Search Results (929)

In mineral processing, visual-based online particle size analysis systems depend on high-precision image segmentation to accurately quantify ore particle size distribution, thereby optimizing crushing and sorting operations. However, due to multi-scale variations, severe adhesion, and occlusion within ore particle clusters, existing segmentation models often exhibit undersegmentation and misclassification, leading to blurred boundaries and limited generalization. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel semantic segmentation model named VTC-Net. The model employs VGG16 as the backbone encoder, integrates Transformer modules in deeper layers to capture global contextual dependencies, and incorporates a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) at the fourth stage to enhance focus on critical regions such as adhesion edges. BatchNorm layers are used to stabilize training. Experiments on ore image datasets show that VTC-Net outperforms mainstream models such as UNet and DeepLabV3 in key metrics, including MIoU (89.90%) and pixel accuracy (96.80%). Ablation studies confirm the effectiveness and complementary role of each module. Visual analysis further demonstrates that the model identifies ore contours and adhesion areas more accurately, significantly improving segmentation robustness and precision under complex operational conditions. Full article

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a significant environmental stressor that exerts profound impacts on insect physiology, behaviour and survival. Although some insects can use UV light for spatial orientation and navigation, it can induce DNA damage, oxidative stress, and impair critical biological functions, ultimately reducing ecological fitness. Sclerodermus alternatusi Yang (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is a dominant ectoparasitoid of the early instar larvae of Monochamus alternatus and plays a key role in the biological control of this pest in forestry systems; however, it faces intense UV exposure in the field environment. Despite its ecological importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying its responses to UV-induced stress remain poorly understood. In this study, newly emerged adult wasps (within 24 h post-eclosion) were exposed to UVA (365 nm) and UVC (253.7 nm) radiation for 9 h under controlled laboratory conditions. Total RNA was extracted from treated and control individuals for transcriptomic analysis using RNA-Seq. A total of 505 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified; gene ontology enrichment analysis revealed that UVA exposure significantly upregulated genes involved in cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting an enhanced metabolic response. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that UV stress modulates energy metabolism through the activation of oxidative phosphorylation and thermogenesis-related pathways, highlighting the reallocation of energy resources in response to UV-induced stress. To validate the RNA-Seq data, four representative DEGs were selected for quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. The qPCR results were consistent with the transcriptomic trends, confirming the reliability of the sequencing data. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular response mechanisms of S. alternatusi to UV stress, offering novel insights into its environmental adaptability and laying a theoretical foundation for its application in biological pest control under field conditions. Full article

Campus community gardens are expected to leverage disciplinary resources and spatial conditions to deliver ecological, educational, and social benefits beyond those of general community gardens. In China, these gardens are primarily established under the guidance of educational authorities, leading to issues such as significant homogenization and a lack of diversity, which hinders the full realization of their potential. This study investigates the potential factors influencing the development of campus gardens. Focusing on university campuses in Beijing, it employs stratified sampling and a questionnaire survey (n = 1008), utilizing methods including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multiple linear regression, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to systematically identify the factors affecting their differentiated development. The results indicate that: (1) the willingness to participate is collectively driven by four dimensions: “planting expectation,” “funding and site selection,” “personal motivation,” and “organizational support,” with “planting expectation” being the most significant factor. (2) Students’ academic disciplines influence their perceptions of the need for organizational support and spatial resources for gardens. (3) Campus location and size moderate the demand for gardens, with students in the urban expansion belt (between the 4th and 5th Ring Roads) and those from smaller campuses showing a stronger “pro-nature compensation” tendency. Based on campus spatial scale, urban location, and the academic backgrounds of participants, the study proposes integrated “space-organization” development strategies. This research provides targeted planning strategies for campus community gardens in China, aiming to leverage institutional disciplinary strengths, respond to participant needs, and maximize the gardens’ benefits. Full article

This study investigates critical research gaps in procurement management challenges faced by Chinese contractors in international engineering–procurement–construction (EPC) projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with a particular focus on sustainability-oriented outcomes. It examines the following: (1) prevalent procurement inefficiencies, such as communication delays and material shortages, encountered in international EPC projects; (2) the role of supply chain INTEGRATION in enhancing procurement performance; (3) the application of social network analysis (SNA) to reveal inter-organizational relationships in procurement systems; and (4) the influence of stakeholder collaboration on achieving efficient and sustainable procurement processes. The findings demonstrate that effective supply chain integration significantly improves procurement efficiency, reduces delays, and lowers costs, thereby contributing to more sustainable project delivery. Strong collaboration and transparent communication among key stakeholders—including contractors, suppliers, subcontractors, and designers—are shown to be essential for mitigating procurement risks and supporting resilient supply chain operations. SNA results highlight the critical roles of central stakeholders and their relational structures in optimizing resource allocation and enhancing risk management capabilities. Evidence from case studies further indicates that Chinese contractors increasingly adopt sustainability-oriented practices, such as just-in-time inventory management, strategic supplier relationship management, and digital procurement platforms, to reduce inefficiencies and environmental impacts. Overall, this study underscores that supply chain INTEGRATION, combined with robust stakeholder collaboration, is a key enabler of sustainable procurement and long-term competitiveness for Chinese contractors in the global EPC market. The purpose of this study is to identify critical procurement management challenges and propose evidence-based solutions for Chinese contractors. It further aims to develop a sustainability-oriented framework integrating supply chain integration and stakeholder collaboration to enhance competitiveness. Full article

Recreational spaces in industrial parks are essential components of sustainable urban development, as they contribute to environmental quality, social well-being, and the transformation of production-oriented areas into livable urban environments. This study aims to develop a spatial attractiveness evaluation framework tailored to recreational spaces in industrial parks, to identify and compare the key factors influencing attractiveness across different recreational space types, and to reveal the functional complementarity and underlying mechanisms among these spaces. Taking Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) as a case study, a three-dimensional evaluation framework integrating spatial attributes, experiential perception, and place identity was constructed using GIS-based spatial analysis, questionnaire surveys, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The spatial attractiveness of nature-dominated, mixed-type, and artificial-dominated recreational spaces was systematically evaluated and compared. The results show that experiential perception and place identity exert a stronger influence on spatial attractiveness than objective spatial attributes. Nature-dominated spaces primarily support ecological restoration and psychological recovery, mixed-type spaces facilitate diverse social and leisure activities, and artificial-dominated spaces are more suited to short-duration, high-frequency use, demonstrating clear functional complementarity. These findings highlight the necessity of type-specific strategies for enhancing recreational spaces in industrial parks and emphasize their role in supporting environmentally, socially, and functionally sustainable urban development. The proposed framework provides a transferable approach for evaluating and optimizing recreational spaces in other functionally mixed urban contexts. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) drastically inhibits plant growth and metabolism, whereas arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance plant Cd tolerance through metabolic regulation. To clarify tissue-specific responses, we conducted a pot experiment combined with GC-MS to examine how AM fungi influence root and leaf metabolism of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under different Cd levels. Root and leaf metabolomes diverged substantially in composition and function. In total, 83 metabolites were identified in roots, mainly phenolics, amines, and sugars associated with carbon–nitrogen metabolism and stress-defense pathways, whereas 75 metabolites were identified in leaves, largely related to photosynthetic metabolism. Roots were more sensitive to Cd, showing significant metabolic alterations at Cd ≥ 5 mg·kg⁻¹, including disruption of galactose metabolism, while leaves exhibited notable changes only at Cd ≥ 100 mg·kg⁻¹, with suppression of citrate, L-aspartate, and starch and sucrose metabolism. AM fungi modulated plant metabolism more strongly under Cd stress. Specifically, AM fungi restored Cd-suppressed galactose and glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism in roots, enhanced starch and sucrose metabolism and amino acid pathways in leaves, and increased stress-related amino acids and organic acids in both tissues. Overall, AM fungi substantially alleviated Cd-induced metabolic inhibition, particularly at Cd ≥ 50 mg·kg⁻¹, providing mechanistic insight into AM-enhanced Cd tolerance and supporting the application of AM symbiosis in remediation of Cd-contaminated soils. Full article

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and land development, the degradation of regional ecosystem services and the intensification of ecological risks have become prominent challenges. This study takes the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt—a region characterized by the triple pressures of “large-scale engineering disturbance, karst ecological vulnerability, and port economic agglomeration”—as a case study. Based on remote sensing image data from 2000 to 2020, a landscape ecological risk index was constructed, and regional landscape ecological risk levels were assessed using ArcGIS spatial analysis tools. On this basis, ecological sources were identified by combining the InVEST model with morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA),and an ecological resistance surface was constructed by integrating factors such as land use type, elevation, slope, distance to roads, distance to water bodies, and NDVI. Furthermore, the circuit theory method was applied to identify ecological corridors, ecological pinch points, and barrier points, ultimately constructing the ecological security pattern of the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt. The main findings are as follows: (1) Ecological risks were primarily at low to medium levels, with high-risk areas concentrated in the southern coastal region. Over the past two decades, an overall optimization trend was observed, shifting from high risk to lower risk levels. (2) A total of 15 ecological sources (total area 1313.71 km²), 31 ecological corridors (total length 1632.42 km), 39 ecological pinch points, and 15 ecological barrier points were identified, clarifying the key spatial components of the ecological network. (3) Based on spatial analysis results, a zoning governance plan encompassing “ecological protected areas, improvement areas, restoration areas, and critical areas” along with targeted strategies was proposed, providing a scientific basis for ecological risk management and pattern optimization in the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt. Full article

This study investigated the effects of chronic MC-LR exposure (0 μg/L [Control], 1 μg/L [M1], 3 μg/L [M3], 10 μg/L [M10], and 30 μg/L [M30]) on the muscle nutrient composition, meat quality, and muscle proteomic profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In the high-dose group (M30), MC-LR exposure compromised the muscle antioxidant status of Nile tilapia, resulting in reduced meat quality, as evidenced by decreased pH value and water-holding capacity, elevated lipid/protein oxidation, and altered texture parameters (shear force and fragmentation index). Proteomic analysis further revealed a downregulation of proteins associated with ribosomes, suggesting an impairment of muscle protein synthesis in the M30 group. Moreover, despite chronic exposure, only low levels of MC-LR accumulated in the muscle tissue, indicating a negligible health risk to consumers. Collectively, these findings offered valuable insights into the impact of environmental MC-LR contamination on fish muscle quality and nutritional value. Full article

The development of cross-border hydrogen energy value chains involves complex interactions between technological, regulatory, and logistical subsystems. Static assessment models often fail to capture the dynamic response of these coupled systems to external perturbations. This study addresses this gap by proposing the Dual Carbon Cooperation Index (DCCI), a data-driven framework designed to quantify the synergy efficiency of the China–Korea hydrogen ecosystem. We construct a dynamic state estimation model integrating three coupled dimensions—Technology Synergy, Regulatory Alignment, and Supply Chain Resilience—utilizing an adaptive weighting algorithm (Triple Dynamic Response). Based on multi-source heterogeneous data (2020–2024), the model employs Natural Language Processing (NLP) for vectorizing unstructured regulatory texts and incorporates an exogenous signal detection mechanism (GPR). Empirical results reveal that the ecosystem’s composite synergy score recovered from 0.38 to 0.50, driven by robust supply chain resilience but constrained by high impedance in technological transfer protocols. Crucially, the novel dynamic weighting algorithm significantly reduces state estimation error during high-volatility periods compared to static linear models, as validated by bootstrapping analysis (1000 resamples). The study provides a quantitative engineering tool for monitoring ecosystem coupling stability and proposes a technical roadmap for reducing system constraints through secure IP data architectures and synchronized standard protocols. Full article

The YABBY proteins are a type of transcription factor known to participate in the growth and development of plants. In this study, we analyzed a genome-wide identification of the YABBY gene family in watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus). A total of nine ClaYABBY genes were identified and classified into five subfamilies. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that segmental duplication contributed to the expansion of this family. Two paralogous gene pairs not only exhibited highly similar sequences but also had relatively consistent expression patterns. RT-qPCR results indicated that ClaYABBY genes exhibited specific expression in different tissues, and most members showed higher expression levels in reproductive organs. Among them, ClaYABBY2 maintained a consistently high expression throughout fruit development, suggesting its potential role in the stage of fruit development. Furthermore, under drought and salt stresses, the expressions of ClaYABBY2, 3, 4, and 9 were upregulated, indicating that they may be involved in abiotic stress in watermelon. This study provides insight for future research on the specific functions of the ClaYABBY gene in fruit development and environmental adaptation of watermelon. Full article

As a core sector of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and dual-circulation pattern, Xinjiang’s cultural tourism industry—its ninth-largest industrial cluster—plays a key role in enhancing industrial competitiveness and regional coordinated development. To fill the research gap of insufficient analysis on China’s western frontier regions in existing tourism cluster studies, this research focuses on 14 prefecture-level cities in Xinjiang (2009–2023) and innovatively adopts a spatiotemporal synergy and dual-dimensional correlation framework, addressing the limitations of previous single-dimensional research. Tourism Location Quotient (TLQ) quantified specialized agglomeration, Local Moran’s I identified spatial correlation patterns, gravity models analyzed horizontal inter-cluster interactions, and Gray Relational Model (GRM) measured vertical driving relationships between cluster development and related dimensions. This approach facilitates an in-depth analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution trajectory of Xinjiang’s tourism clusters and their horizontal-vertical linkage mechanisms. Findings show: (1) Xinjiang’s tourism clusters present a spatial pattern of “Northern Xinjiang as the core, Eastern Xinjiang with differentiated development, and Southern Xinjiang as lagging.” With narrowing regional gaps, their evolution transitions from a “fixed gradient” to “co-evolution.” (2) Agglomeration effects are significant: Urumqi propels Northern Xinjiang to form a “high-high agglomeration zone,” while Southern Xinjiang remains a “low-low agglomeration zone” led by Kashgar. (3) Horizontal linkages evolve from a Urumqi-centered single-core structure to a multi-axis cluster network, and vertical linkages are mainly driven by destination attractiveness and economic support capacity. This study clarifies the spatiotemporal evolution logic and associated driving mechanisms of tourism clusters in arid, multi-ethnic frontier regions, providing a scientific basis for optimizing regional tourism layouts and promoting high-quality development. Full article

Rechargeable lithium-, sodium-, and potassium-ion batteries are utilized as essential energy storage devices for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and large-scale energy storage systems. In these systems, anode materials play a vital role in determining energy density, cycling stability, and safety of various batteries. However, the complex electrochemical reactions and dynamic changes that occur in anode materials during charge–discharge cycles generate major challenges for performance optimization and understanding failure mechanisms. In situ characterization techniques, capable of real-time tracking of microstructures, composition, and interface dynamics under operating conditions, provide critical insights that bridge macroscopic performance and microscopic mechanisms of anodes. This review systematically summarizes the applications of such techniques in studying anodes for lithium-, sodium-, and potassium-ion batteries, with a focus on their contributions across different anode types. It also indicates current challenges and future directions of these techniques, aiming to offer valuable references for relevant applications and the design of high-performance anodes. Full article

Traffic noise is one of the main sources of environmental problems and a growing challenge for national traffic authorities. It is widely accepted that tire-pavement interaction is the main cause of traffic noise at speeds between 40 and 90 km/h. Typically, noise attenuation strategies include earthworks, tree belts, or noise barriers. However, a solution that is almost always viable is the use of low-noise pavements, which are characterized by their porous macrotexture, such as Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixtures. These mixtures are increasingly used for heavy traffic volumes because of their many advantages, including drainage properties and mechanical strength. Based on the experimental results obtained on different roads in southern Spain, this paper compares noise reduction in an SMA standard mixture due to the incorporation of different additives, such as crumb rubber and polymeric additives. According to the analysis, increasing the additives content by 1% reduces CPX by 1.18 decibels, approximately, and none of the analyzed sections shows increases greater than 3 dB within 24 months. Additionally, the paper proposes design recommendations regarding macrotexture and the percentage of voids for zones with warm, dry climates, such as Mediterranean Spain. Full article

The deepening of the “Belt and Road” Initiative urgently requires breaking through the dilemmas of symbolization, unidirectionality, and contextual de-embedding in the export of traditional cultural heritage. This paper takes the 2023 China-Germany “Tracing the Belt and Road” cultural heritage exchange project as the research object, employing a single-case exploratory research method to construct a theoretical model of “narrative carrier innovation—cultural heritage dimension adaptation” aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cultural heritage dissemination. The study finds that international communication projects for cultural heritage can systematically deconstruct the cultural core (“Dao”) and innovatively adapt modernized, localized dissemination forms familiar to the audiences in the host regions (“Qi”), thereby achieving a paradigm shift from passive introduction to active resonance. The paper specifically elucidates how four types of innovative carriers-digital narrative, public participatory, competitive co-creative, and academic artistic-adapt to the dimensions of historical cognition, aesthetic experience, creative interaction, and value identification in Han Dynasty cultural heritage. This adaptation ultimately forms effective cross-cultural dissemination pathways. This research provides an operable theoretical framework and practical paradigm for “Belt and Road” humanistic exchanges, offering insights for the international dissemination of cultural heritage. Full article