Search Results (7,613)

Accurate numerical simulation of debris flows is essential for hazard assessment and early-warning design, yet high-fidelity solvers remain computationally expensive, especially when large ensembles must be explored under epistemic uncertainty in rheology, initial conditions, and topography. At the same time, field observations are typically sparse and heterogeneous, limiting purely data-driven approaches. In this work, we develop a deep-learning Fourier Neural Operator (FNO) as a fast, physics-consistent surrogate for one-dimensional shallow-water debris-flow simulations and demonstrate its application to the Rendinara–Morino system in central Italy. A validated finite-volume solver, equipped with HLLC and Rusanov fluxes, hydrostatic reconstruction, Voellmy-type basal friction, and robust wet–dry treatment, is used to generate a large ensemble of synthetic simulations over longitudinal profiles representative of the study area. The parameter space of bulk density, initial flow thickness, and Voellmy friction coefficients is systematically sampled, and the resulting space–time fields of flow depth and velocity form the training dataset. A two-dimensional FNO in the $(x,t)$ domain is trained to learn the full solution operator, mapping topography, rheological parameters, and initial conditions directly to $h(x,t)$ and $u(x,t)$, thereby acting as a site-specific digital twin of the numerical solver. On a held-out validation set, the surrogate achieves mean relative $L^2$ errors of about 6–$7\%$ for flow depth and 10–$15\%$ for velocity, and it generalizes to an unseen longitudinal profile with comparable accuracy. We further show that targeted reweighting of the training objective significantly improves the prediction of the velocity field without degrading depth accuracy, reducing the velocity error on the unseen profile by more than a factor of two. Finally, the FNO provides speed-ups of approximately $36\times$ with respect to the reference solver at inference time. These results demonstrate that combining physics-based synthetic data with operator-learning architectures enables the construction of accurate, computationally efficient, and site-adapted surrogates for debris-flow hazard analysis in data-scarce environments. Full article

Beauveria bassiana can colonize plants, acting against insect pests and promoting plant growth. This study evaluated how different fungal inoculation methods affected Eucalyptus grandis growth and the foraging behavior of ants. An isolate (LPP 139) was identified as B. bassiana based on ITS sequences. Seedlings were submitted to three inoculation methods using fungal suspensions at 1 × 10⁸ conidia mL⁻¹: (1) soil drenching at sowing (SD), (2) soil drenching 20 days after sowing (20SD), and (3) foliar spraying 20 days after sowing (20F) when compared to controls. SD treatment enhanced plant height (mean 25 cm with a 31.6% increase compared to the controls; p = 0.0353) and shoot fresh weight (mean 1.5 g, a 50% increase; p = 0.0154), while 20SD increased leaf number (141.4% increase; p = 0.0419). The 20F treatment increased leaf number (287.9% compared to the controls; p = 0.0006), shoot weight (mean fresh weight 1.5 g, a 50% increase; p = 0.0213 and mean dry weight 0.7 g, a 75% increase; p = 0.0236), and reduced leaf-cutting ant foraging (mean 26 cm², a reduction of 53.6%; p = 0.0134). These findings highlight the dual action of B. bassiana, promoting plant growth and reducing the activity of ants. Full article

Antonio Basoli’s one hundred Picturesque views of the city of Bologna (1824–1836) include 95 preparatory drawings, 16 of which were executed on oil-impregnated lightweight paper now showing advanced degradation. This study aims to investigate the materials and techniques used by Basoli’s workshop and to develop an evidence-based conservation approach for these fragile works. An integrated analytical methodology combining non-invasive hyperspectral imaging (HSI), Fiber Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS) and Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) with micro-invasive SEM-EDX and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy was applied on five drawings on lightweight impregnated paper to characterize both the paper supports and drawing media. Linseed oil containing lead-based drying agents was suggested to be the impregnating substance, while iron oxide (sanguine) over metalpoint (Cu, Sb, Pb) defined the graphic media. The detection of copper–lead residues suggests that Basoli employed a direct pressure transfer technique similar to James Watt’s copying machine. Conservation treatments resulted in significant pH stabilization (from 5.35 ± 0.20 to 6.45 ± 0.33) and reduced yellowing (ΔE* = 4.9 ± 1.8) while maintaining the paper’s translucency. The results elucidate the innovative practices of Basoli’s workshop and establish a reproducible analytical and conservation methodology applicable to the preservation of nineteenth-century graphic heritage. Full article

Soil salinization remains a critical constraint on global land sustainability, severely limiting agricultural output and ecosystem resilience. To address this issue, a field trial was implemented to investigate the interactive benefits of vermicompost (VC) and a novel soil conditioner derived from coal gasification slag-based soil conditioner (CGSS) in mitigating saline–alkali stress. The perennial forage grass Leymus chinensis, valued for its ecological robustness and economic potential under adverse soil conditions, served as the test species. Five treatments were established: CK (unamended), T1 (CGSS alone), T2 (VC alone), T3 (CGSS:VC = 1:1), T4 (CGSS:VC = 1:2), and T5 (CGSS:VC = 2:1). Study results indicate that the combined application of CGSS and VC outperformed individual amendments, with the T4 treatment demonstrating the most effective results. Compared to CK, T4 reduced soil electrical conductivity (EC) by 12.00% and pH by 5.17% (p < 0.05), while markedly enhancing key fertility indicators—including soil organic matter and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Thus, these improvements translated into superior growth of L. chinensis, reflected in significantly greater dry biomass, expanded leaf area, and increased plant height. Additionally, the T4 treatment increased soil microbial richness (Chao1 index) by 21.5% and elevated the relative abundance of the Acidobacteria functional group by 16.9% (p < 0.05). Hence, T4 treatment (CGSS: 15,000 kg·ha⁻¹; VC: 30,000 kg·ha⁻¹) was identified as the optimal remediation strategy through a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation that integrated multiple soil and plant indicators. From an economic perspective, the T4 treatment (corresponding to a VC-CGSS application ratio of 2: 1) exhibits a lower cost compared to other similar soil conditioners and organic fertilizer combinations for saline–alkali soil remediation. This study not only offers a practical and economically viable approach for reclaiming degraded saline–alkali soils but also advances the circular utilization of coal-based solid waste. Furthermore, it deepens our understanding of how integrated soil amendments modulate the soil–microbe–plant nexus under abiotic stress. Full article

Herbaceous plants from dry forests respond to different levels of light availability over time and space through strategies that promote their establishment and survival. This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of the perennial herb Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd., which is pantropically distributed and forms dense populations in the Caatinga, under varying light availabilities. The treatments applied were full sun and 70%, 50%, and 30% light availability, each with 30 replicates. Vegetative, reproductive, and phenological responses were monitored over six months, during which the plant’s reproductive cycle was completed and water availability was higher. In T100, plants showed greater height, diameter, leaf production, flowers, fruits, and seeds. In contrast, reduced light availability led to lower values in these traits but resulted in increased leaf area, seed viability, and higher fruit/flower and seed/fruit ratios as compensatory responses. These findings suggest that higher light availability increases the establishment success of the studied species, although reduced light does not necessarily limit its reproductive success. The study highlights its adaptability to different light conditions and its potential for continued population expansion in dry tropical forests, despite fluctuations in light availability. Full article

Sawdust represents a locally available lignocellulosic resource that may complement ruminant diets during periods of forage shortage. This study evaluated the feeding value of birch (Betula pendula) sawdust subjected to physical and chemical processing using a stepwise experimental approach. Steam-exploded and fresh sawdust were treated with 0, 4% ammonia, or 4% sodium hydroxide in a 2 × 3 factorial design and initially evaluated by in vitro gas production, dry matter digestibility, and fermentation pH. Based on these results, selected materials were further assessed for rumen dry matter and fiber degradation using the in sacco technique in cannulated dairy cows, with untreated and ammonia-treated wheat straw included for comparison. In addition, steam-exploded sawdust was compared with wheat straw and grass silage for in vivo digestibility in sheep. A pilot study also tested aspen (Populus tremula) sawdust in lactating cow diets. Steam explosion substantially reduced fiber fractions, particularly hemicellulose, and increased residual carbohydrates, resulting in higher gas production and in vitro digestibility compared with fresh sawdust (p < 0.05). Ammonia treatment markedly increased crude protein content, whereas sodium hydroxide primarily increased ash concentration. In sacco, steam-exploded birch showed similar or higher ruminal dry matter and neutral detergent fiber degradation compared with ammonia-treated wheat straw, while untreated fresh birch remained largely undegraded. In vivo, steam-exploded sawdust exhibited greater organic matter digestibility and net energy than untreated wheat straw but remained less digestible than grass silage (p < 0.0001). A pilot feeding test with lactating dairy cows demonstrated good acceptance of untreated aspen sawdust as a partial roughage substitute under non-standardized conditions. Overall, the results indicate that steam-exploded sawdust has potential as a complementary roughage source for ruminants when conventional forages are limited. Full article

Biochar is known to enhance soil potassium (K) availability and promote plant K uptake; however, its influence on the transformation pathways of fertilizer potassium and the mechanisms regulating crop potassium accumulation remains insufficiently understood. This study conducted a pot experiment using three soil types—Albic, Brown, and Sandy soils—with different biochar application rates (0, 10, and 20 g·kg⁻¹) in combination with potassium fertilizer, to systematically evaluate the regulation of soil K forms, K fertilizer transformation rates, K use efficiency, and K uptake and accumulation in soybeans. The results demonstrated that the combined application of biochar and K fertilizer significantly increased the contents of available, water-soluble, exchangeable, and non-exchangeable K across all three soils. At the highest biochar application rate (20 g·kg⁻¹), available K increased by 15.37%, 16.78%, and 11.77% in the Albic, Sandy, and Brown soils, respectively, compared to the control. Furthermore, biochar altered the transformation pathways of fertilizer K; it consistently reduced the conversion rate of fertilizer K into exchangeable K across all soils, redirecting it toward the water-soluble and non-exchangeable K pools, thus functioning as a potassium “scheduling center”. Adsorption–desorption experiments revealed that biochar exhibits a strong multilayer adsorption capacity for K ions, with most of the adsorbed K not easily desorbed, providing mechanistic support for the observed shift in transformation pathways. In terms of K use efficiency, biochar reduced the K of agronomic efficiency (KAE) due to a “dilution effect” from its inherent K content. Under the high application rate (20 g·kg⁻¹), the KAE decreased by 11.79% in Albic soil, 88.48% in Sandy soil, and 71.73% in Brown soil, while significantly increasing the partial factor productivity of K (PFPK) and apparent recovery efficiency of K (AREK). Ultimately, the co-application of biochar and K fertilizer significantly enhanced total K accumulation and seed yield in soybeans by increasing K concentrations in various plant parts and promoting dry matter accumulation. At the biochar application rate of 20 g·kg⁻¹, the potassium accumulation and soybean yield under biochar treatment reached maximum increases of 70.77% (in Brown soil) and 42.63% (in Albic soil), respectively. This study demonstrates that biochar can synergistically reduce potassium (K) leaching and improve fertilizer use efficiency by regulating K transformation pathways. This provides a practical guideline for utilizing biochar as a dual-function amendment, which acts as both a supplemental K source and a soil conditioner, thereby supporting the development of more sustainable potassium management practices in diverse cropping systems. Full article

This study investigates the corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg to evaluate the influence of both manufacturing methods and heat treatments on its durability. The research compares samples produced via laser power bed fusion (LPBF) and conventional casting, with subsets subjected to either no, T5 (artificial aging), and T6 (solution annealing and aging) heat treatment. All samples were exposed to an accelerated cyclic corrosion test, using immersion and drying cycles. Corrosion performance was quantified via mass loss (ML) measurements and analyzed using metallography. The analysis revealed that heat treatment (factor A) is the only statistically significant factor affecting mass loss. Even short exposure to the corrosive environment caused clearly visible surface changes. This suggests a significant decrease in corrosion resistance, linked to microstructural changes. While LPBF parts exhibited lower mass loss in the as-manufactured and T5 states, the T6 treatment negatively impacted both manufacturing routes. Full article

This study presents a systematic investigation of laser surface hardening of 9CrSi tool steel with the aim of establishing the relationships between processing parameters, microstructural evolution, and resulting mechanical and tribological properties under the applied laser conditions. The influence of laser power, modulation frequency, and scanning speed on the hardened layer depth, microstructure, and surface properties was analyzed. Laser treatment produced a martensitic surface layer with varying fractions of retained austenite, while the transition zone consisted of martensite, granular pearlite, and carbide particles. X-ray diffraction identified the presence of α′-Fe, γ-Fe, and Fe₃C phases, with peak broadening associated with increased lattice microstrain induced by rapid self-quenching. The surface microhardness increased from approximately 220 HV_0.1 in the untreated state to 950–1000 HV_0.1 after laser hardening, with hardened layer thicknesses ranging from about 500 to 750 µm depending on the processing regime. Instrumented indentation showed higher elastic modulus values for all hardened conditions. Tribological tests under dry sliding conditions revealed reduced coefficients of friction and more than an order-of-magnitude decrease in wear rate compared with untreated steel. The results provide a parameter–microstructure–performance map for laser-hardened 9CrSi steel, demonstrating how variations in laser processing conditions affect hardened layer characteristics and functional performance. Full article

Flowering promoting factor 1 (FPF1) is a key regulator of plant flowering time. While the functions of the FPF family have been characterized in species such as Arabidopsis and rice, systematic studies on the tomato FPF family remain limited. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the FPF family in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), identifying five SlFPF members in the tomato genome. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into five distinct subgroups, and chromosome mapping revealed their distribution across three chromosomes, with the highest density on chromosome 1. Promoter analysis identified a range of putative cis-acting elements related to abiotic stress and hormonal responses. Differential expression analysis of various tissues showed that the five SlFPF genes exhibit varying expression levels, where SlFPF1 had a significantly higher expression compared to the others. Following treatments with abiotic stresses (NaCl, PEG, dark, and low light) and phytohormones (GA, MeJA, ABA, and SA), SlFPF1 expression is notably higher under GA treatment than under other conditions. Based on these findings, SlFPF1 and GA treatments were selected for further functional analysis. The results show that GA treatment significantly promotes multiple morphological traits, including root length, stem diameter, leaf area, plant height, dry weight, and fresh weight. However, silencing SlFPF1 expression led to a reduction in all these traits. Moreover, in SlFPF1-silenced plants, GA treatment failed to enhance root length, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight, indicating that GA-dependent growth promotion in tomato plants relies on SlFPF1. This study provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the SlFPF gene family and its role in plant growth and stress responses. Full article

Mechanical coffee drying is an energy-intensive stage of postharvest processing that directly affects product quality and production costs. This study evaluated the technical and economic feasibility of using expanded polystyrene (EPS) as a thermal insulation material to improve the performance of a mechanical coffee dryer and to demonstrate its potential for sustainable reuse. Experiments were conducted using a total of 210 kg of wet parchment coffee (Coffea arabica L. var. Cenicafé 1) per treatment, corresponding to three experimental replicates of 70 kg each, dried at 50 ± 2 °C, comparing an EPS-insulated dryer (0.02 m thickness) with a non-insulated control. A theoretical model based on steady-state heat transfer through series resistances estimated energy losses and system efficiency for different insulating materials. Theoretical results indicated that EPS, polyethylene foam, and cork reduced heat losses by 58.1%, 54.3%, and 50.9%, respectively. Experimentally, EPS reduced drying time by 7.82%, fuel consumption by 13.9%, and energy demand by 9.5%, while increasing overall efficiency by 6.7% and reducing wall heat losses by 37.7%. Improved temperature stability enhanced heat retention and moisture migration behavior. Economically, EPS reduced operating costs, yielding annual savings of USD 81.5, a 0.45-year payback period, and an annual return on investment (ROI) of 10.86, confirming its viability as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for improving energy efficiency in mechanical coffee drying. Full article

This study investigates the effects of nitrogen application and sprinkler irrigation on winter wheat growth, water use efficiency (WUE), and yield formation under dry-hot wind stress. The primary aim was to understand how nitrogen levels influence canopy structure, soil water–nitrogen coupling, and yield components under varying irrigation conditions. Field experiments were conducted with different nitrogen rates (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5) and sprinkler irrigation under heat stress. Plant height, leaf area index (LAI), canopy interception, and stemflow were measured, along with soil moisture and nitrogen content in the root zone. Results indicate that moderate nitrogen application (212 kg N ha⁻²) optimized yield and WUE, with a significant enhancement in canopy structure and water interception. High nitrogen levels resulted in increased water consumption but decreased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), while lower nitrogen treatments showed reduced yield stability under heat stress. The findings suggest that balanced nitrogen management, in combination with timely irrigation, is essential for improving winter wheat productivity under climate stress. This study highlights the importance of optimizing water and nitrogen inputs to achieve sustainable wheat production in regions facing increasing climate variability. Full article

Monogenean parasite infestation in fish leads to economic losses in aquaculture, representing a veterinary challenge and an environmental concern. The common administration procedures of anthelmintics to treat monogeneans in fish have low efficiency and diverse drawbacks. In this study, we produced a nanoparticle using chitosan and alginate, biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharides, as an oral drug delivery material of albendazole anthelmintic for parasite-infected fingerlings of Nile tilapia. The molecular interaction between the biopolymers was optimized and characterized by titration calorimetry. Freeze-drying of nanoparticles resulted in a fine powder with a particle size in the order of 400 nm. The nanoparticles provided 98% encapsulation of albendazole and sustained delivery with predominantly Fickian diffusion. The palatability of the nanoparticle formulation facilitated the oral administration of albendazole. The treatment of 100% prevalence of monogeneans was effective with a six-day dosage providing a total of 915 mg/kg b.w. of drug, resulting in total parasite clearance after 10 days from the treatment beginning, evidenced by microscopy analysis, and no mortality occurred. Therefore, molecular interactions between biofriendly polyelectrolytes yielded albendazole-carrying nanoparticles for high-efficiency parasite treatment in fish farming. Full article

This study investigated the effects of alkaline pretreatment and drying methods on the physicochemical properties of Gelidium amansii and the quality of the resulting agar jelly. Seaweeds with or without alkaline pretreatment were subjected to either sun-drying or shortwave infrared (SWIR) lamp-drying for three or seven cycles to evaluate whether SWIR drying could replace conventional sun-drying by reducing drying time and whether alkaline pretreatment could enhance gel hardness. The results showed that both drying methods effectively reduced moisture content, while the alkaline pretreatment significantly increased the ash content, likely due to the removal of water-soluble components. Marked color improvement was observed after seven cycles of sun-drying or following alkaline pretreatment, with the appearance changing from purplish red to bright golden yellow, which is closer to traditional quality expectations. Although SWIR lamp-drying was more energy-efficient, it resulted in limited color improvement. Volatile compound analysis revealed that deviations from the fresh control increased with the number of sun-drying cycles, whereas alkaline pretreatment and infrared-drying induced more pronounced changes in volatile profiles. Among all of the treatments, Gelidium subjected to seven sun-drying cycles produced jellies with the most favorable texture, indicating enhanced agar gel formation through repeated washing and drying. In contrast, the combination of alkaline pretreatment and infrared-drying restricted agar extraction, likely due to tissue hardening and insufficient light intensity, resulting in weak or negligible gel formation. Overall, both the drying method and alkaline pretreatment significantly influenced the Gelidium quality and agar gel properties; despite being labor-intensive, traditional washing and sun-drying processes remain critical for achieving desirable product quality. Full article

A two-factor experiment was conducted using the cultivar ‘Xin you No. 2’ (Citrullus lanatus) to identify an efficient and green production model for drip-irrigated watermelon under plastic mulch in Southern Xinjiang. A basal organic fertilizer was applied at 2250 kg·ha⁻¹. The experimental design comprised three irrigation levels, maintaining soil moisture at 60–70% (W1), 70–80% (W2), and 80–90% (W3) of field capacity, and three nitrogen application rates: 180 (N1), 240 (N2), and 300 (N3) kg·ha⁻¹. This study systematically investigated the effects of water–nitrogen coupling on watermelon yield, quality, water use efficiency, and nitrogen partial factor productivity. The W2N2 treatment achieved the highest yield of 64,617.59 kg·ha⁻¹. Vine length, stem diameter, and dry matter accumulation increased with increasing nitrogen application under the W1 and W2 irrigation levels, but exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease under the W3 condition. Water restriction combined with increased nitrogen application significantly enhanced the central sugar content, with the W1N3 treatment increasing it by 15.69% compared to CK. Conversely, the W1N1 treatment was most conducive to vitamin C accumulation, showing a 49.88% increase over CK. The total water consumption across the different treatments ranged from 362.12 to 493.92 mm. Both water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency reached their maximum values under the W1N3 treatment, at 21.94 kg·m⁻³ and 35.05 kg·m⁻³, respectively. In contrast, the highest partial factor productivity of nitrogen (NPFP) was observed under W3N1, reaching 239.33 kg·kg⁻¹. A comprehensive multi-index evaluation using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method indicated that the W1N3 treatment achieved the highest relative closeness (0.669), identifying it as the optimal water–nitrogen combination. Full article