Search Results (666)

Soil phosphorus (P) availability is an important determinant of productivity in Pinus massoniana (Masson pine) forests. The mechanistic bases governing the physiological and growth responses of Masson pine to varying soil P conditions remain insufficiently characterized. This study aims to decipher the adaptive strategies of Masson pine to different soil P levels, focusing on root morphological–architectural plasticity and the allocation dynamics of nutrient elements and photosynthetic assimilates. One-year-old potted Masson pine seedlings were exposed to four P addition treatments for one year: P0 (0 mg kg⁻¹), P1 (25 mg kg⁻¹), P2 (50 mg·kg⁻¹), and P3 (100 mg kg⁻¹). In July and December, measurements were conducted on seedling organ biomass, root morphological indices [root length (RL), root surface area (RSA), root diameter (RD), specific root length (SRL), and root length ratio (RLR) for each diameter grade], root architectural indices [number of root tips (RTs), fractal dimension (FD), root branching angle (RBA), and root topological index (TI)], as well as the content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C), and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in roots, stems, and leaves. Compared with the P0 treatment, P2 and P3 significantly increased root biomass, root–shoot ratio, RL, RSA, RTs, RLR of finer roots (diameter ≤ 0.4 mm), nutrient accumulation ratio in roots, and starch (ST) content in roots, stems and leaves. Meanwhile, they decreased soluble sugar (SS) content, SS/ST ratio, C and N content, and N/P and C/P ratios in stems and leaves, as well as nutrient accumulation ratio in leaves. The P3 treatment significantly reduced RBA and increased FD and SRL. Our results indicated that Masson pine adapts to low P by developing shallower roots with a reduced branching intensity and promoting the conversion of ST to SS. P’s addition effectively alleviates growth limitations imposed by low P, stimulating root growth, branching, and gravitropism. Although a sole P addition promotes short-term growth and P uptake, it triggers a substantial consumption of N, C, and SS, leading to significant decreases in N/P and C/P ratios and exacerbating N’s limitation, which is detrimental to long-term growth. Under high-P conditions, Masson pine strategically prioritizes allocating limited N and SS to roots, facilitating the formation of thinner roots with low C costs. Full article

Macrocyclic organic nanostructures have emerged as crucial components of functional supramolecular materials owing to their unique structural and chemical features, such as their distinctive “infinite” cyclic topology and tunable topology-dependent properties, attracting significant recent attention. However, the controlled synthesis of macrocyclic compounds with well-defined compositions and geometries remains a formidable challenge. On-surface synthesis, capable of constructing nanostructures with atomic precision on various substrates, has become a frontier technique for exploring novel macrocyclic architectures. This review summarizes the recent advances in the on-surface synthesis of macrocycles. It focuses on analyzing the synthetic mechanisms and conformational characterization of macrocycles formed through diverse bonding interactions, including both covalent and non-covalent linkages. This review elucidates the intricate interplay between the thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing macrocyclic structure formation across these bonding types and clarifies the critical influence of the reaction temperature and external conditions on the cyclization efficiency. Ultimately, this study offers design strategies for the precise on-surface synthesis of larger and more flexible macrocyclic compounds. Full article

Looking toward the future, governments around the world have started to change their energy mix due to climate change. The new energy mix will consist mainly of Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs), such as wind and solar power. This transition from a synchronous to a non-synchronous grid introduces new challenges in stability, resilience, and synchronization, necessitating advanced control strategies. Among these, Grid-Forming (GFM) control techniques have emerged as an effective solution for ensuring stable operations in microgrids and large-scale power systems with high IBRs integration. This paper presents a systematic review of GFM control techniques, focusing on their principles and applications. Using the PRISMA 2020 methodology, 75 studies published between 2015 and 2025 were synthesized to evaluate the characteristics of GFM control strategies. The review organizes GFM strategies, evaluates their performance under varying operational scenarios, and emphasizes persistent challenges like grid stability, inertia emulation, and fault ride-through capabilities. Furthermore, this study examines real-world implementations of GFM technology in modern power grids. Notable projects include the UK’s National Grid Pathfinder Program, which integrates GFM inverters to enhance stability, and Australia’s Hornsdale Power Reserve, where battery energy storage with GFM capabilities supports grid frequency regulation. Full article

As a pivotal model organism in Lepidoptera research, the silkworm (Bombyx mori) holds significant importance in life science due to its economic value and biotechnological applications. Advancements in proteomics and bioinformatics have enabled substantial progress in characterizing the B. mori proteome. Systematic screening and identification of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) have progressively elucidated the molecular mechanisms governing key biological processes, including viral infection, immune regulation, and growth development. This review comprehensively summarizes traditional PPI detection techniques, such as yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and immunoprecipitation (IP), alongside emerging methodologies such as mass spectrometry-based interactomics and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven PPI prediction. We critically analyze the strengths, limitations, and technological integration strategies for each approach, highlighting current field challenges. Furthermore, we elaborate on the molecular regulatory networks of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) from multiple perspectives: apoptosis and cell cycle regulation; viral protein invasion and trafficking; non-coding RNA-mediated modulation; metabolic reprogramming; and host immune evasion. These insights reveal the dynamic interplay between viral replication and host defense mechanisms. Collectively, this synthesis aims to provide a robust theoretical foundation and technical guidance for silkworm genetic improvement, infectious disease management, and the advancement of related biotechnological applications. Full article

A modified activated carbon (AC) was developed by modifying with poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) to enhance its adsorption performance for water treatment applications. Different PDADMAC concentrations were explored and evaluated using methyl red as a model contaminant, with 8 w/v% PDADMAC yielding the best adsorption performance. The kinetics data were well described by the pseudo-first-order equation and homogeneous surface diffusion model. The Freundlich isotherm fit the equilibrium data well, indicating multilayer adsorption and diverse interaction types. The removal efficiency remained similar across a pH range of 5–9 and in the presence of background inorganic (NaCl)/organic compounds (sodium acetate) at different concentrations. Rapid small-scale column tests were performed to simulate continuous flow conditions, and the PDADMAC-modified AC effectively delayed the breakthrough of the contaminant compared to raw AC. Regeneration experiments showed that 0.1 M NaOH with 70% methanol effectively restored the adsorption capacity, retaining 80% of the initial efficiency after five cycles. Quantum chemical analysis revealed that non-covalent interactions, including electrostatic and Van der Waals forces, governed the adsorption mechanism. Overall, the results of this study prove that PDADMAC-AC shows great potential for enhanced organic contaminant removal in water treatment systems. Full article

The summarized content of one or more extensive text documents helps users extract only the most important key information, instead of reviewing and reading hundreds of pages of text. This study uses extractive and abstractive mechanisms to automatically extract and summarize information retrieved from various web documents on the same topic. The research aims to develop a methodology for designing and developing an information system for pre- and post-processing natural language obtained through web content search and web scraping, and for the automatic generation of a summary of the retrieved text. The research outlines two subtasks. As a first step, the system is designed to collect and process up-to-date information based on specific criteria from diverse web resources related to project funding, initiated by various organizations such as startups, sustainable companies, municipalities, government bodies, schools, the NGO sector, and others. As a second step, the collected extensive textual information about current projects and programs, which is typically intended for financial professionals, is to be summarized into a shorter version and transformed into a suitable format for a wide range of non-specialist users. The automated AI software tool, which will be developed using the proposed methodology, will be able to crawl and read project funding information from various web documents, select, process, and prepare a shortened version containing only the most important key information for its clients. Full article

In China, smart city pilots has become an important scheme to promote the modernization of the national governance system and capacity. Based on the TOE framework, this study takes 35 Chinese smart cities as sample cities and uses the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to explore the influencing factors of smart city pilot construction. The results show that: (1) No single factor can constitute the necessary conditions for the high and non-high construction efficiency of a smart city pilot. (2) There are five configurations leading to the high construction efficiency of a smart city pilot, which can be summarized into three driving modes: the organizational mode composed of organizations, the organization–environment mode composed of organizations and environment, and the technology–environment mode composed of technology and environment. There are three driving modes of non-high construction efficiency of a smart city pilot, which have an asymmetric relationship with the driving mode of high construction efficiency of a smart city pilot. (3) There is a potential substitution relationship among relevant factors in the aspects of technology, organization, and environment, which can effectively replace and promote the efficient construction of a smart city. The research results have implications for improving the effectiveness of smart city construction and promoting urban innovative development and sustainable development. Full article

Accessibility in web systems is essential to ensure everyone can obtain information equally. Based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAGs), the Electronic Government Accessibility Model (eMAG) was established in Brazil to guide the accessibility of federal government web systems. Based on these guidelines, this research sought to understand the reasons behind the persistent gaps in web accessibility in Brazil, even after 20 years of eMAG. To this end, the accessibility of the Integrated Academic Activities Management System (SIGAA), used by 39 higher education institutions in Brazil, was evaluated. The living lab methodology was used to carry out accessibility and usability tests based on students’ experiences with visual impairments during interaction with the system. Furthermore, IT professionals’ knowledge of eMAG/WCAG guidelines, the use of accessibility tools, and their beliefs about accessible systems were investigated through an online questionnaire. Additionally, the syllabuses of training courses for IT professionals at 20 universities were analyzed through document analysis. The research confirmed non-compliance with the guidelines in the software researched, gaps in the knowledge of IT professionals regarding software accessibility practices, and inadequacy of accessibility content within training courses. It is concluded, therefore, that universities should incorporate mandatory courses related to software accessibility into the training programs for IT professionals and that organizations should provide continuous training for IT professionals in software accessibility practices. Furthermore, the current accessibility legislation should be updated, and its compliance should be required within all organizations, whether public or private. Full article

Semiconductor device fabrication is conducted through highly precise manufacturing processes. An essential component of the semiconductor package is the lead frame on which the silicon dies are assembled. Impurities such as oxides or organic matter on the surfaces have an impact on the process yield. Plasma cleaning is a vital process in semiconductor manufacturing, employed to enhance production yield through precise and efficient surface preparation essential for device fabrication. This paper explores the various facets of plasma cleaning, with a particular emphasis on its application in the cleaning of lead frames used in semiconductor packaging. To provide comprehensive context, this paper also reviews the critical role of plasma in advanced and emerging packaging technologies. This study investigates the fundamental physics governing plasma generation, the design of plasma systems, and the composition of the plasma medium. A central focus of this work is the comparative analysis of different plasma systems in terms of their effectiveness in removing organic contaminants and oxide residues from substrate surfaces. By utilizing reactive species generated within the plasma—such as oxygen radicals, hydrogen ions, and other chemically active constituents—these systems enable a non-contact, damage-free cleaning method that offers significant advantages over conventional wet chemical processes. Additionally, the role of non-reactive species, such as argon, in sputtering processes for surface preparation is examined. Sputtering is the ejection of individual atoms from a target surface due to momentum transfer from an energetic particle (usually an ion). Sputtering is therefore a physical process driven by momentum transfer. Energetic ions, such as argon (Ar⁺), are accelerated from the plasma to bombard a target surface. Upon impact, these ions transfer sufficient kinetic energy to atoms within the material’s lattice to overcome their surface binding energy, resulting in their physical ejection. This paper also provides a comparative assessment of various plasma sources, including direct current, dielectric barrier discharge, radio frequency, and microwave-based systems, evaluating their suitability and efficiency for lead frame cleaning applications. Furthermore, it addresses critical parameters affecting plasma cleaning performance, such as gas chemistry, power input, pressure regulation, and substrate handling techniques. The ultimate aim of this paper is to provide a concise yet comprehensive resource that equips technical personnel with the essential knowledge required to make informed decisions regarding plasma cleaning technologies and their implementation in semiconductor manufacturing. This paper provides various tables which provide the reader with comparative assessments of the various plasma sources and gases used. Scoring mechanisms are also introduced and utilized in this paper. The scores achieved by both the sources and the plasma gases are then summarized in this paper’s conclusions. Full article

Local governments provide numerous services to their citizens. In doing so, they utilize two primary methods to deliver them: (1) producing them in-house with their own employees and equipment or (2) outsourcing them to external actors, which may take the form of other public agencies, for-profit firms, or non-profit organizations. In this entry, the authors review the logic of why local governments might choose one mechanism over another. The goal is to give readers a feel for the state of the academic literature in this regard. After reviewing basic concepts, such as the difference between the “provision” and “production” of services, the authors frame the discussion in terms of a variety of lenses used by scholars attempting to better understand the determinants of such decision-making. These include agency theory, transaction cost economics, and New Public Management. The authors also consider the role that management capacity plays in allowing cities to successfully deliver services to their constituents. Additionally, the authors offer a discussion regarding how local governments partner with non-profits in less formal ways than contracting to ensure their citizens have access to needed services. Finally, there is a review of the tradeoffs between efficiency and other values that should be accounted for when arranging service production. Full article

This study proposes a conceptual model that explains the influence of leadership on the relationship between human intelligence (HI) and artificial intelligence (AI). A qualitative, non-systematic literature review was conducted in Scopus and Web of Science of the literature published in the last 5 years, using Boolean combinations of the terms “leadership,” “artificial intelligence,” and “human intelligence.” The thematic analysis allowed the identification of conceptual patterns and research gaps; the model elaborated from the review shows that leadership has an ethical and strategic mediation in the HI-AI relationship in a hybrid space of cooperation, in which automated decisions are put in real context through human judgment and reasoning; ethical governance mechanisms emerge for systems supported by artificial intelligence; and finally, a balancing mechanism to algorithmic efficiency is established through cognitive adaptability. The proposed framework offers organizations some guidelines for human supervision processes for AI-supported systems that integrate ethical evaluations into automated processes. It proposes elements—leadership tools that enhance the relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. This article contributes to the management of organizations by proposing a model that recognizes leadership as a dynamic facilitator between HI and AI, integrating transdisciplinary knowledge of management, technological ethics, and cognitive science, and proposing an ethical interrelationship in the decision-making architectures between HI and AI. The proposed model establishes leadership mediation of human–AI interaction through four axes showing how leadership acts as the axis that brings together human and technological systems to work together. Hierarchical interaction creates a hybrid interaction that is highly flexible, efficient, and has ethical oversight. Finally, the proposed model is an open system that interacts with the environment and is understood as a flexible tool to support strategic decision-making in complex environments. Full article

Non-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT) represents a pioneering approach in the study of physiological functions within living organisms. This technology possesses the remarkable capability to monitor the flow rates and three-dimensional movement directions of ions or molecules as they traverse the boundaries of living organisms without sample destruction. The advantages of NMT are multifaceted, encompassing real-time, non-invasive assessment, a wide array of detection indicators, and compatibility with diverse sample types. Consequently, it stands as one of the foremost tools in contemporary plant physiological research. This comprehensive review delves into the applications and research advancements of NMT within the field of plant abiotic stress physiology, including drought, salinity, extreme temperature, nutrient deficiency, ammonium toxicity, acid stress, and heavy metal toxicity. Furthermore, it offers a forward-looking perspective on the potential applications of NMT in plant physiology research, underscoring its unique capacity to monitor the flux dynamics of ions/molecules (e.g., Ca²⁺, H⁺, K⁺, and IAA) in real time, reveal early stress response signatures through micrometer-scale spatial resolution measurements, and elucidate stress adaptation mechanisms by quantifying bidirectional nutrient transport across root–soil interfaces. NMT enhances our understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns governing plant–environment interactions, providing deeper insights into the molecular mechanism of abiotic stress resilience. Full article

Community-based collaboration has been touted as an effective model for forest governance because it promotes democratized decision-making and stakeholder engagement to address landscape-scale problems. Forest collaboratives are assumed to be heterogeneous, consisting of stakeholders with a diverse range of interests. Few studies have systematically explored variables associated with collaborative composition. We identify six elements of collaborative composition for investigation: size, stakeholder diversity, balance, locality–diversity, core attendance, and cross-participation. This exploratory study examines five forest collaborative groups in eastern Oregon (USA). We analyzed meeting minutes over an 18-month period to track attendance and evaluate who shows up and at what frequency. While forest collaboratives vary in size, larger collaboratives are more heterogeneous, reflecting greater diversity in terms of stakeholders represented, and have a higher proportion of high-frequency (‘core’) attendees. Core attendees and attendees who participated across multiple forest collaboratives regionwide represent a much narrower set of stakeholder interests. Collaboratives’ attendees reflected a mix of local and non-local organizations. The results raise questions about whether collaborative groups represent the array of public interests in planning for forest management. Full article

This study examines the relationship between organizational commitment and administrative management within a public service institution operating in an emerging governance context. Grounded in the three-component model of organizational commitment (affective, continuance, and normative) and classical administrative theory (planning, organizing, directing, and controlling), the research investigates how internal psychological bonds among frontline personnel influence institutional performance. A quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental design was applied, surveying 30 operational police officers using validated Likert-scale instruments. The results reveal a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between organizational commitment and administrative management (Spearman’s ρ = 0.775, p < 0.01), with normative commitment displaying the highest effect size (ρ = 0.812). These findings underscore the critical role of ethical obligation, loyalty, and affective alignment in enhancing managerial coherence and institutional responsiveness. The study contributes to ongoing debates on public sector reform and strategic human capital management by emphasizing the need for emotionally engaged and ethically anchored personnel. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), promoting inclusive, accountable governance and resilient administrative practices in resource-constrained environments. Full article

Between 2017 and 2023, three sub-regional spatial plans were developed for specific areas of the Valencian Autonomous Region: the Alicante–Elche Metropolitan Area, Vega Baja del Segura County, and the Central Valencian Counties. Their main aim was to develop an envisaged territorial model as a binding framework for municipal urban master plans. During the elaboration of these plans, a set of activities was developed to understand the main consensus among stakeholders. The main axes of the planning process were addressed during territorial working groups conducted with relevant stakeholders, including those focused on green infrastructure, settlement systems, and infrastructure systems. Participants were selected from the public administration, non-governmental organizations, the economic sector, and the university. Drawing on the outcomes of the participatory activities, various factors are analyzed, including the ratio between invited stakeholders and actual participants in the territorial workshops, the contributions made by participants in each main axis of the plan, the inputs provided according to stakeholder type, the nature of these contributions, and the degree of alignment between the inputs and the objectives of the PAT. The present study reveals how contextual factors can influence the orientation of the participatory process. At times, contingency may emerge as an opportunity to energize a governance process. Similarly, the participatory technique is validated for its potential to enrich the process, while also highlighting the absence of voices not aligned with spatial planning in the participatory settings. Full article