Search Results (14,737)

This study evaluated the long-term effects of organo-mineral fertilization on floristic diversity, species diversity, and vegetation structure in an HNV grasslands of the Apuseni Mountains. The experiment included five fertilization variants (control, organic, organo-mineral, mineral, and intensive organo-mineral), applied over a period of more than 15 years. Floristic diversity was assessed using a modified Braun–Blanquet method and multivariate methods—cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), MRPP procedure, and indicator species analysis (ISA). Our analysis showed a trophic gradient, from oligotrophic Festuca rubra grasslands to mesotrophic (Agrostis capillaris–Trisetum flavescens) and eutrophic (Agrostis capillaris–Centaurea pseudophrygia) communities, depending on the intensity of organo-mineral fertilization applied. Moderate organo-mineral fertilization maintained a balanced floristic diversity and higher Shannon and Simpson indices compared to variants fertilized only with mineral inputs. Organo-mineral inputs improved soil fertility and ecosystem resilience, supporting soil microbiota activity and reducing nutrient losses. Intensive mineral fertilization led to a reduction in floristic richness and the dominance of nitrophilic species. This study demonstrates that moderate organo-mineral fertilization (≤10 t ha⁻¹ manure combined with N₅₀P₂₅K₂₅) provides an optimal balance between grassland productivity and biodiversity conservation, offering practical guidance for the sustainable management of High Nature Value mountain grasslands. Full article

Mudstone badlands are critical hotspots of erosion and sediment yield, and their rapid morphological changes serve as an ideal site for studying erosion processes. This study used high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry to monitor erosion patterns on a mudstone badland platform in southwestern Taiwan over a 22-month period. Five UAV surveys conducted between 2017 and 2018 were processed using Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry to generate time-series digital surface models (DSMs). Topographic changes were quantified using DSMs of Difference (DoD). The results reveal intense surface lowering, with a mean erosion depth of 34.2 cm, equivalent to an average erosion rate of 18.7 cm yr⁻¹. Erosion is governed by a synergistic regime in which diffuse rain splash acts as the dominant background process, accounting for approximately 53% of total erosion, while concentrated flow drives localized gully incision. Morphometric analysis shows that erosion depth increases nonlinearly with slope, consistent with threshold hillslope behavior, but exhibits little dependence on the contributing area. Plan and profile curvature further influence the spatial distribution of erosion, with enhanced erosion on both strongly concave and convex surfaces relative to near-linear slopes. The gully network also exhibits rapid channel adjustment, including downstream meander migration and associated lateral bank erosion. These findings highlight the complex interactions among hillslope processes, gully dynamics, and base-level controls that govern badland landscape evolution and have important implications for erosion modeling and watershed management in high-intensity rainfall environments. Full article

Chennai’s transport sector is undergoing a structural transition as the city seeks to accommodate rapidly growing travel demand while reducing energy consumption and emissions. This study develops a city-scale system dynamics model using STELLA to simulate long-term transitions in bus and Intermediate Public Transport (IPT) systems over the period 2011–2038. Four policy scenarios—Do Minimum, Partial, Desirable, and Ideal—are evaluated to examine how fleet expansion, propulsion technology substitution, and service restructuring influence urban transport energy sustainability. The model integrates demographic growth, service-level fleet benchmarks, and multiple propulsion pathways, including diesel, CNG, LPG, bio-CNG, hydrogen, and battery- and solar-electric technologies. Full article

Antibiotic feeding in shrimp farming is an optional practice conducted with the aim of preventing and controlling bacterial diseases. However, the administration of antibiotics can disrupt the microbiota of both shrimp and surrounding environment, potentially compromising host health. Given the limited effective antibiotic options in aquaculture, it is crucial to evaluate the effects of florfenicol (FF) on the intestinal health of shrimp and the associated microbial communities. This study first investigated the impact of FF on the intestinal structure of Penaeus vannamei over two feeding durations (5 and 10 days), each followed by a 10-day basal diet recovery period. Simultaneously, variations in microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in both the intestine and rearing water were explored. The results showed that intestinal damage was aggravated with the extension of FF duration and gradually recovered after FF withdrawal. Significant changes in microbial composition and β-diversity were observed in both the rearing water and intestine following FF feeding. Extending the FF treatment to 10 days led to a reduced abundance of Rhodobacteraceae and an increased abundance of Flavobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae in the intestine after 10 days of feeding the basic diet, which may pose a potential risk to shrimp health. Based on correlation analysis of ARGs, microbial communities and pathogenic bacteria, we speculated that rearing water may serve as a reservoir for ARGs dissemination compared to the shrimp intestine. These findings are of great importance for assessing the impact of administration duration under the FF therapeutic dose and highlight the potential risks associated with its overuse in shrimp farming. Full article

Unsteady flow-induced pressure fluctuations and the consequent dynamic stresses in pump-turbines are critical determinants of their operational reliability and fatigue resistance. This investigation systematically examines the spatiotemporal propagation of Rotor–Stator Interaction (RSI)-induced pressure pulsations and evaluates the corresponding dynamic stress mechanisms based on a phase-resolved fluid–structure interaction strategy. The results reveal a significant hydrodynamic duality: RSI pressure waves manifest as convective traveling waves on the pressure side but as modal standing waves on the suction side. Crucially, a severe spanwise phase mismatch is identified between the hub and shroud streamlines, which induces a periodic hydrodynamic torsional moment on the blade. Due to the rigid constraint at the blade–crown junction, this torsional tendency is restricted, resulting in high-amplitude constrained tensile stresses at the root. This explains why the stress concentration at the crown inlet is significantly higher than in other regions. Additionally, the stress spectrum shows strong load dependence, characterized by low-frequency modulations on the suction side under high-load conditions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Asymmetries in body composition and movement patterns are common in professional basketball due to the sport’s repetitive and unilateral demands. While both structural and functional asymmetries have been independently studied, little is known about their interaction under real training conditions. The aim of this study was to compare structural asymmetries, obtained from bioelectrical impedance analysis, with functional asymmetries, measured through inertial devices in professional basketball players. Methods: Twenty-five male professional basketball players from two Spanish teams were monitored over a two-month period. Structural asymmetries were assessed via the TANITA MC-780MA multi-frequency analyzer, while functional asymmetries were quantified using WIMU Pro™ inertial units during 43 training sessions. Descriptive, correlational, and cluster analyses were performed, followed by linear mixed-effects models adjusted for individual random effects, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Descriptive results revealed low overall fat mass and no relevant group-level asymmetries in muscle mass or functional variables, although fat mass asymmetry showed greater variability across players. Correlation analyses indicated weak and non-significant relationships between structural and functional asymmetries. Cluster analysis grouped muscle mass and functional asymmetries together, while fat mass asymmetry formed a distinct cluster. Linear mixed-effects models confirmed significant differences for muscle mass asymmetry and demonstrated high inter-individual variability. Conclusions: Structural and functional asymmetries behave independently, with muscle mass asymmetry showing greater variability and functional relevance. These findings highlight the need for individualized monitoring approaches integrating morphological and functional assessments to optimize performance and reduce injury risk in elite basketball players. Full article

This study aimed to examine the seasonal dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates in pasture and their relationship to metabolic indicators in horses with a history of laminitis. Thirty Hucul mares were divided into a laminitis group (LG, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 15). Insulin, glucose, fructosamines concentrations and body weight were monitored during four sampling periods (S0–S3), while pasture variables were analyzed during three periods (S1–S3). The concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates was highest in May (126.8 g/kg DM) and measured lower in October (57.9 g/kg DM), while starch concentrations measured 0.1 g/kg DM in May, 25.8 g/kg DM in July, and 24.0 g/kg DM in October. No significant differences were observed in insulin concentrations between groups (p > 0.05). Glucose was significantly higher in LG in May (LG: 5.50 mmol/L; CG: 5.09 mmol/L; p < 0.05) and October (LG: 5.98 mmol/L; CG: 5.24 mmol/L; p < 0.01). Fructosamine values were higher in LG throughout the season, with significance in October (LG: 120.6 μmol/L; CG: 101.1 μmol/L; p < 0.05). Body weight increased in both LG and CG during grazing (S2), with mean values at S0 being 423.6 kg in LG and 424.8 kg in CG, and at S2 being 533.8 kg in LG and 535.6 kg in CG (p > 0.05 for between-group differences). These findings suggest a different glycemic response in laminitic horses in relation to WSC and starch concentrations and highlight starch as a potential predictor of glycemic instability. Full article

To investigate the effects of different Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. varieties on leaf nutrients, soil nutrients, and microbial community composition, this study selected Yuelou No. 3 and Huiji No. 2, two major cultivars from the primary production area of Shishou City. The two varieties were cultivated at different locations under standardized agronomic management practices, and a systematic comparative analysis was carried out over a 10-month sampling period from March to December 2024. The analysis encompassed their leaf nutrients (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and relative chlorophyll content), soil nutrients (organic matter, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium), and microbial community characteristics. The results revealed significant varietal differences in leaf nutrient content: the average total phosphorus content of Yuelou No. 3 (0.44%) was higher than that of Huiji No. 2 (0.39%), while Huiji No. 2 exhibited higher total nitrogen (3.73%), total potassium (3.86%), and SPAD (44.72). Leaf nutrient content in both varieties followed a pattern of nitrogen > potassium > phosphorus, with peak phosphorus and potassium demand occurring earlier in Yuelou No. 3. Additionally, Yuelou No. 3 contained higher organic matter (12.73 g/kg) and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (103.02 mg/kg), while Huiji No. 2 showed enhanced soil pH (7.02), available phosphorus (6.96 mg/kg), and available potassium (180.00 mg/kg). Soil available nutrient dynamics displayed a pattern of slow change during the early stage, a rapid increase during the middle stage, and stabilization in the later stage. Microbial analysis revealed no significant differences in alpha diversity between the two varieties, although Yuelou No. 3 showed marginally higher diversity indices during early to mid-growth stages. In contrast, beta diversity showed significant separation in PCoA space. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Ascomycota were the dominant microbial phyla. Dominant genera included Kaistobacter, Mortierella, and Neocosmospora, among others, with variety-specific relative abundances. Redundancy analysis further supported the variety-specific influence of soil physicochemical properties on microbial community structure, with available phosphorus, available potassium, and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen identified as key factors shaping community composition. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the impact of different Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. varieties on soil–plant–microbe interactions and suggests potential directions for future research on fertilization and management strategies tailored to varietal differences. Full article

Multilayer liquid crystal devices can offer enhanced optical functionalities for augmented reality and photonic applications, but fabrication remains severely limited by solvent incompatibility between photoalignment materials and underlying polymerized layers. Conventional photoalignment agents use aggressive solvents like N,N-dimethylformamide that damage polymerized substrates, necessitating protective interlayers. This study demonstrates a water-soluble photoalignment approach using AbA-2522 that eliminates these fabrication barriers. The water-soluble alignment material enables direct multilayer processing without layer damage while maintaining alignment quality equivalent to conventional materials. We successfully fabricate compact transmissive devices integrating liquid crystal polarization gratings with quarter-wave plates, achieving a first-order diffraction efficiency of 65.4% for 9 μm period gratings for linearly polarized incident light (λ = 457 nm). The multilayer structure exhibits highly selective polarization-dependent diffraction with efficiency ratios exceeding 10:1 between preferred and suppressed orders, eliminating external polarization control elements. Polarized optical microscopy confirms excellent alignment uniformity, while the fabrication process offers environmental benefits and reduced complexity. This approach establishes a practical pathway for advanced multilayer photonic devices critical for next-generation augmented reality systems and photonic integration, addressing fundamental challenges that have limited multilayer liquid crystal device development. Full article

This study investigates the solar origins of short-term periodicities in the near-Earth solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) using long-term observations (1995–2024) and Potential Field Source Surface modeling. We establish that the 27-day periodicity in solar wind speed and its harmonics (13.5-day and 9-day) are governed by the combined influence of polar and low-latitude coronal holes. Polar coronal holes serve as the fundamental stabilizers of the global coronal structure, while the rotation of the Sun in the presence of low-latitude coronal holes acts as the primary mechanism generating periodic fluctuations. The absence of low-latitude coronal holes diminishes or erases these periodicities. For IMF components forming the Parker spiral, the periodicity is controlled by the structure of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS). A stable 27-day period emerges under a two-sector IMF configuration (HCS average slope $\mathrm{SL}>0.4$, latitudinal extent beyond ±30°), while a stable four-sector structure ($\mathrm{SL}>0.6$, latitudinal extent beyond ±60°) superimposes a clear 13.5-day periodicity. However, periodicity weakens or disappears when the HCS is flat and equatorial, or when global structural changes and transient disturbances disrupt recurrence patterns. In contrast, $B_z^{\mathrm{GSE}}$ exhibits weak periodicity due to its transient nature, while $B_z^{\mathrm{GSM}}$ shows intermittent 27-day periodicity modulated by the Russell-McPherron effect. Consequently, geomagnetic indices (Kp, Dst, AE) display periodic behavior similar to $B_z^{\mathrm{GSM}}$, consistent with its crucial role in solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. These results quantitatively link solar surface morphology to heliospheric recurrence, clarifying the conditions under which periodicities emerge or are suppressed throughout the Sun-Earth system. Full article

In this study, we applied dynamical system theory to analyze evolutionary trends of the higher education system, consisting of three indicators: university scale development, government financial investment, and student fee standards. The higher education system has significant uncertainty over a long period of evolution, especially with the development scale and speed of higher education largely depending on government financial investment and changes in student fee standards. We adopted the theory and methods of dynamical system theory to analyze the evolutionary trend of the higher education system, composed of these three indicators. Using the principles and methods of differential dynamics, we put forward a three-dimensional dynamic system model, involving variables such as higher education scale expansion, standard of tuition, and government financial investment. Based on the qualitative theory of ordinary differential equations, we have obtained the stability conditions for the equilibrium of the dynamic model and the conclusion of the asymptotic of the asymmetric solution of the three-dimensional dynamical system. The general integral expression of the system was obtained under specific conditions. The general integral can explain the global structure of the system in some aspects, and can compensate for the shortcomings of the local structure of equilibrium points. Full article

The development of energy systems toward a decarbonized economy is increasingly constrained not only by technological challenges, but also by deficiencies in the organization, coordination, and governability of sustainable financing. This study aims to substantiate an integrated conceptual model and a multi-level governance framework for the sustainable financing mechanism of energy system development under decarbonization, ensuring the alignment of financial instruments with transition strategies, performance indicators, and feedback mechanisms. The methodology combines a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed journal publications with an examination of international statistical and analytical data produced by leading global organizations, complemented by systemic, institutional, and comparative analytical approaches. The bibliometric analysis was conducted in 2025 and covered peer-reviewed articles published during 2017–2025, while empirical financial indicators were synthesized for the most recent available period of 2022–2024 using comparable time-series data reported by international institutions. The results indicate that despite global energy investments reaching approximately $3 trillion in 2024—nearly $2 trillion of which was allocated to clean energy technologies—a persistent annual financing gap for climate change mitigation in the energy sector remains. Moreover, to remain consistent with the Net Zero trajectory, investments in clean energy must increase by approximately 1.7 times by 2030. The synthesis of contemporary research and empirical evidence reveals a predominance of studies focused on individual green and transition finance instruments, accompanied by persistent fragmentation between financial flows, governance structures, and measurable decarbonization outcomes. To address this gap, the paper proposes a conceptual model that interprets sustainable finance as a governed system rather than a collection of isolated instruments, together with a multi-level governance framework integrating strategic (policy), sectoral, and project-level decision-making with systems of key performance indicators, monitoring, and feedback. The findings demonstrate that the effectiveness of sustainable financing critically depends on the coherence between financial instruments, governance architectures, and decarbonization objectives, which ultimately determines the capacity to translate mobilized capital into tangible energy infrastructure modernization and measurable emissions reductions. The proposed approach provides a practical foundation for improving energy transition policies and investment strategies at both national and supranational levels. Full article

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) operate under strict energy constraints and are therefore highly vulnerable to radio interference, particularly jamming attacks that directly affect communication availability and network lifetime. Although jamming and anti-jamming mechanisms have been extensively studied, energy is frequently treated as a secondary metric, and analyses are often conducted in partial isolation from system assumptions, protocol behavior, and deployment context. This fragmentation limits the interpretability and comparability of reported results. This article presents a systematic literature review (SLR) covering the period from 2004 to 2024, with a specific focus on energy-aware jamming and mitigation strategies in IEEE 802.15.4-based WSNs. To ensure transparency and reproducibility, the literature selection and refinement process is formalized through a mathematical search-and-filtering model. From an initial corpus of 482 publications retrieved from Scopus, 62 peer-reviewed studies were selected and analyzed across multiple dimensions, including jamming modality, affected protocol layers, energy consumption patterns, evaluation assumptions, and deployment scenarios. The review reveals consistent energy trends among constant, random, and reactive jamming strategies, as well as significant variability in the energy overhead introduced by defensive mechanisms at the physical (PHY), Medium Access Control (MAC), and network layers. It further identifies persistent methodological challenges, such as heterogeneous energy metrics, incomplete characterization of jamming intensity, and the limited use of real-hardware testbeds. To address these gaps, the paper introduces an energy-centric taxonomy that explicitly accounts for attacker–defender energy asymmetry, cross-layer interactions, and recurring experimental assumptions, and proposes a minimal set of standardized energy-related performance metrics suitable for IEEE 802.15.4 environments. By synthesizing energy behaviors, trade-offs, and application-specific implications, this review provides a structured foundation for the design and evaluation of resilient, energy-proportional WSNs operating under availability-oriented adversarial interference. Full article

A huge amount of waste is produced annually by the food processing industry which must be valorized into high-value products. Therefore, the aim of this work involves the use of such wastes for production of β-glucans from medicinal basidiomycete strains which are powerful biological response modifiers in several clinical disorders. The production of β-glucans from basidiomycete strains in submerged fermentation was monitored by using monoclonal antibodies of the IgG and IgM classes as well as by Congo red assay in the presence of several agro-industrial waste products such as milk permeate, waste coffee grounds, orange peels and rice husks. Subsequently, these β-glucans were purified by using gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. FTIR analysis of several β-glucans was carried out to investigate their structural properties. The adsorption of β-glucans on microtiter plates was dependent on the temperature as well as on the time period of immobilization for ELISA. These mAbs can be used in a competitive ELISA for detection and quantification of β-glucans from basidiomycete mushrooms. Full article

Wood vinegar (WV), a by-product of woody biomass pyrolysis, is increasingly used in agriculture as a sustainable biostimulant, although its effects on plant stress resistance and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent studies propose that WV may act through a eustress-based mechanism, defined as a mild and controlled stress that activates adaptive physiological responses and enhances plant performance without causing structural or metabolic damage. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical effects of WV on strawberry plants grown under three water-deficit stress levels [no stress (NS), moderate stress (MS), and high stress (HS)] and treated with WV either via fertigation (0.5% v/v, WV₁) or foliar spray (0.2% v/v, WV₂). Gas exchange parameters (A, g_sw, E, Ci, WUE), total chlorophyll content, and nutrient balance ratios (Fe/Mn and K/Ca) were measured after a three-month growth period. PERMANOVA revealed significant effects of both WV and water-deficit stress, as well as their interaction, on most parameters. Under NS and MS conditions, WV reduced A, gsw, E, and Ci while increasing WUE, indicating enhanced water-use efficiency and improved physiological adjustment to water limitation. Chlorophyll content remained stable, demonstrating preserved photosynthetic integrity. Nutrient ratios further supported a controlled ion rebalancing associated with adaptive stress responses under NS and MS, whereas HS conditions indicated the onset of distress. Overall, the data demonstrate that WV enhances plant stress resistance primarily by inducing eustress-mediated physiological regulation rather than by directly stimulating growth. Full article