Search Results (56)

Biocontrol is one of the most promising alternatives to chemical preservatives for food preservation. This study investigated the biocontrol potential of yeasts isolated from raw milk cheese against spoilage moulds. Eighty-four native yeast strains were screened for antagonistic activity against Penicillium commune, Fusarium verticillioides, and Mucor plumbeus/racemosus via confrontation using a milk-based culture medium. Fifteen strains from the species Pichia jadinii, Kluyveromyces lactis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Geotrichum candidum exhibited significant antagonistic activity (inhibition zone > 2 mm) against M. plumbeus/racemosus and F. verticillioides. The modelling of the impact of ripening conditions revealed that temperature was the primary factor influencing yeast antagonism. In addition, notable variability at both species and strain levels was found. The antagonist activity was associated with different mechanisms depending on the species and strains. K. lactis stood out for its proteolytic activity and competition for iron and manganese. Additionally, two strains of this species (KL890 and KL904) were found to produce volatile organic compounds with antifungal properties (phenylethyl alcohol and 1-butanol-3-methyl propionate). G. candidum GC663 exhibited strong competition for space, as well as the ability to parasitise hyphae linked to its pectinase and β-glucanase activity. The latter enzymatic activity was detected in all P. jadinii strains, with P. jadinii PJ433 standing out due to its proteolytic activity. In a cheese matrix, the efficacy of eight yeast strains against three target moulds was assessed, highlighting the potential of G. candidum GC663 and P. jadinii PJ433 as biocontrol agents, exhibiting high and moderate efficacy, respectively, in controlling the growth of F. verticillioides and M. plumbeus/racemosus. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to elucidate their full spectrum of antifungal mechanisms and to validate their performance under industrial-scale conditions, including their impact on cheese quality. Full article

Hypersonic morphing vehicles (HMVs), renowned for their adaptive structural reconfiguration and cross-domain maneuverability, confront formidable reentry guidance challenges under multiple no-fly zones, stringent path constraints, and nonlinear dynamics exacerbated by morphing-induced aerodynamic uncertainties. To address these issues, this study proposes a hierarchical framework integrating an A-based energy-optimal waypoint planner, a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG)-driven morphing policy network, and a quasi-equilibrium glide condition (QEGC) guidance law with continuous sliding mode control. The A* algorithm generates heuristic trajectories circumventing no-fly zones, reducing the evaluation function by 6.2% compared to greedy methods, while DDPG optimizes sweep angles to minimize velocity loss and terminal errors (0.09 km position, 0.01 m/s velocity). The QEGC law ensures robust longitudinal-lateral tracking via smooth hyperbolic tangent switching. Simulations demonstrate generalization across diverse targets (terminal errors < 0.24 km) and robustness under Monte Carlo deviations (0.263 ± 0.184 km range, −12.7 ± 42.93 m/s velocity). This work bridges global trajectory planning with real-time morphing adaptation, advancing intelligent HMV control. Future research will extend this framework to ascent/dive phases and optimize its computational efficiency for onboard deployment. Full article

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is a critical ecological zone in China now confronting growing tensions between land conservation and development. This study combines land use, climate, and socio-economic data with spatial–statistical models (GeoDetector [GD]–Patch-generating Land Use Simulation [PLUS]–Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-Offs [InVEST]) to analyze land use changes (2000–2020), evaluate habitat quality, and simulate scenarios to 2040. Key results include the following: (1) Farmland was decreased by the conversion to forests (+3475 km²) and grasslands (+4522 km²), while construction land expanded rapidly (+11,166 km²); (2) the population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) pressures drove the farmland loss (q = 0.148 for population, q = 0.129 for GDP), while synergies between evapotranspiration (ET) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) promoted forest/grassland recovery (q = 0.155); and (3) ecological protection scenarios increased the grassland area by 12.94% but restricted the construction land growth (−13.84%), with persistent unused land (>3.61% in Inner Mongolia) indicating arid-zone risks. The Habitat Quality-Autocorrelated Coupling Index (HQACI) declined from 0.373 (2020) to 0.345–0.349 (2040), which was linked to drought, groundwater loss, and urban expansion. Proposed strategies including riparian corridor protection, adaptive urban zoning, and gradient-based restoration aim to balance ecological and developmental needs, supporting spatial planning and enhancing the basin-wide habitat quality. Full article

Since the 1960s, Iran’s major cities have experienced significant migration from the country’s rural areas and from other nations. Although many urban planning and design concepts can be traced back to Iran, the country’s planning machinery has failed to effectively regulate urban growth, notably in the city peripheries, where land use has changed radically as semi-rural areas have been developed in a haphazard fashion with scant adherence to existing plans and planning regulations. Farahzad is one such area in the urban periphery of Tehran, where a range of sub-standard dwellings have been built, and urban services are deficient in many regards. This article examines how the urban landscape has evolved, how the resident population has grown, and the nature of the social and economic issues that persist today. The research method combines an analysis of the extant literature and local authority documentation, images developed from GIS data, and first-hand interviews with local practitioners to explore the growth of the neighbourhood in recent decades and assess the current problems confronting both residents and local authorities. The novelty of this article lies in the use of GIS-generated images and urban fabric classifications to assess the growth of the neighbourhood since the turn of century, during which time the planning machinery has generally failed to provide an adequate framework for development in this area of the Tehran urban periphery. Indeed, findings suggest that land use zoning has played little part in guiding or controlling urban development in Farahzad, and that identifying urban fabrics may prove a useful way of assessing socio-economic and physical development needs in such circumstances. This article makes a small contribution to our understanding of the change dynamics in a peripheral neighbourhood of a major city in the developing world. Full article

The ladybird beetle, Propylea japonica Thunberg (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a widely distributed natural predator that is crucial in controlling various agricultural pests in China. Despite frequent references to its remarkable thermotolerance, the molecular mechanisms underlying its thermotolerance remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated metabolomic changes in P. japonica following exposure to acute heat stress (AHS) lasting 1 h at 39 °C and 43 °C in populations from Zhengzhou (ZZ, warm temperate climate zone) and Shenzhen (SZ, subtropical climate zone), representing distinct northern and southern Chinese ecosystems. A total of 4165 and 4151 metabolites were detected in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. The high proportion of lipid and lipid-like metabolites (35.5%) and the top 20 pathways containing the highest number of metabolites, implying membrane fluidity modulation and energy metabolism restructuring, served as the core adaptive mechanism in P. japonica populations confronting thermal stress. The SZ25 vs. SZ39 exhibited a significantly higher number of differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), which were predominantly enriched in the purine and tryptophan metabolism pathways. This indicated that these pathways orchestrate thermal adaptation in the SZ population by coordinating energy metabolism reprogramming, orchestrating antioxidant defense mechanisms, and modulating neuroendocrine homeostasis dysregulation. Additionally, the starch and sucrose, arachidonic acid, and fructose and mannose metabolism pathways were also implicated. This study enhances our understanding of P. japonica thermotolerance and provides a valuable reference for thermotolerance mechanisms in other insects. Full article

Against the background of global climate change, agricultural ecosystems face extreme weather, resource shortages, and carbon emission pressures, necessitating green transitions. Rural tourism, a key driver of rural revitalization, injects momentum into green agriculture through ecological resource monetization, low-carbon technology adoption, and industrial restructuring. This study evaluates rural tourism and agricultural green development levels in Jiangxi Province (2008–2022) using the entropy weight method and explores their spatiotemporal coordination via a coupling coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The study reveals the following: (1) Rural tourism and agricultural green development in Jiangxi Province demonstrate an upward trend overall, though with significant regional disparities. Regions such as Nanchang and Jiujiang exhibit higher coordination levels, while areas like Pingxiang and Xinyu persistently cluster in low-value agglomerations. (2) The coupling coordination degree transitions from “marginal imbalance” to “intermediate coordination”, with Nanchang City achieving “good coordination” status in 2022, forming a high-value radiation zone encompassing Nanchang, Jiujiang, and Yichun. Low-value regions remain constrained by inadequate resource exploitation and technological lag. (3) Global spatial autocorrelation analysis reveals significant positive agglomeration effects (Moran’s I values range from 0.148 to 0.312). Local spatial associations show coexisting patterns of ‘high-high’ synergy and ‘low-low’ lock-in”. The study proposes targeted policy interventions, industrial convergence enhancement, and regional coordination mechanism optimization to mitigate spatial disparities and foster high-quality synergetic development. This study establishes theoretical foundations for agricultural green transition integrated with rural tourism development while offering referential pathways for analogous regions confronting climate change challenges. Full article

In light of the challenges confronting urban areas due to increasing populations and spatial constraints, urban green infrastructure is vital for fostering environmental balance, enhancing community well being, and promoting sustainable urban development. This situation underscores the necessity for strategies that reconcile the escalating demand for constructed environments with the enhancement of urban green infrastructure in urban areas. This study seeks to empirically investigate an integrated spatial analysis approach that synthesises the quality of urban green infrastructure and land characteristics by incorporating diverse perspectives, utilising the Altstetten-Albisrieden district of Zurich as a case study. It systematically evaluates factors including development density, green surface coverage, leaf area, green ratio and connectivity, and the accessibility of public green spaces within the studied district. A 10-m rectangular grid was employed to visualise and integrate the evaluation results from different perspectives. Furthermore, clustering algorithms were utilised to generate spatial patterns indicative of unique land characteristics. By comparing the results from various clustering algorithms, this study adopted the fifteen clusters derived from the K-Means method, employing radar charts to describe the characteristics of each cluster, and partitioned the district into five zones to provide recommendations regarding the provision and optimisation of urban green infrastructure within the district. Ultimately, it highlighted the necessity of increasing community gardens and green spaces in densely built areas and leveraging existing structures to augment vegetation and plant life for the enhancement of ecological benefits. Full article

The Heyu ore-concentrated area in western Henan, situated within the East Qinling metallogenic belt, represents a strategic fluorite resource base currently confronting severe challenges of reserve depletion. Given this critical status, this study focuses on enhancing exploration of concealed fluorite deposits through an innovative aeromagnetic approach. Prioritizing aeromagnetic surveys across 280 km² of rugged terrain achieved 100% coverage, demonstrating cost-efficiency in regional-scale exploration of fault-controlled fluorite systems. By systematically analyzing mineralization mechanisms and integrating processed magnetic data with geological constraints, we characterized magnetic anomaly patterns specific to fluorite-bearing structures. Key findings include: distinctive “low-density, low-magnetic” signatures of fluorite deposits (2.42 g/cm³, 15.57 × 10⁻⁵ SI) contrasted sharply with host granites (2.58 g/cm³, 2612 × 10⁻⁵ SI); identification of two deep-seated prospecting targets (Y-1 and Y-2) through residual anomaly analysis, spatially correlating with fault intersections; and successful borehole validation revealing 11.5 m-thick fluorite zones at 300–500 m depths. The established geological–geophysical model provides dual functionality: enabling precise delineation of deep-seated exploration targets, and offering actionable guidelines for sustainable resource development in ore-concentrated areas. This work pioneers a technical pathway for fluorite exploration in complex terrains, underscoring geophysics’ indispensable role in deep mineral targeting while setting a benchmark for analogous metallogenic provinces. Full article

In recent years, autonomous maneuver decision-making has emerged as a key technology in autonomous air combat confrontation, garnering widespread attention. A method combining the modified marine predator algorithm (MMPA) and fuzzy inference is proposed to solve the autonomous maneuver decision-making problem of an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). By incorporating the missile attack strategy into the process of calculating the maneuver strategy, the air combat decision-making capability of the UCAV is enhanced. First, the weight coefficients determined by the fuzzy inference method are combined with air combat superiority functions that consider the current missile attack zone and then the objective function is obtained, which is to be optimized at the current moment. Second, the MMPA is used to solve the objective function to obtain the missile attack maneuver strategy and the maneuver strategy for defending against missile attacks. A comparative analysis with other classical intelligent optimization algorithms highlights the advantages of the proposed method. Furthermore, the air combat confrontation simulation experiments are conducted under six different initial scenarios, namely, neutral, offensive, oppositional, defensive, parallel, and head-on. The simulation results show that the integrated maneuver and missile attack decision-making capabilities of the UCAV are improved using the proposed autonomous maneuver decision-making method. Full article

This paper addresses the dual challenges of food security and sustainable development by examining the balance between arable land quality and economic development. Coordinating and optimizing development models is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural and economic progress. The North Slope Economic Belt of Tianshan Mountain (UANST), a semi-arid agriculturalpastoral transition zone in northwest China, exemplifies a coupled human environment system where global sustainability targets confront regional development imperatives. Focusing on seven cities and counties within the UANST, this study employs information sensitivity indicators to quantitatively select evaluation metrics. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the coupling and coordination degree (CCD) between arable land quality and economic development in the region. Using a system dynamics model (SDM), four scenario models were developed to predict and analyze the interaction between cultivated land quality and economic development on the North Slope of Tianshan. The study proposes a model to improve coordination between cultivated land quality and economic development. The key findings are as follows: (1) “preliminary screening + information sensitivity analysis” method identified 12 arable land quality evaluation indicators and 11 economic development evaluation indicators for the North Slope Economic Belt of Tianshan. (2) The coupling coordination between arable land quality and economic development in the seven counties and cities improved from 0.469 to 0.663, reflecting a transition from “marginal imbalance” to “primary coordination”. By 2021, all regions had reached the initial stage of coordinated development. (3) Among the development models analyzed, the coordinated development model achieved the highest coupling coordination score (0.9136). This model also demonstrated lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduced water resource consumption, alleviating environmental pressures and offering an optimal solution for regional coordinated development. Full article

Pakistan’s water quality and water management are at a crucial juncture, especially in the underdeveloped province of Baluchistan. The fifth most populous country, which ranks fifth in the global climate vulnerability index, confronts evolving water security challenges, which are complicating its national security matrix. Water shortages are escalating swiftly due to increasing demand across all sectors that utilize water. The burgeoning population, increasing from 175 million in 2010 to an estimated 247 million in 2025, and the adverse impacts of climate change are seriously affecting water quality and availability. This is exacerbated by persistent political instability and internal security issues, disincentivizing potential investors in the water sector in Pakistan in the short to medium term. The quality of water for drinking purposes is declining fast due to scarcity and contamination from various sources. The political promise of ensuring safe drinking water for the residents of Baluchistan remains an election slogan due to the persistent disparity between promises and implementation. The study involves a physical examination of water samples collected from various sectoral geographical zones of Baluchistan in the laboratory testing process to ascertain the quality of water. To develop a comprehensive picture, the samples were collected from both rural and urban areas in designated zones, ensuring that samples were representative of the entire province. In the last stage of the investigation process, the sample results have been compared with minimum safe standards instituted for drinking water by national and international organizations. Laboratory testing results indicate a significant decline in the quality of drinking water in Baluchistan; in most cases, the samples could not meet the permissible safe ranges outlined in Pakistan’s National Quality Standard (NQS) framework for drinking water and WHO guidelines. The persistent decline in water quality and water availability poses serious challenges to the attainment of UNSDG number 6 regarding the provision of clean drinking water to the inhabitants by 2030. The study provides incisive analysis and actionable recommendations as a policy input to facilitate relevant ministries and organizations in mitigating the vulnerabilities of climate change, providing clean drinking water to inhabitants of Baluchistan, and addressing critical issues of water sustainability in Baluchistan as an evolving national security challenge. Full article

The best known Microdochium spp. are important pathogens of small-grain cereals and/or endophytes of diverse monocot hosts. This study is the first report of M. majus isolated from asymptomatic grapevine tissues. It was hypothesised that this M. majus strain, CBS 152328, was an endophyte and an antagonist of some fungal pathogens of grapevine. Microscopic examinations revealed that this strain was a necrotrophic mycoparasite of Botrytis cinerea. This was demonstrated in the confrontation zones of dual cultures of M. majus and B. cinerea, and also on the surface of co-inoculated grape leaf discs and germinated wheat grains. Pathogenicity tests indicated that M. majus can colonise both grape leaf discs and germinated wheat, but it only damaged wheat. When co-inoculated with B. cinerea onto grape leaf discs, the M. majus strain CBS 152328 suppressed its mycohost on grape tissues and prevented leaf necrosis caused by B. cinerea. In addition to the parasitism, M. majus also showed mild antibiosis against B. cinerea, as well as a defence elicitor effect on grape leaf discs. This work is the first report of the mycoparasitic behaviour of M. majus, in addition to its first isolation from a dicot host. Full article

Soil erosion has become an increasingly serious issue, drawing global attention. As one of the countries facing severe soil erosion in the world, China confronts significant ecological challenges. Against this backdrop, the country places great emphasis on soil conservation efforts, considering them a crucial component of ecological civilization construction. This study focuses on the carbon sink benefits of comprehensive soil conservation management in the loess hilly region and sandy slopes, using the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed in Youyu County, Shanxi Province, as a typical case for in-depth analysis. In terms of research methodology, an integrated monitoring approach combining fundamental data, measured data, and remote sensing data was developed. A comprehensive survey of the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed was conducted to categorize plant carbon pools and soil carbon pools, establish baseline scenarios, and utilize methods such as inverse distance spatial interpolation, sample calculation, and feature extraction to estimate forest carbon storage across different years and determine changes in soil and vegetation carbon storage. Simultaneously, data collection and preprocessing were carried out, including the gathering of fundamental data, field data collection, and internal data preprocessing. On this basis, a vegetation carbon storage model was constructed, and an assessment of soil carbon pool storage was conducted. The research results indicate that from 2002 to 2024, the continuous implementation of various soil conservation measures over 22 years has led to a significant increase in carbon storage within the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed. The vegetation carbon density of the entire small watershed increased from 14.66 t C/ha to 27.02 t C/ha, and the soil carbon density rose from 28.92 t C/ha to 32.48 t C/ha. The net carbon sink amount was 18,422.20 t C (corresponding to 67,548.08 t CO₂e in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent). Populus simonii and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica significantly contribute to the carbon sink; however, due to partial degradation of Populus simonii, its net carbon sink amount is less than that of Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica. Additionally, the carbon sink capacity of the small watershed exhibits spatial differences influenced by conservation measures, with high carbon density areas primarily concentrated within the range of Populus simonii, while low carbon density areas are mainly found in shrub zones. The increase in carbon storage within the small watershed is primarily attributed to the contributions of vegetation and soil carbon storage, indicating that comprehensive soil erosion management has a significant carbon accumulation effect; moreover, the annual growth rate of vegetation carbon storage exceeds that of soil carbon storage, with the proportion of soil carbon storage increasing year by year. Furthermore, the vegetation carbon sink, soil carbon sink, and total carbon sink of the small watershed were separately calculated. In terms of benefit analysis, the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed offers ecological benefits such as increased forest coverage, carbon fixation and oxygen release, and biodiversity conservation; from an economic perspective, the value of carbon trading is substantial, promoting soil conservation and rural revitalization, with the total value of timber reaching 7.6 million yuan, of which the value of standing timber constitutes the largest proportion; social benefits include the improvement of environmental landscapes, stimulation of ecological tourism, and attraction of investment, with the Xiaonanshan Mountain Ecological Park receiving numerous visitors and generating significant tourism revenue. This research provides a theoretical basis and data foundation for comprehensive soil conservation management in project areas or small watersheds within the loess hilly and sandy slope regions, offering technical and methodological support for other soil conservation carbon sink projects in the area. Full article

For decades, the armed conflict in Colombia has profoundly impacted across various domains, causing psychosocial, economic, environmental, political, and moral damages throughout the country. One of the most affected sectors has been education, which involves all stakeholders within the educational system, particularly teachers who have directly or indirectly experienced this violence. This article, stemming from research on the resignification of armed conflict and peacebuilding, focuses on how teachers have transformed these impacts into educational actions that contribute to peacebuilding. We analysed the experiences and reflections of 412 participating teachers on-site in five conflict-affected zones in Colombia. Four main categories emerged: (1) psychosocial actions, (2) responsible teaching practices, (3) pedagogical actions, and (4) discussion and reflection spaces. These findings reveal insights not only about the actions that foster peace through school activities but also those within homes and, importantly, the work on oneself. While these actions may not be adopted by all teachers and do not guarantee immunity against future violent events, we believe this analysis could greatly benefit humanity. It prepares us to prevent and confront various forms of aggression, while also assisting in reframing everyday events that could nurture a vulnerable society suffering in silence. Full article

Geological anomalies within the working face likely induce geological disasters, such as water, gas, and coal mine roof fall, directly impacting the rational planning and safe mining of underground resources. Constrained by the conditions of underground closed spaces, effective reconstruction under incomplete and highly sparse projection is the central challenge when evaluating geo-environmental conditions. This work proposes a new hybrid intelligent optimization model (MPGA-SIRT) that integrates a multiple-population genetic algorithm (MPGA) with the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) to finely reconstruct the geo-environmental conditions within a working face based on electromagnetic wave tomography theory. MPGA-SIRT can provide a more precise initial inversion model for the conventional linear reconstruction technique of SIRT, incorporating a local search property by leveraging the robust global search capacity of MPGA. The advantages of MPGA-SIRT have been demonstrated through numerical modeling, theoretical testing, and engineering practices on the 8208 working face in the Datong mining area, Shanxi Province. In comparison to individual SIRT inversion models, MPGA-SIRT reconstruction yields more accurate and stable performance, as demonstrated by the evolution curve of the objective function and the corresponding convergence tomography results. Consequently, the geomagnetic wave absorption coefficient within the area of reconstruction can be precisely ascertained through the use of our proposed technique. This innovation represents a groundbreaking strategy for assessing geological anomaly zones within a working face. The introduced method stands as a valuable theoretical instrument for confronting the complexities associated with geo-environmental reconstruction in underground engineering. Full article