Search Results (25,532)

The Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) aboard the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission provides valuable three-dimensional precipitation structure data on a global scale and has been widely used in hydrometeorological research. However, due to its spatial resolution limitations and inherent algorithmic assumptions, the accuracy of GPM precipitation estimates can exhibit systematic biases, especially under complex terrain conditions or in the presence of variable precipitation structures, such as light stratiform rain or intense convective storms. In this study, we evaluated the near-surface precipitation rate estimates from the GPM-DPR Level 2A product using over 1440 min of disdrometer observations collected across China from 2021 to 2023. Based on three years of stable stratiform precipitation data from the Jinghe station, we developed a least squares linear correction model for radar reflectivity. Independent validation using national disdrometer data from 2023 demonstrated that the corrected reflectivity significantly improved rainfall estimates under light precipitation conditions, although improvements were limited for convective events or in complex terrain. To further enhance retrieval accuracy, we introduced a regionally adaptive R–Z relationship scheme stratified by precipitation type and terrain category. Applying these localized relationships to the corrected reflectivity yielded more consistent rainfall estimates across diverse conditions, highlighting the importance of incorporating regional microphysical characteristics into satellite retrieval algorithms. The results indicate that the accuracy of GPM precipitation retrievals is more significantly influenced by precipitation type than by terrain complexity. Under stratiform precipitation conditions, the GPM-estimated precipitation data demonstrate the highest reliability. The correction framework proposed in this study is grounded on ground-based observations and integrates regional precipitation types with terrain characteristics. It effectively enhances the applicability of GPM-DPR products across diverse environmental conditions in China and offers a methodological reference for correcting satellite precipitation biases in other regions. Full article

It is recognized that boats which intervene in dangerous situations are characterized by high maneuverability, have good governance properties, and must be equipped with high-speed propellers. This paper proposes a computerized analysis, using Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling, of a high-speed propeller, in open water, from the perspective of velocity and pressure manifested on the propeller blades. The use of numerical methods allows to determine the thrust forces on the propellers, to highlight the areas in the propeller blade where the maximum and minimum pressures occur, to identify the cavitation zone and to visualize the degree of turbulence of the fluid flow on the propeller blades in rotational motion. The analysis proves to be an efficient procedure in determining the characteristics of a high-speed propeller before deciding its production/manufacture. The Shear Stress Transport method was used for fluid turbulence analysis and the “Thrust–Propeller RPM” diagram and “Torque–propeller RPM” diagram finalized this study, the mentioned diagrams being the most important in choosing an efficient propeller for a given boat. Full article

Enhancing forage protein is key to sustainable ruminant nutrition. The nutritive value of Hedysarum coronarium L. was investigated by studying different preservation systems (fresh vs. dehydrated pellet vs. hay) (Exp. 1) and morphological fractions (flowers vs. leaves vs. stems) (Exp. 2). For the fresh and pelleted systems, two cuts were used. Proximately, total polyphenols and condensed tannins were detected. In vitro fermentation characteristics were studied by incubating samples with buffered sheep rumen fluid, estimating methane production by volatile fatty acids. Fresh and pelleted sulla were more nutritionally advantageous than hay, in terms of metabolizable energy and protein-to-fiber ratio. Pelleting at the beginning of flowering proved to be a suitable forage for sheep feeding due to protein (15.1% DM), metabolizable energy (9.64 MJ/kg DM), structural carbohydrates (39.5% DM), and total polyphenols (13.5 GAE g/kg DM) content. This cut showed an in vitro fermentation rate (9.86 mL/h), organic matter degradability (55.7%), and volatile fatty acids (87.3 mmoL/g) that were higher (p < 0.05) than hay. Flowers and leaves showed higher (p < 0.05) levels of secondary metabolites than stems as well as lower methane production. These results suggest the potential influence of these compounds in reducing rumen emissions. Dehydration and pelleting resulted in an effective preservation method for maintaining nutrients in sulla forage. Full article

Electrocoagulation (EC) processes have emerged as an efficient solution for different inorganic and organic effluents. The main characteristics of this versatile process are its ease of operation and low sludge production. The literature indicates that EC can be successfully used as a single process or a step within a combined treatment system. If used in a combined system, this process could be employed as a pre-, a post-, or middle treatment step. Additionally, the EC process has been used in both continuous and batch modes. In most studies, EC has achieved significant improvements in the treated water quality and relatively low total energy consumption. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of standalone and combined continuous EC processes. The influence of key operational parameters on continuous EC performance is thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, recent advancements in reactor design, modeling, and process optimization are addressed. The benefits of integrating other treatment processes with the EC process, such as advanced oxidation, membranes, chemical coagulation, and adsorption, are also evaluated. The performance of most standalone and combined EC processes used for organic pollutant treatment and published in the last 25 years is critically analyzed. This review is expected to give researchers many insights to improve their treatment scenario with recent and efficient environmental experiences, sustainability, and circular economy. The clearly presented information is expected to guide researchers in selecting efficient, cost-effective, and time-saving treatment alternatives. The findings ensure the considerable potential of continuous EC treatment processes for organic pollutants. However, more research is warranted to enhance process design, operational efficiency, scale-up, and economic viability. Full article

Nanocrystals, defined as crystalline particles with dimensions in the nanometer range (<1000 nm), exhibit unique properties that enhance the efficacy of poorly soluble active compounds. This review explores the fundamental aspects of nanocrystals, including their characteristics and various preparation methods, while addressing critical factors that influence their stability and incorporation into final products. A key focus of the review is the advantages offered by nanocrystals in dermal applications. It also highlights their ability to enhance passive diffusion into the skin and facilitate penetration via particle-assisted dermal penetration. Additionally, the review discusses their capacity to penetrate into hair follicles, enabling targeted drug delivery, and their synergistic potential when combined with microneedles, which further enhance the dermal absorption of active compounds. The review also addresses several commercial products that successfully employ nanocrystal technology, showcasing its practical applications. Summary: Nanocrystals with their special properties are an emerging trend for dermal applications, particularly the development of plantCrystals—natural nanocrystals sourced from plant materials—which represent a promising path for future research and formulation strategies. These advancements could lead to more sustainable and effective dermal products. Full article

The market for plant-based alternatives to animal foods has increased rapidly in the past decade, mainly due to consumer demand. Little evidence is available regarding nutritional impacts, drivers, and barriers to using these products as substitutes for animal foods in real-life conditions. This pilot study followed 16 Danish adults (30 ± 11 years old; 11 females) for 4 weeks with substituting milk, cheese, and yogurt with plant-based analogues to dairy (PBADs) and assessed their drivers and barriers to applying the intervention with a mixed-method approach. PBADs are constantly compared to their animal counterparts, both regarding product characteristics, such as price and sensory properties, as well as cultural roles and subjective memories. The mixed methods showed dairy attachment, price, and taste were the main barriers to consuming PBAD, while changes in life and social circles were drivers (qualitative data). As for the liking of PBADs, plant-based yoghurt was the preferred intervention product (73.5/100, p < 0.05), followed by plant-based drinks (65.9/100), while plant-based cheese was the lowest rated (47.9/100, p < 0.05). As for dietary changes, a lower average intake of sugars, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc was observed after the intervention. Additionally, this study describes the attachment of the study population to milk and dairy products. It shows that choosing dairy is beyond nourishment but is connected to tradition, culture, pleasure, memories, and a sense of belonging. In contrast, there is no history or attachment to PBADs. Full article

Several variables influence the performance of hot asphalt mixtures including reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Among these, the virgin bitumen’s origin, the mix production temperature and the time the mix is kept at a high temperature between mixing and compaction play a fundamental role but are often neglected. This study aimed to quantify the negative effects associated with the improper choice of these variables. Therefore, their influence on the mechanical (indirect tensile stiffness modulus and strength, Cracking Tolerance Index) and chemical (Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy) characteristics of asphalt mixtures containing 50% RA were investigated. In particular, two rejuvenators, two types of virgin bitumen (visbreaker and straight-run), two production temperatures (140 °C and 170 °C) and three conditioning times in the oven (30 min, 90 min and 180 min) were analyzed. The results showed interesting findings that allow us to recommend selecting the virgin bitumen type carefully and to avoid excessively stressing the binder during the production of the mix. Full article

With rapid global urbanization development, impermeable surface increase, urban population growth, building area expansion, and rising energy consumption, the urban heat island (UHI) effect is becoming increasingly serious. However, the spatial distribution of the UHI cannot be accurately extracted. Therefore, we focused on Luoyang City as the research area and combined the Getis-Ord-Gi* statistic and the greenest image to extract the UHI based on the Google Earth Engine using land surface temperature–spatial autocorrelation characteristics and seasonal changes in vegetation. As bare land considerably influenced the UHI extraction results, we combined the greenest image with the initial extraction results and applied the maximum normalized difference vegetation index threshold method to remove this effect on UHI distribution extraction, thereby achieving improved UHI extraction accuracy. Our results showed that the UHI of Luoyang continuously expanded outward, increasing from 361.69 km² in 2000 to 912.58 km² in 2023, with a continuous expansion rate of 22.95 km²/year. Furthermore, the urban area had a higher UHI area growth rate than the county area. Analysis indicates that the UHI effect in Luoyang has increased in parallel with the expansion of the building area. Intensive urban construction is a primary driver of this growth, directly exacerbating the UHI effect. Additionally, rising temperatures, population growth, and gross domestic product accumulation have collectively contributed to the ongoing expansion of this phenomenon. This study provides scientific guidance for future urban planning through the accurate extraction of the UHI effect, which promotes the development of sustainable human settlements. Full article

The rainy season characteristics are directly modulated by atmospheric circulation and moisture transport dynamics. Focusing on the characteristics of the rainy season onset date (RSOD), this study aims to advance the understanding and prediction of climate change impacts on agricultural production and disaster mitigation strategies. Based on rainfall data from 66 meteorological stations in northeast China (NEC) from 1961 to 2020, this study determined the patterns of the RSOD in the region and established its mechanistic linkages with atmospheric circulation and water vapor transport mechanisms. This study identifies a climatic regime shift around 2000, with the RSOD transitioning from low to high interannual variability in NEC. Further analysis reveals a strong correlation between the RSOD and atmospheric circulation characteristics: cyclonic vorticity amplifies before the RSOD and dissipates afterward. Innovatively, this study reveals a significant transition in the water vapor transport paths during the early rainy season in NEC around 2000, shifting from eastern Mongolia–Sea of Japan to the northwestern Pacific region. Moreover, the advance or delay of the RSOD directly influences the water vapor transport intensity—an early (delayed) RSOD is associated with enhanced (weakened) water vapor transport. These findings provide a new perspective for predicting the RSOD in the context of climate change while providing critical theoretical underpinnings for optimizing agricultural strategies and enhancing disaster prevention protocols. Full article

Jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O. Berg) peel is a native Brazilian fruit by-product recognized for its high anthocyanin (ANC) content and strong antioxidant potential, making it a valuable natural source for food applications. This study aimed to optimize the extraction and spray drying-based encapsulation of ANCs from the peels of Sabará jabuticaba. Extraction was performed using ethanol acidified with HCl (6 M) under varying conditions of pH (1.0–3.0), temperature (14–50 °C), and solvent volume (100–250 mL). The highest anthocyanin yield (328.13 mg/100 g dry basis) was achieved at pH 1.0, 50 °C, and 250 mL solvent volume. For encapsulation, gum arabic and maltodextrin were used as wall materials at different mass ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 w/w). The 1:2 ratio (gum arabic/maltodextrin) resulted in the highest retention of anthocyanins (315.37 mg/100 g dry basis), with encapsulation efficiency of approximately 96%, low water activity (0.27), and reduced moisture content (3.6%). These characteristics are essential for ensuring product stability during storage. The optimized anthocyanin-rich microparticles present promising potential for application as natural colorants and functional ingredients in food formulations or as antioxidant carriers in pharmaceutical products. Full article

Small lakes (<10 km²) provide a range of ecosystem services but are often overlooked in both monitoring efforts and limnological studies. Remote sensing has been increasingly used to complement in situ monitoring or to provide water colour data for unmonitored inland water bodies. However, due to spatial, radiometric, and spectral constraints, it has been heavily focused on large lakes. Sentinel-2 MSI is the first sensor with the capability to consistently retrieve a wide range of essential water quality variables, such as chlorophyll-a concentration (chl-a) and water transparency, in small water bodies, and to provide long time series. Here, we provide and validate a framework for retrieving two variables, chl-a and turbidity, over lakes with diverse optical characteristics using Sentinel-2 imagery. It is based on GRS for atmospheric and sun glint correction, WaterDetect for water detection, and inversion models that were automatically selected based on two different sets of optical water types (OWTs)—one for each variable; for chl-a, we produced a blended product for improved spatial representation. To validate the approach, we compared the products with more than 600 in situ data from 108 lakes located in the Adour–Garonne river basins, ranging from 3 to ∼5000 ha, as well as remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) data collected during 10 field campaigns during the summer and spring seasons. Rrs retrieval (n = 65) was robust for bands 2 to 5, with MAPE varying from 15 to 32% and achieving correlation from 0.74 up to 0.92. For bands 6 to 8A, the Rrs retrieval was much less accurate, being influenced by adjacency effects. Glint removal significantly enhanced Rrs accuracy, with RMSE improving from 0.0067 to 0.0021 sr⁻¹ for band 4, for example. Water quality retrieval showed consistent results, with an MAPE of 56%, an RMSE of 11.4 mg m⁻³, and an r of 0.76 for chl-a, and an MAPE of 47%, an RMSE of 9.7 NTU, and an r of 0.87 for turbidity, and no significant effect of lake area or lake depth on retrieval errors. The temporal and spatial representations of the selected parameters were also shown to be consistent, demonstrating that the framework is robust and can be applied over lakes as small as 3 ha. The validated methods can be applied to retrieve time series of chl-a and turbidity starting from 2016 and with a frequency of up to 5 days, largely expanding the database collected by water agencies. This dataset will be extremely useful for studying the dynamics of these small freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a sustainable and widely adopted technology for the treatment of organic solid wastes (OSWs). However, AD efficiency varies significantly across different substrates, primarily due to differences in the microbial community and metabolic pathways. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the AD processes for four types of typical OSWs (i.e., sewage sludge, food waste, livestock manure, and straw), with an emphasis on their universal characteristics across global contexts, focusing mainly on the electron transfer mechanisms, essential microbial communities, and key metabolic pathways. Special attention was given to the mechanisms by which substrate-specific structural differences influence anaerobic digestion efficiency, with a focused analysis and discussion on how different components affect microbial communities and metabolic pathways. This study concluded that the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway, TCA cycle, and the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway serve as critical breakthrough points for enhancing methane production potential. This research not only provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing AD efficiency, but also offers crucial scientific insights for resource recovery and energy utilization of OSWs, making significant contributions to advancing sustainable waste management practices. Full article

Based on the panel data of daily meteorological stations and winter wheat yield in Henan Province from 2000 to 2023, this study comprehensively used the Mann–Kendall trend test, wavelet coherence analysis (WTC), and other methods to reveal the temporal and spatial evolution of extreme precipitation and its multi-scale stress mechanism on grain yield. The results showed the following: (1) Extreme precipitation showed the characteristics of ‘frequent fluctuation-gentle trend-strong spatial heterogeneity’, and the maximum daily precipitation in spring (RX1DAY) showed a significant uplift. The increase in rainstorm events (R95p/R99p) in the southern region during the summer is particularly prominent; at the same time, the number of consecutive drought days (CDDs > 15 d) in the middle of autumn was significantly prolonged. It was also found that 2010 is a significant mutation node. Since then, the synergistic effect of ‘increasing drought days–increasing rainstorm frequency’ has begun to appear, and the short-period coherence of super-strong precipitation (R99p) has risen to more than 0.8. (2) The spatial pattern of winter wheat in Henan is characterized by the three-level differentiation of ‘stable core area, sensitive transition zone and shrinking suburban area’, and the stability of winter wheat has improved but there are still local risks. (3) There is a multi-scale stress mechanism of extreme precipitation on winter wheat yield. The long-period (4–8 years) drought and flood events drive the system risk through a 1–2-year lag effect (short-period (0.5–2 years) medium rainstorm intensity directly impacted the production system). This study proposes a ‘sub-scale governance’ strategy, using a 1–2-year lag window to establish a rainstorm warning mechanism, and optimizing drainage facilities for high-risk areas of floods in the south to improve the climate resilience of the agricultural system against the background of climate change. Full article

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of puffed jujube powder (PJP) supplementation in the diet on the slaughter characteristics, growth performance, meat quality, and serum antioxidant capacity of Hainan Black (HB) goats. Twenty-four healthy male HB goats, three months old with an initial body weight of 15.12 ± 3.67 kg, were randomly divided into three groups: the 10% PJP group (basal diet plus 10% PJP); the 20% PJP group (basal diet plus 20% PJP); and the control group (basal diet only). After a 10-day adaptation period, a feeding trial was carried out for 90 days in an ad libitum diet environment. The results show that the final body weight of the 20% PJP group was markedly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the control group (22.58 ± 0.94 kg vs. 20.45 ± 1.01 kg). The average daily gain of the 20% PJP group was 83.44 ± 1.78 g/d, which was substantially greater (p < 0.05) than the 59.22 ± 2.13 g/d of the control group. The feed intake of the 20% PJP group was 713.10 ± 4.54 g/d, notably higher (p < 0.05) than the 498.20 ± 4.33 g/d of the control group. In terms of slaughter characteristics, the carcass weight of the 20% PJP group was 13.99 ± 1.22 kg, considerably heavier (p < 0.05) than the 11.79 ± 1.38 kg of the control group. The muscle weight of the 20% PJP group was 11.43 ± 1.42 kg, distinctly greater (p < 0.05) than the 9.59 ± 1.99 kg of the control group. The slaughter rate of the 20% PJP group was 42.41%, showing a notable increase (p < 0.05) compared with the 37.42% of the control group, and the net meat rate of the 20% PJP group was 34.65%, with a significant rise (p < 0.05) compared with the 30.43% of the control group. Regarding serum antioxidant capacity and meat quality, the activities of serum antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were conspicuously increased (p < 0.05) in the 20% PJP group. The meat shear force of the 20% PJP group was decreased by 12.9%, and the cooking loss was improved by 8.9% in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, the supplementation of 20% PJP in the diet was demonstrated to enhance the growth performance, improve the meat quality, and boost the antioxidant status of HB goats, thus presenting a feasible strategy for optimizing tropical goat production systems. Full article

Water deficiency and low water use efficiency severely constrain wheat yield in dryland regions. This study aimed to identify suitable tillage methods and straw management to improve dry matter production, grain yield, and water use efficiency of wheat in the dryland winter wheat–summer bean (hereafter referred to as wheat-soybean) double-cropping system. A long-term located field experiment (onset in October 2009) with two tillage methods—plowing (PT) and rotary tillage (RT)—and two straw management—no straw mulching (NS) and straw mulching (SM)—was conducted at a typical dryland in China. The wheat yield and yield component, dry matter accumulation and translocation characteristics, and water use efficiency were investigated from 2014 to 2018. Straw management significantly affected wheat yield and yield components, while tillage methods had no significant effect. Furthermore, the interaction of tillage methods and straw management significantly affected yield and yield components except for the spike number. RTSM significantly increased the spike number, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, harvest index, and grain yield by 12.5%, 8.4%, 6.0%, 3.4%, and 13.4%, respectively, compared to PTNS. Likewise, RTSM significantly increased the aforementioned indicators by 14.8%, 10.1%, 7.5%, 3.6%, and 20.5%, compared to RTNS. Mechanistic analysis revealed that, compared to NS, SM not only significantly enhanced pre-anthesis and post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, and pre-anthesis dry matter tanslocation to grain, but also significantly improved pre-sowing water storage, water consumption during wheat growth, water use efficiency, and water-saving for produced per kg grain yield, with the greatest improvements obtained under RT than PT. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis confirmed RTSM’s yield superiority was mainly ascribed to straw-induced improvements in dry matter and water productivity. In a word, rotary tillage with straw mulching could be recommended as a suitable practice for high-yield wheat production in a dryland wheat-soybean double-cropping system. Full article