Search Results (268)

Savanna systems are characterised by a community of large mammal herbivores with up to 30 species; coexistence is based on resource partitioning. In this paper we analyse the features of the landscape and plant structure which lead herbivores to use particular locations, a key to resource partitioning. The processes involved, top-down versus bottom-up, are well known for large species and small ones but not for medium-sized ones. We use two resident, medium-sized species, topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) and kongoni, (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokei) in the central woodlands of the Serengeti; selection of habitat by the residents is important for predator-prey interactions and for interactions among the grazers. Using Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Regression we develop highly predictive models which show that resource availability is the critical determinant of habitat selection in the dry season; and reduction in predation risk appears to be important in the wet season. These results show for the first time that habitat selection by the medium-sized herbivores is driven by different strategies in the two seasons. This contributes to understanding the processes involved in the dynamics of this globally important savanna system, a necessary foundation for management. Full article

The transformer-based deep learning approach represents the current state-of-the-art in machine translation (MT) research. Large-scale pretrained transformer models produce state-of-the-art performance across a wide range of MT tasks for many languages. However, such deep neural network (NN) models are often data-, compute-, space-, power-, and energy-hungry, typically requiring powerful GPUs or large-scale clusters to train and deploy. As a result, they are often regarded as “non-green” and “unsustainable” technologies. Distilling knowledge from large deep NN models (teachers) to smaller NN models (students) is a widely adopted sustainable development approach in MT as well as in broader areas of natural language processing (NLP), including speech, and image processing. However, distilling large pretrained models presents several challenges. First, increased training time and cost that scales with the volume of data used for training a student model. This could pose a challenge for translation service providers (TSPs), as they may have limited budgets for training. Moreover, CO₂ emissions generated during model training are typically proportional to the amount of data used, contributing to environmental harm. Second, when querying teacher models, including encoder–decoder models such as NLLB, the translations they produce for low-resource languages may be noisy or of low quality. This can undermine sequence-level knowledge distillation (SKD), as student models may inherit and reinforce errors from inaccurate labels. In this study, the teacher model’s confidence estimation is employed to filter those instances from the distilled training data for which the teacher exhibits low confidence. We tested our methods on a low-resource Urdu-to-English translation task operating within a constrained training budget in an industrial translation setting. Our findings show that confidence estimation-based filtering can significantly reduce the cost and CO₂ emissions associated with training a student model without drop in translation quality, making it a practical and environmentally sustainable solution for the TSPs. Full article

Better mixing in the near-field region of jets with their surrounding fluid is of high interest for several industrial applications. Passive control that involves jet geometry modifications as compared to the traditional circular design is used in the present work. An analysis of the entrainment mechanism in the near jet-exit field is proposed for innovative hemispherical nozzles (circular and six-lobed). High-speed Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-PIV) measurements are used to experimentally characterize the entrainment mechanism in these jets. The distributions of mean entrainment rates, shear layer growth, and momentum flux are investigated along the longitudinal direction within the near-field region of both circular and lobed hemispherical jets. Significant entrainment enhancement is found using the hemispherical geometry as a passive-control method. By comparing both investigated hemispherical nozzle geometries, it has been demonstrated that the lobed nozzle provides higher mixing rates compared to the circular jet. This enhancement in mixing can be attributed to the stronger streamwise vortex structures generated by the lobed nozzle geometry, which promote increased entrainment of the surrounding fluid. Full article

The possible incorporation of Al and Zn issuing from galvanic anodes in the calcareous deposit forming on carbon steel surfaces subjected to cathodic protection was studied via three methodological approaches. The calcareous deposits were analyzed by X-ray diffraction for phase composition and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for chemical composition. First, a calcareous deposit formed on the steel pile of a seaport installation, sampled far (2 m) from the closest galvanic anode, was found to incorporate a small amount of the pollutants present in the seawater (Zn, Ti, Cu). An in situ experiment performed at another seaport focused on the calcareous deposit formed on steel surfaces close to the anode. In this case, a small amount of Zn directly issuing from the anode was incorporated in the deposit. This amount remained low as it corresponded to Zn(II) species adsorbed on the surface of aragonite crystals. Finally, laboratory experiments were performed with Zn(II) and/or Al(III) chlorides (10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ each) added to seawater. With both Zn(II) and Al(III), a Zn(II)-Al(III) hydroxychloride precipitated in the bulk seawater. With only Al(III), and under a higher cathodic current density, Al(III) could be incorporated in a deposit mainly composed of brucite, but only in small amount. Full article

In this study, we examined the role of intellectual humility (IH) as an antecedent of individual attitude toward sustainable tourism viewed from the lens of personality trait theory, virtue ethics theory, and regenerative tourism principles within a stakeholder framework. Data were collected via Qualtrics in an online survey of 233 adults in the United States. A series of confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were applied to the data to test the measurement model. In addition, a bifactor CFA was found to have acceptable fit and appropriate in controlling for common method variance. A series of covariance-based structural equations models (SEMs) was estimated to test the hypothesized model while controlling for common method variance in addition to individual age and gender. Using the chi-square difference test for nested model comparison, we found that intellectual humility was a significant antecedent of the negative ecological impact of tourism (β = 0.14, p < 0.01) while its relationships with economic and social impacts of travel became non-significant after controlling for common method variance. Pro-social tendency, operationalized as HEXACO Honesty–Humility, was also a significant antecedent of the negative ecological impact (β = 0.17) and positive economic impact (β = −0.34) of tourism, after controlling for common method variance. Despite its limitations due to its cross-sectional design and use of self-report data in the U.S., this study was novel in introducing intellectual humility as an important virtue to be cultivated at the individual level to achieve a holistic approach to sustainable tourism, especially in shaping destination choices. In addition, the study highlights the need to detect common method variance in self-report data via bifactor CFA to avoid erroneous reporting of significant findings, hampering our collective research efforts to address climate change and its impact. Full article

This study aimed to optimize the extraction of phytocompounds intended for wound care applications from three plant species, Sambucus nigra L. flowers and Epilobium hirsutum L. and Lythrum salicaria L. aerial parts, by using a Quality by Design approach. The effects of different extraction methods (ultra-turrax and ultrasonic-assisted extraction), ethanol concentrations (30%, 50%, 70%), and extraction times (3, 5, 10 min) were studied, and during the optimization step, the polyphenol and flavonoid contents were maximized. The phytochemical profiles of the optimized HEs (herbal extracts) were assessed using LC-MS/MS methods. The antioxidant capacity of the optimized HEs was determined using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity) TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays, while the antibacterial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MSSA—methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA—methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Cell viability and antioxidant and wound healing potential were assessed on keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed on fibroblasts by measuring levels of interleukins IL-6 and IL-8 and the production of nitric oxide from RAW 264.7 cells. The major compounds of the optimized HEs were rutin and chlorogenic acid. The Lythrum salicaria optimized HE showed the strongest antibacterial activity, while the Sambucus nigra optimized HE demonstrated high cell viability. Lythrum salicaria and Epilobium hirsutum optimized HEs showed increased antioxidant capacities. All extracts displayed anti-inflammatory effects, and the Epilobium hirsutum optimized HE exhibited the best in vitro wound-healing effect. Full article

Background: TOTUM-854 is a patented plant extract blend characterized by its components that have previously been described for their potential health benefits in limiting hypertension onset. However, most of the literature data remain descriptive regarding the mode of action at the cellular level, especially in humans, and further investigations are required for optimized therapeutic strategies. Methods: We first demonstrated in an L-NAME mouse model that TOTUM-854 supports the prevention of hypertension in vitro and in vivo. Then, we designed an ex vivo clinical innovative approach considering the circulating metabolites produced by the digestive tract upon TOTUM-854 ingestion in humans. Human serum was collected in healthy volunteers before and after the acute intake of 3.71 g of TOTUM-854. The bioavailability of circulating metabolites was confirmed and characterized by UPLC-MS. Human serum containing TOTUM-854-derived metabolites was further processed for incubation with human endothelial cells (HUVECs), in the absence or presence of palmitate (200 µM). Results: HUVEC protection against lipotoxicity was characterized by (1) decreased ACE-1 activity (−32% p < 0.0001); (2) the inhibition of oxidative stress with decreased ROS (−12% observed by DCFDA and DHE fluorescent microscopy) and decreased Nox2 gene expression (−6.7 fold change vs. palmitate, p < 0.01); and (3) the inhibition of an inflammatory response, with a decrease in IL-1β release (−37% compared to palmitate, p < 0.001) and decreased MCP-1 and VCAM-1 gene expression (−93% p < 0.001 and −77% p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Overall, this study provides insightful data regarding the protective role of TOTUM-854 in human endothelial cells. Using an innovative clinical ex vivo approach, our data support the role of TOTUM-854 circulating metabolites in vascular protection in humans. Full article

The evolution of food texturization techniques has opened new possibilities for producing healthy, ready-to-eat (RTE) snacks with improved sensory and nutritional properties. Originating from traditional methods such as deep frying and popping, the field has now embraced advanced technologies, including mechanical extrusion, puffing, Détente Instantanée Contrôlée (DIC), and the more recent Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum (IVDV). These methods focus on enhancing texture and flavor and preserving nutritional value, while also prolonging shelf life, effectively meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthier snack options. This review explores the various food texturization methods, highlighting the key parameters for the optimization of organoleptic and nutritional properties. The strengths and limitations of each method were systematically evaluated and critically assessed. The development of innovative approaches for potential industrial applications, alongside efforts to mitigate the drawbacks of conventional methods, has become imperative. A comparative analysis was conducted, focusing on aspects such as productivity, efficacy, and operational conditions, demonstrating that the novel methods tend to be more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective while delivering the best-quality product in terms of texture, color, expansion factor, and nutritional content attributes. Full article

In the archaeometallurgical study of iron nails to investigate Roman manufacturing processes, multi-analyte characterization provides information on alloy composition and microstructure. Nails from the Roman sites of Forua, Aloria, and Iuliobriga (northern Spain) were studied. To characterize the iron phases and microstructures of the nails, optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), micro-Raman spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) realized in environmental mode, and microhardness measurements were carried out. The chemical composition of the metal was determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The corrosion mineralogical composition was determined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Aggressive burial conditions had a significant effect on the forms of corrosion of the Forua nails to the point of complete iron loss. Examination of the metal of the nails from the Aloria site revealed that most of the ironwork was made in the villa’s own forge. In the case of the Iuliobriga nails, different degrees of forging were identified associated with different workshops. Full article

Biofilms in aquaculture tanks pose significant challenges, hindering cleaning processes and contributing to antibiotic resistance. This study investigated the effects of four Pseudoalteromonas strains on flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) rearing, with a specific focus on biofilm control and microbial communities. After confirming the safety of these strains for O. edulis, we monitored biofilm development and bacterial communities during a 4-month sexual maturation period. Biofilm biovolume was quantified using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and bacterial community composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding of both biofilm and seawater samples. Our results revealed differences in bacterial community structure between biofilms and seawater. Furthermore, the presence of specific Pseudoalteromonas strains significantly impacted the composition of bacterial communities within the tanks. β-diversity analyses demonstrated that each strain exerted a unique influence on the bacterial community structure. Some Pseudoalteromonas strains effectively reduced biofilm biovolume without negatively impacting bacterial richness or diversity. These observations suggest that certain Pseudoalteromonas strains can effectively control biofilm formation while maintaining a diverse and potentially beneficial microbial community in O. edulis rearing tanks. The use of these strains as additives in aquaculture systems could offer several advantages, including reduced cleaning time and costs and a potential decrease in biocide usage. Full article

In recent years, the use of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has become a major concern when promoting sustainable development in construction. However, the design of concrete mixes and the prediction of their compressive strength becomes difficult due to the heterogeneity of recycled aggregates (RA). Artificial-intelligence (AI) approaches for the prediction of RAC compressive strength ${(f}_c)$ need a sizable database to have the ability to generalize models. Additionally, not all AI methods may update input values in the model to improve the performance of the algorithms or to identify some model parameters. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a new method based on Bayesian Networks (BNs) to predict the $f_c$ of RAC, as well as to identify some parameters of the RAC formulation to achieve a given $f_c$ target. The BN approach utilizes the available data from three input variables: water-to-cement ratio, aggregate-to-cement ratio, and RA replacement ratio to calculate the prior and posterior probability of $f_c$. The outcomes demonstrate how BNs may be used to forecast both forward and backward, related to the $f_c$ of RAC, and the parameters of the concrete formulation. Full article

The process of pulping and papermaking is a complicated, resource-demanding operation that requires energy, water, and chemicals. When not managed properly, the process can also contribute significantly to pollution. The washing process is one critical operation that impacts the process’s economics and environmental footprint. Most mills utilize rotary vacuum washers to separate black liquor from pulp, ensuring clean pulp for further processing downstream. Numerous factors influence the efficiency of a brown stock washer, and the washing operation itself is intricate. This study employs the system dynamics modeling approach to examine the critical role of brown stock washing in the pulp and paper industry, emphasizing optimizing process parameters for improved efficiency and sustainability. In the first part of the paper, a single stage of the washer system is modeled by establishing mass balance equations for key streams, including pulp, liquor, and dissolved solids. Within the system dynamics environment, separate models are developed for each stream, allowing for a detailed analysis of their behavior. To enhance modeling efficiency, the brown stock washing process is divided into four distinct operations: dilution, pulp formation, washing, and filtration. Breaking down the process into these operations makes it possible to focus on optimizing each step for improved overall performance. Furthermore, a control strategy is implemented to ensure stability in critical areas such as dilution vat level, discharged pulp consistency, and filtration tank level. In the final phase of the research, a multistage countercurrent brown stock washing line comprising three washers is modeled. Researchers can gain insights into how different components interact and influence overall performance by evaluating various parameters and analyzing the line’s efficiency. This comprehensive analysis enables them to identify potential improvements and optimize the washing process for enhanced productivity and quality output. The conclusions drawn from this work offer valuable guidance for optimizing water management practices in the pulp and paper sector, contributing to the industry’s sustainability goals and regulatory compliance. Full article

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the world we live in, because of the rapid global population growth and climate change (drought, extreme temperature fluctuations). People in developing countries need more sustainable protein sources instead of the traditional, less sustainable meat, fish, egg, and dairy products. Alternative sources (plant-based, such as grains (wheat, rice sorghum), seeds (chia, hemp), nuts (almond, walnut), pulses (beans, lentil, pea, lupins), and leaves (duckweed), as well as mycoproteins, microalgae, and insects) can compensate for the increased demand for animal protein. In this context, our attention has been specifically focused on duckweed—which is the third most important aquatic plant after the microalgae Chlorella and Spirulina—to explore its potential for use in a variety of areas, particularly in the food industry. Duckweed has special properties: It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world (in freshwater), multiplying its mass in two days, so it can cover a water surface quickly even in filtered sunlight (doubling its biomass in 96 hours). During this time, it converts a lot of carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is sustainable, environmentally friendly (without any pesticides), and fast growing; can be grown in indoor vertical farms and aquaculture, so it does not require land; is easy to harvest; and has a good specific protein yield. Duckweed belongs to the family Araceae, subfamily Lemnoideae, and has five genera (Lemna, Spirodela, Wolffia, Wolffiella, Landolita) containing a total of approximately 36–38 recognised species. Duckweed is gaining attention in nutrition and food sciences due to its potential as a sustainable source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. However, there are several gaps in research specifically focused on nutrition and the bioaccessibility of its components. While some studies have analysed the variability in the nutritional composition of different duckweed species, there is a need for comprehensive research on the variability in nutrient contents across species, growth conditions, harvesting times, and geographic locations. There has been limited research on the digestibility, bioaccessibility (the proportion of nutrients that are released from the food matrix during digestion), and bioavailability (the proportion that is absorbed and utilised by the body) of nutrients in duckweed. Furthermore, more studies are needed to understand how food processing (milling, fermentation, cooking, etc.), preparation methods, and digestive physiology affect the nutritional value and bioavailability of the essential bioactive components in duckweed and in food matrices supplemented with duckweed. This could help to optimise the use of duckweed in human diets (e.g., hamburgers or pastas supplemented with duckweed) or animal feed. More research is needed on how to effectively incorporate duckweed into diverse cuisines and dietary patterns. Studies focusing on recipe development, consumer acceptance, palatability, and odour are critical. Addressing these gaps could provide valuable insights into the nutritional potential of duckweed and support its promotion as a sustainable food source, thereby contributing to food security and improved nutrition. In summary, this article covers the general knowledge of duckweed, its important nutritional values, factors that may affect their biological value, and risk factors for the human diet, while looking for technological solutions (covering traditional and novel technologies) that can be used to increase the release of the useful, health-promoting components of duckweed and, thus, their bioavailability. This article, identifying gaps in recent research, could serve as a helpful basis for related research in the future. Duckweed species with good properties could be selected by these research studies and then included in the human diet after they have been tested for food safety. Full article

During winter 2023–2024, the Charente River experienced four successive flood events in six months, including one major flood and three moderate ones. These grouped floods affected a huge territory in the Charente valley, in particular the Territoire à Risque d’Inondation Important (TRI, i.e., Major Flood Risk Area) between Angoulême and Saintes (46 municipalities). Although they produced little immediate damage due to their slow kinematics and low flow speeds, they had a major impact on the functioning of the territory through prolonged house flooding and infrastructure disruption. This repeated flood sequence is all the more remarkable in that it occurs after the February 2021 extreme flood and a backdrop of severe and prolonged drought initiating in 2019. This article proposes to analyze grouped floods, a complex and little-studied hydrological phenomenon, from a geohistorical perspective in order to demonstrate that they are not emergent events and to look for historical precedents that show that these particular events have already occurred in the past but have been neglected or underestimated until now. Among past grouped flood sequences extending back to 1700, a significant similarity arises with the 1859–1860 flood sequence. In both cases, the first annual flood occurred early in the year in response to an early storm season and followed an uncommon hot and dry summer. Although the floods of 2023–2024 are well documented through both meteorological and hydrological data, as well as the surrounding context, the floods of 1859–1860 remain poorly constrained. By gathering a wide range of documentary sources and instrumental data, we try to better understand the context and the course of this past sequence of grouped floods, with particular emphasis on the first annual flood, the November 1859 flood. The analysis of similarities and divergences between sequences of past and recent grouped floods makes it possible to improve knowledge of their formation and course in order to better anticipate these particular events in the context of climate change. Full article

The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) exhibits significant intraspecific diversity globally, with distinct ecotypes identified in various regions. In the Guadeloupe archipelago, the citizen science NGO OMMAG has been monitoring these dolphins for over a decade, documenting two distinct morphotypes. This study investigates whether these morphotypes represent coastal and oceanic ecotypes, which have not been previously identified in the region. We characterized morphological differences between the two morphotypes, analyzed genetic variation in individuals stranded around Guadeloupe over the past ten years, and modeled their habitats. Results revealed that these morphotypes align with the ecotypes described in the Atlantic Ocean, forming two distinct genetic groups corresponding to Caribbean ecotypes. Habitat modeling showed differences in habitat preferences between the morphotypes. These findings provide strong evidence for the existence of two distinct ecotypes of T. truncatus in Guadeloupe. Considering the varied risks of exposure to maritime traffic, our study suggests that these ecotypes should be managed as separate units within the species to better inform conservation strategies in the region. Full article