Search Results (11,502)

Planting patterns and irrigation amounts are key factors affecting maize yield. This study adopted a two-factor experimental design, with planting pattern as the main plot and irrigation amount as the subplot, to investigate the effects of irrigation levels under different planting patterns (including uniform row spacing and alternating wide-narrow row spacing) on spring maize yield and water use efficiency in Xinjiang. Through this approach, the study examined the mechanisms by which planting pattern and irrigation amount influence maize growth, yield formation, and water use efficiency. Experiments conducted at the Agricultural Science Research Institute of the Ninth Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps demonstrated that alternating wide-narrow row spacing combined with moderate irrigation (5400 m³/hm²) significantly optimized maize root distribution, improved water use efficiency, and increased leaf area index and net photosynthetic rate, thereby promoting dry matter accumulation and yield enhancement. In contrast, uniform row spacing under high irrigation levels increased yield but resulted in lower water use efficiency. The study also found that alternating wide-narrow row spacing enhanced maize nutrient absorption from the soil, particularly phosphorus utilization efficiency, by improving canopy structure and root expansion. This pattern exhibited comprehensive advantages in resource utilization, providing a theoretical basis and technical pathway for achieving water-saving and high-yield maize production in arid regions, which holds significant importance for promoting sustainable agricultural development. Full article

In the current era, Indian agriculture faces a significant demand for increased food production, which has led to the integration of advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity. Drones have emerged as transformative tools for enhancing precision agriculture, reducing costs, and improving sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive review of drone adoption in Indian agriculture by examining its effects on precision farming, crop monitoring, and pesticide application. This research evaluates technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, farmers’ perceptions, and the financial accessibility of drone technology in the Indian agricultural context. Key findings indicate that, while drone adoption enhances efficiency and sustainability, challenges such as high costs, lack of training, and regulatory barriers hinder widespread implementation. This paper also explores the growing market for agricultural drones in India, highlighting key industry players and projected market growth. Furthermore, it addresses regional differences in adoption rates and emphasizes the increasing social acceptance of drones among Indian farmers. To bridge the gap between potential and practice, the study proposes several policy and institutional recommendations, including government-led financial incentives, training programs, and public–private partnerships to facilitate drone integration. Moreover, this review article also highlights technological advancements, such as AI and IoT, in agriculture. Finally, open issues and future research directions for drones are discussed. Full article

Observing building changes in remote sensing images plays a crucial role in monitoring urban development and promoting sustainable urbanization. Mainstream change detection methods have demonstrated promising performance in identifying building changes. However, buildings have large intra-class variance and high similarity with other objects, limiting the generalization ability of models in diverse scenarios. Moreover, most existing methods only detect whether changes have occurred but ignore change types, such as new construction and demolition. To address these issues, we present a building change-type detection network (BCTDNet) based on the Segment Anything Model (SAM) to identify newly constructed and demolished buildings. We first construct a dual-feature interaction encoder that employs SAM to extract image features, which are then refined through trainable multi-scale adapters for learning architectural structures and semantic patterns. Moreover, an interactive attention module bridges SAM with a Convolutional Neural Network, enabling seamless interaction between fine-grained structural information and deep semantic features. Furthermore, we develop a change-aware attribute decoder that integrates building semantics into the change detection process via an extraction decoding network. Subsequently, an attribute-aware strategy is adopted to explicitly generate distinct maps for newly constructed and demolished buildings, thereby establishing clear temporal relationships among different change types. To evaluate BCTDNet’s performance, we construct the JINAN-MCD dataset, which covers Jinan’s urban core area over a six-year period, capturing diverse change scenarios. Moreover, we adapt the WHU-CD dataset into WHU-MCD to include multiple types of changing. Experimental results on both datasets demonstrate the superiority of BCTDNet. On JINAN-MCD, BCTDNet achieves improvements of 12.64% in IoU and 11.95% in F1 compared to suboptimal methods. Similarly, on WHU-MCD, it outperforms second-best approaches by 2.71% in IoU and 1.62% in F1. BCTDNet’s effectiveness and robustness in complex urban scenarios highlight its potential for applications in land-use analysis and urban planning. Full article

Digitalization is rapidly reshaping the global construction industry; however, its adoption in developing countries, such as Pakistan, remains limited and uneven. Hence, this study investigates and evaluates the current status of digital technology integration in Pakistan’s construction industry, with a primary focus on key tools, implementation challenges, and necessary policy interventions. Using a three-phase mixed-method approach involving a literature review, expert interviews, and a nationwide survey, this research identifies Building Information Modeling, Geographic Information Systems, and E-Procurement as essential technologies with strong potential to improve transparency, efficiency, and collaboration. However, adoption is hindered by a lack of awareness, limited technical expertise, and the absence of a cohesive national policy. This study also highlights that the private sector shows greater readiness compared to the public sector; however, systemic barriers persist across both sectors. Based on stakeholder insights, a three-part policy strategy was also proposed. This includes establishing a national regulatory framework, investing in capacity-building programs, and providing financial or institutional incentives to encourage the adoption of these measures. The findings emphasize that digitalization is not just a technical upgrade; it represents a pathway to improved governance and more efficient infrastructure delivery. With timely and coordinated policy action, the construction industry in Pakistan can align itself with global innovation trends and move toward a more sustainable and digitally empowered future. Full article

Driven by the need for sustainable and efficient energy systems, the optimal management of distributed generation, including photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems within prosumer households, is of crucial importance. This requires a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis to assess their viability. In this study, an optimization model formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming problem is proposed to evaluate the integration of battery storage systems for 10 prosumers on the radial feeder in Croatia and to quantify the benefits both from the prosumers’ perspective and that of the reduction in grid losses. The results show significant annual cost reductions for prosumers, totaling EUR 1798.78 for the observed feeder, with some achieving a net profit. Grid losses are significantly reduced by 1172.52 kWh, resulting in an annual saving of EUR 216.25 for the distribution system operator. However, under the current Croatian market conditions, the integration of battery storage systems is not profitable over the entire lifetime due to the high initial investment costs of EUR 720/kWh. The break-even analysis reveals that investment cost needs to decrease by 52.78%, or an inflation rate of 4.87% is required, to reach prosumer profitability. This highlights the current financial barriers to the widespread adoption of battery storage systems and emphasizes the need for significant cost reductions or targeted incentives. Full article

Over the past 30 years, the City of Portland, Oregon, USA, has emerged as a national leader in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The initial impetus for implementing sustainable stormwater infrastructure in Portland stemmed from concerns about flooding and water quality in the city’s two major rivers, the Columbia and the Willamette. Heavy rainfall often led to combined sewer overflows, significantly polluting these waterways. A partial solution was the construction of “The Big Pipe” project, a large-scale stormwater containment system designed to filter and regulate overflow. However, Portland has taken a more comprehensive and long-term approach by integrating sustainable stormwater management into urban planning. Over the past three decades, the city has successfully implemented GSI to mitigate these challenges. Low-impact development strategies, such as bioswales, green streets, and permeable surfaces, have been widely adopted in streetscapes, pathways, and parking areas, enhancing both environmental resilience and urban livability. This perspective highlights the history of the implementation of Portland’s GSI programs, current design and performance standards, and challenges and lessons learned throughout Portland’s recent history. Innovative approaches to managing runoff have not only improved stormwater control but also enhanced green spaces and contributed to the city’s overall climate resilience while addressing economic well-being and social equity. Portland’s success is a result of strong policy support, effective integration of green and gray infrastructure, and active community involvement. As climate change intensifies, cities need holistic, adaptive, and community-centered approaches to urban stormwater management. Portland’s experience offers valuable insights for cities seeking to expand their GSI amid growing concerns about climate resilience, equity, and aging infrastructure. Full article

Addressing climate change and advancing clean energy transitions demand holistic approaches that capture complex, interconnected system behaviors. This review focuses on the application of causal loop diagrams (CLDs) as a core systems-thinking methodology to understand and manage dynamic feedback within environmental, social, and technological domains. CLDs visually map the reinforcing and balancing loops that drive climate risks, clean energy adoption, and sustainable development, offering intuitive insights into system structure and behavior. Through a synthesis of empirical studies and case examples, this paper demonstrates how CLDs help identify leverage points in renewable energy policy, carbon management, and ecosystem resilience. Despite their strengths in simplifying complexity and enhancing stakeholder communication, challenges remain—including data gaps, model validation, and the integration of diverse knowledge systems. The review also examines recent innovations that improve CLD effectiveness, such as hybrid modeling approaches and digital tools that enhance transparency and decision support. By emphasizing CLDs’ unique capacity to reveal feedback mechanisms critical for climate action and energy planning, this study provides actionable recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to leverage systems thinking for transformative, sustainable solutions. Full article

Continuous progress in the sector of additive manufacturing has drastically aided the design and fabrication of urban furniture, offering high levels of customization and adaptability. This work looks into the potential of 3D printing to transform urban public spaces by allowing for the creation of functional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-centered furniture solutions. Through additive manufacturing processes, urban furniture can be tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse communities, allowing for the extended usage of sustainable materials, modular designs, and smart technologies. The flexibility of 3D printing also promotes the fabrication of complex, intricate designs that would be difficult or cost-prohibitive using traditional methods. Additionally, 3D-printed furniture can be optimized for specific environmental conditions, providing solutions that enhance accessibility, improve comfort, and promote inclusivity. The various advantages of 3D-printed urban furniture are examined, including reduced material waste and the ability to rapidly prototype and iterate designs alongside the potential for on-demand, local production. By embedding sensors and IoT devices, 3D-printed furniture can also contribute to the development of smart cities, providing real-time data for urban management and improving the overall user experience. As cities continue to encourage and adopt sustainable and innovative solutions, 3D printing is believed to play a crucial role in future urban infrastructure planning. Full article

The increasing demand for food necessitates that agri-food systems adopt innovative techniques to enhance food production while optimizing the use of limited resources, such as water. In agriculture, hydrogels are being increasingly used to enhance water retention and reduce irrigation requirements. However, most of these materials are based on synthetic polymers that are not biodegradable. This raises serious environmental and health concerns, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Biomass-derived from agro-industrial waste presents a substantial potential for producing hydrogels, which can effectively function as water collectors and suppliers for crops. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the application of agro-industrial waste for the formulation of hydrogels. Additionally, it offers a critical analysis of the development of hydrogels utilizing natural and compostable materials. Agro-industrial and food waste, which are rich in hemicellulose and cellulose, have been utilized to enhance the mechanical properties and water absorption capacity of hydrogels. These biomaterials hold significant potential for the development of effective hydrogels in agricultural applications; they can be either hybrid or natural materials that exhibit efficacy in enhancing seed germination, improving water retention capabilities, and facilitating the controlled release of fertilizers. Natural hydrogels derived from agro-industrial waste present a sustainable technological alternative that is environmentally benign. Full article

The goals of the European Union towards the energy transition imply profound changes in the energy field, so as to promote sustainable energy development while fostering economic growth. To achieve these changes, the incorporation of sustainable technologies supporting decentralisation, energy efficiency, renewable energy production, and demand flexibility is of vital importance. Blockchain has the potential to change energy services towards this direction. To optimally exploit blockchain, innovative business models need to be designed, identifying the opportunities emerging from unmet needs, while also considering potential risks so as to take action to overcome them. In this context, the scope of this paper is to examine the opportunities and the risks that emerge from the adoption of blockchain in four innovative business models, while also identifying mitigation strategies to support and accelerate the energy transition, thus proposing optimal approaches of exploitation of blockchain in energy services. The business models concern Energy Performance Contracting with P4P guarantees, improved self-consumption in energy cooperatives, energy efficiency and flexibility services for natural gas boilers, and smart energy management for EV chargers and HVAC appliances. Firstly, the value proposition of the business models is analysed and results in a comprehensive SWOT analysis. Based on the findings of the analysis and consultations with relevant market actors, in combination with the examination of the relevant literature, risks are identified and evaluated through a qualitative assessment approach. Subsequently, specific mitigation strategies are proposed to address the detected risks. This research demonstrates that blockchain integration into these business models can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, enhance security, and support a more decentralised energy system, providing actionable insights for stakeholders to implement blockchain solutions effectively. Furthermore, according to the results, technological and legal risks are the most significant, followed by political, economic, and social risks, while environmental risks of blockchain integration are not as important. Strategies to address risks relevant to blockchain exploitation include ensuring policy alignment, emphasising economic feasibility, facilitating social inclusion, prioritising security and interoperability, consulting with legal experts, and using consensus algorithms with low energy consumption. The findings offer clear guidance for energy service providers, policymakers, and technology developers, assisting in the design, deployment, and risk mitigation of blockchain-enabled business models to accelerate sustainable energy development. Full article

This study highlights the spatial, seasonal, and climatic variations in bird species richness across Türkiye, a country with rich avian richness situated at the intersection of major migratory routes. Bird species richness was calculated for each province. Differences between regions, Köppen–Geiger climate classes, and seasons were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis method. Non-parametric analysis of longitudinal data in factorial experiments was also employed to determine seasonal differences within regions and climate classes. The results revealed significant spatial variations in species richness, particularly between temperate and cold climate regions. While seasonal differences were generally less pronounced, they were critical for both migratory and resident bird species. Wetlands, coastal areas, and transitional habitats were identified as biodiversity hotspots for both resident and migratory birds. This study underscores the need to integrate regional, climatic, and seasonal variations into ecosystem-based management plans. Protecting critical habitats, enhancing connectivity through ecological corridors, and adopting adaptive conservation strategies are essential for sustaining Türkiye’s rich avian diversity. These results provide valuable insights for conservation planning and emphasize the importance of addressing spatial and seasonal dynamics to ensure long-term biodiversity preservation. Full article

Modern beef cattle reproductive management faces increasing challenges due to the growing global demand for beef. Reproductive efficiency is a critical factor determining the productivity and profitability of beef cattle operations. Optimal reproductive performance in a beef cattle herd is achieved when each cow produces one calf per year, maintaining a calving interval of 365 days. However, this goal is difficult to achieve, as the gestation period in beef cows lasts approximately 280 days, leaving only 80–85 days for successful conception. Traditional methods, such as visual estrus detection, are becoming increasingly unreliable due to expanding herd sizes and the subjectivity of visual observation. Additionally, silent estrus—where ovulation occurs without noticeable behavioral changes—further complicates the accurate estrous-based identification of the optimal insemination period. To enhance reproductive efficiency, advanced technologies are increasingly being integrated into cattle management. Sensor-based monitoring systems, including accelerometers, pedometers, and ruminoreticular boluses, enable the precise tracking of activity changes associated with the estrous cycle. Furthermore, infrared thermography offers a non-invasive method for detecting body temperature fluctuations, allowing for more accurate estrus identification and optimized timing of insemination. The use of these innovative technologies has the potential to significantly improve reproductive efficiency in beef cattle herds and contribute to overall farm productivity and sustainability. The objective of this review is to examine advancements in smart technologies applied to beef cattle reproductive management, presenting commercially available technologies and recent scientific studies on innovative systems. The focus is on sensor-based monitoring systems and infrared thermography for optimizing reproduction. Additionally, the challenges associated with these technologies and their potential to enhance reproductive efficiency and sustainability in the beef cattle industry are discussed. Despite the benefits of advanced technologies, their implementation in cattle farms is hindered by financial and technical challenges. High initial investment costs and the complexity of data analysis may limit their adoption, particularly in small and medium-sized farms. However, the continuous development of these technologies and their adaptation to farmers’ needs may significantly contribute to more efficient and sustainable reproductive management in beef cattle production. Full article

This paper presents a scientometric review that provides a quantitative perspective on the evolution of Automation in Construction Journal (AICJ) research, emphasizing its developmental paths and emerging trends. The study aims to analyze the journal’s growth and citation impact over time. It also seeks to identify the most influential publications and the cooperation patterns among key contributors. Furthermore, the study explores the journal’s primary research themes and their evolution. Accordingly, 4084 articles were identified using the Web of Science (WoS) database and subjected to a multistep analysis using VOsviewer version 1.6.18 and Biblioshiny as software tools. First, the growth and citation of the publications over time are inspected and evaluated, in addition to ranking the most influential documents. Second, the co-authorship analysis method is applied to visualize the cooperation patterns between countries, organizations, and authors. Finally, the publications are analyzed using keyword co-occurrence and keyword thematic evolution analyses, revealing five major research clusters: (i) foundational optimization, (ii) deep learning and computer vision, (iii) building information modeling, (iv) 3D printing and robotics, and (v) machine learning. Additionally, the analysis reveals significant growth in publications (54.5%) and citations (78.0%) from 2018 to 2023, indicating the journal’s increasing global influence. This period also highlights the accelerated adoption of digitalization (e.g., BIM, computational design), increased integration of AI and machine learning for automation and predictive analytics, and rapid growth of robotics and 3D printing, driving sustainable and innovative construction practices. The paper’s findings can help readers and researchers gain a thorough understanding of the AICJ’s published work, aid research groups in planning and optimizing their research efforts, and inform editorial boards on the most promising areas in the existing body of knowledge for further investigation and development. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable and widely adopted technology for the treatment of organic solid wastes (OSWs). However, AD efficiency varies significantly across different substrates, primarily due to differences in the microbial community and metabolic pathways. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the AD processes for four types of typical OSWs (i.e., sewage sludge, food waste, livestock manure, and straw), with an emphasis on their universal characteristics across global contexts, focusing mainly on the electron transfer mechanisms, essential microbial communities, and key metabolic pathways. Special attention was given to the mechanisms by which substrate-specific structural differences influence anaerobic digestion efficiency, with a focused analysis and discussion on how different components affect microbial communities and metabolic pathways. This study concluded that the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway, TCA cycle, and the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway serve as critical breakthrough points for enhancing methane production potential. This research not only provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing AD efficiency, but also offers crucial scientific insights for resource recovery and energy utilization of OSWs, making significant contributions to advancing sustainable waste management practices. Full article

Design Thinking (DT) has emerged as a relevant methodology for addressing global challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study presents a systematic literature review, conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, which analyzes 42 peer-reviewed publications from 2013 to 2023. Through inductive content analysis, 10 core DT principles—such as empathy, iteration, user-centeredness, and systems thinking—I identified and thematically mapped to specific SDGs, including goals related to health, education, innovation, and climate action. The study also presents five real-world cases from diverse sectors such as technology, healthcare, and urban planning, illustrating how DT has been applied to address practical challenges aligned with the SDGs. However, the review identifies persistent gaps in the field: the lack of standardized evaluation frameworks, limited integration across SDG domains, and weak adaptation of ethical and contextual considerations, particularly in vulnerable communities. As a response, this paper recommends the adoption of structured impact assessment tools (e.g., Cities2030, Responsible Design Thinking), integration of design justice principles, and the development of participatory, iterative ecosystems for innovation. By offering both conceptual synthesis and applied insights, this article positions Design Thinking as a strategic and systemic approach for driving sustainable transformation aligned with the 2030 Agenda. Full article