Search Results (6,987)

To address escalating natural and market risks in agriculture, integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) are increasingly recognized as a production mode combining resilience and sustainability. Using survey data from 372 farm households in Inner Mongolia, China, this study first constructs a directional income volatility indicator and applies the Kruskal–Wallis test together with robust tests for equality of variances to compare the short-term risk-buffering performance of specialized cropping, specialized livestock production, and ICLS. The analysis then focuses on 190 ICLS households and employs Hansen’s threshold model to identify nonlinear constraints on achieving higher income and examine potential equipment misallocation. The results show a stronger short-term risk-buffering advantage of ICLS over the two specialized modes. Livestock inventory scale exhibits a threshold effect: at a lower livestock inventory scale, livestock expansion is significantly associated with lower income, whereas beyond this threshold the marginal effect becomes significantly positive. Crop–livestock structural matching, measured by the livestock–land ratio, constrains the income effect of livestock expansion: once the ratio reaches a certain level, livestock expansion no longer shows a significant negative association with income. In addition, mismatches between machinery investment and production orientation weaken the income performance. These results imply that policy should promote ICLS in a context-specific and moderate manner, guide farmers toward better crop–livestock alignment, and expand agricultural service provision to reduce risks associated with misaligned mechanization. Full article

Variations in wind-turbine rotor speed and converter power margin under different operating conditions constrain the frequency-support power output of wind turbines, thereby affecting the controllability and stability of the frequency-support response. To address this problem, this paper proposes a dual virtual synchronous generator (VSG) coordinated control method for energy-storage doubly fed induction generator wind turbines based on frequency-support power-response equivalence. First, frequency-support power-response models are established for the VSGs implemented at the rotor-side converter and the grid-side converter to describe the active-power dynamic characteristics of the two frequency-support channels. Second, using the target inertial-support power response as the reference, the dual-VSG parameter configuration is transformed into a power-response consistency optimization problem. Furthermore, considering rotor speed, state of charge (SOC), and the grid-side converter upward power margin, the inertia-support and primary frequency regulation power contributions are assigned between the stator and grid-side converter channels. Hardware-in-the-loop validation results show that the proposed method coordinates the dual-channel frequency-support power output under four typical operating conditions with high/low wind speeds and high/low SOC levels, maintains a consistent frequency-support power response, and achieves controllable and stable frequency support over a wide operating range. Full article

Enriching meat with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) is of considerable nutritional interest because of the well-documented cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of these fatty acids in the human diet. This study investigated the potential effects of dietary Artemisia ordosica Krasch (ARI) supplementation on muscle n-3 PUFA deposition in Albas White Cashmere goats, possibly mediated through the regulation of antioxidant capacity, lipid oxidation, and metabolism. Under the present experimental conditions, ARI supplementation did not significantly affect growth performance, but significantly reduced ruminal C18:0 content (p < 0.05) and increased n-3 PUFA levels (C18:3n3, C22:6n3) in rumen fluid, plasma, liver, and Longissimus dorsi, and the consequent elevation of the muscle PUFA-to-saturated fatty acid ratio (P/S; p < 0.05). Concurrently, ARI supplementation enhanced ruminal and systemic antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, elevated total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and upregulated expression of antioxidant-related genes (GSR, GOR, SOD2). Integrated multi-omics analyses revealed that these improvements may be associated with the reduced relative abundance of the core biohydrogenating bacterium s_Butyrivibrio_fibrisolvens and de novo saturated fatty acid synthesis, and potential involvement of the AMPK signaling pathway, with downregulation of FASN; coordinated upregulation of CD36, ACSL3/4, and ELOVL6/7; and upregulation of PPARGC1A, collectively suggesting a promotion of FA oxidation and n-3 PUFA deposition. Collectively, these findings suggest that ARI-promoted n-3 PUFA enrichment in goat meat may be associated with the coordinated modulation of ruminal biohydrogenation, systemic antioxidant capacity, and intermediary lipid metabolism, providing a potential nutritional strategy for developing functional cashmere goat meat. Full article

Due to the memory and non-local characteristics of fractional calculus, fractional-order tracking differentiator (FOTD) performs excellently in suppressing impulse noise. However, the parameters of FOTD need to be manually adjusted according to the scene requirements, and cannot automatically maintain optimal performance in scenarios where the signal and noise intensities change dynamically. To address this issue, this paper proposes a multi-parameter optimization-driven FOTD (OFOTD) based on envelope entropy, enhancing the adaptability of FOTD in complex scenarios. Furthermore, a fractional multisynchrosqueezing transform (FRMSST) is developed, and OFOTD-FRMSST is established to accurately represent the signal under impulsive noise. Finally, OFOTD-FRMSST is applied to parameter estimation of linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal, demonstrating its superiority in accuracy, noise robustness, and practicality. Experimental results demonstrate that, from both time domain and time-frequency plane, OFOTD achieves enhanced noise suppression performance through adaptive parameter optimization. Furthermore, in comparison with existing methods, OFOTD-FRMSST yields a more accurate signal representation under impulsive noise, thereby improving accuracy and noise robustness of parameter estimation. Full article

Maintaining precise liquid levels in interconnected tank systems is a critical requirement in many industrial processes; however, achieving reliable control remains challenging due to inherent nonlinearities and external disturbances. This paper presents a comparative analysis of three control strategies—sliding mode control (SMC), feedback linearization (FL), and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control—applied to a nonlinear two-tank system. To address the practical limitation of unmeasured system states, a high-gain observer (HGO) is integrated into the control architecture to reconstruct unmeasured water levels. In addition, the controller and observer parameters are optimized using a hybrid genetic algorithm to balance tracking precision and control effort. Simulation results demonstrate that, although all three methods achieve acceptable setpoint tracking performance, the SMC-HGO configuration exhibits superior robustness. Specifically, it outperforms FL and PID in rejecting external disturbances and maintaining stability under significant parameter variations, such as changes in discharge coefficients. Full article

Pisha sandstone (PS) is a weakly cemented soft rock widely distributed in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, China. PS disintegrates rapidly upon contact with water and has poor erosion resistance, making it a major source of coarse sediment in the Yellow River. However, PS is rich in aluminosilicate minerals and clay fractions, offering great potential as a sustainable precursor for geopolymer cementitious materials and as an amendment for degraded soils. The sustainable resource utilization of PS provides a new pathway for coordinated ecological and economic development in the PS areas. This paper first reviews the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of PS, clarifying that low diagenetic degree and high montmorillonite content cause poor erosion resistance, and that compound erosion from freeze–thaw, water, wind, and gravity erosion creates a superimposed amplification effect, which is the primary driver of severe soil erosion. Subsequently, three major control measures for soil erosion in the PS areas are summarized, namely biological measures using sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), chemical solidification, and microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), with analyses of their mechanisms, efficiency, and limitations. Furthermore, the research progress on the sustainable resource utilization of PS in the preparation of geopolymer cementitious materials and the amelioration of degraded soils is elaborated. Finally, future research directions are discussed to support the control of soil erosion and the green, sustainable resource utilization of PS. Full article

Papaver nudicaule L. is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Asian ethnomedicine, yet its phytochemical composition and biological activity remain insufficiently explored. This study bridges phytochemistry and neuroactive potential. It includes metabolite profiling with bioactivity-guided fractionation, performed to evaluate its potential as a source of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The methanolic extract of the aerial parts was analysed using HPLC–ESI–QTOF-MS/MS, which enabled the tentative identification of 34 compounds, predominantly isoquinoline alkaloids and flavonoid derivatives. The extract was subsequently fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) using an optimised biphasic solvent system, yielding fractions enriched in alkaloid constituents. The obtained fractions were evaluated for AChE inhibitory activity, revealing significantly higher activity than that of the crude extract. The most active fractions exhibited marked inhibition based on the comparison with the reference compound berberine, indicating effective enrichment of bioactive metabolites. Further analysis demonstrated that the activity of the most potent fraction was associated with the presence of amurensinine, which was purified by preparative HPLC and subsequently identified by NMR and LC-MS. The Papaver nudicaule extract showed no significant cytotoxicity toward SH-SY5Y neuronal cells up to 200 µg/mL, whereas the amurensinine-containing fraction reduced cell viability only at higher concentrations (≥100 µg/mL). Notably, when expressed in the micromolar range, this effect corresponds to relatively weak cytotoxicity, suggesting a potential safety margin at lower, biologically relevant concentrations. These findings demonstrate that P. nudicaule possesses a highly diverse alkaloid profile and represents a promising natural source of compounds with potential relevance for the development of agents targeting neurodegenerative disorders. Full article

The global shortage of high-quality protein feed resources continues to widen, and the development of high-value-added woody plants is a key strategy for alleviating feed shortage. The mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a recognized high-protein woody forage resource. However, the inconsistent quality of its natural silage and the unclear risk of mycotoxins represent the core bottlenecks limiting its widespread adoption as feed. Four treatments were set up in this study: (1) control; (2) lactic acid bacteria inoculant (LAB, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum); (3) cellulase enzyme (AC, Acremonium cellulolyticum); (4) a mixture of LAB + AC. After 60 days of ensiling, a systematic analysis was conducted to examine the effects of exogenous microbial inoculant and enzyme preparation on the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and mycotoxin in mulberry silages. Fresh mulberry exhibited a high crude protein content of 23% on a dry matter (DM) basis, making it a high-quality feed resource. Compared to the control, the addition of LAB and AC either alone or in combination, significantly improved (p < 0.001) the fermentation quality and safety of silages: lactic acid content increased from 0.85% DM to 1.41–2.03% DM; pH, ammonia nitrogen, and deoxynivalenol decreased from 4.85, 0.88% DM, and 3.92 μg/kg to 3.53–3.95, 0.40–0.55% DM, and 1.21–3.04 μg/kg, respectively. The combined LAB and AC treatment resulted in the most favorable fermentation performance of mulberry silage. Bacterial community analysis revealed that fresh mulberry exhibited high bacterial alpha diversity, with Gram-negative bacteria as the dominant bacterial community, and Sphingomonas roseiflava as a representative dominant species. After ensiling, bacterial alpha diversity decreased in all the silages. Furthermore, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum eventually prevailed as the dominant bacteria and exhibiting the highest relative abundance in the LAB + AC-treated silage (57.23%). Bugbase functional prediction indicated that the proportion of potential pathogenic bacteria was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in fresh mulberry than silage. Thus, the synergistic action of LAB + AC treatment effectively optimized the ensiling fermentation process. Full article

Desertified soils severely limit vegetation restoration and sustainable land use in arid regions. This study aims to evaluate the individual and combined effects of coal-based charcoal produced by coal pyrolysis and organic fertilizer on soil properties and the growth performance of Amorpha fruticosa L. A pot experiment was conducted using degraded sandy soil collected from Inner Mongolia, with amendment rates of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (w/w) for each material, and a combined treatment (2.5% coal-based charcoal + 2.5% organic fertilizer). The results showed that all treatments reduced soil bulk density (BD) and increased electrical conductivity and nutrient availability. Application of coal-based charcoal increased soil pH, whereas organic fertilizer decreased it, and their combined application resulted in a more balanced soil pH. The combined treatment (FT) achieved the highest germination rate (83.33%), significantly improved root morphological traits, enhanced chlorophyll content and the photosynthetic rate, and increased peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, while reducing malondialdehyde content. These findings suggest that combining coal-based charcoal with organic fertilizer provides complementary benefits, enhancing soil physicochemical properties and plant physiological performance, thereby promoting the growth of A. fruticosa L. and providing an effective strategy for restoring desertified soils. Full article

Continuous cropping obstacles (CCOs) seriously constrain tomato yield and quality in facility agriculture, primarily due to rhizosphere microbial imbalance. Indigenous synthetic microbial communities (SynCom) offer superior colonization and stability compared to single strains. This study aimed at constructing a simplified SynCom from indigenous rhizobacteria in Northwest China to alleviate tomato CCOs. A total of 155 rhizobacterial strains (29 genera) were isolated. Sixteen strains with significant growth-promoting effects were selected through seedling assays. Based on the carbon source niche overlap index (NOI > 70%) with Ralstonia solanacearum QL-Rs1115, eight candidate strains were retained. Using the broken-stick model, 29 simplified SynComs were constructed. SynCom28, composed of six functionally complementary strains (Azospirillum brasilense, Massilia niabensis, Enterobacter hormaechei, Chryseobacterium sp., Priestia megaterium and Pseudomonas brassicacearum), showed the best performance. Pot experiments revealed that SynCom28 reduced the bacterial wilt disease index to 32.41, with a biocontrol efficacy of 41.72%. Greenhouse trials under continuous cropping demonstrated that SynCom28 significantly increased seedling Dickson quality index (DQI), stem diameter and biomass. Fruit yield increased by 12.98–15.30% across the 2nd to 4th cropping cycles (p < 0.05). Fruit quality parameters were also enhanced, with soluble sugar, lycopene, and vitamin C contents increasing by 47.22–65.07%, 33.07–81.71% and 80.56–166.67%, respectively. In conclusion, the indigenous simplified SynCom28 effectively alleviates tomato CCOs, enhancing growth, yield, and quality while suppressing bacterial wilt, providing a promising strategy for sustainable facility agriculture. Full article

Hidden hunger and grassland degradation represent interconnected governance challenges in northern China’s pastoral areas. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) has been conceptualised largely around crop-based systems, with limited attention to grassland grazing systems, where nutritional value is shaped by ecology, feeding practices, seasonality, local knowledge, and market institutions. Drawing on five rounds of fieldwork (2019–2025) across meadow, typical, and desert steppes in Inner Mongolia, this study employs a multi-case comparative design involving 92 semi-structured interviews, 58 policy documents, and long-term observations. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we develop an ecology–nutrition synergy framework to explain local practices and institutional constraints in nutrition-sensitive livestock farming. Three pathways are identified: grass–livestock nutritional balancing, scientific valorisation of native forage, and market experimentation linking ecological origin to nutritional quality. These pathways operate through three mechanisms: ecological mediation of nutritional quality, endogenous quality fluctuation as an inherent feature, and scientific codification of traditional pastoral knowledge. Four structural dilemmas constrain scaling: incompatibility between natural quality fluctuation and industrial standardisation; absence of institutional trust in nutritional premiums; short-term trade-offs between stocking control and nutritional enhancement; and fragmented cross-sectoral governance. The study extends NSA to grassland systems and offers a framework for integrating ecological protection, livestock quality, and nutrition-oriented governance in arid and semi-arid rangelands. Three theoretical contributions are advanced: (i) extending NSA’s conceptual boundary from cropping systems to natural grassland pastoral systems; (ii) embedding a nutrition-output dimension within Ostrom’s SES framework, thereby creating a triple-nested ecology–nutrition synergy framework; and (iii) specifying three grazing-system-specific mechanisms that distinguish grassland livestock systems from both crop-based and confined animal production systems. Full article

Sustainable quinoa production in semi-arid regions is constrained by water scarcity and inefficient photoassimilate partitioning. This study evaluated the interactive effects of planting patterns and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) application rates (0, 60, and 90 kg·ha⁻¹) on ‘Longli 5’ quinoa source–sink dynamics. Results demonstrated that ridge-furrow planting coupled with a moderate SAP rate (60 kg·ha⁻¹, D1) synergistically optimized the soil moisture environment, enhancing the two-year average leaf area index (LAI) by 52.6–66.9% and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) by 5.45–10.64% (p < 0.05). Unlike the high SAP rate (90 kg·ha⁻¹), “water luxury consumption” and low input efficiency dynamic which induced “water luxury consumption” and low input efficiency, the D1 treatment effectively promoted photoassimilate remobilization to grains by 13.39–14.44%. Unlike high SAP rates (90 kg·ha⁻¹), which induced ‘water luxury consumption’ and low input efficiency, the D1 treatment effectively promoted photoassimilate remobilization to grains by 13.39–14.44%.This mechanism optimized source–sink coordination, resulting in a significant increase in seed yield and thousand-grain weight (p < 0.05). These findings conclude that a balanced source–sink allocation, rather than maximal source capacity alone, is the definitive driver of productivity. Integrating ridge-furrow planting with moderate SAP application (60 kg·ha⁻¹) is a highly efficient agronomic strategy for harmonizing quinoa growth and achieving sustainable, high yields in semi-arid environments. Full article

Background: Tandem leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) are typically classified into eleven types; however, several variant motifs have also been reported. Here, we identified new LRR variants that exhibit dual characteristics of two distinct types. We investigated how the dual characteristics influence the structure and function of LRRs. Methods: We conducted sequence similarity searches using the protein database and analyzed sequence features. We also characterized the structural features of these LRR variant motifs using solved structures and AlphaFold models and investigated their potential biological functions through domain analysis. Results: Of the identified 3222 proteins, approximately 60% originate from the bacterial PVC superphylum. The variants were classified into two groups: one defined by the consensus sequence LxxLxLxx(C/T)xzI TDxxLxx(L/F)xx(L/C)xx, and the other by LxxLxLxxCxxI TDxxLxxLxxLP (where “z” denotes a deletion). The LRRs highly similar to the variants are occasionally observed in solved structures and comprise three types of super-secondary structures (SSSs): β-strand–α-helix adjoining a 3(10)-helix–β-strand, β-strand–3(10)-helix–β-strand, and β-strand–3(10)-helix adjoining an α-helix–β-strand. The AlphaFold models adopt these SSSs and, in addition, include the SSS of the β–α–β motif. Functional annotation identified kinase and F-box domains in a subset of these LRR proteins. Conclusions: The coexistence of these four SSSs and the high frequency of the first SSS appear to reflect the dual characteristics of the LRR variants. The LRR variant-containing proteins suggest potential roles in bacterial immunity and ubiquitination. The present findings expand the structural diversity of LRR proteins and provide new insights into their functional roles. Full article

Driven by increasingly severe drought stress associated with global warming, this study investigated a synthetic microbial community, SynCom-SASW01, with strong stress tolerance and plant growth-promoting potential, and systematically elucidated its mechanisms for enhancing drought resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Dual-site field trials demonstrated that SynCom-SASW01 significantly alleviated drought-induced growth suppression, increasing grain yields by 10.42% and 8.52% at the Hohhot and Hulunbuir sites, respectively. This improvement was primarily associated with increased effective tiller number and enhanced root vigor. Physiologically, inoculation promoted root proline and glutathione accumulation and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, thereby reducing malondialdehyde levels. Environmental analyses showed that the consortium established rhizosphere “micro-reservoirs” through exopolysaccharide secretion, improving soil relative water content and the availability of alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and phosphorus. High-throughput sequencing revealed that SynCom-SASW01 reshaped the endosphere microbiome through early colonization priority effects, selectively enriching beneficial taxa such as Pseudomonas. Functional prediction indicated upregulated branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, promoting osmotic adjustment and redox homeostasis. These findings provide a microbiome-based strategy for stabilizing wheat productivity in arid regions. Full article

Alfalfa Verticillium wilt, caused by Verticillium alfalfae, is a globally significant disease with increasing incidence and expanding epidemic areas. This study surveyed six major alfalfa-producing regions in Inner Mongolia, China—Chifeng, Tongliao, Ulanqab, Ordos, Bayannur, and Hohhot—and successfully isolated V. alfalfae exclusively from samples collected in Hohhot and Bayannur. Based on morphological characterization, multi-locus phylogenetic analysis (act, tef1-α, gapdh, and ts genes), and pathogenicity tests fulfilling Koch’s postulates, all 33 isolates were consistently identified as V. alfalfae, with disease severity levels ranging from 3.04 to 4.79 on the susceptible cultivar Zhongmu No. 1. As a preliminary assessment, the in vitro sensitivity of a representative strain, Va8, to eight commercial fungicides was evaluated using the mycelial growth inhibition method. Among the tested fungicides, 30% difenoconazole–propiconazole exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect (EC₅₀ = 0.14 μg/mL), followed by 10% trifloxystrobin & 20% tebuconazole (EC₅₀ = 0.20 μg/mL). However, given the substantial virulence variation observed among isolates, these sensitivity data should be interpreted with caution, as population-level differences may exist. These findings represent the first confirmed report of V. alfalfae in Inner Mongolia and provide a preliminary yet critical reference for prioritizing candidate fungicides for future multi-isolate and field evaluations. Full article