Search Results (269)

Cathaya argyrophylla Chun et Kuang is an endangered relict gymnosperm endemic to China. Its habitat has been severely fragmented due to Quaternary glaciations, a condition further exacerbated by modern, fragmented administrative management. We compiled 98 spatially filtered occurrence records across four provinces and developed a combined analysis framework integrating the Biomod2 ensemble model with the Marxan systematic planning algorithm. Our optimal model (TSS = 0.911, AUC = 0.986) identified mean diurnal range and ultraviolet-B seasonality radiation as the dominant ecophysiological drivers of the species’ distribution. Currently, suitable habitats cover 7.10% of the study area, with highly suitable habitats accounting for only 3.08% (21.76 × 10³ km²). Priority conservation areas account for 2.48% (17.55 × 10³ km²) of the total area. A gap analysis revealed that 76.98% (13.51 × 10³ km²) of the optimized priority conservation areas currently lack formal protection under China’s protected area system and the World Database on Protected Areas. Under four future climate scenarios (2030s–2090s), projections indicated overall habitat contraction, with limited spatial expansion observed only under specific scenarios (SSP1-2.6 in the 2030s and 2090s; SSP5-8.5 in the 2030s), and the population centroid was projected to shift southeastward by an average of 42.67 km in Huaihua City. Twenty-one core habitat patches were identified under current climate conditions. As these core habitat patches are concentrated along interprovincial boundaries, specifically the Dalou Mountains and the Yuecheng Ridge, our findings emphasize the need to bridge local administrative barriers. This spatial framework provides actionable guidelines for establishing transboundary protected areas, optimizing in situ conservation networks, and implementing model-based assisted migration. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is a recognised risk factor for dermal haemangiosarcoma (HSA) in dogs and dermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in dogs and cats. These tumours cause substantial local disease and often require repeated surgery due to recurrence or de novo lesions, creating a notable welfare and financial burden. Research on preventing harmful UV exposure in pets is still in its infancy, particularly in relation to the safety of UV filters used in sunscreens. This review summarises the current evidence on UV-induced carcinogenesis, strategies to reduce UV exposure, and the safety of sunscreen ingredients in dogs and cats. UV light is strongly implicated in a range of dermatoses, from actinic keratosis to dermal HSA and SCC in dogs and cats, and the risk is likely higher in Australian pets. Indoor confinement during peak UV periods, shade, and sun-protective clothing can reduce exposure, with sunscreen an additional strategy. Sunscreen is relevant because UV-associated cancers typically develop in sparsely haired or hairless regions such as the nose and ventrum, making these areas suitable for targeted sunscreen application. Sunscreens containing non-nanoparticle zinc oxide appear safe for dogs and cats when ingestion is prevented or minimised, whereas the safety of organic UV filters remains unclear due to limited safety data in both humans and animals. Non-nanoparticle titanium dioxide is a possible alternative to zinc oxide and organic filters, but there is currently little information on its safety when ingested by dogs and cats. Overall, the available evidence supports sunscreen as a necessary component of UV-reduction strategies in pets, but substantial research is needed to determine the safety profiles of different UV filters and to establish evidence-based guidelines for their safe use. Full article

Limited access to clean water and reliable electricity infrastructure remains a major challenge in many remote regions of Indonesia, particularly for building-scale domestic use. Conventional water treatment systems are often constrained by high operational costs and dependence on grid power, highlighting the need for sustainable and autonomous infrastructure solutions. This study presents the design, development, and performance evaluation of an integrated solar-powered clean water treatment system for smart building applications in remote areas using a Research and Development (R&D) approach. The proposed system combines off-grid polycrystalline photovoltaic panels with a multi-stage water treatment process consisting of a floss (mud) filter, activated carbon filter, water hyacinth cellulose bio-filter, ultraviolet (UV) sterilization unit, storage tank, and an IoT-based real-time water quality monitoring system. System performance was evaluated through microbiological, physical, and chemical water quality testing, with monitoring conducted via Wi-Fi-enabled sensors connected to the Blynk platform. The results demonstrate substantial improvements in treated water quality. Escherichia coli and total coliform bacteria were eliminated (100% reduction). Total dissolved solids (TDSs) decreased from 450 mg/L to 218 mg/L (51.6%), and dissolved manganese was reduced from 30 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L (99.97%), while nitrate levels decreased by 50%. Water pH and temperature remained stable and within regulatory limits. All treated water parameters complied with national clean water standards for hygiene and sanitation. The system operated independently using solar energy and achieved a clean water production capacity of 1000–1500 L/day. These findings indicate that the proposed system is a feasible, cost-effective, and sustainable civil engineering solution for clean water infrastructure in remote building environments. Full article

As emerging global environmental contaminants, organic ultraviolet absorbers (OUVAs) are widely used in personal care formulations and exhibit environmental persistence and potential bioaccumulation. Among these compounds, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS) and homosalate (HMS) are the most frequently used salicylate-type UV filters in cosmetic formulations. Although an increasing number of studies have demonstrated their environmental hazards, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying their cytotoxicity in mammalian systems, a fundamental knowledge gap for both human health protection and the development of more environmentally friendly consumer goods. In this study, we used mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs, 3T6) and zebrafish as models to assess the toxicological phenotypes of EHS and HMS in vitro and in vivo, respectively. We found that both EHS and HMS induced cellular damage characterized by oxidative stress, disrupted intracellular calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial impairment, and DNA damage. Importantly, molecular analyses further suggested the concurrent activation of two distinct regulated cell death programs: pyroptosis, as suggested by Caspase-11-mediated GSDMD cleavage, and necroptosis, as suggested by ZBP1-RIPK3-Caspase-8-mediated MLKL phosphorylation. The in vitro data have been partially validated at the level of gene expression and in developmental toxicity in the zebrafish model, providing some in vivo phenotypic and molecular correlates. While the upstream events were experimentally verified, the causal links among them remain to be further elucidated. Taken together, this work suggested that OUVA-induced toxicity is not limited to isolated oxidative damage, but may also involve the activation of two different cell death programs. These findings provide important molecular clues to understanding the potential health and ecological risks of widely used UV filters and offer a scientific basis for their more environmentally friendly safety evaluation and regulatory management, which are crucial for advancing more sustainable chemistry and safer consumer goods. Full article

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) thin-film filters are key optical components in space-based EUV imaging, employed to reject out-of-band visible and ultraviolet radiation. Currently, aluminum (Al) and zirconium (Zr) EUV filters are predominantly used due to their superior mechanical strength and stability. In contrast, indium (In) EUV filters had not been successfully deployed in spaceborne EUV cameras prior to this work. Their inherent fragility makes them highly susceptible to vibration and acoustic loads during the launch phase, ultimately resulting in structural failure. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the structural protection strategies for indium EUV filters in space applications. Through systematic analysis of the photoenergy requirements and the mechanical characteristics of the indium filters, a robust filter assembly was developed, and vibration isolation as well as acoustic mitigation designs were implemented for the assembly. Finite element simulations and environmental tests confirmed that the indium filters can withstand vibration and acoustic loads. This technology has been successfully implemented in the 83.4 nm channel of the Extreme Ultraviolet Camera (EUVC) onboard the Queqiao-2 relay satellite for the Chang’E-7 mission. Subsequent in-orbit tests validated the structural integrity of the indium filters, providing a valuable technical reference for their successful application in future spaceborne EUV cameras. Full article

Extreme combustion features strong unsteadiness, heterogeneity and multi-physics coupling, which is of great significance for advanced propulsion systems. High-performance sensing of such extreme combustion flow fields is critical to revealing physical mechanisms and capturing fine flow structures. However, it faces severe challenges: rich multi-band spectral characteristics require multi-spectral observation; ultra-transient processes demand high-frequency imaging; and high-performance photoelectric enhancement is necessary under short gate width and high frame rates. To solve these problems, this study developed a high-performance ultraviolet optical sensing system (HUOSS), which achieves megahertz-level imaging at a 1608 × 1104 full-frame resolution and provides a 10⁷ electron gain in the ultraviolet band. The HUOSS has been applied to chemiluminescence sensing of a hydrogen/ammonia-air rotating detonation as a representative extreme combustion system. Based on the analysis of representative influencing factors (e.g., the transmission characteristic of the bandpass filter and the intensifier gate width) in the HUOSS, the filter transmission loss and its influence on the gate width settings have been revealed. From the chemiluminescence sensing images captured in the experiments, the fine structure and evolution of detonation waves have been clearly identified, verifying the high-speed imaging capability. Furthermore, simultaneous OH* and NH* multi-spectral observation has been realized, and the effects of ammonia addition have been analyzed, validating the multi-spectral diagnostic capacity of the system. This study provides an effective diagnostic method for extreme transient combustion research, and comprehensively verified the multi-spectral, extremely transient and high signal-to-noise ratio sensing capabilities of this system. Full article

Conventional organic and inorganic ultraviolet (UV) filters often face limitations related to photostability, skin penetration, and potential toxicity arising from their photocatalytic activity. In this study, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was investigated as a candidate biocompatible UV-shielding pigment. g-C₃N₄ powders were synthesized via thermal polymerization using urea and melamine as precursors. The melamine-derived samples exhibited a dense, block-like morphology with a strong yellow coloration and poor spreadability. In contrast, the urea-derived samples formed a distinctive porous and rounded structure. This morphology, originating from multistage gas evolution during polymerization, significantly reduced the static friction coefficient, resulting in a smoother texture and improved skin adaptability. Preliminary biological evaluation indicated high cell viability in cytotoxicity tests. Combined with the observed low photocatalytic activity, these findings suggest a favorable biocompatibility profile for topical applications. Overall, the results demonstrate that precursor engineering using urea enables the synthesis of high-performance g-C₃N₄ pigments with improved texture, desirable optical properties, and reduced biological reactivity. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a recognized human carcinogen, and topical sunscreens remain the primary strategy for photoprotection. As community pharmacies represent trusted sources of skincare products, evaluating the composition of sunscreens distributed through this channel is particularly relevant. This cross-sectional market analysis investigated UV filters used in sunscreen products available in Lithuanian community pharmacies in November–December 2025. Products were identified through online pharmacy catalogs and assessed for labeled Sun Protection Factor (SPF), number and type of UV filters, and filter combinations in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. A total of 467 products from 98 brands were included, and 26 distinct UV filters were identified. Triazine derivatives predominated, particularly bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (64.67%) and ethylhexyl triazone (58.03%). Most products (61.67%) were labeled SPF ≥ 50 and contained multiple UV filters (mean 4.29 ± 1.66), with significantly more filters in SPF ≥ 50 formulations (p < 0.001). These results indicate that sunscreen products available in Lithuanian pharmacies are dominated by high-SPF formulations and selective multi-filter systems, providing region-specific insights relevant to regulatory oversight and consumer exposure assessment. Full article

Welders constitute an occupational group that is particularly exposed to high-risk hazards arising from harmful radiation emitted during welding, including ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, as well as visible (VIS) radiation, whose high intensity causes glare. Effective protection of the eyes and face is provided by welding shields equipped with automatic welding filters (AWFs), which activate automatically upon arc ignition. Their switching time is the most important protective parameter, as it has a direct impact on the user’s visual health. The objective of the work is to present a novel test stand for determining AWFs switching and holding times, which provides advanced possibilities for evaluating all types of AWFs. Until now, performance and safety levels have been determined based on numerical values: switching time and hold time. For the first time, it is possible to analyze the darkening and clearing phenomena over time with an interpretation of graphical results. Importantly, it is possible to analyze the symmetry of filter properties, using two measurement channels, which is crucial for binocular and curved (panoramic) AWFs. The results obtained for two types of AWFs mounted in goggles with a one-piece and a binocular visor differ from each other. Switching time differences between the left and right measurement channels were about 6–7% for the one-piece visor goggles (G1) and about 3–4% for the binocular goggles (G2). The dispersion of results confirmed the importance of the two measurement channels, which was not previously practiced. The test stand, designed in accordance with the requirements of the new European standards (EN ISO 18526-2:2020, EN ISO 16321-2:2021), can be used for prototyping and for AWF certification purposes. Full article

Sunscreens are essential for photoprotection, but conventional inorganic UV filters raise concerns regarding marine toxicity. This study investigated hydroxyapatite (HAp) derived from skipjack, tongol, and salmon bone waste as a potential synergistic booster for Tinosorb^® S (TS). HAp powders were prepared via alkaline treatment and calcination at 900 °C. XRD and XRF results confirmed highly crystalline HAp as the dominant phase. While 10% HAp alone provided negligible UV protection, a pronounced synergistic effect was observed in 1:1 hybrid formulations (5% HAp:5% TS), significantly enhancing Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and Ultraviolet A Protection Factor (UVAPF). Notably, particle-size refinement of salmon-derived HAp (SM–HAp) yielded an SPF of approximately 35, comparable to a commercial HAp counterpart. This improvement was suggested to be associated with enhanced dispersion, film uniformity, and particle–matrix interactions, which might contribute to achieving PA++++ protection. All formulations complied with microbiological and heavy metal safety standards. These results indicated that fish bone-derived HAp could potentially serve as a viable and sustainable functional additive derived from marine biowaste for the development of high-performance hybrid sunscreens, promoting biomaterial valorization in the cosmetic industry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Insect oils have gained attention as sustainable cosmetic ingredients due to their bioactive lipid content. This study aimed to characterize oils from cricket and to evaluate their safety, biological activities, and performance in sunscreen formulations. Methods: Oils were extracted from Gryllus bimaculatus, Teleogryllus mitratus, and Acheta domesticus by cold pressing following hot-air drying. Fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Safety was assessed by cytotoxicity testing in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF) and the hen’s egg chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO^•) assays. Based on biological performance, T. mitratus oil (TMO) was incorporated into sunscreen creams containing physical and chemical ultraviolet (UV) filters. Physical stability, viscosity, pH, sun protection factor (SPF), persistent pigment darkening/ultraviolet A protection factor (PPD/UVA-PF), and blue light protection were evaluated. Results: All cricket oils were non-cytotoxic to NHDF cells and were classified as non-irritating in the HET-CAM assay. TMO exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, reducing intracellular ROS and significantly inhibiting NO^• production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. Only TMO showed measurable UVA protection (PPD/UVA-PF = 12.1, PA+++). Sunscreen creams formulated with TMO achieved higher photoprotective efficacy than olive oil-based creams, with SPF values up to 40.51 and PPD/UVA-PF up to 39.17. The inclusion of foundation pigments further increased SPF to 43.09 and enhanced blue light protection to 35.1%. Conclusions: TMO is a safe and effective multifunctional ingredient that enhances sunscreen performance and supports sustainable cosmetic formulation. Full article

This study presents a SCAPS-1D-based numerical optimization of an organic ultraviolet (UV) photodetector employing an FTO/PTB7/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au device architecture. The novelty of this work lies in a simulation-guided, UV-specific optimization strategy that combines thickness engineering, controlled doping, and contact work-function tuning to achieve intrinsic spectral selectivity without external optical filters. We systematically optimize material and device parameters, including active layer thicknesses, donor and acceptor densities, and the metal electrode work function, to enhance responsivity, detectivity, and spectral performance. Simulations identify optimal thicknesses of 1200 nm for PTB7 and 1000 nm for Spiro-OMeTAD, with donor concentrations of 1 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³ and 1 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³, respectively. A comparative contact analysis demonstrates that replacing aluminum with gold (Au) forms a near-ohmic back contact, leading to improved hole extraction and suppressed dark current due to favorable energy-level alignment. The optimized device achieves a peak external quantum efficiency of approximately 80% in the 300–400 nm ultraviolet range, with a responsivity up to 0.4 A/W. The UV selectivity originates from the absorption characteristics of PTB7 combined with suppressed long-wavelength charge collection, resulting in a negligible response in the visible–near-infrared region. These results confirm the device’s strong potential for high-sensitivity, solar-blind UV photodetection. By integrating practical material selection with physically consistent SCAPS-1D optoelectronic modeling, this work provides a robust design framework to guide the development of next-generation organic UV photodetectors for environmental sensing, biomedical diagnostics, and wearable optoelectronics. Full article

The accurate estimation of the instantaneous UV Index (UVI) is critical for public health, yet it is often attempted using broadband pyranometers (measuring Global Horizontal Irradiance GHI) or photometers (measuring Lux). This approach is known to be unreliable, particularly under the complex radiative conditions induced by clouds. However, the physical mechanisms driving this failure, specifically the changes in the spectral quality of sunlight, are not fully quantified. This study utilizes a high-resolution spectroradiometer and pyranometer at a Mediterranean site (Rende, Italy), analyzing instantaneous UVI, GHI and a set of derived analytical metrics: the Erythemal Efficacy, the UV Spectral Quality Ratio and the Clearness Index. The core metric of the paper is the Erythemal Efficacy, designed to quantify the “spectral quality” or “biological hazard” per unit of total energy. It is defined as the ratio of the instantaneous UV Index to the instantaneous GHI measured by the pyranometer. The analysis confirms a decoupling between instantaneous UVI and broadband GHI, exhibiting a wide, non-functional scatter. The paper shows that this failure is caused by the high variability of the Erythemal Efficacy, which is not a constant. Its variability is shown to be linearly governed by the internal Ultraviolet A to Ultraviolet B (UVA/UVB) spectral ratio. Most critically, the Erythemal Efficacy was found to follow a counter-intuitive trend, increasing significantly as the Clearness Index decreases. The common assumption of clouds as spectrally “grey” attenuators is flawed. Clouds act as selective filters, attenuating the GHI, dominated by Visible to Near-Infrared (VIS/NIR), more severely than the UVI. This increases the relative biological hazard of the light that penetrates thick cloud cover. This study provides a physical explanation for the failure of broadband proxies and demonstrates that instantaneous GHI or Lux-based UVI alerts are fundamentally unreliable, as they fail to capture the critical variability of spectral quality. Full article

Background: Skin cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide. Although photoprotection is the cornerstone of skin cancer prevention, evidence regarding the role of other radiations different from the ultraviolet radiation and the efficacy of sunscreens, oral supplements, DNA-repair enzymes, and antioxidants continues to evolve. Objectives: To review the current evidence on photoprotective strategies and assess their role in preventing actinic keratoses (AK), keratinocyte carcinomas and melanoma. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed (2010–2025), including studies in English and Spanish. Search terms comprised “photoprotection,” “sunscreen,” “oral photoprotection,” “skin cancer,” “melanoma,” “keratinocyte cancer,” “UV radiation,” “non-melanoma skin cancer” and related concepts. Articles were selected for clinical relevance. Results: Daily sunscreen use significantly reduces AK and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in high-risk individuals, although evidence for basal cell carcinoma and melanoma prevention remains heterogeneous. Balanced broad-spectrum protection, including UVA and visible light filtering, seems to be important, whereas high-energy visible light needs further investigation. DNA-repair enzymes have shown reductions in cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and clinical improvement of AK. Antioxidants such as Polypodium leucotomos extract, topical and oral, exhibit preventive effects on actinic damage and carcinogenesis. Topical and especially oral nicotinamide demonstrate chemopreventive potential in immunocompetent patients. Vulnerable populations—including transplant recipients, XP patients, individuals with albinism, and outdoor workers—require tailored photoprotection strategies with demonstrated benefit. Conclusions: Photoprotection extends far beyond UV filters, encompassing biological ingredients, antioxidants, oral supplements, and broad-spectrum strategies that target the full exposome. Comprehensive, behaviour-based photoprotection programmes are essential for high-risk groups. Full article

The transition to more sustainable models of production and consumption has encouraged the scientific community to seek innovative solutions that promote environmental responsibility and reduce waste. The cosmetic industry, in particular, has increasingly invested in natural and eco-friendly ingredients as alternatives to synthetic and environmentally harmful components. In this context, plant-derived bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential have gained attention for their ability to enhance photoprotection and reduce the concentration of conventional ultraviolet (UV) filters in sunscreens. Humulus lupulus L. (hop), a plant traditionally used in the brewing industry, generates large amounts of organic waste after the beer production process, especially through the dry-hopping technique. Despite often being discarded, this residual biomass retains important secondary metabolites with high biological value. Our investigation researched the sustainable valorization of hop brewing residues as a source of bioactive compounds for the development of more natural photoprotective products. We performed HLPC-MS/MS analysis and confirmed the presence of α-acids in both pure and reused hop material extracts, while a xanthohumol-like prenylated flavonoid was tentatively detected exclusively in the extract obtained from reused hop extract. In vitro tests demonstrated that sunscreens containing extract obtained from reused material significantly increased the sun protection factor (SPF) without negatively altering the critical wavelength when water was used as the solvent. None of the samples developed higher UVAPF values compared to the control. Our investigation, to the best of our knowledge, constitutes the first successful proof of concept demonstrating the use of both pure (non-reused) and reused hop material extracts as functional photoprotective adjuvants in sunscreen formulations evaluated by a robust, standardized in vitro methodology. This work highlights the dual benefit of reducing industrial waste and developing more sustainable, consumer-friendly cosmetic products. Full article