Search Results (2,233)

Social facilities play a crucial role in urban development. However, there are currently few studies on the rationality of the spatial layout of social facilities in inland coastal cross-river cities. In view of this, we choose Nanjing City, China as an example, based on the point of interest (POI) data of social facility, and use the techniques including kernel density analysis, standard error ellipses, and spatial correlation analysis to systematically investigate the spatial distribution characteristics and patterns of social facilities in Nanjing. The research results show that there are significant differences in the spatial distribution of different types of social facilities in Nanjing, and the overall layout presents a pattern of denser distribution in the central urban area and more dispersed distribution in the peripheral areas. Shopping and transportation facilities are mostly concentrated in the core area of the main urban district, medical facilities are relatively concentrated, and cultural and educational facilities are located in all regions. The expert weighting analysis based on the Delphi method indicates that the influence weights of shopping consumption and transportation facilities on urban facilities are relatively greater than those of other factors. Overall, the social service facilities in the central urban area of Nanjing are well developed and well arranged, whereas the construction of facilities in several new districts and suburbs still needs to be further strengthened. The findings offer a scientific foundation for improving the layout of social facilities and urban planning in Nanjing, while also serving as a valuable reference for the development of other inland coastal cities spanning rivers. Full article

For centuries, Scaptotrigona mexicana honey has been treasured in Mexico, where pre-Columbian cultures harvested it not only for its sweet flavor but also for its medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Today, it remains a high-value product in local markets, prized above Apis mellifera honey for its unique sensory qualities and traditional health benefits. Yet its scientific characterization and functional potential remain underexplored. In this study, twenty-four samples from diverse regions were analyzed to quantify bioactive compounds and determine physicochemical composition, α-amylase inhibition, and antioxidant activity. Non-parametric statistical tests revealed distinct compositional clusters, with samples from Cruz Blanca showing exceptional phenolic content and stronger α-amylase inhibition (5.6–49.2%). Antioxidant capacity correlated positively with phenols and flavonoids, showing moderate effect sizes for ABTS (η² = 0.49) and DPPH (η² = 0.37). Compared with Apis mellifera honey, Scaptotrigona mexicana contained more moisture, free acidity, phenols, and antioxidants, but less diastase, hydroxymethylfurfural, and reducing sugars. Importantly, natural α-amylase inhibitors can help modulate postprandial glucose, offering dietary support for type 2 diabetes management. Kinetic analyses (EC50, Vmax, and Km) suggested mixed inhibition. These findings highlight Scaptotrigona mexicana as both a heritage product and a promising functional ingredient for developing foods that merge tradition with metabolic health innovation. Full article

Cannabis sativa is a crop which has been cultivated since ancient times, with important cultural and industrial value. Due to its substantial economic impact, cannabis has attracted widespread scientific attention. A pan-genome is a significant tool for breeding, because it provides a comprehensive representation of genetic diversity. To provide a valuable tool for Cannabis breeding, we constructed a Cannabis pan-genome based on 113 accessions. A total of 24,679,380 bp of non-reference-genome sequences were assembled, identifying 1313 protein-coding genes. Using pan-genome analyses, a total of 32,428 gene presence/absence variations (PAVs) were obtained, and gene loss was recovered during the domestication of Cannabis. By partitioning the pan-genome using PAVs, a total of 23,309 core genes were identified, accounting for 71.88% of all genes in the pan-genome. In particular, there were 7148 flexible genes, making up 22.05% of the pan-genome. The flexible genes were associated with adaptive traits, including stress resistance and disease resistance in Cannabis. Population genetic analysis presented gene distribution, gene flow, and gene specificity on a pan-genome level. These results provide important genetic basis, functional genes, and guidance for Cannabis breeding. Full article

This article examines William James’s philosophy of science through his pragmatic response to epistemic fallibilism, emphasizing how actionability rather than evidential certainty underwrites both scientific and religious practices. While James explicitly drew comparisons between science and Abrahamic scriptures, my account highlights resonances with non-Western traditions, particularly Indigenous American and Asian epistemologies, also situating some of James’s philosophical motivations within his biography. James may have indirectly absorbed Asian religious and philosophical teachings from American Transcendentalists who engaged with them, and he may have encountered Amerindian perspectives through the cultural milieu of the United States or during his Amazonian expedition. In either case, threads within these global Indigenous traditions align with the weight that James’s work gives to contextual, agent-relative forms of knowing that are inseparable from action. I conclude by discussing how James’s ideas support an account of animism that integrates Amerindian thought with the extended mind thesis. I also detail how his pluralistic account of experience and reality creates conceptual space for the co-existence of science and spirituality, ironically by undermining the assumption that the two operate according to radically distinct epistemologies. Throughout the article, I connect James’s thought to more recent debates in religion and metaphysics. Full article

Objectives: To theorize the work-related dimension involved in the process of reconciling work and personal roles among nurses working in Intensive Care Units. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory was employed to conceptualize the phenomenon of interest from the perspectives of nurses, their families, and administrative staff. Data were derived from 202 h of non-participant observation in two high-complexity hospitals in Chile (one public and one private), 57 institutional documents, and 51 in-depth interviews. Data analysis followed the constant comparative method and multilevel coding. To ensure methodological rigor, the study adhered to the 13 criteria for constructivist grounded theory research proposed by Charmaz and Thornberg and was approved by a scientific ethics committee. Results: Work-related roles are defined as the set of behaviors associated with the professional context, which are shaped by nine sources of interaction: (1) Job content; (2) Workload and pace; (3) Work schedule; (4) Control; (5) Environment and equipment; (6) Organizational culture; (7) Interpersonal relationships; (8) Function within the organization; and (9) Career development. Conclusions: The study presents the theorization process of the work-related dimension involved in the reconciliation of work and personal roles among nurses in Intensive Care Units. Work-related roles are essential to understanding this reconciliation process. The findings provide evidence for the existence of nine sources of interaction, which are influenced by institutional strategic planning and, in turn, by national and international public policies. Full article

In vitro culture systems have advanced cancer biology, particularly through 2D and 3D tumor cultures. These have answered numerous scientific inquiries and propelled human oncologic research, with growing recognition of their potential to improve cancer treatment in companion animals, specifically cats and dogs. These species develop cancer spontaneously, closely resembling specific human cancer subtypes. For example, canine and feline mammary tumors are especially valuable for studying tumor biology. In vitro models from these tumors therefore offer a unique opportunity for veterinary cancer research. Recent 3D cell culture advancements provide promising platforms for predicting therapeutic responses in human cancer and may be applied to mammary tumors in animals. However, while limitations in fully recapitulating in vivo conditions and predicting chemotherapy response have been observed in colorectal tumoroids, similar challenges are emerging in mammary and breast tumors. In particular, canine mammary tumors and human breast cancers share critical heterogeneity and microenvironmental factors usually inadequately modeled in vitro. This review critically examines the predictivity of 3D mammary tumoroids from humans and companion animals, highlighting challenges related to stromal and immune cell preservation, reproducibility, and the translational gap between in vitro findings and clinical outcomes. We propose future directions to optimize these models for both comparative oncology and veterinary-specific applications. Full article

Taking the leap to the secondary and tertiary generations of the missions to Mars, a comprehensive outline was presented for a cluster of Martian Habitat Units (MHUs) designed for long-term settlements of research crew in Melas Chasma, Valles Marineris, Mars. Unlike initial exploration missions, where primary survival is ensured through basic engineering solutions, this concept targets later-stage missions focused on long-term human presence. Accordingly, the MHUs are designed not only for functionality but also to support the social and cultural well-being of scientific personnel, resulting in larger and more complex structures than those typically proposed for early-stage landings. To address the construction and structural integrity of the MHUs, the current work presents a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of semi-3D-printed structural systems using in situ material to minimize the cost and engineering effort of logistics and construction of the units. Regolith-based additive manufacturing was utilized as the primary material, and the response of the structure, not only to the gravitational loads but also to those applied from the exterior flow field and wind pressure distributions, was simulated, as well as the considerations regarding the contribution of the extreme interior/exterior pressure differences. The full analyses and structural results are presented and discussed in this manuscript, as well as insights on manufacturing and its feasibility on Mars. The analyses demonstrate the feasibility of constructing the complex architectural requirements of the MHUs and their cost-effectiveness through the use of in situ resources. The manuscript presents an iterative structural optimization process, with results detailed at each step. Structural elements were modeled using FEM-based analysis in Karamba-3D to minimize near-yielding effects such as buckling and excessive displacements. The final structural system was integrated with the architectural design to preserve the intended spatial and functional qualities. Full article

Chitosan (CTS) is a biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymer derived from chitin. Thanks to its diverse biological activities and environmentally friendly nature, it has emerged as a promising agent in plant tissue culture. Recent studies have highlighted its role as a natural elicitor that can enhance plant growth, seed germination, and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in vitro. In plant tissue culture, it acts as a biotic elicitor, mimicking a pathogen attack and activating the pathogenesis-related proteins to induce secondary metabolite production. In vitro tissue culture is a scientifically meaningful and cost-effective approach to testing the elicitation mechanisms of various abiotic elicitors, including CTS. However, the methodology of CTS elicitation in plant tissue cultures is not straightforward or uniform due to the differences in the CTS origin, molecular weight, and degree of deacetylation, all of which directly affect solubility. This review summarizes the methodological approaches to the use of CTS in plant tissue culture elicitation and highlights specific features of these procedures. Full article

Plant-based diets are increasingly attracting attention as they play a significant role in human health and environmental sustainability and are believed to be key components of sustainable food systems. In the present study, both pros and cons of the adoption of plant-based diets are analyzed using a bibliometric method integrated with a qualitative examination of the scientific literature. For the bibliometric study, Bibliometrix software was utilized, examining 3245 scientific articles, downloaded from the Scopus database, and printed between the years 1957 and 2025. The analyses were conducted using R software, version 4.4.1, with access to the Bibliometrix package, version 4.1. The results indicate a remarkable rise, in the last two decades, in the scholarly focus on the influence of plant-based diets on the individual’s health condition as well as the environment. Keyword co-occurrence studies and international collaborations demonstrate a dominance of research focus in both the United States and Europe, with significant contributions from the Asia–Pacific region. Furthermore, the current work offers qualitative identification of the benefits of plant diets from various perspectives like nutritional, economic, ecological, and cultural. It also explores the main dissuaders from adhering to these diets, including perceived nutritional hazards, cost perceptions, low availability, and social prohibitions. Findings emphasize that, in spite of all the barriers, plant food-based diets have a wide-ranging ability to provide tangible benefits at both the individual and population levels, and documented in the scientific literature are recommendations of expert-led education programs, economic incentives, and judiciously framed public policies to overcome these barriers and to make this transition possible towards sustainable food choices. Findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the current lines of inquiry and stage the subsequent work on how to motivate sustainability among the general population. Full article

The Dazhuzhuang, Biting, and Likou Sites are located along the Hui River basin in Yongcheng, eastern Henan. These three sites are situated close to each other and all yielded Longshan Culture period (2300–1800 BCE) remains, including large quantities of pottery with similar stylistic characteristics. However, archaeological surveys did not discover kiln sites at any of the three locations. To investigate the sources of Longshan period pottery in this region, its firing technology, and whether pottery circulated between the sites, this study employed a combination of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to conduct a comprehensive scientific analysis of pottery unearthed from Longshan Culture contexts at the Dazhuzhuang, Likou, and Biting Sites in the Huai River basin, Yongcheng, Henan Province. The results reveal significant differences among the sites in terms of raw material selection, chemical composition, and technological characteristics. Pottery from the Dazhuzhuang Site exhibits with diverse clay sources. The Likou Site is characterized by highly homogeneous compositions derived from relatively high-alumina, low-iron clays, indicating standardized production practices. In contrast, the Biting Site shows greater variability in raw materials and functional differentiation. Thermal and microstructural analyses indicate that the dense glassy phase of black pottery was achieved through reducing firing conditions. In contrast, gray pottery was manufactured with calcareous additives to produce a porous structure. Full article

With the advancement of refined urban governance and the construction of high-quality public spaces, street furniture design and usage face multiple challenges, including insufficient public participation and a neglect of actual user experience. These issues highlight the urgent need to establish a scientifically grounded user evaluation framework to inform design practices. This study focuses on Yangzhou Ecological Science and Technology New Town and, drawing on field investigation, grounded theory, and the Delphi method, develops a street furniture design evaluation framework encompassing three core dimensions: planning and configuration, environmental coordination, and operational management. Building on this framework, the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method are employed to conduct a holistic assessment of the street furniture and to identify critical design deficiencies. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework effectively identifies the strengths and weaknesses of street furniture and provides robust support for formulating targeted optimization strategies. The results reveal significant variations in the perceived importance of design factors among different user groups. Residents primarily emphasize practicality and convenience in daily use. Tourists value aesthetic expression and cultural resonance, whereas government officials focus on construction standardization and maintenance efficiency. In terms of satisfaction, all three groups reported relatively low scores, with the ranking as follows: “planning and configuration” > “management and operations” > “environmental coordination.” Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted design guidelines for future practice. The evaluation framework has been adopted by local authorities, incorporated into official street furniture design guidelines, and implemented in pilot projects—demonstrating its practical applicability and value. This research contributes to the theoretical advancement of street furniture design and provides empirical and methodological support for applications in other emerging urban areas and new town developments. Full article

In recent years, plant tissue culture has become a crucial component of the modern bioeconomy. From a commercial perspective, plant micropropagation remains one of its most valuable applications. Plants exhibit remarkable developmental plasticity; however, many species still remain recalcitrant in tissue culture. While the term recalcitrant is commonly used to describe plants with poor in vitro regeneration capacity, from a biological point of view it suggests that the minimal culture requirements for this species were unmet. Despite evidence that the Skoog–Miller exogenous hormonal balance theory and Murashige–Skoog medium were species-limited in applicability, generations of plant biotechnologists applied these tools indiscriminately. This led to systemic propagation of ineffective protocols, publication of misleading standards, and a culture of scientific inertia—costing both time and resources. The field must now move beyond historical dogma toward data-driven, species-specific innovation based on multiple endogenous auxin biosynthesis pathways, epigenetic reprogramming of competent cells, and further modern biotechnologies that are evolving. In this short viewpoint, we describe possible solutions in plant biotechnology to significantly improve the effectiveness of it. Full article

Chronic dermatologic diseases are characterized by pathophysiologic complexity and the existence of many unmet patient management needs that can contribute to treatment failure, with poor adherence being a major issue. This study aims to identify key topics in this field, using the Web of Science database. To perform this analysis, tools such as VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Excel were used. A Python script leveraging machine learning algorithms was developed to standardize terminology. The initial search yielded 35,373 documents, which were then refined to 12,952 publications spanning 1975 to 2024 through parameter optimization. The study found an increasing interest in this research domain, with a notable surge in 2019. The analysis identified the United States, Germany, and England as the most prolific countries in terms of scientific output. Canada ranked sixth in total document production, but its documents received the highest average citations, reflecting a significant impact. Normalization analysis revealed Italy as the most specialized country in chronic skin disease research relative to total national research output. Trend analysis revealed an evolution in research topics, particularly after 2020, with a growing focus on personalized treatment methods and long-term treatment outcomes. The study highlighted international collaboration, especially among countries with cultural or regional connections, such as those within the European Union. It underscores the growing need for continuous updates and the increasing global focus on chronic skin diseases, highlighting the critical role of staying current with emerging trends to drive advancements in treatment and patient care. Full article

The construction of cascade reservoir systems (CRSs) is increasing globally, providing reliable energy and water resources for human social development, while also having significant impacts on the watershed water environment, particularly in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus distribution in the rivers and lakes of these areas. Watershed management authorities urgently need model tools that can comprehensively analyze the sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in CRSs and the nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in lakes and reservoirs. Therefore, this study establishes a model framework that includes a watershed nutrient load model and a hierarchical reservoir nutrient cycling model, validating and analyzing this framework in the Water Diversion Basin from the Luanhe River to Tianjin (WDBLT) in North China, which yields nitrogen and phosphorus substance flows over different time scales. The conclusions show that banning cage culture and curbing point sources improved reservoir water quality, and the internal TP flux serves as a key environmental indicator. This model framework is scientifically sound, easy to operate, and does not require high data demands, demonstrating high practical value for similar water environmental management in CRS. Full article

The Terracotta Army, an integral part of China’s cultural heritage, has suffered physical erosion like cracks and notches over time. Manual inspection methods are inefficient and subjective. This study proposes an automated defect detection system based on computer vision to enhance the efficiency and precision of detecting these defects. The system includes the following core modules: (1) high-resolution image acquisition, which ensures comprehensive and detailed data capture; (2) sophisticated image illumination processing, which compensates for varying lighting conditions and improves image quality; (3) advanced image data augmentation techniques, which enrich the dataset and improve the generalization ability of the detection model; and (4) accurate defect detection, which leverages state-of-the-art algorithms. In the experimental phase, the efficacy of the proposed approach was evaluated. Illumination-enhanced low-light images were used for data augmentation, and the generated images showed high similarity to the original images, as measured by PSNR and SSIM. The YOLOv10 algorithm was employed for defect detection and achieved average detection rates of 91.71% for cracks and 93.04% for abrasions. This research provides a scientific and efficient solution for cultural relic protection and offers a valuable reference for future research in heritage conservation. Full article