Search Results (444)

Family Allotment Gardens (FAGs) represent key components of urban cooling and air-purification systems. However, research has mainly focused on their social roles and on their contributions to food production. This study quantified the capacity of FAGs in Warsaw (Poland) to provide two key ecosystem services at distances up to 300 m from their boundaries: air-pollution filtration and microclimate regulation. Measurements of particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), air temperature and relative humidity were conducted along transects inside and outside three allotment complexes in autumn 2023, a period characterised by increased traffic emissions and elevated particulate levels. The results show a moderate but significant reduction in PM concentrations inside gardens (by about 2 µg/m³; r = 0.22–0.29) and slightly higher humidity (by 2.1%; r = −0.34). The cooling effect was weak (<0.3 °C; r = 0.06), indicating a limited spatial range under autumn conditions, though selected transects exhibited stronger local effects. The results confirm that FAGs can contribute to air purification and local climate regulation, but their effectiveness depends on vegetation structure and urban context. Strengthening their role requires integration with green-infrastructure planning and emission-reduction practices within gardens. FAGs, beyond their recreational and productive value, should be recognised as active components of urban adaptation strategies. Full article

The rapid advancement of energy collection and storage systems (ECSSs) is fundamentally reshaping global energy markets and accelerating the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the economic benefits and systemic effects of advanced ECSS technologies, including photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) hybrid systems, advanced batteries, hydrogen-based storage, and thermal energy storage (TES). Through a mixed-methods approach combining techno-economic analysis, macroeconomic modeling, and policy review, we evaluate the cost trajectories, performance indicators, and deployment impacts of these technologies across major economies. The paper also introduces a novel economic-mathematical model to quantify the long-term macroeconomic benefits of large-scale ECSS deployment, including GDP growth, job creation, and import substitution effects. Our results indicate significant cost reductions for ECSS by 2050, with battery storage costs projected to fall below USD 50 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and green hydrogen production reaching as low as USD 1.2 per kilogram. Large-scale ECSS deployment was found to reduce electricity costs by up to 12%, lower fossil fuel imports by up to 25%, and generate substantial GDP growth and job creation, particularly in regions with supportive policy frameworks. Comparative cross-country analysis highlighted regional differences in economic effects, with the European Union, China, and the United States demonstrating the highest economic gains from ECSS adoption. The study also identified key challenges, including high capital costs, material supply risks, and regulatory barriers, emphasizing the need for integrated policies to accelerate ECSS deployment. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers aiming to design effective strategies for enhancing energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability through advanced energy storage technologies. Full article

This study aimed to test the additivity of digestible phosphorus (P) in mixed diets fed to pigs and to investigate the effects of P expressions in diet formulations on P excretion from pigs. In experiment 1, eight castrated male pigs (30.5 ± 1.5 kg) were allotted to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Three experimental diets contained wheat, soybean meal, or both as the sole P source, and a P-free diet was prepared to determine the basal endogenous losses of P. In experiment 2, twenty-four castrated male pigs (18.1 ± 0.7 kg) were allotted to a completely randomized design. Three experimental diets were prepared based on the total, apparent total tract digestible (ATTD), or standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P. In experiment 1, the measured ATTD of P in the mixed diet was greater (p < 0.05) than the predicted values, but no difference was observed in the STTD of P in the mixed diet. In experiment 2, the daily P output of the pigs fed the diet based on ATTD P was greater (p < 0.05) than that based on the total or STTD P. Overall, the STTD P provides a more accurate and additive measure of biologically available P in mixed diets for pigs, and the use of STTD P in formulations may reduce P excretions. Full article

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UA) plays an increasingly important role in promoting sustainable urban development, providing socioeconomic, environmental, and educational benefits. However, UA is often linked to nutrient accumulation in soils since vegetable-growing areas typically receive substantial inputs of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. This study examines soil variability in two sections of an urban allotment garden subjected to long-term manure fertilization for 12 or 16 years, with application rates up to 10–12 kg m⁻² yr⁻¹. Surface soils were analyzed for organic and inorganic carbon, total-N, available-P and -K, pH, and elemental composition using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Prolonged manure incorporation substantially enhanced soil fertility, as evidenced by increases in soil organic carbon (up to 3.78%), total-N (up to 0.38%), available-K (up to 412 mg kg⁻¹), and both total- and available-P (up to 2485 and 276 mg kg⁻¹, respectively). Marked shifts in mineral composition were also detected, including significant increases in total Ca, inorganic C (as calcium carbonate), Sr, and S. Despite the high manure inputs, no accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) was observed. However, pronounced spatial heterogeneity emerged among individual plots, with coefficients of variation reaching 58% for S and 47% for Zn, reflecting differences in fertilization intensity and management practices. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis proved highly effective for detecting soil compositional changes and adequate for predicting K and P availability, highlighting its value as a rapid diagnostic tool for precision agriculture. Overall, these findings demonstrate the agronomic benefits of long-term organic fertilization while emphasizing the need for careful management to avoid nutrient imbalances and ensure sustainable practices that minimize environmental risks. Full article

This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of graded levels of dietary organic selenium (OS) on the health, productivity, and egg quality of commercial laying hens. A total of 240 hens (26 weeks old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: a control basal diet (0 ppm OS) and three diets supplemented with OS from selenium yeast (SY-2000 or SY-3000) to achieve levels of 0.20, 0.30, and 0.45 ppm, respectively. The experiment lasted for 72 days. Performance metrics were recorded weekly, and samples were collected at two time points to assess physiological responses. The results demonstrated that supplementation with 0.30 and 0.45 ppm OS significantly improved key productivity parameters. Egg production (p < 0.05), egg weight (p < 0.001), and cumulative egg mass (p < 0.001) were higher in these groups compared to the control. Nutrient digestibility, including dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract, was also significantly enhanced (p < 0.001) at the higher OS levels. The antioxidant defense system was strengthened, as evidenced by the increased serum activity of the glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.001), superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01), and diphenyl picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the humoral immune response against Newcastle disease showed a significant, dose-dependent improvement (p < 0.001). In contrast, feed intake, various egg quality parameters (shell thickness, specific gravity, and Haugh unit), and serum mineral profiles remained unaffected (p > 0.05) by OS supplementation. In conclusion, dietary OS supplementation at 0.30–0.45 ppm effectively enhances laying performance, nutrient utilization, systemic antioxidant capacity, and specific immunity, with the 0.45 ppm level demonstrating the most consistent and comprehensive benefits under the conditions of this study. Full article

This article compares the roles of allotments and community gardens in democratising London’s urban food system. Drawing from ethnographic and participatory action research (PAR), it reveals a recent policy shift favouring community gardens compared to allotments, which has resulted in a net reduction in long-term urban agriculture space in London. The study contrasts these two trajectories of urban agriculture across five democratic processes: (1) fostering food security, (2) expanding health benefits, (3) reclaiming the commons, (4) building spaces of interaction and representation, and (5) decoupling from dominant regimes. While community gardens tend to perform well in terms of social inclusion and environmental education of local communities and marginalised populations, allotments tend to be more successful in terms of productive capacity and developing autonomy due to their relatively more secure tenure. However, both trajectories are increasingly challenged by the dynamics of neoliberal urban development and the withdrawal of the state from its welfare responsibilities. This article argues that both trajectories do not have to be mutually exclusive and that their coexistence is in fact necessary to develop a more resilient urban food system, one that realises the principles of food sovereignty, social justice, and agroecological urbanisms at the local level. Full article

(1) Background: How to reduce respiratory diseases in animals is a matter of great concern, and this study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal administration with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on the lung health of neonatal pigs. (2) Methods: Fifteen sows were randomly allotted to one of five ATRA groups (0, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mg/kg diet), respectively; on average, from days 12 to 95 after insemination, lung samples of neonatal pigs were harvested for HE staining, 16S DNA sequencing, and transcriptomic analysis. (3) Results: Compared to neonatal pigs from the ATRA0 group, neonatal pigs from the ATRA4 group had an increased (p > 0.05) alveolar number and the thinner (p < 0.05) alveolar septum, higher (p < 0.05) abundance of Akkermansia and unidentified_Mitochondria, and a lower (p < 0.05) abundance of Acinetobacter, Cutibacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Enterobacter, Saccharomonospora, and Alistipes in the lungs. Maternal supplementation of ATRA at 4 mg/kg diet had the benefits of reducing pathogen virulence and drug resistance, but it poses the risk of increasing the resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. In addition, it reduced (p < 0.05) the virulence, drug resistance, and stress tolerant capacity of potential pathogens (Proteobacteria, Acinetobacter, Cupriavidus, and Pseudomonas), enriched the highest number of genes in neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathway, and decreased gene expression of CCL11 and IL9 in the asthma pathway. (4) Conclusions: Maternal supplementation of ATRA at 4 mg/kg diet can strengthen the lung health of neonatal pigs by improving alveolar development, decreasing the number and virulence of pathogens, and down-regulating the expression of asthma-related genes. Full article

Despite manganese’s essential role as a cofactor for multiple enzymes, its potential to disrupt iron homeostasis when supplemented in excess remains a critical knowledge gap in swine nutrition. This study evaluated the effects of Mn (manganese)-supplemented diets on growth, hematology, mineral accumulation, digestibility, and intestinal iron transporter expression in weaned pigs. A total of 128 crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Largewhite) with an average body weight of 9.82 ± 0.15 kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments comprising a basal diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, or 80 mg MnSO₄ per kg diet for 28 days. Blood samples were collected from 16 weaned pigs (1 pig per pen, 4 per treatment), after which animals were euthanized for tissue sampling. No differences were observed in growth performance. However, Mn concentrations in serum, liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, and metatarsal bones increased both linearly and quadratically with increasing dietary Mn (p < 0.05), and Fe (iron) concentrations in serum, hemoglobin, liver, and metatarsal bone decreased (p < 0.05). Apparent digestibility data further revealed that Mn absorption peaked at 20 mg/kg, while Fe digestibility declined linearly with increasing Mn levels. Moreover, duodenal DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1) mRNA expression was decreased, whereas FPN1 (ferroportin 1) was upregulated. These findings demonstrate that excessive Mn supplementation impairs dietary Fe absorption and homeostasis in weaned pigs, suggesting that the antagonism occurs at both the transcriptional and intestinal absorption levels, providing critical insights for dietary formulation in swine. Full article

This paper discusses Dai Zhen’s 戴震 (1724–1777) interpretation of human nature against the backdrop of Mencius’s claim that human nature is good. I argue that Dai Zhen ingeniously reinterprets the “shan” 善 (good; goodness) in terms of “fen” 分 (allotments; distinction) to view the claimed “goodness” as the unique and finest physical makeup of human nature that possesses the potential ability to know moral goodness, viz. liyi 理義 (principle & righteousness). Nonetheless, rather than a transcendental principle or some heavenly endowed virtue, liyi is present in human relationships and everyday life. At the crux of the issue is how to activate the given ability and advance our intelligent mind for principle and righteousness. By ridding “xingshan” 性善 (human nature is good) of its inherent moral properties as Mencius posits in his theory of human nature, Dai Zhen, from a naturalistic and empirical stance, proposes an unconventional approach to the longstanding debate over whether human nature is good or evil in Confucian discourse. While his interpretation may unsettle us that are accustomed to the traditional view of the “goodness” of human nature as one’s innate moral feelings of ren yi li zhi 仁義禮智 (benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, and propriety), Dai Zhen’s reading has undoubtedly thrown a new light on this famed Mencian thesis. Full article

Enterococci from raw goat milk were taxonomically allotted in the species Enterococcus faecalis using sequencing (16S rRNA and BLASTn analysis) with a percentage identity up to 99.91%. The virulence factor gene gelE was found in the strains EE/K3, EE/G3, and EE/G6. The agg gene was detected in the strain EE/G6, and the esp gene was detected in the strains EE/K5 and EE/G7. Each strain possessed at least one virulence factor gene. In the strain EE/G6, the gelE and esp genes were found. The strains EE/G6 and EE/G3 showed resistance to tetracycline and vancomycin. EE/G7 was resistant to vancomycin and gentamicin. All strains possessed low-grade biofilm-forming ability (0.1 < A570 ≤ 1.0). They possessed genes for biofilm formation (bopD, srt, and/or ace). They also produced esterase (20–40 nmo/L), esterase lipase, and α-chymotrypsin (10–40 nmoL). The values of acid phosphatase reached 20–40 nmoL. The strains EE/G3, EE/G6, and EE/G7 were observed to possess the most pathogenicity. However, all strains were susceptible to postbiotic active substances produced by two autochthonous lactococci, MK2/8 and MK1/3 (inhibitory activity up to 400 AU/mL). These postbiotic substances provide a new potential alternative to reducing contaminants in milk. Full article

Urban horticulture as a segment of urban agriculture can take various forms: home gardens, allotment farming, community gardens, community-supported agriculture, vertical farming, etc. After the COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia and neighboring countries, growing horticultural plants in urban and suburban areas became increasingly popular. The aim of the study was to investigate citizens’ attitudes towards the benefits and support of urban horticulture, its relationship to the environment, and needs and relevance in studies in the cities of Šibenik, Split, Mostar and Skopje. The research methods used for the purpose of this study were theoretical analysis method, survey and analytical descriptive and statistical method. The research was conducted online during the first half of 2024 on a sample of 506 respondents. The main goal of the paper was to examine the views of citizens on urban horticulture. With specific objectives, the views of citizens were examined on the benefits of urban horticulture, the relationship between urban horticulture and the environment, urban horticulture and plant protection, support for urban horticulture, and the needs and trends of urban horticulture. and plant protection, support for urban horticulture, needs and trends of urban horticulture. The results showed that citizens are mostly positive towards growing horticultural plants in urban and suburban areas without pollution. In urban horticulture, respondents prefer using ecological principles and products. Female respondents expressed more positive attitudes towards the fashionability and need for urban horticulture. Respondents from Skopje showed the most positive attitudes towards the benefits of urban horticulture and its relationship to the environment. Also, there is no statistically significant difference in attitudes towards urban horticulture with regard to the location of residence. The research contributes to the trend of development and promotion of urban horticulture with a special emphasis on the importance of environmental preservation. It also contributes to the development of an interdisciplinary method that connects natural and social sciences, and develops an empirical approach that can improve urban culture with the aim of preserving the environment. Full article

In team collaboration environments, ensuring fair reward distribution is crucial for maintaining motivation and productivity. However, existing reward allocation methods often suffer from biases in self-assessment, leading to inequitable outcomes. In this study, we introduce a ranking mechanism that converts self-assessed contribution ratios into task orders based on the values of these ratios. Then we propose two methods using this mechanism: Method 1 uses quadratic optimization to adjust the contribution ratios, aligning them more closely with actual values, while Method 2 incorporates task reward differences to ensure fairer reward allotment. Experimental results show that the reward allotment method in the latest research reduces the loss by 25.31% compared to the conventional method, while our methods achieve a loss reduction of 53.28% for Method 1 and 64.4% for Method 2. Sensitivity analysis confirms the effectiveness of both methods under varying self-assessment errors, reward amounts, and task sizes, maintaining an average loss reduction of over 30%. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing reward distribution, such as enhancing self-assessment accuracy and adjusting employee task assignments for improved fairness. Full article

Greenery and its significance in fostering sustainable urban development constitute a fundamental theme in contemporary urban planning. This study focuses on allotment gardens as a potential means of enhancing the quality of urban living environments, seeking to establish whether this form of urban greenery—often perceived as an anachronism—continues to play a meaningful role in promoting the well-being of city residents. The objective of the article was to examine whether allotment gardens exhibit the characteristics of spaces conducive to well-being within residential contexts, drawing upon scientific knowledge and expert opinions. The research employed a literature review, qualitative data analysis of material collected through individual in-depth and focus group interviews, and a final matrix analysis to assess the extent to which existing benefits satisfy contemporary demands. The findings identify current well-being features associated with allotment gardens, addressing residents’ needs regarding the benefits they offer, including recreation and leisure, and their impact on physical and mental health, as well as the formation of social relationships. Nutrition was further characterised by the self-production of healthy, affordable, and extraordinary food. The results also underscore the importance of accessibility in shaping the well-being benefits of allotment gardens, emphasising the acquisition of new competencies, the strengthening of social relations, and opportunities for health and recreation as their primary contributions. Full article

Allotment—the division of Native American reservations into individually-owned plots of land—has been extensively studied; yet there exists a paucity of reservation-level studies at granular geospatial scales, i.e., at the level of examining the impacts of allotment on individuals, families, and clan or tribal groups. In previous research, we described a new semi-automated method for creating detailed GIS allotment databases and discussed the policies and processes that that lay behind allotment at the Standing Rock Reservation. In this study, we employed our Standing Rock database to map and explore allotment patterns in detail. We primarily focused on patterns of clustering versus dispersion of allotment parcels for individuals, families, and tribal groups by calculating median distance (and other descriptive statistics) and standard distance in GIS. Throughout, we used mapped representations of allotment patterns as visualization tools, both for confirming hypotheses and raising new questions. As anticipated, we discovered patterns of both gain and loss. On the one hand, as we had found earlier, the people at Standing Rock gained land through their insistence on allotments for married women and for children born after the beginning date of allotment (“later-born children”), land they otherwise would not have received. We also confirmed that married women only received half the land that their husbands received and that the early sale of “surplus” reservation lands deprived a future generation of children of the opportunity to receive their own land. Perhaps most importantly, however, we discovered that the belated timing of allotments to married women and later-born children caused their allotments to be located at some distance from those of their husbands or fathers, creating disjunct and dispersed patterns of family land holdings that would have significantly hampered the creation of viable farming and ranching operations. Full article

The cultivation of vegetables in Slovakia has traditionally occurred in the vicinity of human settlements, predominantly in allotments. Large-scale vegetable production requires not only intensification measures but also a strategic selection of regions with optimal soil and climatic conditions. In Slovakia, this selection is limited by the availability of arable land suitable for vegetable cultivation. This study quantifies and delineates areas that are very suitable, suitable, poorly suitable, and unsuitable for the major vegetable species grown in the region. The findings indicate that the largest proportion of very suitable arable land is best suited for the cultivation of cauliflower (35%), celery (33%), beans (31%), and beetroot (28%). Conversely, the analysis reveals that a significant proportion of arable soils possess potentially unsuitable conditions for specific crops, with asparagus (94%), peppers (80%), and cucumbers (71%) exhibiting the highest percentages. In addition, an analysis of actual vegetable cultivation between the years 2020 and 2024 indicates that a substantial portion of certain crops, specifically 75% of celery, 59% of tomatoes, 56% of cauliflower, and 54% of carrots are cultivated in areas that are very suitable for their growth. In contrast, 81% of pumpkin, 79% of beetroot, and 47% of beans are produced under unsuitable conditions. By optimizing the selection of suitable areas and soils, the potential of the Slovak landscape can be utilized more efficiently for domestic vegetable production. Full article