Search Results (12,559)

Gut microbiota play crucial roles in host health, including immune regulation, metabolism, and nutrient absorption. Its dysregulation has been linked to various diseases. When administered in sufficient amounts, probiotics can contribute to restoring the gut microbial balance and maintain homeostasis. Species of the genus Bacillus and related genera (Alkalihalobacillus and Heyndrickxia) have been extensively studied and commercialized as probiotics due to their ability to form endospores, the dormant cell forms that provide remarkable resistance to adverse conditions. Understanding the mechanisms of the action of spore-forming probiotics is essential for harnessing their therapeutic potential. This review explores the mechanisms underlying the action of spore-forming probiotics, with a special focus on Alkalihalobacillus clausii. Many beneficial properties such as resilience in extreme conditions, multiplication in the gut, gut adhesion, immunomodulatory effects, the production of bioactive and antimicrobial compounds, as well as efficacy in human health and diseases are extensively dissected. In parallel, this review underscores the limitations of spore-forming probiotics, focusing on safety concerns, issues related to dose standardization and quality control, as well as potential off-target effects and risks in immunocompromised individuals. Full article

Coal gangue (CG) and iron tailings (ITs) are major industrial solid wastes, and their high-value reuse is crucial for sustainable construction materials. This study explores the feasibility of fabricating sintered porous bricks using CG and ITs as primary constituents, with shale as an auxiliary component. To evaluate durability in cold regions, laboratory freeze–thaw (F-T) cycling experiments were conducted. A degradation assessment framework based on the Wiener stochastic process was developed to predict frost-resistance service life by integrating experimental data with regional climatic conditions. Results show that the fabricated bricks exhibit satisfactory initial properties, with a compressive strength of 10.6 MPa and water absorption of 13.3%. With increasing F-T cycles, compressive strength decreases significantly, accompanied by increased mass loss and water absorption. Stress–strain analysis reveals progressive stiffness reduction and a transition from brittle to ductile failure. Microstructural observations confirm degradation of the glassy phase, pore expansion, and enhanced interconnectivity. The Wiener process-based model effectively describes the stochastic accumulation of F-T damage. By establishing equivalence between laboratory and natural F-T cycles, the long-term service life of coal gangue–iron tailing sintered porous bricks (CG-IT SPBs) in cold regions is theoretically evaluated. This work provides an integrated understanding of F-T damage behavior and establishes a scientific foundation for durability-oriented design and application of such bricks in extremely cold environments. Full article

Transformer fires within indoor substations constitute severe hydrocarbon fire scenarios characterized by rapid heat release rates and extreme peak temperatures, posing a critical threat to the structural integrity of steel frameworks and power grid stability. To rigorously assess structural safety under such conditions, this study employs a sequential thermal-mechanical coupled numerical methodology combining Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Focusing on a 110 kV indoor substation, the research simulates the transient, non-uniform temperature fields induced by transformer oil combustion and analyzes the thermo-mechanical response of key steel components. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of two non-intumescent coatings (Material A and Material B) with distinct thermal conductivities is systematically evaluated. Computational results elucidate significant thermal stratification, with upper-level structures sustaining exposure to temperatures exceeding 1500 K. Unprotected steel components subjected to direct flame impingement exhibit severe stress concentrations and plastic deformation, reaching their load-bearing limit within 4825 s. The application of fire-retardant coatings markedly enhances fire resistance; a 5 mm layer of Material A (λ = 0.20 W/(m·K)) extends the time to failure to approximately 9390 s. Notably, increasing the thickness of Material A to 20 mm, or alternatively employing a 10 mm layer of Material B (λ = 0.10 W/(m·K)), effectively mitigates thermal stress concentrations. This ensures structural deformation remains within safe limits throughout a 3 h (10,800 s) fire duration. This study provides a theoretical basis and quantitative engineering references for the optimal fire protection design of substation steel structures. Full article

Puerto Rico has experienced increasingly frequent and intense extreme heat conditions in recent years, with the 2023–2024 warm seasons standing out for prolonged periods of dangerously high heat index values and widespread spatial exposure. These conditions are particularly concerning in tropical island environments, where high humidity limits physiological cooling and amplifies heat-related health risks. The main objective of this study is to identify and characterize extreme heat zones and events across Puerto Rico using NOAA-modeled heat index (apparent temperature) data, as well as to examine their spatial and temporal variability during the 2021–2024 period. Hourly modeled apparent temperature data between 2 and 4 pm, representing the warmest time of day, were analyzed for each day from June through October. Mean maximum and maximum heat index surfaces were generated for each month and warm season, and extreme heat zones were identified using the 103 °F (39.4 °C) danger threshold. Results show a persistent concentration of extreme heat in low-elevation coastal regions, particularly across the northern coastal plains from San Juan to Hatillo, with floodplain areas in Arecibo and Manatí exhibiting the highest and most consistent exposure. August was identified as the month with the highest mean maximum heat index across all study years, followed by September. The warm seasons of 2023 and 2024 exhibited the highest magnitudes and spatial extents of extreme heat, with some regions experiencing apparent temperatures exceeding 110 °F and up to 141 extreme heat days during peak afternoon hours. The findings indicate a transition from localized heat hotspots to widespread and sustained extreme heat exposure across Puerto Rico’s coastal regions. This study provides an island-scale assessment of extreme heat patterns with direct implications for public health, infrastructure planning, and heat-risk management in a warming tropical climate. Full article

This study explored the differences in slaughter performance, blood biochemical indices, and ruminal and colonic microbiota between 6-month-old male and female Small-tailed Han sheep, a typical meat-wool dual-purpose breed in China. Twenty weaned lambs (10 males and 10 females) with uniform body condition were reared under unified feeding management until 6 months of age, followed by slaughter sampling and microbial sequencing detection. Results showed that male lambs had significantly higher pre-slaughter live weight, carcass weight and serum ALP content than females (p < 0.05), with lower BUN and β-BHBA levels (p < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene in rumen fluid and colon contents revealed that microbial alpha diversity in the rumen was extremely significantly higher than that in the colon (p < 0.01), and their microbial community structures were distinctly separated (p = 0.001). Sex had no significant effect on overall microbial diversity, but altered specific flora and functional pathways: male rumen had higher Actinobacteriota abundance, while female colon had enriched galactose metabolism and male colon had enhanced folate-mediated one-carbon pool pathway. These findings clarify the tissue specificity of gastrointestinal microbiota and sex-related phenotypic differences, providing a theoretical basis for sex-specific feeding of Small-tailed Han sheep. Full article

Battery state-of-health (SOH) estimation is essential for the safety and reliability of energy storage systems. However, incomplete measurements due to sensor or communication failures pose significant challenges for accurate prediction. This paper proposes a robust SOH estimation framework using a minimal 5 min observation window to handle high data sparsity in both random and latter-half missing scenarios. Three Deep Learning (DL) architectures—Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), and Transformer—are evaluated for data imputation and SOH estimation against traditional polynomial fitting. Simulation results on the NASA benchmark dataset demonstrate that the proposed LSTM model achieves high accuracy, with an RMSE of 0.8522 on complete data. For imperfect data scenarios, BiLSTM-based imputation effectively suppresses extreme deviations, reducing the Maximum Error (MxE) by 44% (from 14.04 to 7.85) compared to traditional polynomial methods. Furthermore, in challenging terminal missing-data cases, a hybrid LSTM-Transformer strategy maintains physical consistency, achieving a superior RMSE of 1.0026. These findings confirm that the proposed DL-based framework significantly outperforms conventional techniques, providing a robust and reliable solution for real-time battery health monitoring under unpredictable data conditions. Full article

Biogas is a renewable energy resource that is not only economical but also fulfills the criteria of net-zero carbon emissions. This is highly favorable for agriculture-based developing countries with an abundance of animal and agricultural waste that can be effectively utilized for biogas production. A dual-stage reactor was designed and built to investigate the optimal conditions during the different seasons of winter and summer for mesophilic biogas production utilizing cow manure from local dairy farms. During the experiments, the pH was continuously monitored and automatically controlled between 6.8 and 7.2 over a period of fifteen days for each experiment using an Arduino Mega controller. The weight ratio (r_w) of cow manure slurry was varied from 50% to 80%, and the optimal condition was found to be 70%, irrespective of the seasonal variations. However, the statistical analysis suggests that the optimal weight ratio is 66% for both seasons. A maximum reaction yield of 87% was achieved at a r_w value of 60% during the summer, with an expected yield of over 95% at a r_w value of 70% if similar extreme environmental conditions occur. Employing this apparatus for biogas production requires significant electrical energy to drive the stirrer and pumps, suggesting the use of a conventional underground setup for biogas production, integrated with an automatic pH control module. Full article

In the context of escalating global warming and the urban heat island effects, recurrent extreme heat events will increase the exposure risk of cyclists, which will have a detrimental effect on both health and the sustainability of active mobility. Nevertheless, this risk has not been given sufficient attention. To accurately quantify the levels of solar radiation exposure experienced by cyclists in high-temperature conditions and the impact of the built environment on these levels, this study focuses on central Shanghai as a case study. The integration of Mobike trajectories, street view imagery, and solar radiation data sets enabled the quantification of trip-level cumulative radiation exposure and per-minute exposure levels. Subsequently, the XGBoost–SHAP interpretability framework was employed to decipher the mechanisms of the built environment. The following key findings have been identified: (1) Spatiotemporally, the radiation exposure level of cyclists exhibited an inverted U-shaped pattern, peaking at midday (10:00–15:00), with per-minute values of 862–943 W/m². This intensity significantly exceeded that observed during the morning (407 W/m²) and evening (253 W/m²). (2) It was determined that geometric factors dominated the radiative exposure level. The shading index demonstrated a critical influence (57% contribution), with exposure reduction intensifying beyond 0.41 yet exhibiting diminishing marginal effects after 0.6. The sky view factor and building height elevated exposure risk by amplifying direct solar radiation. (3) Socioeconomic factors had divergent effects on the radiation exposure level of cyclists: commercial/business densities reduced exposure through continuous building shade, whereas transportation facility density increased exposure due to low-shaded layouts. Consequently, this study proposes “shaded corridors” as a core mitigation strategy, establishing a tripartite intervention framework (spatial-facility-governance) for radiation exposure reduction. The present study provides scientific foundations for the targeted enhancement of heat resilience in active mobility. Full article

The Mediterranean Basin faces increasing risks from extreme weather events, particularly heat stress, which severely threatens the productivity of sensitive crops, like processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). This study evaluated the agronomic, physiological, quality, and economic performance of using Mater-Bi^®-based biodegradable mulch films—varying in color (black and White/Black) and thickness (12 µm and 15 µm)—in two distinct Southern Italian pedoclimatic sites: Sicily and Campania. The aim was to define site-specific optimization strategies by comparing three biodegradable mulch film treatments, 12 µm (BDM12), 15 µm (BDM15), and Black/White (BDBW), against bare soil (BS). The results confirmed that biodegradable mulching enhances plant physiological status, such as chlorophyll and nitrogen balance index (NBI), and marketable yield compared to BS. The effectiveness of the films depended significantly on the environment. In Sicily, the BDBW (White/Black) film provided the maximum marketable yield (804.7 q ha⁻¹), confirming its crucial role in mitigating high soil temperatures through radiation reflection. Conversely, in the more favorable Campanian environment, the thicker black film (BDN15) achieved the highest yield (867.3 q ha⁻¹), indicating that microclimate stability is prioritized over heat mitigation under optimal conditions. Quality analysis showed high variability; while the Sicilian site generally favored color and antioxidant capacity, total soluble solids (°Brix) exhibited a trade-off. BDBW achieved the highest °Brix (6.1) in Sicily, while BS yielded the highest (6.03) in Campania, suggesting that slight water stress can concentrate sugars at the expense of total yield. The economic analysis demonstrated that the °Brix increase achieved with biodegradable films provided a net additional economic return superior to BS in both sites (up to +52.92% with BDBW). These findings suggest that the adoption of biodegradable mulching represents a key strategy for the sustainable intensification of processing tomato. Future cultivation strategies must mandatorily integrate the personalized selection of film color and thickness as a key element to synergistically maximize yield, quality, and economic return, tailored to the specific pedoclimatic conditions of each production site. Full article

Diamonds have attracted much attention due to their superior tribological performance. However, there is no unified understanding of the friction and wear mechanism of diamonds under thermal conditions. To address this issue, it is extremely important to explain the wear mechanism of diamonds under thermal conditions. The tribological and thermodynamic properties of diamonds at various temperatures were simulated by molecular dynamics (MD); the tribological mechanism of diamonds at different temperatures was discussed on the atomic scale, and the friction force and coefficients, strain, and stress were analyzed. The radial distribution function (RDF) and mean square displacement (MSD), temperature contour and displacement contour, and the wear mechanism of a diamond under thermal conditions are also discussed. The research results illustrate that with the increase in system temperature, the average friction force and coefficients of diamond gradually increase, and the distribution position of atoms is different at different temperatures. Full article

Geological hazards induced by large-scale and high-intensity mining activities worldwide are primary drivers of regional ecological degradation and pose significant threats to human safety and property. To construct efficient monitoring systems and enhance early warning capabilities, it is essential to clarify the formation mechanisms of various hazards and the suitability of corresponding technologies. Focusing on four typical geological hazards prevalent in mining areas (surface subsidence, ground fissures, landslides, collapses, and sinkholes), this paper characterizes their specific features and monitoring requirements. It systematically analyzes the physical principles, accuracy levels, and technical advantages and limitations of ground-based, aerial, and spaceborne monitoring, as well as multi-source remote sensing data fusion and emerging technologies (e.g., distributed optical fiber, light detection and range, microseismical monitoring, and deep learning). Utilizing case studies from an open-pit coal mine in Turkey and a loess gully mining area in China, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of methods like multi-temporal InSAR and UAV photogrammetry in identifying the evolution of these hazards. The findings indicate that the technological framework for mining area monitoring is transitioning from single-method approaches to integrated systems. However, given the complex mining environment, several bottleneck challenges remain, including single data dimensions, the limited environmental adaptability of aerospace remote sensing, insufficient stability of deep monitoring equipment, and weak anti-interference capabilities under extreme operating conditions. Consequently, this paper proposes that future innovations in geological hazard monitoring in mining areas will focus on multi-platform hierarchical collaboration, the development of multi-parameter fusion early warning criteria, and the construction of digital and visual platforms. Constructing a comprehensive monitoring system characterized by multi-scale collaboration and dynamic prediction capabilities is vital for improving safety standards in mining areas and achieving coordinated development between resource exploitation and environmental protection. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the precise prevention and control of mining hazards, as well as for land ecological restoration. Full article

Against the backdrop of global energy landscape restructuring, the advancement of the “dual-carbon” goals, and escalating external uncertainties, coal, as the “ballast stone” of China’s new energy system, faces new challenges in terms of supply chain stability and security. Therefore, scientifically assessing China’s coal supply chain resilience (CSCR) is of significant theoretical and practical importance for systematically identifying its supply vulnerabilities and ensuring energy supply security under extreme conditions. In the paper, we construct a composite evaluation indicator system using national statistical data from 2010 to 2024. We operationalize resilience across the following four capacities: resistance, absorption, recovery, and adaptive capacity. Annual resilience levels are measured using an integrated framework. This framework combines an improved entropy weight method, TOPSIS, and gray relational analysis (GRA). We then use the indicator contribution degree and obstacle degree models to identify the most influential factors. The results indicate that China’s CSCR followed a fluctuating upward, W-shaped trajectory during 2010–2024, with a marked acceleration after 2020. Resistance and absorption capacities display pronounced volatility. Recovery and adaptation capacities improve steadily. The dominant obstacle factors include the share of intelligent coal production capacity, labor productivity per employee, the scale of workforce security, and the working-capital turnover ratio. These findings provide empirical evidence and policy-relevant insights for strengthening China’s CSCR and reinforcing national energy security. Full article

Under climate change, extreme wind events are predicted to become both more common and more severe, increasing the vulnerability of plantation forests. In February 2023, ex-tropical Cyclone Gabrielle caused widespread wind damage to radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) forests across the North Island of New Zealand, providing a rare opportunity to evaluate mechanistic wind-risk modelling under extreme storm conditions. This study assessed the performance of the ForestGALES model in predicting wind damage within the Rangipo genetic accelerator trial and examined the influence of stocking and cultivation on wind vulnerability. Using detailed pre-cyclone field measurements and high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle light detection and ranging (ULS) data, ForestGALES was parameterised for the Rangipo trial and applied at both individual-tree and stand scales. Model predictions were compared with observed post-cyclone damage using balanced area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accounting for strong class imbalance. Wind damage was observed in 16.7% of trees, of which 10.2% showed stem breakage and 6.5% overturning. Across both spatial scales, overturning was more accurately predicted than stem breakage. At the individual-tree scale, ForestGALES showed moderate predictive skill, with balanced AUC values of 0.650 ± 0.014 for overturning, 0.595 ± 0.011 for breakage, and 0.621 ± 0.008 for total damage. Model performance was stronger at the stand scale, where discrimination was highest for overturning (AUC 0.811 ± 0.122), followed by breakage (0.693 ± 0.116) and total damage (0.623 ± 0.083). Silvicultural treatments significantly influenced predicted critical wind speeds (CWS). High-stocking treatments exhibited consistently higher CWS values and therefore greater wind firmness than low-stocking treatments, while cultivation effects were smaller but significant. Simulated reductions in stocking further demonstrated increased wind vulnerability as stocking declined, highlighting thinning as a primary determinant of wind risk. These findings demonstrate that ForestGALES can reliably discriminate wind damage at operational stand scales under extreme cyclone conditions and highlight the importance of stand structure in improving plantation resilience under increasingly storm-prone climates. Full article

Leucine-rich repeat extensins (LRXs) are essential regulators of plant development, cell wall integrity, and stress responses. However, genome-wide LRX studies in cotton are limited. Analysis of four Gossypium species identified 29, 28, 16, and 16 LRX genes in G. hirsutum, G. barbadense, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis resolved these 89 genes into four subfamilies (I–IV). Structural annotation revealed that cotton LRX family members exhibit conserved domain architectures. This finding was corroborated by motif analysis, which revealed notable conservation in the motif compositions of most cotton LRX proteins, suggesting functional conservation across evolutionary lineages. Distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns were uncovered between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures induced widespread down-regulation of most GhLRX genes, whereas genes in subgroup IV were significantly up-regulated under salt and drought stress conditions, respectively. Notably, GhLRX7 showed a more proactive responding profile to Verticillium wilt (VW) infection, which was therefore selected for functional validation employing virus-induced gene silencing in the cotton cultivars MBI9626 and CCRI36. Phenotypic analysis of silenced plants revealed exacerbated disease symptoms compared to wild-type controls, providing direct evidence implicating GhLRX7 as a key contributor to defense against VW. Full article

Subalpine grasslands represent highly sensitive ecosystems that are increasingly exposed to climate extremes, yet their long-term disturbance dynamics remain poorly documented. This study investigates climate-driven dieback of subalpine grasslands in Central Europe using a harmonized, multi-decadal satellite time series. We analyzed Landsat (TM, ETM+, OLI, OLI-2) and Sentinel-2 imagery spanning 1984–2024 to detect changes in grassland condition, supported by field-based validation, climatic indices, and geomorphological analysis. Several spectral indices related to non-photosynthetic vegetation were evaluated, with the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) providing the best discrimination of dead grassland. In spatially grouped cross-validation, NBR achieved very high accuracy for dead versus non-dead grassland, with AUC = 0.9996, precision = 1.00, recall = 0.82, and F1-score = 0.90 for Sentinel-2, and AUC = 0.9982, precision = 1.00, recall = 0.62, and F1-score = 0.76 for Landsat 9. Retrospective mapping revealed four dieback events since 2000: two short-term episodes with rapid within-season recovery (2000, 2003) and two long-term events characterized by persistent degradation and slow regeneration (2012, late 2018–2019). The largest short-term event, in 2003, affected 42.19 ha of total dieback and 96.95 ha including partially damaged or regenerating grassland. Dieback extent was negatively associated with water balance deficit, strongest for SPEI-12 (ρ = −0.548, p = 0.002), while winter frost under shallow-soil conditions likely contributed to long-term damage in 2012. Geomorphological analysis indicated that elevation, terrain curvature, and, to a lesser extent, wind exposure are the primary controls on dieback susceptibility, highlighting the importance of fine-scale environmental controls. Our results demonstrate the value of long-term, multi-sensor satellite observations for detecting and interpreting climate-driven disturbances in subalpine grasslands and provide a transferable framework to support monitoring and conservation of mountain ecosystems under ongoing climate change. Full article