Search Results (11,975)

The development of anticancer peptides (ACPs) has emerged as a promising strategy in targeted cancer therapy due to their high specificity and therapeutic potential. Cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptides represent a particularly attractive class of ACPs, yet systematic evaluation of their anticancer activity remains limited. In this study, we conducted virtual screening of eight cathelicidin-derived peptides (AL-38, LL-37, RK-31, KS-30, KR-20, FK-16, FK-13, and KR-12) to assess their potential against colon cancer. Among these, LL-37 and FK-16 were identified as the most promising candidates, with LL-37 exhibiting the strongest inhibitory effects on both non-metastatic (HT-29) and metastatic (SW-620) colon cancer cell lines in vitro. To overcome challenges associated with peptide stability and delivery, we employed the probiotic lactic acid bacterium Limosilactobacillus fermentum KUB-D18 as both a biosynthetic platform and delivery vehicle. A genome-scale metabolic model (GEM), iTM505, was reconstructed to predict the strain’s biosynthetic capacity for ACP production. Model simulations identified trehalose, sucrose, maltose, and cellobiose as optimal carbon sources supporting both high peptide yield and biomass accumulation, which was subsequently confirmed experimentally. Notably, L. fermentum expressing LL-37 achieved a growth rate of 2.16 gDW/L, closely matching the model prediction of 1.93 gDW/L (accuracy 89.69%), while the measured LL-37 concentration (26.96 ± 0.08 µM) aligned with predictions at 90.65% accuracy. The strong concordance between in silico predictions and experimental outcomes underscore the utility of GEM-guided metabolic engineering for optimizing peptide biosynthesis. This integrative approach—combining virtual screening, genome-scale modeling, and experimental validation—provides a robust framework for accelerating ACP discovery. Moreover, our findings highlight the potential of probiotic-based systems as effective delivery platforms for anticancer peptides, offering new avenues for the rational design and production of peptide therapeutics. Full article

Forest and grassland fire behavior prediction is increasingly critical under climate change, as rising fire frequency and intensity threaten ecosystems and human societies worldwide. This paper reviews the status and future development trends of wildfire behavior modeling and prediction technologies. It provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of models from empirical to physical and then to data-driven approaches, emphasizing the integration of multidisciplinary techniques such as machine learning and deep learning. While conventional physical models offer mechanistic insights, recent advancements in data-driven models have enabled the analysis of big data to uncover intricate nonlinear relationships. We underscore the necessity of integrating multiple models via complementary, weighted fusion and hybrid methods to bolster robustness across diverse situations. Ultimately, we advocate for the creation of intelligent forecast systems that leverage data from space, air and ground sources to provide multifaceted fire behavior predictions in regions and globally. Such systems would more effectively transform fire management from a reactive approach to a proactive strategy, thereby safeguarding global forest carbon sinks and promoting sustainable development in the years to come. By offering forward-looking insights and highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approaches, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, supporting informed decision-making and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Full article

This study aims to assess the environmental profile and identify environmental hotspots of indoor hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation through environmental impact analysis under four scenarios combining two nutrient solutions and two lighting intensities (540 W and 900 W). Indoor cultivation of industrial hemp is becoming increasingly relevant as plant production shifts to controlled environments, raising the need to evaluate its environmental implications. The assessment was conducted using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology in accordance with the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, applying a cradle-to-gate system boundary and a functional unit of 1 kg of dried hemp inflorescence. Primary data were obtained from a controlled cultivation experiment, while secondary data were drawn from validated databases. The carbon footprint ranged from 1050 to 1610 kg CO₂ eq per kilogram of dried inflorescence. Scenarios with 900 W lighting showed 30–35% lower impacts per kilogram compared to 540 W variants. Electricity production and consumption were identified as major environmental hotspots, dominating most impact categories. The study concludes that improving input–output efficiency is essential for sustainable indoor cultivation and that integrating renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics or biomass, could further reduce environmental impacts. Full article

Agricultural land management is a major determinant of terrestrial carbon (C) fluxes and has substantial implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategies. This study evaluated the net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) of an agricultural field in an organic integrated crop–livestock system (ICLS) with a ley-arable rotation in northern Germany over two years (2021–2023). Carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes were measured using the eddy covariance (EC) method to derive net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (RECO). This approach facilitated an assessment of the temporal dynamics of CO₂ exchange, alongside detailed monitoring of field-based C imports, exports, and management activities, of a crop sequence including grass-clover (GC) ley, spring wheat (SW), and a cover crop (CC). The GC ley acted as a consistent C sink (NECB: −1386 kg C ha⁻¹), driven by prolonged photosynthetic activity and moderate biomass removal. In contrast, the SW, despite high GPP, became a net source of C (NECB: 120 kg C ha⁻¹) due to substantial export via harvest. The CC contributed to C uptake during the winter period. However, cumulatively, it acted as a net CO₂ source, likely due to drought conditions following soil cultivation and CC sowing. Soil cultivation events contributed to short-term CO₂ pulses, with their magnitude modulated by soil water content (SWC) and soil temperature (TS). Overall, the site functioned as a net C sink, with an average NECB of −702 kg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. This underscores the climate mitigation potential of management practices such as GC ley systems under moderate grazing, spring soil cultivation, and the application of organic fertilizers. To optimize CC benefits, their use should be combined with reduced soil disturbance during sowing or establishment as an understory. Additionally, C exports via harvests could be offset by retaining greater amounts of harvest residues onsite. Full article

The global low-carbon energy transition relies on the orderly integration of a high proportion renewable energy. As an important carrier of demand-side energy systems, parks are responsible for local balancing and the accommodation of distributed renewable energy. However, the energy systems of parks exhibit the integrated characteristics of heterogeneous energy sources, including electricity, heat, and gas. It also encompasses the entire source–network–load–storage process, which renders it huge and complex. For this reason, as a systematic review article, this paper aims to summarize the overall application of artificial intelligence technology in China’s park-level comprehensive energy system. First, the current status of technology applications in the corresponding scenarios is analyzed based on three dimensions: prediction, scheduling, and security. Subsequently, key challenges in applying AI technologies to these scenarios are identified, including multi-temporal and spatial synergy issues in source–load forecasting, multi-agent equilibrium problems in dispatch optimization, and cross-modal matching challenges in security operation and maintenance (O&M). Thereafter, the feasible directions to solve these bottlenecks will be discussed comprehensively in light of the latest research advancements. Finally, we propose a phased roadmap for technological development and to identify the key gaps in this research field, such as the lack of publicly available benchmark datasets, data exchange standards, and cross-campus validation frameworks. This article aims to provide a systematic theoretical reference and development framework for the in-depth empowerment of AI technology in the integrated energy system of industrial parks. Full article

Hydrothermal fluids altered Mississippian (Osagian) carbonates in the Rebecca K. Bounds (RKB) core in western Kansas, U.S.A. Carbonate mineralization is similar to that associated with Mississippian valley type (MVT) mineralization. The RKB core displays fractures, vugs, channels, and breccias filled with saddle dolomite and blocky calcite cements. Homogenization temperature indicates that dolomite (65 to 126 °C, 18.4 to 23 wt. % NaCl) and calcite (67 to 101 °C, 13.2 to 22.4 wt. % NaCl) cements were precipitated by hot, saline fluids. These data are consistent with previous studies on the southern midcontinent. Carbon and oxygen isotope values for dolomite (δ¹³C 0.15 to 2.08‰, δ¹⁸O −6.44 to −4.66‰) and calcite (δ¹³C −1.01 to 1.79‰, δ¹⁸O −9.44 to −8.69‰) indicate multiple pulses of fluids likely sourced from basins to the south and west. Strontium isotopes data (0.7088812 to 0.7094432 in dolomite and 0.7089503 to 0.7111501 in calcite) indicate fluid interaction with granitic basement or basement-derived siliciclastics. These results are consistent with mixing of upwelling Ordovician-sourced fluids and Permian evaporitic brines, transported by advective and/or vertical migration. Although sulfide minerals were not observed in this study, earlier reports in western Kansas document sphalerite linked to hydrothermal brines in underlying strata. This study highlights the potential for MVT mineralization in the Mississippian of western Kansas. Full article

Olive mill wastewater is a polluting residue generated from the olive oil industry and is one which constitutes an environmental concern in Mediterranean countries. Composting has been reported as a viable valorization alternative, as it reduces the volume and the phytotoxic characteristics of OMW. In this study, several composts derived from OMW were evaluated under controlled conditions over two growing season pot experiments using Lactuca sativa as a test crop. The analysis focused on soil quality changes, crop yield, and plant development. Additionally, potential phytotoxicity was also evaluated through a direct acute toxicity plant growth test. Application of OMW composts improved soil fertility indicators, including oxidizable carbon, Kjeldahl total nitrogen, Olsen phosphorous, and plant availability. Crop yields were comparable to those obtained with other organic amendments such as vermicompost and fresh cattle manure in both growing seasons and plant development (in terms of chlorophyll content and canopy cover) was not negatively affected. Nutrient uptake (NPK) was consistent during both growing seasons, with similar nitrogen use efficiency to that achieved in other organic treatments. Regarding the potential toxic effect, the OMW composts tested enhanced seed germination when mixed with coconut fiber at weight ratios below 29.2%. No half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) values were detected, even at 100% compost concentration, while half-maximal inhibitory concentration (LC50) values ranged between 65–75%. These results indicate that OMW composts can serve as an effective short-term source of plant-available nitrogen and a medium-term source of phosphorus, without risk of finding inhibitory or phytotoxic effects on crops. Full article

This study aims to develop and characterize innovative geopolymer composites by incorporating activated carbon into a geopolymer matrix to create a novel, effective sorption material suitable for non-dusty or medium-temperature environmental applications. Specifically, it examines the impact of using a single source of activated carbon, both in its original granular form and milled form, at two different loading levels for each. The research focuses on evaluating how these variations influence the textural, adsorption, mechanical, and thermal properties of the resulting geopolymer composites, with particular attention to strength and thermal stability under operational conditions. The CO₂ adsorption capacity of the composites measured at 25 °C and pressure up to 0.1 MPa varied from 48.8 to 60.0 mg.g⁻¹, with the highest performance observed at a lower content of the granular form, while commercial pure activated carbon reached 120.8 mg.g⁻¹. However, incorporation of a granular form negatively affected thermal stability (approximately 20 wt.% weight loss) and significantly reduced compressive strength (below 45 MPa) due to increased material inhomogeneity. Despite these limitations, both types of composites show promising potential for environmental applications. However, further optimization is required to balance sorption capacity, strength, and thermal stability. Full article

Energy consumption and environmental pollution pose significant challenges to sustainable development. This study develops a comprehensive coupled framework model that advances the quantitative integration of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycles driven by multiple anthropogenic pollution sources. This paper used Panjin city as a case study to analyze the dynamic changes and interconnections among C, N, and P. Results indicated that net anthropogenic carbon inputs (NAI_C) increased by 33% from 2016–2020, while net anthropogenic nitrogen inputs (NAI_N) and net anthropogenic phosphorus inputs (NAI_P) decreased by 14% and 28%, respectively. The primary driver of NAI_C was energy consumption, while wetlands were the dominant carbon sequestration sink. Agricultural production was identified as the primary source of NAI_N and NAI_P, and approximately 4.5% of NAI_N and 2.9% of NAI_P were discharged into receiving water bodies. We demonstrate that human activities and natural processes exhibit dual attributes, producing positive and negative environmental effects. The increase in carbon emissions drives economic growth and industrial restructuring; however, the enhanced economic capacity also strengthens the ability to mitigate pollution through environmental protection measures. Similarly, natural ecosystems, including forests and grasslands, contribute to carbon sequestration and the release of non-point source pollution. The comprehensive environmental impact assessment of C, N, and P revealed that the comprehensive environmental index for Panjin city exhibited an improved trend. The factors of energy structure, energy efficiency, and economic scale promoted NAI_C growth, with the economic scale factor alone accounting for 93% of the total increment. Environmental efficiency factor and population size factor were the primary drivers in reducing NAI_N and NAI_P discharges into the receiving water bodies. We propose a novel management model, ecological restoration, clean energy utilization, resource recycling, and pollution source reduction to achieve systemic governance of C, N, and P inputs. Full article

Functioning as a critical ecotone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, riparian zones exhibit soil enzyme activities that serve as key biomarkers of their nutrient cycling processes. However, despite considerable focus on riparian soil properties, the dynamics and underlying drivers of these enzymatic activities are not yet fully characterized. To this end, soils were systematically sampled across varying widths and depths from three representative riparian zones to quantify the driving forces of physicochemical properties on enzyme activity dynamics. The results showed that the soil enzyme activity was highest in the forest riparian zone and lowest in the farmland riparian zone, with average enzyme activities of 37.95 (μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹) and 26.85 (μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹), respectively. The width of the riparian zone changes the spatial distribution of soil enzyme activity. The soil enzyme activity is higher in the land edge area far from the river (profile-1) and lower in the water edge area near the river (profile-4), with average enzyme activities of 47.4384 (μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹) and 17.0017 (μmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹), respectively. Moreover, soil water content (SWC) has a strong impact on enzyme activity changes. The increase in soil depth reduces soil enzyme activity, with enzyme activity in the 0–20 cm soil layer being 1.5 times higher than in the 20–50 cm soil layer. Meanwhile, the primary factors influencing changes in soil enzyme activity have gradually shifted from total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), and soil organic carbon (SOC) to the sole control of SOC. Research has shown that human influence strongly interferes with soil enzyme activity in riparian zones. The width of the riparian zone and soil depth serve as key drivers of the spatial distribution of soil enzyme activity by modulating soil environmental factors. The patterns revealed in this study indicate that maintaining appropriate riparian zone width and reducing anthropogenic disturbances can enhance nutrient cycling dynamics at the micro-scale by increasing soil enzyme activity. This process is crucial for strengthening the riparian zone’s macro-level ecosystem services, particularly by effectively enhancing its capacity to sequester and transform nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural nonpoint sources, thereby safeguarding downstream water quality. Consequently, soil enzyme activity serves as a key indicator, providing essential scientific basis for assessing riparian health and guiding ecological restoration efforts. Full article

Barium carbonate (BaCO₃) nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile hydrolysis route using BaCl₂ and KOH in aqueous solution, with atmospheric CO₂ as the carbonate source, without external agents. Their structural and morphological properties were investigated by XRD, ATR-FTIR, SEM, and BET, confirming the formation of a pure orthorhombic witherite phase with rod-like morphology and different surface specific areas. The crystallite size increased from 52 to 86 nm with higher precursor concentration and synthesis temperature, as predicted by a regression model correlating synthesis parameter with particle growth. When incorporated into polymer (PVC) and geopolymer (GP) matrices, BaCO₃ enhanced the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under solar light, with GP@Nano-BaCO₃ achieving a higher rate constant compared to PVC@Nano-BaCO₃. The results highlight that the synthesis strategy yields well-defined BaCO₃ nanoparticles with tunable structural features and promising photocatalytic potential when integrated in functional polymer matrices. Future work will address doping strategies and testing in real wastewater conditions. Overall, this synthesis strategy offers a reproducible and environmentally friendly route to BaCO₃ nanoparticles with potential applications in hybrid materials for visible light-driven environmental remediation. Full article

To address the imbalance in energy supply and demand across different regions and seasons, the thermochemical conversion process was selected to efficiently utilize surplus energy. In the search for suitable novel materials, this study developed a porous matrix “in-salt” composite using a carbonized metal-organic framework as the carrier and LiCl as the primary reactant. When exposed to water vapor, the innovative material enabled both adsorption and desorption of water vapor, leading to the release and storage of thermal energy, thereby achieving effective energy storage. Using Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O as metal ion sources and 2-methylimidazole as the ligand, bimetallic zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (BMZIFs) were fabricated via the liquid-phase precipitation method. The composite specimen prepared at a carbonization temperature of 1000 °C with a 20% LiCl mass concentration exhibited the most promising thermal storage performance, achieving the highest capacity, with a final water loss of 53.56% and a stable water adsorption capacity of about 0.831 g·g⁻¹. Full article

The forest food industry, as a typical low-carbon green ecological industry, holds strategic significance in addressing global food security challenges. This review takes forest protein resources as an example to analyze the current development status, opportunities, and challenges from a global industrial perspective. Research indicates that forests, as a vital food treasure for humanity, can provide diverse protein sources such as insects, plants, microorganisms, and bio-manufactured proteins. Currently, numerous technological innovations and market practices have emerged in fields such as insect protein (e.g., there are over 3000 edible insect species globally, with a market size of approximately USD 3.2 billion in 2023, projected to reach USD 7.6 billion by 2028), plant-based alternative protein (e.g., plant-based chicken nuggets by Impossible Foods in the United States), microbial fermentation protein (e.g., the production capacity of Solar Foods’ production base in Finland is 160 tons per year), and cell-cultured meat (e.g., cell-cultured chicken is sold in Singapore), demonstrating significant potential in alleviating food supply pressures and reducing environmental burdens. However, industrial development still faces practical challenges including insufficient resource exploration, incomplete nutritional and safety evaluation systems, low consumer acceptance, high costs of core technologies (e.g., the first cell-cultured meat burger in 2013 cost over 1 million USD/lb, and current costs need to be reduced to 17–65 USD/kg to achieve market competitiveness), and imperfect regulatory mechanisms (e.g., varying national standards lead to high compliance costs for enterprises). In the future, it is necessary to achieve efficient development and sustainable utilization of forest protein resources by strengthening resource exploration, clarifying the basis of nutrients, promoting multi-technology integration and innovation, and establishing a sound market access system, thereby providing solutions for global food security and high-quality development of the food industry. Full article

Limited access to electricity and high levels of CO₂ emissions—over 35 billion metric tons in recent years—highlight the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, particularly in rural areas dependent on polluting fuels. To address this challenge, three single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with carbon anodes and zinc cathodes were designed and operated for 35 days in a closed circuit. Voltage, current, pH, conductivity, ORP, and COD were monitored. FTIR-ATR spectroscopy (range 4000–400 cm⁻¹) was applied to identify structural changes, and polarization curves were constructed to estimate internal resistance. The main FTIR peaks were observed at 1027, 1636, 3237, and 3374 cm⁻¹, indicating the degradation of polysaccharides and hydroxyl groups. The maximum voltage reached was 0.961 ± 0.025 V, and the peak current was 3.052 ± 0.084 mA on day 16, coinciding with an optimal pH of 4.977 ± 0.058, a conductivity of 194.851 ± 2.847 mS/cm, and an ORP of 126.707 ± 6.958 mV. Connecting the three MFCs in series yielded a total voltage of 2.34 V. Taxonomic analysis of the anodic biofilm revealed a community dominated by Firmicutes (genus Lactobacillus: L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. casei, L. delbrueckii, L. fermentum, L. helveticus, and L. plantarum), along with Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria (electrogenic bacteria). This microbial synergy enhances electron transfer and validates the use of carrot waste as a renewable source of bioelectricity for low-power applications. Full article

Despite major policy, industry, and individual efforts to reduce global environmental damage, the industry-induced carbon footprint continues to persist under changing geographical patterns. Having shifted significantly from advanced economies to emerging economies and developing world regions, greenhouse gas emissions from footprint-heavy activities, such as raw material sourcing and waste disposal, are not addressed by institutional and corporate solutions due to different regional standards or the overall absence of mandatory reporting. Rooted in the analysis of industry practices and past literature, the present research presents an integrated theme-based perspective on the interplay between focal firms and their suppliers in the context of advanced and emerging economies in underreported Scope 3 activity carbon footprint management. We argue that it is technology-driven unified efforts, which enforce factors such as traceability, transparency, and predictive and prescriptive capabilities within Scope 3 activities, that need to be addressed to ensure the activation and maintenance of a truly sustainable global value chain (GVC). By departing from traditional command-and-control practices and extending upon the existing governance-focused framework of sustainable value creation, this paper highlights the essential co-creating stance of non-focal actors in achieving a circular approach to sustainability within GVCs. Full article