Restoration Process Research Articles

Seasonal spatial-temporal trends of vegetation recovery in burned areas across Africa.

Africa is entering a new fire paradigm, with climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure shifting the patterns of frequency and severity. Thus, it is crucial to use available information and technologies to understand vegetation dynamics during the post-fire recovery processes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal spatio-temporal trends of vegetation recovery in response to fires across Africa, from 2001 to 2020. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) products comparing the following three-month seasonal periods: December-February (DJF), March-May (MAM), June-August (JJA), and September-November (SON). We evaluated the seasonal spatial trends of NDVI in burned areas by hemisphere, territory, or country, and by land cover types, and fire recurrences, with a focus on forested areas. The relationships between the seasonal spatial trend and three climatic variables (i.e. maximum air temperature, precipitation, and vapor pressure deficit) were then analyzed. For the 8.7 million km2 burned in Africa over the past 22 years, we observed several seasonal spatial trends of NDVI. The highest proportions of areas with increasing trend (p < 0.05) was recorded in MAM for both hemispheres, with 22.0% in the Northern Hemisphere and 17.4% in the Southern Hemisphere. In contrast, areas with decreasing trends (p < 0.05), showed 4.8-5.5% of burned area in the Northern Hemisphere, peaking in JJA, while the Southern Hemisphere showed a range of 7.1 to 10.9% with the highest proportion also in JJA. Regarding land cover types, 48.0% of fires occurred in forests, 24.1% in shrublands, 16.6% in agricultural fields, and 8.9% in grasslands/savannas. Consistent with the overall trend, the area exhibiting an increasing trend in NDVI values (p < 0.05) within forested regions had the highest proportion in MAM, with 19.9% in the Northern Hemisphere and 20.6% in the Southern Hemisphere. Conversely, the largest decreasing trend (p < 0.05) was observed in DJF in the Northern Hemisphere (2.7-2.9%) and in JJA in the Southern Hemisphere (7.2-10.4%). Seasonally, we found a high variability of regeneration trends of forested areas based on fire recurrences. In addition, we found that of the three climatic variables, increasing vapor pressure deficit values were more related to decreasing NDVI levels. These results indicate a strong component of seasonality with respect to fires, trends of vegetation increase or decrease in the different vegetation covers of the African continent, and they contribute to the understanding of climatic conditions that contribute to vegetation recovery. This information is helpful for researchers and decision makers to act on specific sites during restoration processes.

Ecological restoration processes in pika mounds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Ecological restoration processes in pika mounds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Detecting the Phenological Threshold to Assess the Grassland Restoration in the Nanling Mountain Area of China

The dynamics of vegetation changes and phenology serve as key indicators of interannual changes in vegetation productivity. Monitoring the changes in the Nanling grassland ecosystem using the remote sensing vegetation index is crucial for the rational development, utilization, and protection of these grassland resources. Grasslands in the hilly areas of southern China’s middle and low mountains have a high restoration efficiency due to the favorable combination of water and temperature conditions. However, the dynamic adaptation process of grassland restoration under the combined effects of climate change and human activities remains unclear. The aim of this study was to conduct continuous phenological monitoring of the Nanling grassland ecosystem, and evaluate its seasonal characteristics, trends, and the thresholds for grassland changes. The Normalized Difference Phenology Index (NDPI) values of Nanling Mountains’ grasslands from 2000 to 2021 was calculated using MOD09A1 images from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The Savitzky–Golay filter and Mann–Kendall test were applied for time series smoothing and trend analysis, and growing seasons were extracted annually using Seasonal Trend Decomposition and LOESS. A segmented regression method was then employed to detect the thresholds for grassland ecosystem restoration based on phenology and grassland cover percentage. The results showed that (1) the NDPI values increased significantly (p &lt; 0.01) across all grassland patches, particularly in the southeast, with a notable rise from 2010 to 2014, and following an eastern to western to central trend mutation sequence. (2) the annual lower and upper NDPI thresholds of the grasslands were 0.005~0.167 and 0.572~0.727, which mainly occurred in January–March and June–September, respectively. (3) Most of the time series in the same periods showed increasing trends, with the growing season length varying from 188 to 247 days. (4) The overall potential productivity of the Nanling grassland improved. (5) The restoration of the mountain grasslands was significantly associated with the grassland coverage and mean NDPI values, with a key threshold identified at a mean NDPI value of 0.5 for 2.1% grassland coverage. This study indicates that to ensure the sustainable development and conservation of grassland ecosystems, targeted management strategies should be implemented, particularly in regions where human factors significantly influence grassland productivity fluctuations.

C60 fullerene improves the contractile activity of the injured rat muscle gastrocnemius

The powerful antioxidant properties of C60fullerenes have been widely used in biomedical nanotechnology. Owing to the negative effects of free radicals in oxidative stress processes, antioxidants are required to protect injured muscles. Here, the effect of water-soluble C60fullerenes (daily oral dose 1 mg kg-1) on the process of restoration of contractile activity of skeletal muscle of rats (muscle gastrocnemius) 15 d after the initiation of open trauma of different severity was studied for the first time. The structural organization of C60fullerene nanoparticles in aqueous solution was analyzed by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy techniques. Such biomechanical parameters ofmuscle gastrocnemiuscontraction as integrated muscle power, levels of generation of its maximum and minimum force, and time interval until reaching 50% of the level of force response of the muscle were analyzed. Such biochemical indices as concentrations of c-reactive protein, creatinine, and lactate in the rat blood, as well as indices of pro- and antioxidant balance (activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, the concentration of reduced glutathione) in the blood and muscle tissue of experimental animals, were investigated. It was found that application of water-soluble C60fullerenes statistically significantly improves biomechanical parameters of contraction of injuredmuscle gastrocnemiusat the level of 30-45 ± 3%, which is confirmed by normalization of biochemical indices in the blood and muscle tissue of rats at the level of 35-50 ± 3% and 20-37 ± 3%, correspondingly, relative to the open injury group. These findings open the possibility of using C60fullerenes as potential therapeutic nanoagents capable of correcting pathological states of the muscular system during the physiological repair of open injuries.

Shifts in fungal communities drive soil profile nutrient cycling during grassland restoration.

Soil microbial diversity and community life strategies are crucial for nutrient cycling during vegetation restoration. Although the changes in topsoil microbial communities during restoration have been extensively studied, the structure, life strategies, and function of microbial communities in the subsoil remain poorly understood, especially regarding their role in nutrient cycling during vegetation restoration. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the changes in the soil microbial community, assembly process, life strategies, and nutrient cycling functional genes in soil profiles (0-100 cm) across a 36 year chronosequence (5, 15, 28, and 36 years) of fenced grassland and one grazing grassland on the Loess Plateau of China. Our results revealed that soil organic carbon increased by 76.0% in topsoil and 91.6% in subsoil after 36 years of restoration. The bacterial communities were influenced primarily by soil depth, while the fungal communities were highly sensitive to the years of restoration. Microbes in the subsoil recovered faster, and the microbial community structure and functional genes in the soil profiles gradually became more consistent following restoration. In addition, we observed a transition in microbial life history strategies from a persistent K-strategy to a rapid r-strategy during restoration. Notably, the fungal community assembly process played an important role in changes in nutrient cycling genes, which were accompanied by increased carbon fixation and nitrogen mineralization function. Overall, our findings provide several novel insights into the impact of changes in the fungal community on soil nutrient cycling in the soil profile during vegetation restoration.IMPORTANCEOur study revealed that microbes in the subsoil recovered faster than those in the topsoil, which contributed to the reduction in differences in microbial community structure and the distribution of functional genes throughout the soil profile during the restoration process. Importantly, the assembly of fungal communities plays a pivotal role in driving changes in nutrient cycling genes, such as increased carbon fixation and nitrogen mineralization, alongside a reduction in carbon degradation gene abundance. These alterations increase soil organic carbon and nutrient availability during restoration. Our results increase the understanding of the critical role of fungal communities in soil nutrient cycling genes, which facilitate nutrient accumulation in soil profiles during grassland restoration. This insight can guide the development of strategies for manipulating fungal communities to increase soil nutrients in grasslands.

Una mirada decolonial a la Hacienda de Cañasgordas: a propósito de su restauración y apertura en calidad de museo

Since 2014, with Resolution 0423 regarding the Special Management and Protection Plan, Hacienda de Cañasgordas entered a restoration process as a museum after being declared a national heritage and cultural asset. Thus, the novel "El Alférez Real" by José Eustaquio Palacios was used to substantiate the symbolic value of the estate based on the context of representativeness of Cali society in the 18th century. However, this process remained in the 19th-century interest of reconstructing a concrete and recognizable historical past, emphasizing the preferences towards spaces, cultural environment, and lifestyle of colonial hegemonic individuals, while minimizing the fact that Cañasgordas, as a slaveholding estate, also played a fundamental role in the living conditions of the enslaved and the formation of Afro-descendant populations and/or black communities in the departments of Valle del Cauca and Cauca. Inscribed within Latin American cultural studies, specifically in the notion of decolonialism developed by the Modernity/Coloniality group, the discursive practice and thought are reviewed to identify the modes of utilization, understanding, and appropriation of the novel in order to materialize power relations from the structuring of differences and the projection of such social representations. Therefore, the objective of this article was to substantiate a decolonial perspective of Hacienda de Cañasgordas through the approach of epistemological, paradigmatic, and historiographic dimensions, to propose a way of seeing the Other that questions European colonialism and the subsequent coloniality established with the perpetuation of the Eurocentric model, insofar as the paradigmatic concept of the museum was privileged, and how this category has been affected in its construction from the fictional and factual discursive practice of the novel "El Alférez Real".

Impact of US Involvement &amp; Withdrawal from Afghanistan on Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

This article analyses the socio-economic and security issues presented by Afghan refugees in Pakistan, especially in the aftermath of U.S. engagement and eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan. The research examines the historical context of Afghan migration to Pakistan, emphasising the effects of the Afghan Jihad and the War on Terror, which resulted in the arrival of millions of refugees. The article examines the pressure on Pakistan's resources, infrastructure, and security, emphasising the increase in militancy and social unrest in regions accommodating refugees. The research used an exploratory design to assess the broader implications of this issue for Pakistan and Afghanistan. The results indicate that return, conducted under secure and voluntary circumstances, is the most feasible approach to mitigate Pakistan's burden while facilitating the return of refugees to a stable Afghanistan. The article advocates for collaboration among the Afghan government, Pakistan, and the international community to establish favourable conditions for the restoration process, emphasising infrastructure, security, and economic prospects. The resolution of the refugee problem is deemed essential for promoting peace, stability, and development in the region.

A Reconstruction of the Shrine of the Prophet Nahum: An Analysis of 3D Documentation Methods and Data Transfer Technology for Virtual and Augmented Realities

This article focuses on modern methods of documentation and visualization for a historic object. Digital photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), which are essential tools for documenting cultural heritage in view of their rapid development in recent years, were used, compared, and analyzed. Furthermore, the use of available 3D computer graphics technologies for visualization is described and an optimal procedure for converting the object into VR and AR is proposed and implemented. The technologies presented in this article were tested within the context of a project on the reconstruction of the shrine of the Prophet Nahum in the city of Alqosh in northern Iraq, taking the shrine as a case study. Funded by ARCH Int. and provided by GemaArt Int., the restoration project started in 2018 and was completed in 2021. The ongoing documentation was prepared by the CTU and it used the materials for research purposes. Accurate documentation using photogrammetry, drones, and TLS was key to the restoration. Leica BLK360, Faro Focus S150, and GeoSlam laser scanners were used, as well as photogrammetric methods. In particular, the documentation process involved the creation of 3D textured models from the photogrammetry, which were compared to the TLS data to ensure accuracy. These models were necessary to track changes during the reconstruction phases and to calculate the volumes of rubble removed and materials added. Our data analysis revealed significant differences between the construction logs and the analysis of the accurate 3D models; the results showed an underestimation of the displaced material statements by 13.4% for removed material and 4.6% for added material. The use of heat maps and volumetric analyses helped to identify areas of significant change that guided the reconstruction and documented significant changes to the building for the investor. These findings are important for use in the construction industry with respect to historic sites as well as for further research focused on visualization using VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality). The conversion of existing 3D models into VR and AR is rapidly evolving and significant progress was made during this project. The Unreal Engine (UE) game engine was used. Despite the significantly improved performance of the new UE 5 version, the data for conversion to VR and AR needs to be decimated to reduce the amount—in our case, this was by up to 90%. The quality appearance of the objects is then ensured by textures. An important outcome of this part of the research was the debugged workflow developed to optimize the 3D models for VR, which was essential for creating a virtual museum that shows the restoration process.

The potential of aloe vera gel utilization for skin wound healing in rats based on GC–MS and HPLC chemical profile

BackgroundWound healing is a restoration process of tissue integrity and function targeting reducing the healing time and complications with priority of available, acceptable and affordable medication. The study aimed to evaluate wound healing of aloe vera gel as raw or ethanol extract on a dorsal full thickness circular wound in Wistar rats. Rats subjected to the excision surgery were grouped into: control (+ ve), without treatment. and Kenacomb, aloe raw gel and aloe ethanol extract applied groups for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days for treatment evaluation. The study chromatographically quantified anthraquinones and identified the raw gel and extract’ compounds. The evaluation was through the assessment of the wound contraction and complete blood count, serum interleukin-4 and skin tissue proline, hydroxyproline, glycine, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide contents and skin histopathology investigation at tested intervals.ResultsRaw gel and extract contained in μg/ml, aloin A (9.23 and 17.22), aloin B (8.87 and 10.31) and emodin (11.66 and 12.66), respectively. The predominates identified percentage in raw gel were coumarins (34.93), fatty acids (28.45), phytosterols (7.77) and tocopherols (8.44) and in gel extract were phytosterols (49.39), fatty acids (29.16) and tocopherols (3.70). Results after 21 days were recorded in + ve control 80.50% wound contraction and showed significantly decreased values of IL-4, lymphocytes, Hb, RBCs and skin glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and NO. Neutrophils, monocytes, platelets and MDA were significantly increased. Histologically revealed epidermal acanthosis, inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis with hair follicles and sebaceous glands loss and dermal hemorrhage. Aloe raw gel revealed incomplete healing (91.79%) and failed to normalize IL-4, lymphocytes, neutrophils and the skin glycine and NO contents. Skin showed moderate epidermal acanthosis, and dermis had fibrosis, hemorrhage and loss of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The extract group acquired 100% healing, normalized tested parameters and showed skin tissue thinning epidermis and intact dermal tissue with sebaceous glands and hair follicles.ConclusionResults revealed aloe gel ethanol extract advantage over raw gel for wound healing which may be related to chemical constituents’ variation interpreted in interest to the extract as an efficient therapeutic, cost-effective, available wound healing material.

Optimizing Early Growth of Laminaria hyperborea in Controlled Settings: A Pathway to Improved Restoration Efforts

Laminaria hyperborea, a key species in marine forest ecosystems, is experiencing pressure at its southern distribution limit in northern Portugal due to climate change and human-induced stressors. The ongoing degradation of marine forests highlights the need for effective restoration strategies to protect biodiversity and maintain the essential services provided by these habitats. Cultivation of juvenile kelps in laboratory settings is a common approach shared across multiple strategies aimed at supporting reforestation efforts; however, the specific cultivation process for L. hyperborea remains largely underexplored. In this study, we tested two seeding densities to optimize the production of L. hyperborea recruits for reforestation initiatives. We assessed the effects of seeding density on juvenile development by measuring both area coverage and length. Our findings revealed that higher seeding density initially promoted greater area coverage (e.g., 8.69 ± 0.38 cm2 vs. 3.35 ± 0.27 cm2) but reduced the length of individual recruits over time (e.g., 0.26 ± 0.0026 cm vs. 0.39 ± 0.003 cm at T3). This suggests that increased competition for resources at high densities limits individual growth. In contrast, lower densities produced larger, more robust individuals (e.g., 0.50 ± 0.004 cm vs. 0.262 ± 0.003 cm at T4), which may enhance post-transplantation survival in challenging environmental conditions. This suggests that utilizing lower seeding densities may improve individual growth while decreasing overall resource use and maintenance needs, promoting a more sustainable cultivation process and minimizing impacts on donor populations. However, further research is essential to refine the cultivation protocols and fully understand the variables influencing juvenile kelp development. Improving all phases of the restoration process, from laboratory cultivation to field deployment, will be critical for reducing costs, streamlining logistics, and ensuring the scalability of future kelp restoration efforts.

Spatial characteristics of soil potassium in the early stage of vegetation restoration and influencing factors in southwest China’s karst region

The study established experimental transects in undisturbed areas of the Caohai Nature Reserve in Weining, Guizhou Province. The study aims to examine complete successional transects in different landscapes: non-karst, karst, and vegetation restoration, using the spatiotemporal substitution method. It analyzes the distribution patterns of Total potassium (TK) and Avail potassium (AK) in the soil and employs a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) to investigate the effects of geomorphology, soil aggregates, and their interactions on the changes in soil potassium(K) elements. Furthermore, it explores the synergistic effects of K cycling during the vegetation restoration process in karst soils. The findings indicated that: (1) In karst areas, the overall TK content was higher than in non-karst areas, while the AK content in the topsoil was higher in non-karst areas. The TK content in the karst areas tended to approach that of the vegetation restoration zone. (2) After restoration, the dominant plants changed from Gramineae to Gramineae + Asteraceae, and the vegetation richness increased, thereby improving the soil fertility and potassium fixation capacity. (3) The GLMM showed that the karst landscape had a significant effect on the TK and AK contents of surface soil. In the early stage of vegetation restoration, the joint effect of soil and vegetation affected the TK and AK contents in soil.

Modern legal problems of restoration of lands damaged as a result of military operations

Military actions have had a global negative impact on the land and soil of Ukraine as a whole, causing widespread contamination and degradation. Daily airstrikes and shelling leave deep craters, heavy metals from shells and military equipment penetrate the soil and groundwater, soil permeability decreases, oxygen is displaced, biochemical and microbiological processes are disrupted, vast areas are scorched by fires, and the risk of toxic waste emissions from industrial enterprises in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine increases. Additionally, there is massive flooding of closed and war-damaged mines. Furthermore, Ukraine is the most mined country in the world. Unfortunately, this list is not exhaustive. The restoration of Ukrainian land and soil is one of the priority tasks in the post-war period, as it affects not only the ecological safety of the state but also its economic stability and development. Given the scale of the problems facing Ukraine, a comprehensive approach is needed, including legal, technological, and organizational support for land restoration. Important stages in this process are the assessment of the degree of damage, the development of an effective methodology for damage compensation, the implementation of modern technologies, the development and implementation of new regulations governing land restoration procedures, and the establishment of clear standards for soil quality. Ukraine also needs to take into account the experience of other countries in land restoration after military conflicts, particularly those that have applied innovative approaches and modern technologies for soil rehabilitation. This will help implement the best practices and restoration methods, ensuring effective and rapid land recovery. International cooperation and support will play a crucial role in this process, as the issue of restoring land and soil damaged by war is not only a domestic matter for Ukraine but also a challenge for the entire global community. Successful examples of land restoration in other countries demonstrate Ukraine’s readiness and ability to cope with the consequences of war and ensure sustainable development in the future, which is a priority task on which Ukraine’s future depends. Considering environmental, economic, and social aspects in the restoration process will allow not only to restore soil fertility but also to create conditions for sustainable development and prosperity of the country.

Comparative Analysis of PI and PR Control Strategies for Enhancing Voltage Quality in D-Statcom-Based Distribution Networks

In recent years, the rise in the number of sensitive loads in distribution networks has highlighted the importance of not only ensuring the continuity of electricity supplies but also maintaining high power quality for consumers. In the present era, one of the most prevalent power quality issues in power systems is voltage sag, which is responsible for over 80% of the observed problems. Although the duration of the disturbance is relatively brief, typically between 10 ms and 1 minute, it can have a significant impact on the production process due to a minor deviation from the rated voltage. The disturbance can occur within a second, but the restoration process can take several hours. In order to enhance the power quality of the grid, it is essential to regulate reactive power. The objective of this study is to utilise a D-STATCOM for the correction of voltage by connecting it in parallel to the bus connection point between the grid and the loads. Modelling and simulation studies have been conducted to investigate the contribution of D-STATCOM with PI (proportional-integral) or PR (proportional resonance) controllers to the system in response to various fault scenarios that cause voltage sags by commissioning various loads at low voltage (0.4 kV). The simulation of both models was conducted using the PSCAD/EMTDC program. The performance of both controllers is evaluated through a comparison with the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation program. The results demonstrate that the D-STATCOM responds to short-term voltage sags caused by a fault or other system disturbances with a high degree of efficiency, rapidly restoring the bus voltage to a level close to the nominal value. This effectively mitigates the potential disruptions associated with voltage collapse. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that D-STATCOMs employing PI and PR controllers exhibit a combination of advantages and limitations in their performance.

Историография восстановления Севастополя в 1944-1954 гг.

The purpose of the study is to solve the problem of the degree of study in Russian and foreign historiography of the processes of restoration of Sevastopol after the Great Patriotic War. Two main stages have been identified, and the Soviet (late 1940s – late 1980s) period is characterized by an emphasis on the study of construction processes and a reliance primarily on personal sources and official statistics. The second stage (from the late 1980s to the present) is associated with an increase in the use of materials from local and central archival repositories and the expansion of the subject of research. At the same time, the appearance of pseudoscientific works conducted without proper critical historiographical and source analysis is noted. The novelty of the research is due to the lack of a systematic review of the processes of studying the restoration of Sevastopol after 1944 in Russian science. The obtained results make it possible to assess the degree of study of the restoration processes and at the same time outline the little-studied and controversial issues of the city's development in the 1940s and early 1950s.

A Machine Learning Algorithm to Aid the Development of Repair Materials for Ancient Ceramics via Additive Manufacturing

In ancient historical ceramics, for various reasons, some problems such as dirt and damage inevitably occur, and necessary repair work must be carried out. Throughout ceramics restoration work, the selection and use of materials are very important. Thus, it is necessary to explore the use of modern intelligent algorithms to assist the selection and application of restoration materials during the whole restoration process, in order to improve the effectiveness of ancient ceramics restoration. In this study, convolutional neural network (CNNs) technology and a machine learning (ML) algorithm were applied to images of ceramics for the defect identification and repair of ancient ceramics, aided by additive manufacturing (AM). The simulation results show that the recall of this algorithm for AM ancient ceramics image recognition was improved by 19.68%. In order to enhance the restoration effects on ancient ceramics, it is necessary to enhance their restoration by expanding the use of digital technology, with the intent to maintain the advantages of traditional handicrafts. Therefore, we should review experiences in the restoration of ancient ceramics, introduce digital technology according to specific needs, and enhance the advanced nature of restoration work.

Programmable Electromagnetic Wave Absorption via Tailored Metal Single Atom-Support Interactions.

Metal single atoms (SA)-support interactions inherently exhibit significant electrochemical activity, demonstrating potential in energy catalysis. However, leveraging these interactions to modulate electronic properties and extend application fields is a formidable challenge, demanding in-depth understanding and quantitative control of atomic-scale interactions. Herein, in situ, off-axis electron holography technique is utilized to directly visualize the interactions between SAs and the graphene surface. These interactions facilitate the formation of dispersed nanoscale regions with high charge density and are highly sensitive to external electromagnetic (EM) fields, resulting in controllable dynamic relaxation processes for charge accumulation and restoration. This leads to customized dielectric relaxation, which is difficult to achieve with current band engineering methods. Moreover, these electronic behaviors are insensitive to elevated temperatures, having characteristics distinct from those of typical metallic or semiconducting materials. Based on these results, programmable EM wave absorption properties are achieved by developing a library of SA-graphene materials and precisely controlling SA-support interactions to tailor their responses to EM waves in terms of frequency and intensity. This advancement addresses the customized anti-EM interference requirements of electronic components, greatly enhancing the development of integrated circuits and micro-nano chips. Future efforts will concentrate on manipulating atomic interactions in SA-support, potentially revolutionizing nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Norepinephrine-mediated slow vasomotion drives glymphatic clearance during sleep.

As the brain transitions from wakefulness to sleep, processing of external information diminishes while restorative processes, such as glymphatic removal of waste products, are activated. Yet, it is not known what drives brain clearance during sleep. We here employed an array of technologies and identified tightly synchronized oscillations in norepinephrine, cerebral blood volume, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as the strongest predictors of glymphatic clearance during NREM sleep. Optogenetic stimulation of the locus coeruleus induced anti-correlated changes in vasomotion and CSF signal. Furthermore, stimulation of arterial oscillations enhanced CSF inflow, demonstrating that vasomotion acts as a pump driving CSF into the brain. On the contrary, the sleep aid zolpidem suppressed norepinephrine oscillations and glymphatic flow, highlighting the critical role of norepinephrine-driven vascular dynamics in brain clearance. Thus, the micro-architectural organization of NREM sleep, driven by norepinephrine fluctuations and vascular dynamics, is a key determinant for glymphatic clearance.

Image Clearness Processing for Image Restoration Based on Generative Adversarial Networks

Image Clearness Processing for Image Restoration Based on Generative Adversarial Networks

Synergy and trade-off between plant functional traits enhance grassland multifunctionality under grazing exclusion in a semi-arid region.

Grazing exclusion is effective in restoring vegetation and ecological services in degraded grasslands within semi-arid regions. Variations in plant functional traits associated with the duration of grazing exclusion can indicate both ecological adaptability of plants and restoration processes of ecosystems. However, research on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) under grazing exclusion and restoration mechanisms mediated by plant functional traits is relatively limited. In this study, we calculated EMF based on plant species diversity, above-ground biomass (AGB), below-ground biomass (BGB), storages of soil organic carbon (TSOC), soil nitrogen (TSN), and soil phosphorus (TSP) in grasslands under varying durations of grazing exclusion in the semi-arid Songnen Plain, China, and investigated the trait-based pathways involved in forming EMF. The findings revealed irregular fluctuations in plant species diversity, while AGB, TSOC, TSN, and TSP exhibited a linear increase with grazing exclusion duration. Additionally, BGB initially increased but experienced a slight decline over the 17 years of grazing exclusion (GE17). Notably, EMF peaked at 0.778 in GE17 site. In particular, the proportions of AGB and TSOC in the EMF were higher in grazing exclusion sites than that in grazing site. Leaf area (LA) and leaf weight (LW) were lowest in grazing site and highest in GE17 site. Redundancy analysis indicated that the plant functional traits, including LA, leaf nitrogen content (LNC), and LW, collectively explained a substantial proportion of the variance (70.85%) in ecosystem function indicators. Structural equation modelling analysis revealed a direct impact of grazing exclusion on EMF (P<0.05). However, EMF was remarkably and directly affected by the AGB (P<0.01) that regulated by the trade-off between LW and LNC. In addition, the synergy between LW and LA had an impact on TSP (P<0.01), and further enhance EMF (P<0.05). These findings prominently emphasize the advantageous outcomes of proper grazing exclusion concerning the functional aspects of degraded grasslands. Moreover, they persuasively validate the crucial significance of plant functional traits in relation to the enhancement of EMF. Consequently, this study is capable of providing valuable information for revealing multiple driven mechanisms of grassland EMF in the semi-arid regions.

Soil Microbiome Inoculation for Resilient and Multifunctional New Forests in Post-Agricultural Landscapes.

Afforestation is increasingly recognized as a critical strategy to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity on post-agricultural landscapes. However, agricultural legacies, such as altered soil structure, nutrient imbalances, and depleted microbial diversity, can slow down forest establishment or cause ecosystems to deviate from expected successional trajectories. In this opinion paper, we explore the potential of soil inoculations as a tool to overcome these challenges by introducing beneficial microbial communities that can accelerate ecosystem recovery and forest development. Restoring soil biodiversity is a crucial aspect of this process that drives broader ecosystem functionality and resilience. We highlight the need to carefully consider the type and timing of inoculations and to ensure compatibility between the inoculum and recipient site characteristics to optimize the establishment of introduced species. While tree productivity is often a central focus of afforestation efforts, the restoration of soil biodiversity, which will also contribute to increased ecosystem-level functions, should also be a priority for long-term forest resilience. Agricultural legacies add complexities to the restoration process, creating unique challenges that need to be addressed in restoration planning. Thus, successful inoculation strategies require a thorough understanding of both donor and recipient site characteristics, also in relation to potential mismatches related to soil physiochemical properties to avoid unintended consequences such as the non-establishment of introduced species. Additionally, we call for the re-evaluation of afforestation targets and the development of standardized monitoring protocols that track the success of inoculation efforts, particularly regarding soil health, microbial community establishment, and biodiversity recovery. By integrating inoculation practices within a broader restoration framework, we can enhance the resilience, biodiversity, and ecosystem functionality of newly afforested landscapes. Ultimately, this approach may play a critical role in ensuring the success of large-scale afforestation projects.