Search Results (1,484)

The study investigates the projected impact of climate change on water runoff in the upper Parsęta catchment, a postglacial lowland basin located in northwestern Poland. In the first step of the analysis, hydrological simulations for the period 2005–2022 were conducted using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Model calibration and validation, performed in SWAT-CUP with the SUFI2 algorithm, yielded satisfactory performance (R² = 0.66–0.80; PBIAS = 0.43–13.87). Based on the calibrated model, projected simulations were performed for three future decades (2021–2030, 2031–2040, and 2041–2050) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Climate input data were derived from the KLIMADA 2.0 national database, which was developed using down-scaled regional climate model output from the EURO-CORDEX ensemble and statistical bias-correction methods to generate high-resolution projections. Under RCP4.5, mean annual runoff increased by approximately 13–26%, while under RCP8.5, the changes were more variable, ranging from 2% to 28% relative to the 2011–2020 baseline. Seasonal analyses revealed enhanced autumn–winter runoff and lower spring–summer flows. The findings highlight that moderate climate forcing can lead to substantial alterations in hydrological regimes in postglacial lowland catchments, in certain decades comparable in magnitude to those projected under extreme forcing, underscoring the need for adaptive water management in northern Poland. Full article

In this work, a series of defective Co₃O₄ catalysts (Al@Co₃O₄₋x, x = 4, 6, 8 mmol/L, representing the NaOH concentration) were prepared by Al doping and NaOH etching via hydrothermal method for ethyl acetate degradation. The results indicated that the Al@Co₃O₄-6 catalyst presented the optimal catalytic performance for ethyl acetate degradation (T₉₀ = 207 °C). The results of many characterizations, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, Raman, and temperature-programmed H₂ reduction (H₂-TPR), etc., showed that the Al doping and NaOH etching induced the production of defects and oxygen vacancies in the catalyst, improved the surface area, boosted the low-temperature reducibility, and promoted the low-temperature oxygen species desorption, which enhanced ethyl acetate oxidation over Al@Co₃O₄-6. Importantly, the possible ethyl acetate degradation pathway was revealed by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), in the sense that the adsorbed ethyl acetate was gradually oxidized to ethanol and acetaldehyde, acetic acid, formate, and finally to CO₂ and H₂O. Full article

This study presents a techno-economic assessment of a modular, solar-assisted methane pyrolysis pilot plant designed for sustainable hydrogen production in Nigeria using concentrated solar power (CSP). Driven by the need to convert flare gas into value and reduce emissions, the work evaluates a hypothetical 100 kg/day hydrogen system by integrating a methane pyrolysis reactor with a solar heliostat–receiver field. Process modelling was carried out in DWSIM, while solar concentration behavior was represented using Tonatiuh. The mass–energy balance results show a hydrogen output of 3.95 kg/h accompanied by 12.30 kg/h of carbon black, with the reactor demanding roughly 44 kW of high-temperature heat at 900 °C. The total capital cost of the ≈50 kW pilot plant is approximately USD 1.5 million, with heliostat and receiver technologies forming the bulk of the investment. Annual operating costs are estimated at USD 69,580, alongside feedstock expenses of USD 43,566. Using annualized cost and discounted cash flow approaches, the resulting levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is USD 5.87/kg, which is competitive with off-grid electrolysis in the region, though still above blue and gray hydrogen benchmarks. The results indicate that hydrogen cost is primarily driven by solar field capital expenditure and carbon by-product valorization. Financial indicators reveal a positive NPV, a 13% IRR, and a 13-year discounted payback period, highlighting the promise of solar-assisted methane pyrolysis as a transitional hydrogen pathway for Nigeria. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) represent pervasive contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, acting as carriers for persistent organic pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study systematically investigated the occurrence, composition, and ecological risks of MPs and adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban drainage sediments from three Yangtze River cities: Chongqing (Yongchuan), Changzhou (Jintan), and Shanghai (Tongji University campus). The key findings revealed MPs’ abundances ranging from 130 to 564 items/100 g (mean: 346 items/100 g), with peak concentrations in campus commercial areas (498.4 items/100 g) and academic zones (420 items/100 g). Predominant polymers included polypropylene (PP, 15.29%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 15.88%), and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE, 14.98%). Granular MPs (75–300 μm) dominated particle size (50.09%), while colored MPs (66.54%)—particularly red (32.84%) and black (27.92%)—were most prevalent. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on MPs ranged from 0.88 to 120.59 ng/g (mean: 5.76–67.66 ng/g), dominated by four-ring compounds (44.59%). Sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from 0.63 to 60.09 ng/g (mean: 2.12–36.96 ng/g), with 5–6-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (42%) as primary constituents. Significant correlations emerged between four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fibrous MPs (r = 0.33, p = 0.021) and black MPs (r = 0.23, p = 0.04). This study underscores urban drainage sediments as critical reservoirs and transport pathways for MPs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which is crucial for sustainable management for urban drainage systems. We advocate for implementing targeted management strategies that prioritize three interconnected approaches: enhanced monitoring of high-risk zones (particularly commercial areas), focused control of small-sized MPs (<300 μm) due to their elevated ecological threats, and systematic mitigation of PAH-MP co-contamination in densely populated catchments to disrupt pollutant transmission pathways. Full article

Huizhou covered bridges represent a unique and irreplaceable component of China′s architectural heritage, yet they are increasingly threatened by flash floods. In the Huizhou region, complex mountainous terrain, concentrated intense rainfall, and structural aging jointly exacerbate flood damage risks. Existing flood risk assessment approaches often prioritize external hydrodynamic hazards or assume linear additive effects, overlooking the complex interactions among inherent structural and physical attributes. To address this limitation, this study integrates Random Forest (RF) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) to develop a flood risk assessment framework capable of capturing both nonlinear relationships and configurational (asymmetric) causal mechanisms. Based on field investigations of 89 covered bridges and 116 documented damage cases from 2020 to 2024, the RF model identifies six key risk factors (ACC = 0.79, AUC = 0.87), several of which exhibit pronounced nonlinear and threshold effects. Building on these results, fsQCA further reveals eight equivalent configurational pathways leading to covered bridge damage (solution coverage = 0.66, solution consistency = 0.94), highlighting multiple causal combinations rather than a single dominant driver. The results demonstrate that the disaster resilience of covered bridges emerges from interactions among structural characteristics, management conditions, and spatial scale attributes, rather than from any individual factor alone. Accordingly, this study advocates a shift in protection strategies from conventional “one-size-fits-all” structural reinforcement toward risk-pattern-oriented, precision-based non-structural interventions. By combining predictive modeling with configurational causal analysis, this research provides a system-level understanding of flood-induced damage mechanisms and offers actionable insights for flood risk mitigation and sustainable conservation of covered bridge heritage in Huizhou and comparable regions worldwide. Full article

Beautiful Leisure Tourism Villages (BLTVs) represent an effective pathway for advancing high-quality rural industrial development and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization. They are of great significance to enriching new rural business formats and new functions. The analysis is interpreted within an integrated location–distance attenuation framework. Based on the methods of spatial clustering analysis, geographical linkage rate and geographical weighted regression, the spatio-temporal evolution of 1982 BLTVs in China up to 2023 was examined to uncover the underlying driving mechanisms. Findings indicated that (1) a staged expansion in the number of villages across China, with the most pronounced growth occurring between 2014 and 2018, averaged 124 new villages per year; their stage characteristics showed an obvious “unipolar core-bipolar multi-core-bipolar network” development model; (2) the barycenters of villages were all located in Nanyang City of Henan Province; they migrated from east to west, and formed a push and pull migration trend from east to west and then east; (3) the spatial distribution of villages was highly aggregated and demonstrated marked regional heterogeneity, following a south–north and east–west gradient, with the highest concentration in Jiangzhe and the lowest in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and (4) natural ecology, hydrological and climatic conditions, socioeconomic context, transportation accessibility, and resource endowment collectively shaped the spatial layout of villages, exhibiting pronounced spatial variation in the intensity of these driving factors. On the whole, topography, social economy, traffic condition and precipitation condition had greater influences on the spatial distribution of villages in the western than in the eastern part of China. In contrast, the effects of resource endowment and temperature on the spatial distribution of BLTVs were stronger in eastern China than in western China. These findings enhance the theoretical understanding of tourism-oriented rural development by integrating spatio-temporal evolution with a location–distance attenuation perspective and provide differentiated guidance for the sustainable development of BLTVs across regions. Full article

Seismic monitoring is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and resilience of building structures. The implementation of effective monitoring systems, particularly across large-scale, complex building clusters, is currently hindered by the limitations of traditional sensor placement methods, which suffer from low efficiency, high subjectivity, and difficulties in replication. This paper proposes an innovative AI-based Automated Layout Method for seismic monitoring devices, leveraging building geometric recognition to provide a scalable, quantifiable, and reproducible engineering solution. The core methodology achieves full automation and quantification by innovatively employing a dual-channel approach (images and vectors) to parse architectural floor plans. It first converts complex geometric features—including corner coordinates, effective angles, and concavity/convexity attributes—into quantifiable deployment scoring and density functions. The method implements a multi-objective balanced control system by introducing advanced engineering metrics such as key floor assurance, central area weighting, spatial dispersion, vertical continuity, and torsional restraint. This approach ensures the final sensor configuration is scientifically rigorous and highly representative of the structure’s critical dynamic responses. Validation on both simple and complex Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame structures consistently demonstrates that the system successfully achieves a rational sensor allocation under budget constraints. The placement strategy is physically informed, concentrating sensors at critical floors (base, top, and mid-level) and strategically utilizing external corner points to maximize the capture of torsional and shear responses. Compared with traditional methods, the proposed approach has distinct advantages in automation, quantification, and adaptability to complex geometries. It generates a reproducible installation manifest (including coordinates, sensor types, and angle classification) that directly meets engineering implementation needs. This work provides a new, efficient technical pathway for establishing a systematic and sustainable seismic risk monitoring platform. Full article

Lead (Pb) has progressively become ubiquitous due to widespread use. The liver represents a target of Pb toxicity due to its central role in metabolism and detoxification. The mechanisms of Pb hepatotoxicity have not yet been fully elucidated, although oxidative stress and iron dysregulation suggest the involvement of the ferroptosis pathway. It has been hypothesized that exposure to environmental Pb concentrations induces the activation of ferroptosis as a mechanism involved in Pb hepatotoxicity, an iron-mediated regulated cell death. To test this hypothesis, we exposed adult zebrafish to environmentally relevant Pb concentrations (2.5 and 5 μg/L), combining ultrastructural analysis (TEM) with the study of key markers of ferroptosis (GPX4, SLC7A11, NRF2, KEAP1 and ACSL4). The results demonstrated that Pb exposure induced dose-dependent and progressive mitochondrial damage in hepatocytes, characterized by loss of cristae and membrane rupture. At the same time, consistent with a ferroptotic molecular profile, increased expression of ACSL4, reduced levels of the protective factors NRF2, KEAP1 and SLC7A11, and altered expression of GPX4 were observed. Overall, our data collectively identify ferroptosis as a pathogenic pathway in Pb-induced hepatotoxicity. Full article

Background: Vancomycin is a critically important antimicrobial in human medicine, and vancomycin-non-susceptible enterococci represent a One Health concern when animal reservoirs contribute to the wider resistance ecology. We aimed to characterize vancomycin non-susceptibility among poultry-derived Enterococcus spp. from Hungary, using a combined phenotypic–genomic approach. Methods: Following a phenotypic pre-screen with antimicrobials authorized for poultry, 218 isolates with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were selected for extended broth microdilution testing including vancomycin. Vancomycin susceptibility was interpreted using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) clinical breakpoints and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on a targeted multidrug resistant (MDR) subset (n = 42), enriched for elevated or borderline vancomycin MICs and stratified by region and host species (chicken, turkey), and resistance determinants were annotated against the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) using stringent similarity/coverage thresholds. Results: Among the 218 pre-screened isolates (126 from chickens; 92 from turkeys), 196 (89.9%) met MDR criteria. For vancomycin, 15.6% of isolates were resistant and 9.2% intermediate by CLSI, while EUCAST ECOFF classification placed 34.9% in the non-wild-type group. The vancomycin MIC distribution was right shifted, with high-end MICs observed. In the sequenced subset, vancomycin-associated determinants consistent with the vanC pathway (including regulatory and auxiliary components) were detected in five isolates. Beyond vancomycin-related determinants, the WGS subset harbored common resistance genes consistent with the observed multidrug-resistant phenotypes. Conclusions: Vancomycin non-susceptibility was detected among pre-screened poultry-derived Enterococcus isolates in Hungary, and genomic analysis revealed vanC-associated and other peptide antibiotic resistance signatures. These findings support targeted One Health surveillance integrating MIC distributions with genomic resistance determinants in food animal reservoirs. Full article

Phenolic acids of plant origin are recognized as key bioactive compounds with potential for both internal and topical applications. Although some of these phytochemicals are used for skin care and to improve wound healing, oligomeric derivatives of rosmarinic acid (RA) remain poorly characterized in this context. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of salvianolic acid H (SA H) and yunnaneic acid B (YA B) in experimental models related to wound-healing, specifically in skin cells (HaCaT keratinocyte and NHDF fibroblast lines), THP1-ASC-GFP monocytes, and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Both SA H and YA B reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine release from HaCaT, NHDF, and PBMCs with efficacy comparable to or exceeding that of RA. Analyses of intracellular pathways of inflammatory response revealed that SA H and YA B were also efficient inhibitors of inflammasome formation in THP1-ASC-GFP reporter cells. Furthermore, SA H showed significant inhibitory effects on the activities of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase (IC₅₀ = 11.53 µg/mL and 2.41 µg/mL, respectively). None of the examined acids influenced the hemostatic system at concentrations of 1–5 μg/mL. At 50 μg/mL, a slight increase in plasma clotting rate was observed for SA H and RA. These findings indicate that SA H and YA B, two naturally occurring oligomeric derivatives of RA, exert significant anti-inflammatory activity and represent promising agents for further studies on their use to improve wound healing. Full article

Urban Heat Island effects and the general rise in outdoor temperatures are increasing the cooling demand in buildings. As a consequence, electrical cooling systems are becoming more common, increasing energy consumption and thus resulting in negative environmental impacts. Optimizing passive solutions that require no energy input can provide substantial benefits for building energy efficiency and urban sustainability. This study presents a research activity, financed by the EU-funded project LIFE SUPERHERO, that enhances existing roofing technologies based on passive cooling; defines an experimental method to assess their benefits in terms of energy savings; and finally evaluates their effectiveness in future climate scenarios based on greenhouse gas Representative Concentration Pathways across a set of mid-temperate/hot climate locations, also in comparison with traditional unventilated roofs. A new Climate Adaptation Efficiency Index (CAEI) was introduced to evaluate the energy efficiency potential of buildings equipped with highly ventilated and permeable clay tile roofs compared to a baseline scenario without the intervention. The results confirm the potential of ventilated and air-permeable roofs to reduce incoming heat flux and support cooling energy-efficiency planning. Indeed, CAEI values were above 20%, reaching 45–50% in hot Mediterranean and arid climates and 28–33% in cooler/temperate contexts. Under future climate scenarios, benefits further increase in the hottest Mediterranean locations, reaching up to 66%, while rising to about 44% in temperate climates, with an average increase of 10–15 percentage points, highlighting the strong potential of highly ventilated and air-permeable clay tile roofs as an effective, affordable, sustainable, and easy-to-install climate adaptation strategy. Full article

Industrial heritage—particularly large modern cement plants—serves as a crucial witness to the architectural and technological evolution of modern urbanization. In Europe, North America, and East Asia, many decommissioned cement factories have been transformed into cultural venues, creative districts, or urban landmarks, while a greater number of sites still face the risks of functional decline and spatial disappearance. In China, early large-scale cement plants have received limited attention in international industrial heritage research, and their conservation and adaptive reuse practices remain underdeveloped. This study takes the Huaxin Cement Plant, founded in 1907, as the research object. As the birthplace of China’s modern cement industry, it preserves the world’s only complete wet-process rotary kiln production line, representing exceptional rarity and typological significance. Combining social media perception analysis with the Hidalgo-Giralt four-quadrant model, the study aims to clarify the plant’s value positioning and propose a design-oriented pathway for spatial activation. Based on 378 short videos and 75,001 words of textual data collected from five major platforms, the study conducts a value-tag analysis of public perceptions across five dimensions—historical, technological, social, aesthetic, and economic. Two composite indicators, Cultural Representativeness (CR) and Utilization Intensity (UI), are further established to evaluate the relationship between heritage value and spatial performance. The findings indicate that (1) historical and aesthetic values dominate public perception, whereas social and economic values are significantly underrepresented; (2) the Huaxin Cement Plant falls within the “high cultural representativeness/low utilization intensity” quadrant, revealing concentrated heritage value but insufficient spatial activation; (3) the gap between value cognition and spatial transformation primarily arises from limited public accessibility, weak interpretive narratives, and a lack of immersive experience. In response, the study proposes five optimization strategies: expanding public access, building a multi-layered interpretive system, introducing immersive and interactive design, integrating into the Yangtze River Industrial Heritage Corridor, and encouraging community co-participation. As a representative case of modern Chinese industrial heritage distinguished by its integrity and scarcity, the Huaxin Cement Plant not only enriches the understanding of industrial heritage typology in China but also provides a methodological paradigm for the “value positioning–spatial utilization–heritage activation” framework, bearing both international comparability and disciplinary methodological significance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) represents one of the major contributors to morbidity and mortality in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet its underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely defined. Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, has emerged as a key regulator of inflammation, fibroblast activation, and tissue remodeling. However, its role in RA patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) has not been fully elucidated. We aimed to investigate circulating levels of Activin A, Follistatin-Like Protein-1 (FSTL1), and Follistatin-Like Protein-3 (FSTL3) in patients with RA, RA-ILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and healthy controls and explore their associations with disease activity and pulmonary function parameters. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 participants: healthy controls (n = 20), RA (n = 25), RA-ILD (n = 21), and IPF (n = 24). Serum biomarkers were quantified using validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, disease activity indices, and pulmonary function tests were recorded. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Results: Circulating Activin A levels were progressively increased from controls to RA, RA-ILD, and IPF, with significantly higher concentrations in all disease groups relative to controls. FSTL1 levels were significantly reduced in RA-ILD patients compared with RA and controls, while FSTL3 levels were markedly elevated in IPF. Activin A did not correlate with disease activity indices or pulmonary function parameters, whereas FSTL1 correlated positively with diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide and disease duration, and FSTL3 showed an inverse association with lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusions: Activin A may be associated with the fibroinflammatory burden in both RA-ILD and IPF. The observation of altered circulating levels of Follistatin-like proteins—key regulatory molecules with multifaceted biological functions—suggests that the underlying pathogenesis is complex and governed by tightly regulated, interconnected signaling pathways. Full article

Background and Objectives: Intermittent fasting (IF) has emerged as a nutritional strategy capable of modulating circadian alignment, metabolic efficiency, and neuroendocrine regulation in individuals with obesity. Among the neurobiological mediators potentially involved, Orexin-A—a hypothalamic neuropeptide regulating arousal, appetite, and energy balance—may represent a key link between fasting patterns and metabolic homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term metabolic and neuroendocrine effects of two intermittent fasting protocols, time-restricted feeding (16:8) and alternate-day fasting (5:2), compared with a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet used as a reference condition. Materials and Methods: Thirty adults with obesity (aged 20–40 years) were allocated to one of three dietary interventions—low-calorie Mediterranean diet, IF 16:8, or IF 5:2—based on habitual dietary patterns and followed prospectively for 12 months. Anthropometric parameters, metabolic indices, inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), and circulating Orexin-A concentrations were assessed at baseline and at three-month intervals (T0–T3). Results: Both intermittent fasting protocols induced more rapid improvements in body mass index, adiposity, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and inflammatory markers compared with the Mediterranean diet. Among the IF strategies, the 16:8 regimen showed the most consistent and physiologically coherent pattern of adaptation, characterized by a progressive and sustained increase in Orexin-A levels. This response was strongly associated with enhanced metabolic flexibility, reduced systemic inflammation, and improved energy regulation over time. In contrast, the 5:2 protocol produced more variable metabolic and neuroendocrine responses, likely due to alternating cycles of marked caloric restriction and compensatory intake. Conclusions: Intermittent fasting, particularly the 16:8 time-restricted feeding protocol, appears to be an effective and sustainable chrononutritional strategy for obesity management. By reinforcing circadian organization, improving inflammatory balance, and activating orexinergic pathways, the 16:8 model emerges as a promising intervention to address key metabolic and neuroendocrine dysfunctions associated with obesity. Full article

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) represents an environmentally friendly pathway for converting 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into the high-value chemical 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF). However, its selectivity and Faradaic efficiency are often constrained by competitive hydrogen evolution at the cathode and insufficient supply of active hydrogen at the surface. To address this challenge, this study developed an Ir-decorated copper oxide nanowire catalyst (denoted as CuIr) featuring a hydrogen-rich adsorption (H_ads) surface. The incorporation of Ir significantly enhances the catalyst’s water dissociation capacity, creating abundant H_ads sources that selectively accelerate HMF hydrogenation while suppressing side reactions. Under a mild applied potential of −0.45 V vs. RHE and a current density of approximately −20 mA cm⁻², the optimal CuIr₄₀ catalyst achieved near-complete conversion of HMF (99%), a BHMF yield of 99%, and a high Faradaic efficiency of 97% within 120 min of electrolysis. Mechanistic studies reveal that this catalytic leap stems from the synergistic functional interaction between Cu and Ir sites in substrate activation and hydrogen supply. This work presents a novel strategy for designing efficient electrocatalysts for biomass hydrogenation by regulating surface H_ads concentration. Full article