High-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEA NPs) exhibit unique catalytic properties arising from the random distribution of constituent elements; however, precise control over surface active sites remains challenging. Herein, we report a surface composition engineering strategy to construct core-shell HEA@Rh nanoparticles via hydrogen spillover-driven synthesis of HEA NPs on CeO2 nanorods, followed by galvanic replacement with Rh ions. The resulting HEA@Rh/CeO2 catalyst exhibits markedly enhanced activity for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with H2, particularly at low temperatures, compared to monometallic Rh and conventional HEA catalysts. In situ X-ray absorption fine structure analysis reveals that the HEA@Rh nanoparticles undergo reversible structural reconstruction under alternating oxidative and reductive atmospheres, while maintaining their particle size. This redox-responsive behavior contrasts with the irreversible structural evolution observed in conventional HEA systems, highlighting the advantage of controlled surface composition. Furthermore, the core-shell structure is preserved even after repeated redox cycling and under elevated temperatures in H2, demonstrating exceptional structural robustness. The combination of dynamic structural reversibility and thermal robustness enables stable catalytic performance under realistic conditions. These results establish surface composition engineering as a powerful approach to unlock the full potential of high-entropy alloy catalysts by integrating structural dynamics with multicomponent synergy.
Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) often results in prolonged coma and significant long-term disability. Evidence-based, widely accessible approaches to accelerate recovery of consciousness remain limited. This study evaluated whether adding a combined regimen of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and systematic auditory stimulation (SAS) to standard neurosurgical care improves recovery of consciousness and short-term outcomes in comatose patients with sTBI. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 89 comatose patients with sTBI [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) < 8] were randomized to standard neurosurgical care (control, n = 44) or standard care in addition to HBOT and SAS (HBOT+SAS, n = 45). HBOT was delivered at a pressure of 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 60 min/session, five sessions per week for 4 weeks. SAS consisted of structured family-delivered storytelling and music sessions three times daily following a predefined schedule. The primary outcome was the change in the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score from baseline to Day 28. Secondary outcomes included the GCS and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) scores, the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 3 months, and serum biomarkers [such as S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)]; care-related satisfaction was analyzed as an exploratory outcome. Secondary endpoints were interpreted using a prespecified Bonferroni-adjusted threshold (p < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the HBOT+SAS group demonstrated greater improvement in measures of consciousness at Day 28 (FOUR: 12.1 ± 2.4 vs. 9.3 ± 2.1; GCS: 11.3 ± 2.2 vs. 9.1 ± 1.9; CRS-R: 11.8 ± 2.3 vs. 8.1 ± 2.0; all p < 0.001). At 3 months, the functional outcome was higher in the HBOT+SAS group (GOS: 4.3 ± 0.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.001). Biomarker patterns indicated a reduction in neuronal injury and an enhancement in neurotrophic activity. Specifically, levels of S100B and NSE were lower in the HBOT+SAS group (both p < 0.001), and BDNF was higher (p = 0.003) in this group. No serious adverse events related to the intervention were reported. Satisfaction outcomes favored HBOT+SAS (88.89% vs. 59.09%, p = 0.005) and were interpreted as exploratory due to the unblinded design of the study. The addition of HBOT+SAS to standard care was associated with improved recovery of consciousness and better 3-month functional outcomes in comatose patients with sTBI, supported by consistent findings from clinical scales and serum biomarkers. However, since the trial did not include HBOT-only or SAS-only comparator arms, the findings support the effectiveness of the combined regimen compared to standard care but do not determine whether HBOT and SAS have a synergistic effect.
Chlorine (Cl) is a critical halogen and acidic component that influences atmospheric oxidation capacity, air quality, and acidifies ecosystems. Emission reduction measures in China are expected to similarly reduce Cl deposition as with sulfur (S). However, large knowledge gaps remain regarding the trends and drivers of China's Cl deposition. By integrating data from an observational network and published literature, we developed the first national dataset of Cl wet deposition in China from 1990 to 2020. This dataset revealed that total Cl- and nonsea-salt (NSS) Cl- deposition initially increased, reaching an inflection point around 2005, and then decreased, with an overall reduction of approximately 52%. As anticipated, Cl and S deposition decreased synchronously nationwide, attributable to reduced precursor emissions from energy structure adjustments and emission reduction technologies. However, in China's three major urban agglomerations, Cl did not decrease in parallel with S and even increased in the Pearl River Delta at a rate of +8% yr-1. This mainly stems from rising waste incineration emissions driven by rapid economic and urban development, population and consumption expansion, which offset the mitigation achieved from coal combustion. Our study underscores the effectiveness of emission reduction measures, yet targeted control of emerging anthropogenic Cl pollution sources in urban hotspot areas is urgently needed to achieve regional sustainable development.
Rapid agricultural expansion has driven forest loss worldwide. Deforestation reduces evaporation, potentially decreasing precipitation and crop yields far beyond agricultural frontiers. Here, we quantified the teleconnection impacts of Amazon deforestation on precipitation and soybean yields across Brazil during 1982-2018, using a Lagrangian moisture tracking model. Our analysis indicates that tree evaporation contributes one-third of growing-season precipitation, yet recent deforestation decreased seasonal precipitation by 6 to 30% across Brazilian soybean states, with replacement land covers providing limited compensation for the losses. Although precipitation declines were most pronounced near Amazonian deforestation, the largest yield reductions (227 kton, or [Formula: see text]6% loss) occurred in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Cumulatively, deforestation-driven precipitation declines resulted in a total soybean production loss of [Formula: see text]700 kton. These findings reveal that expanding agriculture into forests undermines yields in established croplands, potentially creating a feedback where yield losses drive demand for additional forest clearing. Under continued deforestation and climate change, this feedback is likely to intensify, threatening Brazilian rainfed agriculture into the future.
The rising atmospheric concentration of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) poses a major environmental challenge, demanding the development of advanced materials for efficient CO2 capture. Graphene Oxide (GO)-based polymer nanocomposites have emerged as promising candidates owing to their high surface area, modifiable functional groups, and mutually enhanced interactions between the polymer matrix and GO sheets. This study investigates the physicochemical mechanism of CO2 adsorption in GO-based nanocomposites, emphasizing surface interaction, porosity modulation, and polymer compatibility. CO2 adsorption is primarily governed by physisorption mechanisms, including van der Waals forces and dipole-quadrupole interactions between molecules and oxygen-containing functional groups (-OH, -COOH, CO) on the GO surface. Incorporating GO into polymer matrices, such as poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), or poly-(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), enhances CO2 uptake by increasing surface heterogeneity and forming microporous structures. The strong interfacial bonding between GO and polymer chains ensures uniform dispersion, prevents GO agglomeration, and creates an interconnected adsorption network. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analysis, UV-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-vis), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) characterization confirm the enhancement of CO2 capture and surface chemistry that drives the adsorption performance. These findings highlight GO-based polymer nanocomposites as promising next-generation nanostructured sorbents for CO2 capture technologies and sustainable material engineering.
The reaction between SO2 and NO2 is a key atmospheric sulfate formation pathway, yet its kinetics and mechanisms remain contentious. Here, we employ an aerosol optical tweezer to probe this reaction on microdroplets at the single-particle level. Two competing mechanistic frameworks were used for data interpretation─an aqueous and an interfacial reaction model. Accounting for intraparticle NO2 depletion, the aqueous reaction model explains the data given composition-dependent reaction rate constants. However, our experiments show that chloride ions accelerate sulfate production by more than an order of magnitude compared to sulfate ions, which cannot be explained by the aqueous reaction framework. With data extracted from previous nanoparticle experiments and this work, the interfacial reaction model provides a good fit across studies, yielding an interfacial rate constant that exponentially decreases with particle pH. To further probe the effect of organics, we modified the particle composition with ionic surfactants and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The surfactants can slow down or even completely inhibit the reaction, strengthening the hypothesis that the reaction proceeds via an interfacial pathway. Yet for the water-soluble PEG, the reaction rate decreases almost linearly with its mass fraction among solutes. Finally, under atmospherically relevant conditions, a comparison of the rate constants emphasizes using the full particle size distribution to calculate sulfate formation rates. By evaluating the SO2-NO2 reaction across a wide particle size range under different frameworks, this work provides a holistic picture of this reaction, underscoring the need to resolve this critical atmospheric process for compositionally complex particles.
Twenty-eight composite surface soil samples collected from four ecosystem types across El Kala National Park, Algeria - a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - were characterized for 40K, 137Cs, 226Ra, 228Ra, and 232Th by high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry. Mean activity concentrations were 178.7 ± 84.4 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 12.1 ± 9.7 Bq kg-1 for 137Cs, 112.1 ± 30.3 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, and 25.4 ± 11.8 Bq kg-1 for 232Th-series (all uncertainties reported at coverage factor k = 2). Radium-226 concentrations exceeded the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) worldwide median of ~35 Bq kg-1 by a factor of ~3, reflecting geological enrichment within Tertiary phosphatic sedimentary formations of north-eastern Algeria. Potassium-40 and 232Th concentrations were within worldwide typical ranges; 137Cs was consistent with residual global fallout from mid-twentieth century atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. In-situ absorbed dose rates (park mean 83.8 nGy h-1) include a cosmic radiation contribution of ~35 nGy h-1 that is absent from terrestrial dose rates calculated using UNSCEAR (2000) conversion coefficients applied to site-specific data (park mean 74.8 nGy h-1. Subtracting the cosmic component yields a corrected terrestrial in-situ mean of ~49 nGy h-1 - ~35% below the calculated value - consistent with systematic overestimation by the UNSCEAR semi-infinite source geometry when applied to surface-concentrated (0-15 cm) radioactivity profiles. RESRAD-BIOTA Level 1 ecological screening, applying ICRP Publication 108 protective benchmarks of 10 mGy d-1 for terrestrial animals and 1 mGy d-1 for terrestrial plants, produced sum ratio factors (SRFs) of 0.0119 and 0.146, corresponding to safety margins of 84-fold and 6.8-fold below their respective benchmarks. Both SRF values were well below unity, confirming that Level 1 screening criteria are satisfied without requiring higher-tier assessment for terrestrial animals; a Level 2 assessment is recommended for terrestrial plants given the more constrained margin. Radium-226 dominated total biota dose (53% for animals; 75% for plants). These results establish the first systematic radiological baseline for this ecologically sensitive Mediterranean protected area and demonstrate the applicability of RESidual RADioactivity - BIOlogical Transport of Activity (RESRAD‑BIOTA) graded screening in naturally enriched geological settings.
The yak (Bos grunniens) serves as an exceptional model for studying high-altitude adaptation mechanisms due to its evolutionary success in the hypoxic environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Previous research has largely focused on genetic and physiological traits of yaks; however, the interactions between rumen microbiota and host physiology under hypoxic conditions are poorly understood. As the largest digestive organ in ruminants, the rumen and its microbiota play a central role in digestion and host nutrition. In this study, a comparative analysis of digestive metabolism and rumen microbiota was carried out in yaks and cattle (Bos taurus) under two distinct atmospheric oxygen scenarios: baseline (2,200 m) and hypoxic (3,800 m). Our findings reveal that yaks have developed unique microbial strategies to cope with energy deficits in hypoxic stress. These strategies include a shift in rumen microbiota toward amino acid degradation, providing more available energy substrates for host utilization, and enhanced long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis, enabling more efficient energy storage and utilization. This improves energy acquisition in yaks despite their reduced nutritional intake. However, this metabolic adaptation comes at a physiological cost - reduced microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis, leading to elevated ruminal NH3-N levels, and increased fatty acid metabolism and urea cycle activity contributing to hepatic stress. Our results showed that under high-altitude conditions, yak MCP synthesis decreased by 47.3%; and ruminal NH3-N and serum ALT (a hepatic stress marker) increased by 147.2 and 19.7%, respectively. This study presents evidence of potential metabolic trade-offs in high-altitude adaptation, indicating that yaks may optimize microbially mediated energy production at the cost of liver health. These insights deepen our understanding of host-microbiome coevolution mechanisms in extreme environments and highlight biological costs associated with adaptation to high altitudes.
In 1996, based on the ideas of Max Kleiber, we proposed a respirometric method in this journal for the quantitative determination of the roles of protein, lipid and carbohydrate as substrates for fueling aerobic metabolism in fish on an instantaneous basis. Here I provide a 30-year retrospective on its performance, explaining how it works, methodological challenges, the applications for which it has been used, its strengths and potential flaws, and the important issues to be addressed going forward. The approach is based on the simultaneous measurement of the rates of O2 consumption (ṀO2), CO2 excretion (ṀCO2) and N-waste excretion (ṀN = Ṁamm + Ṁurea-N) under steady-state conditions in the whole fish when anaerobic metabolism is not occurring. These allow the calculation of the Respiratory Quotient (RQ = ṀCO2/ṀO2) and the Nitrogen Quotient (NQ = ṀN /ṀO2), and from these, the fractional contributions of each of the three fuels. Principal methodological challenges arise from the difficulties of measuring ṀCO2, and to a lesser extent ṀN, in water. To date, the approach has been used mainly to study fuel use during feeding, fasting, starvation, sustainable exercise, and at different temperatures. In general, lipid and carbohydrates have emerged as the major fuels burned in ammoniotelic fish (where ammonia is the predominant N-waste product), while protein is conserved, though protein metabolism may be more important in ureotelic fish (where urea-N is the predominant N-waste product) and air-breathers. Possible unidentified N- products of protein oxidation, the action of the anaerobic gut microbiome in generating ṀN in the absence of ṀO2, and the ability of the gill microbiome to convert N-waste to di-nitrogen (N2) are highlighted as potential flaws.
Nanoplastics (NPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), owing to strong hydrophobic interactions, commonly coexist as complex pollutants in atmospheric environments. Despite their widespread presence, the mechanisms underlying the inhalation toxicity of NP-PAH complexes remain poorly understood. This study investigates the cooperative effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) NPs and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on pulmonary toxicity. The results show that NPs act as carriers that enhance cellular internalization and accumulation of BaP, thereby intensifying lung injury through synergistic effects. Mechanistic analyses indicate that NPs promote BaP translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), aggravating the unfolded protein response (UPR) within the ER lumen and worsening ER dysfunction. ER stress induces the formation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) condensates via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process markedly enhanced by BaP through direct interaction with IRE1α. Co-condensation of BaP and IRE1α significantly increases IRE1α activity toward X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) splicing. This activation leads to transcriptional upregulation of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase synoviolin (SYVN1). Further evidence indicates that SYVN1-mediated ubiquitination of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) suppresses its cytoprotective function, thereby increasing cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis. Collectively, these findings provide insight into the compound toxicity of BaP and NPs and explain how combined pollutants induce lung injury through ER stress-triggered ferroptosis.
Efficiently utilizing carbon resources from waste plastics and expanding pathways for high-value chemical production are crucial for sustainable development and advancing the circular economy. However, the challenge of inert and hard-to-reuse CO2 released during plastic management remains a significant hurdle, resulting in the loss of valuable carbon resources. Herein, we propose a versatile in situ CO2-capturing strategy for the efficient upcycling of polycarbonate (PC) to produce bisphenol A (BPA) and diverse CO2-upgraded products. Utilizing a variety of CO2-capturing reagents, including nitriles, epoxies, amines, alkynes and alcohols, we achieve complete depolymerization of PC under mild, atmospheric conditions and efficiently co-produce value-added chemicals such as nitrogen-containing heterocycles, cyclic carbonates and acetylenic carboxylic acids. Mechanistic studies reveal that the process involves a more thermodynamically favorable in situ CO2 capture pathway compared to conventional gaseous CO2. This strategy offers a new route to unlock carbon resources from carbonate-based polymers for diversified chemical production and sustainable waste management.
It is crucial to achieve the valid treatment and reuse of solid waste coal gangue (CG). This work extracted Al and Fe elements from solid waste coal gangue (CG) for the synthesis of layered double hydroxides (NiAlFe-LDHs), which were then converted to layered oxides (LDOs) via calcination to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for rhodamine B (RhB) degradation. NiAlFe-LDOs/SiO2 was also synthesized utilizing leached CG (SiO2) as an inorganic support through thermal treatment of NiAlFe-LDH/SiO2 under an air atmosphere. Due to the different structures and physicochemical properties, NiAlFe-LDOs and NiAlFe-LDOs/SiO2 displayed different removal performance toward organic pollutants. LDO-400 exhibited an outstanding RhB degradation efficiency of about 96% within 20 min in the PMS activation system, and it also showed excellent cycling stability with about 82% degradation efficiency after the eighth cycle. The toxicity of RhB and its degradation intermediates was simulated via ECOSAR software to evaluate the environmental safety of the degradation process. For practical application, LDO@sodium alginate (SA) gel beads were synthesized and employed in a fixed-bed reactor, which maintained a degradation efficiency exceeding 90% after 96 h of continuous operation. Other than the excellent RhB degradation efficiency of LDO-400, LDO/SiO2-400 showed a more remarkable adsorption efficiency of 95% toward tetracycline hydrochloride (TC, 50 mg·L-1) within 40 min compared with LDO-400 (54%) and SiO2 (7%). This work not only provides an effective strategy for aquatic pollutant removal but also realizes the comprehensive utilization of CG as an inorganic non-metallic raw material.
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an ionized gas generated at atmospheric pressure in which the temperature of heavy particles (ions, molecules, atoms) remains close to room temperature. CAP produces a complex mixture of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Recent studies have demonstrated its ability to induce cell death in various cancer cell lines, both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, non-tumoral cells appear to be relatively less affected by CAP treatments, this phenomenon is referred to as CAP selectivity. This study aimed to investigate the differential selectivity of a CAP jet generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in human prostate cells, comparing prostate cancer PC3 cells with non-tumoral RWPE-1 cells. Cells were exposed to a CAP treatment for 5-60 s and cell viability (MTS assay), plasma membrane integrity (Propidium iodide, PI staining), morphology (phase-contrast microscopy), intracellular ROS production (DHE staining), and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD (superoxide dismutase), catalase, GPx (glutathione peroxidase)) were assessed 4 h and 24 h post-treatment. CAP exposure induced a time-dependent decrease in PC3 cell viability, with significant effect on viability observed at exposures ≥30 s, whereas RWPE-1 cells showed relative resistance. PI staining confirmed greater plasma membrane damage in PC3 compared to RWPE-1 cells. Morphological alterations such as cell rounding and detachment were more pronounced in PC3 cells than RWPE-1. CAP markedly increased intracellular ROS levels in PC3 cells (up to 73% DHE-positive after 60 s), accompanied by SOD upregulation and reduced catalase and GPx activities. In contrast, RWPE-1 cells exhibited a less pronounced oxidative response and preserved antioxidant enzyme activities. In summary, these results demonstrate differential sensitivity to CAP treatment between prostate cancer cells and non-tumoral cells under the tested conditions, associated with alterations in cellular redox status. These findings suggest that DBD-generated CAP may represent a promising targeted therapeutic approach for prostate cancer treatment.
We generated the aromatic resonance-stabilized vinylcyclopentadienyl radical, C5H4-CH=CH2, in the gas phase via flash pyrolysis of meta-vinylanisole, CH3O-C6H4-CH=CH2. Double-imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy was used to measure the photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectrum of the vinylcyclopentadienyl radical. Spectral assignments were enabled by independent, high-level ab initio coupled cluster calculations of adiabatic ionization energies originating from the ground electronic state of the doublet neutral, X̃ 2A″, to both the ground state of the cation, X̃+ 1A', and the lowest triplet state, ã+ 3A'. The experimentally determined band origin energies are found to be (7.81 ± 0.02) eV (X̃+ 1A' ← X̃ 2A″) and (8.08 ± 0.02) eV (ã+ 3A' ← X̃ 2A″), in agreement with the respective calculated values of (7.83 ± 0.01) eV and (8.09 ± 0.01) eV. The combined experimental and theoretical characterization presented here provides a foundation to identify important resonance-stabilized radicals in complex gas-phase environments.
H2O2 is a vital atmospheric oxidant, while its photolysis in the troposphere is negligible in conventional view. For the first time, we find that gas-phase H2O2 can undergo heterogeneous photolysis to produce OH radicals on the surfaces of particles such as SiO2, Fe2O3, and Na2SO4 under solar irradiation, which further convert NO to produce HONO and NO2. It is demonstrated that acidity can inhibit the formation of HONO and promote the formation of NO2 significantly. Moreover, the heterogeneous photolysis of H2O2 is dependent on the reactivity of particles, with inert surfaces being more conducive to the generation of OH radicals. A MCM box model indicates that the HONO formation rate via the H2O2 heterogeneous reaction can reach 0.10 ppb·h-1 at 9 a.m., and the relative contribution to the total daytime HONO production can account for approximately 5% at 1 p.m. Given the ubiquitous presence of SiO2 in mineral dust particles, glass curtain walls, and terrestrial soils, these findings indicate that heterogeneous photolysis of H2O2 on the particle surface could be a potential source of daytime HONO. Our research also underscores the importance of atmospheric interfacial chemistry and its contribution to unknown sources of atmospheric oxidizing capacity.
Artificial aquatic ecosystems (AAEs) are human-made environments in managed landscapes that encompass a spectrum from straightened streams to newly constructed ponds. Research on AAEs is now expanding into diverse environmental science fields in response to ongoing pressures threatening freshwater ecosystems. Yet AAEs remain sidelined in the traditional study of freshwaters, limiting their recognition in catchment and atmospheric processes. We advocate for increased recognition of AAEs in freshwater science on four key points: (1) their ubiquity across human-impacted landscapes; (2) their contributions to biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem services; (3) as sources of insights to fundamental questions on pressures facing freshwater ecosystems; and (4) their lack of inclusion in policy. We call for a paradigm shift from viewing AAEs as low in the hierarchy of natural sciences to recognizing them as critical components of the modern hydroscape that offer opportunities for interdisciplinary research and improvement of water resources.
Geographic variation in the diving behaviour of oceanic mammals is a major component of their biodiversity with far-reaching relevance for ecology and conservation. Here we compared high-resolution multi-sensor tag data from northern bottlenose whales in Jan Mayen, Norway (n = 15, 127.2 h) and the Gully, Scotian Shelf, Canada (n = 6, 45.8 h) to compare diving and foraging behaviours. K-means clustering identified short-shallow and long-deep dive types in both locations but showed a propensity for mid-depth dives in Jan Mayen. Foraging dives (defined by high roll variance corroborated by active clicking) included long-deep dives (Jan Mayen = 967 ± 394 m SD, n = 26; Gully = 1247 ± 411 m, n = 14) but also these mid-depth dives (537 ± 135 m, n = 105). Time budgets varied substantially between locations with whales in the Gully spending 15% less time foraging (Z = 2.1, p = 0.03) and twice as much time near-surface resting (Z = -3.8, p < 0.001). Movement parameters further showed enigmatic gyrations during dives, more common in Jan Mayen. Skin biopsy stable isotopes revealed small regional differences, likely reflecting both diet and ecoregion (Jan Mayen n = 18: δ 15N 15.03‰ ± 0.35‰, Gully n = 41: δ 15N 15.41‰ ± 0.44‰). These population differences suggest unequal susceptibility to stressors and unequal likelihood of detection, with consequences for population management and abundance estimation.
Lithocarpus litseifolius is a novel food ingredient with medicinal, tea, and natural sweetening properties. This study examines the quality traits and chemical composition of 10 L. litseifolius samples from different geographic origins. Key metabolites are more concentrated in high-quality core regions, with Hengfeng having the highest levels and Anfu the lowest. Of the total 621 metabolites, 52 were significantly differentially accumulated and enriched in "metabolic pathways" and "secondary metabolite biosynthesis." Unsupervised hierarchical clustering yielded two distinct clusters, aligning with established quality grades and geographical proximity. Mantel correlation and distance-based redundancy analysis identified soil available copper, phosphorus, potassium, and iron, as well as mean annual temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity, as key drivers of regional differences. Random forest ranking and PCA-based dimensionality reduction identified eight metabolites as markers of geographical origin. This study demonstrates a soil and climate-driven reconfiguration of secondary metabolism in L. litseifolius, offering guidance for region-based cultivation optimization.
Parental burnout refers to a negative emotional state that parents experience during the process of parenting, which directly affects parents' parenting behaviors, family atmosphere and children's development. However, less studies focusing on the influence mechanism of parental burnout on problem behaviors in preschool children. Therefore, this study mainly explores the relationship between parental burnout and their preschool children's problem behaviors, as well as the mediating role of family functioning and the moderating role of children's effortful control. 537 preschool children and their parents in Shanghai, China participated in this study, parents filled out the Parental Burnout Assessment, Family Functioning Assessment Device, Children's Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation, and Children's Behaviour Questionnaire. The results showed that: (1) Parental burnout was significantly associated with preschool children's problem behaviors; (2) Family functioning played a mediating role between parental burnout and children's problem behaviors; (3) Preschool children's effortful control moderated the second half path of the mediating model, that is, children's high-level effortful control alleviated the adverse effects of parental burnout on children's problem behaviors through family functioning. Results highlighted the importance of parental burnout and children's effortful control on preschool children's problem behaviors.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising rapidly in Iran, where climate-related hazards such as heatwaves, sand and dust storms, and disruptions to food and medicine supply chains challenge continuity and quality of care. We sought to validate a climate-sensitive, health system-oriented management model for T2DM using a Delphi consensus process. Eighteen experts in diabetes, noncommunicable diseases and health systems rated 51 statements derived from the preliminary Integrated Iranian Climate-Sensitive Diabetes Management Model (ICDMM), mapped onto six domains aligned with WHO health system building blocks. Items were scored on a binary agree/disagree scale, with a ≥ 70% agreement threshold for consensus. In round 1, agreement ranged from 61.1% to 100.0%; 46 statements met the threshold and five were revised. In round 2 all revised items achieved ≥ 80% agreement, and ultimately all 51 statements reached consensus. The validated ICDMM comprises six domains and 51 components spanning climate-informed governance, resilient and equitable service delivery, workforce preparedness, digital and early-warning information systems, climate-resilient supply chains, and equity-oriented climate-sensitive financing. The ICDMM offers a disease-specific framework for operationalising climate-resilient health system principles for T2DM in a climate-vulnerable middle-income setting and now requires implementation and evaluation in real-world practice.