Search Results (8,522)

Innovation is a central driver of competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability in the agri-food sector, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, traditional science- and technology-based models may not fully grasp the innovation dynamics in this domain, and research explicitly addressing agri-food SMEs remains limited. This study adapts, integrates, and extends existing Innovation Capability (IC) and related constructs into a unified WI–PI–IA framework (Willingness to innovate–Propensity to innovate–Innovation Ability) for agri-food SMEs. The framework is empirically tested through a sectoral quantitative case-study based on structured questionnaires administered to twenty SMEs operating in the Sardinian sheep dairy industry. The findings confirm the framework’s validity, highlighting the role of contextual factors and revealing distinct innovation patterns between cooperatives and private firms. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to conceptualise IC in agri-food SMEs as the outcome of the three above constructs and offers a comprehensive and context-sensitive approach that contributes to academic research and directs policymakers towards factors that affect agri-food SME innovation outcomes, considering their unique structures and specific challenges they face. Full article

Elemental migration and enrichment are important processes influencing tea plant growth and the assembly of rhizosphere bacterial communities within the rock–soil–plant continuum. This study explores how soil parent materials (granite, quartz schist, and sericite schist) are potentially associated with these processes and their observed associations with the elemental composition of tea leaves. Exploratory statistical analyses revealed distinct, lithology-specific biogeochemical patterns that serve as a foundation for hypothesis generation. In granite soils, chlorite correlated with the mobility of Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mg, and Na, coinciding with shifts in the relative abundances of Verrucomicrobia, Armatimonadetes, and Chloroflexi. In quartz schist, kaolinite exhibited notable correlations with the dynamics of Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, and As, which were statistically linked to Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria. Complex mineral–microbe interactions were observed in sericite schist soils, where clay minerals (e.g., chlorite, illite) were closely associated with the migration of multiple elements (Pb, K, Ca, Cd, As, Al, Fe, Zn), paralleling structural variations in communities of Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, and Proteobacteria. Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) showed bioaccumulation tendencies in tea leaves across all lithologies, with an enrichment capacity order of Ca > K > Mn > Mg > Na > Al. Exploratory Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis suggested that the migration of K, Ca, Cu, Zn, and Hg corresponded most closely with their soil concentrations. Manganese (Mn) exhibited a mineral-associated trend, with kaolinite content as a potential correlate, while cadmium (Cd) migration was statistically linked to the relative abundance of Armatimonadetes. These findings highlight potential candidate relationships between mineralogy, microbes, and elemental mobility rather than confirming causal mechanisms, emphasizing the need for further validation in larger or experimental datasets. Full article

As wind power penetration increases, understanding its potential to exercise unilateral market power is critical. This dynamic is particularly relevant in systems like the Colombian wholesale electricity market, which is characterized by a strong dependence on reservoir-based hydropower and a concentrated oligopolistic structure. However, evaluating the threshold where a renewable generator transitions from a price-taker to a price-setter remains challenging. This article explores this strategic transition and its market implications. By isolating a wind agent’s actions against a competitive hydro-thermal fringe using a discretized bi-level approach, we analyze how physical capacity withholding strategies might evolve under varying wind availability and system stress. The findings suggest that wind market power operates across three dynamic regimes: (i) a defensive “Price-Support” strategy during low demand, where capacity may be withheld to prevent price collapses; (ii) a “Scarcity Creation” tipping point during peak demand (observed around a 20% wind availability factor), which appears to incentivize fractional withholding to force expensive thermal dispatch; and iii) a return to “Volume Maximization” when abundant wind renders manipulation economically suboptimal. Ultimately, these results indicate that renewable market power is highly transient and conditional on meteorological profiles, suggesting that regulators could benefit from shifting toward predictive, weather-driven market surveillance. Full article

Prolonged water injection in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs can induce pore rearrangement and modify flow pathways, thereby affecting reservoir performance. However, quantitative characterization of pore evolution in both temporal and spatial dimensions remains limited. This study investigates the mechanisms of pore-structure evolution during extended injection through a series of multi-scale experiments. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were employed to compare mineral composition and microstructural characteristics before and after injection, while in situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitoring captured the dynamic evolution process, enabling pore-size classification from T₂ spectra and fractal assessment of structural complexity. Segmented NMR measurements at different distances further resolved spatial heterogeneity. The results show that prolonged water injection reduced permeability by 10.4–32.1%, whereas porosity exhibited only minor variation, indicating that the decline in flow capacity is primarily controlled by pore–throat structural adjustment rather than pore volume loss. Mineralogical redistribution and fine-particle migration decreased the median pore radius by 21.5–51.8% and the micropore fractal dimension by 23.8–76.5%, with stronger responses observed at higher permeabilities, while meso- and macropore fractal dimensions remained nearly unchanged, indicating preferential modification of micropores with preservation of the main connected flow framework. Consistently, NMR responses reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity along the flow direction. The NMR signal changes at the injection end were 11.2–18.4% and 7.7–21.7% during the early and intermediate stages, respectively, both exceeding those at the distal end (2.9–12.4% and 1.9–17.1%). These results indicate a downstream-attenuating structural modification gradient. The findings provide new insights into pore-structure evolution during prolonged water injection and offer a scientific basis for optimizing water-injection strategies in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs. Full article

Background: Passive movement-based recovery strategies may support post-exercise recovery without additional metabolic demand. Objective: To examine the acute effects of passive foot flexions during recovery on isometric task performance after repeated exercise. Methods: Fourteen physically active men completed two randomized crossover sessions—passive rest and passive foot flexions—separated by a 7-day washout. Each session included a sustained static isometric plantar flexion task at 75% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), a 15 min recovery period, and a repeated isometric task. Work capacity was assessed as holding time. Cardiovascular, autonomic, and peripheral responses were recorded throughout the protocol. Results: Baseline holding time did not differ between the conditions. During the repeated isometric task, holding time was significantly longer following passive foot flexions compared to passive rest (67.7 ± 10.4 s vs. 52.9 ± 9.7 s; p < 0.05), with a large effect size (d ≈ 1.5). Passive foot flexions were associated with a greater increase in parasympathetic modulation, reflected by higher root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) during recovery and altered muscle oxygenation dynamics, including faster post-exercise re-oxygenation. For both conditions, heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited similar exercise–recovery patterns with no between-condition differences. Only minor changes in muscle stiffness were observed following the passive foot flexions. Conclusions: Passive foot flexions may support short-term recovery between repeated isometric efforts, particularly with respect to holding time and RMSSD. Full article

High-rise elevator group control systems operate under pronounced nonstationarity during commuting peaks, post-event surges, and capacity degradation, where the waiting time distribution becomes right-tail heavy and stresses service-level agreements (SLAs) defined by coverage and high-quantile targets. At the same time, the time-of-use tariffs and carbon constraints sharpen the tension between peak-power control, energy savings, and service capacity. This paper proposes a two-layer resilience scheduling framework that integrates queueing-based planning with safe reinforcement learning (RL) fine-tuning. In the planning layer, parsimonious queueing approximations and scenario-based evaluation construct a finite set of implementable mode cards and emergency switching cards; Sample Average Approximation (SAA) combined with Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) constraints filter candidates to enforce tail-risk-aware service limits while keeping power demand within a prescribed envelope. In the execution layer, online dispatch is formulated as a constrained Markov decision process; within the planning layer limits, action masking and Lagrangian safe RL learn small adaptive adjustments to suppress tail-waiting risk and improve recovery dynamics without increasing peak-power commitments. The experiments under morning peaks and post-event surges confirm tail risk reduction and accelerated recovery. For partial outages, the framework prioritizes SLA coverage and recovery speed, accepting a bounded increase in tail risk as a manageable trade-off. Throughout all tests, peak power remains within the prescribed limits. Improvements persist across random seeds and demand fluctuations, indicating distributional robustness and cross-scenario generalization. Ablation studies further reveal complementary roles: removing the planning layer CVaR screening worsens tail performance, while removing the execution layer action masking increases constraint violations and destabilizes recovery. Full article

Grapevine trunk diseases, particularly those caused by Neofusicoccum parvum, represent a major threat to vineyard productivity and are increasingly difficult to control with conventional fungicides. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using biocontrol fungi offers a promising alternative, but the factors governing the efficiency and bioactivity of biogenic nanoparticles remain poorly understood. Here, three Trichoderma species (T. harzianum, T. asperellum and T. virens) were evaluated as biological nanofactories for AgNP production. Cell-free fungal filtrates were used to synthesize AgNPs, which were characterized by UV–visible spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy, while fungal redox metabolism was assessed using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays and HPLC profiling of extracellular metabolites. AgNPs were tested against two isolates of N. parvum in vitro. The Trichoderma strains differed markedly in nanoparticle yield, size and antifungal activity, with T. harzianum T0 producing the highest amounts of small, well-dispersed AgNPs that exerted a strong fungistatic effect on N. parvum. Nanoparticle production correlated with antioxidant capacity and the abundance of redox-active metabolites. Integration of these parameters into a Fungal Nanofactory Efficiency Index (FNEI) revealed that nanoparticle bioactivity depends on both dose and biological origin. These results demonstrate that fungal metabolism is a key determinant of biogenic nanoparticle performance and identify Trichoderma as a platform for sustainable nanotechnology-based control of grapevine trunk pathogens. Full article

To meet the real-time computational requirements of active suspension control systems, this study shifts from complex microscopic physical equations to a direct nonlinear functional mapping between the relative motion states (displacement and velocity) and the output force of air springs. This approach aims to preserve critical nonlinear hysteresis characteristics while significantly reducing the computational overhead. A progressive modeling strategy is implemented to characterize these complex behaviors. Initially, polynomial fitting is employed to identify key input features; however, its limited capacity to capture intricate nonlinearities necessitates more advanced methods. Subsequently, standard Feedforward Neural Networks (FNNs) are explored for their nonlinear mapping capabilities, yet their inherent “black-box” nature often leads to convergence difficulties and restricted generalization. To address these issues, a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) architecture is introduced, embedding physical governing equations as regularization constraints within the loss function to integrate data-driven flexibility with mathematical rigor. Recognizing that conventional PINNs often encounter convergence challenges due to conflicts between PDE constraints and data-driven loss terms, this research develops a Physics-Embedded Hierarchical Network (PEHN). By deriving specialized PDE constraints tailored to air spring dynamics and designing a hierarchical architecture aligned with these physical requirements, the PEHN effectively balances physical priors with experimental data. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to the baseline models, the proposed PEHN exhibits stronger stability and superior accuracy in capturing the complex nonlinearities of air spring dynamics. Full article

When high-altitude aircraft operate in a low-density environment, the flow instability within their internal ducts poses a severe challenge to aerodynamic design and operational safety. Especially in the intake system of the tandem dual-fan configuration, the asymmetric flow caused by rotating machinery coupled with the low-density effect exacerbates flow distortion, momentum dissipation, and efficiency loss and may even trigger system instability risks such as rotational stall or surge. To address these challenges, this paper establishes a high-fidelity dynamic model of the internal flow field of the aircraft, based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and the SST k-ω turbulence model, combined with dynamic mesh technology. It reveals the unstable mechanism caused by angular momentum accumulation under co-rotation conditions and its intrinsic correlation with the degradation of aerodynamic performance. Inspired by the concept of micro-flow regulation, an active flow control strategy integrating discrete auxiliary injection and local geometric shape optimization is proposed. Numerical results show that by reasonably arranging auxiliary injection holes in the intake duct and optimizing local geometric fillets, the uniformity of intake flow can be effectively improved, and the formation of large-scale vortex structures can be suppressed. This method increases the system’s flow capacity by approximately 47.4%, significantly improves the total pressure recovery coefficient and fan aerodynamic efficiency, and reduces the amplitude of low-frequency pressure fluctuations by approximately 23.1%. Research shows that in high-altitude low-Reynolds-number conditions, micro-flow regulation combined with geometric reconstruction can effectively suppress flow instability induced by rotating machinery. This achievement provides a theoretical basis and feasible engineering path for aerodynamic stability design and optimization of key components, such as the aircraft intake and exhaust systems and thermal management systems, and is of significant value for improving the overall performance and reliability of high-altitude long-endurance aircraft. Full article

Climate hazards increasingly disrupt schooling, revealing the limits of preparedness models that treat teachers only as implementers. This study reframes teacher empowerment as a climate-resilience capability and examines how governance arrangements enable (or constrain) hazard-ready education systems. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), searches of Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2000–2025) identified 53 eligible studies. Across diverse hazards and settings, the evidence converges on a governance-to-capability pathway: empowerment becomes resilient performance only when the delegated decision space is matched with financed capacity (time, training, contingency resources), timely risk information and functional communication/digital infrastructure, institutionalized cross-sector coordination (education–DRR–health–protection–local government), and learning-oriented accountability (after-action review and adaptive revision rather than punitive compliance). Reported outcomes include higher preparedness quality, earlier protective action, improved learning continuity and safeguarding, and more sustainable teacher well-being/retention. Predictable failure modes include mandate–resource mismatch, accountability overload, unstable centralization–autonomy dynamics, and inequitable empowerment distribution affecting rural schools, women, and contract teachers, and disability inclusion. The evidence gaps remain pronounced for chronic hazards (especially heat and wildfire smoke), high-vulnerability contexts (fragile/conflict settings and informal settlements), and standardized measures of equity, burden distribution, governance performance, and cost-effectiveness. Policies should prioritize integrated governance packages with explicit protection and equity safeguards. Full article

Microbial inoculation represents an environmentally friendly biocontrol strategy that can enhance soil quality, improve crop growth efficiency, and promote sustainable agriculture. However, the long-term effects and ecological safety of non-native microbial inoculants in soil remain uncertain. Here, we explore and evaluate a safer and potentially more effective inoculation strategy—the reintroduction of native microbiota—to maintain agricultural ecosystem health. Native microbiota were extracted from black soil in northeastern China and reintroduced into the indigenous soil. Two treatments were established: original soil (control) and original soil with a mixture of native microbiota, each with nine replicates. Soil samples were collected at 0, 21, and 90 days post-inoculation. Using high-throughput sequencing and agronomic chemical analyses, we dynamically monitored soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents, as well as microbial community composition. Crops were harvested at day 90 to measure dry weight, fresh weight, and SPAD values. The results revealed that the number of colonizing species was lower than the number of inoculated species, yet crop agronomic traits and chemical composition were significantly improved, particularly SPAD values and total phosphorus content. Soil abiotic factors exhibited limited resistance but retained partial recovery capacity, showing a notable increase in readily available potassium at days 0 and 21. Native microbiota inoculation promoted positive synergistic interactions within the microbial community. Furthermore, this study underscores the practical significance of cultivable microorganisms in agricultural applications. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of native microbiota reintroduction, highlighting its potential to optimize soil microbial communities, enhance soil properties, and improve crop performance, thereby providing a scientific basis for soil remediation and sustainable agriculture. Full article

This study employs a constructivist grounded theory approach based on 69 in-depth interviews conducted between March 2022 and December 2023 to examine socio-cognitive dynamics in Korea’s bottled water and household water purifier markets. The study addresses a gap in prior research by explaining how product meanings and stakeholder strategies co-evolve across adjacent “safe-water” markets under regulatory and sustainability pressures. Drawing on qualitative data from 69 stakeholders, including producers (n = 30), consumers (n = 19), and institutional experts (n = 20), we analyze how distrust, risk perception, and health consciousness reshape conceptual systems and market strategies. These shifts drive innovation across markets, including new technologies, service models, and branding strategies. The findings show that socio-cognitive stabilization arises through iterative interactions among institutional shocks, producer reinterpretation, and consumer adaptation. In the bottled water market, the meanings of “natural purity” became materially embedded in packaging, mineral labeling, and brand narratives. In the purifier sector, “technological reliability” was institutionalized through service-based maintenance systems and visible quality control technologies. These processes developed within asymmetric communicative environments shaped by corporate branding capacity and media amplification. This study refines socio-cognitive market theory by specifying boundary conditions under institutional distrust in developed economies. Although Republic of Korea possesses advanced drinking water infrastructure comparable to that of other developed economies, public confidence in tap water has periodically weakened following highly salient contamination incidents and regulatory transitions. This paradox provides a theoretically informative context for examining how product meanings and stakeholder behaviors mutually adapt over time. Although environmental impact metrics were not directly measured, the findings suggest that sustainability policies must address socio-cognitive trust dynamics alongside regulatory instruments such as plastic levies, certification schemes, and transparent risk communication. Full article

Ensuring the rights of involuntary resettlers is fundamental to a law-based state and essential for achieving social equity and sustainable development. However, institutional improvement depends not only on the intent of top-level design but also on the capacity for dynamic adaptation amid evolving social contexts. Moving beyond the predominant research focus on policy design principles, this study investigates the dynamic evolution of China’s reservoir resettlement rights protection policies from 1949 to 2025. We first constructed a corpus of 32 core policy documents. Employing a bibliometric analysis within a multi-dimensional framework, we statically examined the developmental patterns of these policies. Subsequently, we applied the Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) to dynamically analyze their policy changes, identifying a trajectory marked by both long-term stability and significant punctuations. Our findings reveal that over 76 years, the policy process has undergone two major equilibrium periods and two critical punctuation nodes, demonstrating a clear pattern of “protracted stability interspersed with short bursts of rapid transformation.” The policy image has correspondingly evolved through four distinct stages: “Administratively Mobilized Resettlement,” “Development-Oriented Resettlement,” “Harmonious Society for Resettlers,” and “Common Prosperity.” The study argues that this evolution is driven by the interplay of shifting central government attention, the occurrence of focusing events, and the reinforcement of evolving Policy Images, which collectively broadened the policy venue and led to non-linear institutional change. Based on these findings, the paper recommends: first, adopting a dynamic approach to policy formulation; second, maintaining sustained political commitment and robust institutional safeguards; and third, fostering multi-stakeholder consultation and collaborative governance mechanisms. These strategies are essential to more effectively secure the multifaceted rights of reservoir resettlers. Full article

As sessile organisms, plants must dynamically allocate resources between growth and stress resilience. This review focuses on Ethylene Response Factor (ERF) transcription factors as central regulators of this fundamental balance. We evaluate the molecular basis of ERF function, highlighting their modular structure, dynamic post-translational regulation, and ability to form context-specific protein complexes that integrate diverse signals. While ERF family members show functional redundancy, certain ERF subgroups, such as the ERF-VIIs, exhibit clearer evidence of dual roles in coordinating both developmental programs and adaptive responses to stress. We further elucidate the mechanisms underlying ERF-mediated trade-offs, explaining how these factors direct spatial resource allocation and enable temporal switching between growth and defense states. Finally, we explore how emerging technologies, such as CRISPR-based genome editing and various synthetic biology tools, can harness ERF regulatory networks. These approaches offer promising strategies for engineering crops with precisely tuned adaptive capacity, supporting sustainable agriculture even in changing climate conditions. This synthesis highlights specific ERF subgroups as pivotal integrators and future targets for crop improvement. Full article

Optimizing planting density is a critical, cost-effective strategy for sustainable agricultural intensification, yet moving beyond static recommendations to environment-specific precision management remains a key challenge. This study establishes a three-step framework (comprising zoning, response extraction, and machine learning modeling) to determine optimum planting density (OPD) for rice (Oryza sativa L.). Utilizing a data-driven synthesis of 960 field observations from the Northeast Black Soil Region (NBSR) of China, we identified distinct spatial variability in OPD (16.6 to 37.4 × 10⁴ hills ha⁻¹). Northern regions computationally prioritized higher densities, aligning with agronomic strategies to offset thermal constraints, while southern regions favored lower densities to reduce canopy competition. Soil properties, particularly Soil Organic Carbon (SOC), pH, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and Total Nitrogen (TN), were identified as the dominant predictive indicators, collectively surpassing climatic factors in their predictive importance. This highlights the foundational role of soil buffering capacity in estimating crop tolerance to density management. Based on model-derived estimates, optimized density management indicated potential yield improvements of 3.8% to 9.7% (up to 872.32 kg ha⁻¹) compared to conventional practices. By replacing uniform practices with dynamic, environment-driven strategies, this work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), offering a scalable solution for diverse rice production systems under climate change. Full article