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Background: Bucket-wheel excavators are critical assets in surface mining operations, where structural modifications to increase productivity must be validated through rigorous stress analysis to ensure operational safety. Following modification of an ERc 1400-30/7 excavator’s bucket wheel from 18 to 20 buckets, increased operational loads necessitated experimental verification of structural integrity. Methods: A custom 10-channel strain-gauge data acquisition system with 0–10 kHz bandwidth measured stresses in cable anchoring lugs and H-type diagonal members under operational conditions at the Jilț lignite mine, Romania. Measurements were performed during both left and right bucket-wheel rotation. Finite element analysis validated experimental results. Results: Maximum equivalent stresses of 210.0 MPa and 167.1 MPa were measured in the left and right anchoring lugs, respectively, during left bucket-wheel rotation, representing 59% and 47% of material yield strength with safety factors of 1.69 and 2.12. Significant load asymmetry was observed, with left rotation inducing 220–284% higher stresses than right rotation. FEA validation showed <15% agreement with measurements. Dynamic stress amplification of 15–32% above quasi-static values was attributed to bucket–soil interaction and structural vibration. Conclusions: Despite increased operational loads, measured stresses remain below yield strength, confirming structural adequacy. Both anchoring lugs require prioritized monitoring due to elevated stress levels and load asymmetry. The validated methodology provides a framework for post-modification verification of large mining equipment. Full article

Sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) are ubiquitous and persistent organic contaminants in aquatic and soil ecosystems due to their extensive application and high structural stability, causing rising environmental hazards. Conventional treatment approaches, generally based on physical adsorption or biological processes, remain limited in achieving efficient and stable removal as well as deep molecular modification of SAs. In recent years, modified biochar has developed as a flexible environmental functional material incorporating adsorption and reaction regulation capabilities, owing to its customizable pore structure, surface chemistry, and electronic characteristics. This study comprehensively highlights current achievements in the adsorption and degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics by modified biochar, with specific emphasis on modification techniques, structural modulation, structure–performance connections, and interfacial reaction processes. Through physical activation, heteroatom doping, defect engineering, and metal integration, biochar has developed from a traditional adsorbent into a carbon-based interfacial reactor capable of pollutant adsorption, molecular activation, and directed transformation. Surface-confined reaction interfaces, where π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and metal coordination cooperatively control adsorption and transformation processes, are primarily responsible for the elimination of SAs. Moreover, the dual functions of modified biochar in driving both radical and non-radical pathways are explored, showing the vital importance of interfacial electronic structure modulation and electron-transfer mechanisms in influencing reaction efficiency and selectivity. The impact of sulfonamide molecular configurations, ambient circumstances, and concomitant chemicals on removal performance are also explored. Unlike previous reviews that mainly summarize adsorption efficiency or oxidant activation systems separately, this work integrates structural modulation, interfacial electronic regulation, and bond-selective transformation mechanisms into a unified structure–chemistry–reactivity framework. By correlating sulfonamide molecular configuration with biochar electronic structure, this review provides a mechanistic roadmap for the rational design of next-generation catalytic biochar systems. Finally, key challenges related to structural controllability, long-term stability, and engineering scalability are identified, and future research directions are proposed to support the rational design of high-performance biochar materials and the practical control of sulfonamide antibiotic pollution. Full article

Water scarcity, poor soil, and low water and fertilizer utilization are major challenges on agricultural production in soil structurethe tableland region of China’s Loess Plateau. Optimizing tillage patterns and improving soil nutrient status can improve crop yield and water and fertilizer utilization efficiency. A field trial was initiated in 2005 to assess the impacts of various tillage and fertilization practices on dryland agricultural production. A split-plot design was used, with tillage practices (traditional tillage and no tillage) as the main plot treatment and fertilization management (no fertilization (CK), mineral nitrogen (N), mineral phosphorus (P), composted cow manure (M), a combination of mineral nitrogen and phosphorus (NP), and a combination of mineral nitrogen, phosphorus, and composted cow manure (NMP)) as the split-plot treatment. An experiment was conducted from 2022 to 2024. The NMP treatment resulted in lower bulk density, a lower three-soil-phase index, and higher mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter, soil water storage, total nitrogen, and soil organic matter than the CK. In the no-tillage treatment, the crop roots were less effective at extracting water from the deep subsoil, leading to greater residual moisture at depth (especially in the 120–200 cm soil layer) and lower yield and water use efficiency than in traditional tillage. The grain yield and water use efficiency were 9.2% and 8.4% lower, respectively, under no tillage than under traditional tillage. The NMP under traditional tillage exhibited lower surface soil bulk density and a higher three-soilphase index, mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, and water use efficiency than the unfertilized control, resulting in higher grain yields. The NMP under traditional tillage is recommended to increase grain yield and water use efficiency in wheat–maize rotation systems in the tableland region of China’s Loess Plateau. Future studies should analyze the deep root architecture and the effect of weed competition on soil water depletion. Full article

The increasing global population and progressive soil salinization threaten future food security and sustainable agriculture. Halophytes, as salt-tolerant plants adapted to saline environments, represent promising alternative crops and valuable sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds. This review presents a structured synthesis of selected halophytes, with emphasis on wild species of ethnobotanical relevance. The nutritional value of halophytes is discussed with respect to proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, minerals, and vitamins, together with their diverse profiles regarding bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, terpenes and terpenoids (including carotenoids), alkaloids, saponins and chlorophylls. In addition, the biological activities and available clinical evidence of halophyte-derived compounds are summarized, with Lobularia maritima presented as a representative example. By organizing nutritional and phytochemical data according to compound classes, this review provides a perspective largely absent from previous studies and highlights the potential of halophytes as innovative ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as outlining future research challenges and prospects. Full article

The Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA), the largest urban and industrial center in northeastern Mexico, faces increasing groundwater stress driven by rapid urban expansion, recurrent drought, and limited surface-water availability. Since 2024, the San Juan River has been considered a potential source of treaty water under the 1944 U.S.–Mexico Water Treaty, further intensifying pressure on regional water resources. This study evaluates changes in groundwater recharge potential between 1990 and 2022 using an integrated Remote Sensing–Geographic Information System framework combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Eight thematic layers—geology, structural lineaments, slope, geomorphology, precipitation, drainage density, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and soil type—were weighted to derive a Groundwater Potential Index and delineate recharge zones. Results show a pronounced redistribution of recharge capacity over 32 years. Very low recharge areas increased by 1021.3 km², while very high recharge zones decreased by 100.4 km². In total, more than 1100 km² experienced degradation in recharge potential, mainly associated with urban growth and land-use change. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management, stronger land-use planning, and protection of recharge areas. Coordinated action among stakeholders and robust regulatory enforcement will be essential as the region navigates future growth and international water obligations. Full article

To address the issue of inefficient soil water utilization in dryland wheat fields, caused by a mismatch between summer fallow precipitation and crop growth periods, implementing fallow-period tillage was crucial for conserving water and enhancing yield. However, there was a lack of comprehensive evaluations of the impact of different tillage practices on soil functional quality based on multidimensional indicators, and the relationship between yield and soil functional quality remained unclear. This study established three treatments during the summer fallow period: no tillage (FNT), subsoiling tillage (FST) and plowing tillage (FPT). We determined the soil water-stable aggregates particle size distribution and stability, aggregate organic carbon (AOC) content, soil organic carbon (SOC) content and soil organic carbon storage (SOCs), as well as winter wheat yield. Using the Z-score method, we integrated the soil’s physical and chemical indicators to perform a comprehensive evaluation of different tillage practices. The results showed that FNT significantly enhanced soil aggregate stability in the 0–30 cm soil depths compared to FST and FPT (p < 0.05), which was primarily attributed to a substantial increase in the content of >2 mm aggregates. Meanwhile, FNT resulted in significantly higher SOCs within the 0–50 cm profile, with increases of 8.1% and 5.8% compared to FST and FPT (p < 0.05), respectively. This was primarily due to elevated SOC content and higher AOC contents within the 2–0.25 mm and >2 mm aggregates in the topsoil layer. In contrast, FST significantly increased grain yield compared to FNT and FPT, by 16.7% and 15.0% (p < 0.05), respectively, which was associated with higher ear number and ear grains. A comprehensive evaluation using the Z-score method revealed that FNT achieved the highest soil functional quality score across the five layers. Therefore, no tillage during the summer fallow can enhance soil functional quality, primarily due to its positive impact on soil structure and carbon sequestration, but may not immediately increase crop yield. Full article

Systematic, spatially explicit tree inventories are increasingly implemented in cities worldwide, as they are crucial for evidence-based green infrastructure planning. Currently, different approaches are adopted, which differ in methodological framework and parameter standardization, limiting comparative assessments and coordinated monitoring. This study presents a replicable protocol for a field-based digital street tree census, applied in a densely built central area and in a low-density suburban area of Rome. Field surveys documented a set of 15 parameters, including species identity, dendrometric and tree pit parameters, acquired using open-source QGIS/QField tools. Subsequent analysis evaluated floristic diversity, population structure, and climate suitability at the neighborhood scale, enabling the identification of context-specific vulnerabilities. The testing of the methodology shown in this work involved 13,017 georeferenced tree pits, pointing out substantial pit restoration needs and insufficient soil conditions in the most densely urbanized area, whereas the suburban area shows optimal conditions with extensive road verge green spaces. Joint interpretation of the considered parameters reveals that high floristic diversity alone does not guarantee climate resilience: high-diversity neighborhoods can exhibit substantial non-climate-resilient species and limited alignment with local species recommendations, demonstrating that comprehensive evaluation of street tree populations requires integrated analysis. The operationalized protocol establishes a replicable, municipally scalable methodological framework, providing policymakers with fine-scale, actionable insights enabling differentiated urban forestry strategies addressing both infrastructure deficits and long-term species climate suitability. Full article

The earlier onset of vegetation phenology and longer growing seasons resulting from global warming are widely recognized as beneficial for enhancing the carbon sink function of terrestrial ecosystems. However, significant uncertainty remains regarding whether the increased growth during the early growing season can be sustained and converted into growth benefits during the later season or even throughout the entire year. This study focuses on vegetation in northern China. Based on solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) data from 2001 to 2020, it establishes an analytical framework for assessing the “seasonal stability” of vegetation growth. The framework quantifies the evolutionary characteristics of early growth enhancement signals during the late growing season. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) is employed to elucidate the underlying climate-driven mechanisms. The results indicate: (1) Vegetation growth season stability in northern China has long been dominated by the Strong stabilizing type (accounting for 87.4%), suggesting that early growth enhancement signals are mostly attenuated or suppressed during seasonal progression rather than continuously amplified. (2) This stable pattern exhibits a distinct spatial structure at the interannual scale. The expansive and Weak stabilizing types undergo event-driven expansions during specific climatic years, with different vegetation functional types adopting differentiated regulatory strategies during this process. Shallow-rooted grasslands demonstrate higher growth elasticity, while forest vegetation exhibits stronger ecological inertia. (3) Mechanistic analysis reveals that in water-limited zones, enhanced early growth accelerates transpiration processes, thereby disrupting seasonal soil moisture continuity and exacerbating water deficits during the late growing season. This inhibits late-season photosynthesis, constituting a core hydrological–physiological regulatory mechanism that maintains the dominance of Strong stabilizing in the region. Conversely, in energy-limited zones, late-season temperature emerges as the dominant factor constraining sustained growth. This study examines the transmission and modulation mechanisms of early growth signals to the later growing season from the perspective of intra-seasonal dynamics, providing a new analytical approach for incorporating interseasonal processes into assessments of vegetation growth and carbon sink stability in northern China. Full article

Integrated fertilization using reduced chemical fertilizers and bio-organic fertilizers can maintain soil fertility with lower chemical inputs, yet its systemic effects on disease control, soil microbes, yield, and quality are not fully clear. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Z2 and Trichoderma harzianum T22, alone or combined, on suppressing Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum) and promoting cucumber growth in pot experiments; and (2) assess the field efficacy of reduced chemical fertilizer (75% N) plus microbial bio-organic fertilizer (25% N) for disease control, growth enhancement, and yield and quality improvement. To achieve these objectives, pot experiments were first conducted, followed by field experiments. Pot results indicated that individual and combined inoculants notably decreased the disease index (DI) by 40.48–68.75%, and significantly increased cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 16.86–26.75%, with the combined inoculants exhibiting the greatest effect. Field experiments indicated that the synthetic microbial bio-fertilizer has a greater advantage in promoting cucumber growth and disease suppression compared to a single bacterial bio-organic fertilizer. Specifically, the application of combined bio-fertilizers exhibited the best performance in decreasing cucumber DI by 51.54%, improving cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 12.19%, and enhancing cucumber yield by 21.02%, along with significantly improving fruit vitamin C content by 21.17% and increasing fruit total amino acids by 26.23% compared with the control. Rhizosphere soil analysis revealed that the application of combined bio-fertilizers enriched beneficial bacterial families (JG30-KF-AS9 and Sphingomonadaceae) and fungal genera (Chaetomiaceae and Condenascus) with known biocontrol functions and suppressed the proliferation of Fusarium. Overall, the integrated use of reduced chemical fertilizer combined with synthetic bio-organic fertilizer effectively suppresses cucumber wilt, optimizes microbial community structure, and improves cucumber yield and quality, furnishing a valuable foundation for microbial-assisted sustainable crop production. Full article

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) and aggregate-size distribution are critical indicators of soil salinity risk, structural integrity, and overall soil health. We assessed the status of these properties in 188 wheat plots across nine European pedoclimatic zones to quantify the influence of climate and agricultural management. Most soils (~88%) were non-saline, 9% slightly saline, and 3% moderately saline, with the highest salinity in Mediterranean regions. EC was generally lower under organic management, reflecting higher soil organic carbon, improved porosity, and enhanced cation retention. Soils were dominated by small macroaggregates (250–2000 µm) and large microaggregates (53–250 µm), together accounting for an average of 73% of total aggregates. Climate was the primary determinant of both EC and aggregate distribution, with drier and warmer conditions promoting salinization and smaller aggregate sizes, whereas wetter conditions favored macroaggregate formation. Agricultural management had a secondary but context-dependent effect, particularly on soil aggregation, with organic farming, integrated organomineral fertilization, crop residue incorporation, and legume rotations enhancing macroaggregate formation, especially in low-SOC soils. These results indicate that pedoclimatic conditions largely shape soil salinity and structure, but adopting targeted, site-specific management practices can sustain soil health and mitigate risks related to salinity and structure, particularly under projected climate change. Full article

Excavation in soil–rock composite strata poses significant challenges in regard to deformation control due to stiffness contrast and interface discontinuity. Based on the optimization requirements of a foundation pit project in Jinan Metro Line 7, we evaluated an end-suspended pile support system without rock-socket support through physical model tests and numerical simulations. The results indicate that ground settlement exhibits a typical “trough-shaped” distribution with an influence range of approximately 20 m. The pattern of retaining wall displacement evolves from being “inverted-triangular” into a “vase-shaped” during staged excavation, with maximum displacement remaining within code limits. Bending-moment peaks can be observed near strut levels and approximately 1 m above the soil–rock interface, reflecting stress redistribution and differential constraint effects. Parametric analysis demonstrated that increased rock weathering reduces formation stiffness and amplifies deformation and strut forces, whereas moderately weathered rock provides more effective restraint. A steeper interface dip angle induces asymmetric deformation due to stiffness contrast, increasing overall structural demand. An increase in rock-socketed depth, particularly within 4.0–4.5 m, significantly enhances anchorage performance and deformation control. These findings provide quantitative support for optimizing suspended pile systems in soil–rock composite strata. Full article

In addressing the challenge that the settlement behavior of granite residual soil in South China during foundation pit dewatering cannot be fully understood due to its unsaturated characteristics, this study proposes and validates an unsaturated fluid–solid coupling calculation method for dewatering-induced settlement analysis. This method is implemented by compiling FISH language code within a finite difference software framework. Validation was carried out by comparing thes simulated groundwater drawdown–time response with the measured drawdown from a field pumping test, demonstrating the improved agreement of the proposed unsaturated coupling approach relative to the conventional coupling scheme. Furthermore, to elucidate the soil settlement mechanisms, a sensitivity analysis of the deformation behavior of granite residual soil during dewatering was performed. The results demonstrate that, compared to the traditional fluid–solid coupling method, the unsaturated fluid–solid coupling method exhibits superior agreement with field dewatering experiments. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the differential settlement observed in the soil surrounding a dewatering well under the same target drawdown is primarily attributed to variations in drainage consolidation time and pore water pressure dissipation. Finally, a normalized analysis correlating the dewatering depth at the well with the resulting soil settlement deformation was conducted, establishing a practical relationship applicable under similar ground conditions and dewatering durations. This analysis provides theoretical guidance for selecting appropriate dewatering schemes during engineering practice. Full article

To address the stability issues of bridge piers on high expansive soil slopes in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Water Transfer Project and reveal the slope-bridge structure interaction mechanism, this study performed 100 g geotechnical centrifuge model tests. Slope failure modes under rainfall-bridge load coupling are investigated, with bridge pier deformation, earth pressure, and pile bending moment evolution analyzed. Results show that rainfall-induced failure causes shallow slope sliding with negligible pier displacement, keeping the structure safe. Conversely, under bridge working and ultimate loads, the slope will experience a mid-deep landslide with a sliding depth of 13–20 m, leading to slope instability and bridge overturning. The influence range of shallow landslides is 1–2 m, and the earth pressure at the pile cap is 132 kPa, which is a critical factor affecting bridge stability. In contrast, the bearing performance of pile foundations plays a dominant controlling role in deep-seated landslides. With the increase in landslide depth, the inflection point of the pile gradually moves downward. Numerical simulations further indicate that shallow landslides feature superficial slip–shear failure, and deep-seated landslides follow a progressive slip tensile cracking mechanism. Full article

To address persistent problems such as clogging, high digging resistance, incomplete soil removal, and severe pod loss during the operation of shovel-chain peanut harvesters, a hybrid excavation approach was developed based on an in-depth analysis of the mechanical interaction between the peanut plant–soil complex (hereafter referred to as the “complex”) and the harvesting mechanism. The proposed approach integrates vertical and horizontal excavation directions to enhance soil fragmentation and reduce operational resistance. A progressive soil disintegration process was introduced, in which the complex undergoes lateral and longitudinal compression-bending deformation during movement. A driven soil–plant separation scheme was implemented through coordinated operation of upper conveying and lower combing–lifting mechanisms, promoting efficient and continuous material flow. A resistance-reducing digging device consisting of opposing round plow blades and horizontally sliding digging shovels was designed to minimize excavation resistance and soil adhesion. Meanwhile, an anti-clogging separation mechanism, integrating squeezing and feeding rollers and harrow-chain, was developed to improve soil removal and pod separation. Key structural and operational parameters—such as the chain-to-machine speed ratio, tooth-to-chain rotation speed ratio, harrow-tooth spacing ratio, and pushing-tooth transmission ratio—were optimized through theoretical analysis and prototyping. The final design also refined the number of pushing-tooth rows, squeezing and feeding roller geometry, conveying-tooth radius, and the configuration and distribution of rake and stick-tooth shafts. Field experiments were conducted using the developed prototype under sandy loam conditions (11–15% moisture content) with Yu Hua 22 peanut plants (35–40 cm height, 70 cm ridge spacing, 30 cm narrow-row spacing) at a working speed of 1.5–1.6 km·h⁻¹. Results demonstrated that the prototype achieved average ground pod loss, buried pod, and soil carryover rates of 1.13%, 0.95%, and 7.87%, respectively. The entire operation proceeded smoothly without clogging, and continuous conveying of peanut plants was maintained. These findings confirm that the proposed combined excavation and separation system meets and in some respects exceeds the performance requirements for efficient peanut harvesting under typical field conditions. Full article

Accurately partitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into soil evaporation (E) and plant transpiration (T) is fundamental for improving water resource management, yet robust ET partitioning remains challenging. This study proposes a two-step ET partitioning strategy that first extracts pure E and T samples from long-term ET observations and then uses these samples to independently constrain E and T sub-models. The strategy was implemented in three classical two-source ET models: Shuttleworth–Wallace (SW), Priestley–Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory (PT-JPL), and FAO-56 dual crop coefficient (FAO56-DK), and was compared against the conventional one-step calibration approach. Results show that the two-step strategy consistently improves the estimation of ET components and the transpiration fraction (T/ET). For the PT-JPL model, RMSEs of E, T, and ET decreased from 0.04, 0.06, and 0.078 to 0.03, 0.03, and 0.04 mm/30 min, respectively. In FAO56-DK, R² values increased from 0.08, 0.55, and 0.65 to 0.10, 0.65, and 0.75. The RMSE of T/ET declined from 0.21 to 0.18 in SW and from 0.47 to 0.34 in FAO56-DK. The effectiveness of pure samples depends on model structure, with E samples most beneficial for SW, T samples for FAO56-DK, and both for PT-JPL. Overall, these results demonstrate that pure-sample constraints substantially enhance ET partitioning accuracy. Full article