Search Results (27,305)

This study explores the optimisation of rearing substrates for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). First, the ideal dry matter content of substrates was determined, comparing the standard 30% dry matter (DM) with substrates hydrated to their maximum water holding capacity (WHC). Substrates at maximal WHC yielded significantly higher larval survival rates (p = 0.0006). Consequently, the WHC approach was adopted for further experiments. Using these hydrated artificial substrates, fractional factorial designs based on central composite and Box–Behnken designs were employed to assess the impact of macronutrient composition on bioconversion efficiency. The results demonstrated significant main, interaction, and quadratic effects on bioconversion efficiency. Validation with real-life substrates of varied protein content, including indigestible feather meal, affirmed the predictive model’s accuracy after accounting for protein source digestibility. This research underscores the importance of optimal hydration and macronutrient composition in enhancing BSFL growth and bioconversion efficiency. Full article

The genus Ajuga (Lamiaceae family) comprises approximately 300 species, which are widely used in traditional medicine for their diaphoretic, antiseptic, hemostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties, but scarcely in official ones. Therefore, the study of Ajuga reptans holds promise for developing new medicinal products. In aqueous and aqueous-alcoholic soft extracts of the A. reptans herb, 16 amino acids, 20 phenolics, and 10 volatile substances were identified by HPLC and GC/MS. The assays of the main substances’ groups were also determined by spectrophotometry (vitamin K1, polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids) and titrometry (ascorbic and organic acids). A. reptans herb extracts are practically non-toxic, exhibit hepatoprotective activity (dose 25 mg/kg) in experimental carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatitis, moderate anti-inflammatory activity (dose 100 mg/kg) in carrageenan-induced edema models, and possess significant local hemostatic (reducing bleeding time by 40.6%) and wound-healing properties (complete wound healing after 9 days). The aqueous-ethanolic soft A. reptans extract (extractant 50% ethanol) demonstrated the most pronounced hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. A. reptans extracts are capable of inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and showing higher activity against Gram-positive bacteria. A. reptans herb extracts are promising agents for implementation in official medicine as wound healing and hepatoprotective remedies after further preclinical and clinical studies. Full article

The architecture, engineering, construction, and operations industry is distinguished by having plenty of and a variety of data, which makes the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of information difficult. Due to a data exchange system primarily based on paper-based transmission, multiple classification systems, the use of inconsistent criteria and practices, and a significant number of stakeholders involved during the building life cycle (each with distinct requirements and levels of access to information), the entire construction process must deal with ineffective information exchange among actors. Instead of multiple sources of information and tools to collect, store, and share data, one single source of information could become a reference point for numerous stakeholders. In this regard, a digital building logbook is assumed to be a collector of building-related data starting from the design phase, which plays a fundamental role in information management. This paper proposes a systematic literature review aimed at identifying the main features of the tool, investigating its growth in the construction sector. The results show that the digital building logbook’s main application is in the operations and maintenance field with relevance to renovation. However, a common model is absent, varying greatly based on the country and category of building. This analysis contributes to increasing awareness by identifying the attributes, gaps, and potentialities of the subject matter. Full article

Abalone is an economically important mollusk, whose slow growth has impeded the recovery of its wild populations and development of aquaculture. The three-way cross hybrid abalone ((Haliotis discus hannai♀ × H. fulgens♂)♀ × H. gigantea♂, DF × SS) demonstrated notable diversity in growth traits across the population with genetic differentiation, offering a model for exploring the molecular mechanisms of abalone growth. In this study, a total of 89 SNPs and 97 candidate genes were identified to be associated with growth-related traits of abalone using whole-genome resequencing and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis. Then, ten overlap genes were found among these candidate genes by combining the results of GWAS and comparative transcriptomic analyses between the large individuals (L group) and small individuals (S group) of DF × SS. These overlap genes include up-regulated genes (fabG) and down-regulated genes (HMCN1, TLR3, ITIH3) between the L and the S groups, which are thought to function in growth in other organisms. The biological functions of these candidate genes in abalone still have to be confirmed, but they have improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind abalone growth traits and provided molecular markers for abalone breeding programs. Full article

The rapid advancement and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across diverse industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail, underscore the transformative potential of AI technologies. This necessitates the development of viable AI model marketplaces that facilitate the development, trading, and sharing of AI models across the pervasive industrial domains to harness and streamline their daily activities. These marketplaces act as centralized hubs, enabling stakeholders such as developers, data owners, brokers, and buyers to collaborate and exchange resources seamlessly. However, existing AI marketplaces often fail to address the demands of modern and next-generation application domains. Limitations in pricing models, standardization, and transparency hinder their efficiency, leading to a lack of scalability and user adoption. This paper aims to target researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers involved in AI development and deployment, providing actionable insights for designing robust, secure, and transparent AI marketplaces. By examining the evolving landscape of AI marketplaces, this paper identifies critical gaps in current practices, such as inadequate pricing schemes, insufficient standardization, and fragmented policy enforcement mechanisms. It further explores the AI model life-cycle, highlighting pricing, trading, tracking, security, and compliance challenges. This detailed analysis is intended for an audience with a foundational understanding of AI systems, marketplaces, and their operational ecosystems. The findings aim to inform stakeholders about the pressing need for innovation and customization in AI marketplaces while emphasizing the importance of balancing efficiency, security, and trust. This paper serves as a blueprint for the development of next-generation AI marketplaces that meet the demands of both current and future application domains, ensuring sustainable growth and widespread adoption. Full article

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a subtype of breast cancer that is associated with poor prognosis and low survival rates. The discovery of novel anti-cancer agents to manage this subtype of cancer is still needed. Ziziphus spina-christi (ZSC) is a plant species that is native to Qatar. It exerts various biological activities, including cytotoxicity as it contains different essential bioactive constituents, mainly rutin and quercetin. To examine the outcome of ZSC on HER2-positive breast cancer, we standardized the ZSC methanolic leaves extracted by Reverse Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis using the flavonoids rutin and quercetin as marker compounds. Here we used two HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, ZR-75-1 and SK-BR-3, and the chorioallantoic membrane as an angiogenesis model. We found that ZSC extract significantly reduces viability, alters the normal morphological phenotype of HER2-positive breast cancer cells, and inhibits cell migration as well as colony formation; this is accompanied by deregulating different apoptotic markers such as Bax/Bcl-2 and NF-κB in both cell lines. Additionally, ZSC methanolic extract significantly represses the angiogenesis of the chorioallantoic membrane model. Moreover, the molecular pathway investigations pointed out that ZSC extract represses the activity of HER2 and p38 MAPK which could be the main pathways behind the effect of ZSC in HER2-positive cells. Collectively, our results support the potential role of ZSC in the management of HER2-positive breast cancer and form the basis for future investigations. Full article

Efficient management of soil nutrients is essential for optimizing crop production, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, and addressing the challenges posed by population growth and environmental degradation. Smart agriculture, using advanced technologies, plays an important role in achieving these goals by enabling real-time monitoring and precision management of nutrients. In open-field soil cultivation, spatial variability in soil properties demands site-specific nutrient management and integration with variable-rate technology (VRT) to optimize fertilizer application, reduce nutrient losses, and enhance crop yields. Hydroponic solution cultivation, on the other hand, requires precise monitoring and control of nutrient solutions to maintain optimal conditions for plant growth, ensuring efficient use of water and fertilizers. This review aims to explore recent trends in soil and solution nutrient sensing technologies for open-field soil and facilitated hydroponic cultivation, highlighting advancements that promote efficiency and sustainability. Key technologies include electrochemical and optical sensors, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring, and the integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive modeling. Blockchain technology is also emerging as a tool to enhance transparency and traceability in nutrient management, promoting compliance with environmental standards and sustainable practices. In open-field soil cultivation, real-time sensing technologies support targeted nutrient application by accounting for spatial variability, minimizing environmental risks such as runoff and eutrophication. In hydroponic solution cultivation, precise solution sensing ensures nutrient balance, optimizing plant health and productivity. By advancing these technologies, smart agriculture can achieve sustainable crop production, improved resource efficiency, and environmental protection, fostering a resilient food system. Full article

Accurate diagnosis of plant phosphorus nutritional status is critical for optimizing agricultural practices and enhancing resource efficiency. Existing methods are limited to qualitatively assessing plant phosphorus nutritional status and cannot quantitatively estimate the plant’s phosphorus requirements. Moreover, these methods are time-consuming, making them impractical for large-scale application. In this study, we developed an advanced phosphorus absorption model (Pabs) that integrates the phosphorus nutrition index (PNI) and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). The PUE, a critical metric for assessing phosphate fertilizer use efficiency, was quantified by comparing yields under fertilized and unfertilized conditions. Utilizing the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model, we simulated maize (Zea mays L.) phosphorus concentration (P) and aboveground biomass (Bio) under varying phosphorus application rates. The model exhibited robust performance, achieving an R² above 0.95 and an RMSE below 0.22. Based on the APSIM model simulations, a phosphorus dilution curve (Pc = 3.17 Bio^−0.29, R² = 0.98) was established, reflecting the dilution trends of phosphorus across growth stages. Furthermore, the use of vegetation indices (VIS) to evaluate phosphorus nutritional status also showed promising results, with inversion accuracies exceeding 0.70. To validate the model, field sampling was conducted in maize-growing regions of Changchun. Results demonstrated a correct diagnosis rate of 75%, underscoring the model’s capacity to accurately estimate phosphorus requirements on a regional scale. These findings highlight the Pabs model as a reliable tool for precision phosphorus management, offering significant potential to optimize fertilization strategies and support sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

Riverine coastal megacities, particularly in semi-arid South Asian regions, face escalating environmental challenges due to rapid urbanization and climate change. While previous studies have examined urban growth patterns or environmental impacts independently, there remains a critical gap in understanding the integrated impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) changes on both ecosystem vulnerability and sustainable development achievements. This study addresses this gap through an innovative integration of multitemporal Landsat imagery (5, 7, and 8), SRTM-DEM, historical land use maps, and population data using the MOLUSCE plugin with cellular automata–artificial neural networks (CA-ANN) modelling to monitor LULC changes over three decades (1990–2020) and project future changes for 2025, 2030, and 2035, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Karachi, southern Pakistan, one of the world’s most populous megacities. The framework integrates LULC analysis with SDG metrics, achieving an overall accuracy greater than 97%, with user and producer accuracies above 77% and a Kappa coefficient approaching 1, demonstrating a high level of agreement. Results revealed significant urban expansion from 13.4% to 23.7% of the total area between 1990 and 2020, with concurrent reductions in vegetation cover, water bodies, and wetlands. Erosion along the riverbank has caused the Malir River’s area to decrease from 17.19 to 5.07 km² by 2020, highlighting a key factor contributing to urban flooding during the monsoon season. Flood risk projections indicate that urbanized areas will be most affected, with 66.65% potentially inundated by 2035. This study’s innovative contribution lies in quantifying SDG achievements, showing varied progress: 26% for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 18% for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13% for SDG 13 (Climate Action), and 16% for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). However, declining vegetation cover and water bodies pose challenges for SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), with 16% and 11%, respectively. This integrated approach provides valuable insights for urban planners, offering a novel framework for adaptive urban planning strategies and advancing sustainable practices in similar stressed megacity regions. Full article

Fractional vegetation cover (FVC) is an important indicator of regional ecological environment change, and quantitative research on the spatial and temporal distribution of FVC and the trend of change is of great significance to the monitoring, evaluation, protection, and restoration of regional ecology. This study estimates the FVC of the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin from 2000 to 2020 using the image element dichotomous model based on the Google Earth Engine platform using MODIS-NDVI images. It also investigates the temporal and spatial changes of the FVC in this region and its drivers using the Theil–Sen and Mann–Kendall trend tests, spatial autocorrelation analysis, geodetector, and machine learning approaches impact. The results of this study indicated a generally erratic rising tendency, with the Min River Basin (MRB) near the eastern tip of the Tibetan Plateau having an annual average FVC of 0.67 and an annual growth rate of 0.16%. The percentage of places with better vegetation reached 60.37%. The regional FVC showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation and was clustered. Driver analyses showed that soil type, DEM, temperature, potential evapotranspiration, and land use type were the main drivers influencing FVC on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. In addition, the random forest (RF) model outperformed the support vector machine (SVM), backpropagation neural network (BP), and long short-term memory network (LSTM) in FVC regression fitting. In summary, this study shows that the overall FVC in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is on an upward trend, and the regional ecological environment has improved significantly over the past two decades. Full article

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are incurable neurodegenerative disorders sharing pathological and genetic features, including mutations in the FUS gene. FUS is an RNA-binding protein that mislocalizes to the cytoplasm and aggregates in ALS/FTD. In a yeast model, FUS proteinopathy is connected to changes in the epigenome, including reductions in the levels of H3S10ph, H3K14ac, and H3K56ac. Exploiting the same model, we reveal novel connections between FUS aggregation and epigenetic dysregulation. We show that the histone-modifying enzymes Ipl1 and Rtt109—responsible for installing H3S10ph and H3K56ac—are excluded from the nucleus in the context of FUS proteinopathy. Furthermore, we found that Ipl1 colocalizes with FUS, but does not bind it directly. We identified Nop1 and Rrp5, a histone methyltransferase and rRNA biogenesis protein, respectively, as FUS binding partners involved in the growth suppression phenotype connected to FUS proteinopathy. We propose that the nuclear exclusion of Ipl1 through indirect interaction with FUS drives the dysregulation of H3S10ph as well as H3K14ac via crosstalk. We found that the knockdown of Nop1 interferes with these processes. In a parallel mechanism, Rtt109 mislocalization results in reduced levels of H3K56ac. Our results highlight the contribution of epigenetic mechanisms to ALS/FTD and identify novel targets for possible therapeutic intervention. Full article

Power-law, inverse exponential and logarithmic models are widely used as empirical tools to describe anomalies in spatial and temporal geodynamic processes. However, the lack of clear interpretation of the relationships and distinctions among these models often makes their selection challenging, leaving them as empirical tools to be validated by data. This paper introduces these nonlinear functions derived from a unified differential equation, with parameters that reflect their relative nonlinearities and singularities, enabling their comparative application. By applying these functions to analyze magmatic events of the Huai’an Terrane, this study reveals two major crustal growth and reworking events between 2.6 and 1.7 Ga, each exhibiting distinctive nonlinear characteristics. The power-law function highlights strong nonlinearity and singularity during phases of intense magmatic activity, while logarithmic and exponential functions effectively characterize transitions between different tectonic processes. Geochemical data, including U-Pb zircon dating and Lu-Hf isotopic analyses, further validate the models by delineating distinct phases of crustal growth and reworking within the Trans-North China Orogen. The findings help connect the anomalies of frequency of magmatic events with the tectonic processes, providing important insights into the evolution processes of the North China Craton. Full article

Worldwide, there are reports indicating that sheep raised in insular systems spontaneously consume seaweed. In the southern hemisphere, there exists Durvillaea antarctica, a brown seaweed that possesses minerals and fatty acids that could improve some aspects of sheep production and meat quality, respectively. However, the consumption of this algae in lambs has been scarcely studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of Durvillaea antarctica meal on the growth performance, blood profile, and meat quality of fattening lambs. Thirty Araucana Creole lambs were housed and allocated to three pens. One pen served as a control, while the remaining two were supplemented with diets containing 5% and 10% Durvillaea antarctica meal. After 9 weeks, the animals were slaughtered. The dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight and blood biochemical parameters. However, changes were observed in meat quality traits, including increased redness and reduced luminosity in the loin for the high inclusion treatment, in addition to slight alterations in pH and lower lipid oxidation in lambs’ meat fed Durvillaea antarctica. Furthermore, the meat from lambs supplemented with Durvillaea antarctica exhibited increased levels of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, along with higher monounsaturated fatty acid content and a reduced omega-3/omega-6 ratio. This study shows that Durvillaea antarctica can be used to feed lambs without impairing growth or production parameters, which has been little studied. It is possible that this brown seaweed could be considered a natural additive to improve the quality and nutritional value of lamb meat. The effect of this seaweed on other ruminant models could be addressed in future studies. Full article

Urban growth, a pivotal characteristic of economic development, brings many environmental and ecological challenges. Modeling urban growth is essential for understanding its spatial dynamics and projecting future trends, providing insights for effective urban planning and sustainable development. This study aims to assess the spatiotemporal patterns of urban growth and morphological evolution in mainland Shanghai from 2016 to 2060 using the SLEUTH model under multiple growth scenarios based on the Shanghai Urban Master Plan (2017–2035). A comprehensive set of urban growth metrics and quadrant analysis were employed to quantify the magnitude, rate, intensity, and direction of urban growth, as well as morphological evolution, over time. We found that (1) significant urban growth was observed across most scenarios, with the exception of stringent land protection. The most substantial growth occurred prior to 2045 with an obvious north–south disparity, where southern regions demonstrated more pronounced increases in urban land area and urbanization rates. (2) The spatiotemporal patterns of the rate and intensity of urban growth exhibited similar characteristics. The spatial pattern followed a “concave shape” pattern and displayed anisotropic behavior, with the high values for these indicators primarily observed before 2025. (3) The urban form followed a diffusion–coalescence process, with patch areas dominated by the infilling mode and patch numbers dominated by the edge-expansion mode. This resulted in significant alternating urban growth models in the infilling, edge-expansion, and leapfrog modes over time, influenced by varying protection intensities. These findings provide valuable insights for forward-looking urban planning, land use optimization, and the support of sustainable urban development. Full article

Objectives: The rise of obesity and other nutrition-related conditions among children and adolescents is a global challenge, particularly in the Middle East. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of being underweight, overweight, and obese among Jordanian children and adolescents using the body mass index (BMI) percentiles of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standards. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional/longitudinal study analyzed 58,474 (42.6% males; 57.4% females) height, weight, and BMI-for-age records from 31508 healthy Jordanian children and adolescents aged 2–19 years. The data were retrieved from the Ministry of Health’s nationwide electronic database (2017–2023) and assessed using the CDC and WHO growth standards. Logistic regression was performed to assess the variables associated with overweight/obese status. Results: The prevalence of being underweight, overweight, and obese varied by the reference used, as more cases of being obese and underweight were reported when applying the CDC standards. The regression models showed the males had significantly lower odds of being overweight and obese than the females. Increased age was associated with higher odds of being overweight and obese, with annual increases observed across all age groups. Conclusions: Using the WHO and CDC standards, the prevalence of being underweight was higher in the males aged 6 years and older, while being overweight and obese was more prevalent in the females. The observed annual increase in the prevalence of being overweight and obese underscores the need for targeted strategies. Growth references tailored to regional profiles may improve national nutrition policies for Jordanian children and adolescents. Full article