Search Results (6,426)

The impact of sewage discharge on water quality in reversing rivers has rarely received attention. This study simulated water quality changes in Maoergang River (a water body with counter flow conditions) affected by effluent discharge from Yangjiabu Sewage Treatment Plant. The results revealed that the diffusion patterns of COD, NH₄⁺-N, and TP in the study area were largely consistent; however, different hydrological conditions and discharge scenarios resulted in obvious differences in pollutant distribution. During the dry season, regardless of normal or counter folow conditions, the Maoergang and Xitiaoxi downstream were the primary affected segments. Regulated by hydrodynamic forces, under normal flow conditions, the Xitiaoxi downstream received a higher pollutant load while the Xitiaoxi upstream received minimal inputs. In the wet season, pollutant concentrations were generally lower due to the dilution effect of increased runoff; notably, the primary affected segments shifted to the downstream reaches of Maoergang and Huanchenghe. Under accidental discharge scenarios, excessive sewage release expanded the scope of pollution impacts, with elevated pollutant concentrations causing water quality non-compliance in parts of the upstream and downstream Xitiaoxi—both of which are within the germplasm resource protection zone. Predictive analysis indicated that when the sewage treatment plant’s discharge was reduced to 1.0 × 10⁴ t·d⁻¹, the receiving water bodies could still meet local water quality standards, even under the counter flow hydrological conditions, which pose the greatest threat to water quality during the dry season. Full article

The growing demand for digital content protection has significantly increased the importance of image watermarking, particularly in light of the rising vulnerability of multimedia content to unauthorized modifications. In recent years, research has increasingly focused on leveraging deep learning architectures to enhance watermarking performance, addressing challenges related to transparency, robustness, and payload capacity. Numerous deep learning-based watermarking methods have demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to traditional approaches, particularly those based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Transformers, and diffusion models. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent developments in both conventional and deep learning-based image watermarking techniques. While traditional methods remain prevalent, deep learning approaches offer notable improvements in embedding and extraction efficiency, particularly when facing complex attacks, including those generated by advanced AI models. Applications in areas such as deepfake detection, cybersecurity, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems highlight the practical significance of these advancements. Despite substantial progress, challenges remain in achieving an optimal balance between invisibility, robustness, and capacity, particularly in high-resolution and real-time scenarios. This study concludes by outlining future research directions toward develop robust, scalable, and efficient deep learning-based watermarking systems capable of addressing emerging threats in digital media environments. Full article

Rainfall infiltration is one of the main factors inducing slope instability, while the spatial heterogeneity and uncertainty of soil parameters have profound impacts on slope response characteristics and stability evolution. Traditional deterministic analysis methods struggle to reveal the dynamic risk evolution process of the system under heavy rainfall. Therefore, this paper proposes an uncertainty analysis framework combining Karhunen–Loève Expansion (KLE) random field theory, Polynomial Chaos Kriging (PCK) surrogate modeling, and Monte Carlo simulation to efficiently quantify the probabilistic characteristics and spatial risks of rainfall-induced slope instability. First, for key strength parameters such as cohesion and internal friction angle, a two-dimensional random field with spatial correlation is constructed to realistically depict the regional variability of soil mechanical properties. Second, a PCK surrogate model optimized by the LARS algorithm is developed to achieve high-precision replacement of finite element calculation results. Then, large-scale Monte Carlo simulations are conducted based on the surrogate model to obtain the probability distribution characteristics of slope safety factors and potential instability areas at different times. The research results show that the slope enters the most unstable stage during the middle of rainfall (36–54 h), with severe system response fluctuations and highly concentrated instability risks. Deterministic analysis generally overestimates slope safety and ignores extreme responses in tail samples. The proposed method can effectively identify the multi-source uncertainty effects of slope systems, providing theoretical support and technical pathways for risk early warning, zoning design, and protection optimization of slope engineering during rainfall periods. Full article

Measuring and simulating territorial space conflicts (TSCs) for the achievement of carbon neutrality is of critical significance for formulating regional sustainable utilization of territorial resources that are inherently green and low-carbon. This study develops a TSC evaluation framework: “conflict identification–scenario simulation–carbon effect assessment”. Focusing on Jiangsu Province, we clarify the evolutionary mechanism of TSCs under carbon neutrality goals, providing a scientific basis for high-quality regional development and low-carbon spatial governance. Results show that Jiangsu’s average TSC level was categorized as “strong conflict” (0.66) during 2005–2020. For 2030, four scenarios (natural development, economic priority, ecological protection, low-carbon development) project TSCs shifting from scattered to point-like distribution, concentrating in key core areas. Corresponding projected average carbon neutrality indices are 1.10, 1.11, 1.33, and 1.11, respectively. Under the low-carbon scenario, grid units with serious TSCs decreased by 4.53% compared to 2020—higher than natural development and economic priority scenarios, but lower than the ecological protection scenario (12.45%). Consequently, the low-carbon development scenario can optimally mitigate land use conflicts while maintaining carbon balance. This research provides robust data support for Jiangsu’s sustainable coordinated development and informs efficient land use and regional ecological security. Full article

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of child mortality in Nepal despite the introduction of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10). Vaccine effectiveness is threatened by the emergence of non-vaccine serotypes (NVTs) and the multiple serotypes carriage which often fail to be detected by traditional methods. We aimed to study changes in serotype distribution before and after PCV10 immunization among infants, including serotype dominance in Nepalese infants in the post-vaccine era. Methods: We enrolled infants in a longitudinal cohort study (2020–2022) conducted in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected before PCV10 dose 1 (6 weeks) and at 9 and 12 months post-immunization. We used a sensitive nanofluidic qPCR platform to detect multiple serotypes and establish their hierarchy by quantifying the bacterial load of each strain. Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) adjusted risk factor analysis was used to account for loss to follow-up. Results: PCV10 successfully reduced vaccine-type (VT) carriage, declining sharply from 32.8% at 6 weeks to 4.8% at 12 months. VTs were pushed from being the dominant strain to occupying subdominant roles in co-colonization. Conversely, NVTs rapidly filled the vacated niche, showing a significant increase in their dominant status (p < 0.001). The most common replacing NVTs that rose to dominance were 35B, 19A, 6C/6D, and 15B/15C. Significant risk factors for carriage included older infancy (aOR 3.4, 95%CI: 2.6–4.5 at 9 months), a household kitchen in the living area (aOR 1.4, 95%CI: 1.0–1.9), and winter (aOR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.5–2.7) and pre-monsoon seasons (aOR 2.0, 95%CI: 1.5–2.8). Conclusions: While PCV10 reduced overall VT circulation, the persistence of VTs in subdominant niches creates a continuous reservoir for potential re-emergence and antibiotic resistance. This clear hierarchical shift in dominance towards NVTs underscores the urgent need for a public health strategy that includes the adoption of a higher-valent PCV to provide broader protection, and interventions targeting environmental risk factors are essential to sustain long-term reductions in pneumococcal colonization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontal disease is a condition marked by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues, driven by an exaggerated immune response to an unbalanced dental biofilm. Conventional treatments struggle due to antimicrobial resistance and the biofilm’s protective extracellular matrix. This study evaluates the potential of bacteriophages as an innovative strategy for managing periodontal disease. Methods: This research employed a qualitative approach using Discursive Textual Analysis, with IRAMUTEQ version 0.8 alpha 7 (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) software. The search was conducted in the Orbit Intelligence and PubMed databases, for patents and scholarly articles, respectively. The textual data underwent Descending Hierarchical Classification, Correspondence Factor Analysis, and Similarity Analysis to identify core themes and relationships between words. Results: The analysis revealed an increase in research and patent filings concerning phage therapy for periodontal disease since 2017, emphasizing its market potential. The primary centers for intellectual property activity were identified as China and the United States. The study identified five focus areas: Genomic/Structural Characterization, Patent Formulations, Etiology, Therapeutic Efficacy, and Ecology/Phage Interactions. Lytic phages were shown to be effective against prominent pathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis. Conversely, the lysogenic phages poses a potential risk, as they may transfer resistance and virulence factors, enhancing pathogenicity. Conclusions: Phage therapy is a promising approach to address antimicrobial resistance and biofilm challenges in periodontitis management. Key challenges include the need for the clinical validation of formulations and stable delivery systems for the subgingival area. Future strategies, such as phage genetic engineering and data-driven cocktail design, are crucial for enhancing efficacy and overcoming regulatory hurdles. Full article

The bioinspired superhydrophobic surfaces have demonstrated many fascinating performances in fields such as self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, anti-icing, energy-harvesting devices, and antibacterial coatings. However, developing a low-cost, feasible, and scalable production approach to fabricate robust superhydrophobic surfaces has remained one of the main challenges in the past decades. In this paper, we propose an uncommon method for the fabrication of a durable superhydrophobic coating on the surface of the glass slide (GS). By utilizing the screen printing method and high-temperature curing, the epoxy resin grid (ERG) coating was uniformly and densely loaded on the surface of GS (ERG@GS). Subsequently, the hydrophobic silica (H-SiO₂) was deposited on the surface of ERG@GS by the impregnation method, thereby obtaining a superhydrophobic surface (H-SiO₂@ERG@GS). It is demonstrated that the micro-grooves in ERG can provide a large specific surface area for the deposition of low surface energy materials, while the micro-columns can offer excellent protection for the superhydrophobic coating when it is subjected to mechanical wear. It is important to note that micro-columns, micro-grooves, and nano H-SiO₂ jointly form the micro–nano structure, providing a uniform and robust rough structure for the superhydrophobic surface. Therefore, the combination of a micro–nano rough structure, low surface energy material, and air cushion effect endow the material with excellent durability and superhydrophobic property. The results show that H-SiO₂@ERG@GS possesses excellent self-cleaning property, mechanical durability, and chemical stability, indicating that this preparation method of the robust superhydrophobic coating has significant practical application value. Full article

This study addresses the issues of poor stability and difficulty in recovery of free horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by developing a multi-level composite immobilized carrier that combines high loading capacity with long-term stability. The SiO₂@MnO₂@MAF-7 core–shell structured carrier was prepared via a solvothermal self-assembly method. Three immobilization strategies—adsorption, covalent cross-linking, and encapsulation—were systematically compared for their immobilization efficacy on HRP. The material structure was analyzed using techniques such as specific surface area analysis (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to characterize the material structure. Enzyme kinetic parameter determination experiments were conducted to systematically evaluate the performance advantages of the immobilized enzyme. BET analysis showed that SiO₂@MnO₂@MAF-7 had a specific surface area of 251.99 m²/g and a mesoporous area of 12.47 nm, and its HRP loading was 50.37 U/mg (immobilization efficiency 85.03%). Compared with free HRP, the Km value of the immobilized enzyme was decreased by 42%, the activity retention rate was increased by 35–50% at 80 °C and pH 4–9, and the activity was maintained by 65% after five repeated uses. In this study, MAF-7 was combined with MnO₂/SiO₂ for HRP immobilization for the first time, and the triple effect of rigid support-catalytic synergy-confined protection synergistically improved the stability of the enzyme, providing a new strategy for the industrial application of oxidoreductases. Full article

Livestock protection dogs (LPDs) are specifically bred to protect livestock, such as sheep, from predators. These dogs’ primary defense mechanisms include directional actions that deter predators but no attack. Little information is available on the influence of LPDs on the spatial ecology of predators. We analyzed interactions between an LPD, sheep, and Pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus, a main predator of lambs) in a ranch located in central Argentina. Between 2018 and 2021, we deployed GPS collars on an LPD and 2 ewes from a flock of 300 sheep and VHF collars on 12 live-trapped Pampas foxes. The home ranges (HRs) of the LPD and the ewes overlapped largely, especially during the lambing period, with the LPD performing minimal excursions outside the area used by the sheep flock. The LPD appeared to effectively reduce predation on lambs. Foxes exhibited a large HR (average 6.42 km²), with considerable intraspecific overlap. The overlaps between the HRs of the foxes and the LPD were variable (range = 0–98%), but their respective core areas never overlapped, and the minimum distance between the core area centers was 950 m. This study highlights the effectiveness of LPDs at reducing predation while enabling the permanence of carnivorous predators in the ecosystem. Full article

The global transition towards sustainable energy has accelerated the development and deployment of offshore wind turbines. Jacket foundations, commonly installed in intermediate to deep water depths to access available space and higher load capacities, are built to withstand intensified hydrodynamic loads. Due to their structural complexity near the seabed, however, they are prone to local and global scour, which can compromise stability and increase maintenance costs. While extensive research has addressed scour protections around monopiles, limited attention has been given to complex foundation geometries or even hybrid configurations that combine energy-harvesting devices with structural support. These hybrid systems introduce highly unsteady flow fields and amplified turbulence effects that current design frameworks appear to be unable to capture. This study provides an experimental characterisation of scour damage in riprap-protected jackets as well as additional tests for a hybrid jacket foundation. A novel adaptation of a high-resolution overlapping sub-area methodology was employed. For the first time, it was successfully applied to quantify the damage to riprap protections for a complex offshore foundation. Results revealed that, although hybrid jackets showed the capacity to attenuate incident waves, the scour protection experienced damage numbers (S_3D) two to six times higher than conventional jackets due to flow amplifications. The findings highlight the need for revised design guidelines that can account for the complex hydrodynamic-structural interactions of next-generation marine harvesting technologies integrated into complex foundations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) require specific skills in nursing education, yet their curricular integration often remains fragmented, limiting the consolidation of knowledge and safe clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of nursing students from Brazil and Peru regarding the use of clinical simulation as a strategy to develop skills in HAIs prevention and control. Methods: A qualitative approach was employed, involving 12 focus groups (n = 297 students) across four universities. The discussions were conducted following simulation activities based on standardized scenarios structured into four phases: pre-reading, briefing, execution, and debriefing. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide flowed by content analysis, through which saturation was achieved. The study adhered to COREQ guidelines. Results: Three main themes emerged: (i) clinical simulation as a student-centered teaching–learning strategy, where pre-reading and briefing materials enhanced students’ confidence and clarity in performing tasks, with checklists suggested to avoid omissions; (ii) simulation as a facilitator of autonomy and safety in HAI prevention, offering a protected environment for making mistakes and learning, with formative feedback during debriefing increasing risk awareness, although debriefing time was noted as an area for improvement; and (iii) meaningful learning and integration with traditional education, as students reported increased engagement, better knowledge retention, and greater perceived transfer of skills to real clinical settings. Conclusions: Clinical simulation demonstrated strong potential to support the development of HAI prevention skills in undergraduate nursing students. Longitudinal implementation with standardized scenarios and further evaluation of educational effectiveness and debriefing strategies is recommended. Full article

The Balaton region is Hungary’s most important recreational area, known for Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake and its traditional vineyard and horticultural landscapes. Since 1990, vineyard and orchard abandonment and intensified shoreline urbanization have increasingly threatened both landscape character and ecological balance. This study analyses land-use changes in the Balaton hinterland and evaluates the effectiveness of regional land-use regulation between 1990 and 2018, with a focus on the 2000 Balaton Law (BKÜRT), which sought to preserve traditional land uses by permitting construction only where at least 80% of vineyard parcels remained cultivated. Spatial–temporal analysis was based on CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data from 1990 to 2018, supplemented by change layers from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service. The CORINE Land Cover classification is a three-level hierarchical system (5 Level-1 groups, 15 Level-2 classes, and 44 Level-3 classes) developed by the EEA to provide standardized, satellite-based land cover information across Europe. Land cover was aggregated into major categories (using Level-1 and Level-2 classes) relevant to the Hungarian landscape. To address CLC limitations related to representing vineyards as relatively homogeneous units despite substantial differences in the density and scale of built structures, detailed case studies were conducted in three C1 vineyard zones—Alsóörs, Paloznak, and Szentantalfa—using historical aerial photographs, Google Earth imagery, and the Hungarian Ecosystem Map (NÖSZTÉP). Despite the restrictive regulatory framework, the CLC database showed that the share of vineyards in the vineyard regulation zone (C-1, C-2) decreased between 1990 and 2018 from 45.4% to 35.8% (the share of gardens and fruit plantations had changed from 9.7% to 15.5%). In the whole Balaton region, there was an approximately 18% decline in vineyard areas. Considering the M-2 horticultural zone, the garden coverage increased from 18.9% in 1990 (17.7% in 2000) to 30.5% (share of vineyards changed from 54.3% (54.6% in 2000) to 38.8%). At the regional level, gardens and fruit plantations had a smaller decrease (3.2%). Although overall trends were more favorable than at the national level, regulatory measures proved insufficient to prevent the conversion of vineyards and orchards in sensitive areas, particularly on slopes overlooking the lake, in proximity to tourist hubs, and in areas exposed to strong development pressure. By 2018, the C1 zone had expanded spatially but became less targeted, as the proportion of vineyards within it decreased. Boundary refinements failed to substantially improve regulatory precision or effectiveness. The case studies reveal a gradient of regulatory strictness reflecting differing landscape protection priorities and stages of vineyard transformation, with Alsóörs responding to long-standing, partly irreversible changes while attempting to slow further landscape alteration. To counter ongoing negative trends, more targeted and enforceable regulations are required, including a clearer separation of cultivated and recreational land uses, a maximum building size of 80 m² for recreational properties, and a reassessment of vineyard zone boundaries to better reflect active cultivation and protect sensitive landscapes. Full article

This exploratory study addresses the problem of limited research on quality assessments of newly emerging multi-use market formats that function as social hubs and their management as privately managed public spaces. Using Āgenskalns Market, a revitalised multi-use market hall in Riga, as a case study, the authors apply an assessment framework based on Yuri Impens’ study on covered food halls, incorporating quality criteria from Vikas Mehta’s Public Space Index and the UN-Habitat’s Site-Specific assessment methodology. Leclercq et al.’s works on privatisation of public spaces are integrated in the analysis of “publicness”. This framework evaluates user and observer perceptions across four dimensions: environmental quality and comfort, accessibility and amenities, social experience, and market offer. Data comprised an online survey of 318 respondents and 21 structured observations conducted during summer in 2024 and 2025. The preliminary results suggest users perceive the market as a well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing, accessible space, while identifying room for improvement regarding restroom facilities, indoor thermal regulation, noise mitigation, outdoor weather protection and parking arrangements. As for meaningful use and promoting sociability, findings highlight that flexible seating areas that allow high degrees of temporary personalisation and appropriation, alongside tailored programming and diverse activities beyond retail and dining, play an important role in attracting and retaining diverse audiences. While pricing concerns were noted for specific product groups, exclusionary effects appear to be counterbalanced by openness and inclusivity of cultural programmes and free events. The findings contribute to broader urban scholarship discussions calling for new typologies that better capture the changing character of public space use. This research suggests that private-public partnerships involving multiple stakeholders can enhance “publicness” by promoting inclusivity and social life through accessible infrastructure, diverse activities and free events, as well as enabling opportunities for temporary appropriation by users. Full article

Hazard impacts are increasing in complexity as the world population grows. No universal strategies are available to minimize or eliminate the impacts of all scenarios. In this paper, a priority scenario-based strategy methodology is proposed using a Decision Tree (DT) machine learning tool. This approach identifies the parameters and combinations that contribute to high impact and loss from a hazard event conditioned on a priority scenario. The method is applied to a local water distribution network under seismic hazards. The priority scenarios in this study are vulnerability (VPS), damage (DPS), and cost (CPS). Each priority scenario identifies different affected areas. Some areas were repeatedly affected in different priority scenarios, showing an overlap of effects and making them a high crucial priority. Based on the analysis, a priority-based map was generated, highlighting areas that should be given priority for restoration or protection. The DTs were compared with other ML tools and Tree-based models to ascertain the best tool that determines the affected parameters. Competition tests compared the results from the ML tools and showed acceptable predictions; however, the DT was demonstrated to be the most ideal tool for this proposed method, showing an r² of 0.6745, 0.9259, and 0.7343 for VPS, DPS, and CPS, respectively. Full article

The aim of this article is to illustrate the actions taken to implement the Rio Capodacqua–Santa Croce River Contract in Central Italy. The aim was to develop this inclusive and voluntary strategic and negotiated planning tool with the aim of protecting and managing water resources, enhancing the river ecosystem and mitigating flood risk, thereby contributing to local development. The participation of municipalities, local authorities, stakeholders and citizens’ associations in this instrument has made it possible to identify the environmental and territorial issues in this area and thus propose actions to resolve them, integrating and coordinating existing plans and programmes and the interests of that territory. These actions were defined through a participatory process involving all those interested in the watercourse and the territory it crosses. Among the proposed actions, priority was given to those offering “sustainable” solutions to certain critical issues, such as pollution of the lower reaches of the river or the essentially anthropogenic threat to the river and riparian habitats widespread in its upper reaches. These habitats, protected by the Natura 2000 network, are home to fish species of great conservation interest, among other things. Finally, flood mitigation works and measures are assessed, as floods are becoming increasingly aggressive due to climate change and are impacting urbanised areas. All these actions have been compared with sustainability objectives to highlight their effectiveness in the current management of a river basin with a view to the future. Full article