Search Results (2,456)

Chieng Hac in northern Vietnam is expanding maize cultivation, intensifying water competition and soil erosion. This study mapped regional water balance and erosion using remote sensing and GISs by coupling the Thornthwaite–Mather (TM) water balance model with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) at 12.5 m resolution. Land cover was classified into maize, tree crops, paddy, forest, and other types using Random Forest. The TM model used 2021 precipitation and temperature measurements to estimate evapotranspiration, surplus, and deficit, while the RUSLE quantified soil loss. Two scenarios were evaluated: a baseline reflecting existing land use and an adjusted case applying strip cropping on 10–20° maize slopes and converting maize to tree crops on slopes > 20°. Tree crop conversion increased evapotranspiration and prolonged seasonal deficits relative to maize, increasing water deficit from 1013.6 to 1022.2 mm/year. In contrast, the interventions reduced mean soil loss from 15.52 to 11.51 t/ha/year, with the largest decline in the 5–25 t/ha/year class. Residual hotspots persisted on steep slopes and near drainage lines. The integrated framework highlights trade-offs between erosion control and seasonal water availability, supporting slope-based land-use planning in upland agricultural systems. These findings offer guidance for slope-based land-use planning by indicating that intervention priorities should vary depending on slope conditions and local water availability. Full article

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing a rapid epidemiological transition marked by a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers, which constitute major causes of morbidity and mortality among women in the region; however, comprehensive assessments of long-term trends and regional heterogeneity remain limited. This study examines the burden and temporal trends of breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers across sub-Saharan Africa from 1990 to 2023. Methods: A retrospective ecological analysis was conducted using data from the latest Global Burden of Disease 2023 study. Age-standardised incidence rates, mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life year rates were estimated for breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers across 48 sub-Saharan African countries and four sub-regions. Temporal trends were assessed from 1990 to 2023, with percentage changes calculated to characterise epidemiological transitions. Geographic variation and age-specific patterns were examined to identify high-burden settings and priority populations. Results: Between 1990 and 2023, the burden of all four cancers increased substantially across sub-Saharan Africa, with significant regional and country-level heterogeneity. Breast cancer exhibited the largest absolute burden, with incidence increasing by over 120 percent and mortality by more than 80 percent, particularly in Central and Western Africa. Cervical cancer remained the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Eastern and Southern Africa, despite evidence of stabilisation or decline in selected countries. Ovarian and uterine cancers demonstrated sustained upward trends, especially in Central Africa, with high mortality-to-incidence ratios indicating late diagnosis and limited treatment access. Across all cancer types, Central and Eastern sub-Saharan Africa consistently experienced the highest disability-adjusted life year burdens. Conclusions: The burden of the selected cancers in sub-Saharan Africa has increased markedly over the past three decades, with persistent regional inequities reflecting gaps in prevention, early detection, and treatment capacity. Strengthening cancer surveillance systems, expanding equitable access to screening and vaccination programmes, and improving diagnostic and treatment infrastructure are critical to reversing current trends. These findings provide region-specific evidence to guide cancer control priorities and resource allocation across sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Accurately assessing dynamic water resource carrying capacity (WRCC) is essential and challenging, particularly in regions like the Gansu sections of the Yellow River Basin (GSYRB), a core water source protection zone in the arid northwest of China, due to its pressing challenge of balancing water resources for socioeconomic needs and ecological security. This study proposes a novel integrated computational assessment framework named SD-VIKOR to address the complexities arising from nonlinear interactions within the “water resources–socioeconomic–ecological environment” (W–S–E) system. The core of this framework is the tight coupling of a system dynamics (SD) simulation model with a VIKOR multi-criteria evaluation module, where indicator weights are objectively–subjectively determined via an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)–entropy weight method. This integrated SD-VIKOR engine enables dynamic, scenario-based WRCC trajectory simulation. To move beyond simulation and enable mechanistic insight, the framework further incorporates a diagnostic suite: a Geodetector module quantifies dominant drivers and their interactions; an obstacle degree model pinpoints key limiting factors; and a coupling coordination degree model evaluates subsystem synergies. Together, they form a closed-loop “dynamic simulation → multi-criteria assessment → driving mechanism analysis and constraint diagnosis → subsystem coordination analysis” workflow. Applied to the GSYRB from 2012 to 2030 under five development scenarios, the framework demonstrated high efficacy. It successfully captured path-dependent WRCC evolution, revealing that the ecological-priority scenario (B2), which shifts system drivers from economic-scale expansion to resource-efficiency and environmental governance, yielded optimal WRCC and the highest system coordination. In contrast, business-as-usual and single-minded economic expansion scenarios underperformed. Six key obstacle factors were quantitatively identified, linking WRCC constraints to natural endowments, economic patterns, and domestic demand. The results reveal pronounced spatial–temporal heterogeneity in WRCC across the GSYRB, with socioeconomic development, water resource use efficiency, and ecological conditions acting as the primary joint drivers of WRCC evolution. Critically, several key indicators are identified as persistent constraints on regional water sustainability. In contrast to conventional static evaluations, the integrated framework captures the complex dynamics and multi-subsystem interactions governing WRCC, offering a more robust diagnostic of resource–environment systems. These insights provide a transferable analytical basis for designing sustainable water management strategies in arid river basins. Full article

Soil salinity severely threatens global ecosystems and agriculture, making accurate monitoring an ongoing priority. Currently, efficiently utilizing multi-source datasets to enhance monitoring accuracy while minimizing computational resources remains a critical challenge. This study evaluated several modeling strategies, including full-dataset modeling, variance inflation factor (VIF), Boruta, particle swarm optimization, ant colony optimization and recursive feature elimination (RFE), and validated results across diverse regions (Almaty, Kazakhstan; Shandong, China). We further validated the results using multiple algorithms, including linear regression, partial least squares regression, extreme gradient boosting, k-nearest neighbor and random forest (RF), with topsoil (0–20 cm) electrical conductivity inverted via the optimal method. Results indicate that input feature numbers substantially impact model performance: regional-scale feature selection is indispensable, with RFE outperforming full-dataset modeling (R² improves by up to 0.28, while RMSE decreases by 2.21 dS m⁻¹) and VIF performing the worst. Transferability is also demonstrated in Almaty and Shandong. Additionally, the RF algorithm shows superior performance in soil salinity mapping (overall accuracy = 0.73; kappa coefficient = 0.65). And, the RFE and SHAP results highlight CRSI, BI, and MSAVI2 as particularly important predictors for estimating soil salinity in our study area. Collectively, this study highlights the critical importance of feature optimization and interpretability in soil attribute mapping through the integration of multi-source remote sensing data. Full article

Urban expansion is a key driver of land-use change and environmental pressure in rapidly urbanizing regions. Existing assessments of urban expansion often rely on predefined indicator systems and fixed weighting schemes, which limits their adaptability to evolving research priorities and regional contexts. This study develops an adaptive framework for urban expansion assessment by integrating a transformer-based language model with multi-source spatial data. A BERT-based semantic extraction process is used to identify relevant indicators and derive their relative weights from the scientific literature, enabling the construction of a literature-driven Urban Expansion Index (UEI). The framework is applied to the Central Plains Mega-city Region (CPMR), China, to examine spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of urban expansion between 2010 and 2020. Results show that UEI is primarily driven by land-use expansion indicators, while socioeconomic, infrastructure, and environmental indicators jointly reflect the multidimensional nature of expansion processes. Spatial patterns reveal a persistent concentration of high expansion intensity in core cities, alongside heterogeneous environmental responses and gradual outward growth. Changes in UEI display weaker spatial coherence than static levels, indicating differentiated local expansion dynamics. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis further identifies shifting clusters of urban expansion intensity, suggesting a reorganization of expansion centers within the agglomeration over time. By linking transformer-based indicator extraction with spatial analysis, this study advances urban expansion assessment beyond outcome-oriented mapping toward a more adaptive and knowledge-informed approach. The proposed framework is transferable to other mega-city regions and provides a useful tool for supporting territorial spatial planning and sustainable urban development. Full article

Robust and transferable approaches for evaluating research capacity—whose measurable expression is reflected in research output—are essential for evidence-based science policy and strategic research management. This study develops an integrated framework to assess global scholarly capacity and regional disparities by combining semantic-similarity-based literature filtering, bibliometric mapping, dynamic performance assessment, and spatial analytical techniques into a coherent and replicable model. A Sentence-BERT model ensures thematic precision and dataset consistency, while CiteSpace 6.1.R3 is used tomap publication trajectories, thematic evolution, and influential contributors. A dynamically weighted TOPSIS model incorporates temporal variation to quantify national research capacity, and spatial analyses—including gravity center analysis, Theil index decomposition, spatial autocorrelation, gray relational analysis, and the Geographical Detector Model—identify disparity patterns and their explanatory associations. Applied to urban ecosystem security research (2001–2023), an emerging interdisciplinary field within sustainability science, the framework shows that China and the United States dominate research output, whereas European journals exert strong academic influence. The field has advanced through three stages, with increasing emphasis on ecosystem services and sustainable development. GDP, environmental pressure, and urbanization rate show the strongest explanatory associations with research capacity, and interactive effects—especially those involving GDP—exceed single-factor explanatory strength. Ecological baseline conditions such as NDVI and climate exhibit only limited associations, functioning mainly as contextual factors. Policy implications highlight four priorities: strengthening interdisciplinary and cross-regional collaboration in developing regions; promoting equity-oriented research agendas in developed regions; establishing unified definitions and validated evaluation frameworks; and advancing dynamic, systems-based approaches to ecosystem security analysis. By shifting attention from ecological status assessment to the dynamics of scientific knowledge production and research capacity, this study advances methodological foundations for research evaluation and enriches analytical approaches in urban ecosystem security, offering a generalizable framework for identifying capacity differences and supporting evidence-informed policy design. Full article

This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the progress of circular economy (CE) implementation in the Małopolska region and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and research institutions. The study combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, including regional policy analysis, a survey of 1200 industrial enterprises, and Smart Lab workshops with stakeholders. The region’s strong economic and scientific base, reflected in high R&D expenditure and numerous technology-oriented companies, creates favorable conditions for circular technologies. Smart specializations in metals, chemicals, mineral products, and machinery provide opportunities for raw-material recirculation and for low-emission, advanced energy and material recovery solutions, making them well aligned with CE objectives. Findings indicate that while the region demonstrates strong potential due to its industrial base, scientific expertise, and smart specialization domains, significant challenges remain in awareness, technological adoption, and regulatory clarity. Metrics on resource efficiency, value-chain circularity, and eco-innovation are essential for informed policymaking, investment decisions, and effective dialogue with entrepreneurs. Another priority is enhancing access to financing instruments. A key recommendation is the development of an integrated monitoring system combining economic, environmental, social, and innovation indicators, supported by targeted financial instruments and skill-building initiatives. The paper presents an innovative approach to linking national and European CE strategies to subnational implementation. Full article

The growing urgency of resource-efficient construction in water-stressed and rapidly urbanizing regions necessitates integrated decision support frameworks that move beyond isolated sustainability metrics. This study operationalizes the water-energy nexus within building design evaluation by developing a structured hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework tailored to the Indian construction context. Unlike conventional sustainability assessments that treat water and energy independently, the proposed approach integrates life cycle-based water consumption, operational and embodied energy demand, environmental impacts, economic feasibility, and project constraints within a unified analytical hierarchy. A Delphi-validated criterion structure comprising five main criteria and twenty sub-criteria is weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and ranked using the VIKOR compromise solution method. To strengthen methodological robustness, ranking outcomes are validated across three independent MCDM logics including TOPSIS, PROMETHEE, and COPRAS. The framework evaluates four representative building strategies aligned with Indian regulatory and certification systems (NBC, ECBC, IGBC/GRIHA, and net-zero water-energy design). Using expert-informed weights derived from a Delphi–AHP involving a panel of experienced practitioners, the VIKOR compromise ranking consistently identifies the net-zero alternative as the most favorable option within the evaluated framework. The results are therefore interpreted as an expert-informed assessment demonstrating the applicability of the proposed decision support methodology rather than as statistically generalizable priorities for the entire Indian construction sector. The study contributes by (i) embedding nexus-based resource interdependence into building-level MCDM modeling, (ii) enhancing transparency through explicit benefit-cost classification and decision matrix disclosure, and (iii) demonstrating ranking stability across multiple validation techniques. The proposed framework provides a transferable methodological approach that can be adapted to different regional contexts through locally derived expert inputs. Full article

Given less than five years remaining until the target year for the first phase of China’s dual carbon goals, this paper studies carbon allowance allocation with an in-depth study of Jiangsu Province due to its significant role in driving the Yangtze River Delta’s pioneering achievement of the dual carbon goals. This study considered 2017 (the intermediate target year) as the base year and incorporated socio-economic data such as population, GDP, and the urbanization rate. Then, methods including the entropy weight method, gravity model and social network analysis were applied to classify Jiangsu’s 95 counties. From a regional coordination perspective, carbon governance clusters were constructed with the Shapley value, based on which spatial heterogeneity patterns were analyzed, and a carbon quota allocation was proposed. The findings reveal that: (1) The dominant factors influencing cross-scale carbon reduction capacity at the county level are natural carbon sink capacity (indicator weight: 0.180) and urbanization rate (indicator weight: 0.145). (2) The correlation between carbon reduction factors among different districts and counties exhibits an uneven spatial pattern. And the spatial configuration exhibits a multi-tiered, network-like distribution. (3) Through conducting spatial analysis and spatial grouping, Jiangsu could be divided into 14 county-level carbon governance alliances, with the number of member counties ranging from 4 to 10 within each alliance. (4) The allocation of carbon quotas in Jiangsu exhibits a distinct descending gradient from the southern to the northern regions, which is coupled with the regional economic geography. This is exemplified by the highest quota in Jiangyin (496.46 Mt) in the south and the lowest in Lianyun (34.90 Mt) in the north. It is concluded that two carbon emission reduction pathways should be established as a priority: (a) Tongshan-Gulou (Xuzhou)-Yunlong-Quanshan-Jiawang and (b) Tianning-Jiangyin-Zhangjiagang-Changshu-Taicang-Kunshan. Full article

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a formidable nosocomial pathogen and is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical-priority pathogen, owing to its rapid evolution into extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and pan-drug-resistant (PDR) strains. Colistin remains one of the last-resort therapeutic options, although resistance rates are increasing in endemic regions such as Greece. In this study, we investigated the molecular basis of colistin resistance and characterized the clonal backgrounds of clinical XDR/PDR A. baumannii isolates collected between January and June 2022 from two tertiary-care hospitals in Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Methods: We analyzed forty non-duplicate XDR/PDR clinical isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the VITEK 2 system, broth microdilution, and gradient diffusion methods. The lipid A biosynthesis genes (lpxA, lpxC, lpxD) and the pmrCAB operon were amplified by PCR and sequenced for all isolates. A representative subset of strains (n = 10/40) underwent multilocus sequence typing (MLST) according to the Pasteur MLST scheme. Results: All isolates proved colistin-resistant (MIC ≥ 4 µg/mL), and 95% were classified as PDR. Sequence analysis revealed multiple nonsynonymous mutations in the pmrCAB operon, with the PmrB A226V substitution predominating and extensive amino-acid changes observed in PmrC. In contrast, lpx genes exhibited limited protein-level variation, limited to lineage-associated polymorphisms (LpxC N287D, LpxD E117K). A novel six-nucleotide insertion in pmrB was identified in one isolate. MLST demonstrated a predominance of ST2 (International Clone 2), with single representatives of ST115 (IC2) and ST1 (IC1). Conclusions: In this cohort from Northern Greece, chromosomal mutations in the pmrCAB operon, within a predominantly ST2/IC2 background, were strongly associated with colistin resistance. These findings underscore the urgent need for continued molecular surveillance and targeted infection-control measures to limit further spread of PDR A. baumannii. Full article

Background: This study aims to examine the level of awareness, attitudes (including stigma and discrimination), and behaviors related to tuberculosis among the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan to identify priorities for raising awareness and reducing stigma. Methods: The study interviewed 2400 people from six regions of Kazakhstan using stratified random sampling based on gender and age. Respondents were chosen from cities and villages, including RK citizens over 18 who could answer questions. Additionally, 400 people with HIV, 200 drug users, 200 internal migrants, and 500 health workers were interviewed. Recruitment was done through profile organizations and the snowball method, with all participants giving informed consent. Results: The study showed different levels of knowledge about tuberculosis (TB) in Kazakhstan. Radiography was the most commonly known detection method (71–91%). Awareness of sputum testing was highest among drug users (84%) and HIV patients (77%), but lower among internal migrants (39%). Internal migrants had the most uncertainty about TB tests (17%). Stigmatizing views of TB patients existed, with 28–38% believing most people reject them. Among healthcare workers, only 38. 8% correctly identified the G-Xpert test for TB and rifampicin resistance, and over one-third misunderstood the Mantoux test’s purpose. Conclusions: The findings show a need for focused educational efforts to boost TB awareness and lessen stigma, especially among internal migrants and the general public. Vulnerable groups, like PLHIV and PWUD, have higher awareness but still encounter major barriers. Improving healthcare workers’ knowledge about TB diagnostics is also crucial. Specific communication strategies and policies are needed to improve TB detection, reduce social stigma, and improve healthcare access for at-risk groups in Kazakhstan. Full article

Global agricultural drought is evolving into a compound crisis threatening food security and ecological stability that is characterized by increased frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial extent. Since 2000, the global number of drought events has increased by 29% compared with the previous two decades, and 82% of drought-related losses in developing countries are concentrated in agriculture. The UNCCD (2022) projects that drought may affect up to three quarters of the world’s population by 2050. Climate change and human activities jointly drive this escalation through higher atmospheric evaporative demand, altered precipitation regimes, land use change, groundwater overexploitation, and pollution emissions. Their interaction forms amplifying feedback loops across ecology-agriculture and climate–agriculture systems, resulting in ecosystem degradation, crop yield loss, and rising socioeconomic inequality. Addressing this crisis requires a three-dimensional framework integrating mitigation, adaptation, and collaborative governance. This review synthesizes coupled driving mechanisms, cross-system impacts, and response pathways, and it also highlights priorities in compound-drought attribution, region-specific technology scaling, cross-scale governance, and resilience building in vulnerable regions. Full article

Architecture exists at a moment of instability as economic forces narrow professional agency, as knowledge domains challenge disciplinary boundaries, and as calls for decolonisation and sustainability demand epistemological reorientation. Architectural education occupies a strategic position within these dynamics, simultaneously shaped by professional uncertainty and actively constructing alternative futures. This article examines contemporary architectural education as an experiential lens through which a perceptive understanding of how the discipline negotiates transformation can be developed. It draws on a global survey of 345 architecture schools across 159 countries, conducted by the Architectural Education Commission of the International Union of Architects (UIA), and investigates institutional responses to economic constraints, transdisciplinarity, technological transformation, labour precarity, and ethical imperatives. Employing a nine-dimensional framework and six thematic lenses to map global patterns, the findings reveal a convergence–divergence paradox where schools converge around studio pedagogy (78%), national accreditation (92%), and professional degrees (62%), while diverging substantially in thematic priorities. Near-universal engagement with allied disciplines (99%) and SDG integration (88%) contrast sharply with limited efforts at decolonisation (29%) and a health focus (26%), revealing selective adoption of key ethical imperatives. The analysis unveils systematic gaps between declared commitments and enacted practices, with high adoption rates masking shallow implementation, a pattern evidenced by the gap between near-universal SDG declarations (88%) and the persistence of individual-authorship assessment structures (76–78%). Regional patterns reflect resource stratification, reinforcing colonial or dominant knowledge hierarchies. The study concludes that architecture’s agency remains constrained where schools perform transformation rhetorically while reproducing conventional professional formation structurally. Full article

In an era of rising geopolitical tensions, repeated global crises, and growing uncertainty in trade and finance, economic resilience has become a key priority for policymakers. This study presents an understanding by distinguishing regional resilience from global resilience, offering hardnosed explanations of both concepts and outlining mensurable indicators for each. Regional resilience is the capacity of an economy to endure and recuperate from shocks by way of strong, cost-effective connections in its region. These could be seen in terms of intra-bloc trade power, trade concentration, intra-regional investment flows and constant capital flows, which indicate the deep economical integration and interdependence. On the contrary, global resilience is concerned with the extent to which an economy is guarded by larger global diversification. It is quantified by the distribution of exports and investments geographically, the extent and diversity of trade partners, membership on global value chains, and the stability of the cross-border capital flows. Understanding the difference between these two forms of resilience has become increasingly important for policy design, especially in a period marked by repeated crises, geopolitical tension, and shifting trade and financial conditions. Countries must decide not only how open their economies should be, but also whether openness should be integrated regionally, diversified globally, or stable through a hybrid approach. Further, it argues that regional integration is peculiarly invaluable during region-wide disruptions such as pandemics, financial crises, or supply shortages, where integrated policies can reduce adjustment costs and protect demand and supply chains. However, global diversification becomes significant in areas such as energy and commodity security, where dependence on limited suppliers can magnify risks. Ultimately, most economies benefit from combining both approaches (a hybrid approach), adapting their strategy to the development stage, institutional strengths, and exposure to external shocks. Full article

Stephania tetrandra is a medicinal plant with ecological, germplasm, and economic value whose wild resources are increasingly constrained by overexploitation and climate change. To support conservation planning and sustainable cultivation, we quantified current and future potential habitat suitability across China using an ensemble species distribution modeling (SDM) framework and translated the outputs into climate-based priority areas for protection, germplasm safeguarding, monitoring, and phased cultivation trials. Occurrence records were compiled from multiple sources and preprocessed via cleaning and spatial thinning to reduce sampling bias. Current predictors were derived from WorldClim (1970–2000) and complemented with topographic and edaphic variables; future climates were represented by CMIP6 projections for the 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Multiple algorithms were trained in a consistent cross-validation workflow and filtered using AUC (ROC) and TSS before generating a weighted ensemble (EMwmean). Current projections indicate a well-defined suitability core in the humid subtropical monsoon region south of the Yangtze River. Nationally, high-, moderate-, and low-suitability areas were estimated at 51.90 × 10⁴ km², 22.95 × 10⁴ km², and 31.05 × 10⁴ km², respectively. Future impacts are dominated by suitability-grade reallocation rather than a collapse of total suitable extent. Under SSP5-8.5 in the 2090s, high suitability declines to 13.32 × 10⁴ km² (≈74% reduction), accompanied by contraction of stable habitat (48.95 × 10⁴ km²) and expansion of loss areas (33.64 × 10⁴ km²), while gains remain limited (4.30 × 10⁴ km²). Extrapolation diagnostics (Multivariate Environmental Similarity Surface, MESS; Most Dissimilar Variable, MoD) highlight elevated uncertainty in northwestern arid/high-elevation and strongly seasonal transition zones. Environmental-space niche overlap decreases moderately (Schoener’s D = 0.51–0.67), indicating niche displacement and a narrowing suitability window. These results represent potential climatic habitat suitability rather than guaranteed future occupancy. They support prioritizing in situ protection and germplasm safeguarding in areas that are currently highly suitable and remain comparatively stable under future climates, while treating marginal gain zones as candidates for monitoring and carefully phased cultivation or introduction trials. Full article