Search Results (250)

Leptospirosis is a globally significant zoonosis affecting animal health, productivity, and the environment. While typically associated with tropical climates, its persistence in semi-arid regions such as La Laguna, Mexico—characterized by low humidity, high temperatures, and limited water sources—remains poorly understood. Although these adverse environmental conditions theoretically limit the survival of Leptospira, high livestock density and synanthropic reservoirs (e.g., rodents) may compensate, facilitating transmission. In this cross-sectional study, blood sera from 445 dairy cows (28 herds: 12 intensive [MI], 16 semi-intensive [MSI] systems) were analyzed via microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) against 10 pathogenic serovars. Urine samples were cultured for active Leptospira detection. Risk factors were assessed through epidemiological surveys and multivariable analysis. This study revealed an overall apparent seroprevalence of 27.0% (95% CI: 22.8–31.1), with significantly higher rates in MSI (54.1%) versus MI (12.2%) herds (p < 0.001) and an estimated true seroprevalence of 56.3% (95% CI: 50.2–62.1) in MSI and 13.1% (95% CI: 8.5–18.7) in MI herds (p < 0.001). The Sejroe serogroup was isolated from urine in both systems, confirming active circulation. In MI herds, rodent presence (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.6–7.9) was identified as a risk factor for Leptospira seropositivity, while first-trimester abortions (OR:10.1; 95% CI: 4.2–24.2) were significantly associated with infection. In MSI herds, risk factors associated with Leptospira seropositivity included co-occurrence with hens (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.3) and natural breeding (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.9), whereas mastitis/agalactiae (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.2) represented a clinical outcome associated with seropositivity. Despite semi-arid conditions, Leptospira maintains transmission in La Laguna, particularly in semi-intensive systems. The coexistence of adapted (Sejroe) and incidental serogroups underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as rodent control in MI systems and poultry management in MSI systems, to mitigate both zoonotic and economic impacts. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes significant deterioration of the quality of life, and due to its multifactorial causes, it is often difficult to manage. Apart from genetic and environmental components, an important part of its pathophysiology comprises an oxidative stress induction that the standard antioxidative mechanisms of the human body cannot compensate for. Moreover, in many psoriatic patients, there is a documented imbalance between antioxidant and pro-oxidative factors. Usually, psoriasis is evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. It has been demonstrated that dietary choices can lead to significant modification of PASI scores. Hypocaloric diets that are rich in antioxidants are highly effective in this regard, especially when focusing on vegetables and restricting consumption of animal-derived protein. Specific dietary regimens, namely the Mediterranean diet and potentially the ketogenic diet, are very beneficial, in the former case owing in large part to the omega-three fatty acids it provides and its ability to alter gut microbiome, a factor which seems to play a notable role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Another option is the topical application of vitamin D and its analogues, combined with corticosteroids, which can ameliorate the manifestations of psoriasis at the level of the skin. Finally, oral vitamin D supplementation has a positive impact on psoriatic arthritis and can mitigate the risk of associated comorbidities. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive methodology for the detection and characterization of fractures in geological samples using X-ray computed tomography (CT). By combining convolution-based image processing techniques with advanced neural network-based segmentation, the proposed approach achieves high precision in identifying complex fracture networks. The method was applied to a marly limestone sample from the Maiolica Formation, part of the Umbria–Marche stratigraphic succession (Northern Apennines, Italy), a geological context where fractures often vary in size and contrast and are frequently filled with minerals such as calcite or clays, making their detection challenging. A critical part of the work involved addressing multiple sources of uncertainty that can impact fracture identification and measurement. These included the inherent spatial resolution limit of the CT system (voxel size of 70.69 μm), low contrast between fractures and the surrounding matrix, artifacts introduced by the tomographic reconstruction process (specifically the Radon transform), and noise from both the imaging system and environmental factors. To mitigate these challenges, we employed a series of preprocessing steps such as Gaussian and median filtering to enhance image quality and reduce noise, scanning from multiple angles to improve data redundancy, and intensity normalization to compensate for shading artifacts. The neural network segmentation demonstrated superior capability in distinguishing fractures filled with various materials from the host rock, overcoming the limitations observed in traditional convolution-based methods. Overall, this integrated workflow significantly improves the reliability and accuracy of fracture quantification in CT data, providing a robust and reproducible framework for the analysis of discontinuities in heterogeneous and complex geological materials. Full article

Infrastructure facility development and modernization highly contribute to national economic growth, but at the same time, such development also causes local negative impacts on the use of specific land plots, creating losses for their right holders. In Russia, some prerequisites have already been laid down on the issue of compensation for the losses associated with restrictions on the rights and prohibitions of economic activity within zones with special territory use conditions (ZSTUCs). However, the impacts of such facilities lead to environmental pollution and land use disadvantages, such as irregular parcels. The aim of this work is to substantiate a set of approaches to compensating for the cumulative negative impact of infrastructure facilities. The factors causing the negative impacts of infrastructure facilities are grouped into three areas: rights restrictions, territorial deficiencies and environmental pollution. This work uses the SWOT analysis method with the possibility of element-by-element analysis, as a result of which the approaches to the compensation for negative impacts under different external and internal conditions are determined. As a result of this study, a justification for a set of approaches to compensating for the negative impacts of infrastructure facilities on land use was executed, and a new algorithm to compensate the right holders of the land, industry sector or state for such negative impacts was developed. The following approaches to compensating for negative impacts were identified: loss assessment; the establishment of environmental payments; cadastral value adjustment; compensation for industry sector losses; and the use of state regulation tools. The first two approaches were identified as the main ones. The proposed algorithm can be realized only with the help of the abovementioned methodological approaches, which form a basis for further research. Full article

Tea farmers in Wuyishan National Park face the dual challenges of promoting sustainable tea production while adhering to strict ecological protection policies. This study investigates the key factors influencing tea farmers’ pro-environmental behavior and the transmission mechanisms that encourage the adoption of sustainable development. Based on the theory of planned behavior, the theory of externalities, and place attachment theory, 346 valid questionnaires were collected through household interviews across 12 villages within Wuyishan National Park and its surrounding areas. The results indicate that environmental responsibility and concern for community well-being are major motivators of pro-environmental behavior. Market orientation, production intensification, and adoption of clean technologies significantly enhance environmental outcomes at the farm level. While ecological compensation policies help offset the costs of conservation, their impact is constrained by inconsistencies in standard-setting and implementation. The establishment of the national park has enhanced pro-environmental behavior among farmers within the park and influenced those in peripheral areas by strengthening place attachment and social norms. Tea farmers in the core areas of the national park exhibit higher levels of pro-environmental behavior compared to those on the periphery. This study offers several policy recommendations and contributes new insights into understanding the mechanisms behind tea farmers’ pro-environmental behavior within national park contexts, providing valuable reference for pro-environmental practices in the global protected area system. Full article

Under the “Dual Carbon” strategy, collaborative governance of port atmospheric pollutants and carbon emissions is critical for low-carbon transformation. Focusing on Ningbo-Zhoushan Port (48% regional ship emissions), this study examines government, port enterprises, and public interactions. A tripartite evolutionary game model with numerical simulation reveals dynamic patterns and key factors. The results show the following: (1) A substitution effect exists between government incentive costs and penalty intensity—increased environmental governance budgets reduce the probability of government incentives, whereas higher public reporting rewards accelerate corporate emission reduction convergence. (2) Public supervision exhibits cyclical fluctuations due to conflicts between individual rationality and collective interests, with excessive reporting rewards potentially triggering free-rider behavior. (3) The system exhibits two stable equilibria: a low-efficiency equilibrium (0,0,0) and a high-efficiency equilibrium (1,1,1). The latter requires policy cost compensation, corporate emission reduction gains exceeding investments, and a supervision benefit–cost ratio greater than 1. Accordingly, the study proposes a three-dimensional “Incentive–Constraint–Collaboration” governance strategy, recommending floating penalty mechanisms, green financial instrument innovation, and community supervision network optimization to balance environmental benefits with fiscal sustainability. This research provides a dynamic decision-making framework for multi-agent collaborative emission reduction in ports, offering both methodological innovation and practical guidance value. Full article

In recent years, the global demand for renewable energy has been steadily increasing, and offshore wind power generation technology has thus developed rapidly, with the optimization of the performance of the pitch control system, as a key technology to ensure the efficient and safe operation of wind turbines, becoming a research hotspot. Offshore wind turbines face complex environmental changes, particularly regarding the load perturbations caused by wind speed, wind direction, waves, and other factors, which have a significant impact on the stability and accuracy of the pitch control system. In order to reduce the impact of load disturbance on pitch accuracy, this paper proposes a pitch control strategy with load disturbance compensation. Firstly, the relationship between hydraulic cylinder displacement and pitch angle is analyzed; then, the mathematical model comparing hydraulic cylinder displacement, servo motor speed, and external load disturbance force is constructed; the hydraulic cylinder position control strategy with load disturbance compensation is proposed; and finally, the effectiveness of the control strategy is verified through simulations and experiments. Full article

In the context of global efforts to address climate change and pursue sustainable development, green finance (GF) and energy efficiency (EE) have become key issues of focus for academics and policymakers. This study explores the spatiotemporal coupling characteristics and driving factors of China’s green finance and energy efficiency from 2011 to 2022, aiming to help China achieve its dual carbon goals. This study used a three-dimensional framework to assess 30 provinces, considering factor inputs, expected outputs, and undesirable outputs. The study employed the global benchmark super-efficiency EBM model, entropy method, coupling coordination model (CCD), Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, and spatiotemporal geographic weighted regression model (GTWR). Key findings include a “high in the east, low in the west” gradient distribution of both green finance and energy efficiency, expanding regional disparities, and a strong synergistic effect between technological innovation and energy regulation. Based on the findings, this paper proposes a three-tier governance framework: regional adaptation, digital integration, and institutional compensation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the coupling theory of environmental financial systems and provides empirical support for optimizing global carbon neutrality pathways. Full article

In response to the need for cable outer sound source localization, this paper proposes a collaborative localization method based on an improved generalized cross-correlation phase transform (GCC-PHAT) and multi-sensor fusion. By constructing a secondary cross-shaped sensor array model, employing a phase transform weighting function to suppress environmental noise, and incorporating an adaptive environmental compensation algorithm to eliminate multipath effects, a set of spatial localization equations is established. Innovatively, a dynamic weighting factor linked to the startup threshold is introduced; the Levenberg–Marquardt optimization algorithm is then used to iteratively solve the nonlinear equations to achieve preliminary localization in a single-pile coordinate system. Finally, a dynamic weighted fusion model is constructed through DBSCAN spatial clustering to determine the final sound source position. Experimental results demonstrate that this method reduces the mean square error of time delay estimation by 94.7% in a 90 dB industrial noise environment, decreases the localization error by 65.4% in multi-obstacle scenarios, and ultimately maintains localization accuracy within 3 m over a range of 100 m. This performance is significantly superior to that of traditional TDOA and SRP-PHAT methods, offering a high-precision localization solution for underground cable protection. Full article

As the signature gas released before coal combustion, methane’s telemetry accuracy is susceptible to environmental influences, which is a difficult problem that needs to be solved. This article provides a detailed exposition on the application of Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology in the field of gas monitoring, with particular emphasis on its advantages in coal safety detection. The coal combustion experiment is conducted to determine the required performance indexes. Through the temperature compensation algorithm and normalized signals, the impact of factors such as ambient temperature and environmental noise is reduced, effectively improving the signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy. The experiments demonstrate that this system effectively lowers the detection limit for methane while improving measurement accuracy, thereby providing robust support for the early warning of coal spontaneous combustion. Full article

In the process of social development, there is a contradiction between economic development and the ecological environment. Western countries were the first to experience the inverted U-shaped development model of “destruction first and compensation later”, and China is also facing similar problems. To reveal the formation mechanism and dynamic evolution of the inflection point of ecological environment changes in China, this paper combines the entropy weight method, the analytic hierarchy process, and quadratic curve fitting to construct the “Ecological Pressure Index—GDPP Model” and studies the inflection point of ecological pressure during China’s economic development from 2000 to 2022. The study shows that the key inflection point of China’s ecological environment pressure is between 2016 and 2017, which is mainly affected by multiple factors such as the economy, domestic and international situations, and policy adjustments. For example, the implementation of the “Supply-side Structural Reform” and the environmental protection supervision system has significantly reduced the pollution pressure. At the same time, the “inflection point” is applied to dynamically adjust the PSR model, revealing the stage transition of China’s environmental governance focus. For instance, from 2000 to 2016, end-of-pipe pollution treatment was dominant (for example, the weights of pollution emission indicators X₅–X₈ were relatively high), while after 2016, the focus of governance shifted to the restoration of ecological space (for example, the weight of nature reserves X₂₂ was 2.759%). The theoretical contribution of this paper lies in proposing the concept of “Policy-driven EKC”, emphasizing the core role of policy intervention in the formation of the inflection point of the ecological environment. In addition, the dynamic adjustment of the PSR model using the “inflection point” better interprets China’s self-transformation in the development process and provides other developing countries with a Chinese solution of “institutional innovation first” and the “Policy-driven EKC—Chinese PSR Model” for reference in balancing economic growth and ecological protection. Full article

The integration of renewable energy sources, particularly solar photovoltaics, into household power supply has become increasingly popular due to its potential to reduce energy costs and environmental impact. However, solar power variability and new regulative changes concerning excess solar energy compensation schemes call for effective energy storage management and sizing to ensure a stable and profitable electricity supply. This paper focuses on optimizing residential battery storage systems under different electricity pricing schemes such as time-of-use tariffs, dynamic pricing, and different excess solar energy compensation schemes. The central question addressed is how different pricing mechanisms and compensation strategies for excess solar energy, as well as varying battery storage investment costs, determine the optimal sizing of battery storage systems. A comprehensive mixed-integer linear programming model is developed to analyze these factors, incorporating various financial and operational parameters. The model is applied to a residential case study in Croatia, examining the impact of monthly net metering/billing, 15 min net billing, and dynamic pricing on optimal battery storage sizing and economic viability. Full article

Ecological transition zones spanning semi-humid to semi-arid regions pose distinctive monitoring challenges owing to their climatic vulnerability and geomorphic diversity. This study focuses on Shanxi Province, a typical ecologically fragile area in the Loess Plateau of China. Based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) datasets, we established the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) series from 2000 to 2024 for Shanxi Province. The Theil–Sen Median, Mann–Kendall, and Hurst indices were comprehensively applied to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal differentiation patterns of ecological environmental quality. Furthermore, geodetector-based quantification elucidated the synergistic interactions among topographic, climatic, and anthropogenic drivers. The results indicate the following: (1) From 2000 to 2024, ecological restoration initiatives have shaped an “aggregate improvement-localized degradation” paradigm, with medium-quality territories persistently accounting for 30–40% of the total land area. (2) Significant spatial heterogeneity exists, with the Lüliang Mountain area in the west and the Datong Basin in the north being core degradation zones, while the Taihang Mountain area in the east shows remarkable improvement. However, Theil–Sen Median–Hurst index predictions reveal that 60.07% of the improved areas face potential trend reversal risks. (3) The driving mechanisms exhibit spatial heterogeneity, where land use type, temperature, precipitation, elevation, and slope serve as global dominant factors. This research provides scientific support for formulating differentiated ecological restoration strategies, establishing ecological compensation mechanisms, and optimizing territorial spatial planning in Shanxi Province, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. Full article

A low-pressure environment can significantly affect human physiological mechanisms. It causes differences in human overall comfort evaluation at different pressures. Current research mainly focuses on the impact of single environmental factors on human comfort under low pressure. However, studies considering multiple environmental factors are lacking. This paper was based on the effective-function method. Thermal, luminous, and acoustic comfort experimental studies were carried out under standard atmospheric pressure and low pressure. In this study, we conducted an in-depth exploration of the human overall comfort differences under low pressure. The key findings were as follows: (1) There were differences in single environmental comfort evaluation under low pressure. (2) The influence order of unit changes in environmental factors on overall comfort was determined. Within the comfort zone, the variations of 1 °C, 100 lx, and 5 dB caused similar changes in overall comfort evaluation. When a factor deviated from the comfort zone, it became the dominant factor affecting the POCV (Predicted Overall Comfort Vote). (3) In the peak zone of overall comfort evaluation under low pressure, considering energy-saving needs, a slightly cooler environment in winter and a slightly warmer environment in summer were chosen. And the illuminance was shifted to the left of the x-coordinate. The tolerable zone became smaller, and it was easier to reach the lower limit. (4) The comfort zone nomograms for common working condition parameters were drawn. Through parameter interaction, “superior” parameters were used to compensate for “inferior” ones, thereby improving the human overall comfort evaluation. Based on these findings, this research provides a theoretical basis and data support for the design of aerospace and high-altitude environments. It offers beneficial references and ideas for the integrated development of interdisciplinary fields. Full article

As a key region in China’s “dual carbon” strategy, the Yangtze River Delta region faces the dual challenge of sustaining tourism-driven economic growth and achieving significant emission reductions. Based on panel data of the Yangtze River Delta region from 2000 to 2022, this paper adopts the “bottom-up” method to measure the carbon emissions of tourism transportation. It systematically analyzes its spatiotemporal evolution, decoupling effect, and driving mechanism. The results showed that (1) regional carbon emissions showed a trend of “first rising and then decreasing”. The spatial distribution changed from “high in the east and low in the west” to central agglomeration, and the hot spots of high emissions continued to concentrate in Shanghai and its surrounding cities, reaching a peak in 2019. (2) The decoupling state is mainly weak decoupling. The environmental Kuznets curve verified that carbon emissions and the tourism economy showed an inverted U-shaped relationship, and the decoupling levels of cities were significantly different. (3) Gross Domestic Product and the scale of tourist flow of cultural facilities (grey correlation degree 0.925) are the core positive drivers. In contrast, the travel ratio (contribution value −215.9) and the scale of passenger flow in A-class scenic spots (correlation degree 0.876) are the key inhibiting factors. This paper proposes a three-pronged policy framework of “energy structure optimization—cross-city carbon compensation—cultural and tourism integration” to provide theoretical and empirical support for the low-carbon transformation of urban agglomerations. Full article