Search Results (140)

Ship positional data are widely used for route inference, yet most existing studies rely on automatic identification system data, which contain irregular transmission intervals and limit the ability to capture vessel-specific operational habits and subtle route choices. This study addresses these limitations by proposing a methodology to infer customary routes using periodic 3 s ship position data collected through the Korean e-Navigation system based on long-term evolution maritime communication. The method comprises three main steps: constructing a sea-area grid with an associated weight map, determining data-driven importance and updating weights, and performing pathfinding. Domestic waters are divided into 100 m grids, and navigable and non-navigable areas are binarized to establish a framework for route exploration. Ship positional data are processed to extract inter-port trajectories, which are then classified by ship size and tidal time zone to account for navigational differences arising from vessel characteristics and tide-dependent accessibility. These trajectories are combined with spatial grids and transformed into a document–word structure, enabling the calculation of movement importance between grid cells using a modified term frequency–inverse document frequency measure. The resulting weights are applied to a pathfinding graph to derive routes that reflect vessel size and tidal conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by computing cosine similarity between the inferred routes and actual trajectories. Full article

For millennia, theologians and philosophers debated whether extraterrestrial intelligent life (ETI) exists in the universe. Some theologians concluded God enjoys creating so much he would not stop at one planet. Others argue God limits his miracles to those needed to achieve his purposes, which require only one planet with intelligent life. Thanks to exponential advances in observational astrophysics, scientists now are weighing in on the “are we alone in the cosmos” debate. Though far from resolving all the debate’s components, they now are able to provide definitive answers or steps towards definitive answers to several of the theological/philosophical issues. These answers arise from the following research endeavors: (1) search for ETI (SETI) efforts, results, and determined odds; (2) interplanetary panspermia; (3) ETI planetary habitability requirements; (4) ETI stellar habitability requirements; (5) ETI galactic habitability requirements; (6) “hard steps” in the evolution of life from non-life; (7); “hard steps” in ETI evolution from simple life; (8) interstellar space travel and exploration limitations; (9) nature of UAPs lacking natural or human-made explanations; and (10) nature of non-physical reality. The resultant answers increasingly are creating arenas of common agreement plus opening up avenues of dialog among theologians and scientists. This dialog on ‘are we alone in the cosmos’ is shedding additional light on humanity’s role and purposes in the cosmos. Full article

In Algeria, honey plays an important role in nutrition, traditional medicine and sustainable food practices. However, little is known about how consumers perceive and use this product in their daily lives. This study aims to explore how honey consumption patterns among a specific segment of Algerian households, mainly young, educated, and digitally active individuals, relate to traditional practices and contribute to sustainable food systems and cultural heritage. An online survey remained open for four months, and the final number of participants was 770 individuals from 51 wilayas, using convenience sampling through academic and social media networks. As this was an exploratory study, no fixed statistical population was defined. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations between age and honey consumption frequency (χ² = 45.33, p = 0.0010), annual purchase quantity (χ² = 111.49, p < 0.0001), and buying frequency (χ² = 47.26, p < 0.0001), as well as between climatic zone and buying source (χ² = 34.90, p = 0.0097). The findings highlight honey’s multifunctional role, not only as a food product, but also as a traditional remedy and cosmetic ingredient, embedded in cultural routines and health practices. Consumer preferences are shaped by sensory attributes such as taste, type, and appearance, while purchasing decisions are strongly influenced by trust-based relationships, with most respondents favoring direct acquisition from beekeepers or known individuals. These informal sourcing habits reflect sustainable traditions that support local producers and reinforce consumer confidence. However, widespread misconceptions, such as the belief that crystallized honey is adulterated, reveal a need for targeted consumer education. To promote sustainable honey consumption, the study recommends clearer labeling, school-based programs, and public awareness campaigns. Full article

A UAV LiDAR dataset offers unparalleled possibilities for accurate topographic modeling and land suitability analysis in spatial planning. This study uses UAV LiDAR for high-resolution DSM and DTM modeling of the Goranci area in Bosnia and Herzegovina—a typical karst region with a complex topographic pattern of sinkholes and varying solar access. Based on the dataset obtained with a UAV LiDAR system, this analysis encompasses a multidimensional spatial analysis that considers a set of topographic–morphometric, hydrological, and solar radiation criteria. A set of topographic derivatives, namely, slope layers; topographic position index layers (TPI); layers of terrain ruggedness index (TRI); layers of topographic wetness index (TWI), sky view factors (SVF), and layers of potential incoming solar radiation (PISR), was obtained for the DTM/DSM datasets and normalized for standard scales. The obtained criteria layers were then assigned specific values based on their relative importance using a multi-criteria decision analysis technique with a weighted linear combination procedure. A suitability index pinpointing gently sloping lands with adequate solar access and avoidance of moisture accumulation sinks can be recognized as the best-qualifying loci for habitation. The results show that about 30% of the area is highly or very highly suitable, primarily representing gently sloping, well-drained, and optimally solar-exposed plateau surfaces, potential locations with high ground elevation, and larger area sizes. Another 14% is moderately suited, and more than 50% is classified as unsuitable or excluded, primarily due to steep slopes, depressions, and/or missing coverage by LiDAR points, thereby underlining the decisive role of slope, solar conditions, and drainage conditions in determining land suitability for settlements. This study has proved that a UAV LiDAR dataset can be successfully paired with Open-Source GIS for a methodologically sound location of settlement zones that fit into the local environment while being environmentally friendly. This solution promotes informed spatial decision-making by utilizing topographic accuracy of a 3D landscape with a procedure of quantitative spatial reasoning for a more informed spatial planning. Full article

Studying the response of urban functions to residents’ spatiotemporal activity patterns is essential for understanding urban functions and guiding resource allocation. Unlike previous studies constrained by fixed intervals and static functional spaces, this study has developed an analytical framework to examine urban functional responses to residents’ activity patterns under dynamic spatiotemporal combinations. Tensor decomposition was employed to identify key temporal activity patterns of residents and dynamic urban functional patterns, while a Random Forest model was used to evaluate the contributions of five POI (Points of Interest) groups—Transportation, Organizations, Leisure, Habitation, and Basic Facilities—derived from a reclassification of 17 original POI categories, and the Elasticity Index (EI) quantifies functional responsiveness to activity changes. Results indicated that (1) four temporal patterns (sleeping, commuting, daytime, and leisure) and four spatial function types (the basic living area, the residential areas with mixed functions, residential areas with commercial functions and bustling business districts) characterized Beijing’s urban dynamics; (2) the five types of urban function varied with spatiotemporal context, with basic living POIs dominating daytime activities in residential zones and transportation POIs prevailing during commuting in mixed-use areas; (3) EI revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in adaptive capacities to activity transitions, which helped to accurately identify the key areas for improving urban functions. These findings provide new methodological insights and scientific evidence for resilient urban planning and resource optimization, supporting data-driven decision-making for spatial planning, infrastructure allocation, and emergency response management. Full article

In Lolium perenne, a novel growth habit mutant, named VIROIZ, was recovered following colchicine treatment, and it was confirmed to maintain the diploid chromosome number (2n = 2x = 14). The mutation affected the stem morphology by inducing prolific axillary shoot formation at nodal zones, resulting in a spreading growth habit that can extend to ~70 cm in width. Inheritance analysis based on single-plant evaluations in crosses with wild-type plants (F₁, n = 285; F₂, n = 380) and in selfed progeny (S₁, n = 255) consistently showed ~40% expression of the spreading phenotype, deviating from classical Mendelian ratios and indicating complex genetic control. Phenotypic selection further distinguished divergent classes: positively selected lines (C1⁺) averaged 3.90 axillary tillers per stem, whereas negatively selected lines (C1⁻) averaged only 0.22. Partial sequencing of 11 candidate genes implicated in shoot architecture, covering 40–90% of full-length DNA, did not provide a conclusive explanation for the altered stem growth. Notably, a single point mutation was observed in CRT3 (an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone that interacts with brassinosteroid signaling) highlighting it as a primary target for future studies. Cytological analysis of meiosis in F₁ hybrids between VIROIZ and wild-type plants revealed irregular chromosome pairing with persistent univalents (2–4 per cell), supporting the presence of structural chromosomal rearrangements that may disrupt gene organization and function in VIROIZ. The non-Mendelian segregation of the spreading phenotype, together with the observed meiotic irregularities, suggests that the mutation affects regulatory genes responsive to hormonal signals controlling axillary meristem initiation. The mutant represents a valuable resource for turf-type L. perenne breeding and for studying hormonal regulation of shoot morphogenesis in Poaceae. Full article

Stingless bees, particularly Tetragonula pagdeni, are vital for both ecosystems and the economy due to their pollination services and nest products. However, little is known about their nesting habits. This study investigated the nesting ecology of Tetragonula pagdeni in West Bengal, India. The species was found inhabiting a variety of landscapes, including agricultural, forest, rural, semi-urban, and urban areas, with a greater abundance in rural areas featuring mixed vegetation. Colonies, which were eusocial, perennial, and cavity-nesting, occupied diverse substrates, including tree trunks, building walls, rock crevices, electric poles, and field ridges—tree trunks and walls being the most common. Wild nests were located at heights ranging from 0 to 13.46 m, mostly around 2 m. Nest entrances varied in shape (circular, oval, slit-like, or irregular), with a longest opening axis of 10.50 ± 2.94 mm, and were oriented in multiple directions. Internally, nests measured 198.31 ± 86.36 mm in length and 142.73 ± 17.28 mm in width. Nests featured brood zones surrounded by honey and pollen pots, along with structure-supporting elements like the involucra and pillars. Brood cells were light brown and oval; those for workers and drones were similar, while queen cells were larger. Honey pots were light to dark brown, oval, dome-shaped, or irregular. Each involucrum was a thin, flat sheet, and the pillar was short, narrow, thread-like. These findings offer valuable insights into the distribution, nesting behaviour, and nest architecture of Tetragonula pagdeni, supporting its conservation and sustainable management. Full article

The rural dwelling in southern Ecuador’s Andean region is the product of a long-term process of cultural and technical hybridization in which colonial typologies are overlaid with local building know-how adapted to temperate and cold climates. This study examines how intermediate spaces—portals, hallways, patios, porches, and corridors—operate as fundamental strategies for social sustainability. These spaces facilitate interaction between domestic interiors and the surrounding environment, mediate social relations, and accommodate productive, ritual, and everyday practices. Methodologically, the research integrates morphological and typological analysis with ethnographic methods and detailed graphic representations, yielding a spatial ethnography of thirty-five dwellings distributed across distinct ecological zones of Loja Province. The findings reveal how intermediate spaces undergo transformation, appropriation, and reconfiguration over time, demonstrating notable functional adaptability while maintaining cultural continuity. Beyond environmental and climatic functions, these spaces act as vital hubs of community life, sustaining intergenerational knowledge transmission, syncretic rituals, and household microeconomies. Their logics of spatial mediation and multifunctionality position them as key architectural devices that foster the social and cultural resilience of Andean rural housing. Understanding their configuration and use offers actionable insights for contemporary design, enabling the critical reinterpretation of vernacular principles to address ongoing challenges of habitability, sustainability, and belonging in evolving rural contexts. Full article

Fungi are a diverse and essential group that play crucial ecological roles. However, they remain understudied in tropical countries like Ecuador in terms of their forest or protected areas, particularly across diverse ecosystem zones such as seasonal forests and salt flats. This study aimed to inventory fungal diversity in two specific zones: the dry forest (DF) and the salt flat (SF) within the Reserva Ecologica Arenillas (REAR), located in El Oro, Ecuador. The results recorded 162 specimens representing 47 species belonging to 34 genera, identified morphologically. Although statistically significant, the difference in species richness and abundance between the dry forest and the salt flat was minimal, with the dry forest showing slightly higher values. Nonetheless, certain species were prevalent in both ecosystems, such as Cerrena hydnoides, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Hexagonia tenuis, and Chondrostereum sp., alongside four species with resupinate habit, all of them growing on decayed wood. The Shannon and Simpson indices were calculated to assess alpha diversity, revealing higher diversity in the DF. To evaluate differences in community composition between habitats, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and permutational analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were applied, indicating greater species turnover and dominance of specific taxa in the DF compared to the SF. These findings highlight the importance of the fungal diversity found in the REAR while also pointing to the need for more exhaustive monitoring and comparative studies with other wild or protected areas to fully understand and conserve this biodiversity. Full article

Neotrinia splendens is widely distributed and is the dominant plant species of temperate degraded grassland in Inner Mongolia, showing a community growing habit forming a ring of individuals. However, there is a lack of attention to the soil microbial communities inside the ring (IN), outside the ring, and under the N. splendens ring (UN). This study investigated the soil bacterial community composition in three different zones of the N. splendens ring using amplicon sequencing technology, as well as soil environmental variables. The soil physicochemical properties, the composition of soil bacterial community, and the soil bacterial α-diversity varied significantly among the three zones. Especially, the growth of N. splendens promotes the soil bacterial diversity in the UN zone due to the interactions between plant and soil microbes. Soil NO₃⁻-N, TC, TN, and pH are the key factors causing the variations of soil bacterial community composition and bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla of microorganisms accounted for the largest proportion in network analysis among the three zones. Overall, attention should be paid not only to the improvement of grassland vegetation and soil quality but also to the change in soil microorganisms during the formation and expansion of the N. splendens ring in the future. Full article

Climate change is one of the most pressing global threats, endangering the sustainability of the planet and quality of life, whilst urban mobility significantly contributes to exacerbating its effects. Recently, policies aimed at mitigating these effects have been implemented, emphasizing the promotion of sustainable travel culture. Prior research has indicated that both environmental awareness and regulatory efforts could encourage the shift towards greener mobility; however, factors that affect young people’s travel behavior remain understudied. This study examined whether and how climate change impacts travel behavior, particularly among Generation Z in Greece. A comprehensive online survey was conducted, from 31 March to 8 April 2024, within a Greek academic community, yielding 904 responses from Generation Z individuals. The design of the survey was informed by an adaptation of Triandis’ Theory of Interpersonal Behavior. The study also incorporated a comparative analysis using data from the UK’s National Travel Attitudes Survey (NTAS), offering insights from a different cultural and socio-economic context. Blending an Exploratory Factor Analysis and latent variable ordered probit and logit models, the key determinants of the willingness to reduce car use and self-reported reduction in car use in response to climate change were identified. The results indicate that emotional factors, social roles, and norms, along with socio-demographic characteristics, current behaviors, and local environmental concerns, significantly influence car-related travel choices among Generation Z. For instance, concerns about local air quality are consistently correlated with a higher likelihood of having already reduced car use due to climate change and a higher willingness to reduce car travel in the future. The NTAS data reveal that flexibility in travel habits and social norms are critical determinants of the willingness to reduce car usage. The findings of the study highlight the key role of policy interventions, such as the implementation of Low-Emission Zones, leveraging social media for environmental campaigns, and enhancing infrastructure for active travel and public transport to foster broader cultural shifts towards sustainable travel behavior among Generation Z. Full article

While extensive research has examined how major life events affect travel habits, less attention has been paid to the impact of minor environmental changes on commuting behavior, particularly regarding shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs). This study investigated how daily disruptions and incremental environmental changes influence commuter behavior patterns and SAV adoption in Shanghai, applying the theory of interpersonal behavior framework. The study surveyed 517 Shanghai residents, examining travel satisfaction, commuting habits, psychological factors (such as habit strength and satisfaction), and attitudes towards SAVs. Structural equation modeling was employed to test hypotheses about psychological factors influencing SAV adoption, while logistic regression analyzed how these factors affected mode choice across different disruption contexts. Analysis revealed that psychological factors, particularly habit and satisfaction, were stronger predictors of SAV adoption than attitude-based factors. Route obstructions and workplace relocations significantly increased SAV consideration. Even minor, recurring disruptions, such as construction zones, showed strong effects on commuting behavior, supporting the habit discontinuity hypothesis and emphasizing the importance of minor disruptions in driving behavioral change. The study extends the theory of interpersonal behavior by integrating habit discontinuity theory to explain how minor disruptions drive SAV adoption. This research provides actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers, recommending that SAV trials and targeted interventions be implemented during infrastructure changes or other commuting disruptions to promote SAV adoption and foster more sustainable transportation systems. Full article

Studying exoplanet atmospheres is essential for assessing their potential to host liquid water and their capacity to support life (their habitability). Each atmosphere uniquely influences the likelihood of surface liquid water, defining the habitable zone (HZ)—the region around a star where liquid water can exist. However, being within the HZ does not guarantee habitability, as life requires more than just liquid water. In this study, we adopted a two-pronged approach. First, we estimated the surface conditions of planets near the HZ’s inner edge under various atmospheric compositions. By utilizing a 3D climate model, we refined the inner boundaries of the HZ for planets with atmospheres dominated by H₂ and CO₂ for the first time. Second, we investigated microbial survival in these environments, conducting laboratory experiments on the growth and survival of E. coli K-12, focusing on the impact of different gas compositions. This innovative combination of climate modeling and biological experiments bridges theoretical climate predictions with biological outcomes. Our findings indicate that atmospheric composition significantly affects bacterial growth patterns, highlighting the importance of considering diverse atmospheres in evaluating exoplanet habitability and advancing the search for life beyond Earth. Full article

To characterize the naturalized population of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.), a valuable pasture legume, in subtropical Queensland, Australia, a collection of 1747 lines from 107 sites in 11 regions was grown, and 26 phenotypic and agronomic attributes were recorded. This data matrix was analyzed by cluster, principal co-ordinates, discriminant and correlation analyses to examine line relationships based on plant attributes and their association with site characteristics of climate and soil. Among the wide polymorphism of attributes across the collection zone, there were a number of notable phenotypic associations. One of these, with large green leaves, minimally dentate leaf margins, and light purple petioles, was widely distributed. Three others, one with a distinctive magenta leaf mark, dark purple petioles, and an upright habit; one with those same attributes but with a prostrate habit; and one with grey-green leaves, high frost resistance, and the ability to stay green and to produce high pod yields, were associated with climatic and soil characteristics in the north, east, and south of the collection zone, respectively. Days to flowering were longer in lines from saline soils at lower altitude, and plant vigor was greatest in lines from more fertile soils with higher rainfall. A wide variation in time to flower of lines at all collection sites contributes to the adaptation of M. polymorpha in subtropical Queensland and potentially to its persistence with future climate change. Full article

A strategy for effectively utilizing occupants’ adaptive behaviors (OABs) to achieve thermal acceptability while maintaining low energy consumption is necessary. This study aims to clarify the relationship between OABs and thermal acceptability over various climate zones, as well as the change in OABs due to air conditioner (AC) ownership in Indonesian residences. An online questionnaire consisting of perceived OABs’ time intensity, thermal acceptability, and personal attributes from 3000 respondents across Indonesia was analyzed using logistic regression. The results suggested that NV occupants engage in more fan usage and window opening to enhance ventilative cooling, while AC occupants are more likely to adjust clothing and use portable fans to create cooler environments. Moreover, the effects of OABs on NV residences varied depending on the local climate conditions. In hot local climates, averages of 90% fan usage intensity and 92% window opening intensity, complemented with active clothing adjustment, were unable to effectively provide thermal acceptability. These findings imply that there is a range of indoor environmental conditions in which conventional OABs work well. This study highlights the need to promote behavioral adaptations, especially in AC mixed-mode buildings, and to consider behavioral adaptations in NV buildings based on local climates. Full article