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Johannes Althusius (1563–1638) was a pioneer of early modern federalism. Opposing Jean Bodin’s theory of absolute sovereignty, his theory, centered on association and symbiosis, laid the groundwork for later concepts such as associationalism, consociationalism, and the principle of subsidiarity. While his ideas have been rediscovered and reinterpreted by scholars since the 20th century, systematic research on his federalist framework, especially contrasting it with rival theories of that time, remains insufficient. This article addresses this research gap by systematically exploring Althusius’s federalism. It argues that Althusius’s covenant-based, multi-level associational/federal framework provided a counter-theory to the concept of absolute sovereignty. Systematically studying his federalism not only helps to restore his federalist ideas to their rightful place in the history of federalist thought, but also provides insights for contemporary governance paradigms struggling with modern pluralism. Full article

This study aims to enhance the performance of an innovative steel slag–ceramsite foam concrete (SSCFC) to advance sustainable green building materials. An eco-friendly composite construction material was developed by integrating industrial by-product steel slag (SS) with lightweight ceramsite. Employing a three-factor, three-level orthogonal experimental design at a fixed density of 800 kg/m³, 12 mix proportions (including a control group) were investigated with the variables of water-to-cement (W/C) ratio, steel slag replacement ratio, and ceramsite replacement ratio. The governing mechanisms of the W/C ratio, steel slag replacement level, and ceramsite replacement proportion on the SSCFC’s fluidity and compressive strength (CS) were elucidated. The synergistic application of range analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) quantified the significance of factors on target properties, and partial least squares regression (PLSR)-based prediction models were established. The test results indicated the following significance hierarchy: steel slag replacement > W/C ratio > ceramsite replacement for fluidity. In contrast, W/C ratio > ceramsite replacement > steel slag replacement governed the compressive strength. Verification showed R² values exceeding 65% for both fluidity and CS predictions versus experimental data, confirming model reliability. Multi-criteria optimization yielded optimal compressive performance and suitable fluidity at a W/C ratio of 0.4, 10% steel slag replacement, and 25% ceramsite replacement. Full article

The barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) exhibits remarkable resistance to grass carp reovirus (GCRV), a devastating pathogen in aquaculture. To reveal the molecular basis of this resistance, we investigated complement factor D (DF)—a rate-limiting serine protease governing alternative complement pathway activation. Molecular cloning revealed that the barbel chub DF (ScDF) gene encodes a 1251-bp cDNA sequence translating into a 250-amino acid protein. Crucially, bioinformatic characterization identified a unique N-glycosylation site at Asn¹³⁹ in ScDF, representing a structural divergence absent in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) DF (CiDF). While retaining a conserved Tryp_SPc domain harboring the catalytic triad (His⁶¹, Asp¹⁰⁹, and Ser²⁰⁴) and substrate-binding residues (Asp¹⁹⁸, Ser²¹⁹, and Gly²²¹), sequence and phylogenetic analyses confirmed ScDF’s evolutionary conservation, displaying 94.4% amino acid identity with CiDF and clustering within the Cyprinidae. Expression profiling revealed constitutive ScDF dominance in the liver, and secondary prominence was observed in the heart. Upon GCRV challenge in S. curriculus kidney (SCK) cells, ScDF transcription surged to a 438-fold increase versus uninfected controls at 6 h post-infection (hpi; p < 0.001)—significantly preceding the 168-hpi response peak documented for CiDF in grass carp. Functional validation showed that ScDF overexpression suppressed key viral capsid genes (VP2, VP5, and VP7) and upregulated the interferon regulator IRF9. Moreover, recombinant ScDF protein incubation induced interferon pathway genes and complement C3 expression. Collectively, ScDF’s rapid early induction (peaking at 6 hpi) and multi-pathway coordination may contribute to barbel chub’s GCRV resistance. These findings may provide molecular insights into the barbel chub’s high GCRV resistance compared to grass carp and novel perspectives for anti-GCRV breeding strategies in fish. Full article

With the support of the dual-carbon strategy and related policies, China’s offshore wind power has experienced rapid development. However, constrained by the inherent intermittency and volatility of wind power, large-scale expansion poses significant challenges to grid integration and exacerbates government fiscal burdens. To address these critical issues, this paper proposes a multi-market coupling trading model integrating energy storage-equipped offshore wind power into electricity–carbon–green certificate markets for large-scale grid networks. Firstly, a day-ahead electricity market optimization model that incorporates energy storage is established to maximize power revenue by coordinating offshore wind power generation, thermal power dispatch, and energy storage charging/discharging strategies. Subsequently, carbon market and green certificate market optimization models are developed to quantify Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) volume, carbon quotas, carbon emissions, market revenues, green certificate quantities, pricing mechanisms, and associated economic benefits. To validate the model’s effectiveness, a gradient ascent-optimized game-theoretic model and a double auction mechanism are introduced as benchmark comparisons. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model increases market revenues by 17.13% and 36.18%, respectively, compared to the two benchmark models. It not only improves wind power penetration and comprehensive profitability but also effectively alleviates government subsidy pressures through coordinated carbon–green certificate trading mechanisms. Full article

Achieving the construction sector’s dual carbon objectives necessitates scaling green energy adoption in new residential buildings. The current literature critically overlooks four unresolved problems: oversimplified penalty mechanisms, ignoring escalating regulatory costs; static subsidies misaligned with market maturity evolution; systematic exclusion of innovation feedback from energy suppliers; and underexplored behavioral evolution of building owners. This study establishes a government–suppliers–owners evolutionary game framework with dynamically calibrated policies, simulated using MATLAB multi-scenario analysis. Novel findings demonstrate: (1) A dual-threshold penalty effect where excessive fines diminish policy returns due to regulatory costs, requiring dynamic calibration distinct from fixed-penalty approaches; (2) Market-maturity-phased subsidies increasing owner adoption probability by 30% through staged progression; (3) Energy suppliers’ cost-reducing innovations as pivotal feedback drivers resolving coordination failures, overlooked in prior tripartite models; (4) Owners’ adoption motivation shifts from short-term economic incentives to environmentally driven decisions under policy guidance. The framework resolves these gaps through integrated dynamic mechanisms, providing policymakers with evidence-based regulatory thresholds, energy suppliers with cost-reduction targets, and academia with replicable modeling tools. Full article

The ongoing degradation of global forests has severely weakened ecosystem service functions, and traditional judicial remedies have struggled to quantify intangible ecological losses. China has become an important testing ground for restorative justice through the establishment of specialized environmental courts and the practice of environmental public interest litigation. Since 2015, China has actively explored and institutionalized the application of the concept of restorative justice in its environmental justice reform. This concept emphasizes compensating environmental damages through actual ecological restoration acts rather than relying solely on financial compensation. This shift reflects a deep understanding of the limitations of traditional environmental justice and an institutional response to China’s ecological civilization construction, providing critical support for forest ecosystem restoration and enabling ecological restoration activities, such as replanting and re-greening, habitat reconstruction, etc., to be enforced through judicial decisions. This study conducts a qualitative analysis of judicial rulings in forest restoration cases to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of restorative justice in compensating for losses in forest ecosystem service functions. The findings reveal the following: (1) restoration measures in judicial practice are disconnected from the types of ecosystem services available; (2) non-market values and long-term cumulative damages are systematically underestimated, with monitoring mechanisms exhibiting fragmented implementation and insufficient effectiveness; (3) management cycles are set in violation of ecological restoration principles, and acceptance standards lack function-oriented indicators; (4) participation of key stakeholders is severely lacking, and local knowledge and professional expertise have not been integrated. In response, this study proposes a restorative judicial framework oriented toward forest ecosystem services, utilizing four mechanisms: independent recognition of legal interests, function-matched restoration, application of scientific assessment tools, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This framework aims to drive a paradigm shift from formal restoration to substantive functional recovery, providing theoretical support and practical pathways for environmental judicial reform and global forest governance. Full article

Agrarian women are at the forefront of rural livelihoods increasingly affected by the frequency and severity of climate change impacts. However, their household livelihood resilience (HLR) remains limited due to gender-blind policies, scarce sex-disaggregated data, and inadequate consideration of gender-specific needs in resilience-building efforts. Grounded in participatory feminist research, this study employed a multi-method qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews and oral history narratives, with 60 women in two climate-vulnerable provinces. Data were analyzed through thematic coding, CATWOE (Customers, Actors, Transformation, Worldview, Owners, Environmental Constraints) analysis, and descriptive statistics. The findings identify nine major climate-related events disrupting livelihoods and reveal a limited understanding of HLR as a long-term, transformative concept. Adaptation strategies remain short-term and focused on immediate survival. Barriers to HLR include financial constraints, limited access to agricultural resources and technology, and entrenched gender norms restricting women’s leadership and decision-making. While local governments, women’s associations, and community networks provide some support, gaps in accessibility and adequacy persist. Participants expressed the need for financial assistance, vocational training, agricultural technologies, and stronger peer networks. Strengthening HLR among agrarian women requires gender-sensitive policies, investment in local support systems, and community-led initiatives. Empowering agrarian women as agents of change is critical for fostering resilient rural livelihoods and achieving inclusive, sustainable development. Full article

Amid intensifying global ESG regulations and the expanding influence of green finance, China’s digital economy policies have emerged as key institutional instruments for promoting corporate sustainability. Leveraging the implementation of the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone as a quasi-natural experiment, this study utilizes panel data of Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2023 and applies multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) and Spatial DID models to rigorously identify the policy’s effects on corporate ESG performance. Empirical results indicate that the impact of digital economy policy is not exerted through a direct linear pathway but operates via three institutional mechanisms, enhanced information transparency, eased financing constraints, and expanded fiscal support, collectively constructing a logic of “institutional embedding–governance restructuring.” Moreover, disruptive technological innovation significantly amplifies the effects of the transparency and fiscal mechanisms, but exhibits no statistically significant moderating effect on the financing constraint pathway, suggesting a misalignment between innovation heterogeneity and financial responsiveness. Further heterogeneity analysis confirms that the policy effect is concentrated among firms characterized by robust governance structures, high levels of property rights marketization, and greater digital maturity. This study contributes to the literature by developing an integrated moderated mediation framework rooted in institutional theory, agency theory, and dynamic capabilities theory. The findings advance the theoretical understanding of ESG policy transmission by unpacking the micro-foundations of institutional response under digital policy regimes, while offering actionable insights into the strategic alignment of digital transformation and sustainability-oriented governance. Full article

With the rise of carbon capture and storage, liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) has emerged as a promising medium for large-scale marine transport. This study evaluates the structural integrity of an IMO Type C cargo tank for a medium-range LCO₂ carrier under four conditions: ultimate limit state, accidental limit state, hydrostatic pressure test, and fatigue limit state, based on IGC Code and classification rules. Seventeen load cases were analyzed using finite element methods with multi-step loading to ensure stability. The highest stress occurred at the pump dome–shell junction due to geometric discontinuities, but all stress and buckling criteria were satisfied. The fatigue damage from wave-induced loads was negligible, with low-cycle fatigue from loading/unloading operations governing the fatigue life, which exceeded 31,000 years. The findings confirm the tank’s structural robustness and its suitability for safe, efficient medium-pressure LCO₂ transport. Full article

As a key enabling technology for energy transition, the smart grid is propelling the global power system to evolve toward greater efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Based on the three-dimensional analysis framework of “technology–policy–application”, this study systematically sorts out the technical architecture, regional development mode, and typical application scenarios of the smart grid, revealing the multi-dimensional challenges that it faces. By using the methods of literature review, cross-national case comparison, and technology–policy collaborative analysis, the differentiated paths of China, the United States, and Europe in the development of smart grids are compared, aiming to promote the integration and development of smart grid technologies. From a technical perspective, this paper proposes a collaborative framework comprising the perception layer, network layer, and decision-making layer. Additionally, it analyzes the integration pathways of critical technologies, including sensors, communication protocols, and artificial intelligence. At the policy level, by comparing the differentiated characteristics in policy orientation and market mechanisms among China, the United States, and Europe, the complementarity between government-led and market-driven approaches is pointed out. At the application level, this study validates the practical value of smart grids in optimizing energy management, enhancing power supply reliability, and promoting renewable energy consumption through case analyses in urban smart energy systems, rural electrification, and industrial sectors. Further research indicates that insufficient technical standardization, data security risks, and the lack of policy coordination are the core bottlenecks restricting the large-scale development of smart grids. This paper proposes that a new type of intelligent and resilient power system needs to be constructed through technological innovation, policy coordination, and international cooperation, providing theoretical references and practical paths for energy transition. Full article

The impacts of land use transition on ecological environment quality (EEQ) during China’s rapid urbanization have attracted growing concern. However, existing studies predominantly focus on single-scale analyses, neglecting scale effects and driving mechanisms of EEQ changes under the coupling of administrative units and grid scales. Therefore, this study selects Zhejiang Province—a representative rapidly transforming region in China—to establish a “type-process-ecological effect” analytical framework. Utilizing four-period (2005–2020) 30 m resolution land use data alongside natural and socio-economic factors, four spatial scales (city, county, township, and 5 km grid) were selected to systematically evaluate multi-scale impacts of land use transition on EEQ and their driving mechanisms. The research reveals that the spatial distribution, changing trends, and driving factors of EEQ all exhibit significant scale dependence. The county scale demonstrates the strongest spatial agglomeration and heterogeneity, making it the most appropriate core unit for EEQ management and planning. City and county scales generally show degradation trends, while township and grid scales reveal heterogeneous patterns of local improvement, reflecting micro-scale changes obscured at coarse resolutions. Expansive land transition including conversions of forest ecological land (FEL), water ecological land (WEL), and agricultural production land (APL) to industrial and mining land (IML) primarily drove EEQ degradation, whereas restorative ecological transition such as transformation of WEL and IML to grassland ecological land (GEL) significantly enhanced EEQ. Regarding driving mechanisms, natural factors (particularly NDVI and precipitation) dominate across all scales with significant interactive effects, while socio-economic factors primarily operate at macro scales. This study elucidates the scale complexity of land use transition impacts on ecological environments, providing theoretical and empirical support for developing scale-specific, typology-differentiated ecological governance and spatial planning policies. Full article

In the rapidly evolving fields of materials science, catalysis, electronics, drug delivery, and environmental remediation, the development of effective substrates for molecular deposition has become increasingly crucial. Ordered mesoporous silica materials have garnered significant attention due to their unique structural properties and exceptional potential as substrates for molecular immobilization across these diverse applications. This study compares three mesoporous silica powders: MCM-41, SBA-15, and SBA-16. A multi-technique characterization approach was employed, utilizing low- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to elucidate the structure–property relationships of these materials. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of silica frameworks and revealed distinct pore symmetries: a two-dimensional hexagonal (P6mm) structure for MCM-41 and SBA-15, and three-dimensional cubic (Im$\overline{3}$m) structure for SBA-16. Nitrogen sorption measurements demonstrated significant variations in textural properties, with MCM-41 exhibiting uniform cylindrical mesopores and the highest surface area, SBA-15 displaying hierarchical meso- and microporosity confirmed by NLDFT analysis, and SBA-16 showing a complex 3D interconnected cage-like structure with broad pore size distribution. TEM imaging provided direct visualization of particle morphology and internal pore architecture, enabling estimation of lattice parameters and identification of structural gradients within individual particles. The integration of these complementary techniques proved essential for comprehensive material characterization, particularly for MCM-41, where its small particle size (45–75 nm) contributed to apparent structural inconsistencies between XRD and sorption data. This integrated analytical approach provides valuable insights into the fundamental structure–property relationships governing ordered mesoporous silica materials and demonstrates the necessity of combined characterization strategies for accurate structural determination. Full article

This study examines the impact of free trade zone (FTZ) establishment on regional economic resilience (RER) in China, using provincial-level panel data spanning from 2010 to 2022 and a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The empirical results indicate that FTZ implementation significantly enhances regional economic resilience by 3.46%, with the development of green finance acting as a key moderating mechanism that amplifies this positive effect. Heterogeneity analysis uncovers notable disparities across policy cohorts and geographical regions: the first wave of FTZs demonstrates the most pronounced resilience-enhancing impact, whereas later cohorts exhibit weaker or even adverse effects. Coastal regions experience substantial benefits from FTZ policies, in contrast to statistically insignificant outcomes observed in inland areas. These findings suggest that strategically expanding the FTZ network, when paired with tailored implementation mechanisms and the integration of green finance, could serve as a powerful policy tool for post-COVID economic recovery. Importantly, by strengthening economic resilience through institutional openness and green investment, this study offers valuable insights into balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. It provides empirical evidence to support the optimization of FTZ spatial governance and institutional innovation pathways, thereby contributing to the pursuit of sustainable regional development. Full article

Legumes are vital sources of protein, dietary fibre and nutrients, making them crucial for global food security and sustainable agriculture. However, their widespread acceptance and consumption are often limited by undesirable sensory characteristics, such as “a beany flavour”, bitterness or variable textures. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms governing appearance, aroma, taste, flavour, texture and palatability in legumes, aiming to enhance their sensory appeal. This review highlights the transformative power of multi-omics approaches in dissecting these intricate biological pathways and facilitating the targeted enhancement of legume sensory qualities. By integrating data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, the genetic and biochemical networks that directly dictate sensory perception can be comprehensively unveiled. The insights gained from these integrated multi-omics studies are proving instrumental in developing strategies for sensory enhancement. They enable the identification of key biomarkers for desirable traits, facilitating more efficient marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) in breeding programs. Furthermore, a molecular understanding of sensory pathways opens avenues for precise gene editing (e.g., using CRISPR-Cas9) to modify specific genes, reduce off-flavour compounds or optimise texture. Beyond genetic improvements, multi-omics data also inform the optimisation of post-harvest handling and processing methods (e.g., germination and fermentation) to enhance desirable sensory profiles and mitigate undesirable ones. This holistic approach, spanning from the genetic blueprint to the final sensory experience, will accelerate the development of new legume cultivars and products with enhanced palatability, thereby fostering increased consumption and ultimately contributing to healthier diets and more resilient food systems worldwide. Full article

The integration of renewable energy into power grids is imperative for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating reliance on depleting fossil fuels. In this paper, we develop symmetric and asymmetric evolutionary game-theoretic models to analyze how user–grid cooperation in peak shaving can be enhanced by incorporating whole-process democracy (deliberative governance) into decision-making. Our framework captures excess returns, cooperation-driven profits, energy pricing, participation costs, and benefit-sharing coefficients to identify equilibrium conditions under varied subsidy, cost, and market scenarios. Furthermore, this study integrates the theory, path, and mechanism of deliberative procedures under the perspective of whole-process democracy, exploring how inclusive and participatory decision-making processes can enhance cooperation in renewable energy systems. We simulate seven scenarios that systematically adjust subsidy rates, cost–benefit structures, dynamic pricing, and renewable-versus-conventional competitiveness, revealing that robust cooperation emerges only under well-aligned incentives, equitable profit sharing, and targeted financial policies. These scenarios systematically vary these key parameters to assess the robustness of cooperative equilibria under diverse economic and policy conditions. Our findings indicate that policy efficacy hinges on deliberative stakeholder engagement, fair profit allocation, and adaptive subsidy mechanisms. These results furnish actionable guidelines for regulators and grid operators to foster sustainable, low-carbon energy systems and inform future research on demand response and multi-source integration. Full article