Search Results (2,139)

Air quality improvement represents a critical challenge for the European Union, with particulate matter (PM) being the most harmful pollutant in urban areas. Urban Green Infrastructures (UGIs) provide essential ecosystem services that mitigate air pollution, notably through PM₁₀ removal via deposition on leaf surfaces, reducing health risks associated with poor air quality. This study quantifies the PM₁₀ removal supplied by urban forests in the Bydgoszcz–Toruń area (Poland) using a spatially explicit modeling framework. Remotely sensed Leaf Area Index, vegetation cover, and PM₁₀ concentration data were integrated within a GIS environment, with all analyses conducted on a seasonal basis to capture temporal variability in vegetation phenology and pollutant levels. Resulting maps of mean seasonal PM₁₀ removal efficiency (kg/ha) reveal distinct functional group patterns: deciduous broadleaves reach peak efficiency in summer, whereas conifers provide a more consistent year-round contribution, resulting in the highest annual removal. Monetary valuation was performed using externality costs from the European Environmental Agency. Overall, urban forests remove 3360.40 Mg of PM₁₀ annually, corresponding to an estimated value of 255.69 M€. Integrating biophysical and economic perspectives supports urban planning and highlights UGIs as nature-based solutions to enhance air quality, protect public health and promote ecosystem biodiversity and resilience. Full article

The deep integration of machine learning technology with geological prospecting has brought to the forefront a key challenge: how to construct geological-mineralization models by fusing multi-source data, select model features with guidance from metallogenic factors, build multi-source metallogenic prediction models with geological constraints, and ultimately achieve a thorough integration of domain knowledge and machine intelligence. The Eastern-Central Tianshan region is one of China’s most important copper–nickel mineral resource bases, predominantly hosting magmatic copper–nickel sulfide deposits with significant resource potential. In this context, this paper proposes a metallogenic prediction model based on multi-modal feature fusion technology. The model employs a Residual Neural Network (ResNet) incorporating a Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) attention mechanism and a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) to extract features from different modalities. It integrates multi-source data, including geochemical information, geological metallogenic factors, and aeromagnetic data. A cross-modal feature interaction module, constructed using attention weighting and a gating mechanism, enables deep fusion of the features. After training, the model achieved a prediction accuracy of 97% on the test set. Compared to a unimodal model constructed using Random Forest, the confidence and discriminative capability of the training results were significantly enhanced, validating the effectiveness of multi-modal feature fusion. Applying the trained model to the study area, a total of 11 prospective metallogenic zones were delineated. These include 4 zones in the peripheries of known deposits and 7 zones in previously unexplored (blank) areas. Notably, some known mineral occurrences fall within the predicted blank-area targets, validating the feasibility and significant value of multi-modal feature fusion in mineral prediction. This work provides a novel methodology for the subsequent integrated processing of multi-source data. Full article

Artificial intelligence is already being used in the administration of Justice, with various applications assisting judges in resolving cases. In particular, in criminal Justice, these applications include predictive Justice and decision-making assistance through the assessment of facts, as well as the classification of criminals into risk groups. This article examines the current regulatory and ethical framework (AI Act, Council of Europe Convention on AI, CEPEJ Ethical Charter, UNESCO and OECD principles) and develops a regulatory approach to the use of AI systems by judges and prosecutors. The methodology is based on a doctrinal analysis of international, EU, and professional ethical literature, as well as on a synthesis of principles of judicial conduct (Bangalore Principles, Magna Carta of Judges). To strike a balance between the rules of governing system use and judicial ethics, the article proposes a consistent framework of ethical principles (legitimacy, transparency, accountability, integrity, human oversight, prohibition of discrimination) and introduces a practical “line of reasoning” with key questions that judges should consider before and during the use of intelligent tools (risks, bias, proportionality, understanding of the algorithm, and impact on judicial judgment). The article concludes that AI may improve the efficiency of the justice system only when included inside a strong ethical framework and specialized training, guaranteeing that final judicial decisions remain solely human and fully aligned with the rule of law. Full article

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, coupled with UNESCO’s Education 2030 vision, necessitate a re-evaluation of teachers’ technological and pedagogical competencies aligned with sustainability goals. This study investigates the impact of pre-service teachers developing digital materials within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using AI and AI-supported Web 2.0 tools (e.g., ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Alayna, Padlet, Canva, Kahoot) on their Artificial Intelligence Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (AI-TPACK) levels. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the research was conducted with 31 pre-service teachers over a 10-week applied training period. Data were collected via the AI-TPACK Scale and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative findings revealed that the applied training significantly enhanced the pre-service teachers’ Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), AI-Technological Knowledge (AI-TK), Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), and overall AI-TPACK levels. However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the Content Knowledge (CK) dimension. Qualitative data demonstrated that AI-supported tools made the learning environment more engaging and efficient, concretized abstract sustainability concepts, and bolstered the pre-service teachers’ digital self-confidence. Consequently, this study establishes that integrating AI tools into SDG education is an effective strategy for cultivating pre-service teachers’ technopedagogical competencies, empowering them to perceive technology as a facilitator of professional development rather than an instructional barrier. Full article

Founded in 1703, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire. Its historic center and associated monuments are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its components are classified as cultural rather than natural or mixed. We hypothesized that a part of them has an additional ecotourism value. We carried out field observations along with a review of the literature. Our results confirmed the hypothesis: many of these sites retain important elements of biodiversity that can be used for environmental education. Large congregations of birds can be observed in close proximity to Heritage monuments. Wintering bats occupy the interiors of historic fortifications, and in summer, concentrations of feeding bats can be found nearby. Seal haul-out sites have been documented on small islands near the city. The ecotourism and nature-conservation value of these Heritage landscapes is usually linked to the original logic of their selection. The best locations were chosen for palace construction—dry, scenic areas with fertile soils suitable for park creation. Proximity to bodies of water was equally important, both for aesthetic reasons and for sanitation. These same qualities also make such areas highly favorable for biodiversity. Even after centuries of development, many natural features have persisted. Full article

Romania joined the UNESCO Convention in 1990. The fortified church of Biertan was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993, followed by six additional Transylvanian fortified church villages in 1999. An interesting feature of this heritage landscape is that settlements with different demographic and development trajectories share the same World Heritage designation. In our research, we collected demographic and tourism data from these seven municipalities. Subsequently, a standard questionnaire was sent to municipal decision-makers (mayors) in 2023 to map tourism development in their municipalities. The communication activities of the municipalities were analysed using a content analysis method, which was observation-based and based only on online content. In our experience, there is no common strategy to turn this heritage into a tourist attraction; each of the seven municipalities has faced this challenge separately. The main result of the research was to explore how heritage tourism works in municipalities with different demographic, linguistic-cultural heritage and with different levels of management. Full article

Regional differences in land use transitions and urban expansion patterns have become increasingly pronounced under rapid urbanization. However, conventional land use and land cover change (LUCC) analyses often rely on independent graphical presentations, limiting systematic cross-regional comparison and the identification of spatial heterogeneity. To address this limitation, this study constructs a comparative land use transition analytical framework integrating LUCC contrastive transition patterns, the landscape expansion index (LEI), and the PLUS model. The framework enables structured identification of transition directions, intensity differentials, and stage-specific characteristics, thereby enhancing the reproducibility and comparability of cross-regional land use analysis. Using Xi’an (inland) and Quanzhou (coastal) as representative cases, this study analyzed their land use changes from 1990 to 2020 based on Intensity Analysis and LUCC contrastive transition patterns and quantified the differences in urban expansion using the urban expansion intensity index and expansion pattern metrics. The results show that the urban expansion of Xi’an and Quanzhou was active during 1990–2020, with crops as the main stable source of urban expansion. This urban expansion mainly took the form of edge-expansion and infilling, with urban development transitioning from disorderly expansion to intensive utilization. Notable regional disparities were observed: Forest conversion to urban land was substantially higher in Quanzhou, reflecting stronger ecological land pressure in coastal areas, whereas grass conversion to crops was more prominent in Xi’an, suggesting agricultural spatial adjustment under food security constraints in inland regions. The PLUS model further demonstrates that urban expansion is jointly influenced by topographic conditions (DEM) and economic growth (GDP), highlighting the coupled effects of natural constraints and development dynamics. This study clarifies the differentiation characteristics and driving forces of coastal and inland urban expansion, providing a scientific basis for differentiated territorial spatial planning, ecological protection, and farmland management in eastern and western regions. It also helps formulate more targeted urban development policies based on regional resource endowments, promoting regional coordination and sustainable urbanization. Full article

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has evolved into a highly effective neurohormonal intervention for severe obesity; however, it introduces unique long-term vulnerabilities, particularly regarding alcohol (AUD) and substance use disorders (SUD). This review synthesizes the epidemiological, pharmacokinetic, and neurobiological drivers of postoperative substance misuse. Procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) radically alter ethanol metabolism, eliminating first-pass metabolism and accelerating gastric emptying, while simultaneously recalibrating reward pathways, creating a “reward gap” that facilitates addiction transfer. These physiological shifts exacerbate critical micronutrient deficiencies (thiamine, B12, iron), increase the risk of post-bariatric hypoglycemia, and correlate with higher rates of liver cirrhosis and suicide. Furthermore, substance use is a primary driver of suboptimal weight loss trajectories and weight regain. Mitigation requires a lifelong, multidisciplinary framework involving preoperative risk stratification, validated screening (e.g., AUDIT-C), and targeted nutritional supplementation to safeguard the long-term metabolic and psychological benefits of MBS. Full article

Since 1988, the Hierapolis-Pamukkale site has been included in the UNESCO list for the uniqueness of its archaeological ruins and thermal installations within an extraordinary natural setting. The site is located in the active seismic area of the Denizli basin, which has been affected over the centuries by recurrent strong earthquakes that destroyed numerous ancient cities, some of which were later abandoned due to heavy damage. Hierapolis to this day exhibits faulted architectural relics distributed throughout the site, crossed by natural petrified water channels, and generally related to the largely exposed main faults visible in the SSE-NNW direction. The Basilica Bath is a partially collapsed monumental building located outside the northern part of the Hierapolis walls, where the primary faults are supposed to run, but have not been clearly identified. In this paper, we present the results of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) carried out to detect archaeological features and, in a selected line, coupled with seismic refraction tomography (SRT) to identify possible fault directions related to the partial collapse of the Basilica Bath. Geophysical measurements provide new data on supposed buried remains, and a likely fault configuration that may have caused the partial collapse of the building, supporting further studies on its reconstruction and reuse in ancient times. Full article

Groundwater is a critical resource in the arid Chili River sub-basin (3246 km²) in Arequipa, southern Peru, yet the aquifer systems, their recharge mechanisms, and chemical evolution remain poorly characterized. This study integrates hydrogeological mapping, major-ion hydrochemistry (31 samples from springs and wells), and stable-isotope tracing (δ¹⁸O and δ²H, 11 sources) to delineate aquifer types, groundwater flow systems, and recharge dynamics across an elevation gradient of 2000–4000 m a.s.l. Three principal aquifer groups were identified: unconsolidated porous aquifers beneath the Arequipa urban area, fracture-controlled volcanic aquifers associated with the Chachani, Misti, and Pichupichu volcanic complexes, and sedimentary fractured aquifers of the Yura Group. Piper and Stiff diagrams reveal a chemical evolution from calcium-bicarbonate waters at high elevations to sodium-chloride waters in the lowlands, while scatter-plot analysis distinguishes local, intermediate, and regional flow systems. Elevated boron concentrations linked to borate deposits on Pichupichu volcano pose a potential health risk in supply springs such as La Bedoya. Isotopic signatures confirm that wells are recharged predominantly by high-altitude rainfall (>4000 m a.s.l.), whereas springs integrate water from multiple elevations through fractured volcanic formations. These findings provide a scientific basis for recharge-zone protection, abstraction planning, and water-quality monitoring to sustain groundwater supply under increasing urbanization and climatic variability. Full article

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) for cultural heritage is increasingly recognized as a global priority, yet methodological harmonization and conceptual inconsistencies continue to hinder its effective implementation. This study develops and tests an integrated framework for Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) applied to the Arian Baptistery of Ravenna—part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna since 1996. By combining elements from the ICCROM ABC Method, the IPCC/UNDRR conceptual models, and the QuiskScan model associated with the Nara Grid for value assessment, the research identifies the essential data, definitions, and conditions required to prepare a coherent risk knowledge base. The workflow includes five main steps: context analysis, stakeholder mapping, value assessment, terminological alignment, and risk components systematization. Results demonstrate that effective DRA depends not only on technical assessment of hazards but also on the integration of social, institutional, and governance factors that shape vulnerability. The study also proposes a hybrid hazard framework combining ICCROM’s Ten Agents of Deterioration with the UNDRR 2025 List of Hazards, expanding the concept of “dissociation” to include governance failures and socio-political risks. The Arian Baptistery thus serves as both a case study and a methodological laboratory, offering a replicable model for organizing knowledge, harmonizing terminology, and bridging disciplinary divides in cultural heritage risk management. Full article

Globally, freshwater scarcity is driving the urgent demand for advanced and new desalination technologies to overcome the shortage of clean water. Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes dominate seawater and brackish water treatment but are limited by the permeability–selectivity trade-off, fouling, and structural instability. To overcome these challenges, we employed a phase inversion process to fabricate polysulfone (PSF) supports embedded with a graphene oxide–poly(amidoamine) (GO-PAMAM) nanocomposite at three concentrations (0.03, 0.06, and 0.10 wt%), alongside a pristine control membrane with no GO-PAMAM. Systematic variation in GO-PAMAM loading revealed that a 0.06 wt% nanoparticle helps in producing a more uniform polyamide layer that achieves a high NaCl rejection (95.88%) and higher water flux (42.6 L m⁻² h⁻¹). The performance was evaluated at an operating pressure of 20 bar with a feed flow rate of 4 L min⁻¹. The optimized membrane also demonstrated an improved fouling resistance, retaining 93% of its initial flux after fouling. This scalable approach highlights substrate-level modification as an effective strategy for next-generation RO membranes, advancing sustainable and energy-efficient desalination to meet escalating global water demands. Full article

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms the landscape of higher education, there is a critical need to develop AI competency among both educators and students. However, current AI policies and guidelines are often top-down and lack grassroots insights from key stakeholders. Drawing on the recently released UNESCO AI competency frameworks for educators and students (2024), this study presents findings from a global survey of over 600 students and educators. The results highlight significant disparities in AI engagement across groups, disciplines, and regions, as well as barriers such as inconsistent institutional guidance, limited access to hands-on training, and infrastructural constraints, particularly in Global South contexts. Drawing on these insights, the study offers practical, evidence-informed recommendations for higher education institutions, educators, and students to support equitable, sustainable, and context-sensitive AI competency development. Full article

The mechanisms by which the regional hydroclimate responds to global climate forcing are complex, particularly in geographically heterogeneous countries like China. Focusing on Hunan Province, this study employs the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) derived from long-term precipitation records at 87 meteorological stations to delineate climatic sub-regions with coherent dry–wet variability. Using rotated empirical orthogonal function analysis, we systematically characterize the spatiotemporal patterns of SPI components and quantify their teleconnections with global ocean–atmosphere circulation modes. The analysis of multi-timescale SPI reveals four distinct sub-regions and a pronounced northwest–southeast dipole in long-term trends. Despite an overall reduction in annual drought, the northwestern sub-region experienced intensification. Seasonally, a pattern of spring/autumn drying versus summer/winter wetting emerged. Wavelet analysis identified dominant interannual (2–7 years) and interdecadal (13–71 months) oscillations. These periodicities are significantly teleconnected to large-scale circulation indices (e.g., Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation), with influences peaking at 16–64-month and 2–5-year scales. Importantly, the primary circulating driver differs by sub-region, revealing a complex teleconnection landscape. The findings delineate region-specific atmospheric pathways, offering insights to bolster drought preparedness and optimize water allocation, thereby enhancing climate resilience in vulnerable monsoon transition zones. Full article