Search Results (252)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form symbiotic interactions with most terrestrial plants, enhancing nutrient uptake and stress resilience. Organic amendments like biochar, compost, and manure are advocated to improve soil health and promote AMF symbiosis. However, empirical evidence of their effects on root AMF colonization is inconsistent, and a systematic understanding of the governing factors is lacking. Here, we synthesized the responses of root AMF colonization in agricultural systems to biochar, compost, and manure input from 85 studies (663 pairs of observations) globally based on a meta-analysis. Overall, biochar and compost/manure significantly increased root AMF colonization. However, these effects were highly context-dependent. Biochar most strongly promoted colonization in coarse-textured soils with low total potassium (TK ≤ 25 g kg⁻¹) and high total carbon (TC ≥ 11 g kg⁻¹), particularly for fruit and tuber crops. In contrast, compost/manure were most effective in fine-textured soils with high TK (≥25 g kg⁻¹) and low bulk density (BD ≤ 1.3 g cm⁻³). Notably, compost/manure suppressed colonization in neutral pH (6.5 < pH < 7.5) and high BD soils (>1.3 g cm⁻³). Key amendment properties drove these responses: biochar with low electrical conductivity (EC < 5 dS m⁻¹), high sodium and low macronutrient content was most beneficial, whereas compost/manure with high total nitrogen (TN > 9 g kg⁻¹) and low organic carbon (OC ≤ 500 g kg⁻¹) performed best. The efficacy of organic amendments in enhancing AMF symbiosis is not universal but dictated by a complex interplay of soil properties and amendment characteristics. Our findings provide a robust, quantitative framework for tailoring amendment strategies to specific agro-ecological contexts, enabling farmers and land managers to selectively use biochar or compost/manure to harness AMF benefits for sustainable crop production. Full article

Life-cycle assessment is crucial for evaluating materials’ environmental impact and guiding the development of low-carbon and sustainable buildings. However, conventional LCA methods often overlook critical impacts during the operation and maintenance stage. To address this gap, this study proposes an improved framework using four composite indicators to enable systematic evaluation of six wall materials across China’s five climate zones. Using a university teaching building in the Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone as a case study, this study quantitatively analyzed the economic viability and carbon reduction potential of each material. Results indicate that lower thermal conductivity does not necessarily imply superior economic and carbon reduction performance. Factors including the material carbon emission factor, cost, and thermal properties, must be comprehensively considered. Buffering materials also exhibit climate dependency—WPM and BWPM (moisture-buffering plastering mortars) perform better in hot–humid zones than temperate zones. All five buffer materials reduce operational energy consumption; WPM and BWPM stand out with 15.7% and 16.7% life-cycle cost savings and 17.3% and 18.0% carbon emission reductions, respectively. This study addresses the limitations of traditional LCC/LCA and provides theoretical and practical support for scientific material selection and low-carbon building design. Full article

This study aims to develop and demonstrate a low-cost LiDAR-based 3D mapping approach for estimating tree carbon stock in university campuses. Unlike conventional field-based measurements, which are labor-intensive and error-prone, the proposed system integrates a 2D LiDAR sensor with a servo motor and odometry data to generate three-dimensional point clouds of trees. From these data, key biometric parameters such as diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height are automatically extracted and incorporated into species-specific and generalized allometric equations, in line with IPCC 2006/2019 guidelines, to estimate above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, and total carbon storage. The experimental study is conducted over approximately 70,000 m² of green space at Gazi University, Ankara, where six dominant species have been identified, including Cedrus libani, Pinus nigra, Platanus orientalis, and Ailanthus altissima. Results revealed a total carbon stock of 16.82 t C, corresponding to 61.66 t CO₂eq. Among species, Cedrus libani (29,468.86 kg C) and Ailanthus altissima (13,544.83 kg C) showed the highest contributions, while Picea orientalis accounted for the lowest. The findings confirm that the proposed system offers a reliable, portable, cost-effective alternative to professional LiDAR scanners. This approach supports sustainable campus management and highlights the broader applicability of low-cost LiDAR technologies for urban carbon accounting and climate change mitigation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamin) and folate (vitamin B₉) are essential cofactors in one-carbon metabolism required for DNA synthesis, methylation, and genomic stability. Deficiencies in these nutrients can cause megaloblastic anemia, neurological dysfunction, and hyperhomocysteinemia, linking micronutrient imbalance to cardiovascular and neurocognitive outcomes. Population-based surveillance of these biomarkers provides insight into nutritional trends and supports analytical standardization. Methods: This retrospective study included all routine plasma (P) vitamin B₁₂ and folate measurements performed at Uppsala University Hospital from 2005 to 2024 (n = 647,302 and 578,509, respectively). Data were extracted from the laboratory information system and summarized using annual medians, percentile distributions, and coefficients of variation (CV). Linear regression was used to validate the method comparison and assess the impact of the 2021 transition from the Abbott Architect to the Roche cobas platform. Descriptive statistics summarized the temporal and seasonal patterns of P-vitamin B₁₂ and P-folate. Results: Median P-vitamin B₁₂ concentrations remained stable (340–370 pmol/L; median CV = 4.6%), while P-folate increased from 10.5 to 15.5 nmol/L (median CV = 12.9%) from 2005 to 2024. Low P-folate (<7 nmol/L) was observed in 7.1% of measurements and low or borderline P-vitamin B₁₂ (<250 pmol/L) in 22.6%. Females exhibited slightly higher concentrations of both analytes. Although no clear seasonal pattern was observed, small biological effects cannot be excluded. Sample volumes decreased during the summer. The transition to Roche assays introduced measurable methodological shifts, particularly for P-folate. Conclusions: Levels of P-vitamin B₁₂ remained stable over two decades, while P-folate status increased modestly. This reflects both dietary influences and assay-related differences following the 2021 platform transition. Continuous surveillance of biomarker medians provides a sensitive tool for detecting analytical drift and for monitoring long-term nutritional trends in clinical populations. Full article

Against the backdrop of the “dual carbon” strategy, enhancing energy utilization efficiency and promoting low-carbon urban heating have become key directions for energy system transformation. Due to the compact structure, high heat transfer efficiency, and strong adaptability, herringbone plate heat exchangers have emerged as critical intermediate heat exchange equipment in long-distance heating systems. This paper reviews research on the heat transfer performance of herringbone plate heat exchangers, systematically examining fluid flow patterns within plate heat exchangers and the mechanisms influencing thermohydraulic performance under single-phase and two-phase flow conditions, along with recent advancements. First, factors affecting fluid flow within herringbone corrugated plates are introduced. Subsequently, recent experimental and numerical simulation advancements under single-phase and two-phase conditions are presented, along with corresponding performance correlation equations. In contrast, two-phase heat transfer mechanisms are more complex, with relatively insufficient research and a lack of universally applicable theoretical models and performance correlations. This paper argues that future efforts should focus on strengthening research into two-phase flow heat transfer mechanisms and developing more universal and predictive performance models to support the efficient application of plate heat exchangers in low-carbon heating and industrial energy conservation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Within public health and preventive nutrition, food labeling plays a critical role in supporting healthier dietary behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the behaviors, perceptions, and nutritional literacy of young adults from Iași, Romania, regarding simple carbohydrates (SCHO) consumption and food label-reading habits. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May–June 2023 using 20-item Likert-scale questionnaire completed by 150 participants aged 18–30 years. Statistical analysis included descriptive metrics, Chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The cohort consisted of 72% females (N = 108) and 28% males (N = 42), with 42.7% (N = 64) holding university degrees. Although 22% (N = 33) considered SCHO consumption highly important, only 13.3% (N = 20) frequently read nutrition labels (p ≤ 0.05). Dietary patterns showed that 27.3% primarily consumed sweets, while others combined sweets with carbonated beverages, dairy products, or whole grains; overall, 44% (N = 66) reported frequent sweet consumption. Label reading was highest for sweets (40.7%), lower for dairy products (19.3%) and soft drinks (9.3%). Additionally, 30.7% (N = 46) checked only expiration dates, whereas just 11.3% (N = 17) reviewed nutritional content. Trust in label accuracy was low: 48% (N = 72) expressed neutrality and 14% (N = 21) disagreed. Although 77.3% (N = 116) recognized the link between sugar intake and dental caries, only 23.3% (N = 35) felt well informed about oral health risks. Taste dominated food selection (68.7%), while nutritional value was cited by 16.7% (N = 25). Conclusions: Young adults from Iași demonstrated notable gaps in nutritional literacy and suboptimal dietary behaviors, emphasizing the need for structured educational strategies to improve preventive practices relevant to systemic and oral health. Full article

As low-carbon supply chains increasingly integrate green transition strategies with digital transformation, coordinating high-cost green technology investments with data-driven marketing (DDM) becomes a complex managerial task. While these dual investments are essential for market growth, the inherent tension between economic efficiency and fairness concerns often triggers strategic friction phenomenon whose impact under cap-and-trade regulations remains insufficiently explored. This paper investigates the strategic implications of fairness concerns in a low-carbon supply chain in which a manufacturer invests in carbon emission reduction and a retailer engages in data-driven marketing (DDM), under a cap-and-trade regulation. We formulate four Stackelberg game models—Neutral Benchmark (NF), Retailer Fairness (RF), Manufacturer Fairness (MF), and Bilateral Fairness (BF)—to analyze the interplay between behavioral equity and economic efficiency. The main analytical results indicate that (1) fairness concerns universally function as an “efficiency tax” on the supply chain system, where the rational benchmark consistently yields the highest system efficiency. In contrast, bilateral fairness concerns lead to the worst performance due to double friction effects. (2) Counter-intuitively, the retailer can “weaponize” fairness concerns to extract surplus from the leader. Specifically, in environments with high carbon emission reduction costs, a fairness-concerned retailer compels the manufacturer to grant significant wholesale price concessions, thereby achieving higher profits than in a purely rational setting. (3) The manufacturer’s fairness creates a “Benevolence Trap” for the follower; to balance equity, a fair manufacturer tends to underinvest in green technologies, which severely contracts market demand and, unlike the retailer fairness scenario, fails to yield economic benefits for the retailer. (4) A critical “regime-switching” dynamic exists regarding the carbon trading price. While the retailer benefits from fairness strategies in nascent carbon markets, a pivot to rationality becomes optimal as carbon prices surge and efficiency dividends dominate. These findings offer novel managerial insights for supply chain members to navigate behavioral complexities and for policymakers to align incentive mechanisms. Full article

The environmental crisis precipitated by climate change has accelerated the urgency of urban green and low-carbon transformation. In 2024, China’s Action Plan for the National Standardization Development Outline (2024–2025) stipulated requirements for continuously improving the standard system for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality in public institutions. As key venues for knowledge innovation and energy consumption, the low-carbon transformation of higher education institutions holds significant importance for China’s achievement of its dual carbon goals. However, China lacks a systematic evaluation framework specifically designed for university campus carbon emissions. Existing green campus assessment standards often suffer from inadequate indicator adaptability, a lack of update mechanisms, and limited coverage. The STARS sustainability assessment system, widely adopted in North America, offers valuable reference points for establishing campus carbon emissions evaluation frameworks due to its features of indicator adaptability, dynamic update mechanisms, and comprehensive evaluation dimensions. This paper conducts an exploratory comparative case study of Princeton University (USA) and Tianjin University (China)—two leading research-intensive institutions—within the STARS 2.2 framework. It systematically analyses their divergent approaches to carbon management and evaluation, not as representatives of their respective continents, but as exemplars of how advanced universities operationalize low-carbon transitions. Based on this analysis and a review of domestic Chinese standards, it proposes a development pathway for China’s university campus carbon emissions evaluation system: (1) Establish a differentiated indicator system combining ‘universal fundamentals with discipline-specific types’ to enhance adaptability to campus characteristics; (2) Establish a mechanism for periodic version updates to the evaluation standard itself, ensuring alignment with evolving national carbon goals and technological advancements; (3) Develop a comprehensive and transparent carbon accounting framework that integrates direct emissions, purchased energy, and indirect sources. This research provides theoretical foundations and methodological support for institutional development and practical optimization in carbon emissions evaluation within Chinese higher education institutions. Full article

Accurate potentiometric sensing critically depends on the stability and reproducibility of the reference electrode potential. Conventional liquid-filled Ag/AgCl or calomel electrodes, though well-established, are poorly compatible with miniaturized, portable, or long-term in situ sensing devices due to electrolyte leakage, junction potential instability, and maintenance requirements. Recent advances in solid-state and membrane-based reference electrodes offer a promising alternative by eliminating the liquid junction while maintaining stable and well-defined potential. This review summarizes the advancements in polymer-based and composite reference membranes, focusing on material strategies, stabilization mechanisms, and integration approaches. Emphasis is placed on ionic-liquid-doped membranes, conducting polymers, lipophilic salts, and carbon nanomaterials as functional components enhancing interfacial stability and charge transfer. The performances of various architectures, solid-contact, liquid-junction-free, and quasi-reference systems, are compared in terms of potential drift, matrix resistance, biocompatibility, and manufacturability. Furthermore, recent developments in printed, microfluidic, and wearable potentiometric platforms demonstrate how reference membrane innovations enable reliable operation in compact, low-cost, and flexible analytical systems. The review outlines current trends, challenges, and future directions toward universal, miniaturized, and leak-free reference electrodes suitable for innovative sensing technologies. Full article

Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets have become central to global climate governance. Building accurate CO₂ emission prediction models to forecast trends and inform mitigation strategies is crucial for addressing climate change. This work proposes an interpretable, integrated prediction optimization framework grounded in fine-grained categories and emission factors, coupling seasonal, demographic, and temporal effects. A Random Forest (RF) model, interpreted via SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and correlation analysis, enables attribution of key drivers and prioritization of control strategies. Using comprehensive data from a university campus located in Shandong Province, we conduct detailed carbon accounting and derive actionable emission reduction plans under two distinct scenarios—high-comfort soft control and low-comfort hard control. Results demonstrate strong applicability to campus “large-scale community” settings, enabling differentiated control across building types and seasons. The framework achieves accurate emission predictions with R² of 0.92, identifies energy consumption as the dominant emission source, and realizes 20–30% reduction potential in key building categories during different seasons while maintaining operational viability. This study provides substantial methodological support for regional CO₂ reduction strategies, sustainable development pathways, and the achievement of carbon-neutrality goals. Full article

University campuses are key testbeds for circular and climate-resilient transformation. This study evaluates how redevelopment strategies at eight Finnish campuses align with long-term environmental and social goals using indicators derived from the New European Bauhaus (NEB) framework. A mapping and qualitative synthesis of 97 peer-reviewed publications (2015–2024) was combined with a comparative analysis of sustainability strategies, carbon-neutrality roadmaps, and campus development strategies (2010–2024). Indicators were formulated based on campus-specific challenges and NEB core values—sustainability, inclusion, and esthetics—and operationalized across five areas: blue-green infrastructure, low-emission mobility, student housing, carbon reduction and renewables, and cultural heritage/community integration. Results show strong commitments to energy efficiency, mobility, and biodiversity. However, socio-spatial dimensions—student housing, participatory inclusion, and place identity—are weak or externalized. Reporting practices are uneven, and metrics are not standardized, limiting comparability across institutions. We argue that SDG-based monitoring should be complemented by NEB’s place-sensitive criteria to bridge strategy–implementation gaps and to future-proof campus redevelopment. An illustrative conceptual case for Helsinki’s Viikki campus demonstrates how the indicators can be integrated into design scenarios. Policy recommendations highlight how integrating NEB’s place-sensitive criteria with ESG/SDG frameworks can strengthen the strategic and spatial coherence of campus transformations. Full article

The global transition toward sustainable mobility and renewable energy integration demands intelligent energy management frameworks capable of coupling electric mobility, distributed generation, and energy storage. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the SIMA Project (Sistema Inteligente Multimodal da Amazônia), an innovative mobility pilot implemented at the Federal University of Pará, Brazil. The SIMA consists of the monitoring building, photovoltaic systems, lithium-based energy storage systems, and electric transportation modes (including urban and intercity buses, as well as a solar-powered catamaran), all interconnected within a microgrid. Field monitoring, data processing, and simulation analyses were conducted to assess energy performance, consumption patterns, and the operational feasibility of these electric systems under Amazonian conditions. The results indicate that the PV systems supply most of the SIMA’s demand, with the laboratory building accounting for 70% of total consumption and electric vehicles for 30%. Simulated full operation scenarios reveal the potential for near net-zero energy balance when energy management strategies are applied to generation, storage and charging. The findings demonstrate the technical viability of integrated mobility–energy systems in tropical contexts and provide practical insights for future low-carbon transport infrastructures in isolated or city-scale networks. Full article

The global demand for strategic minerals like scheelite is growing rapidly due to technological advancements and emerging industries, making it a key global resource. However, there is a lack of integrated research on utilization technology of scheelite from a global perspective and exploring its future development direction. Bibliometric methods have been widely applied due to their advantages in the analysis of qualitative and quantitative literature information. Based on 1137 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning 1999 to 2024, this study systematically examines the global and Chinese research trajectories and emerging frontiers in scheelite resource utilization technologies. A paradigm shift from fundamental geological and material property studies to green beneficiation, low-carbon metallurgy, and intelligent process optimization has been revealed. Key global research hotspots include flotation separation, surface chemistry regulation, LA-ICP-MS micro-analysis, and photoluminescence properties, whereas China has developed distinctive strengths in complex polymetallic ore separation, leaching kinetics, and tailings valorization. Chinese institutions contribute over 54% of worldwide output, with Central South University leading in publication volume, collaboration networks, and academic impact. Future efforts should prioritize intelligent process control, the efficient separation of complex polymetallic ores, and the high-value recovery of secondary resources. Full article

With the IMO’s 2050 decarbonization target, hydrogen is a key zero-carbon fuel for shipping, but the lack of systematic risk assessment methods for hydrogen-powered marine propulsion systems (under harsh marine conditions) hinders its large-scale application. To address this gap, this study proposes an integrated risk evaluation framework by fusing Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) with the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP)—resolving the limitation of traditional single evaluation tools and adapting to the dynamic complexity of marine environments. Scientific findings from this framework confirm that hydrogen leakage, high-pressure storage tank valve leakage, and inverter overload are the three most critical failure modes, with hydrogen leakage being the primary risk source due to its high severity and detection difficulty. Further hazard matrix analysis reveals two key risk mechanisms: one type of failure (e.g., insufficient hydrogen concentration) features “high severity but low detectability,” requiring real-time monitoring; the other (e.g., distribution board tripping) shows “high frequency but controllable impact,” calling for optimized operations. This classification provides a theoretical basis for precise risk prevention. Targeted improvement measures (e.g., dual-sealed valves, redundant cooling circuits, AI-based regulation) are proposed and quantitatively validated, reducing the system’s overall risk value from 4.8 (moderate risk) to 1.8 (low risk). This study’s core contribution lies in developing a universally applicable scientific framework for marine hydrogen propulsion system risk assessment. It not only fills the methodological gap in traditional evaluations but also provides a theoretical basis for the safe promotion of hydrogen shipping, supporting the scientific realization of the IMO’s decarbonization goal. Full article

Black polyimide (BPI) has shown important value in the field of optical engineering due to its excellent light shielding, high temperature stability, and mechanical strength. However, carbon materials or organic dye-doped BPI suffer from poor insulation, low mechanical strength, and poor thermal stability. Intrinsic BPI has gradually become a hot topic of research at this stage. Polyimides containing dianiline structure have unique reducing activity, and the visible light absorption range can be expanded by adding an oxidant in situ to achieve BPI preparation. In this work, a polymerizable dianiline derivative- 2,4-diaminodiphenylamine (NPDA) has been developed. The resulting diamine monomers were then polymerized with a dianhydride monomer via a conventional two-step method to prepare soluble polyimide. The diphenylamine-containing group PI was characterized by 1H NMR, FTIR and UV absorption spectroscopy. It was found that by changing the oxidant ratio, a yellow, red and even black controllable polyimide film could be obtained. When fully oxidized, the BPI cutoff wavelength red shifts to 591 nm, light transmittance reaches as low as 5.9% (full visible light 300–700 nm mean), and BPI can maintain the electrical insulation and heat resistance of polyimide. This method of oxidizing soluble polyimide in situ has advantages such as economy, universality, process consistency, ease of access and superior performance. Full article