Search Results (8,360)

Biodegradable film mulching is increasingly used to replace polyethylene in agriculture, but effects on soil respiration (SR) and components remain unclear, especially during degradation. This study investigated biodegradable mulching’s regulation of SR, root-derived respiration (RDR), and non-root-derived respiration (NRDR) under varying phases. A two-year field experiment was conducted in a rainfed maize system in northern China, comparing conventional tillage with biodegradable film mulching (BM), conventional tillage with polyethylene film mulching (PM), and conventional tillage without mulching (CT). Continuous measurements of soil CO₂ concentration (SCC), temperature, water content, and respiration components were used to assess dynamic responses. Results showed that BM enhanced SR and shifted peak timing, with the SR peaking at 106 days after sowing (DAS) under BM, 91.8 DAS under PM, and 91.2 DAS under CT, mainly through a more sustained RDR (BM peak at 103 DAS with a broader peak and greater cumulative RDR than PM and CT). As the biodegradable plastic film degraded, NRDR was higher during the degradation phase, consistent with a priming-like response. These phase-dependent effects suggest that BM first facilitates root growth then serves as a microbial substrate. Moreover, elevated SCC was positively associated with both RDR and NRDR, indicating that CO₂ may function as a regulatory signal rather than a passive byproduct of respiration. These findings reveal distinct temporal mechanisms by which BM influences soil carbon fluxes and offer mechanistic insights into the sustainable application of biodegradable film mulching. Future research should evaluate long-term effects on microbial community composition, soil carbon balance, and potential trade-offs with crop productivity and environmental risks. Full article

Drought stress is a major abiotic factor limiting plant growth and productivity. This study investigates the role of oligomerization of the light-harvesting complex of photosystem II (LHCII) in modulating plant responses to drought stress. Using pea plants (Pisum sativum L.): Borec (wild type) and its mutants Costata 2/133 and Coeruleovireus 2/16, with different degrees of LHCII oligomerization, we examined the impact of water deficit on the functions of the photosynthetic apparatus. This study demonstrated that plants with a higher degree of LHCII oligomerization (wild type and Coeruleovireus 2/16) have enhanced drought tolerance, expressed by reduced lipid peroxidation and membrane damage, protection of the photosynthetic pigment content, which corresponds with better photosynthetic performance. Data revealed only minor drought-induced inhibition of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry (Fv/Fm, Φ_PSII), electron transport rate (ETR), and rate of photosynthesis (R_Fd)), along with sustained performance indices (PI_ABS and PItotal) in plants with higher LHCII oligomerization compared to those with lower levels (Costata 2/133). Additionally, the current study indicates that under drought stress and low actinic light, the interaction with plastoquinone and controlled dissipation of excess energy are promoted in thylakoid membranes with increased LHCII oligomerization. In contrast, drought-stressed plants with lower oligomerization (Costata 2/133) showed a significant increase in non-regulated energy losses under high actinic light. These results highlight the protective function of LHCII oligomerization in preserving photosynthetic integrity and functioning under drought stress and suggest that it could be a promising target for enhancing crop resilience in a changing climate. Full article

Learning regulation is a central determinant of student achievement and autonomy in higher education. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, this quasi-experimental study examined the effects of a seven-week intervention in biomedical education that combined visual modeling through drawing with gamification elements supported by digital tools (ClassDojo, 3D atlases, augmented reality). Participants were 116 first-year anatomy students from two universities, one receiving the experimental treatment (visual modeling with gamification) and the other serving as a control group (traditional instruction). Pre- and post-intervention measures were collected using the Self-Regulation of Learning Questionnaire to assess changes in autonomous regulation (AR), controlled regulation (CR), and the Relative Autonomy Index (RAI). Results showed no significant effects on AR, while CR was significantly higher in the experimental group. A treatment effect was also found for the RAI, although no evidence of motivational internalization toward more autonomous regulation emerged within the short intervention. This study highlights how gamified digital platforms can serve as tools for media literacy in higher education, fostering critical engagement with technology as a component of lifelong learning. Findings suggest that combining gamification with visual modeling reinforces controlled regulation, while longer and more autonomy-supportive interventions may be required to foster sustainable autonomous regulation. Full article

The small GTPase RhoA and its downstream effector Rho-kinase (ROCK) have emerged as pivotal regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction, endothelial function, and vascular remodeling. Activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway enhances calcium (Ca²⁺) sensitivity by inhibiting myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP), thereby promoting sustained vascular tone independent of intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. In endothelial cells (ECs), RhoA/ROCK signaling contributes to nitric oxide (NO) dysregulation, oxidative stress, cytoskeletal reorganization, and inflammatory activation. Cumulative evidence implicates this pathway in the development and progression of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, where maladaptive vascular remodeling, VSMC proliferation, and endothelial dysfunction drive increased vascular resistance. Translational studies have identified ROCK inhibitors and indirect modulators such as statins as promising therapeutic strategies. This review integrates recent mechanistic insights into RhoA/ROCK regulation of vascular function with clinical and translational perspectives on targeting this pathway in hypertension. Full article

Heat stress has emerged as a significant abiotic constraint affecting rice yield and grain quality. In recent years, substantial advancements have been achieved in elucidating molecular regulatory mechanisms and breeding applications pertinent to rice heat tolerance. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the fundamental regulatory pathways involved in rice responses to heat stress, encompassing membrane lipid homeostasis, heat signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, RNA stability and translation, epigenetic modifications, hormone signaling, antioxidant defense, and the protection of reproductive organs. Particular emphasis is placed on the functional mechanisms and breeding potential of pivotal thermotolerance-associated genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs), such as TT1, TT3, and QT12. Additionally, we summarize recent applications of cutting-edge technologies in the enhancement of heat-tolerant rice varieties, including multi-omics integration, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and rational design breeding. Finally, we address current challenges, including integrating regulatory mechanisms, developing realistic heat simulation systems, validating the functionality of candidate genes, and managing trait trade-offs. This review provides a theoretical foundation for developing heat-tolerant rice cultivars and offers valuable insights to accelerate the breeding of climate-resilient rice varieties for sustainable production. Full article

As an eco-friendly natural building material, rammed earth possesses outstanding hygrothermal performance, which plays a vital role in achieving the goals of sustainable architecture. However, most existing simulations assume constant hygrothermal parameters, resulting in considerable discrepancies between predicted and actual energy performance and consequently underestimating the true passive regulatory potential of rammed earth. To enhance the accuracy of energy consumption predictions in rammed earth buildings, this study integrates experimental measurements with dynamic simulations and experimentally determines both the constant and non-constant hygrothermal parameters of rammed earth. By integrating experimental and simulation approaches, this study reveals a strong positive linear correlation between the thermal conductivity of rammed earth and its moisture content (R² = 0.9919), increasing from 0.77 W/(m·K) to 1.38 W/(m·K) as moisture content rises from 0% to 14%, whereas the moisture resistance factor decreases exponentially with increasing relative humidity (RH). Subsequently, the two sets of hygrothermal parameters were implemented in the WUFI-Plus simulation platform to conduct annual dynamic simulations across five representative Chinese climate zones (Harbin, Beijing, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Dali), systematically comparing the performance differences between the “non-constant” and “constant” parameter models. The results show that the non-constant parameter model effectively captures the dynamic hygrothermal regulation of rammed earth, exhibiting superior passive performance. It predicts substantially lower building energy loads, with heating energy reductions most pronounced in Harbin and Beijing (16.9% and 15.5%) and cooling energy reductions most significant in Guangzhou and Nanjing (15.8% and 15.2%). This study confirms that accurately accounting for the dynamic hygrothermal coupling process is fundamental to reliably evaluating the performance of hygroscopic materials such as rammed earth, providing a robust scientific basis for promoting energy-efficient, low-carbon, and climate-responsive sustainable building design. Full article

The search for sustainable and health-promoting food ingredients has positioned microalgae as promising candidates for the development of functional products. Haematococcus pluvialis, a unicellular green microalga, is the richest natural source of astaxanthin, a carotenoid with outstanding antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. In addition to astaxanthin, H. pluvialis provides high-value proteins, essential fatty acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins, which expand its potential applications in the food sector. This review compiles current knowledge on the biology and physiology of H. pluvialis, with emphasis on cultivation strategies, environmental stress factors, and biotechnological tools designed to enhance bioactive compound production. Advances in extraction and purification methods are also discussed, contrasting conventional solvent-based approaches with emerging green technologies. The integration of these strategies with biomass valorization highlights opportunities for improving economic feasibility and sustainability. Applications of H. pluvialis in the food industry include its use as a functional ingredient, natural colorant, antioxidant, and stabilizer in bakery products, beverages, meat analogs, and emulsified systems. Evidence from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reinforces its safety and effectiveness. Looking ahead, industrial perspectives point to the adoption of omics-based tools, metabolic engineering, and circular economy approaches as drivers to overcome current barriers of cost, stability, and regulation, opening new avenues for large-scale applications in food systems. Full article

The emergence of energy communities in the energy transition world could be beneficial for sustainable development, particularly in ancient town centers. The interaction between energy groups, renewable energy sources, and electric vehicles in Italy’s historic cities is the primary concern of this work. It examines the potential for these interconnected components to collaborate to revitalize Italian historical sites and ensure their sustainable management. This study focuses on the overall potential of energy communities to boost democracy and energy security, and decrease negative environmental impacts. It is studied by analyzing rules and regulation along with new technologies and changes in society and economy that are affecting the energy sector. This paper focuses on approaches to the application of renewable energy resources and examines electric mobility and its role in realizing ecologically sustainable transportation in cities. It also demonstrates the needs to occur with infrastructures, use rates and policies that must be implemented to get a person to drive electric cars around historic districts. This improves the management’s capacity to implement an easy transition to low carbon because, related to energy production and consumption, techniques of comprehensive planning should be adopted. Full article

Microalgae grow rapidly, require minimal space, can proliferate in non-agricultural land, do not compete with human food sources, and can be cultivated in a variety of environments, including wastewater. They are considered an ecological source of bioactive compounds, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional industrial production methods, which are often resource-intensive. It is important to emphasize that both the species of microalgae and the specific culture conditions play a decisive role in the generation and storage of valuable bioactive compounds, which can act as biostimulants. Biostimulants are organic compounds or microorganisms capable of enhancing crop quality parameters by optimizing nutrient and water use efficiency, while also strengthening tolerance to abiotic stress. The aim of this article is to provide an updated understanding of biostimulants, their modes of action, and their role in regulating plant responses to abiotic stress. It further incorporates examples of successful trials that demonstrate the advantageous applications of microalgae-based biostimulants, while also addressing the barriers and limitations to their commercialization and integration into sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

The use of preservatives such as diuron and isoproturon in the paint industry is essential to protect products against microbial attack. However, these compounds are subject to strict regulation due to the harmful effects they have on the environment and human health. Therefore, analytical strategies to control the production process at paint plants are fundamental to ensure suitable products. In the present work, a low-cost portable square-wave voltammetry device with commercial screen-printed electrodes was proposed to control the starting products and to determine isoproturon and diuron levels in manufactured paint products. Under the optimized conditions (electrolyte HClO₄ 0.18 M, nickel oxide-doped carbon electrodes, E_SW = 0.02 V, E_step = 0.0015 V, and ƒ = 15 Hz), the results indicated satisfactory analytical performance, with detection limits of 3.5 and 3.0 mg L⁻¹ for isoproturon and diuron, respectively, and precision lower than 7.5% for both biocides. The analytical strategy employed to achieve satisfactory selectivity involved taking advantage of the specific interaction of cysteine with 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT) as a potential interferent in some commercial products and the use of matrix match calibration. A recovery study provided values in the range of 92–104% for accuracy validation. A sample pretreatment step was needed due to the paint composition, and a miniaturized method was proposed here. The novelty of this method lies in the use of a portable voltammetry device in real-world industrial applications to control the paint production process using a cost-effective, time-saving, sustainable, and green protocol. The HEXAGON tool is used for assessing greenness and sustainability. The choice of reagents like HClO₄ and the minimization of waste from the small volumes used align with the principles of using safer solvents, a key concern in green and sustainable chemistry. Full article

The agricultural sector has a significant impact on the global carbon cycle, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through various practices and processes. This review paper examines the significant role of the agricultural sector in the global carbon cycle, highlighting its substantial contribution to GHG emissions through diverse practices and processes. The study explores the trends and spatial distribution of agricultural GHG emissions at both the global level and within the European Union (EU). Emphasis is placed on the principal gases released by this sector—methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)—with detailed attention to their sources, levels, environmental impacts, and key strategies to mitigate and control their effects, based on the latest scientific data. The paper further investigates emissions originating from livestock production, along with mitigation approaches including feed additives, selective breeding, and improved manure management techniques. Soil-derived emissions, particularly N₂O and CO₂ resulting from fertilizer application and microbial activity, are thoroughly explored. Additionally, the influence of various agricultural practices such as tillage, crop rotation, and fertilization on emission levels is analyzed, supported by updated data from recent literature. Special focus is given to the underlying mechanisms that regulate these emissions and the effectiveness of management interventions in reducing their magnitude. The research also evaluates current European legislative measures aimed at lowering agricultural emissions and promoting climate-resilient, sustainable farming systems. Various mitigation strategies—ranging from optimized land and nutrient management to the application of nitrification inhibitors and soil amendments are assessed for both their practical feasibility and long-term impact. Full article

This research focuses on vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with particular emphasis on Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) systems which is designed to help drivers keep a vehicle centered within its lane and reduce the risk of unintentional lane departures. These kinds of systems detect lane boundaries using computer vision algorithms applied to video data captured by a forward-facing camera and interpret this visual information to provide corrective steering inputs or driver alerts. The research investigates the performance, reliability, sustainability, and limitations of LKA systems under adverse road and environmental conditions, such as wet pavement and in the presence of degraded, partially visible, or missing horizontal road markings. Improving the reliability of lane detection and keeping systems enhances road safety, reducing traffic accidents caused by lane departures, which directly supports social sustainability. For the theoretical test, a modified road model using MATLAB software was used to simulate poor road markings and to investigate possible test outcomes. A series of field tests were conducted on multiple passenger vehicles equipped with LKA technologies to evaluate their response in real-world scenarios. The results show that it is very important to ensure high quality horizontal road markings as specified in UNECE Regulation No. 130, as lane keeping aids are not uniformly effective. Furthermore, the study highlights the need to develop more robust line detection algorithms capable of adapting to diverse road and weather conditions, thereby enhancing overall driving safety and system reliability. LKA system research supports sustainable mobility strategies promoted by international organizations—aiming to transition to safer, smarter, and less polluting transportation systems. Full article

Red Fruit Ginseng (Campanumoea lancifolia), widely cultivated in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangxi, in China, is valued for its sweet-tasting fruit and medicinal potential. In this study, leaves of the Yunnan Maguan variety were used as explants to establish an efficient tissue culture system for callus induction, adventitious bud regeneration, and rooting. Different combinations of cytokinins and auxins were tested to determine the optimal balance of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Our results indicated that when the combined concentration of kinetin (KT) and 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) in the primary culture medium was lower than 1.0 mg/L, callus induction was the most effective, with treatments of 0.5 mg/L KT + 0.2 mg/L 6-BA and 0.2 mg/L KT + 0.8 mg/L 6-BA showing higher induction rates compared to other groups. During the subculture, 0.5 mg/L 6-BA promoted vigorous adventitious bud growth, while higher levels inhibited development. For rooting, 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) combined with 0.2 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) induced the highest root number and healthiest plantlets, outperforming indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The optimized protocol resulted in over 80% explant survival and produced vigorous seedlings suitable for acclimatization. This leaf-derived regeneration method provides a reliable approach for large-scale propagation, conservation, and potential pharmacological applications of Red Fruit Ginseng, contributing to the sustainable utilization and commercial development of this valuable medicinal plant. Full article

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disorder characterized by progressive dilation and weakening of the abdominal aortic wall. Despite advances in surgical repair, rupture remains associated with mortality rates exceeding 65%, and no effective pharmacological therapy exists to prevent disease progression. Increasing evidence highlights chronic inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and immune dysregulation as central drivers of AAA pathogenesis. Among these mechanisms, the thrombospondin-1 (TSP1)–CD47 signaling axis has emerged as a critical upstream regulator of vascular inflammation. By engaging CD47, TSP1 promotes macrophage activation, impairs efferocytosis, and sustains a self-perpetuating inflammatory loop that accelerates tissue destruction. This positions the TSP1–CD47 pathway as more than a bystander in aneurysm biology, linking immune activation with structural failure of the aortic wall. The therapeutic relevance of this axis is underscored by the development of CD47-targeted agents in oncology, which restore phagocytosis and immune balance. Repurposing such strategies for vascular medicine, in combination with advanced drug delivery systems, offers a promising avenue for disease-modifying therapy in AAA. Notably, two targeted drug delivery approaches have been described: both employ bispecific targeting of CD47 in combination with a macrophage-specific marker, using immunotoxins encapsulated in liposomal carriers to enhance selectivity and therapeutic efficacy. By shifting focus from structural repair to immune modulation, targeting the TSP1–CD47 axis with these strategies has the potential to redefine the clinical management of this condition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oman Vision 2040, the national blueprint for socio-economic transformation, aims to elevate the Sultanate to developed nation status, with the “Health” priority committed to building a “Leading Healthcare System with International Standards” via a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This paper critically reviews Oman’s strategic health directions and implementation frameworks under Vision 2040, assessing their alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serving as a case model for health system transformation. Methods: This study employs a critical narrative synthesis based on a comprehensive literature search that included academic, official government reports, and international organization sources. The analysis is guided by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Systems Framework, providing a structured interpretation of progress across its six building blocks. Results: Key interventions implemented include integrated governance (e.g., Committee for Managing and Regulating Healthcare), diversified health financing (e.g., public private partnership (PPPs), Health Endowment Foundation), and strategic digital transformation (e.g., Al-Shifa system, AI diagnostics). Performance metrics show progress, with a rise in the Legatum Prosperity Index ranking and an increase in the Community Satisfaction Rate. However, critical challenges persist, including resistance to change during governance restructuring, cybersecurity risks from digital adoption, and system fragmentation that complicates a unified Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) response. Conclusions: Oman’s integrated approach, emphasizing decentralization, quality improvement, and investment in preventive health and human capital, positions it for sustained progress. The transformation offers generalizable insights. Successfully realizing Vision 2040 demands rigorous, evidence-informed policymaking to effectively address equity implications and optimize resource allocation. Full article