Search Results (22,939)

The Tumen River, which delineates the border between China, North Korea, and Russia, is a vital river in Northeast Asia. Understanding its current fish diversity holds significant scientific value for aquatic ecological protection. Therefore, traditional and eDNA sampling were conducted from 2022 to 2023. Integrating the historical literature with our field collection results reveals that the Tumen River has a total of 64 native fish species, of which 51 species have been surveyed in the wild. The fish composition is mainly dominated by cold-water species, with a high proportion of these being rare, endangered, and nationally protected. eDNA surveys are crucial complements in boundary rivers where traditional methods are not feasible. The results indicated that α diversity values were highest in the Hunchunhe River, attributed to the favorable natural geographical conditions and effective conservation efforts. Recently, the fish diversity in the Tumen River has been disrupted, primarily reflected in the absence of migratory species such as Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and Pseudaspius hakonensis. The study suggests that establishing nature reserves, preventing and controlling alien species, and strengthening international cooperation are key to protect fish diversity. Full article

Infections pose a risk for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants due to their immunosuppression, making them susceptible to opportunistic infections. Therefore, understanding the composition of the aerobiome in this area is vital. The aim of this study was to characterize the aerobiome in an HSC transplant area, evaluating the impact of infrastructure and health personnel operations on air contamination. The environmental parameters and aerobiome of the HSC transplant area at Hospital Juárez de México were quantified over one year. Finally, a double-entry Vester matrix was constructed to classify problems according to their degree of causality. The abundance and taxonomic diversity of the aerobiome were dependent on seasonality, environmental factors, and high-efficiency filtration. Gram-positive bacteria predominated, followed by fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. ANOVA revealed significant differences in the bacterial aerobiome but not in the fungal aerobiome among the transplant rooms. Clinically, fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., and Penicillium spp. were identified. ESKAPE bacteria typing revealed clonal dispersion. Finally, the Vester matrix highlighted critical problems associated with contamination due to the absence of HEPA filtration and non-adherence in patient management practices. HEPA filtration and positive pressure are essential to improve the air quality and reduce the microbiological load. However, the control areas will depend on patient management and routine activities, such as entry protocols in controlled areas. Full article

This study investigates the effects of grazing intensity and spatial scale on the important values, interspecific relationships, and community stability of desert steppe plant communities in Siziwang Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. Using vegetation data collected at three spatial scales (50 m × 50 m, 25 m × 25 m, and 2.5 m × 2.5 m) under two grazing conditions (no grazing and heavy grazing), we employed ecological statistics, including variance ratio analysis, χ2 tests, and the Jaccard index, to analyze species interactions and community structure. The results indicated that the important values of species vary with both spatial scale and grazing intensity; for example, Stipa breviflori and Chenopodium aristatum exhibited significantly higher important values in heavily grazed areas. Larger spatial scales enhanced the dominance of Cleistogenes songorica and Chenopodium aristatum, while smaller scales favored Stipa breviflori and Caragana stenophylla. Furthermore, interspecific associations were stronger in heavy grazing conditions. The community demonstrated consistent instability; however, no grazing areas were more stable than heavily grazed ones. These findings highlight that species importance, interspecific relationships, and community stability are closely linked to grazing intensity and spatial scale, emphasizing the critical role of sustainable grazing management in maintaining the long-term stability and resilience of desert steppe ecosystems. By emphasizing the need for targeted and sustainable management strategies, this study aims to contribute to the restoration and preservation of these vital ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Populations in Mediterranean countries are abandoning the traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) and lifestyle, shifting towards unhealthier habits due to profound cultural and socioeconomic changes. The SWITCHtoHEALTHY project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a multi-component nutritional intervention to improve the adherence of families to the MD in three Mediterranean countries, thus prompting a dietary behavior change. Methods: A parallel, randomized, single-blinded, and controlled multicentric nutritional intervention study will be conducted over 3 months in 480 families with children and adolescents aged 3–17 years from Spain, Morocco, and Turkey. The multi-component intervention will combine digital interactive tools, hands-on educational materials, and easy-to-eat healthy snacks developed for this study. Through the developed SWITCHtoHEALTHY app, families will receive personalized weekly meal plans, which also consider what children eat at school. The engagement of all family members will be prompted by using a life simulation game. In addition, a set of activities and educational materials for adolescents based on a learning-through-playing approach will be codesigned. Innovative and sustainable plant-based snacks will be developed and introduced into the children’s dietary plan as healthy alternatives for between meals. By using a full-factorial design, families will be randomized into eight groups (one control and seven interventions) to test the independent and combined effects of each component (application and/or educational materials and/or snacks). The impact of the intervention on diet quality, economy, and the environment, as well as on classical anthropometric parameters and vital signs, will be assessed in three different visits. The COM-B behavioral model will be used to assess essential factors driving the behavior change. The main outcome will be adherence to the MD assessed through MEDAS in adults and KIDMED in children and adolescents. Conclusions: SWITCHtoHEALTHY will provide new insights into the use of sustained models for inducing dietary and lifestyle behavior changes in the family setting. It will facilitate generating, boosting, and maintaining the switch to a healthier MD dietary pattern across the Mediterranean area. Registered Trial, National Institutes of Health, ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06057324). Full article

Assessing the relationship between litter characteristics and soil microbial community traits across different forest types can enhance our understanding of the synergistic interactions among litter, soil, and microorganisms. This study focused on three representative forest types in the Funiu Mountains—Larix gmelinii (LG), Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata (QA), and Quercus aliena var. acutiserrata + Pinus armandii (QAPA). The findings indicated no significant differences in Chao1 among the three forests; however, the Shannon index exhibited an initial increase followed by a decline. NMDS and ANOSIM analyses revealed significant structural differences across these forest types. Network topological metrics (nodes, edges, average degree, and average path distance) for bacterial taxa were higher in LG and QA compared with QAPA. Additionally, LG and QA demonstrated significantly greater average niche breadth than QAPA. The results from the null models (the proportion occupied by dispersal limitation is 62.2%, 82.2%, and 64.4% in LG, QA, and QAPA), modified stochasticity ratio (LG: 0.708, QA: 0.664, and QAPA: 0.801), and neutral community models (LG: R² = 0.665, QA: R² = 0.630, and QAPA: R² = 0.665) suggested that stochastic processes predominantly govern the assembly of soil bacterial communities. Random forest analysis alongside Mantel tests highlighted LTP (litter total phosphorus), STN (soil total nitrogen), MCP (carbon-to-phosphorus ratio of microbial biomass), and SCN (soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio) as critical factors affecting bacterial niche width; conversely LCN (litter carbon-to-nitrogen ratio), RCP (ratio of dissolved carbon to phosphorus), MCP, and SCN emerged as key determinants influencing community assembly processes. Furthermore, the PLS-SEM results underscored how both litter characteristics along with soil properties—and their associated alpha diversity—impact variations in niche breadth while also shaping community assembly dynamics overall. This research provides vital insights into understanding synergistic relationships between litter quality, soil characteristics, and microbial community across diverse forest ecosystems. Full article

Cannabis, derived from Cannabis sativa plants, is a prevalent illicit substance in the United States, containing over 400 chemicals, including 100 cannabinoids, each affecting the body’s organs differently upon ingestion. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a gut–brain axis disorder characterized by recurring nausea and vomiting intensified by excessive cannabis consumption. CHS often goes undiagnosed due to inconsistent criteria, subjective symptoms, and similarity to cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS). Understanding the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and its dual response (pro-emetic at higher doses and anti-emetic at lower doses) is crucial in the pathophysiology of CHS. Recent research noted that type 1 cannabinoid receptors in the intestinal nerve plexus exhibit an inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal motility. At the same time, the thermoregulatory function of endocannabinoids might explain compulsive hot bathing in CHS patients. The prevalence of cannabis CHS is expected to rise as legal restrictions on its recreational use decrease in several states. Education and awareness are vital in diagnosing and treating CHS as its prevalence increases. This comprehensive review explores the ECS’s involvement, CHS management approaches, and knowledge gaps to enhance understanding of this syndrome. Full article

In early 20th-century Korea, Buddhist magazines emerged as vital extra-canonical sources, offering a modern platform that complemented traditional Buddhist texts. These publications navigated the complexities between succeeding Buddhist tradition and embracing modernity, addressing the historical challenges of the 19th century while also contributing to the preservation of national sovereignty and the formation of a modern Korean Buddhist identity. Serving as a forum for scholarly works on Buddhist translation, doctrine, and history, as well as literature, education, and propagation, these magazines became central to both intellectual and spiritual discourse. Of the more than 30 periodicals published during the Japanese occupation, Bulgyo stood out as the longest-running and most influential magazine, with its complete archive preserved. Bulgyo brought together various members of the Buddhist community as both contributors and readers, broadening the scope of Buddhism to include a diverse range of topics such as academia, literature, art, women, and children. This article explores the role and significance of Korean Buddhist magazines during the Japanese colonial period, with a particular focus on Bulgyo, and examines how the publication helped shape Buddhist modernity within Korea’s complex political and religious landscape. Full article

The bay area contains terrestrial forests and coastal mangroves with vital ecosystem functions, which provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity maintenance. Meanwhile, the bay area usually hosts intensive socioeconomic activities. High-intensity anthropogenic activities in the bay area have threatened the terrestrial ecosystem and marine environment. Harmonizing the relationship between terrestrial ecosystem conservation, marine environmental governance, and socioeconomic development is crucial for realizing the national “coordinated land and marine development” strategy and promoting sustainability in the bay area. This study constructed a coupling coordination assessment system of the terrestrial ecosystem, marine environmental system, and socioeconomic system. Taking the bay area of the Fujian River Delta as a case study, multiple ecological models were integrated to quantify the coupling coordination degree between these three systems and present its spatial distribution characteristics. Furthermore, the constraint types on the coupling coordination degree were spatially revealed in the bay area. The results suggested that there are significant spatial differences in the coupling coordination degree of the three systems in the bay area of the Fujian River Delta. The areas with a relatively low coupling coordination degree are mainly focused on the central part of the Xiamen Bay area and the southeastern part of the Quanzhou Bay area. Regions with high socioeconomic development tend to present weak terrestrial or marine eco-environmental conditions. The critical constraint factor of the coupling coordination degree in the Zhangzhou Bay area is its backward socioeconomic development level. The backwardness of both the terrestrial ecosystem and marine environmental system exists in most districts of the Xiamen Bay area. In addition, the marine environmental conditions in the Xiamen Bay area are worse than those in the Quanzhou Bay Area and the Zhangzhou Bay area. Full article

Active transportation and lifestyles are important components of a sustainable city. Greenways play a crucial role in providing conducive environments for jogging. To investigate the influence of micro-scale characteristics on perceived jogging supportiveness (PJS), 230 video clips of greenways within Fuzhou City were collected as samples. PJS was evaluated using a Likert scale, perceptual characteristics were assessed through a semantic difference scale, and physical characteristics were computed via semantic segmentation. By employing SHAP values and dependence plots within an XGBoost framework, the findings reveal the following: (1) Regarding perceptual characteristics, continuity, culture, and facility affordance exhibit the highest relative importance to PJS (|SHAP| ≥ 0.1). Continuity, naturalness, and vitality generally have positive impacts on PJS, while disturbance is negative. Facility affordance, scale, culture, openness, and brightness demonstrate more complex nonlinear influences that suggest optimal value ranges. (2) Concerning physical characteristics, fences, motor vehicles, and surface material are deemed most influential (|SHAP| ≥ 0.1). The presence of fences, walls, and construction generally negatively affect PJS, while excessive openness is also unfavorable. Comfortable road surfaces are associated with higher levels of PJS. Natural elements and the presence of people and vehicles have promoting effects up to certain thresholds, but beyond that point, they exert opposite influences. Finally, suggestions for designing greenways that encourage jogging are proposed. This study provides practical references for optimizing greenway design to promote active transportation and lifestyles, reinforcing the contribution of green infrastructure to public health in sustainable cities. Full article

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that plays a vital role in the mammalian nervous system. Alternative splicing of the MAPT gene leads to the formation of tau isoforms with varying N-terminal inserts and microtubule-binding repeats. Dysregulation of tau alternative splicing has been linked to diseases in the central nervous system, but the roles of tau isoforms in the peripheral nervous system remain unclear. Here, we investigated the alternative splicing of tau exons 4A and 10 in the sciatic nerve and Schwann cells during development and following injury. We discovered that low-molecular-weight (LMW) tau, resulting from the exclusion of exon 4A, and 3R tau, generated by the exclusion of exon 10, diminishes with aging in rat sciatic nerve and Schwann cells. High-molecular-weight (HMW) tau and 3R tau increase in the adult sciatic nerve post-injury. We constructed viruses that expressed HMW−4R, LMW−4R, HMW−3R, and LMW−3R and introduced them into cultured cells or the distal part of the injured sciatic nerve to assess their effects on Schwann cell migration and proliferation. We also examined the effects of the four isoforms on axon growth and debris clearance after sciatic nerve injury. Our results demonstrated that tau isoforms inhibit Schwann cell proliferation while promoting Schwann cell migration and sciatic nerve regeneration. Specifically, the 3R−tau isoforms were more effective than the 4R−tau isoforms in promoting nerve regeneration. In conclusion, our study reveals the roles of tau isoforms in the peripheral nervous system and provides insights into the development of new therapeutic strategies for peripheral nerve injuries. Full article

The popularization of lithium metal anode has been limited due to uneven deposition processes and lithium dendrites. Guiding homogeneous nucleation during the initial plating stage of lithium is vital to obtain a stable lithium metal anode. Herein, an ultra-thin dipole layer that can be used to regulate the diffusion layer is prepared by anodizing and strong polarization on a titanium foil collector. It is demonstrated that the vertical distributions of ionic concentration and electrostatic potential on the nBTO@Ti electrode are modulated by the ultrathin dipole layer, leading to uniform diffusion of lithium ions and reduction of overpotential. Consequently, a uniform lithium nucleation and plating process are achieved on a polarized BaTiO₃ collector, which is verified by microscopy. The average coulombic efficiency of the deposition-dissolution process is as high as 98.3% for 300 cycles at 0.5 mA cm⁻². Moreover, the symmetrical cell shows flat potential platforms of 25 mV for 1000 cycles at 0.5 mA cm⁻². Full cell with LiFePO₄ as cathode also reveals excellent electrochemical performances with a steady discharge capacity of 120 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 C and a high capacity retention of 93.3% after 200 cycles. Full article

This study examines the influence of transportation policies and urbanisation on cycling participation and environmental sustainability in Slovenia. Factor and regression analyses were employed. The yearly data from 2008 to 2021 were isolated. A modest increase in urban cycling frequency was observed, bolstered by investments in environmental protection and safety enhancements; however, additional evidence is needed to confirm the long-term effects (H1). Furthermore, while increased cycling was linked to a reduction in CO₂ emissions and improved air quality, the overall environmental benefits were found to be affected by other factors, such as motorisation and public transportation in summer (H2). The study revealed that the introduction of reduced urban speed limits and expanded cycling lanes significantly enhanced cycling safety and desirability, leading to a shift from car usage to bicycles (RQ). These findings indicate that cycling could play a vital role in advancing Slovenia’s sustainable development goals, emphasising the need for continued investments and supportive urbanisation policies. Full article

Protein–RNA interactions are essential to many cellular functions, and missense mutations in RNA-binding proteins can disrupt these interactions, often leading to disease. To address this, we developed PRITrans, a specialized computational method aimed at predicting the effects of missense mutations on protein–RNA interactions, which is vital for understanding disease mechanisms and advancing molecular biology research. PRITrans is a novel deep learning model designed to predict the effects of missense mutations on protein–RNA interactions, which employs a Transformer architecture enhanced with multiscale convolution modules for comprehensive feature extraction. Its primary innovation lies in integrating protein language model embeddings with a deep feature fusion strategy, effectively handling high-dimensional feature representations. By utilizing multi-layer self-attention mechanisms, PRITrans captures nuanced, high-level sequence information, while multiscale convolutions extract features across various depths, thereby enhancing predictive accuracy. Consequently, this architecture enables significant improvements in ΔΔG prediction compared to traditional approaches. We validated PRITrans using three different cross-validation strategies on two newly reconstructed mutation datasets, S315 and S630 (containing 315 forward and 315 reverse mutations). The results consistently demonstrated PRITrans’s strong performance on both datasets. PRITrans demonstrated strong predictive capability, achieving a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.741 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.168 kcal/mol on the S630 dataset. Moreover, its robust performance extended to independent test sets, achieving a Pearson correlation of 0.699 and an RMSE of 1.592 kcal/mol. These results underscore PRITrans’s potential as a powerful tool for protein-RNA interaction studies. Moreover, when tested against existing prediction methods on an independent dataset, PRITrans showed improved predictive accuracy and robustness. Full article

Introduction: Food insecurity is a vital issue, especially in places such as Kinshasa. Additionally, food insecurity has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, this study examined food insecurity in Kinshasa after the peak of the pandemic to understand the impact of post-pandemic recovery efforts as well as the heterogeneity of this problem according to the residence of respondent (slum vs. non-slum areas). Methods: Grounded in the four key dimensions of food security (availability, access, vulnerability, and utilization), this cross-sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa with a representative sample of 2170 households selected from 62 enumeration areas. We used a questionnaire to interview participants about their food situations. Interviews were conducted with the head of each household or their designated representative by 150 master’s students using tablets powered by the SurveyCTO application. Household food security status was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. A logistic regression model was developed to assess household risk factors associated with food insecurity. Results: Most people we talked to were over 40 years old, and many lived in households with fewer than six people. About a third of the households were overcrowded. The prevalence of food insecurity was 76.5% (95%CI: 74.6–78.3). Factors associated with food insecurity included being a household head aged over 50 years, insufficient living space, lower socioeconomic status, and residing in slum areas (AOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06–1.79). Conclusions: Vulnerable groups, such as slum residents, older adults, and informal workers are more likely to be affected by food insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires the government to develop targeted strategies that bolster resilience and mitigate household vulnerability during crises. Full article

The exploration and advancement of feminism are vital for addressing critical issues such as social progress, equitable education, and healthcare access. This paper comprehensively examines the feminist movement’s impact on architecture over the past century, identifying key trends and significant areas to establish an academic foundation for feminist architecture. A literature review on feminism in urban planning, architecture, landscape design, and urban safety highlights the current research focus on feminist architectural development. Furthermore, this paper traces the evolution of feminist architecture through both purpose-driven and process-oriented approaches, exploring the interplay between feminist and modern architectural practices. It specifically examines the development of feminist architecture within the Chinese context from two perspectives: the influence of feminist thought on architecture and the evolution of gendered spaces within the “Residence and Courtyard” model. By comparing the internal logic of feminist architectural development in China and the West, this study investigates how geopolitical culture and regional differences shape the future trajectory of this field. Unlike traditional feminist architectural research, which often emphasizes women’s practices within specific feminist ideologies or focuses on visual culture and psychological interpretations of gendered spaces, this paper redefines the scope of feminist architectural studies through a comparative analysis of historical and contemporary contexts, and Eastern and Western perspectives, employing a systematic genealogical approach. Full article