Maize/soybean intercropping increases nutrient uptake, crop yield and modifies soil physio-chemical characteristics and enzymatic activities in the subtropical humid region based in Southwest China.

Intercropping, a widely adopted agricultural practice worldwide, aims to increase crop yield, enhance plant nutrient uptake, and optimize the utilization of natural resources, contributing to sustainable farming practices on a global scale. However, the underlying changes in soil physio-chemical characteristics and enzymatic activities, which contribute to crop yield and nutrient uptake in the intercropping systems are largely unknown. Consequently, a two-year (2021-2022) field experiment was conducted on the maize/soybean intercropping practices with/without nitrogen (N) fertilization (i.e., N0; 0 N kg ha-1 and N1; 225 N kg ha-1 for maize and 100 N kg ha-1 for soybean ) to know whether such cropping system can improve the nutrients uptake and crop yields, soil physio-chemical characteristics, and soil enzymes, which ultimately results in enhanced crop yield. The results revealed that maize intercropping treatments (i.e., N0MI and N1MI) had higher crop yield, biomass dry matter, and 1000-grain weight of maize than mono-cropping treatments (i.e., N0MM, and N1MM). Nonetheless, these parameters were optimized in N1MI treatments in both years. For instance, N1MI produced the maximum grain yield (10,105 and 11,705 kg ha-1), biomass dry matter (13,893 and 14,093 kg ha-1), and 1000-grain weight (420 and 449 g) of maize in the year 2021 and 2022, respectively. Conversely, soybean intercropping treatments (i.e., N0SI and N1SI) reduced such yield parameters for soybean. Also, the land equivalent ratio (LER) and land equivalent ratio for N fertilization (LERN) values were always greater than 1, showing the intercropping system's benefits in terms of yield and improved resource usage. Moreover, maize intercropping treatments (i.e., N0MI and N1MI) and soybean intercropping treatments (i.e., N0SI and N1SI) significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the nutrient uptake (i.e., N, P, K, Ca, Fe, and Zn) of maize and soybean, however, these nutrients uptakes were more prominent in N1MI and N1SI treatments of maize and soybean, respectively in both years (2021 and 2022) compared with their mono-cropping treatments. Similarly, maize-soybean intercropping treatments (i.e., N0MSI and N1MSI) significantly (p < 0.05) improved the soil-based N, P, K, NH4, NO3, and soil organic matter, but, reduced the soil pH. Such maize-soybean intercropping treatments also improved the soil enzymatic activities such as protease (PT), sucrose (SC), acid phosphatase (AP), urease (UE), and catalase (CT) activities. This indicates that maize-soybean intercropping could potentially contribute to higher and better crop yield, enhanced plant nutrient uptake, improved soil nutrient pool, physio-chemical characteristics, and related soil enzymatic activities. Thus, preferring intercropping to mono-cropping could be a preferable choice for ecologically viable agricultural development.

Carbohydrate mouth rinse is no more effective than placebo on running endurance of dehydrated and heat acclimated athletes.

PURPOSE: To determine whether carbohydrate mouth rinsing would improve endurance running performance of tropical natives in a warm-humid (30 °C and 70% relative humidity) environment. METHOD: Twelve endurance male runners [age 25 ± 3 years; peak aerobic capacity ([Formula: see text]O2peak) 57.6 ± 3.6 mL.kg-1.min-1] completed three time-to-exhaustion (TTE) trials at ~ 70% [Formula: see text]O2peak while swilling 25 ml of a 6% carbohydrate (CHO) or taste-matched placebo (PLA) as well as no mouth rinse performed in the control (CON) trial. RESULTS: TTE performance was significantly longer in both CHO and PLA trials when compared with the CON trial (54.7 ± 5.4 and 53.6 ± 5.1 vs. 48.4 ± 3.6 min, respectively; p < 0.001 and p = 0.012, respectively), but was not significantly different between CHO and PLA trials (p = 1.000). The rating of perceived exertion was not different between the CHO and PLA trials, however, was significantly affected when compared to the CON trial (p < 0.001). A similar effect was observed for perceived arousal level between the CHO and PLA trials to the CON trial. Core temperature, mean skin temperature and skin blood flow were not significantly different between the three trials (all p > 0.05). Similarly, plasma lactate and glucose as well as exercise heart rate were not influenced by the trials. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that mouth rinsing, whether carbohydrate or placebo, provides an ergogenic benefit to running endurance when compared to CON in a heat stress environment. Nevertheless, the results do not support the notion that rinsing a carbohydrate solution provides a greater advantage as previously described among non-heat acclimated individuals within a temperate condition.

Surgical strategies to address re-operative complex left ventricular outflow tract and thoracic aortic pathology: Cleveland Clinic children's experience.

BACKGROUND: Complex patients requiring operations on the left ventricular outflow tract, aortic valve, or thoracic aorta after previous repair of aortopathy constitute a challenging group, with limited information guiding decision-making. We aimed to use our institutional experience to highlight management challenges and describe surgical pearls to address them. METHODS: Forty-one complex patients with surgery on the left ventricular outflow tract, aortic valve, or aorta at Cleveland Clinic Children's between 2016 and 2021 following previous repair of aortic pathology were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with known connective tissue disease or single ventricle circulation were excluded. RESULTS: Median age at index procedure was 23 years (range 0.25-48) with median of 2 prior sternotomies. Previous aortic operations included subvalvular (n = 9), valvular (n = 6), supravalvular (n = 13), and multi-level surgeries (n = 13). Four deaths occurred in median follow-up of 2.5 years. Mean left ventricular outflow tract gradients improved significantly for patients with obstruction (34.9 ± 17.5 mmHg versus 12.6 ± 6.0 mmHg; p < 0.001). Technical pearls include the following: 1) liberal use of anterior aortoventriculoplasty with valve replacement; 2) primarily anterior aortoventriculoplasty following the subpulmonary conus in contrast to more vertical incision for post-arterial switch operation patients; 3) pre-operative imaging of mediastinum and peripheral vasculature for cannulation and sternal re-entry; and 4) proactive use of multi-site peripheral cannulation. CONCLUSIONS: Operation to address the left ventricular outflow tract, aortic valve, or aorta following prior congenital aortic repair can be accomplished with excellent outcomes despite high complexity. These procedures commonly include multiple components, including concomitant valve interventions. Cannulation strategies and anterior aortoventriculoplasty in specific patients require modifications.

Date palm-magnetized biochar for in-situ stabilization of toxic metals in mining-polluted soil: evaluation using single-step extraction methods and phytoavailability.

Mining activities provide a pathway for the entry and accumulation of various heavy metals in soil, which ultimately leads to severe environmental pollution. Utilization of various immobilizing agents could restore such contaminated soils. Therefore, in this study, date palm-derived biochars (BCs: produced at 300 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C) and magnetized biochars (MBCs) were employed to stabilize heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in mining polluted soil. Metal polluted soil was amended with BCs and MBCs at w/w ratio of 2% and cultivated with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a greenhouse. After harvesting, dry and fresh biomass of plants were recorded. The soil and plant samples were collected, and the concentrations of heavy metals were measured after extracting with water, DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and acetic acid. BCs and MBCs resulted in reduced metal availability and uptake, with higher fresh and dry biomass (>36%). MBCs showed maximum decrease (>70%) in uptake and shoot concentration of metals, as these reductions for Cd and Pb reached below the detection limits. Among all single-step extractions, the DTPA-extractable metals showed a significant positive correlation with shoot concentrations of tested metals. Thus, the synthesized BCs and MBCs could effectively be used for stabilizing heavy metals and improve plant productivity in multi-contaminated soils. However, future studies should focus on long term field trials to restore contaminated mining soils using modified biochars.

This study has demonstrated the performance of magnetized biochars for in-situ stabilization of toxic metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in mining polluted soil by single extraction method. All the produced BCs and magnetized BCs showed great potential in immobilizing the metals and reducing their availability in soil, consequently decreasing their shoot concentration and plant uptake. Significant negative correlations were observed between soil pH and metal extraction from applied extraction methods such as water soluble, DTPA, and EDTA extractions. We found DTPA as a suitable extractant for investigating metal uptake in plant in multi-contaminated soils. Treatments with MBCs showed maximum decrease in plant uptake and concentration of studied metals. Thus, application of MBCs could efficiently immobilize soil heavy metals.

Relating fiscal decentralization and financial inclusion to environmental sustainability: Criticality of natural resources.

This study deals with a novel perspective on how natural resource dependence (NRD) and natural resource abundance (NRA) moderate the effects of fiscal decentralization and financial inclusion on energy and carbon intensity. Our work develops on the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology framework, considering the selected seven Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development members as the investigative laboratory from 1995 through 2018. Employing a panel Method of Moments Quantile Regression with fixed effects, we find that fiscal decentralization is beneficial for environmental sustainability, especially across the countries with a higher level of energy and carbon intensity; however, enhanced financial inclusivity is detrimental to the environmental quality, with more visible effects in more energy-efficient economies. As per the direct effects, NRD and NRA mitigate energy and carbon efficiency, with more substantial contributions in less energy- and carbon-intensive countries. Concerning the indirect effects, NRD and NRA positively moderate the influence of fiscal decentralization and financial inclusion on energy and carbon intensities, displaying more substantial effects in more energy-efficient economies. Among other control variables, environmental innovation, renewable electricity, employment to population ratio, and economic progress enhance environmental sustainability. We suggest fiscal decentralization should be built on a more transparent and accountable subnational governmental setup to prevent rent-seeking and fragile environmental protection. We also recommend inclusive finance should enhance the access to and affordability of financial services to economic agents for green consumption and investment ventures to achieve environmental sustainability, among other Sustainable Development Goals.

Histopathologic Findings of Button Battery-Related Changes in a Perforated Meckel's Diverticulum: Report of Three Cases.

Background: A button battery can cause perforation of Meckel's diverticulum if sequestered in this blind ending bowel segment. Reported cases focused on clinical manifestations, management options, radiologic and intraoperative findings. We highlight the histopathologic features in perforated Meckel's diverticula due to ingested button batteries. Case report: Three toddlers presented with perforated Meckel's diverticula after button battery ingestion. Histologic examination of the diverticula showed multiple burn-like mucosal ulcerations and liquefactive wall perforations of the tips, associated with prominent siderotic pigment deposits and calcifications. There were various residual materials with variable staining patterns in the luminal debris, necrotic tissue and adjacent to submucosal blood vessels. Conclusion: There is accelerated deposition of iron and calcium associated with button batteries.

A Direct Formaldehyde Fuel Cell for CO2 -Emission Free Co-generation of Electrical Energy and Valuable Chemical/Hydrogen.

Converting carbon-based molecular fuels into electricity efficiently and cleanly without emitting CO2 remains a challenge. Conventional fuel cells using noble metals as anode catalysts often suffer performance degradation due to CO poisoning and a host of problems associated with CO2 production. This study provides a CO2 -emission-free direct formaldehyde fuel cell. It enables a flow of electricity while producing H2 and valuable formate. Unlike conventional carbon-based molecules electrooxidation, formaldehyde 1-electron oxidation is performed on the Cu anode with high selectivity, thus generating formate and H2 without undergoing CO2 pathway. In addition, the fuel cell produces 0.62 Nm3 H2 and 53 mol formate per 1 kWh of electricity generated, with an open circuit voltage of up to 1 V and a peak power density of 350 mW cm-2 . This study puts forward a zero-carbon solution for the efficient utilization of carbon-based molecule fuels that generates electricity, hydrogen and valuable chemicals in synchronization.

Do E2 and P4 contribute to the explained variance in core temperature response for trained women during exertional heat stress when metabolic rates are very high?

PURPOSE: Women remain underrepresented in the exercise thermoregulation literature despite their participation in leisure-time and occupational physical activity in heat-stressful environments continuing to increase. Here, we determined the relative contribution of the primary ovarian hormones (estrogen [E2] and progesterone [P4]) alongside other morphological (e.g., body mass), physiological (e.g., sweat rates), functional (e.g., aerobic fitness) and environmental (e.g., vapor pressure) factors in explaining the individual variation in core temperature responses for trained women working at very high metabolic rates, specifically peak core temperature (Tpeak) and work output (mean power output). METHODS: Thirty-six trained women (32 ± 9 year, 53 ± 9 ml·kg-1·min-1), distinguished by intra-participant (early follicular and mid-luteal phases) or inter-participant (ovulatory vs. anovulatory vs. oral contraceptive pill user) differences in their endogenous E2 and P4 concentrations, completed a self-paced 30-min cycling work trial in warm-dry (2.2 ± 0.2 kPa, 34.1 ± 0.2 °C, 41.4 ± 3.4% RH) and/or warm-humid (3.4 ± 0.1 kPa, 30.2 ± 1.2 °C, 79.8 ± 3.7% RH) conditions that yielded 115 separate trials. Stepwise linear regression was used to explain the variance of the dependent variables. RESULTS: Models were able to account for 60% of the variance in Tpeak ([Formula: see text]2: 41% core temperature at the start of work trial, [Formula: see text]2: 15% power output, [Formula: see text]2: 4% [E2]) and 44% of the variance in mean power output ([Formula: see text]2: 35% peak aerobic power, [Formula: see text]2: 9% perceived exertion). CONCLUSION: E2 contributes a small amount toward the core temperature response in trained women, whereby starting core temperature and peak aerobic power explain the greatest variance in Tpeak and work output, respectively.

Rainfall Prediction System Using Machine Learning Fusion for Smart Cities.

Precipitation in any form-such as rain, snow, and hail-can affect day-to-day outdoor activities. Rainfall prediction is one of the challenging tasks in weather forecasting process. Accurate rainfall prediction is now more difficult than before due to the extreme climate variations. Machine learning techniques can predict rainfall by extracting hidden patterns from historical weather data. Selection of an appropriate classification technique for prediction is a difficult job. This research proposes a novel real-time rainfall prediction system for smart cities using a machine learning fusion technique. The proposed framework uses four widely used supervised machine learning techniques, i.e., decision tree, Naïve Bayes, K-nearest neighbors, and support vector machines. For effective prediction of rainfall, the technique of fuzzy logic is incorporated in the framework to integrate the predictive accuracies of the machine learning techniques, also known as fusion. For prediction, 12 years of historical weather data (2005 to 2017) for the city of Lahore is considered. Pre-processing tasks such as cleaning and normalization were performed on the dataset before the classification process. The results reflect that the proposed machine learning fusion-based framework outperforms other models.

A Novel Grayscale Image Encryption Scheme Based on the Block-Level Swapping of Pixels and the Chaotic System.

Hundreds of image encryption schemes have been conducted (as the literature review indicates). The majority of these schemes use pixels as building blocks for confusion and diffusion operations. Pixel-level operations are time-consuming and, thus, not suitable for many critical applications (e.g., telesurgery). Security is of the utmost importance while writing these schemes. This study aimed to provide a scheme based on block-level scrambling (with increased speed). Three streams of chaotic data were obtained through the intertwining logistic map (ILM). For a given image, the algorithm creates blocks of eight pixels. Two blocks (randomly selected from the long array of blocks) are swapped an arbitrary number of times. Two streams of random numbers facilitate this process. The scrambled image is further XORed with the key image generated through the third stream of random numbers to obtain the final cipher image. Plaintext sensitivity is incorporated through SHA-256 hash codes for the given image. The suggested cipher is subjected to a comprehensive set of security parameters, such as the key space, histogram, correlation coefficient, information entropy, differential attack, peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), noise, and data loss attack, time complexity, and encryption throughput. In particular, the computational time of 0.1842 s and the throughput of 3.3488 Mbps of this scheme outperforms many published works, which bears immense promise for its real-world application.

Kidney Cancer Prediction Empowered with Blockchain Security Using Transfer Learning.

Kidney cancer is a very dangerous and lethal cancerous disease caused by kidney tumors or by genetic renal disease, and very few patients survive because there is no method for early prediction of kidney cancer. Early prediction of kidney cancer helps doctors start proper therapy and treatment for the patients, preventing kidney tumors and renal transplantation. With the adaptation of artificial intelligence, automated tools empowered with different deep learning and machine learning algorithms can predict cancers. In this study, the proposed model used the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)-based transfer learning technique with different deep learning algorithms to predict kidney cancer in its early stages, and for the patient's data security, the proposed model incorporates blockchain technology-based private clouds and transfer-learning trained models. To predict kidney cancer, the proposed model used biopsies of cancerous kidneys consisting of three classes. The proposed model achieved the highest training accuracy and prediction accuracy of 99.8% and 99.20%, respectively, empowered with data augmentation and without augmentation, and the proposed model achieved 93.75% prediction accuracy during validation. Transfer learning provides a promising framework with the combination of IoMT technologies and blockchain technology layers to enhance the diagnosing capabilities of kidney cancer.

Combined role of green productivity growth, economic globalization, and eco-innovation in achieving ecological sustainability for OECD economies.

Since climate change is the paramount concern of recent literature, macroeconomic factors such as green growth and economic globalization may play an integral role in achieving ecological sustainability in the presence of eco-innovation. However, the combined contributions of green growth, economic globalization, and eco-innovation towards achieving ecological sustainability are missing from the existing knowledge. Therefore, we investigate the combined influence of these variables in the presence of human capital, financial development, and gross domestic product on ecological footprint per capita for a panel of 20 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries from 1990 through 2017. The method of panel quantile regression is used to produce sound results across varying levels of the ecological footprint of OECD nations. The main results are as follows: firstly, green productivity growth linearly and non-linearly mitigates the ecological degradation, presenting a more pronounced ecological protection impact for higher quantiles, followed by medium and lower quantiles. Secondly, economic globalization manifests mixed effects: it induces ecological deterioration impact in the absence of its interaction with eco-innovation, while it brings about an ecological protection impact with the interaction term. Thirdly, eco-innovation demonstrates an ecological protection impact for all quantiles, with the most influential impact in countries with higher ecological footprint per capita, followed by medium and lower footprints. Based on empirical results, we propose productive utilization of environmental resources for ecological sustainability through product and process innovation and efficient management practices. Besides, we recommend cultivating energy-efficient and clean environmental technologies for long-term ecological sustainability.

On the indirect environmental outcomes of COVID-19: short-term revival with futuristic long-term implications.

The aim of this study is to identify and highlight the positive and negative indirect environmental impacts of COVID-19, with a particular focus on the most affected economies (USA, China, Spain, and Italy). In this respect, the empirical and theoretical dimensions of the contents of those impacts are analyzed. Research findings reveal a significant relationship between contingency actions and positive indirect impacts such as air quality improvements, clean beaches, and the decline in environmental noise. Besides, negative indirect impacts also exist, such as the rise in waste level and curtailment in recycling, further threatening the physical spaces (land and water), besides air. It is expected that global businesses will revive in the near future (though slowly), but the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during this short time span is not a sustainable way of environmental mitigation. Thus, long-term mitigation policies should be strengthened to cope with the undesirable deterioration of the environment. Research findings provide an up-to-date glimpse of the pandemic from the perspectives of current and future indirect environmental impacts and the post-pandemic situation. Finally, it is suggested to invent and prepare action plans to induce a sustainable economic and environmental future in the post-pandemic world scenario.

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in planning the future energy systems of developing countries using an integrated MCDM approach in the off-grid areas of Bangladesh.

The COVID-19 epidemic is impeding energy development in developing countries and exacerbating the problems associated with energy planning in off-grid locations. To address such complicated decision-making issues and consider scenarios during this long-lasting pandemic, this study proposes a novel integrated MCDM (Multi-Criteria Decision Making) approach using the Delphi based FO-BWM (Fuzzy Optimistic Best-Worst Method), IDOCRIW (Integrated Determination of Objective Criteria Weights) and the Aggregated Weighting Method integrated with the CoCoSo method under different normalization methods based on a case study of the off-grid areas in Bangladesh. The results of Delphi analysis showed that a total of five criteria were agreed upon by the expert panel. After integrating 5 normalization methods with CoCoSo and using three weighting methods separately, a total of 15 MCDM models were constructed. Finally, the 8 sorted MCDM models demonstrate that Solar Home System (SHS) and Mini-Grid systems need to be prioritized, and the criterion Opportunity of Local Funding (OLF) is essential for choosing between SHS and Mini-Grid systems. Sensitivity analysis showed that the proposed method is effective for easing the dilemmas of energy planning in off-grid areas and provides useful insight to address the impacts of future pandemics on energy planning.

Influence of low-level gelling agents on the dissolution and in-vitro nutrient release study of coconut water-based hydrogel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the controlled-release properties of nutrients from coconut water-based hydrogel. Hydrogels were prepared at varying proportions of gellan and xanthan gums such that the total weight of the gelling agents for all 11 formulations was 1% (w/w) in coconut water. The formulation of the hydrogel was selected using gravimetric analysis by evaluating the dissolution weight of the hydrogel in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. Interestingly, hydrogel with 0.7% gellan gum and 0.3% xanthan gum showed the most tolerance towards simulated gastric and intestinal fluids over a 1-h period. The in-vitro release study was performed in simulated gastric fluid and followed by simulated intestinal fluid for about 2 h. The trend of release profile showed that the hydrogel had the ability to sustain the nutrients release over a period of 1 h. After 75 min, the release trend was static indicated the nutrients was released from the hydrogel. In conclusion, a coconut water-based hydrogel formulated with 0.7% of gellan and 0.3% of xanthan gum has demonstrated its controlled-release property as evidenced by its effectiveness in the sustained release of nutrients over a period of 1 h.

Menstrual phase and ambient temperature do not influence iron regulation in the acute exercise period.

The current study investigated whether ambient heat augments the inflammatory and postexercise hepcidin response in women and if menstrual phase and/or self-pacing modulate these physiological effects. Eight trained females (age: 37 ± 7 yr; V̇o2max: 46 ± 7 mL·kg-1·min-1; peak power output: 4.5 ± 0.8 W·kg-1) underwent 20 min of fixed-intensity cycling (100 W and 125 W) followed by a 30-min work trial (∼75% V̇o2max) in a moderate (MOD: 20 ± 1°C, 53 ± 8% relative humidity) and warm-humid (WARM: 32 ± 0°C, 75 ± 3% relative humidity) environment in both their early follicular (days 5 ± 2) and midluteal (days 21 ± 3) phases. Mean power output was 5 ± 4 W higher in MOD than in WARM (P = 0.02) such that the difference in core temperature rise was limited between environments (-0.29 ± 0.18°C in MOD, P < 0.01). IL-6 and hepcidin both increased postexercise (198% and 38%, respectively); however, neither was affected by ambient temperature or menstrual phase (all P > 0.15). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the IL-6 response to exercise was explained by leukocyte and platelet count (r2 = 0.72, P < 0.01), and the hepcidin response to exercise was explained by serum iron and ferritin (r2 = 0.62, P < 0.01). During exercise, participants almost matched their fluid loss (0.48 ± 0.18 kg·h-1) with water intake (0.35 ± 0.15 L·h-1) such that changes in body mass (-0.3 ± 0.3%) and serum osmolality (0.5 ± 2.0 osmol·kgH2O-1) were minimal or negligible, indicating a behavioral fluid-regulatory response. These results indicate that trained, iron-sufficient women suffer no detriment to their iron regulation in response to exercise with acute ambient heat stress or between menstrual phases on account of a performance-physiological trade-off.

Attenuation of stress-induced cardiovascular reactivity following high-intensity interval exercise in untrained males.

Exaggerated cardiovascular (CV) reactivity to stress is associated with negative cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and moderate-intensity exercise (MIE) on CV reactivity in response to a stress challenge in untrained males. Thirteen, normotensive males (age: 22.8 ± 2 years, BMI: 21.9 ± 3.6 kg/m2) underwent three conditions in counterbalanced order: HIIE (bodyweight exercises; 80-90% HRR), MIE (treadmill-jog; 55-60% HRR) and seated rest (CON) separated by 7-10 days. Thirty minutes after performing HIIE, MIE or CON, subjects underwent a 2-min cold pressor task (CPT). Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before, during, and after CPT. CV reactivity, i.e., the change in BP and HR responses were compared across conditions. Systolic BP reactivity were attenuated following HIIE (-60%, p = 0.015) and MIE (-42%, p = 0.033) compared to CON, but no differences were observed between HIIE and MIE. HR reactivity was not different across all conditions. We conclude that performing HIIE or MIE 30 minutes prior to acute stress exposure lowers BP reactivity compared to rest in untrained males. These findings highlight the potential benefits of HIIE in lowering stress-induced elevations in blood pressure.

Role of trade openness, export diversification, and renewable electricity output in realizing carbon neutrality dream of China.

Since climate change mitigation is the central debate of modern literature, the realization of carbon neutrality in response to diversified macroeconomic variables is the most crucial concern of international economies. However, the critical role of trade and renewable electricity output in export diversification-environmental nexus is missing. Therefore, this study investigates the combined influence of trade openness, exports diversification, and renewable electricity output on carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) in China from 1989 through 2019. Applying novel time series econometric techniques robust to structural breaks, following new outcomes are obtained. Firstly, long-run equilibrium cointegration existed among the under-analysis variables. Secondly, export diversification and renewable electricity output are predicted to decelerate CO2, supporting carbon neutrality in the long run. Thirdly, trade openness and gross domestic product accelerated the CO2, delaying carbon neutrality accomplishment. Most importantly, significant structural break dummy interacting with trade openness implicated that during the post-2001 era, China's trade openness extensively deteriorated the environmental quality in the face of trade liberalization obtained after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO). Based on empirical results, export diversification and renewable electricity production policies should be mutually non-exclusive and closely coordinated. Further, to counter the carbon emission acceleration impact of trade openness, increasing the share of green tradable products is suggested. Finally, bilateral trade restructuring is recommended to realize the long-term dream of economic sustainability and carbon neutrality.

Prevalence of human pathogenic viruses in wastewater: A potential transmission risk as well as an effective tool for early outbreak detection for COVID-19.

Millions of human pathogenic viral particles are shed from infected individuals and introduce into wastewater, subsequently causing waterborne diseases worldwide. These viruses can be transmitted from wastewater to human beings via direct contact and/or ingestion/inhalation of aerosols. Even the advanced wastewater treatment technologies are unable to remove pathogenic viruses from wastewater completely, posing a serious health risk. Recently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been urged globally due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has resulted in >4.1 million deaths until July 2021. A rapid human-to-human transmission, uncertainties in effective vaccines, non-specific medical treatments, and unclear symptoms compelled the world into complete lockdown, social distancing, air-travel suspension, and closure of educational institutions, subsequently damaging the global economy and trade. Although, few medical treatments, rapid detection tools, and vaccines have been developed so far to curb the spread of COVID-19; however, several uncertainties exist in their applicability. Further, the acceptance of vaccines among communities is lower owing to the fear of side effects such as blood-clotting and heart inflammation. SARS-CoV-2, an etiologic agent of COVID-19, has frequently been detected in wastewater, depicting a potential transmission risk to healthy individuals. Contrarily, the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater can be used as an early outbreak detection tool via water-based epidemiology. Therefore, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through fecal-oral pathway can be reduced and any possible outbreak can be evaded by proper wastewater surveillance. In this review, wastewater recycling complications, potential health risks of COVID-19 emergence, and current epidemiological measures to control COVID-19 spread have been discussed. Moreover, the viability of SARS-CoV-2 in various environments and survival in wastewater has been reviewed. Additionally, the necessary actions (vaccination, face mask, social distancing, and hand sanitization) to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have been recommended. Therefore, wastewater surveillance can serve as a feasible, efficient, and reliable epidemiological measure to lessen the spread of COVID-19.

Does exports diversification and environmental innovation achieve carbon neutrality target of OECD economies?

Achieving carbon neutrality is of great importance to many developed and developing countries around the globe. Global warming is one of the leading issues caused by human activities. To cope with environmental challenges, and to achieve carbon neutrality, fiscal decentralization and eco-innovation are promising strategies that can also enable countries and local governments to pursue visible economic growth. This study investigates the role of export diversification, environment-related technological innovation, and fiscal decentralization in effectively achieving carbon neutrality target for 37 OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) economies from 1970 to 2019. For empirical analysis, it uses second-generation tests that deal with heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence issues. To this end, this study employs updated cointegration techniques. The augmented mean group (AMG) approach is used to examine the long-run dynamic equilibrium among the variables of interest. The findings indicate that export diversification and fiscal decentralization followed by GDP growth affect carbon dioxide emission positively. While renewable energy consumption and environment-related technological innovation assure environmental improvement. Additionally, short-run causal and unidirectional links are found running from fiscal decentralization, export diversification, and environment-related technological innovation to carbon emissions. Our findings suggest that OECD partner countries need to be careful while devising fiscal decentralization and export diversification policies. They should increase the share of renewable energy, and expand environment-related technological innovation. Such strategic efforts would direct the OECD countries to meet the climate change mitigation agenda of sustainable development goals.