Search Results (1,232)

Prolonged inundations are altering coastal forest ecosystems of the southeastern US, causing extensive tree die-offs and the development of ghost forests. This hydrological stressor also alters carbon fluxes, threatening the stability of coastal carbon sinks. This study was conducted to investigate the interactions between hydrological drivers and ecosystem responses by analyzing daily eddy covariance flux data from a wetland forest in North Carolina, USA, spanning 2009–2019. We analyzed temporal patterns of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (RE) under both flooded and non-flooded conditions and evaluated their relationships with observed tree mortality. Generalized Additive Modeling (GAM) revealed that groundwater table depth (GWT), leaf area index (LAI), NEE, and net radiation (Rn) were key predictors of mortality transitions (R² = 0.98). Elevated GWT induces root anoxia; declining LAI reduces productivity; elevated NEE signals physiological breakdown; and higher Rn may amplify evapotranspiration stress. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed critical early warning thresholds for tree mortality: GWT = 2.23 cm, LAI = 2.99, NEE = 1.27 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, and Rn = 167.54 W m⁻². These values offer a basis for forecasting forest mortality risk and guiding early warning systems. Our findings highlight the dominant role of hydrological variability in ecosystem degradation and offer a threshold-based framework for early detection of mortality risks. This approach provides insights into managing coastal forest resilience amid accelerating sea level rise. Full article

This study investigates the foundational causes of unsustainability that obstruct efforts to address global challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, water crises, and public health deterioration. Using qualitative research with in-depth expert interviews from education, environmental studies, and business, it finds that these global challenges, while visible on the surface, are deeply rooted in worldviews that shape human behavior, societal structures, and policies. Building on this insight, the thematic analysis manifests three interrelated systemic paradigms as the fundamental drivers of unsustainability: a crisis of wholeness, reflected in fragmented identities and collective disorientation; a disconnection from nature, shaped by human-centered perspectives; and the influence of dominant political-economic systems which prioritize growth logics over ecological and social concerns. These paradigms underlie both structural and cognitive barriers to systemic transformation, which influence the design and implementation of education for sustainability. By clarifying a body of knowledge and systemic paradigms regarding unsustainability, this paper calls for transformative education that promotes a holistic, value-based approach, eco-empathy, and critical thinking, aiming to equip future generations with the tools to challenge and transform unsustainable systems. Full article

To develop solutions to the frequency instability and failure of silicon micromechanical resonant accelerometers, the state characteristics of micromechanical resonant accelerometers are investigated under temperature and vibration stresses. Through theoretical analysis and finite element simulation, the following is found: the Young’s modulus of silicon varies with temperature, causing a resonance frequency shift of −1.364 Hz/°C; the residual stress of temperature change affects the resonance frequency shift of the microstructure, causing it to be 5.43 Hz/MPa (tensile stress) and −5.25 Hz/MPa (compressive stress); thermal expansion triggers the failure of the bonding wire, and, in the range of 10 °C to 150 °C, the peak stress of the electrode/lead bond area increases from 83.2/85.6 MPa to 1.08/1.28 GPa. The failure mode under vibration stress is resonance structure fracture and interlayer peeling. An isolation frame design is proposed for the sensitive part of the microstructure, which reduces the frequency effects by 34% (tensile stress) and 15% (compressive stress) under temperature-variable residual stresses and the maximum value of the structural root mean square stresses by 69.7% (X-direction), 63.6% (Y-direction), and 71.3% (Z-direction) under vibrational stresses. Full article

Electric submersible pumps (ESPs) are critical for artificial lift operations; however, they are prone to frequent failures, often resulting in high operational costs and production downtime. Traditional ESP failure classifications are limited by lack of standardization and the conflation of failure modes with root causes. To address these limitations, this study proposes a new two-step integrated failure modes and root cause (IFMRC) classification system. The new framework clearly distinguishes between failure modes and root causes, providing a systematic, structured approach that enhances fault diagnosis and failure analysis and can lead to better failure prevention strategies. This methodology was validated using a case study of over 4000 ESP installations. The data came from Egypt’s Western Desert, covering a decade of operational data. The sources included ESP databases, workover records, and detailed failure investigation (DIFA) reports. The failure modes were categorized into electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, chemical, and operational types, while root causes were linked to environmental, design, operational, and equipment factors. Statistical analysis, in this case study, revealed that motor short circuits, low flow conditions, and cable short circuits were the most frequent failure modes, with excessive heat, scale deposition, and electrical grounding faults being the dominant root causes. This study underscores the importance of accurate root cause failure classification, robust data acquisition, and expanded failure diagnostics to improve ESP reliability. The proposed IFMRC framework addresses limitations in conventional taxonomies and facilitates ongoing enhancement of ESP design, operation, and maintenance in complex field conditions. Full article

Exploring the causes of the concave curved form of the roofs in traditional Chinese architecture is key to understanding its unique esthetics and structural logic. Regarding its causes, the academic community offers various explanations, including esthetics and function, but research that delves deeply into specific construction techniques and material limitations and systematically explains how they lead to the precise roof forms is relatively insufficient, which limits our comprehensive understanding of the deep generative logic of this unique form. This study aimed to bridge this gap by systematically exploring the causes of the concave curved form of roofs in traditional Chinese architecture (such as flying eaves, upturned corners, and Ju zhe) from the perspective of construction technology. Through a systematic review of historical literature (especially Yingzao fashi (Treatise on Architectural Methods)); the empirical investigation and analysis of typical architectural examples; detailed research on the structural practices, material properties (especially the creep behavior of timber), and construction techniques of key timber components such as flying rafters, hip rafters, and rafters; and mechanical principles and computational simulation, this study found that the concave curved forms of different parts of the roof, such as the eaves (flying rafters), corners (corner upturn), and main body (Ju zhe), are not purely esthetic choices but are, to a large extent, technical responses or inevitable results stemming from objective construction constraints of the time, including limitations on timber length, component connection methods, structural load distribution, and long-term deformation. Based on these findings, this study proposes the concept of “Passive Form” to summarize this form-generation mechanism, emphasizing that architectural forms are not solely determined by subjective will but are rooted in the adaptation and transformation of real constraints in construction, providing a technical perspective rooted in practice for understanding the forms of Chinese traditional architecture. Full article

Aphelenchoides besseyi is considered a highly prevalent facultative plant-parasitic nematode and has a significant impact on various economically important crops globally. Due to the lack of knowledge on the efficacy of various management techniques, A. besseyi is still challenging to control in the open field. The present investigation successfully shed light on some significant new points, including the following: (1) A. besseyi was confirmed inside all soybean tissues—including roots, stems, leaves, and seeds—indicating its endoparasitic nature and its strong ability to reach the upper foliar system where it causes green stem and foliar retention syndrome (GSFR) symptoms; (2) inoculated plants exhibited reduced vegetative growth parameters, as non-inoculated control soybean plants showed higher values of plant height (PH), fresh root weight (FRW), and fresh shoot weight (FSW) compared to inoculated plants; (3) Yudou 29 was identified as highly resistant to A. besseyi, as results from the resistance screening assay among different Chinese soybean cultivars confirmed its strong resistance under natural field infestation conditions; and (4) soybean seeds may act as inoculum sources of A. besseyi, highlighting the need to develop more effective control measures to prevent or limit nematode dissemination through seed transmission. Full article

Suaeda salsa is relatively tolerant to cadmium (Cd) contamination. In order to investigate the bioaccumulation and stress responses of S. salsa under chronic exposure, we explored the growth, accumulation, and changes in antioxidant enzymes and glutathione (GSH) under different Cd concentrations over a 30-day soil culture experiment. Seedling height and weight in the 13.16 mg/kg Cd group were 13.26 cm and 0.21 g, significantly higher than the control group. Growth was significantly inhibited under high Cd concentration exposure, with a seedling and root length of 9.65 cm and 3.77 cm. The Cd concentration in all tissues was positively related to Cd treatment concentration, with the Cd contents in the roots being higher than in the other tissues. At a subcellular level, Cd was mainly concentrated in the cell walls, organelles, and soluble components within the range of 0.05–8.29, 0.02–2.40 and 0.08–1.35 μg/g, respectively. The accumulation of Cd in the roots tracked its proportion in the cell walls. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the plant tissues increased with increasing Cd concentration, indicating that Cd stress caused oxidative damage. The GSH content increased with increasing Cd concentration, with maximum values of 0.515 μmol/g in the stem in the 66.07 mg/kg Cd group. The catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) activity showed different change trends under Cd exposure. The results in this study could provide useful information on the tolerance mechanism of Cd in S. salsa, which provides information for exploiting S. salsa as a candidate for phytoremediation of Cd contamination. Full article

Salinity stress is a primary abiotic constraint limiting global crop productivity, with progressive soil salinization inducing growth inhibition and physiological dysfunction in plants. Although melatonin (MT) has been extensively documented to enhance stress adaptation, the underlying mechanisms through which it mediates salt tolerance by integrating physiological processes remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of varying MT concentrations on photosynthetic performance, plant water relations, water-use efficiency, and stress-responsive physiological parameters in tomatoes, aiming to identify the key physiological pathways for MT-mediated salt stress mitigation. The results showed that salt stress significantly reduced the leaf relative water content and root hydraulic conductivity, suppressed the photosynthetic rate, and ultimately caused significant reductions in the aboveground and root biomass. MT spraying effectively improved leaf water status and root water uptake capacity, enhancing the photosynthetic rate and water-use efficiency, thereby providing material and energy support for plant growth. Furthermore, MT spraying increased the total antioxidant capacity in leaves and promoted the synthesis of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, thereby reducing oxidative damage. Simultaneously, it stimulated the accumulation of osmolytes to enhance cellular osmotic adjustment capacity and optimized ion uptake to maintain cellular ion homeostasis. Among the tested concentrations, 100 μM MT showed the most significant alleviative effects. This concentration comprehensively enhanced the salt tolerance and growth performance of tomato plants by synergistically optimizing water use, photosynthetic function, antioxidant defense, and ion balance. In conclusion, these findings provide experimental evidence for elucidating the physiological mechanisms underlying MT-mediated salt tolerance in tomatoes and offer theoretical references for the rational application of MT in crop production under saline conditions. Full article

Background/Objective: Frontline healthcare staff who contend diseases and mitigate their transmission were repeatedly exposed to high-risk conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were at risk of mental health issues, in particular, psychological stress, depression, anxiety, financial stress, and/or burnout. This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the occupational stress of medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other hospital support crew during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We collected both qualitative and quantitative data from a survey given to public and private hospitals using methods like correspondence analysis, cluster analysis, and structural equation models to investigate the work-related stress (WRS) and anxiety of the staff. Since health-related factors are unclear and uncertain, a fuzzy association rule mining (FARM) method was created to address these problems and find out the levels of work-related stress (WRS) and anxiety. The statistical results and K-means clustering method were used to find the best number of fuzzy rules and the level of fuzziness in clusters to create the FARM approach and to predict the work-related stress and anxiety of healthcare staff. This innovative approach allows for a more nuanced appraisal of the factors contributing to work-related stress and anxiety, ultimately enabling healthcare organizations to implement targeted interventions. By leveraging these insights, management can foster a healthier work environment that supports staff well-being and enhances overall productivity. This study also aimed to identify the relevant health factors that are the root causes of work-related stress and anxiety to facilitate better preparation and motivation of the staff for reorganizing resources and equipment. Results: The results and findings show that when the financial burden (FIN) of healthcare staff increased, WRS and anxiety increased. Similarly, a rise in psychological stress caused an increase in WRS and anxiety. The psychological impact (PCG) ratio and financial impact (FIN) were the most influential factors for the staff’s anxiety. The FARM results and findings revealed that improving the financial situation of healthcare staff alone was not sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: This study found that while the impact of PCG was significant, its combined effect with FIN was more influential on staff’s work-related stress and anxiety. This difference was due to the mutual effects of PCG and FIN on the staff’s motivation. The findings will help healthcare managers make decisions to reduce or eliminate the WRS and anxiety experienced by healthcare staff in the future. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal crop globally, but its production is increasingly threatened by fungal pathogens, particularly Fusarium culmorum (Wm. G. Sm.) Sacc., which causes seedling blight and root rot, leading to yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. Conventional control strategies, such as crop rotation and the use of fungicides, are often inadequate and contribute to the development of resistance, particularly with the overuse of similar modes of action. This study investigated quaternary pyridinium salts—nicotinamide and isonicotinamide derivatives—as potential sustainable antifungal agents. In vivo tests involved treating sterilized wheat seeds grown in sterile sand that had been inoculated with F. culmorum, using compounds previously confirmed to be active in vitro. Disease index, shoot and root length, and fresh and dry biomass were measured. Among the tested compounds, nicotinamide derivatives (2) and (3) showed the lowest disease index (0.9) at a concentration of 10 µg/mL. Most compounds promoted plant and root growth. Isonicotinamide derivatives (6) and (7) at 100 µg/mL increased root dry weight, while compound (6) at 10 µg/mL resulted in the most significant increase in plant length. These findings highlight the dual antifungal and growth-promoting potential of certain eco-friendly derivatives for managing F. culmorum and supporting wheat seedling development. Full article

In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of fungi in horticultural crops. Their beneficial roles and pathogenic effects are investigated. In addition, the recent advancements in fungal detection and management strategies (especially the use of spectral analysis) are summarized. Beneficial fungi, including plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF), ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), enhance nutrient uptake, promote root and shoot development, improve photosynthetic efficiency, and support plant resilience against biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, beneficial fungi contribute to flowering, seed germination, and disease management through biofertilizers, microbial pesticides, and mycoinsecticides. Conversely, pathogenic fungi cause significant diseases affecting roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, leading to crop yield losses. Advanced spectral analysis techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), Raman, and Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (Vis-NIR), alongside traditional methods like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), have shown promise in detecting and managing fungal pathogens. Emerging applications of fungi in sustainable agriculture, including biofertilizers and eco-friendly pest management, are discussed, underscoring their potential to enhance crop productivity and mitigate environmental impacts. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex roles of fungi in horticulture and explores innovative detection and management strategies. Full article

Peach fruit flesh spongy tissue disorder causes dry, porous, and brown areas in the flesh, severely compromising fruit quality and market value. While soil properties and calcium nutrition have been linked to the disorder, the role of rhizosphere microbial communities in disorder resistance remains unclear. This study investigated both the physicochemical properties and the root-associated microbiomes of disordered (CK) and healthy (TT) peach orchards to explore microbial mechanisms underlying disorder suppression. TT soils exhibited higher pH, greater organic matter, increased exchangeable calcium, and more balanced trace elements compared to CK. Microbial analysis revealed significantly higher diversity and enrichment of beneficial taxa in TT associated with plant growth and disorder resistance. Functional gene prediction showed TT was enriched in siderophore production, auxin biosynthesis, phosphate solubilization, and acetoin–butanediol synthesis pathways. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that TT harbored a more complex and cooperative microbial community structure, with 274 nodes and 6013 links. Metagenomic binning recovered high-quality MAGs encoding diverse resistance and growth-promoting traits, emphasizing the ecological roles of Gemmatimonadaceae, Reyranella, Nitrospira, Bacillus megaterium, and Bryobacteraceae. These findings highlight the combined importance of soil chemistry and microbiome structure in disorder suppression and provide a foundation for microbiome-informed soil management to enhance fruit quality and promote sustainable orchard practices. Full article

Orobanche cumana Wallr. is a root parasitic plant that causes considerable yield losses of up to 50% in sunflower Helianthus annuus plantations. The holoparasite fulfills its entire demand for water, minerals, and organic nutrients from the host’s vascular system. Agronomic practices alone are not effective in controlling this pest. This study investigated the mechanism of a verified plant growth-promoting strain, Streptomyces rochei D74, on the inhibition of the parasitism of O. cumana in a co-culture experiment. We conducted potted and sterile co-culture experiments using sunflower, O. cumana, and S. rochei D74. Our results suggest that the inoculated bacteria invoked the sunflower systemic resistance (SAR and ISR) by increasing the activity of resistance-related enzymes (SOD, POD, PPO, and PAL), the gene expression of systemic resistance marker genes (PR-1 and NPR1), ethylene synthesis genes (HACS. 1 and ACCO1), and JA synthesis genes (pin2 and lox). The expression levels of ISR marker genes (lox, HACS. 1, ACCO1, and pin2) increased by 1.66–7.91-fold in the seedling stage. Simultaneously, S. rochei D74 formed a protective layer on the sunflower root surface, preventing O. cumana from connecting to the vascular system of the sunflower roots. In addition, S. rochei D74 reduced 5DS synthesis of the strigol precursor substance, resulting in a reduction in O. cumana germination. These results demonstrated that the S. rochei D74 strain improved systemic resistance and decreased seed germination to prevent O. cumana parasitism. Full article

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide, highlighting the critical need for early and accurate detection methods. Traditional mammography, although widely used, has limitations, including radiation exposure and challenges in detecting early-stage lesions. Electrical Impedance Mammography (EIM) has emerged as a non-invasive and radiation-free alternative that assesses the density and electrical conductivity of breast tissue. EIM images consist of seven layers, each representing different tissue depths, offering a detailed representation of the breast structure. However, analyzing these layers individually can be redundant and complex, making it difficult to identify relevant features for lesion classification. To address this issue, advanced computational techniques are employed for image integration, such as the Root Mean Square ($C_{\mathrm{RMS}}$) Contrast and Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), combined with the Coefficient of Variation (CV), CLAHE-based fusion, weighted average fusion, Gaussian pyramid fusion, and Wavelet–PCA fusion. Each method enhances the representation of tissue features, optimizing the image quality and diagnostic utility. This study evaluated the impact of these integration techniques on EIM image analysis, aiming to improve the accuracy and reliability of computational diagnostic models for breast cancer detection. According to the obtained results, the best performance was achieved using Wavelet–PCA fusion in combination with XGBoost as a classifier, yielding an accuracy rate of 89.5% and an F1-score of 81.5%. These results are highly encouraging for the further investigation of this topic. Full article

This study explores the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), specifically GPT, for different safety management applications in the construction industry. Many studies have explored the integration of GPT in construction safety for various applications; their primary focus has been on the feasibility of such integration, often using GPT models for specific applications rather than a thorough evaluation of GPT’s limitations and capabilities. In contrast, this study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of GPT’s performance based on established key criteria. Using structured use cases, this study explores GPT’s strength and weaknesses in four construction safety areas: (1) delivering personalized safety training and educational content tailored to individual learner needs; (2) automatically analyzing post-accident reports to identify root causes and suggest preventive measures; (3) generating customized safety guidelines and checklists to support site compliance; and (4) providing real-time assistance for managing daily safety tasks and decision-making on construction sites. LLMs and NLP have already been employed in each of these four areas for improvement, making them suitable areas for further investigation. GPT demonstrated acceptable performance in delivering evidence-based, regulation-aligned responses, making it valuable for scaling personalized training, automating accident analyses, and developing safety protocols. Additionally, it provided real-time safety support through interactive dialogues. However, the model showed limitations in deeper critical analysis, extrapolating information, and adapting to dynamic environments. The study concludes that while GPT holds significant promise for enhancing construction safety, further refinement is necessary. This includes fine-tuning for more relevant safety-specific outcomes, integrating real-time data for contextual awareness, and developing a nuanced understanding of safety risks. These improvements, coupled with human oversight, could make GPT a robust tool for safety management. Full article