Search Results (33,856)

This study establishes a structured framework to identify and evaluate risk factors that may hinder the achievement of sustainable development goals in green buildings and sustainable infrastructure projects. Fifty-six risk factors are identified and categorized into four risk groups, including stakeholder and management, financial and economic, technological and resource, and process and regulatory risks. The risk factors are evaluated across four risk indices related to probability of occurrence, manageability, impact on building performance, and project cost. Further, the severity of risks based on combining the four indices’ effects is quantified using a new Green Risk Index (GRI), while the relationships among all risk indices are determined. The strongest positive correlation is observed between the probability and the impact on cost, whereas a negative relationship is found between the probability and manageability. The analysis demonstrates that a risk factor related to the lack of knowledge about energy-saving procedures and environmental concerns during the design phase is the most critical, as it has the highest severity based on the GRI. “Non-compliance with environmental standards in project design” is also identified as a critical risk factor due to its high effect on building performance. Additionally, the risk factor associated with unstable funds from investors shows the highest effect on manageability. Process and regulatory is identified as the most critical risk group, encompassing the maximum number of key risk factors, and has the highest average weight related to the GRI. These findings reveal crucial vulnerabilities and underline the importance of targeted strategies to strengthen the use of nature-based solution frameworks for mitigating the risk effects in green buildings and sustainable infrastructures. Full article

Recreation, aesthetic appreciation, identity, and spiritual values are among the cultural ecosystem services (CES) produced by long-distance historic and pilgrimage trails. However, it is still difficult to convert these experiential benefits into quantifiable economic flows. This study collected 560 valid responses from an in-field survey conducted along the Via degli Dei (Bologna–Florence). Robust visitor clusters were created using Gower dissimilarities, Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM), silhouette diagnostics, and Factor Analysis for Mixed Data (FAMD). Each cluster was then profiled according to seasonal patterns, information channels, individual-level, per-category expenditures (accommodation, food, transport, services, and equipment), as well as motivations. Four segments are identified—Student Campers (low-budget, peak-summer), Working-Age Male B&B Hikers (short stays, B&B), Young Women on Mixed Lodging (mixed accommodation), and Midlife Comfort-Seekers (higher spend, shoulder-season)—underpinning our spending, seasonality, and managerial implications. Student Campers had the lowest absolute expenditures, while Midlife Comfort-Seekers had the highest (median lodging €180; food €175). The study offers practical levers for route governance (targeted communications, low-impact lodging strategies, shoulder-season promotion) to improve local value capture while reducing environmental pressure by connecting typologies to monetary CES flows. The findings provide a reproducible model for implementing recreational CES on historical-cultural tours. Full article

Post-weaning diarrhea caused by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major disease in piglets and leads to substantial economic losses in the swine industry. Compared to conventional lysozyme, yak stomach lysozyme (YSL) demonstrates distinctive resistance to pepsin, trypsin, high temperature, and acidic conditions. This study investigated the effects of dietary YSL supplementation on intestinal health in weaned piglets challenged with ETEC, utilizing metabolomics and proteomics. A total of 18 weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups: control (C), diarrhea (D), and YSL treatment (YLT). Groups C and D were fed a basal diet, while the YLT group received the basal diet supplemented with YSL at a dosage of 100,000 U/kg following ETEC challenge. Following an acclimation period, piglets in groups D and YLT were orally challenged with ETEC, while group C received the same volume of sterile LB broth. The feeding trial lasted for 21 days before sample collection. The results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with YSL significantly reduced the diarrhea rate (p < 0.05). Compared with the D group, the YLT group exhibited significantly increased serum albumin levels (p < 0.05), along with a tendency toward greater villus height (p = 0.085) and higher serum glucose levels (p = 0.052), indicating an improvement in nutritional and metabolic status Metabolomic analysis identified 260 differentially abundant metabolites between the YLT and D groups (81 upregulated, 179 downregulated), which were predominantly enriched in pathways related to amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, purine metabolism, and nucleic acid metabolism. Proteomic profiling revealed 571 differentially expressed proteins (237 upregulated, 334 downregulated). Upregulated proteins were mainly involved in arginine biosynthesis and base excision repair, while downregulated proteins were associated with the PPAR signaling pathway and Salmonella infection. In summary, dietary YSL supplementation alters the metabolic and proteomic profiles in the intestines of diarrheic piglets, potentially improving gut barrier function and nutrient utilization. This study offers novel insights into the potential of YSL as a promising feed additive for prevention of post-weaning diarrhea in pigs. Full article

The Bactrian camel is a key economic livestock species in China and around the world. It yields meat and milk (high-quality functional foods), and the milk reports health benefits. Dromedary camels, as intermediate hosts of MERS-CoV, have garnered significant public health attention. In contrast, viral surveillance in Bactrian camels from the same genus as dromedaries has received limited attention, with only sporadic or regionally confined reports available. Systematic investigations into the virome of viral species, viral diversity, and novel viruses in Bactrian camels are lacking. In this study, swabs were collected from 701 Bactrian camels in China. Through metagenomics, 3262 viral contigs were classified into 16 viral phyla, 29 viral families, and an unclassified group. The different landforms were found to influence viral diversity and composition in Bactrian camels, with mountainous area exerting the greatest impact. The viral composition significantly differed between captive and free-ranging camels. The study identified at least 12 viruses with zoonotic potential, and phylogenetic analysis indicated cross-species transmission in some of them. Additionally, picornavirus, circular Rep-encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA virus, and polyomavirus from Bactrian camels may represent novel species or genotypes. To summarize, in this study, we described the baseline virome profile of Chinese Bactrian camels, investigated the ecological factors influencing the viral distribution of Bactrian camels, identified key potential viral risks, and provided a scientific basis for the prevention, control, and early warning of critical viral diseases in Bactrian camels from China. Full article

In situ physical coal fracturing is one of the key technologies for deep coal resource extraction, among which the liquid nitrogen cyclic freeze–thaw (LNCFT) technique demonstrates remarkable fracturing effects and promising application potential in physical coal breaking. To determine economically viable mining and coalbed methane (CBM) extraction cycles, this study builds on previous research and conducts a series of experiments to investigate the effects of different cold condition temperatures and freeze–thaw cycles on the mesoscopic surface structure and macroscopic mechanical properties of deep, water-rich coal-rock samples. A statistical damage constitutive model for saturated coal-rock under coupled freeze–thaw and loading, incorporating a damage threshold, was established to more accurately describe the damage patterns and mechanisms. The results indicate that lower cold condition temperatures lead to greater mesoscopic crack propagation, lower uniaxial compressive strength, and significantly reduced freeze–thaw failure cycles. Under −45 °C, saturated coal-rock samples experienced macroscopic failure after only 23 freeze–thaw cycles, which is 9 and 15 cycles fewer than those under −30 °C and −15 °C, respectively. Furthermore, measurements of wave velocities in three directions before and after testing revealed that freeze–thaw cycles caused particularly pronounced damage in the direction perpendicular to the bedding planes. Additionally, the established coupled statistical damage constitutive model provides a more accurate and intuitive analysis of the entire process from damage to failure under different cold conditions, showing that as the temperature decreases and freeze–thaw cycles increase, the coal-rock’s brittleness diminishes while plastic deformation and ductile failure characteristics are enhanced. In summary, for coal and CBM extraction using the LNCFT technique, it is recommended to extract gas once after approximately 35 cycles of liquid nitrogen injection. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of liquid nitrogen cyclic freeze–thaw technology in deep coal fracturing. Full article

Cyber-sexual crimes have become a growing concern in the digital age, as rapid technological progress continues to create new forms of violence and victimization. These offenses affect society unevenly, striking more intensely among minors, women, and other vulnerable groups. Their prevalence is shaped by structural inequalities, educational, economic, and technological, that condition both exposure to digital risks and the capacity for protection. Although international research has connected these disparities with digital victimization, evidence from Spain remains limited. The aim was to analyze the regional distribution of cyber-sexual crimes in Spain between 2011 and 2022 and to explore how education, income, and digital access relate to their incidence. To this end, official data from the Spanish Statistical Crime Portal (PEC) were combined with structural indicators provided by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. The analysis encompassed reported cases of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, corruption of minors, online grooming, exhibitionism, pornography, and sexual provocation, using standardized incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants. Statistical methods included ANOVA with post hoc comparisons, correlation analyses, and K-means clustering to identify territorial patterns. Results revealed a sustained national increase in cyber-sexual crimes, with grooming and sexual harassment showing the most pronounced growth. The Balearic Islands (mean 4.9), Canary Islands (4.0), and Andalusia (3.9) registered the highest incidence rates, well above the national average (3.0). Educational disadvantages and low income were linked to sexual abuse and corruption of minors, whereas greater digital connectivity, expressed through higher mobile phone use, broadband access, and computer ownership, was strongly associated with grooming and other technology-facilitated offenses. Cluster analysis identified three distinct territorial profiles: high-incidence regions (Balearic and Canary Islands, Andalusia), intermediate (Murcia, Madrid, Navarre, Valencian Community), and low-incidence (Galicia, Catalonia, Castile and León, among others). In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that cyber-sexual crimes in Spain are unevenly distributed and closely linked to persistent structural vulnerabilities that shape digital exposure. These results underscore the need for territorially sensitive prevention strategies that reduce educational and economic inequalities, foster sexual and digital literacy, and promote safer online environments. Without addressing these underlying structural dimensions, public policies risk overlooking the conditions that sustain regional disparities and limit adequate protection against technology-driven sexual crimes. Full article

Against the backdrop of frequent internal and external shocks, as a core driver of the consumption segment in the digital economy, the impact mechanism and actual effectiveness of information consumption on urban economic resilience urgently require systematic exploration. Based on panel data of 280 prefecture-level cities in China from 2010 to 2022, this study treats the information consumption pilot policy as a quasi-natural experiment and employs a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) method to empirically examine the policy’s impact on urban economic resilience and its internal mechanisms. The results show that the information consumption pilot policy significantly enhances urban economic resilience, with a policy effect coefficient of 0.084, and this conclusion remains robust after multiple robustness tests. Mechanistic analysis indicates that the policy indirectly strengthens urban economic resilience by promoting consumption growth, stimulating technological innovation, and improving human capital. Meanwhile, the level of digital infrastructure plays a positive moderating role in the policy effect. Heterogeneity analysis finds that the policy has a more pronounced effect of enhancing economic resilience on cities with larger population sizes, higher economic density, and non-resource-dependent characteristics. Further extended research confirms that the information consumption pilot policy exhiSbits a significant spatial spillover effect on urban economic resilience, and this spillover effect presents a phased characteristic of “resource homogeneous competition → positive synergistic driving → cross-regional resource siphoning → spatial attenuation of the effect” with changes in geographical distance. Full article

Amid increasing pressure on sustainability across sectors, the wine industry is also being called to adopt sustainable and responsible practices. However, a potential concern for firms is whether and to what extent sustainability efforts, while beneficial for the environment and society, require some sacrifice on the economic side. Specifically, this study investigates whether adopting a holistic sustainability approach by wine firms leads to economic issues in the short term. We focus on Italian wineries certified under Equalitas certification, a three-pillar certification integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions, and evaluate their financial performance using a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach. The analysis relies on firm-level economic data from the AIDA database, covering a sample of 631 companies observed over a six-year period from 2018 to 2023. Overall, the results show no statistically significant short-term changes in profitability or liquidity indicators across the entire sample. These findings suggest that, while short-term economic gains are not guaranteed, embarking on a sustainability path does not undermine financial performance and may offer benefits under certain organizational conditions. The study contributes to the literature by providing robust empirical evidence on the economic implications of the adoption holistic sustainability approaches in the wine sector. Full article

This article presents a systemic framework for integrating Industry 4.0 technologies with sustainability practices, structured around three strategic pillars: technological selection, technological integration, and sustainability assessment. To support its development, a systematic literature review was conducted, applying the PICO methodology (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) to ensure structured and reproducible research, and following PRISMA guidelines to guarantee methodological transparency and rigor. Relevant studies focusing on Industry 4.0 and sustainability integration were identified, analyzed, and synthesized. The proposed framework comprises five iterative stages—diagnosis, selection and prioritization, integration, assessment, and continuous improvement—complemented by practical guidelines to facilitate implementation across diverse organizational contexts, including administrative, financial, and human resources departments. It enables organizations to select appropriate technologies, evaluate multidimensional sustainability impacts, and align innovation with environmental, economic, and social objectives, providing a structured roadmap for decision-making. Comparative analysis with selected literature highlights that the framework fills existing gaps in systemic integration, multidimensional assessment, and iterative adaptation. Although conceptual, it integrates literature review insights and three illustrative case studies, offering a practical pathway for sustainable technological adoption. Future research should focus on empirical validation and metric development to consolidate its applicability across industrial sectors. Full article

China’s rapid economic growth since its reform and opening-up has come at the cost of worsening atmospheric pollution. This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of PM_2.5 concentrations in Shandong province, a key industrial region, during 2014–2023, using comprehensive air quality monitoring, meteorological observations, and socioeconomic datasets. Through spatial analysis and geodetector methods, we identify that (1) The annual PM_2.5 concentration decreases significantly by 50.9%; spatially, heterogeneity is observed with the western urban agglomeration experiencing more severe pollution, while the eastern coastal urban agglomeration exhibits better air quality. (2) Gravity model analysis shows that the centroids of PM_2.5 pollution undergo distinct migration phases. (3) PM_2.5 levels show a distinct seasonal pattern, peaking in winter at a level 143.7% higher than the summer average. (4) The meteorological driving factors are primarily air temperature (r = 0.511) and wind speed (r = −0.487), while the socioeconomic factors are tertiary industry production (r = −0.971), particulate matter emissions (r = 0.956), and sulfur dioxide emissions (r = 0.938). Concurrently, the combined effect of tertiary industry production and PM emissions account for 99.5% of PM_2.5 variability. Notably, we validate an Environmental Kuznets Curve relationship (R² = 0.805) between economic development and air quality improvement, demonstrating that clean production policy integration can reconcile environmental and economic objectives. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting circular economy strategies for air pollution mitigation in industrializing regions. Full article

Equine herpesvirus (EHV) infections represent a significant global veterinary and economic challenge affecting both horses and donkeys across all inhabited continents. This narrative review comprehensively examines the nine distinct EHV species (EHV-1 through EHV-9), their taxonomic classification within Alphaherpesvirinae and Gammaherpesvirinae subfamilies, and their diverse host tropism patterns. The complex molecular pathogenesis involves sophisticated viral glycoproteins (gK, gB, gC, gH, gM, gL, gG, gD, gI, gE) that orchestrate cellular invasion, immune evasion, and intercellular transmission. Clinical manifestations vary considerably, ranging from respiratory diseases and reproductive failures to severe neurological disorders, with EHV-1 demonstrating the most severe presentations including myeloencephalopathy. Global distribution analysis reveals widespread circulation across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania, with species-specific clinical patterns. Current therapeutic options remain largely supportive, with experimental compounds like berbamine and cepharanthine, celastrol, blebbistatin, and hyperoside showing promise in preclinical studies. Vaccination programs demonstrate limited effectiveness, failing to prevent transmission at population levels despite inducing individual immune responses. The sophisticated immune evasion strategies employed by EHVs, including the “Trojan horse” mechanism utilizing infected leukocytes, highlight the complexity of host–pathogen interactions and underscore the urgent need for innovative prevention and treatment strategies. Full article

Globally, intensive groundwater extraction has led to widespread land subsidence, posing severe threats to urban infrastructure, structural safety, and flood control capacity, and resulting in substantial economic losses and ecological degradation. Based on dynamic monitoring data and a poroelastic fluid–solid coupling model developed using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.2, this study systematically investigates the characteristics and evolution of land subsidence in Decheng District before and after the implementation of a groundwater extraction ban. Furthermore, recommendations and strategies for the sustainable management of regional groundwater resources are proposed. The results indicate that after the ban was enforced in 2020, the extraction volumes of deep and shallow groundwater in Decheng District decreased from 830,000 m³/a and 33,070,000 m³/a to 178,000 m³/a and 20,775,000 m³/a, respectively. The ban significantly influenced groundwater levels, with the recovery rate of deep groundwater increasing markedly from approximately 0.5 m/a before the ban to about 5 m/a afterward. Groundwater levels directly govern the rate of land subsidence; their decline increases the effective stress within the strata, leading to aquifer compaction and subsequent subsidence. Following the ban, the subsidence rate in Decheng District decreased significantly, with the annual subsidence volume reduced by more than 80% compared to the pre-ban period. Predictive analysis using the fluid–solid coupling model reveals that extraction from deep confined aquifers is the main driver of regional subsidence, with a time lag of approximately five years between groundwater level changes and subsidence response. After the implementation of the extraction ban, the subsidence rate slowed considerably. Over the long term, the subsiding strata tend to stabilize, although most of the subsidence that has already occurred is irreversible, making it difficult for the strata to return to their original state. In summary, the groundwater extraction ban has effectively facilitated groundwater recovery and mitigated land subsidence in Decheng District, though the response exhibits both temporal lag and spatial variability. Future work should focus on establishing an integrated monitoring and regulation system for land subsidence and groundwater dynamics to ensure the coordinated security of both water resources and the geological environment. These findings provide a scientific basis for informing land subsidence prevention and guiding the rational exploitation of groundwater resources in Decheng District. Full article

This study investigates the systemic interrelations between logistics performance, environmental performance, sustainable development progress, and institutional governance. While the existing literature often examines these dimensions separately, this research conceptualizes them as co-determined drivers of national development. Using data from 123 countries, the analysis integrates four composite indices—Logistics Performance Index (LPI), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDG), and Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI)—alongside GDP per capita. Methodologically, this study applies multiple linear regressions and correlation analyses to assess the associations among these variables and employs Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) to simulate scenario-based systemic interactions. Results show that all ESG indicators are positively and significantly associated with LPI, with WGI exerting the strongest effect. In turn, LPI, EPI, SDG, and WGI jointly explain 81.7% of the variance in GDP per capita, confirming their integrated role in shaping economic performance. FCM simulations further reveal that both environmental and institutional improvements generate reinforcing effects on logistics capacity and GDP outcomes. This study’s originality lies in its multiple-method approach and its synthesis of ESG and logistics performance metrics into a unified explanatory framework. It contributes to development studies by highlighting the structural embeddedness of logistics within broader institutional and sustainability ecosystems. Its policy implication lies in suggesting that integrated reforms—combining infrastructure, regulatory quality, and environmental stewardship—are essential for enhancing long-term national competitiveness and resilience. Full article

Efficient operational planning in district heating systems (DHSs) is essential for minimizing operating costs and maximizing energy efficiency. However, since practitioners must determine future production plans under unknown future demands and costs in real-world energy systems, it is challenging to solve the production planning problems of DHSs. In this paper, we propose a multi-head attention-based TimesNet (MATN) in which a transformer decoder is incorporated that operates solely on a 24 h lookback window without requiring any future information. Specifically, the model is trained in an end-to-end manner, for which the training dataset was built by solving a mixed integer programming (MIP) model. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MATN model significantly outperforms baseline deep learning-based methods. A qualitative analysis of the hourly production plans further indicates that MATN generates robust operational plans that mimic those generated by an MIP model, which suggests the effectiveness of the proposed approach in terms of economic efficiency and operational stability without depending on future information. Full article

This study presents an adaptive conservation framework for the Fujia Residence, a vernacular house located in the tropical region of Hainan, China. The primary aim of this study is to develop a symbiotic design approach that integrates GIS spatial analysis, modular design, and community participation to ensure the long-term sustainability, cultural preservation, and resilience of vernacular housing in tropical regions. The framework leverages GIS data, including elevation, temperature distribution, ecological features, and water systems, to inform the design, ensuring it is both disaster-resilient and environmentally adaptive. The modular design components, such as prefabricated structures and flexible spaces, offer a sustainable and adaptable solution to meet residents’ needs while preserving cultural heritage. The community participation model, incorporating a revenue-sharing mechanism and government subsidies, encourages the long-term involvement of local residents in the maintenance and protection of the residence. The outcome of this study demonstrates that the proposed framework provides a replicable model for cultural heritage preservation in tropical and economically underdeveloped regions, offering a scalable and adaptable solution to address the challenges of vernacular housing conservation in similar contexts. Full article