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Significant efforts have been invested to restore mangrove forests worldwide through reforestation and afforestation. However, blue carbon benefit has not been compared between these two silvicultural pathways at the global scale. Here, we integrated results from direct field measurements of over 370 restoration sites around the world to show that mangrove reforestation (reestablishing mangroves where they previously colonized) had a greater carbon storage potential per hectare than afforestation (establishing mangroves where not previously mangrove). Greater carbon accumulation was mainly attributed to favorable intertidal positioning, higher nitrogen availability, and lower salinity at most reforestation sites. Reforestation of all physically feasible areas in the deforested mangrove regions of the world could promote the uptake of 671.5–688.8 Tg CO 2 -eq globally over a 40-year period, 60% more than afforesting the same global area on tidal flats (more marginal sites). Along with avoiding conflicts of habitat conversion, mangrove reforestation should be given priority when designing nature-based solutions for mitigating global climate change. Blue carbon benefit has not been compared among mangrove reforestation and afforestation pathways at the global scale. This study shows that mangrove reforestation could perform a greater carbon storage potential per hectare than afforestation as its higher nitrogen availability and lower salinity.

BackgroundAlthough great efforts have been made to quantify mangrove carbon stocks, accurate estimations of below-ground carbon stocks remain unreliable. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of mangrove carbon stocks in China and other countries using our own field survey data and datasets from published literature. Based on these data, we investigated the possible relationships between above-ground carbon stock (AGC) and below-ground carbon stock (BGC) for mangrove forests, aiming to provide a scientific basis for estimation of total mangrove carbon stocks.ResultsThe average above-ground carbon stock in each region was sizeable (ranging from 12.0 to 150.2 Mg/ha), but average below-ground carbon stock was dominant (ranging from 46.6 to 388.6 Mg/ha), accounting for 69–91% of total carbon stock at the sites studied in China. Significant positive relationships were found between above-ground and below-ground mangrove carbon stocks, with the best fitting equation as BGC = 1.58 * AGC + 81.06 (Mg/ha, R2 = 0.62, p < 0.01, n = 122) for China. Such linear relationships vary for mangrove forests of different types and locations, from different geographical regions in China to other countries worldwide.ConclusionThe positive relationship we found between above- and below-ground carbon stocks of mangrove forests in China and worldwide can facilitate more accurate assessments of mangrove blue carbon stocks at regional or global scales using modern techniques including remote sensing.

The underwater towing system is widely used in the measurement of underwater noise and the exploration of natural resources. In underwater detection, the attitude of the underwater towing system greatly influences the detection accuracy. Therefore, it is important to accurately predict the attitude of the towing system during its design and application. In this paper, the force and moment equilibrium equations for the towing cable and the towing array are established by analyzing the steady-state of the towing system. The iterative solution method for nonlinear equations is used to solve the problem, leading to a rapid prediction based on the multi-segment rod model. Since the attitude is significantly affected by the drag coefficient, selecting an appropriate drag coefficient has always been a challenge. In this paper, a drag coefficient formula is established by fitting experimental data. Based on the muti-segment rod model and the drag coefficient formula, an attitude prediction method for the towing system is developed. The results are validated through experiments and examples from the reference, confirming the accuracy of the modeling method and the drag coefficient. The influence of each parameter of the towing system on its steady-state motion is studied.

Background Diagnostic errors remain a pressing challenge in health systems with uneven provider capacity and limited diagnostic standardization. In such environments, cognitive biases, particularly anchoring effect, may compromise diagnostic independence and reinforce structural disparities in care quality. Methods We conducted a randomized field experiment in western China using standardized patients (SPs) to examine how prior spectacle diagnostic prescriptions influence the behavior and accuracy of second-opinion optometrists. SPs visited optical providers in Shaanxi province, presenting either no prior prescription, a correct one, or an incorrect one. Diagnostic outcomes were evaluated against gold-standard prescriptions issued by an expert ophthalmologist. Results Exposure to prior prescriptions, especially inaccurate ones, significantly reduced diagnostic accuracy and process completeness. Providers given prior diagnoses were less likely to conduct key tests and spent less time on examinations, suggesting reliance on cognitive shortcuts. These findings provide field-based evidence of anchoring bias in real-world clinical settings. Conclusions Prior diagnostic information can shape second-opinion decision-making through cognitive anchoring, particularly in systems lacking strong institutional protocols. Addressing these biases through structured diagnostic procedures and provider training may enhance diagnostic accuracy and promote greater equity in vision care delivery.

Background Globally, escalating mental health issues among postpartum women underscore their significant impact on individuals, children, and society. This study investigates the associations between breastfeeding difficulties and maternal mental health in rural areas of northwestern China. Additionally, we examine how mothers’ perceived family support and home visits by community health workers (CHWs) are associated with variations in maternal mental health outcomes. Methods Data for this study were collected in March and December 2021. Descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the prevalence of maternal mental health problems and the association between breastfeeding difficulties and maternal mental health. Maternal mental health was assessed using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), while breastfeeding difficulties were measured based on mothers’ self-reported experiences with common breastfeeding challenges. Perceived family support for breastfeeding and a community-based home visit intervention were analyzed to explore differences in associations across subgroups. Results Greater overall breastfeeding difficulty was significantly associated with higher maternal stress (β = 2.391, P  = 0.001), and showed marginally positive associations with depression (β = 1.186, P  = 0.102) and anxiety (β = 0.953, P  = 0.082). Among specific categories, feeding process difficulties were significantly associated with increased anxiety (β = 1.173, P  = 0.031) and stress (β = 2.031, P  = 0.008). Among mothers with lower practical support, breastfeeding difficulties were significantly associated with higher depression (β = 1.782, P = 0.009), anxiety (β = 1.577, P = 0.002), and stress (β = 2.722, P < 0.001), whereas associations in the higher support group were not significant. For emotional support, a stronger association with stress was observed in the lower support group (β = 2.748, P = 0.008) but not in the higher support group. Stratification by community health worker home visits showed minimal subgroup differences. Conclusions In essence, this study underscores the impact of breastfeeding challenges on maternal mental health and highlights family support’s pivotal role, calling for targeted intervention to support rural mothers. Trial registration The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shaanxi Normal University and Xi’an Jiaotong University of China (No: 2020 − 1240) on 08/03/2019. Meantime, the study obtained the registration numbers ISRCTN98898991 from the ISRCTN registry, which is recognized by WHO and ICMJE, on 26/03/2019.

Background Results from national surveys indicate that many older adults reported delayed medical care during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet few studies have used objective data to characterize healthcare utilization among vulnerable older adults in that period. In this study, we characterized healthcare utilization during the acute pandemic phase (March 7–October 6, 2020) and examined risk factors for total disruption of care among older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) in New York City. Methods This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record data from NYC patients aged ≥ 50 years with a diagnosis of either hypertension or diabetes and at least one other chronic condition seen within six months prior to pandemic onset and after the acute pandemic period at one of several major academic medical centers contributing to the NYC INSIGHT clinical research network ( n =276,383). We characterized patients by baseline (pre-pandemic) health status using cutoffs of systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140mmHg and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) < 8.0% as: controlled (below both cutoffs), moderately uncontrolled (below one), or poorly controlled (above both, SBP > 160, HbA1C > 9.0%). Patients were then assessed for total disruption versus some care during shutdown using recommended care schedules per baseline health status. We identified independent predictors for total disruption using logistic regression, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, baseline health status, neighborhood poverty, COVID infection, number of chronic conditions, and quartile of prior healthcare visits. Results Among patients, 52.9% were categorized as controlled at baseline, 31.4% moderately uncontrolled, and 15.7% poorly controlled. Patients with poor baseline control were more likely to be older, female, non-white and from higher poverty neighborhoods than controlled patients ( P  < 0.001). Having fewer pre-pandemic healthcare visits was associated with total disruption during the acute pandemic period (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.61, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 8.30-8.93, comparing lowest to highest quartile). Other predictors of total disruption included self-reported Asian race, and older age. Conclusions This study identified patient groups at elevated risk for care disruption. Targeted outreach strategies during crises using prior healthcare utilization patterns and disease management measures from disease registries may improve care continuity.

Background Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was recently proposed to have the potential to regulate bone metabolism, however, its influence on osteogenesis remains controversial. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of EGCG on the proliferation and osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Methods Cells were cultured in osteogenic medium and treated with EGCG at various concentrations. Cell proliferation was analyzed using a CCK-8 assay and acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) staining. Flow cytometry was used to measure the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) potential of hPDLCs. The expression levels of osteogenic marker genes and proteins in hPDLCs, including type I collagen (COL1), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN), and osterix (OSX), were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis. In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was monitored both quantitatively and qualitatively. Extracellular matrix mineralization was further analyzed by alizarin red S staining. Results The results showed that EGCG concentrations from 6 to 10 μM increased the ROS level and inhibited the cell proliferation of hPDLCs. EGCG concentrations from 2 to 8 μM effectively increased extracellular matrix mineralization, in which 4 and 6 μM EGCG generated the most mineralizing nodules. The ALP activity and the mRNA and protein expression levels of the tested osteogenic markers were most strongly up-regulated by treatment with 4 and 6 μM EGCG. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that EGCG might promote the osteogenesis of hPDLCs in a dose-dependent manner, with concentrations of 4 and 6 μM EGCG showing the strongest osteogenic enhancement without cytotoxicity, indicating a promising role for EGCG in periodontal regeneration in patients with deficient alveolar bone in the future.

Recent studies suggest that the human microbiome influence tumor development. Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the sixth most common malignancy in women. Recent research has demonstrated the microbes play a critical role in the development and metastasis of EC. However, it remains unclear whether intratumoral microbes are associated with tumor microenvironment (TME) and prognosis of EC. In this study, we collected the EC microbiome data from cBioPortal and constructed a prognostic model based on Resident Microbiome of Endometrium (RME). We then examined the relationship between the RME score, immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy-related signature, and prognosis. The findings demonstrated the independent prognostic value of the RME score for EC. The group with low RME scores had higher enrichment of immune cells. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed that the RME score may serve as a potential predictor of chemotherapy efficacy. In conclusion, our research offers new perspectives on the relationships between tumor immunity and microbes.

Improving many-body computational efficiency is crucial for exploring condensed matter systems. However, existing acceleration methods are limited and mostly based on von Neumann-like architectures. Here we leverage the capabilities of Field Programmable Gate Arrays for conducting quantum many-body calculations and realize a tenfold speedup over Central Processing Unit-based computation for a Monte Carlo algorithm. By using a supercell structure and simulating the hardware architecture with High-Level Synthesis, we achieve O ( 1 ) scaling for the time of one sweep, regardless of the overall system size. We also demonstrate the utilization of programmable hardware to accelerate a typical tensor network algorithm for ground-state calculations. Additionally, we show that the current hardware computing acceleration is on par with that of multi-threaded Graphics Processing Unit parallel processing. Our findings highlight the advantages of hardware implementation and pave the way for efficient many-body computations. This work leverages the capabilities of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for quantum many-body calculations. By designing appropriate schemes for Monte Carlo and tensor network methods, the authors utilize FPGAs’ parallel processing power and implement hardware acceleration for two algorithms.

The fast-growing exotic mangrove species ( Laguncularia racemosa ) has been widely introduced in new territories such as China to restore mangrove ecosystems. However, the invasiveness, as well as the mechanisms for the rapid expansion after the introduction are still not well studied. Here, we try to reveal possible micro-mechanisms for the fast expansion of L. racemosa , using the data on leaf stomata straits, gas-exchange parameters, stable isotope ratios, carbon-nitrogen allocation from L. racemosa and the adjacent native mangroves ( Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Kandelia obovata ) in Hainan Island, China. We found that the higher density but smaller size stoma of L. racemosa enhanced stomatal conductance and shorten the diffusion path of carbon dioxide, thereby increasing the photosynthetic rate. Moreover, the higher stomatal density of L. racemosa exerts a significant positive effect on transpiration, which thus accelerated the water transport and nutrient uptake to meet the advanced need for nutrients and water for fast-growing. The evidence from leaf δ 13 C and carbon-nitrogen allocation further proved that L. racemosa has a lower intrinsic water use efficiency but a higher rate of photosynthesis than native mangrove species. Our results suggest that stomatal morphological and physiological traits could strongly influence the growth of L. racemosa compared to the adjacent native mangroves, which provides a new perspective for the fast expansion of exotic mangrove species in China. These findings also suggest that L. racemosa has an invasive potential in native mangrove habitats, thereby the mangrove reforestation projects by introducing L. racemosa should be treated with caution.