Accumulation characteristics and fate modeling of phthalic acid esters in surface water from the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are a group of compounds widespread in the environment. To investigate the occurrence and accumulation characteristics of PAEs, surface water samples were collected from the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China. The total concentrations of 11 analyzed PAEs (∑11PAEs) in the collected water samples ranging from 197.7 to 1,409.3 ng/L (mean ± IQR: 583.1 ± 308.4 ng/L). While DEHP was the most frequently detected PAE, DnBP and DnNP were the most predominant PAEs in the analyzed water samples with a mean contribution of 63.3% of the ∑11PAEs. The concentrations of the ∑11PAEs in the water samples from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River were significantly higher than those from the middle reaches. To better understand the transport and fate of the PAEs, seven detected PAEs were modeled by Quantitative Water Air Sediment Interaction (QWASI). The simulated and measured values were close for most PAEs, and differences are within one order of magnitude even for the worst one. For all simulated PAEs, water and particle inflow were main sources in the reservoir, whereas water outflow and degradation in water were important removal pathways. The contribution ratios of different sources/losses varied from PAEs, depending on their properties. The calculated risk quotients of DnNP in the Three Gorges Reservoir area whether based on monitoring or simulating results were all far exceeded the safety threshold value, implying the occurrence of this PAE compound may cause potential adverse effects for the aquatic ecology of the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

Rainfall impacts on nonpoint nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in an agricultural river in subtropical montane reservoir region of southeast China.

The increased frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events due to climate change could potentially influence the movement of nutrients from land-based regions into recipient rivers. However, little information is available on how the rainfall affect nutrient dynamics in subtropical montane rivers with complex land use. This study conducted high-frequency monitoring to study the effects of rainfall on nutrients dynamics in an agricultural river draining to Lake Qiandaohu, a montane reservoir of southeast China. The results showed that riverine total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations increased continuously with increasing rainfall intensity, while TN:TP decreased. The heavy rainfall and rainstorm drove more than 30% of the annual N and P loading in only 5.20% of the total rainfall period, indicating that increased storm runoff is likely to exacerbate eutrophication in montane reservoirs. NO3--N is the primary nitrogen form lost, while particulate phosphorus (PP) dominated phosphorus loss. The main source of N is cropland, and the main source of P is residential area. Spatially, forested watersheds have better drainage quality, while it is still a potential source of nonpoint pollution during rainfall events. TN and TP concentrations were significantly higher at sites dominated by cropland and residential area, indicating their substantial contributions to deteriorating river water quality. Temporally, TN and TP concentrations reached high values in May-August when rainfall was most intense, while they were lower in autumn and winter than that in spring and summer under the same rainfall intensities. The results emphasize the influence of rainfall-runoff and land use on dynamics of riverine N and P loads, providing guidance for nutrient load reduction planning for Lake Qiandaohu.

Identifying Putative Biomarkers of Foodborne Pathogens Using a Metabolomic Approach.

Metabolomics is the study of low molecular weight biochemical molecules (typically <1500 Da) in a defined biological organism or system. In case of food systems, the term "food metabolomics" is often used. Food metabolomics has been widely explored and applied in various fields including food analysis, food intake, food traceability, and food safety. Food safety applications focusing on the identification of pathogen-specific biomarkers have been promising. This chapter describes a nontargeted metabolite profiling workflow using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for characterizing three globally important foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica, from selective enrichment liquid culture media. The workflow involves a detailed description of food spiking experiments followed by procedures for the extraction of polar metabolites from media, the analysis of the extracts using GC-MS, and finally chemometric data analysis using univariate and multivariate statistical tools to identify potential pathogen-specific biomarkers.

Influence of surface texture: A comparative study on antibacterial activities of morphologically tailored zinc oxide.

The morphology-dependent antibacterial activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with three different morphologies, nanowall (NW), nanosphere (NS), and, nanorod (NR) was rigorously investigated to elucidate the influence of shape and size on their performance. Their morphological, surface, and structural characteristics were meticulously analyzed using SEM, BET, and XRD techniques. The antibacterial activity of synthesized ZnO samples was initially investigated and validated through in silico docking studies against nine bacterial strains, specifically targeting 1GCI, 2DCJ, 6KMM and 3T07, 6KVQ, 1MWT from gram-positive Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. respectively, 6N38, 6CRT, 6GRH from gram-negative E. coli. The docking simulations were performed using Autodock 4.2 software, yielding promising results characterized by negative binding energies, indicative of favorable interactions. The invitro studies were assessed against three same bacteria mentioned above using the disk diffusion method. The results demonstrated a pronounced dependency of antibacterial activity on the surface area, average crystallite size, and surface roughness of ZnO samples. ZnO (NW) exhibited markedly superior antibacterial properties. This enhanced efficacy is attributed to their higher surface area to volume ratio, smaller average crystallite size and increased surface roughness facilitating more efficient interactions with bacterial cell membranes. ZnO (NR) nanoparticles exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity despite minimal surface area.

Nanocurcumin-containing Spongy Membrane for Improving the Quality of Hard and Soft Tissues in the Extracted Tooth Area: A Double-Blind Split- Mouth Clinical Trial Study.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of the hard and soft tissue conditions is part of the overall dental treatments. AIM: In this study, we investigated nano curcumin-containing membranes to improve the quality of the hard and soft tissues in the extracted tooth area as a clinical trial study. METHODS: After the patient was selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients who had teeth extracted from both sides of the mouth (split mouth) on the side of the intervention received a membrane containing nanocurcumin, and on the control side, no material was placed in the socket. For data analysis, SPSS software version 24 was used. A significance threshold was deemed to be less than 0.05 in terms of probability. RESULTS: Two months after tooth extraction, during implant placement, the average gingival thickness on the "intervention side," was 3.1±0.34 mm, while the average gingival thickness on the "control side" was 2.6±0.42 mm. Then, the membrane could improve the quality of soft tissue (P< 0.0001). As another outcome, the application of this membrane did not significantly affect bone repair in these patients compared to the control group (P = 0.72). However, the histology data revealed that the newly generated bone of the intervention group was seen close to the membrane, demonstrating the osteoconductive ability of the membrane. CONCLUSION: Based on the obtained results, the newly developed membrane can be used to improve the quality of hard and soft tissues in the extracted tooth area. Nonetheless, more efforts in nanocurcumin dosage adjustment are needed for hard tissue regeneration in future studies.

Analysis of heavy metals in sediments with different particle sizes and influencing factors in a mining area in Hunan Province.

Heavy metals mainly exist on the surface of sediment particles and are transported using particulate matter as carriers. Therefore, the particle size of sediment particles can affect the adsorption, release, and migration of heavy metals. This study aim to investigate the distribution characteristics and chemical fraction of Cd, Pb, and As contents in sediments of different particle sizes using the BCR method, and to determine the key factors affecting the distribution of heavy metals through mineralogical methods such as XRD and EDS. The results revealed that the overall content of various forms of heavy metals increases with the decrease of particle size, mainly presents in fine particles. The mineralogical analysis results indicated that fine particles predominantly contained clay minerals such as chlorite and illite and coarse particles mainly include primary minerals. Due to the mining areas in the middle-upstream, Cd, Pb and As were primarily associated with galena, sphalerite and pyrite, respectively. The distribution of heavy metals is jointly influenced by sediment particle size and sediment material composition.

Community-based natural resource management in Roatan: Strengths and challenges.

This study explored the transformative journey of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in the Bay Islands National Marine Park, Honduras, revealing the interplay of cooperation, funding, and communication in fostering successful conservation initiatives. Using a mixed-method approach, we investigated the historical and legislative process and enabling conditions that led to the transition to CBNRM, based on Gruber's 12 key principles. In regards to the present CBNRM system, we looked at its strengths, its challenges, and whether its functioning is seen as satisfying by local resource-users. Findings showed that key CBNRM principles-including an enabling environment, conflict resolution, research-based decision-making, public trust, and monitoring-fostered the transition. Furthermore, satisfaction with reef management and perceived patrol effectiveness, which are pivotal aspects in CBNRM, exceeded 70% in Roatan. Challenges such as strengthening local institutions and enhancing compliance were identified. Nonetheless, co-managers are actively working to resolve these challenges by focusing on enforcement, diverse funding acquisition mechanisms and community participation. The study underscores the pivotal role of local NGOs and collaborative committees in facilitating successful CBNRM. By providing evidence-based insights, we highlight the efficacy of multilevel, co-management models in resource management and emphasize the value of adaptable strategies. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of CBNRM dynamics in Latin America and the Caribbean, which may ultimately foster successful conservation initiatives in the Global South.

Current situation and influencing fctors of oral frailty for community-dwelling older adults in the northeastern border areas of China: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Unique lifestyle and cultural factors in China may lead to distinct patterns of risk factors for oral frailty among older adults, especially in regions inhabited by northeastern border minority groups. METHODS: From July to November 2023, a convenience sampling method was employed to select older adults from three communities in Yanji City as the subjects. Data were collected by a set of questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 478 older adults were included, revealing a prevalence rate of 71.6 % for oral frailty. Factors influencing were found to include age, ethnicity, gender, income, number of chronic diseases, body mass index, drinking, physical frailty, sleep disorders, and attitudes towards aging (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher prevalence of oral frailty. It is crucial to prioritize the oral health issues of older adults with high-risk factors and implement targeted intervention measures to reduce and control the occurrence and progression of oral frailty.

Developing zebrafish utilize taste-signaling pathways for oxygen chemoreception.

A fundamental requirement for all animals is to sense and respond to changes in environmental O2 availability. Low O2 (hypoxia) typically stimulates breathing, a universal and critical response termed the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). In this study, we test the hypothesis that taste-signaling pathways are used for O2 sensing and activation of the HVR. We show that Merkel-like cells (MLCs), which are part of the taste-bud complex, function as O2 chemoreceptor cells in larval zebrafish and that transduction of the O2 signal uses taste-signaling pathways. Specifically, MLCs responded to hypoxia in vivo with an increase in Ca2+ activity that can drive the HVR. In addition, MLCs transmit O2 signals to afferent cranial nerves IX and X (nIX/X), which project into the area postrema within the hindbrain and synapse with interneurons that are in contact with vagal motor neurons. Hypoxia or chemo-activation of nIX/X caused Ca2+ activity to increase within the area postrema and elicited hyperventilation. The results provide the first demonstration of an O2 signaling pathway that commences with the activation of taste receptors (MLCs) to yield a critical physiological reflex, the HVR.

Foveal avascular zone area measurement in diabetic patients: Superficial, deep or combined retinal vascular complex?

PURPOSE: To compare differences in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, measured in the Superficial Vascular Complex (SVC), Deep Vascular Complex (DVC) and a combined analysis of both (SDVC), using two Spectral Domain OCT angiography (OCT-A) protocols, High Speed (HS) and High Resolution (HR). METHODS: A total of 26 eyes of diabetic patients, with and without macular oedema, were examined with two different fovea centered OCT-A volume scans. The two protocols were HS and HR volume scans, and the foveal avascular zone was manually measured in the SVC, DVC, and SDVC slabs by two masked investigators. Inter and intraoperator variability was analysed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and differences were compared between the HR and HS acquisitions throughout the different vascular slabs. RESULTS: Intraoperator variability was low in all slabs (ICC > 0.9) and interoperator variability was lower for HR (ICC 0.835-0.911) compared to HS (ICC between 0.604 and 0.865). Comparing HS and HR measurements for the same slab, the correlation was only moderate in SVC and DVC (ICC was 0.640 and 0.568 respectively) but was good in the SDVC (ICC = 0.823). FAZ area measurement in SDVC also showed the smallest bias (mean difference 0.009 mm2) and the narrowest limits of agreement (-0.175 to 0.193 mm2). CONCLUSIONS: Even in cases of diabetic macular oedema, when measuring the FAZ area, the reproducibility was better between HS and HR protocols when using the SDVC slab, compared to the SVC or DVC slabs alone. Further studies should evaluate the use of the combined SDVC slab for the FAZ assessment, compared to the SVC and DVC slabs alone, in the detection and progression of different retinal diseases.

Physician retention and migration in rural clinics designated for areas without physicians in Japan: descriptive epidemiological study using the national physicians' survey.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, local governments have rural clinics designated for areas without physicians (RCDA) to secure physicians for rural medical care. Moreover, a medical policy of dispatching physicians between the RCDA and core hospitals for rural areas (CHRA) exists. This study aimed to assess the actual situation of physician migration from RCDAs and those who migrated, and examine the factors associated with their migration. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used biennial national physicians' survey data from 2012 to 2018. It targeted physicians who worked at RCDAs in 2012 and participated in all four surveys (n = 510). The physicians were divided into two groups. One group consisted of physicians who worked continuously at the RCDA over the four study periods (retained physicians, n = 278), and the other included physicians who migrated to other institutions midway through the study period (migrated physicians, n = 232). We tracked the types of facilities where RCDA physicians worked from 2012 to 2018, also examined the factors associated with their migration. RESULTS: Among physicians from RCDAs who migrated to other institutions (n = 151) between 2012 and 2014, many migrated to hospitals (n = 87/151, 57.6%), and some migrated to CHRA (n = 35/87, 40.2%). Physicians in their 40s (Hazard ratio 0.32 [95% CI 0.19-0.55]), 50s (0.20 [0.11-0.35]), and over 60 years (0.33 [0.20-0.56]) were more likely to remain at RCDAs. Changes in their area of practice (1.82 [1.34-2.45]) and an increase in the number of board certifications held by physicians between 2012 and 2018 (1.50 [1.09-2.06]) were associated with migration. CONCLUSIONS: Many migrating physicians choose to work at hospitals after migrating from RCDAs. It was seemed that the physician dispatch system between RCDA and CHRA has been a measure to secure physicians in rural areas. Young age, obtaining board certification, and changes in areas of practice were associated with physician migration from RCDAs.

Reducing pain by improving brain and muscle activity with motor cortical neuromodulation in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic pain condition creating a wide range of urologic and pain symptoms. There is currently limited evidence to understand the mechanisms of IC/BPS. There have been recent studies suggesting that altered function in brain motor areas, particularly the supplementary motor cortex (SMA), relates to altered bladder sensorimotor control and may play an important role in IC/BPS. This study aims to provide evidence that non-invasive stimulation targeting the motor cortex may help reduce IC/BPS pain, as well as better understand the neural mechanism by which this stimulation targets neuromuscular dysfunction. This study is a two-group quadruple-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) of active vs. sham repetitive transmagnetic stimulation (rTMS). In addition, our study will also include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), pelvic floor electromyography (EMG), pelvic exam, and outcome measures and questionnaires to further study outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All aspects of the study were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Southern California (protocol HS-20-01021). All participants provided informed consent by the research coordinator/assistants. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04734847. Registered on February 1, 2021.

Performing multispecies studies in Southern Africa: historical legacies, marginalised subjects, reflexive positionalities.

Multispecies studies are known for tackling human exceptionalism. Whilst the field has seen a remarkable increase in popularity amongst scholars in the humanities and social sciences, critiques argue that it neglects inequalities and consequential differences amongst humans and between humans and other-than-humans. These critiques are especially relevant in the context of Southern Africa, where extreme inequalities amongst humans persist whilst wildlife is often perceived to enjoy a favoured position in the region's prominent conservation industries. As four researchers working in a multispecies study project focusing on the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in Southern Africa, we pose the question of what a politicised multispecies studies might look like. In this article, we share our thoughts and reflections on working in this complex political landscape. Using insights from our own fields, we share some of the persistent concerns encountered during fieldwork and discuss and contextualise these by drawing on multispecies literature that deals with similar concerns. We identify three salient themes that should inform and politicise multispecies work in postcolonial conservation landscapes: historical legacies, reflexive positionalities and marginalised subjects.

Os estudos multiespécies são conhecidos por enfrentar a questão do excepcionalismo humano. Embora o campo tenha registrado um aumento notável em popularidade entre os estudiosos das ciências humanas e sociais, os críticos argumentam que ele negligencia as desigualdades e as consequentes diferenças entre os humanos e entre humanos e não humanos. Estas críticas são especialmente relevantes no contexto da África Austral, onde desigualdades extremas entre os seres humanos persistem, enquanto a vida selvagem é frequentemente entendida como tendo uma posição privilegiada nas proeminentes indústrias de conservação da região. Como quatro investigadores que trabalham em um projeto de estudo multiespécies com foco na Área deConservação Transfronteiriça Cubango-Zambeze, na África Austral, colocamos a questão de como seria um estudo multiespécies politizado. Neste artigo, compartilhamos nossas ideias e reflexões sobre o trabalho neste cenário político complexo. Utilizando observações oriundas de nossas próprias pesquisas, partilhamos algumas das persistentes inquietações encontradas durante o trabalho de campo, bem como discutimos e contextualizamos estas questões recorrendo à literatura multiespécies que trata de preocupações semelhantes. Identificamos três temas de relevo que devem informar e politizar o trabalho multiespécies em cenários pós-coloniais de conservação: os legados históricos, as posicionalidades reflexivas e os sujeitos marginalizados.

Precision mapping of snail habitat in lake and marshland areas: Integrating environmental and textural indicators using Random Forest modeling.

Schistosomiasis japonica continues to pose a significant public health challenge in China, primarily due to the widespread distribution of Oncomelania hupensis, the sole intermediate host of Schistosoma. This study aims to address the constraints of existing remote sensing analyses for identifying snail habitats, which frequently neglect spatial scale and seasonal variations. To this end, we adopt a multi-source data-driven Random Forest approach that integrates bottomland and ground-surface texture data with traditional environmental variables, enhancing the accuracy of snail habitat assessments. We developed four distinct models for the lake and marshland areas of Guichi, China: a baseline model incorporating ground-surface texture, bottomland variables, and environmental variables; Model 1 with only environmental variables; Model 2 adding ground-surface texture and environmental variables; and Model 3 integrating bottomland with environmental variables. The baseline model outperformed the others, achieving a true skill statistic of 0.93, an accuracy of 0.97, a kappa statistic of 0.94, and an area under the curve of 0.99. Our analysis pinpointed critical high-risk snail habitats distributed in a belt-like pattern along major water bodies, near the Yangtze River, QiuPu River, and around Shengjin Lake, Jiuhua River, and Qingtong River. These insights can aid local health authorities in more efficiently allocating limited resources, developing effective snail surveillance and control strategies to combat schistosomiasis. Additionally, this approach can be adapted to localize other endemic hosts with similar ecological characteristics.

Enhanced electrochemical performance with exceptional capacitive retention in Ce-Co MOFs/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite for advanced supercapacitor applications.

This study introduces a high-performance Ce-Co MOFs/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite, synthesized via hydrothermal methods, designed to advance supercapacitor technology. The integration of Ce-Co metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with Ti3C2Tx (Mxene) yields a composite that exhibits superior electrochemical properties. Structural analyses, including X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), confirm the successful formation of the composite, featuring well-defined rod-like Ce-Co MOFs and layered Ti3C2Tx sheets. Electrochemical evaluation highlights the exceptional performance of the Ce-Co MOFs/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite, achieving a specific capacitance of 483.3 Fg⁻1 at 10 mVs⁻1, a notable enhancement over the 200 Fg⁻1 of Ce-Co MOFs. It also delivers a high energy density of 78.48 Whkg⁻1 compared to 19 Whkg⁻1 for Ce-Co MOFs. Remarkably, the nanocomposite shows outstanding cyclic stability with a capacitance retention of 109 % after 4000 cycles and electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of 845 cm2, coupled with a reduced charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 2.601 Ω and an equivalent series resistance (ESR) of 0.8 Ω. These findings demonstrate that the Ce-Co MOFs/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite is a groundbreaking material, offering enhanced energy storage, conductivity, and durability, positioning it as a leading candidate for next-generation supercapacitors.

The use of pledget-reinforced sutures during surgical aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Literature presents conflicting results on the pros and cons of pledget-reinforced sutures during surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We aimed to investigate the effect of pledget-reinforced sutures versus sutures without pledgets during SAVR on different outcomes in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A literature search was performed in five different medical literature databases. Studies must include patients undergoing SAVR and must compare any pledget-reinforced with any suturing technique without pledgets. The primary outcome was paravalvular leakage (PVL), and secondary outcomes comprised thromboembolism, endocarditis, mortality, mean pressure gradient (MPG) and effective orifice area (EOA). Results were pooled using a random-effects model as risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences (MDs) for which the no pledgets group served as reference. Results: Nine observational studies met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was critical in seven studies, and high and moderate in two other. The pooled RR for moderate or greater PVL was 0.59 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.13, 2.73). The pooled RR for mortality at 30-days was 1.02 (95 % CI 0.48, 2.18) and during follow-up was 1.15 (95 % CI 0.67, 2.00). For MPG and EOA at 1-year follow-up, the pooled MDs were 0.60 mmHg (95 % CI -4.92, 6.11) and -0.03 cm2 (95 % CI -0.18, 0.12), respectively. Conclusions: Literature on the use of pledget-reinforced sutures during SAVR is at high risk of bias. Pooled results are inconclusive regarding superiority of either pledget-reinforced sutures or sutures without pledgets. Hence, there is no evidence to support or oppose the use of pledget-reinforced sutures.

Modulation optimization when using a splitter pump after the first dimension in comprehensive two- dimensional liquid chromatography.

The rapid growth in the use of two dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) applied to the analysis of moderately to highly complex mixtures, has been fueled by continuous improvements in performance and robustness of the instrument components, as well as the ease-of-use of software necessary for controlling the 2D-LC instrument hardware, and analysis of the large data files that result from this type of work. This work has focused on the evaluation of the performance of an online full comprehensive mode (LC×LC), when an active modulation is implemented using a flow splitter pump placed after the 1D effluent. Two different types of splitting pumps were evaluated: a binary ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) pump and a high precision syringe pump. We analyzed the performance (reproducibility in peak area and retention times and the 2D peak dispersion) as a function of the location of the active pump Before or After the modulation valve, and the influence of connecting tubes (based on internal diameter and length) necessary between the interface, waste, and the splitting pump. The effect on the flow direction on the filling and flushing of the injection loops at the modulation valve was also analyzed for each pump. In this study, we demonstrate that flow-splitting LCxLC assembly can be performed using either a UHPLC binary pump or a simple syringe pump. Flow splitting after the first dimension is a straightforward strategy to: (i) independently select the 1D column and flow rates with respect to the second dimension; (ii) consciously dilute the eluate according to the solvent characteristics of the second dimension, thereby avoiding 2D peak distortions; and (iii) adapt the injected amount to the second column according to the relative concentration of the components in a complex sample. However, careful consideration of the system setup is necessary. It is demonstrated how experimental results can be significantly affected in terms of peak broadening and reproducibility if optimization of the interface is not taken into account. In addition, under the optimized conditions, the reproducibility in peak area and dispersion in the 2D dimension were evaluated as a function of the amount of sample transferred in terms of percentage of filled loop.

Effect of water Resource utilization in Poyang lake area on carbon emissions based on decoupling theory.

The utilization of regional water resources has the potential to impact carbon emissions. Maintaining a decoupled relationship between water resources and carbon emissions facilitates harmonious regional development. Understanding the mechanism of their coordination is conducive to achieving the "Double Carbon" goal and control of regional carbon emissions and water resource consumption. This study examines the decoupling relationship between water resource utilization and carbon emissions in Poyang Lake area, China, employing the Tapio decoupling model and the LMDI(logarithmic mean divisia index) decomposition model. The results indicate that carbon emissions in Poyang Lake area exhibited a gradual increase, accompanied by an annual growth rate of 5.99 %. The water supply exhibited a slow expansion. They have exhibited state of affairs strong negative decoupling and expansive negative decoupling over the past 15 years. Moreover, this situation is most acute and worsening in the secondary industry. The water use structure effect and water economic benefit effect are the primary factors affecting carbon emission increases, contributing 57.93 % and 65.66 %, respectively. Carbon emissions intensity is the largest inhibiting factor, which accounts for a maximum contribution of 42.96 %. The order of potency of the driving factors is as follows: water economic benefit > carbon emission intensity > water use structure > water use efficiency. In summary, this research recognised the enhancement of the water economic efficiency index not only facilitates the decoupling phenomenon but also improves the water-carbon relationship, especially in the secondary industry. It serves as a compelling illustration of the significance of elucidating the interrelationship between regional water and carbon dynamics, and charting the course for the formulation of regional policies that would facilitate the advancement of environmentally conscious and carbon-neutral development, as well as water conservation.

The factors driving industrial integration: A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

The integration of modern service and advanced manufacturing industries represents deep industrial reform and profound change in quality concepts, mechanisms, and practices. Integrating these two industries is important for achieving high-quality development and is an area of interest for policymakers and academia. This study analyzes the data of 11 regions in 2021 in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area using the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis method from the configuration perspective. This study explores the effects of multiple factors, such as economic efficiency, technological innovation, and the policy environment, on improving the coupling coordination level of the modern service and advanced manufacturing industries, and analyzes the path selection of industrial integration development. Overall, economic efficiency, technological innovation, and policy environment factors are not necessary conditions for the integration development of the modern service and advanced manufacturing industries. The multiple impacts of economic efficiency, technological innovation, and policy environment form a multi-restructuring path that drives the integration of the two industries. Owing to the economic development level and resource endowment of different regions, the path dictating the degree of integration between the two industries varies by region. From a holistic perspective, all regions should strive to coordinate the multiple conditions of economic efficiency, technological innovation, and policy environment to break through objective constraints such as the government's conditions and external environment based on their own organizational conditions and resource endowments. Additionally, all regions should strengthen exchanges, cooperation, and integration mechanisms and implement complementary development and distinctive development in core cities in the Greater Bay Area. The results clarify the factors affecting industrial convergence in the Greater Bay Area, enriching existing research methods and laying a foundation for a decision-making theory of industrial integration development.

Changes in food consumption and nutrition intake of rural residents in central China.

Food security and diet diversity is essential to sustainable food system all over the world. As the income of rural residents achieves great increase, the structure of food consumption and food diversification face significant change. Rural residents' food consumption and nutrients intake worth more attention. Chinese government has been striving to achieve sustainable development in rural areas. We conducted this study to explore area-level practices aiming at achieving food and nutrition security in rural China. In order to search for the change principle and main influencing factors of residents' food consumption, three rural areas in Henan Province were selected. According to the data obtained from the Henan Province Bureau of Statistics, changes in food consumption from 2012 to 2021 in three rural areas were analyzed in this study. This study led to the following remarkable results: (1) The per capita consumption of poultry, meat, sugar, and eggs of the three rural residents has increased much more than that of other food items. (2) In the three rural areas, the proportions of grains, vegetables, liquor, and edible oils have decreased overall. The proportions of other categories, such as poultry, meat, and fruits, have increased. (3) The rural residents' per capita nutrition intake has increased remarkably. The results provide some empirical foundation for local government who need suggest that rural residents should control their intake of high-energy food, such as poultry, meat, and sugar. This study has significant policy implication for achieving sustainable goals in rural areas of China.