Search Results (2,300)

The incidence of kidney diseases has been increasing due to changes in modern lifestyles and the ecological environment. The progression of kidney disease is characterized by ongoing renal damage and a gradual decline in renal function, ultimately leading to end-stage renal disease. The limitations of present medications have brought many disadvantages to patients. Consequently, identifying bioactive molecules has emerged as a critical strategy in the development of novel therapies for kidney diseases, particularly those derived from natural medicinal resources. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of renoprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of the medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi based on evidence retrieved from multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and CNKI. Flavonoids from S. baicalensis have been demonstrated to have good renoprotective properties by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress, inhibiting cell apoptosis, reducing renal fibrosis, etc. Baicalein, wogonin, baicalin, and wogonoside are considered as the main bioactive components of the renoprotective effect of S. baicalensis. Further research on candidate molecules derived from S. baicalensis represents a promising strategy for the development of novel therapeutic agents targeting kidney diseases. Full article

The impacts of flooding on people’s livelihoods are profound. Therefore, the rapid restoration of safe conditions in existing buildings post-flood, through rational and effective emergency strengthening, constitutes a most urgent priority. Focusing on the specific challenges of flood-induced damage to buildings, coupled with the constraints of limited resources and time-sensitive conditions after a disaster, this study established an indicator system for prioritizing emergency strengthening schemes for existing buildings after floods. A dedicated prioritization model is developed by integrating Prospect Theory and a combination weighting method. The application of this model to a practical engineering case verifies its feasibility and effectiveness. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can rationally and efficiently select the optimal scheme, thereby providing new insights for the quantitative selection of optimal emergency strengthening schemes for existing buildings after floods. This study also highlights the model’s transferability to different disaster scenarios, while its limitations were discussed and future research directions outlined. Full article

Introduction: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a critical condition that affects 20–30% of people with acute pancreatitis (AP). Prompt detection and accurate classification are crucial to direct prompt interventions, increase resource allocation, and improve patient outcomes. Current scoring systems, while beneficial, frequently face challenges related to speed, complexity, and early predictive accuracy. Method: We developed and validated an effective six-parameter risk assessment scale for AP, incorporating pancreatic-specific biomarkers (trypsinogen-activating peptide [TAP], trypsin-2), systemic inflammation markers (C-reactive protein), pancreatic enzyme concentrations, blood glucose, and patient age. The study cohort included 104 patient samples. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman–Brown coefficients, factorial validity was determined by principal component analysis, and predictive validity was analyzed using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Biotemporal changes at 24 and 48 h were assessed to classify risk scoring. Results: The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.72) and a distinct structure with two factors representing local pancreatic damage and systemic inflammation, explaining 65% of the variability. Logistic regression established predictive validity for serious outcomes, with TAP and trypsin-2 showing significant correlations. ROC analysis demonstrated remarkable discriminative capacity (AUC = 0.85), showing a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 76.8%. Assessment of temporal biomarkers showed a reduction in TAP, signifying resolution of the initial enzymatic activation, while trypsin-2 levels continued to increase, indicating persistent damage to the pancreatic tissue. Patients were classified into low-, moderate- and high-risk groups, facilitating practical clinical decision-making. Discussion and Conclusions: This six-parameter risk score provides a rapid, biologically based, and clinically useful method for early detection of patients at risk for SAP. Combining indicators of local pancreatic involvement with systemic inflammation allows for prompt triage, improves the allocation of intensive therapy, and supports informed prognostic conversations. Full article

Maintaining the stability of the mine roadway is of paramount importance, as it is critical in ensuring the daily operational continuity, personnel safety, long-term economic viability, and sustainability of the entire mining operation. Significant instability can trigger serious disruptions—such as production stoppages, equipment damage, and severe safety incidents—which ultimately compromise the project’s financial returns and future prospects. Therefore, the proactive assessment and rigorous control of roadway stability constitute a foundational element of successful and sustainable resource extraction. In China, thick and extra-thick coal seams constitute over 44% of the total recoverable coal reserves. Consequently, their safe and efficient extraction is considered vital in guaranteeing energy security and enhancing the efficiency of resource utilization. The surrounding rock of gob-side roadways in typical coal seams is often fractured due to high ground stress, intensive mining disturbances, and overhanging goaf roofs. Consequently, asymmetric failure patterns such as bolt failure, steel belt tearing, anchor cable fracture, and shoulder corner convergence are common in these entries, which pose a serious threat to mine safety and sustainable mining operations. This deformation and failure process is associated with several parameters, including the coal seam thickness, mining technology, and surrounding rock properties, and can lead to engineering hazards such as roof subsidence, rib spalling, and floor heave. This study proposes countermeasures against asymmetric deformation affecting gob-side entries under intensive mining pressure during the fully mechanized caving of extra-thick coal seams. This research selects the 8110 working face of a representative coal mine as the case study. Through integrated field investigation and engineering analysis, the principal factors governing entry stability are identified, and effective control strategies are subsequently proposed. An elastic foundation beam model is developed, and the corresponding deflection differential equation is formulated. The deflection and stress distributions of the immediate roof beam are thereby determined. A systematic analysis of the asymmetric deformation mechanism and its principal influencing factors is conducted using the control variable method. A support approach employing a mechanical constant-resistance single prop (MCRSP) has been developed and validated through practical application. The findings demonstrate that the frequently observed asymmetric deformation in gob-side entries is primarily induced by the combined effect of the working face’s front abutment pressure and the lateral pressure originating from the neighboring goaf area. It is found that parameters including the immediate roof thickness, roadway span, and its peak stress have a significant influence on entry convergence. Under both primary and secondary mining conditions, the maximum subsidence shows an inverse relationship with the immediate roof thickness, while exhibiting a positive correlation with both the roadway span and the peak stress. Based on the theoretical analysis, an advanced support scheme, which centers on the application of an MCRSP, is designed. Field monitoring data confirm that the peak roof subsidence and two-side closure are successfully limited to 663 mm and 428 mm, respectively. This support method leads to a notable reduction in roof separation and surrounding rock deformation, thereby establishing a theoretical and technical foundation for the green and safe mining of deep extra-thick coal seams. Full article

Biology overlaps for humans and non-humans; so, there is only one biology and humans are animals. All human biological functions can also be found, to some degree, in other animal species. Examples mentioned are DNA and characteristics; cell type and structure; efficiency of muscles and other locomotor mechanisms; efficiency of immune and other body protection mechanisms; sensory functioning; cognition and memory; specific cognitive abilities; and ability to have moral concepts and behave in a moral way. What is the current status of humans? Humans are destroying many other species in the world, as well as whole habitats and ecosystems. Since resources important for humans are amongst those being harmed, and there is, at present, little sign of sufficient change in human behaviour, humans themselves are amongst the species that could be destroyed. Long before this happens, immoral damage to many non-human individuals and much of the rest of the world is occurring. The change in attitude needed for all humans is to place less value on immediate human benefit and more value on benefit for our fellow beings in the world. When the word ‘we’ is used, it should not just include humans. It should, at least, include all sentient beings. Full article

Edible Grass (EG) is a hybrid vegetable variety valued for its high biomass and protein content, garnering significant interest in recent years for its potential in food, feed, and health product applications. However, in subtropical climates, intense light and high temperatures severely affect the growth and development of Edible Grass (EG), leading to substantial reductions in yield and quality. This study was conducted in the subtropical humid monsoon climate zone of Changsha, Hunan, China, comparing two growth conditions: natural light (CK) and shading treatment (ST). High light-aggravated heat damage under CK significantly reduced EG yield and quality (p < 0.05), with severe cases leading to plant death. and could even lead to plant death in severe cases. Specifically, maximum air and leaf temperatures under CK reached 38.85 °C and 38.14 °C, respectively, well exceeding the plant’s optimal growth range. Shading treatment (ST) effectively alleviated this damage, significantly increasing the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO₂ concentration, while decreasing leaf temperature and transpiration rate (p < 0.001). The analysis of physiological and biochemical indicators indicates that after ST, the activities of SOD, CAT, and POD in the leaves decreased, while the contents of MDA and H₂O₂ were significantly lower compared to the CK group (p < 0.001). The transcriptome sequencing results indicate that a total of 8004 DEGs were identified under shading treatment (ST) relative to natural light (CK), with 3197 genes upregulated and 4807 genes downregulated. Significantly enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms include ‘cell membrane’, ‘extracellular region’, and ‘protein kinase activity’, while significantly enriched KEGG metabolic pathways include ‘plant hormone signal transduction’, ‘photosynthesis–antenna proteins’, and ‘glutathione metabolism’. Compared to CK, the expression of genes associated with oxidative stress (e.g., CAT1, OXR1, APX, GPX) was significantly downregulated in ST, indicating a relief from light-aggravated heat stress. This transcriptional reprogramming was corroborated by metabolomic data, which showed reduced accumulation of key flavonoid compounds, aligning with the downregulation of their biosynthetic genes as well as genes encoding heat shock proteins (e.g., Hsp40, Hsp70, Hsp90). It indicated that plants switch from a ‘ROS stress–high energy defense’ mode to a ‘low oxidative pressure–resource-saving’ mode. Collectively, ST significantly alleviated the physiological damage of forage grasses under heat stress by modulating the processing of endoplasmic reticulum heat stress proteins, plant hormones, and related genes and metabolic pathways, thereby improving photosynthetic efficiency and yield. The findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the cultivation management of EG, particularly in subtropical regions, where shade treatment serves as an effective agronomic strategy to significantly enhance the stress resistance and yield of EG. Full article

Background: Pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections pose severe threats to children’s health globally. This study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a novel Sabin strain-based adsorbed pentavalent vaccine (DTacP-sIPV/Hib), which offers potential advantages in biosafety and cost-effectiveness compared to wild-type poliovirus-based vaccines. Methods: A repeated-dose toxicity study was conducted in 190 Sprague-Dawley rats, randomly divided into negative control, adjuvant control, low-dose, and high-dose groups. Animals received five intramuscular injections at 21-day intervals, followed by a 56-day recovery period. Parameters assessed included local reactions, body temperature, hematology, serum biochemistry, coagulation, histopathology, T-cell subsets, cytokine levels, and antigen-specific immunogenicity. Results: The primary adverse reaction was dose-dependent local muscle swelling, which was fully reversible within 3–21 days. Only transient body temperature fluctuations and adjuvant-related hematological/biochemical abnormalities were observed, all resolving after the recovery period. No vaccine-related damage occurred in hepatic/renal function or immune organs. Immunogenicity data showed 100% seroconversion for all bacterial components 21 days after the first dose. The high-dose group achieved 100% seropositivity for all poliovirus serotypes after the second dose, while the low-dose group reached the same after the third dose, with no significant difference in antibody levels between dose groups. Conclusions: The DTacP-sIPV/Hib vaccine exhibits a favorable safety profile and robust immunogenicity in rats, supporting its further clinical development. The use of Sabin strains reduces biosafety risks and manufacturing costs, making this vaccine a promising candidate for immunization programs, especially in resource-limited regions. Full article

Global freshwater scarcity necessitates the exploitation of alternative water resources for aquaculture. Chloride-type saline-alkaline water, characterized by high salinity but moderate pH, is widely distributed in arid regions worldwide and represents a vast, underutilized resource. This study comprehensively evaluated the potential of the endemic Ili perch (Perca schrenkii) for aquaculture in such environments. Through acute stress experiments, we determined its 96 h median lethal salinity (LC₅₀) to be 12.396 ppt, with a safe concentration of 3.72 ppt. Physiological analysis revealed a critical salinity threshold of 13 ppt, beyond which osmoregulatory collapse (indicated by plasma Na⁺/K⁺ dysregulation and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase suppression), oxidative damage (elevated malondialdehyde), and immune suppression occurred. In contrast, chronic 60-day exposure to salinities up to 7 ppt demonstrated successful long-term acclimation. Acclimated fish re-established ion homeostasis, as plasma ion levels normalized, and exhibited sustained antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT) and immune parameter (AKP, ACP, IgM) activities without signs of damage. Our findings establish P. schrenkii as a highly promising species for chloride-type saline-alkaline aquaculture. The study provides a physiological framework for its adaptation and offers evidence-based salinity guidelines for its sustainable cultivation, thereby contributing to the expansion of aquaculture into non-traditional water resources. Full article

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), a major metabolite of aflatoxin, is a highly toxic carcinogen. It frequently contaminates feed due to improper storage of feed ingredients such as corn and peanut meal, with the contamination risk further escalating alongside the increasing incorporation of plant-based proteins in feed formulations. Upon entering an organism, AFB₁ is metabolized into highly reactive derivatives, which trigger an oxidative stress-inflammation vicious cycle by binding to biological macromolecules, damaging cellular structures, activating apoptotic and inflammatory pathways, and inhibiting antioxidant systems. This cascade leads to stunted growth, impaired immunity, and multisystem dysfunction in animals. Long-term accumulation can also compromise reproductive function, induce carcinogenesis, and pose risks to human health through residues in the food chain. Tannins are natural polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in plants which exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and can effectively mitigate the toxicity of AFB₁. They can repair intestinal damage by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and up-regulating the gene expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, regulate the balance of intestinal flora, and improve intestinal structure. Meanwhile, tannins can activate antioxidant signaling pathways, up-regulate the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes to enhance antioxidant capacity, exert anti-inflammatory effects by regulating inflammation-related signaling pathways, further reduce DNA damage, and decrease cell apoptosis and pyroptosis through such means as down-regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. This review summarizes the main harm of AFB₁ to animals and the mitigating mechanisms of tannins, aiming to provide references for the resource development of tannins and healthy animal farming. Full article

Logistics involves planning and managing resources to meet customer demands. Its effectiveness depends not only on time and process coordination but also on the performance of logistics operators, whose actions directly affect customer satisfaction. Although operational risks are inherent to logistics, customer-oriented service failures are often overlooked in traditional risk assessment. To address this gap, this study proposes an integrated approach that combines a Pareto Diagram and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) within the ISO 31000 risk assessment framework. This structured method enables the identification and prioritization of logistics failures based on customer complaints, thereby supporting data-driven decision-making and continuous service improvement. Applied to a real-world case in a ceramic production line specializing in tableware manufacturing, the method identified and evaluated key logistics failures; particularly those related to late deliveries and damaged goods. Based on these findings, improvement actions were proposed to reduce the recurrence of these issues. This study contributes a structured, practical, and replicable approach for organizations to introduce risk assessment practices and enhance the service quality of logistics management. This study advances the literature by shifting the focus from internal production failures to customer-driven service risks, offering strategic insights for improving reliability and operational performance. Full article

To promote the sustainable utilization of desert sand as a regional resource in the infrastructure construction of saline-alkali areas, this paper proposes an accelerated test method based on the coupling of an external electric field (60 V) and a 2% Na₂SO₄ solution for rapid evaluation of its sulfate erosion resistance. The optimal mix proportion (FA 10%, water-to-binder ratio 0.33, cement-to-sand ratio 1:1.5, SF 10%) was determined through orthogonal experiments. By employing multi-scale analytical techniques including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TG-DTG), the differentiated deterioration mechanisms driven by the electric field were systematically revealed. The results show that the charge-transfer resistance (Rct) decreased by about 95% within 28 d, demonstrating the characteristic of “micro-scale deterioration preceding macro-scale strength loss.” The anode region was dominated by dissolution of hydration products (porosity 5.1%), while the cathode region, due to enrichment of sulfate ions (S content 3.37 wt.%), generated a large amount of expansive products, leading to more pronounced structural damage (porosity 8.3%) and greater mass loss (cathode 12.56% > anode 9.85%). This study not only elucidates the deterioration mechanisms of desert sand concrete under coupled environmental action, but also provides a mechanism-explicit, rapid and efficient laboratory evaluation method for its sulfate resistance, offering practical guidance for durability design and prevention in engineering structures exposed to saline-alkali conditions. Full article

This study addresses the challenges of low-pressure oil well workover operations, namely, severe loss of water-based workover fluid, significant reservoir damage from conventional temporary plugging agents, and slow production recovery, by focusing on the yet-mechanistically unclear “fuzzy-ball workover fluid.” Laboratory experiments combined with field data were used to evaluate its plugging performance and reservoir-protective mechanisms. In sand-filled tubes (diameter 25 mm, length 20–100 cm) sealed with the fuzzy-ball fluid, the formation’s bearing capacity increased by 3.25–18.59 MPa, showing a positive correlation with the plugging radius. Compatibility tests demonstrated that mixtures of crude oil and workover fluid (1:1) or crude oil, workover fluid, and water (1:1:1) held at 60 °C for 80 h exhibited only minor apparent viscosity reductions of 4 mPa·s and 2 mPa·s, respectively, indicating good stability. After successful plugging, a 1% ammonium persulfate solution was injected for 2 h to break the gel; permeability recovery rates reached 112–127%, confirming low reservoir damage and effective gel-break de-blocking. Field data from five wells (formation pressure coefficients 0.49–0.64) showed per-well fluid consumption of 33–83 m³ and post-workover liquid production index recoveries of 5.90–53.30%. Multivariate regression established mathematical relationships among bearing capacity, production index recovery, and fourteen geological engineering parameters, identifying the plugging radius as a key factor. Larger radii enhance both temporary plugging strength and production recovery without harming the reservoir, and they promote production by expanding the cleaning zone. In summary, the fuzzy-ball workover fluid achieves an integrated “high-efficiency plugging–low-damage gel-break–synergistic cleaning” mechanism, resolving the trade-off between temporary-plugging strength and production recovery in low-pressure wells and offering an innovative, environmentally friendly solution for the sustainable and efficient exploitation of oil–gas resources. Full article

Cyberattacks targeting industrial control systems can produce environmental damage by disrupting energy production, altering chemical processes, or forcing reliance on more carbon-intensive backup resources. Yet, the environmental dimension of cybersecurity risk is rarely quantified. This paper examines the connection between cybersecurity and sustainability by comparing the environmental impact of cyber-induced power plant disruption with the life cycle emissions involved in deploying cybersecurity monitoring solutions. We present a quantitative scenario in which a cyberattack forces a temporary disconnection of a power generation unit from the grid, leading to additional CO₂ emissions primarily from wasted fuel during the operational disruption and subsequent reconnection procedures. The resulting carbon footprint is then compared with the emissions associated with implementing a continuous monitoring system designed to prevent such incidents. The results demonstrate that the installation and operation of a continuous monitoring system has a negligible environmental impact (below 5 tCO₂ over five years) compared to the emissions resulting from a single 12 h outage event (460–836 tCO₂), even when considering only the direct fuel waste. These findings position cybersecurity investment as a climate-positive strategy for the energy sector. Full article

Accurate mapping of hurricane-induced damage is essential for guiding rapid disaster response and long-term recovery planning. This study evaluates the Three-Dimensional Multi-Attributes, Multiscale, Multi-Cloud (3DMASC) framework for semantic classification of pre- and post-hurricane Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, using Mexico Beach, Florida, as a case study following Hurricane Michael. The goal was to assess the framework’s ability to classify stable landscape features and detect damage-specific classes in a highly complex post-disaster environment. Bitemporal topo-bathymetric LiDAR datasets from 2017 (pre-event) and 2018 (post-event) were processed to extract more than 80 geometric, radiometric, and echo-based features at multiple spatial scales. A Random Forest classifier was trained on a 2.37 km² pre-hurricane area (Zone A) and evaluated on an independent 0.95 km² post-hurricane area (Zone B). Pre-hurricane classification achieved an overall accuracy of 0.9711, with stable classes such as ground, water, and buildings achieving precision and recall exceeding 0.95. Post-hurricane classification maintained similar accuracy; however, damage-related classes exhibited lower performance, with debris reaching an F1-score of 0.77, damaged buildings 0.58, and vehicles recording a recall of only 0.13. These results indicate that the workflow is effective for rapid mapping of persistent structures, with additional refinements needed for detailed damage classification. Misclassifications were concentrated along class boundaries and in structurally ambiguous areas, consistent with known LiDAR limitations in disaster contexts. These results demonstrate the robustness and spatial transferability of the 3DMASC–Random Forest approach for disaster mapping. Integrating multispectral data, improving small-object representation, and incorporating automated debris volume estimation could further enhance classification reliability, enabling faster, more informed post-disaster decision-making. By enabling rapid, accurate damage mapping, this approach supports sustainable disaster recovery, resource-efficient debris management, and resilience planning in hurricane-prone regions. Full article

Floods rank among the most destructive natural hazards worldwide. In Canada’s capital region—Ottawa and its surrounding areas—flood prediction is crucial, especially in flood-prone zones, to improve flood mitigation strategies, given its historical record-breaking events in 2017 and 2019, which resulted in substantial damage to homes and infrastructure in the region. Previous studies in these regions typically did not use remote sensing techniques or advanced methods to enhance flood susceptibility prediction and extent mapping. This study addressed the gap by incorporating 18 flood conditioning factors and integrating high-performance machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machines and XGBoost to develop ensemble flood susceptibility models. The HEC-RAS 2D model was used to simulate hydrodynamic variables based on a 100-year flood scenario. The developed ensemble model for flood susceptibility prediction achieved strong performance (Kappa, F1-score, and AUC all above 0.979) and demonstrated model transferability, maintaining high accuracy (Kappa > 0.850, F1-score > 0.920, AUC > 0.990) when applied to other sub-regions. The hydraulic model reveals that flood velocity and depth differ across sub-regions, reaching maximums of 15 m/s and 15 m, respectively. SHAP analysis indicates Elevation, Handmodel, MNDWI, NDWI, and Aspect are key factors influencing floods. These findings and methods help Natural Resources Canada develop tools and policies for effective flood risk reduction in the Ottawa River watershed and similar regions. Full article