic animals, owing to its excellent spore-forming ability, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and immunoregulatory functions. This paper systematically reviews the main mechanisms by which B. velezensis enhances disease resistance in aquatic animals, including directly inhibiting pathogens through the secretion of various lipopeptides and polyketides such as surfactin, iturin, and fengycin; interfering with pathogen quorum sensing systems via quorum quenching enzymes, thereby suppressing virulence factor expression and biofilm formation; modulating intestinal microbiota structure to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria while reducing pathogenic proliferation; and activating the non-specific immune system of the host to upregulate immune-related indicators such as acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, and key cytokines (such as IL-1β, TNF-α). In addition, this review summarizes the application effects of B. velezensis on improving aquaculture water quality and promoting host growth. Furthermore, the potential ecological impacts on natural microbial communities and strain-dependent biosafety risks are evaluated. Finally, current research limitations—such as strain-specific functional differences, insufficient in-depth analysis of mechanisms, and inconsistent application outcomes—are discussed. Future prospects for promoting the efficient and stable application of B. velezensis in aquaculture through strategies including gene editing, multi-omics integration, and precise formulation compounding are also proposed. Full article

Embedded Modular Multilevel Converter-Based Multi-Terminal Direct Current (MMC-MTDC) systems have become an important solution for enhancing transmission capacity and operational flexibility in urban hybrid AC/DC power grids. However, the coexistence of Grid-Following (GFL) and Grid-Forming (GFM) MMC stations introduces complex dynamic interactions through both AC and DC networks. Existing small-signal stability studies often neglect MMC internal dynamics, such as submodule capacitor voltage fluctuations and circulating current-related states, or simplify the AC network as an ideal voltage source, which may lead to inaccurate stability assessment and limited control parameter optimization performance. To address these issues, this paper proposes a coordinated small-signal stability enhancement strategy for an embedded heterogeneous MMC-MTDC system considering AC/DC bilateral coupling. First, a system-level full-order small-signal state-space model is established by incorporating the internal dynamics of both GFL-MMC and GFM-MMC stations, non-ideal AC networks, and DC transmission links. Then, eigenvalue analysis and participation factor-based sensitivity evaluation are performed to identify weakly damped oscillation modes and screen the key variables and control parameters associated with dominant oscillations. Furthermore, a quadratic performance index is constructed by weighting the sensitivities of key control parameters, and particle swarm optimization is employed to obtain coordinated optimized parameters for heterogeneous MMC stations. Comparative case studies and PSCAD/EMTDC time-domain simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy under different scenarios. The quantitative active-power indices show that, compared with the unoptimized parameters, Strategy 2 reduces the settling time by 49.1% in the power step response, suppresses the power step overshoot from 6.4% to 0%, shortens the settling time by 53.8% under grid-strength variation, and reduces the active-power peak and settling time by 28.0% and 74.8%, respectively, under the fault ride-through scenario. Full article