Search Results (48,579)

Amid the global energy transition, geothermal energy, as a clean, stable, and renewable energy source, serves as a core direction for energy structure optimization. The development of medium-deep geothermal reservoirs is dominated by thermo–hydro–mechanical (THM) multi-physics coupling effects, yet the quantitative regulation laws of their operational parameters remain unclear. In this study, a numerical model for geothermal extraction considering THM multi-physics coupling was established. Using the single-factor variable method, simulations were conducted within the set parameter ranges of injection–production pressure difference, well spacing, and injection temperature. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the temperature field, the dynamic temperature–pressure responses at the midpoint of injection–production wells and production wells, and efficiency indicators, such as instantaneous heat extraction power and cumulative heat extraction, were analyzed and quantified. The results show that a larger pressure difference accelerates the expansion of the cold zone in the reservoir, which improves short-term heat extraction efficiency but increases the risk of long-term thermal depletion; a smaller well spacing leads to higher initial heat production power but results in lower long-term cumulative heat extraction due to rapid heat consumption; within the normal temperature range of 16–24 °C, the injection temperature has a negligible impact on heat extraction efficiency. This study clarifies the regulatory laws of operational parameters and provides theoretical support for well pattern design and injection–production process optimization in medium-deep geothermal development. Full article

Cardiometabolic diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of premature mortality and disability worldwide, arising from of cardiovascular and metabolic dysregulation. This review focuses on six critical therapeutic targets established in cardiometabolic regulation: GLP-1R, GIPR, FGFR1/β-Klotho, PCSK9, NF-κB, and the NLRP3 inflammasome. Drawing on curated structural datasets, we analyze the mechanisms of action and map key binding domain features that govern ligand efficacy and specificity. Dual GLP-1R/GIPR agonists, such as tirzepatide, demonstrate superior outcomes in glycemic control and weight reduction. Concurrently, inhibiting PCSK9, NF-κB, and NLRP3 helps to lower cholesterol and reduce harmful inflammation, offering cardioprotection. Structural analysis across these targets reveals complementary motifs (aromatic, hydrophobic, and polar residues). These insights guide the rational design of next-generation multi-target ligands (molecules capable of modulating two or more biological targets involved in related disease pathways, producing integrated therapeutic effects). Such integrated agents are promising for providing combined cardiovascular and metabolic benefits, thus reducing the risks associated with complex therapeutic drug combinations. Full article

The uptake and accumulation of nanoplastics by plants have emerged as a major research focus. Exogenous selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are widely used to mitigate the toxicity of abiotic stresses, such as nanoplastics (NPs) and polyethylene (PE—NPs) nanoplastics, and represent a feasible strategy to enhance plant performance. However, the molecular mechanisms by which SeNPs alleviate the phytotoxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics remain poorly defined. To address this gap, we used Pistia stratiotes L. (P. stratiotes) as a model and silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) as a comparator, integrating physiological assays, ultrastructural observations, and proteomic analyses. We found that NP stress caused ultrastructural damage in root tips, exacerbated oxidative stress, and intensified membrane lipid peroxidation. SeNPs treatment significantly mitigated NP-induced oxidative injury and metabolic suppression. Compared to the NPs group, SeNPs increased T-AOC by 38.2% while reducing MDA and ·OH by 33.3% and 89.6%, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes were also elevated, with CAT and POD rising by 47.1% and 39.2%. SeNPs further enhanced the photosynthetic capacity and osmotic adjustment, reflected by increases in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and soluble sugar by 49.7%, 43.8%, and 27.0%, respectively. In contrast, proline decreased by 17.4%, indicating stress alleviation rather than an osmotic compensation response. Overall, SeNPs outperformed SiO₂NPs. These results indicate that SeNPs broadly strengthen anti-oxidative defenses and metabolic regulation in P. stratiotes, effectively alleviating NP-induced oxidative damage. Proteomics further showed that SeNPs specifically activated the MAPK signaling cascade, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and energy metabolic pathways, enhancing cell-wall lignification to improve the mechanical barrier and limiting NPs translocation via a phytochelatin-mediated vacuolar sequestration mechanism. SiO₂NPs produced similar but weaker alleviative effects. Collectively, these findings elucidate the molecular basis by which SeNPs mitigate NPs’ phytotoxicity and provide a theoretical foundation and practical outlook for using nanomaterials to enhance phytoremediation in aquatic systems. Full article

Animal fur has long symbolized luxury and social status, but growing concerns about animal welfare, environmental harm, and zoonotic disease risks have prompted global reforms, with over 22 countries banning fur production. In the United States, however, public attitudes toward fur farming and sales bans remain underexplored. This study surveyed 2014 adults from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York to assess views on fur farming, acceptability, and support for state-level bans, as well as the influence of message framing. Participants were randomly assigned to one of six message conditions (animal welfare, environmental, public health, economic, faux fur alternatives, or social norms) or a control group. Most respondents supported bans on fur sales and fur from commercial farms (approximately 65% weighted). Messages highlighting animal welfare, environmental impacts, public health, and social norms significantly increased support, while economic and faux fur messages did not. Political affiliation moderated these effects, with independents most responsive. Beliefs about cruelty, environmental harm, and zoonotic risks predicted support, whereas conservatism, opposition to regulation, and consumer rights beliefs predicted opposition. Overall, appeals to ethics, sustainability, and social change appear most effective for advancing fur-related policy initiatives. Full article

This study investigates a wallboard integrating encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) within aluminum honeycomb cells to reduce building energy consumption. The thermal performance of a concrete wall enhanced with this PCM-honeycomb composite was evaluated under varying weather conditions through a two-dimensional heat transfer model. The thermal improvement of PCM is revealed in a comparative analysis of three distinct building envelope materials, i.e., concrete, concrete covered by the honeycomb wallboard, and concrete covered by the honeycomb wallboard containing PCMs. The results demonstrated that the PCM-honeycomb wallboard effectively delays and reduces peak cooling loads. The proposed system lowered building energy consumption by 28.46% and 32.12% in energy consumption over the entire summer season (and 5.76% and 6.27% over one year), respectively, compared to these reference cases. Among the tested PCMs, RT25 was identified as the most effective. The results confirm that incorporating PCM-infused honeycomb wallboards into building envelopes is a viable strategy for passive, year-round temperature regulation. Full article

To evaluate the effectiveness of green finance, this study treats China’s green finance reform and innovation pilot zones as a quasi-natural experiment to assess their impact on urban energy efficiency. This research utilizes a panel dataset of 282 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2023 and employs a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model. The core dependent variable, urban green total factor energy efficiency (UGTFEE), is quantified using a non-radial Slack-Based Measure (SBM) efficiency model combined with the Malmquist-Luenberger index. The empirical findings reveal four key points. First, the green finance pilot zones significantly enhance UGTFEE, with policy-affected cities demonstrating an average improvement of approximately 2.0% relative to non-pilot cities. Second, this positive impact is transmitted through two primary mechanisms: the advancement of green technology research and development and the deepening of financial market development. Third, the policy’s effectiveness is heterogeneous, varying according to regional characteristics such as geographical location, environmental regulation stringency, and resource endowments. Finally, a negative spatial spillover is identified, wherein the policy creates a siphoning effect that competitively suppresses the UGTFEE of neighboring cities. These findings provide critical theoretical insights and empirical evidence for optimizing green finance initiatives, thereby facilitating urban industrial transformation toward greater green energy efficiency. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anxiety and depression are prevalent global health concerns, especially prominent in vulnerable groups such as older adults, individuals with chronic health conditions (e.g., neurodegeneration and cancer), and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Digital interventions, including computerized cognitive training (CCT), show promise in addressing emotional dysfunctions in a more accessible and cost-effective manner. The CREATE platform aims to enhance Emotion Regulation (ER) through targeted Working Memory (WM) training, aesthetic engagement, and creativity, while accounting for dopamine activity via spontaneous Eye Blink Rate (sEBR). The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the platform’s feasibility and validity through a single pilot trial. Methods: The study enrolled twenty-seven healthy adults (aged 21–44) who completed standardized self-report questionnaires on sleep quality and ER. They were also enrolled in sEBR recordings and performed a CCT-adapted Corsi block-tapping task and an aesthetic art evaluation. Affective textual narratives and valence/arousal ratings were also collected. Participants were divided into “Good Sleepers” and “Poor Sleepers”. The platform evaluation enrolled a multi-modal pipeline including correlations and regression analysis of intervention metrics, sentiment analysis, and group comparisons. Results: WM task performance correlated positively with global ER and Cognitive Reappraisal scores. Post-training sEBR was significantly associated with ER, and lower sleep efficiency negatively impacted changes in dopamine activity (sEBR Diff). Dopamine activity of “Good Sleepers”, as indicated by sEBR, reached the high levels of the “Poor Sleepers” group after the training, suggesting a dopamine boost caused by the CREATE platform for those with quality sleep. Creativity and emotional expression, as indicated by sentiment analysis, were related to sleep quality. Conclusions: The CREATE platform shows promise in enhancing ER through multi-modal digital engagement, integrating cognitive training, art, and creativity. The findings support the inclusion of sleep and dopamine markers in intervention evaluation. Further studies with larger samples and clinical cohorts are warranted to establish efficacy and generalizability, as the present one was not powered to test the effectiveness of our training platform but was designed to assess its feasibility and validity instead. Full article

Prolonged exposure to high ambient temperatures, heat stress, and inadequate mitigation measures increases the health and safety risks of construction workers. Following the PRISMA guidelines, our goal was to synthesize recent evidence on the impacts of ambient heat stress on construction workers. A literature review of articles published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted, selecting 42 out of 883 articles that focused on occupational heat stress, extreme ambient temperatures, and their effects on the health, safety, and injury risks of construction workers. The findings highlighted a relationship between occupational heat exposure, increased injury, illness, and mortality among construction workers. Elevated ambient temperatures, during summer and peak work hours, significantly increased the risk of falls, cardiovascular events, and thermal discomfort. Younger, unacclimatized workers in regions with extreme ambient heat and a lack of regulation, observation, and regulation enforcement were at risk. Evidence revealed gaps in worker training, compliance, enforcement, and the integration of individualized monitoring. This review highlights the increasing risks associated with occupational heat exposure in construction workers, driven by rising ambient temperatures. It emphasizes the need for integrated strategies combining personalized wearable technologies, inclusive training, and regulatory reform to improve worker safety and productivity and promote policy development. Full article

Seed germination is crucial for seedling establishment and is regulated by precise reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. Class III peroxidases (PRXs), which are plant-specific enzymes, play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and responses to abiotic stress by maintaining ROS homeostasis. However, members of the PRX gene family in tomato, particularly their functions in modulating seed germination, remain poorly understood. In this study, 102 tomato PRXs (SlPRXs) were identified, and they were classified into five groups based on phylogenic analysis. Chromosomal localization revealed that these SlPRX genes are unevenly distributed across 12 tomato chromosomes, with chromosome 02 harboring the highest densities. Gene structure analysis revealed that SlPRXs contain 1 to 10 exons, and SlPRX4 possesses the most exons. All SlPRX proteins possess the characteristic peroxidase domain and share conserved structural motifs. Collinearity analysis suggested that segmental duplications might be the main contributor to the expansion of the SlPRX family. Promoter analysis revealed numerous cis-acting elements related to abiotic/biotic stress responses, phytohormones, and growth and development. Notably, seed germination-related elements such as CARE and RY element were identified in some SlPRXs. Enzymatic and electrophoresis assays indicated that PRX activity increased with seed germination. Moreover, SHAM, the inhibitor of PRX, exerted an inhibitory effect on tomato seed germination. Transcriptome data revealed stage-specific induction of SlPRXs during germination, with distinct expression peaks between 0 and 96 h post imbibition. These findings were further validated by qRT-PCR of the selected SlPRX genes. Overall, the findings enhance our understanding of SlPRX family members in tomato and highlight their potential for improving seed germination. This study also provides valuable genetic resources and potential molecular markers for breeding tomato varieties with improved germination vigor and stress resilience. Full article

The renewable-energy-powered electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) efficiently converts CO₂ into high-value chemicals and fuels, offering a promising approach to addressing environmental and energy sustainability challenges. This process is of immense significance for constructing a sustainable artificial carbon cycle. Cu-based catalysts exhibit remarkable catalytic activity and broad product selectivity in CO₂RR, which can be attributed to their excellent electrical conductivity, moderate adsorption energy, and unique electronic structure. This review comprehensively summarizes the advantages, practical applications, and mechanistic insights of Cu-based catalysts in CO₂RR, with a systematic based on recent advances in tuning strategies via electronic effects and structural design. Specifically, it emphasizes the influence of electronic structure tuning (electron-donating/-withdrawing effects and steric hindrance effects), active center tuning (single-atom catalysts, heterogeneous synergetic effects, and polymer modification), and surface structure (morphology effect, valence-state effect, and crystalline-facet effect) influences on catalytic performance. By rationally designing the catalyst structure, the adsorption behavior of reaction intermediates can be effectively regulated, thereby enabling the highly selective generation of target products. The objective of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework and actionable strategies for the structural design and catalytic performance optimization of Cu-based catalysts, with the ultimate goal of promoting the development and practical application of efficient CO₂RR catalytic systems. Full article

ESG washing, as an organizational decoupling behavior, refers to enterprises strategically disclosing environmental information to obscure their actual ESG performance, which not only elevates audit risks but also increases uncertainty in audit pricing. Based on a sample of Chinese listed companies from 2014 to 2023, this study introduces excess executive compensation and executive myopia as mediators to investigate the mechanisms through which ESG washing influences abnormal audit fees via chain mediating effects. Additionally, market structure is considered a moderating variable to examine its moderating role within the model. The empirical results demonstrate that ESG washing in listed companies significantly increases abnormal audit fees. Both excess executive compensation and executive myopia exert positive individual mediating effects as well as a chain mediating effect. Furthermore, the moderating effect of market structure attenuates the mediating role of excess executive compensation but amplifies that of executive myopia. This research proposes an integrated framework combining organizational decoupling theory and transaction cost theory, thereby clarifying the underlying pathways through which ESG washing influences abnormal audit fees. The study offers policy implications for government authorities to strengthen ESG regulations, enhance supervisory mechanisms, and promote a more sustainable business environment. In addition, it provides guidance for enterprises in mitigating ESG washing, optimizing audit-related costs, and enhancing their capacity to address ESG challenges, improve corporate governance, and strengthen competitiveness. Full article

Urban ecosystem services (ESs) are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of residents’ quality of life and well-being. This study develops a data-driven demand–supply matching framework to integrate ES concepts into community-level planning and service performance evaluation. Based on 312 resident surveys across 10 communities in Wuhan, China, we identify the key environmental attributes shaping perceived service quality. A random forest (RF) algorithm is employed to assess the relative importance of environmental features, while a multinomial logit (Mlogit) model quantifies their specific effects. The results highlight that community autonomy, neighborhood relations, environmental awareness, and infrastructure—such as broadband networks and security systems—play pivotal roles in improving service quality. Although provisioning and regulating ESs, such as safety and infrastructure, are relatively well established, cultural services that promote social cohesion and civic participation remain under-supported. These findings uncover the heterogeneity of residents’ environmental expectations and provide actionable insights for incorporating ES-oriented thinking into community planning and fiscal decision-making. By bridging ecological theory with operational urban governance, this study contributes a replicable approach for advancing more inclusive and sustainable community development. Full article

UVA radiation induces oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death in human dermal fibroblasts, contributing to skin aging and damage. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of polydatin, a natural polyphenol, against UVA-induced cell damage. Our results show that polydatin preserves cell viability and reduces intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels after UVA exposure. In addition, polydatin maintains mitochondrial integrity by preserving mitochondrial membrane potential and improving mitochondrial respiration. From a molecular perspective, polydatin regulates the expression of Nrf2, a key regulator of the cellular antioxidant response, thereby promoting cellular defense mechanisms. Additionally, polydatin attenuates UVA-induced mitochondrial fission, supporting a balanced mitochondrial dynamic profile. These results suggest that polydatin exerts a protective effect on UVA-irradiated fibroblasts, highlighting its potential for cosmetic and dermatological applications aimed at preventing photoaging and oxidative skin damage. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common but underdiagnosed sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to intermittent episodes of hypoxia and systemic consequences. Anatomical and ventilatory control factors are well-established contributors, but less is known about how mitochondria influence upper airway muscle function in this condition. As central regulators of muscle performance and cellular adaptation to hypoxia, mitochondria are particularly vulnerable to dysfunction under chronic intermittent hypoxia. Mitochondrial dysfunction increases production of reactive oxygen species, predisposing to oxidative stress, that further impairs mitochondrial function. This review focuses on the mitochondrial involvement in obstructive sleep apnea, specifically synthesizing findings on the impact on upper airway muscles. The role of mitochondrial alterations in muscle dysfunction in this context is not well understood. A better understanding of oxidative damage in these muscles may also contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches, including antioxidant strategies, to mitigate the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia in the upper airway muscles. Full article

The use of fungal entomopathogens, such as Metarhizium anisopliae, is a promising alternative for pest biocontrol but suffers the disadvantage of a relatively slower killing speed when compared with chemical pesticides. Nilaparvata lugens (brown planthopper, BPH) is a destructive sap-sucking pest that seriously threatens rice production worldwide. In the present study, we characterized a key immune-regulating protein, Spätzle (SPZ), encoding gene NlSPZ5 in BPH, and constructed a transgenic strain of M. anisopliae that expressed a specific dsRNA targeting the NlSPZ5 gene for enhancing the fungal virulence. Expression pattern analysis revealed that NlSPZ5 was expressed with the highest levels in the second-instar nymphs and hemolymph and could be largely activated by M. anisopliae infection. Microinjection of dsNlSPZ5 resulted in a markedly decreased survival rate and increased susceptibility to fungal infection in BPH. Notably, a transgenic strain of M. anisopliae expressing dsNlSPZ5 could effectively suppress the target gene expression and promote fungal proliferation in BPH upon fungal challenge. Compared to the wild-type strain, the transgenic fungal strain exhibited significantly enhanced insecticidal efficacy against BPH without compromising mycelial growth and sporulation. Our results demonstrate that fungal entomopathogens used as a delivery vector to express dsRNAs targeting insect immune defense-associated genes can effectively augment their virulence to the host insect, providing clues to develop novel pest management strategies through the combination of RNAi-based biotechnology and entomopathogen-based biocontrol. Full article