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While agriculture is experiencing localized crises, its indispensable role as the foundation of humanity’s food supply requires its uninterrupted functioning. This conventional system is therefore in a state of competition with alternative models, particularly agroecology, which offers a different paradigm for food production. Given this situation and the need to gather reliable information on regenerative agriculture (RA), this article provides a literature review on its principles, objectives, and edaphic benefits. Additionally, it presents a case study that offers practical knowledge of the techniques and actions implemented by an agroforestry farm in central Spain. With this goal, this article addresses key aspects of RA, such as the use of cover crops, and the integration of livestock, emphasizing its role in improving soil quality and increasing biodiversity, among other benefits. After reviewing numerous scientific articles, and despite widespread interest in RA, there is no commonly accepted definition, so there is a wide range of ways to define RA. Until a generalized definition is accepted, we advocate making proposals and implementing methods with extreme caution and based on the regional or local context in which it is defined. In this sense, based on the implementation of RA at the Kerbest Foundation farm, we propose regenerative agriculture as a set of agroecological actions and processes that fundamentally provide functional soil quality, food quality, ecosystem services, and, especially, healthy and economically profitable livestock farming. Based on all of the above, we can argue that RA is no longer merely a commitment made by farmers but, rather, an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable solution grounded in scientific knowledge and technical experience. Full article

As the fundamental spatial carriers of population and economic activities, cities are central to advancing Chinese-style modernization, making the enhancement of their comprehensive carrying capacity (CCP) an essential pathway toward sustainable development. Drawing on panel data from 284 prefecture-level cities in China covering the period of 2005–2022, this study constructs a dynamic spatial Durbin model to examine how different forms of industrial agglomeration influence urban CCP. The results indicate the following: (1) Urban CCP demonstrates significant spatial dependence across cities. (2) Both specialization and diversification exert pronounced spatiotemporal lag effects. Specifically, specialized agglomeration tends to suppress the urban CCP of both local and neighboring cities, whereas diversified agglomeration generally contributes to its improvement. (3) The spatiotemporal effects of specialized agglomeration and diversified agglomeration on urban CCP exhibit heterogeneity across regions and economic development levels. Diversified agglomeration significantly enhances the CCP of cities in the central region and those with higher economic development levels, while the western region and cities with lower economic development levels are more suited for industrial specialized agglomeration. (4) Further research has found that specialized agglomeration and diversified agglomeration have heterogeneous spatiotemporal effects on different dimensions of urban CCP. These findings suggest that governments at all levels should formulate differentiated industrial agglomeration strategies that align with local resource endowments and industrial foundations, thereby fostering high-quality urban development tailored to local conditions. Full article

Coal resources serve as a fundamental pillar for global economic development and remain the dominant energy source in China. To improve coal resource utilization and assess the impact hazards related to strip filling mining, this study selects the No. 3-3 coal seam of a mine in Tuokexun as its engineering context. By integrating theoretical investigation and numerical modeling, a comparative evaluation was performed between the conventional mining approach and the strip filling mining technique in terms of impact hazard. The results reveal that during the first phase of strip filling mining—characterized by a high filling ratio—the level of impact hazard remains minimal. Relative to the traditional method, the peak advance abutment pressure during the second phase of strip filling mining is reduced by as much as 17.8%. Moreover, significant reductions are observed in stress concentration, deformation intensity, and the extent of plastic zone propagation along the retreat roadway. Under the conventional method, the influence range is approximately 70 m, whereas under strip filling mining, it decreases to about 60 m. These insights confirm that strip filling mining can effectively diminish impact-related hazards and enhance the safety of underground coal extraction operations. Full article

The equitable allocation of carbon emission responsibility is fundamental to advancing China’s industrial decarbonization, achieving its dual-carbon goals, and realizing regional sustainable development. However, prevailing interprovincial carbon accounting frameworks often neglect the coupled dynamics of economic benefits, energy flows, and ecological capacity, leading to systematic misattribution of industrial carbon footprint transfers. Here, we develop an integrated analytical framework combining multi-regional input–output (MRIO) modeling and net primary productivity (NPP) assessment to comprehensively quantify industrial carbon footprints and their transfers across 30 Chinese provinces. By embedding both the benefit principle (aligning responsibility with trade-generated economic gains) and the energy flow principle (accounting for interprovincial energy trade), we construct a dual-adjustment mechanism that rectifies spatial and sectoral imbalances in traditional accounting. Our results reveal pronounced east-to-west industrial carbon footprint transfers, with resource-rich provinces (e.g., Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang) disproportionately burdened by external consumption, impacting the balance of sustainable development in these regions. Implementing benefit and energy flow adjustments redistributes responsibility more fairly: high-benefit, energy-importing provinces (e.g., Shanghai, Jiangsu, Beijing) assume greater carbon obligations, while energy-exporting, resource-dependent regions see reduced responsibilities. This approach narrows the gap between production- and consumption-based accounting, offering a scientifically robust, policy-relevant pathway to balance regional development and environmental accountability. The proposed framework provides actionable insights for designing carbon compensation mechanisms and formulating equitable decarbonization policies in China and other economies facing similar regional disparities. Full article

Minerals bearing rare earth elements (REEs) are formed through long geological processes, among which monazite, bastnasite, xenotime, and ionic adsorption clays are the most economically exploited. Although Brazil has one of the largest reserves of REEs on the planet, its production is still not significant on the world stage. China remains dominant, with the largest reserves of REEs and controlling more than half of world production. Due to their important application in advanced clean and low-carbon energy technologies, REEs have become fundamental to the energy transition process. Technological applications related to catalyst synthesis, ceramics production, and metallurgy have been explored. Furthermore, the use of REEs in devices of great demand today, such as computer memory, rechargeable batteries, and mobile phones, has been cited. With the growing demand for these critical minerals, large mining companies are seeking to implement cleaner production policies in their processes and save natural resources to minimize the environmental impacts of the exploration. Robust analytical techniques have made it possible to characterize these elements in multi-element geological matrices, with the increasing exploration and identification of new REE mineral reserves. Full article

Jiangsu Province is an important economic province on the eastern coast of China, revealing the spatial–temporal characteristics, dynamic degree, and transition direction of land use/cover change, and its main driving factors are significant for the effective use of land resources and the promotion of regional human–land coordinated development. Based on land use data of Jiangsu Province from 2000 to 2020, this study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of land use/cover using the dynamics model and the transfer matrix model, and examines the influence and interaction of the driving factors between human activities and the natural environment based on 10-factor data using Geodetector. The results showed that (1) In the past 20 years, the type of land use/cover in Jiangsu Province primarily comprises cropland, water, and impervious, with the land use/cover change mode mainly consisting of a dramatic change in cropland and impervious and relatively little change in forest, grassland, water, and barren. (2) From the perspective of the dynamic rate of land use/cover change, the single land use dynamic degree showed that impervious is the only land type whose dynamics have positively increased from 2000 to 2010 and 2010 to 2020, with values of 3.67% and 3.03%, respectively. According to the classification of comprehensive motivation, the comprehensive land use motivation in Jiangsu Province in each time period from 2000 to 2010 and 2010 to 2020 is 0.46% and 0.43%, respectively, which belongs to the extremely slow change type. (3) From the perspective of land use/cover transfer, Jiangsu Province is mainly characterized by a large area of cropland transfer (−7954.30 km²) and a large area of impervious transfer (8759.58 km²). The increase in impervious is mainly attributed to the transformation of cropland and water, accounting for 4066.07 km² and 513.73 km² from 2010 to 2020, which indicates that the non-agricultural phenomenon of cropland in Jiangsu Province, i.e., the process of transforming cropland into non-agricultural construction land, is significant. (4) From the perspective of driving factors, population density (q = 0.154) and night light brightness (q = 0.156) have always been important drivers of land use/cover change in Jiangsu Province. The interaction detection indicates that the land use/cover change is driven by both socio-economic factors and natural geographic factors. (5) In response to the dual pressures of climate change and rapid urbanization, coordinating the multiple objectives of socio-economic development, food security, and ecological protection is the fundamental path to achieving sustainable land use in Jiangsu Province and similar developed coastal areas. By revealing the characteristics and driving factors of land use/cover change in Jiangsu Province, this study provides qualitative and quantitative theoretical support for the coordinated decision-making of economic development and land use planning in Jiangsu Province, specifically contributing to sustainable land planning, climate adaptation policy-making, and the enhancement of community well-being through optimized land use. Full article

Recent studies have indicated that territorial cohesion represents a fundamental variable for the viable functioning of a state. Territorial cohesion is the result of the interaction between two categories of forces: centripetal, which tends to maintain its cohesion, and centrifugal, which tends to break it up. These forces are the combined result of several categories of factors (ethnic, historical and geopolitical, demographic, and social–economic) which characterize each state and territory. The degree of accessibility is a composite indicator that accumulates the influence of natural and economic–social factors through the degree of development of the communications infrastructure on territorial cohesion. Accessibility is of crucial importance, especially in the case of relatively ethnically homogeneous states. Our study analyzes these aspects of territorial cohesion and administrative organization in the case of Romania, a state located in a European region of geopolitical interference and instability. By using a methodology on the critical analysis of data, documents, and bibliographic sources in Romania, the results of our study indicate changes in the relations between cities and subordinate human settlements that occurred in the last five decades, as well as the lack of financial viability of many administrative–territorial units. The conclusions of our research propose a broad rethinking of the administrative–territorial organization in this country, based mainly on better functionality and territorial cohesion. Full article

Pre-trial detention is intended to be a measure of last resort, yet it is excessively applied across jurisdictions worldwide. This paper examines its use, with particular emphasis on its application to women and its incompatibility with international human rights law, standards, and norms. We demonstrate that the inappropriate and widespread use of custodial remand violates fundamental human rights, while exposing the gendered and intersectional barriers that impede women’s access to bail. We further underscore the far-reaching social, economic, and emotional consequences of women’s incarceration. Drawing on a limited but expanding body of research, we argue that pre-trial detention operates as a form of gendered punishment that reflects and reinforces structural inequalities, producing enduring harms for women, their families, and communities. The paper concludes by calling for investment in gender-sensitive, non-custodial, and community-based alternatives that advance women’s decarceration. These measures must be underpinned by reforms that give practical effect to human rights law, standards, and norms, while also addressing the structural conditions that lead to women’s involvement in the criminal-legal system, and ending the unnecessary imprisonment of those who are legally innocent. Full article

Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a fundamental role in soil fertility and ecosystem functioning. In calcareous soils, SOM quantification is often challenging due to carbonate interference. This study aimed to compare three common analytical methods for SOM determination: the Anne method, the modified Walkley–Black method, and the Loss on Ignition (LOI) method, with and without decarbonation. Twenty-five soil samples were collected from a calcareous parcel in the Bordj Bou Arreridj region (Algeria), and SOM content was analysed using all methods. The results revealed substantial variability in SOM content across methods, reflecting differences in sensitivity to carbonates and efficiency of organic carbon oxidation. The Anne method, considered the reference technique, yielded the highest mean SOM content (3.61%), followed by LOI without decarbonation (3.41%), the modified Walkley–Black method (2.96%), and LOI with decarbonation (2.55%). Strong correlations were observed between methods, particularly between the Anne method and LOI with decarbonation (R² = 0.91), confirming the latter as a reliable alternative. Decarbonation significantly reduced SOM overestimation, as demonstrated by paired statistical tests and a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.95). Linear regression models were established to estimate SOM from LOI results, providing a cost-effective approach for rapid assessment. These findings highlight the importance of method selection according to soil type, the need for standardised protocols, and the value of LOI with decarbonation as a robust, practical, and economical method for SOM determination in calcareous soils. Full article

In a significant transition from classical theories of efficient markets and perfectly rational investors, the recent literature has increasingly acknowledged the importance of the human element and external market conditions in decision-making. However, the application of adaptive market frameworks in the property sector remains underexplored. This gap is particularly pronounced in the commercial property market, where structural inefficiencies, such as information asymmetry and illiquidity, amplify decision-making complexity. Given that investor rationality tends to diminish as uncertainty and complexity increase, this study explored how private commercial property investors adapt their strategies amid heightened uncertainty. The perspectives of seven experienced property experts were thematically analysed to highlight recurring patterns, which were then integrated into a conceptual mind map. The findings reveal that while economic fundamentals are the constant drivers of capital allocation decisions, investors process these signals through the lens of adaptive behaviour based on intuition, experience, risk perceptions, and herding. This relationship becomes more pronounced under conditions of heightened uncertainty, where investors seek to supplement available information with sentiment due to weaker signals and declining confidence in fundamentals. Sustainable investing and technology integration also emerged as core considerations, but interest among private investors is subdued due to ambiguous value propositions regarding the long-term economic benefits of a green premium. These findings offer practical insights into how external market conditions influence property investment decisions and provide a platform for operational models of investment decision-making that integrate adaptive behaviour. Full article

Proteins are fundamental to food systems due to their structural, nutritional, and functional roles. With increasing consumer awareness of health and sustainability, the demand for protein-rich foods from diverse and eco-friendly sources is rising. Fermentation has emerged as a transformative approach for enhancing the nutritional value, functionality, and sensory appeal of protein-based foods, while also contributing to environmental and economic sustainability. This review explores the multifaceted impact of fermentation on proteins, focusing on nutritional enhancement, functional improvements, technological adaptability, and sensory optimization. It highlights how microbial fermentation can modify protein structures, reduce allergenicity, improve digestibility, and generate bioactive compounds. The diversity of protein sources, microbial strains, and fermentation parameters offers a versatile platform for tailoring food products to meet evolving consumer expectations. By critically examining current research and industrial practices, this paper underscores the importance of selecting appropriate protein substrates and microbial hosts to maximize the benefits of fermentation. The insights provided aim to guide future innovations in developing sustainable, health-promoting, and consumer-acceptable fermented protein products. Full article

Action bias, the cognitive tendency to favor action over inaction regardless of its necessity, has been extensively studied across domains such as behavioral economics, organizational behavior, and policy development. However, its manifestation in educational contexts remains critically underexplored. In the digital age, with an abundance of both factual and misleading information, the persistence of action bias within education jeopardizes the cultivation of initial critical thinking capable of addressing multifaceted global challenges. The analysis indicates how institutional norms may foster a performative academic identity that conflates speed and compliance with intellectual competence. Through workshops conducted with university students ranging from undergraduate to PhD levels, participants were tasked with solving a practical yet ambiguous problem to highlight potential cognitive differences across educational stages. Despite prior training in critical thinking, participants consistently defaulted to immediate ideation, bypassing fundamental inquiries into the problem’s legitimacy or broader implications. Using a sensemaking approach, this study demonstrates that reflexive actions are not interpreted as merely cognitive shortcuts but behaviors shaped by educational systems prioritizing visible outputs over critical inquiry. The findings reveal how institutional norms foster a performative academic identity, conflating speed and compliance with intellectual competence. This research challenges traditional pedagogical models, advocating for educational reforms that emphasize assessing the process of learning. By situating action bias within the broader framework of active learning, this study offers actionable insights for educators, policy makers and researchers to foster critical innovative thinking, essential in an increasingly digital future. Full article

Urban public spaces function as complex social and spatial systems, serving as fundamental elements in preserving cultural heritage and fostering democratic participation and urban stability. The dominant valuation methods depend on economic principles that prioritize financial returns and property values over social, ecological, and cultural aspects. This study examines the distinction between social value, which is based on personal experiences and social connections, and fair value, which relies on market operations and financial regulations. The research investigates how valuation practices affect spatial justice and urban governance through a conceptual framework and four empirical case studies: Syntagma Square in Athens, the metro station areas, the city of Barcelona, and waterfront redevelopment projects in Thessaloniki, London, and Mumbai. The official valuation systems we studied conceal the political elements of space while preserving social inequalities and forcing out the requirements of local communities. The proposed solution establishes an integrative, pluralist valuation system that incorporates qualitative, temporal, and ethical elements, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda. The framework transforms public space discussions from commercialized urban resources into communal civic systems, creating sustainable cities for all. Full article

Improving green total factor productivity (GTFP) is critical for balancing economic benefits and ecological constraints. While most existing studies emphasize the pivotal role of governments in GTFP enhancement, they predominantly treat governments as homogeneous entities, overlooking the fundamental premise of local government attention allocation. Analyzing 2010–2020 data from 285 Chinese cities, this study reveals that increased local government green attention significantly stimulates GTFP through three channels: fostering green technology collaboration among firms, deepening green involvement of public research institutions, and elevating green innovation quality. Heterogeneity analyses demonstrate amplified effects in cities characterized by intense intergovernmental competition, stringent intellectual property protection, robust fiscal capacity, and advanced technological infrastructure, but attenuated impacts in resource-dependent regions with heavy reliance on extractive industries. Full article

As a fundamental metric for assessing carbon sequestration, Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and the mechanisms driving its spatiotemporal dynamics constitute a critical research domain within global change science. This research centered on the Huang–Huai–Hai Plain (HHHP), combining 2001–2023 MODIS-NPP data with natural (landform, temperature, precipitation, soil) and socio-economic (population density, GDP density, land use) drivers. Trend analysis, coefficient of variation, and Hurst index were applied to clarify the spatiotemporal evolution of NPP and its future trends, while geographic detectors and structural equation models were used to quantify the contribution of drivers. Key findings: (1) Across the HHHP, the multi-year average NPP ranged between 30.05 and 1019.76 gC·m⁻²·a⁻¹, with higher values found in Shandong and Henan provinces, and lower values concentrated in the northwestern dam-top plateau and central plain regions; 44.11% of the entire region showed a statistically highly significant increasing trend. (2) The overall fluctuation of NPP was low-amplitude, with a stable center of gravity and the standard deviation ellipse retaining a southwest-to-northeast direction. (3) Future changes in NPP exhibited persistence and anti-persistence, with 44.98% of the region being confronted with vegetation degradation risk. (4) NPP variations originated from the synergistic impacts of multiple elements: among individual elements, precipitation, soil type, and elevation had the highest explanatory capacity, while synergistic interactions between two elements notably enhanced the explanatory capacity. (5) Climate variation exerted the strongest influence on NPP (direct coefficient of 0.743), followed by the basic natural environment (0.734), whereas human-related activities had the weakest direct impact (−0.098). This research offers scientific backing for regional carbon sink evaluation, ecological security early warning, and sustainable development policies. Full article