Search Results (441)

Combined application of organic (M) and chemical fertilizer (C) is a significant measure to enhance soil fertility and ensure food security. In 2023 and 2024, we established six treatments: T1 (no fertilization), T2 (100% C), T3 (75% C + 25% M), T4 (50% C + 50% M), T5 (25% C +75% M), and T6 (100% M), with three replicates for each treatment. The total amount of nitrogen applied to the soil for T2–T6 was the same, and the organic fertilizer was compost sourced from cow dung. The aims of this study were to explore the effects of organic fertilizer combined with chemical fertilizer on soil fertility, and apparent nutrient balance, to investigate its possible economic benefits. We also analyzed the influence of the combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers on the degree of coupling and coordination (D) between soil fertility and economic benefits. The total phosphorus, total potassium, available phosphorus, available potassium, and organic matter in the soil all showed an increasing trend with an increase in the proportion of organic fertilizer applied. T2 reduced the soil pH by 7.41–8.94% compared with T1, while applying organic fertilizers (T3–T6) increased the soil pH by 0.72–8.62% compared with T2. T4 is conducive to the balance of income and expenditure of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements. The corn yield, net income, and input–output ratio all showed an initial increase followed by a decrease with an increase in the proportion of organic fertilizer applied, and their values all reached the maximum under T4. Based on the CRITIC-TOPSIS method and the coupling coordination degree model, it was determined that the fertilization strategy with the highest comprehensive score and D under the conditions of this experiment was 50% C +50% M (T4), which not only improved soil fertility but also achieved the highest economic benefit. The research results were of great significance for promoting sustainable agricultural development. Full article

With the increasing volatility and extremity of global climate change, the frequency, intensity, and associated impacts of compound extreme climate events have escalated substantially. To investigate the temporal trends and characteristics of such events, we identified compound extreme climate events in the Huangshui River Basin, located in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, using daily mean temperature and precipitation records from eight meteorological stations. Compound warm–wet, warm–dry, cold–wet, and cold–dry events from 1960 to 2022 were detected based on cumulative distribution functions, and their long-term trends and intensity structures were examined. The results show that: (1) Warm–dry events dominate the basin, with an average annual frequency of 32.84 days per year, occurring frequently across all seasons; cold–dry events rank second (22.38 days per year) and are particularly frequent in winter. (2) Warm–dry events are highly concentrated in the river valley region (e.g., Minhe station), whereas cold–dry and warm–wet events mainly occur in the low-mountain areas (e.g., Huangyuan and Datong). (3) From 1960 to 2022, warm–dry and warm–wet events exhibit a highly significant increasing trend (p < 0.001), cold–dry events show a significant decreasing trend, and cold–wet events display no statistically significant trend. (4) In terms of intensity, all four types of compound events—warm–wet, warm–dry, cold–wet, and cold–dry—are dominated by weak to moderate grades. Overall, the basin is undergoing a compound-risk transition from historically “cold–dry dominated” conditions toward a regime characterized by “warm–dry predominance with emerging warm–wet events.” By identifying compound extreme climate events and analyzing their spatiotemporal variability and intensity characteristics, this study provides scientific support for disaster prevention, daily management, and risk mitigation in climate-sensitive regions. It also offers a useful reference for developing strategies to address compound extreme events induced by climate change and for implementing regional risk-prevention measures. Full article

The timely identification of rock fractures is crucial in deep subterranean engineering. However, it remains necessary to identify reliable warning indicators and establish effective warning levels. This study introduces the Acoustic Emission Transformer for FRActure Prediction (AET-FRAP) multi-input time series forecasting framework, which employs acoustic emission feature parameters. First, Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) combined with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is employed to identify and filter periodicities among diverse indicators and select input channels with enhanced informative value, with the aim of predicting cumulative energy. Thereafter, the one-dimensional sequence is transformed into a two-dimensional tensor based on its predominant period via spectral analysis. This is coupled with InceptionNeXt—an efficient multiscale convolution and amplitude spectrum-weighted aggregate—to enhance pattern identification across various timeframes. A secondary criterion is created based on the prediction sequence, employing cosine similarity and kurtosis to collaboratively identify abrupt changes. This transforms single-point threshold detection into robust sequence behavior pattern identification, indicating clearly quantifiable trigger criteria. AET-FRAP exhibits improvements in accuracy relative to long short-term memory (LSTM) on uniaxial compression test data, with R² approaching 1 and reductions in Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). It accurately delineates energy accumulation spikes in the pre-fracture period and provides advanced warning. The collaborative thresholds effectively reduce noise-induced false alarms, demonstrating significant stability and engineering significance. Full article

Shallow lakes are highly sensitive to hydrological changes and human activities; however, the effect of hydrological extremes on water quality dynamics remains unclear. In this study, we investigated hydroclimatic and water quality changes in Datong Lake (a typical shallow lake within the Yangtze River Basin) over the period 2021–2024, with the objective of detecting the dynamic response of lake water quality to its driving factors during extreme hydrological years. Our analysis suggested that precipitation, water level, and temperature of Datong Lake all fluctuated during the study period. Total nitrogen (TN) concentrations increased to 1.25 mg/L, 1.42 mg/L, and 1.05 mg/L in the lake, inlets, and outlet, respectively, driven largely by external nutrient inputs from agricultural and aquacultural activities. Precipitation and water level were significantly higher in the wet year (1051.15 mm and 27.26 m, respectively) than in the dry year (805.05 mm and 27.05 m, respectively). TN and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations at the river inlet were higher in wet years than in dry years, whereas TN and TP in the lake showed the opposite trend. Notably, both TN and TP were positively correlated with temperature, water level, and turbidity, and negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity. Among these drivers, turbidity emerged as key influential variable (R² ranging from 0.18 to 0.41) in modulating lake water quality during extreme hydrological years, followed by temperature (R² ranging from 0.11 to 0.17) and water level (R² ranging from 0.12 to 0.13). These findings reveal that extreme hydrological shifts drive changes in lake water quality, underscoring the necessity of integrated management strategies to alleviate climate change impacts on shallow lake ecosystems. Full article

Against the backdrop of global natural sand scarcity and stringent ecological protection policies, tuff mechanism sand has emerged as a promising alternative fine aggregate for concrete, especially in coastal infrastructure hubs like Ningbo, where abundant tuff resources coexist with acute natural sand shortages. However, existing research on TMS concrete lacks systematic multi-factor optimization, while the performance regulation mechanism of TMS remains unclear, hindering its application in large-scale engineering. To address this gap, this study employed a L16(4⁵) orthogonal experimental design to systematically investigate the effects of five key factors, including fineness modulus, sand ratio, fly ash-to-ground granulated blast-furnace slag ratio, stone powder content, and water–binder ratio, on the 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths of TMS concrete from Ningbo. The results indicate that all three strengths exhibit rapid growth from 3 d to 7 d and stable growth from 7 d to 28 d, with the 3 d compressive strength accounting for 72.5% of the 28 d value, while flexural strength shows the lowest 3 d proportion (63.1%) and highest late-stage growth rate. Range analysis reveals that water–binder ratio is the dominant factor controlling compressive strength and splitting tensile strength, whereas fineness modulus dominates flexural strength. The optimal fineness modulus values for compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths are 2.60, 2.90, and 2.30, respectively; a stone powder content of 0% optimizes compressive and flexural strengths, while 6% is optimal for splitting tensile strength. Notably, the interaction between fineness modulus and water–binder ratio exerts a statistically significant effect on compressive strength (p = 0.008), while the other interactions are negligible. This study fills the gap in research on multi-factor synergistic optimization of TMS concrete and provides targeted mix proportion designs for different engineering requirements. The findings not only enrich the theoretical system of manufactured-sand concrete but also offer practical technical support for the resource utilization of TMS in medium-to-high-strength concrete engineering, aligning with the sustainable development goals of the construction industry. Full article

This study systematically investigates the catalytic degradation performance and reaction mechanism of Fe₈₀P₁₃C₇ Metal Glass (MG) in a Fenton-like system for the removal of Methylene Blue (MB). Kinetic experiments on degradation reveal that under acidic conditions (pH = 3), Fe₈₀P₁₃C₇ MG exhibits exceptional catalytic activity, achieving complete degradation of a 50 mg/L MB solution within 12 min. Its degradation rate significantly surpasses that of Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃ MG and commercially available ZVI powder. Key parameters such as catalyst dosage, H₂O₂ concentration, solution pH, and initial dye concentration were systematically examined to determine the optimal reaction conditions. The characterization results indicate that Fe₈₀P₁₃C₇ MG maintains high activity even after multiple cycles of use, attributed to surface selective corrosion and crack formation during the reaction process. This “self-renewal” mechanism continuously exposes fresh active sites. Mechanistic studies confirm that the degradation process is driven by an efficient redox cycle between Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ within the material, ensuring sustained and stable generation of •OH, which ultimately leads to the complete mineralization of MB molecules. This research provides solid experimental and theoretical foundations for the application of Fe₈₀P₁₃C₇ MG in dye wastewater treatment. Full article

The Yungang Grottoes, a World Heritage Site, face biodeterioration risks. This study analyzed microbial communities in five microenvironments within Cave 6 using high-throughput sequencing (16S/18S rRNA). Communities showed high microenvironment specificity. Ascomycota and Proteobacteria dominated fungi and bacteria, respectively. Areas near the lighting window, with high external interaction, showed the highest diversity, while red pigment areas, likely under heavy metal stress, had the lowest diversity. Human-associated microbes (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella, Malassezia) indicated anthropogenic pollution on statue surfaces. Core microbiome and functional prediction (PICRUSt2) suggested high biodegradation risk in dust accumulation and inter-statue areas, enriched with organic-degrading and acid-producing taxa (e.g., Rubrobacter, Cladosporium). Microbial distribution and function were driven by openness, substrate, and human impact. This study identifies key risk zones and informs targeted conservation strategies for the Yungang Grottoes. Full article

To functionally enhance Tartary buckwheat and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of change, solid-state fermentation (SSF) was conducted using three edible-medicinal fungi—Auricularia auricula (A. auricula), Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), and Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus). The in vitro antioxidant (DPPH/ABTS) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were quantitatively evaluated. Notably, SSF with H. erinaceus specifically elevated α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by 50% under the tested conditions. Non-targeted metabolomics further profiled metabolite alterations to identify key up-regulated bioactive compounds. Epicatechin gallate (ECG) was significantly up-regulated in all three samples, and the fold change in quercetin 3′-O-sulfate in GFTB was significantly higher than that in the other two samples. Metabolic pathway analysis identified the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides as the most prominently affected pathways. This study demonstrates that SSF with edible-medicinal fungi is an effective bioprocessing strategy to boost the bioactivity and value of Tartary buckwheat. Full article

Drought stress (DS) is a primary environmental factor that limits the production of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been shown to enhance drought resistance in ginger by modulating water relations. However, the specific impact of SiNPs on the antioxidant and glyoxalase system responses to DS remains unclear. To investigate the impact of SiNP100 on photosynthetic and antioxidant metabolism in ginger under DS, four treatments were designed in this study: control (CK), drought stress (DS), silica nanoparticles (SiNP100) application, and the combined treatment of DS and SiNP100 (DS + SiNP100). The results showed that SiNP100 alleviated DS-induced damage by improving photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, and the efficiency of photosystems I and II. DS significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and methylglyoxal (MG), thereby inducing oxidative stress. SiNP100 mitigated this effect by reducing ROS accumulation and enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, SiNP100 boosted the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle by increasing the activities of key enzymes (APX, DHAR, MDHAR, and GR) and upregulating the expression of ZoDHAR2, ZoAPX1, and ZoGR2. This leads to higher ascorbate and glutathione levels in ginger. SiNP100 also bolstered the glyoxalase system, as evidenced by increased activities of glyoxalase I (Gly I) and glyoxalase II (Gly II), alongside the upregulation of ZoGLY1 expression, thereby promoting methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification. In conclusion, SiNP100 enhances drought tolerance in ginger by reinforcing the antioxidant defense system, AsA-GSH cycle, and methylglyoxal detoxification system, thereby protecting photosynthetic metabolism and promoting growth. Full article

Nitrated aromatic compounds (NACs) are critical toxic components of PM_2.5, and accurately identifying their sources is vital for effective urban air quality improvement. However, the lack of real-world emission data for construction machinery has introduced significant uncertainties into NACs source apportionment and emission inventories, particularly in urban areas where such machinery is widely used. Here, we characterized NACs, including nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) and nitrophenols (NPs), emissions from forklifts and excavators at construction sites in China. It is found that construction machinery emitted significantly higher NACs levels compared to on-road vehicles, with average NPAHs and NPs emission factors of 340.1 and 562.0 μg kg⁻¹ fuel for forklifts and 459.0 and 1381.1 μg kg⁻¹ fuel for excavators. Emissions during working modes were 1.1–1.6 times higher than during idling for forklifts and excavators. A key finding was the dominance of 5-nitroacenaphthene and 1-nitropyrene, which contrasts sharply with the observed emissions in other sources. We believed that combining the 5-nitroacenaphthene and 1-nitropyrene during the source apportionment using the receptor model would make it possible to separate the contributions of construction machinery. Notably, the light absorption of 45 NACs from both forklifts and excavators collectively accounted for approximately 30% of the total methanol-soluble brown carbon—a significantly higher contribution ratio compared to other emission sources. Furthermore, while construction machinery accounted for less than 5% of urban vehicle numbers, its toxic equivalent quotients can reach 4 to 6 times that of on-road vehicles with the nonnegligible potential toxicity. These results highlight the urgent need for stricter emission controls on construction machinery to reduce NACs-related adverse environmental effects in urban environments. Our findings provide valuable insights for constructing NACs emission inventories and refining NACs source apportionment methods in urban atmospheric studies. Full article

In the present study, 70 representative strains of potato dry-rot pathogen fungi were collected and isolated from three potato-growing areas in Northern Shanxi Province to determine their distribution and composition. The aim was to determine their distribution and composition by investigating their genetic structure through morphological characterization and phylogenetic tree construction using three DNA fragments (TEF1, RPB1, and RPB2). The results showed that potato dry rot disease in Northern Shanxi Province, is caused by five pathogenic species: Fusarium sambucinum, F. solani, F.oxysporum, F. acuminatum, and F. dimerum, among which F. sambucinum is the dominant species, accounting for 87.14% of all the strains, and distributed primarily in various potato-growing areas in the region. This study is the first to show that F. dimerum is a component of the pathogenic complex causing potato dry rot and is distributed primarily in the basin and hilly regions with relative frequencies of 3.45% and 13.04%, respectively. Fusarium acuminatum is distributed only in the plateau regions with a relative frequency of 5.56%. Full article

To address soil degradation from long-term monoculture, rotary tillage, and excessive chemical fertilization in semi-arid regions of China, we conducted a three-year field experiment. We assessed the synergy of integrated management practices combined with both continuous and rotational tillage methods (including ploughing, rotary, moldboard ploughing) at varying tillage depths (10–15, 15–25, 25–35 cm) with different fertilization regimes (chemical vs. organic–inorganic). Among all treatments, the rotational tillage practice that integrates moldboard ploughing at 25–35 cm depth with organic–inorganic fertilization [1200 kg ha⁻¹ mature compost + 375 kg ha⁻¹ compound fertilizer (N:P₂O₅:K₂O = 15:15:15)] significantly reduces bulk density by 11.8% and increases total porosity by 17.9% in the 15–25 cm soil layer. This practice optimizes nutrient stratification, elevating available nitrogen and potassium in the shallow layer (10–15 cm) to 126.13 and 372.45 mg kg⁻¹, respectively, while boosting available phosphorus in the subsoil (25–35 cm) by 247.8%. Furthermore, it significantly enhances soil microbial activity, increasing populations of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi by 3.42 × 10⁵, 0.65 × 10⁵, and 2.40 × 10³ CFU g⁻¹, respectively, alongside a 49.4% rise in soil respiration. These synergistic improvements collectively promote stable maize yields (increasing by 1731.4 kg ha⁻¹) and high economic returns (net income increasing by 3301.6 CNY ha⁻¹). These findings support the promotion of integrated tillage–fertilization strategies to enhance maize productivity and soil ecological function in semi-arid regions. Full article

As a powerful tool for characterizing the time-evolution behavior of dynamic systems with delay characteristics, the parameter estimation problem for uncertain delay differential equations has always been a research hotspot in the field of uncertain statistics. In order to eliminate the impact of outliers on the relevant results during parameter estimation, this paper proposes the improved uncertain maximum likelihood estimation and the generalized improved uncertain maximum likelihood estimation for uncertain delay differential equations based on symmetric statistical invariants, named residuals. After that, a numerical algorithm is also designed to solve the numerical solutions of the corresponding estimators. Finally, two numerical examples and an empirical study on stock price modeling are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the methods proposed in this paper. Full article

The downsized Wankel rotary engine (WRE) fueled with methanol is a promising power source for small unmanned aerial vehicles, owing to its simple structure, high-speed capability, and clean emissions. In general, a well-designed ignition timing (IT) can drastically enhance engine combustion performance. To assess the impact of IT, a numerical simulation study was conducted on a methanol-fueled WRE, analyzing its combustion characteristics and emissions to guide performance optimization. The results indicated that advancing the IT boosted the flame propagation velocity. The peak pressure increased slightly when delaying the IT from −24 °CA to −15 °CA but dropped sharply for −12 °CA at 5000 RPM. This contrasts with the behavior at 11,000 RPM and 17,000 RPM, where peak pressure clearly rose with advanced IT. Indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) decreased with the delay of the IT at 11,000 RPM and 17,000 RPM; the maximum values reached 24.98% and 25.78%, respectively. This contrasted with the trend observed at 5000 RPM, where ITE first increased and then decreased with IT delay. The optimized IT significantly affects pollutant emissions primarily under low-speed conditions (5000 RPM), while exhibiting limited impact at high engine speeds. At 5000 RPM, strategic IT adjustment achieves maximum reductions of 2% in CO emissions and 33% in formaldehyde emissions. Full article

Liver cancer is a prevalent and highly malignant tumor worldwide, and smoking has been suggested as a potentially significant risk factor, but this association remains understudied and not widely recognized. This study utilized global epidemiological data (1990–2021) from open access databases, analyzing smoking-related liver cancer burden and trends by age, sex, region, and country using mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized rates (ASRs), with projections for disease burden in 2040. The results show that from 1990 to 2021, the global number of smoking-attributable liver cancer deaths increased (cumulative growth: 67.10%; annual growth rate: 1.63%), while the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) declined. Similarly, global DALYs rose (cumulative growth: 49.5%; annual growth rate: 1.32%), yet age-standardized DALY rates (ASDRs) decreased. Significant disparities were observed across gender, age groups, regions, and countries, with higher burdens in males and in regions such as East Asia. Projections indicate that by 2040, both the ASMR and ASDR for smoking-associated liver cancer will decline significantly, particularly among the male population. In conclusion, although the burden of liver cancer related to smoking is on a downward trend, there are still significant demographic and regional differences. Future efforts should prioritize strengthened public health policies, targeted interventions, and further research into the smoking–liver cancer relationship to enhance prevention and control strategies. Full article