Search Results (5,748)

Floods represent one of the most significant climate-related hazards, particularly in regions with complex topographies and variable precipitation patterns. This study assesses flood-prone areas within the Mantaro watershed, Peru, using Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and morphometric analysis. The methodology integrates digital elevation models (DEMs) with hydrological parameters, applying weighted sum analysis to classify 18 sub-watersheds into different flood priority levels. Morphometric parameters, including basin relief, drainage density, and slope, were analyzed to establish correlations between watershed morphology and flood susceptibility. The results indicate that approximately 74.38% of the watershed exhibits high to very high flood risk, with the most vulnerable sub-watersheds characterized by steep slopes, high drainage densities, and compact morphometric configurations. The correlation matrix confirms that watershed topography significantly influences surface runoff behavior, underscoring the necessity of incorporating geospatial analysis into flood risk assessment frameworks. The classification of sub-watersheds into priority levels provides a scientific basis for optimizing resource allocation in flood mitigation strategies. This study highlights the importance of integrating advanced geospatial technologies, such as GISs and remote sensing, into hydrological risk assessments. The findings emphasize the need for proactive watershed management, including the use of real-time monitoring and digital tools for climate adaptation. Future research should explore the influence of land-use changes and climate variability on flood dynamics to enhance predictive modeling. These insights contribute to evidence-based decision-making for disaster risk reduction, reinforcing resilience in climate-sensitive regions. Full article

This study presents an integrated geomechanical modeling framework for predicting multi-scale fracture networks and their activity in the Longmaxi Formation shale reservoir, northern Luzhou region, southeastern Sichuan Basin—an area shaped by complex, multi-phase tectonic deformation that poses significant challenges for resource prospecting. The workflow begins with quantitative characterization of key mechanical parameters, including uniaxial compressive strength, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and tensile strength, obtained from core experiments and log-based inversion. These parameters form the foundation for multi-phase finite element simulations that reconstruct paleo- and present-day stress fields associated with the Indosinian (NW–SE compression), Yanshanian (NWW–SEE compression), and Himalayan (near W–E compression) deformation phases. Optimized Mohr–Coulomb and tensile failure criteria, coupled with a multi-phase stress superposition algorithm, enable quantitative prediction of fracture density, aperture, and orientation through successive tectonic cycles. The results reveal that the Longmaxi Formation’s high brittleness and lithological heterogeneity interact with evolving stress regimes to produce fracture systems that are strongly anisotropic and phase-dependent: initial NE–SW-oriented domains established during the Indosinian phase were intensified during Yanshanian reactivation, while Himalayan uplift induced regional stress attenuation with limited new fracture formation. The cumulative stress effects yield fracture networks concentrated along NE–SW fold axes, fault zones, and intersection zones. By integrating geomechanical predictions with seismic attributes and borehole observations, the study constructs a discrete fracture network that captures both large-scale tectonic fractures and small-scale features beyond seismic resolution. Fracture activity is further assessed using friction coefficient analysis, delineating zones of high activity along fold–fault intersections and stress concentration areas. This principle-driven approach demonstrates how mechanical characterization, stress field evolution, and fracture mechanics can be combined into a unified predictive tool, offering a transferable methodology for structurally complex, multi-deformation reservoirs. Beyond its relevance to shale gas development, the framework exemplifies how advanced geomechanical modeling can enhance resource prospecting efficiency and accuracy in diverse geological settings. Full article

Groundwater resource management involves complex socio-hydrological systems characterized by dynamic feedback, uncertainty, and common misconceptions among decision-makers. While deterministic models like MODFLOW simulate physical hydrology effectively, they fall short in capturing the social, legal, and behavioral dynamics shaping groundwater use. System dynamics (SD) modeling offers a robust alternative by incorporating feedback loops, delays, and nonlinearities. Yet, model conceptualization remains one of the most challenging steps in SD practice. Experienced modelers often apply a “Lego-like” approach—assembling new models from pre-validated sub-models. However, this strategy depends on access to well-documented sub-model libraries, which are typically unavailable to newcomers. To address this barrier, we systematically review and classify socio-economic sub-models from existing groundwater SD literature, organizing them by system archetypes and generic structures. The resulting modular library offers a practical resource that supports newcomers in building structured, scalable models. This approach improves conceptual clarity, enhances model reusability, and facilitates faster development of SD models tailored to groundwater systems. The study concludes by identifying directions for future research, including expanding the sub-model library, clarifying criteria for base-model selection, improving integration methods, and applying these approaches through diverse case studies to further strengthen the robustness and utility of groundwater SD modeling. Full article

Dendrobium huoshanense, an endangered orchid species, is renowned for its polysaccharides with vast pharmacological significance in stems. Phosphomannomutase (PMM) critically regulates polysaccharide accumulation. Transcriptional regulation of DhPMM remains poorly characterized. This study employed a yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) system to identify upstream regulators of DhPMM. The 2.15 kb DhPMM promoter was cloned, revealing multiple stress- and hormone-responsive cis-elements (e.g., ABRE, MYC, ERF). A high-complexity Y1H library (3.60 × 10⁹ CFU) was constructed with insert sizes averaging 1–2 kb. Screening using aureobasidin A (AbA)-resistant Y1HGold [pAbAi-DhPMM] identified 11 candidate clones, including four transcription factor families (DOF, NAC, ERF, BES1). Interactions were rigorously confirmed by pairwise Y1H showing AbA-resistant growth and dual-luciferase assays demonstrating DhPMM activation. This represents the first functional cDNA library resource for D. huoshanense and identification of TFs interacting with DhPMM. The discovery of TFs belonging to DOF, NAC, ERF, and BES1 families as DhPMM regulators elucidated the transcriptional network underlying polysaccharide biosynthesis. This establishes a transcriptional framework for engineering polysaccharide biosynthesis in D. huoshanense. Full article

Earth hosts a remarkable diversity of life, with oceans covering over 70% of its surface and supporting the greatest abundance and variety of species, including a vast range of seaweeds. Among these, red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) represent the most diverse group and are particularly rich in bioactive compounds. Grateloupia turuturu Yamada and Porphyra umbilicalis Kütz. are two species with significant biotechnological and functional food potential. They contain high levels of phycobiliproteins, sulfated polysaccharides (e.g., carrageenan, agar, porphyran), mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), phenols, minerals, and vitamins, including vitamin B12 (rare among non-animal sources). Several analytical methods, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, have been used to characterize their chemical composition. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunostimulatory, anti-proliferative, and photoprotective effects. These bioactive properties support its application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors. Given the growing demand for sustainable resources, these algae species stand out as promising candidates for aquaculture and the development of functional ingredients. Their incorporation into novel food products, such as snacks and fortified dairy and meat products, underscores their potential to support health-promoting diets. This review highlights G. turuturu and P. umbilicalis chemical richness, bioactivities, and applications, reinforcing their value as sustainable marine resources. Full article

Urban networks are a key force in reshaping regional resilience patterns. However, existing research has not yet systematically elucidated, from a physical–virtual integration perspective, the underlying mechanisms through which composite urban networks shape multidimensional urban resilience in regions confronted with severe environmental and infrastructural challenges. Northwest China, characterized by its extreme arid climate, pronounced core–periphery structure, and heavy reliance on overland transportation, provides an important empirical context for examining the unique relationship between network centrality and the mechanisms of resilience formation. Based on the panel data of 33 prefecture-level cities in northwest China from 2011 to 2023, this article empirically examines the impact of the composite urban network constructed by traffic and information flows on urban resilience from the perspective of network node centrality using a two-way fixed-effects model. It is found that (1) the spatial evolution of urban resilience in northwest China is characterized by “core leadership—gradient agglomeration”: provincial capitals demonstrate significantly the highest resilience levels, while non-provincial cities are predominantly characterized by medium resilience and contiguous distribution, and the growth rate of low-resilience cities is faster, which pushes down the relative gap in the region, but the absolute gap persists; (2) the urban network in this region is characterized by a highly centralized topology, which improves the efficiency of resource allocation yet simultaneously introduces systemic vulnerability due to its over-reliance on a limited number of core hubs; (3) urban network centrality exerts a significant positive impact on resilience enhancement (β = 0.002, p < 0.01) and the core nodes of the city through the control of resources to strengthen the economic, ecological, social, and infrastructural resilience; (4) multi-dimensional factors synergistically drive the resilience, with the financial development level, economic density, and informationization level as a positive pillar. The population size and rough water utilization significantly inhibit the resilience of the region. Accordingly, the optimization path of “multi-center resilience network reconstruction, classified measures to break resource constraints, regional wisdom, and collaborative governance” is proposed to provide theoretical support and a practical paradigm for the construction of resilient cities in northwest China. Full article

The shelf life of perishable foods is traditionally determined by microbiological, chemical, and sensory analyses, which are well-established and reliable. However, these methods can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, and they may not fully account for unexpected storage deviations, such as temperature fluctuations or equipment failures. Smart films emerge as a promising alternative, enabling rapid, visual, and low-cost food quality monitoring. This study developed smart films based on zein/gelatin/cellulose nanocrystals (Z/G/CNC) functionalized with alizarin (AL, 0–3% w/w), produced by casting (12.5% zein, 12.5% gelatin, and 5% CNC w/w). The films were characterized for morphological, physicochemical, thermal, and spectroscopic properties, chromatic response at pH 3–11, activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and applicability in monitoring Merluccid hake fillets. The incorporation of AL reduced water solubility, increased water vapor permeability and contact angle, imparted a more intense orange coloration, and improved thermal resistance. AL also increased thickness and elongation at break while reducing tensile strength and Young’s modulus. All films exhibited excellent UV-blocking capacity (<1% transmittance). Noticeable color changes were observed, with the Z/G/CNC/AL1 film being the most sensitive to pH variations. During Merluccid hake storage, ΔE values exceeded 3 within 72 h, with a color change from orange to purple, correlating with fillet pH (8.14) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) (24.73 mg/100 g). These findings demonstrate the potential of the developed films as biodegradable sensors for smart packaging of perishable foods. Full article

Waste drilling fluids represent a complex gel–colloidal system containing structurally stable polymeric networks and heavy-metal ions that can cause tremendous damage to the ecosystem. The current disposal methods, like solidification/landfills, formation reinjection, and chemical treatment, commonly suffer from high secondary pollution risks, poor resource recovery, and incomplete detoxification. This paper developed a photocatalytic approach to complex gel system treatment by hydrothermally synthesizing a novel sulfur-doped, oxygen-vacancy-modified 3D flower-like xS-BiOBr₀.₅Cl₀.₅ structure which effectively narrowed the bandgap of BiOX and thus significantly enhanced its catalytic activity. The chemical composition, morphology, specific surface areas, and bandgaps of the materials were characterized. The photocatalytic performance and cyclic stability of the materials were measured, and 0.5S-BiOBr_0.5Cl_0.5 showed the best photocatalytic performance. The rhodamine B(RhB) degradation and polymer degradation efficiencies of 0.5S-BiOBr_0.5Cl_0.5 were up to 91% and 79%, respectively, while the Hg(II), Cr(VI), and Cr(III) reduction efficiencies of the material were up to 48.10%, 96.58%, and 96.41%, respectively. The photocatalytic mechanism of the xS-BiOBr_0.5Cl_0.5 materials was evaluated through an oxygen vacancy analysis, active species capture experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) computations. Overall, the xS-BiOBr_0.5Cl_0.5 materials can provide a low-cost and harmless treatment method for waste drilling fluids and promote the “green” development of oil and gas. Full article

Suruga fundicola, one of the few known deep-dwelling gobies, is found in Japan, South Korea, and China. Owing to the limited availability of specimens, little is known about its mitogenome characterization, phylogenetic relationship, and adaptive evolution. In this study, we sequenced four complete mitogenomes using the DNBSEQ platform and Sanger sequencing. The mitogenomes in length ranged from 17,138 to 17,352 bp, primarily due to the variation in the number of long tandem repeat (LTR) sequences within variable region 3 (VR3). Although the gene composition and arrangement of the S. fundicola mitogenome are largely consistent with those of other gobies, we identified an expansion of the ND2 gene (78 bp), and an unexpected noncoding region (NC, 35 bp) located between the ND2 and tRNA^trp genes. To further investigate the variation in VR3, we sequenced this region in all nineteen individuals with the Sanger sequencing method. We detected eight distinct LTR types, containing one–three mutation sites, which formed ten different VR3 patterns. Most VR3 patterns (14/19) consisted of a single type of pure LTR, while the remaining five exhibited heterogeneous patterns composed of two different LTRs. Notably, in LTR types T1 and T3, which co-occur in heterogeneous patterns P1 and P9, we found their respective pure patterns (P2–3 and P7). Recombination provides a better, more plausible mechanism for generating the heterogeneity patterns than slipped-strand mispairing, which better explains the homogeneous LTR expansions. These findings provide evidence of recombination in the control region of a vertebrate mitogenome. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed that S. fundicola has a close relationship with Am. hexanema and C. stigmatias. Compared to five shallow-water species of the AcanthogobiusGroup, the deep-dwelling goby S. fundicola was found to be under stronger purifying selection. Within its mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs), ND2 and ND6 genes were subject to stronger purifying selection than the others. Additionally, four genes showed signs of selection sites with high credibility (one in ATP6, ND3, and ND4; eight in ND2). This study provides valuable genomic resources for S. fundicola and enhances our understanding of the phylogenetic relationship, mitogenome recombination, and adaptive evolution of the goby. Full article

Background: Telepharmacy, the provision of patient care services by pharmacists through the use of telecommunications technology, is associated with improved diabetes-related outcomes and access to healthcare. The primary aim of this study was to characterize pharmacists’ interventions at a virtual pharmacist-led diabetes clinic (PLDC). The secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future cost-effectiveness study of the PLDCs. Methods: This prospective observational feasibility study was conducted within a pharmacist-led clinic at Seha Virtual Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Two intern pharmacists collected data between 31 July 2024 and 31 January 2025. Results: Seventy-five patients (mean [SD] age 50.47 years [14.95]) attended the clinic. The majority were female (58.7%), had type 2 diabetes (86.6%), and were from outside Riyadh (97.3%). The communication with patients was carried out mainly via telephone (73, 97.3%). The mean consultation duration was 7.64 min (SD = 5.68). A total of 179 interventions were conducted, with a mean number of interventions per patient of 2.5 (median 3, min 0, max 5). The most common intervention was patient education and counseling about their disease and medications. While it was feasible to capture the details of pharmacist interventions and resource use data, incomplete data on patient outcomes presented a challenge. Conclusions: Our detailed documentation of pharmacist–patient encounters revealed the ability of pharmacists to identify and manage the problems of diabetes patients at virtual PLDCs. Our feasibility study identified a few challenges that need to be addressed when designing future cost-effectiveness studies. Full article

Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.), a globally significant vegetable, flavoring agent, and phytomedicine resource, has remained unavailable with established transient expression platforms for functional genomic investigations. To address this critical methodological limitation, we present systematically optimized protocols for both Agrobacterium-mediated hairy root transformation and protoplast transient expression systems, achieving significant advances in transformation efficiency for this species. Through systematic optimization of key parameters, including Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A. rhizogenes) strain selection (with Ar.Qual demonstrating superior performance), explant type efficacy, bacterial suspension optical density (OD₆₀₀ = 0.3), and acetosyringone induction concentration (100 μM), we established a highly efficient stem disc infection methodology, achieving 88.75% hairy root induction efficiency. Subsequent optimization of protoplast isolation protocols identified the optimal enzymatic digestion conditions: 6-h dark digestion of young leaves using 1.0% (w/v) Cellulase R-10, 0.7% (w/v) Macerozyme R-10, and 0.4 M mannitol, yielding 3.3 × 10⁶ viable protoplasts g⁻¹ FW with 90% viability. System functionality validation through PEG-mediated transient transformation demonstrated successful green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene expression, confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. As the first documented transient expression platforms for Welsh onion, these protocols enable essential molecular investigations, including in planta promoter activity profiling, subcellular protein localization, and CRISPR-based genome-editing validation. This methodological breakthrough overcomes previous technical constraints in Welsh onion molecular biology, providing critical tools for accelerated gene functional characterization in this agriculturally important species. Full article

Accurate estimation of plantation aboveground biomass (AGB) is critical for quantifying carbon cycles and informing sustainable forest resource management, but enhancing estimation accuracy remains a key challenge. Although tree height and stand age are recognized as critical predictors for enhancing AGB models in addition to spectral vegetation indices, their individual and combined contributions in regional plantation forests remain insufficiently quantified, especially concerning the potential for leveraging the distinct characteristics of fast-growing plantations to facilitate AGB estimation. This study developed multi-source remote sensing-based Eucalyptus AGB estimation models for Nanning, Guangxi, integrating stand age and tree height to assess their impacts. Stand age was mapped from Landsat time-series imagery, and tree height was derived from UAV-LiDAR data. Plot-level reference AGB was obtained using fused UAV and terrestrial LiDAR point clouds. A random forest model, incorporating these variables with Sentinel-2 spectral information and topography, then achieved regional AGB estimation. The findings demonstrate that (1) tree height serves as the most influential predictor for AGB estimation at the regional scale, yielding a robust model performance (R² = 0.84). (2) Tree height captures the majority of the explanatory power associated with stand age. Once tree height was included as a predictor, the subsequent addition of stand age offered no significant improvement in model accuracy (R² = 0.85). (3) Given the challenges in obtaining precise tree height data and the robust correlation between stand age and tree height in fast-growing plantations, the integration of stand age substantially improved the accuracy of AGB estimations (from the spectral model of R² = 0.54 to R² = 0.74), with performance approaching that of tree height-based models (ΔR² = 0.10). Consequently, in fast-growing plantations, which are often characterized by high stand homogeneity, a hybrid model incorporating stand age can offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for AGB estimation. Full article

In the exploration of unconventional petroleum resources in the Nanpu Sag of China, several tight oil sandstone reservoirs have been identified; however, their physical properties display pronounced heterogeneity. Using methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thin-section petrography, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and high-pressure mercury intrusion, this study analyzed the mineralogical, petrological, and reservoir characteristics of the tight oil sandstone reservoirs in the second member of the Dongying Formation in the Nanpu Sag. This study also examined the relationship between the heterogeneity of the pore networks in the tight oil sandstone reservoirs and their fractal dimensions. The results indicate that as the fractal dimension (Df) of the tight oil sandstone reservoirs increases, their permeability decreases exponentially. The Df is strongly linked to pore morphology: larger Df values correspond to smaller pore sizes, more complex pore shapes, and greater pore heterogeneity. Additionally, variations in Df are closely linked to mineralogy: lower quartz content and higher clay content, particularly abundant illite–smectite mixed layers and illite along with reduced kaolinite, are associated with higher Df values. These findings highlight the complex, irregular nature of pore structures in tight sandstones and demonstrate that integrating high-pressure mercury intrusion analysis with fractal theory provides an effective approach for quantitatively characterizing their heterogeneity. Full article

The present study characterizes the complete mitochondrial genome of Potamotrygon leopoldi, commonly referred to as the “white blotched stingray”, a member of the Potamotrygonidae family that are a group of stingrays that live exclusively in freshwater environments. Potamotrygon leopoldi, endemic to the Xingu River in the Amazon region, are exploited by commercial fisheries for food and commonly exploited by the ornamental industry, and this has a significant impact on the populations. Here, newly assembled PacBio long-read sequencing assesses the complete mitogenome of P. leopoldi and performs a comparative investigation into the evolutionary connections to other extant taxa of elasmobranchs. The mitogenome has 17,504 bp, containing 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes. The mitogenome comprises A: 32.32%, T: 24.41%, C: 12.84%, and G: 30.42%, with an AT content of 56.73%. The values of AT and GC skewness were 0.13 and −0.40, respectively. Our phylogenetic analyses with mitogenome sequences of 40 elasmobranch species support the monophyly for the Potamotrygonidae family and indicate a close relationship to the Dasyatidae family and a sister relationship with Potamotrygon orbignyi and Potamotrygon falkneri. We also detected various amino acid sites in positive selection exclusively in P. leopoldi. This extensive comparative mitogenomic investigation offers novel and significant insights into the evolutionary lineage of neotropical freshwater stingrays and their closely related taxa. It is an indispensable resource for facilitating ongoing and prospective investigations into the molecular evolution of elasmobranchs. Full article

Farmers’ land transfer practices optimize the allocation of agricultural resources by transferring them to more efficient operators. This enhances agricultural productivity and advances rural revitalization. However, due to the lack of financial institution outlets in rural areas, the availability of financial services in rural areas is limited, which in turn hinders the transfer of rural land. This study examines the impact of digital financial inclusion, characterized by the deep integration of internet technology and financial services, on farmers’ land transfer behavior in China. The study uses data from the China Family Panel Studies (2012–2022) and provincial digital financial inclusion data. The results show that digital financial inclusion significantly promotes rural land transfer-out. The mechanisms reveal two pathways: (1) digital financial inclusion expands non-agricultural entrepreneurship by easing credit constraints and reducing reliance on land livelihoods; (2) it increases participation in commercial insurance, mitigating risks of land abandonment. Heterogeneity analysis reveals stronger effects in eastern China and among educated households. Theoretically, the study identifies the dual role of financial technology in reshaping rural land markets through credit access and risk management. Practically, it reveals how DFI influences land transfer behavior, providing a basis for the government to formulate policies that combine the two, ultimately enhancing the production capacity, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness of smallholder farmers. The findings offer global insights for developing countries that are leveraging digital finance to activate rural land markets and achieve digital financial inclusion. Full article