Search Results (19,395)

Macroalgae plays a significant role in the formulation of innovative and environmentally sustainable approaches to address food challenges. Specifically, green macroalgae serve as dietary supplements aimed at improving the health, growth, and feeding efficiency of various species of marine and freshwater fishes, as well as mollusks. The effects of Chaetomorpha linum extract (CLE) on growth performance, physiological responses, and disease resistance are studied in Bellamya bengalensis against Aeromonas hydrophila. In this experiment, adult B. bengalensis (4412 ± 165.25 mg) were randomly divided into 15 rectangular glass aquariums (35 snail/aquaria; 45 L capacity) and their basal diet was supplemented with different levels of CLE, including 0 (CLE0), 1 (CLE1), 2 (CLE2), 3 (CLE3), and 4 (CLE4) g/kg for 60 days. The growth performance in the CLE3 dietary group was significantly higher that of the CLE0 group, exhibiting both linear and quadratic trends in relation to dietary CLE levels (p < 0.05). The activities of pepsin, amylase, and lipase were found to be highest in CLE3 and lowest in CLE0. Both linear and quadratic responses to dietary CLE levels in digestive enzymes were observed (p < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the hepatopancreas were found to be elevated in snails due to the synergistic effect of the supplemented CLE diet. Among different levels of diet given, CLE2-supplemented snails showed an increase in their enzyme activity (p < 0.05). Interestingly, all the CLE-treated snails expressed elevated levels of mucus lysozyme and mucus protein when compared to control (p < 0.05). Additionally, hepatopancreatic acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity were elevated in snails consuming CLE3 (p < 0.05). The transcription levels of immune-related genes, including mucin-5ac and cytochrome, were significantly elevated in snails that were fed a diet supplemented with 2–4 g of CLE/kg. Furthermore, the transcription level of the acid phosphatase-like 7 protein gene also increased in snails receiving CLE-supplemented diets. After a 14-day period of infection, snails that consumed a diet supplemented with 3–4 g/kg of CLE exhibited a notable increase in survival rates against virulent A. hydrophila. Based on the above findings, it is suggested that a diet supplemented with 3 g/kg of CLE may enhance growth, antioxidant and immune defense, and disease resistance in the freshwater snail B. bengalensis. Full article

This study aimed to assess the effect of mulberry leaf fortification with a probiotic (Enterococcus faecium and rosemary) on larval development, feed utilization efficiency, digestive performance, and cocoon-related traits in two Bombyx mori breeds. The results showed that a probiotic addition to the silkworms’ diet, particularly at a 2% inclusion level, enhances key productive traits such as larval weight, silk gland weight, cocoon weight, digestibility, and feed efficiency, while reducing excreta. Breed-specific differences were evident, with Kahuri/T exhibiting superior nutrient intake, assimilation, and overall productivity compared to AO/T (p < 0.0001). Productive traits during the 5th instar increased significantly over time, with both larval growth and silk gland development following rapid, exponential patterns. The Kahuri/T breed and the probiotic-supplemented groups—particularly at a 2% concentration—showed the most notable improvements compared with the AO/T breed and the control diet. Pearson correlation analyses identified strong positive relationships between feed efficiency, protein intake, and silk yield, underscoring probiotics as a viable strategy for sustainable productivity gains in sericulture. In conclusion, mulberry leaf fortification with Enterococcus faecium and rosemary, especially at a 2% inclusion level, significantly improved performance and nutrient utilization, with the strongest responses observed in the Kahuri/T breed. These findings highlight probiotic supplementation as an effective and sustainable strategy for enhancing sericulture. Full article

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), formalized by Calthorpe and Poticha in 1993, emerged to counter urban sprawl, reduce car dependency, and revitalize historical community centers. Rooted in “new urbanism”, TOD emphasizes integrated regional land-use planning and high-capacity public transportation. In the Middle East, TOD implementation remains understudied, particularly regarding heritage integration and social equity in arid climates. Doha’s rapid social and economic transformation presents both opportunities and risks: growth offers urban revitalization yet threatens to displace communities and dilute cultural identity. Shifts in urban planning have aimed to address sustainability, connectivity, and heritage preservation. This study examines Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) to assess how TOD can restore historic districts while managing gentrification, enhancing accessibility and promoting inclusiveness. A mixed-methods approach was applied, including 12 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (Qatar Rail, Msheireb Properties, Ministry of Municipality and Environment), purposive surveys of 80 urban users, site observations, and spatial mapping. Using the Node-Place-People (NPP) model, the study evaluates TOD effectiveness across transportation connectivity (node), built environment quality (place), and equity metrics (people). The findings show that MDD successfully implements fundamental TOD principles through its design, which enhances connectivity, walkability, social inclusiveness, and heritage preservation. However, multiple obstacles remain: the “peripheral island effect” limits benefits to the core, pedestrian–vehicular balance is unresolved, and commercial gentrification is on the rise. This research provides evidence-based knowledge for GCC cities pursuing sustainable urban regeneration by demonstrating both the advantages of TOD and the necessity for critical, context-sensitive implementation that focuses on social equity together with physical transformation. Full article

The concept of sustainable development has emerged as a global consensus, forged in response to environmental constraints and critical reflection on conventional growth-oriented paradigms. It now serves as the overarching framework for addressing climate, ecological, and socio-economic crises. In the period after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2016, there was an observable trend of increased integration of these objectives into the strategic frameworks of national and subnational entities. However, global assessments have indicated a divergence between the progress achieved and the trajectory delineated by the SDGs. The Earth system is demonstrating signs of decreased resilience, with widening inequalities and the emergence of multiple crises, thereby hindering the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As the 2030 deadline approaches, a fundamental question arises for global development governance: what should be the future of the SDGs beyond 2030? While insufficient progress has prompted debates over the adequacy of the SDG framework, fundamentally revising or replacing the SDGs would risk undermining a hard-won international consensus forged through decades of negotiation and institutional investment. Based on a comprehensive review of the historical evolution of the sustainable development concept, this study argues that the SDGs represent a rare and fragile achievement in global governance. While insufficient progress has sparked debates about their effectiveness, fundamentally revising or replacing the SDGs would jeopardize the hard-won international consensus forged through decades of negotiations and institutional investments. This study further analyzes the latest progress on the SDGs and identifies emerging risks, aiming to explore how to accelerate and optimize sustainable development pathways within the existing SDG framework rather than propose a new global goal system. Based on both global experience and practice in China, four interconnected strategic priorities—namely, economic reform, social equity, environmental justice, and technology sharing—are proposed as a comprehensive framework to accelerate SDG implementation and guide the transformation of development pathways towards a more just, low-carbon, and resilient future. Full article

Agriculture faces increasing challenges in ensuring food security under a changing climate, where abiotic stresses such as salinity and drought represent major constraints to crop productivity. These stresses induce complex physiological and biochemical alterations in plants, including osmotic imbalance, oxidative damage, and disruption of metabolic pathways, ultimately impairing growth and yield. In this context, the application of biostimulants has emerged as a sustainable strategy to enhance plant resilience. While synthetic products are widely available, growing attention is being directed toward natural bio-based products, particularly those derived from renewable biomasses and organic wastes, in line with circular economy principles. This review critically examines the current literature on bio-based products with biostimulant properties, with particular emphasis on vermicompost-derived extracts, humic-like substances, and macro- and microalgae extracts, focusing on their role in mitigating salt and drought stress in plants. The reviewed studies consistently demonstrate that these bio-products enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress by modulating key physiological and biochemical processes, including hormonal regulation, activation of antioxidant defence systems, accumulation of osmoprotectants, and regulation of secondary metabolism. Moreover, evidence indicates that these bio-based inputs can improve nutrient use efficiency, photosynthetic performance, and overall plant growth under stress conditions. Overall, this review highlights the potential of non-microbial bio-based biostimulants as effective and sustainable tools for climate-resilient agriculture, while also underlining the need for further research to standardize formulations, clarify mechanisms of action, and validate their performance under field conditions. Full article

Today, PHB and its copolymers—potential plastic substitutes—are produced by fermenting sugar, which is not scalable to the volumes of plastic consumption. PHB from CH₄ can offer a sustainable process route, with CH₄ potentially produced from a variety of waste biomass streams through anaerobic digestion, gasification, and methanation. The high molar mass (M_w) of PHB is a key determinant of its mechanical properties, and strain, culture conditions and downstream processing influence it. In this work, the strain Methylocystis sp. GB 25 (DSMZ 7674) was grown on natural gas as the sole carbon and energy source and air (1:1) in a loop reactor with 350 L active fermentation volume, at 35 °C and ambient pressure. After two days of continuous growth, the bacteria were limited in P and N for 1, 2, and 2.5 days to determine the optimal conditions for PHB accumulation and the highest Mw as the target. The biomass was then centrifuged and spray-dried. For downstream processing, chloroform solvent extraction and selected enzymatic treatment were deployed, yielding ~40% PHB from the biomass. The PHB obtained by solvent extraction exhibited high average weight molar masses of M_w ~1.1–1.5 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹. The highest M_w was obtained after one day of limitation, whereas enzyme treatment resulted in partially degraded PHB. Cold chloroform maceration, interesting due to energy savings, did not achieve sufficient extraction efficiency because it was unable to extract high-molar-mass PHB fractions. The extracted PHB has a high molar mass, more than double that of standard commercial PHB, and was characterized by DSC, which showed a high degree of crystallinity of up to 70% with a melting temperature of close to 180 °C. Mechanical tensile properties measurements, as well as dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), were performed. Degradation of the PHB by enzymes was also determined. Methanotrophic PHB is a promising bioplastics material. The high M_w can limit and delay polymer degradation in practical processing steps, making the material more versatile and robust. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI), a transformative force, has revolutionised various aspects of human life and business operations. This has led to a drastic mutation of the career landscape, embedded with vast opportunities as well as challenges, particularly concerning career sustainability (CS). Despite myriad studies on CS, the paradoxical interplay of AI and CS remains underexplored, particularly for expatriates (expats). To address the aforementioned gap, our study incorporates an affordance perspective (AFP), positioning AI as an object and CS as a user context. Specifically, this study investigates whether AI facilitates the orchestration of an enhanced sustainable career within the boundary conditions of knowledge sharing (KS), encompassing both tacit and explicit knowledge pertinent to AI, cultivated through managerial initiatives and employee-driven activities. The study conducted a quantitative survey among 490 expats working in AI-integrated environments in China. The results reveal a curvilinear (U-shaped) relationship between AI and CS, where AI affordance at a moderate level enhances career adaptability and skill development. However, digital affordances become complex beyond a certain threshold, creating several career concerns, such as job insecurity and role ambiguity. Furthermore, the moderating effect of tacit and explicit KS mitigates numerous career disruptions while fostering long-term career growth. The study framed AI as both a tool and a collaborator that illuminates the importance of AI–human intelligence (AI–HI) synergy and knowledge augmentation in navigating digital transitions. Moreover, implications for international career development and human-oriented digital transformation are also discussed. Full article

The intensification of aquaculture practices has been accompanied by an increased incidence of bacterial diseases, leading to a greater reliance on antibiotics for disease control. Consequently, the widespread and often indiscriminate use of these compounds has contributed to the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within aquaculture systems, posing a serious threat to animal health, environmental sustainability, and public health. In this regard, research efforts have focused on developing alternative strategies to reduce antibiotic use. Natural compounds have gained particular attention due to their well-documented antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. In this context, the combined application of antibiotics and natural compounds has emerged as a promising approach to enhance antimicrobial efficacy while potentially mitigating the development of resistance. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on antibiotic resistance in aquaculture, highlights the role of biofilm formation as a key resistance mechanism, and critically examines the potential of antibiotic–natural compound combinations against major aquaculture pathogens, with particular emphasis on bacterial growth inhibition, biofilm disruption, and virulence attenuation. Collectively, the evidence discussed underscores the potential of synergistic strategies as a sustainable tool for improving disease management in aquaculture while supporting efforts to limit antibiotic resistance. Full article

Constructing a temperature and humidity prediction model for greenhouse-grown tomatoes is of great significance for achieving resource-efficient and sustainable greenhouse environmental control and promoting healthy tomato growth. However, traditional models often struggle to simultaneously capture long-term temporal trends, short-term local dynamic variations, and the coupling relationships among multiple variables. To address these issues, this study develops an iT-LSTM-CA multi-step prediction model, in which the inverted Transformer (iTransformer, iT) is employed to capture global dependencies across variables and long temporal scales, the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network is utilized to extract short-term local variation patterns, and a cross-attention (CA) mechanism is introduced to dynamically fuse the two types of features. Experimental results show that, compared with models such as Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), LSTM, and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM), the iT-LSTM-CA achieves the best performance in multi-step forecasting tasks at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h horizons. For temperature prediction, the R² ranges from 0.96 to 0.98, with MAE between 0.42 °C and 0.79 °C and RMSE between 0.58 °C and 1.06 °C; for humidity prediction, the R² ranges from 0.95 to 0.97, with MAE between 1.21% and 2.49% and RMSE between 1.78% and 3.42%. These results indicate that the iT-LSTM-CA model can effectively capture greenhouse environmental variations and provide a scientific basis for environmental control and management in tomato greenhouses. Full article

The study investigates the presence of emerging contaminants in a river within a watershed located in the Brazilian semiarid region, specifically within the Caatinga biome, emphasizing the importance of environmental monitoring in areas that have historically been underrepresented in scientific research. The analysis focused on the associations between microplastics and pharmaceutical compounds, demonstrating that the discharge of untreated domestic effluents and the low efficiency of sanitation systems increase water resource contamination and threaten water security. The interdependence between these variables underscores the need for integrated public policies for waste management, complemented by environmental education strategies and technological innovations. The work makes an unprecedented contribution to expanding knowledge about emerging pollutants in semiarid environments, highlighting the urgency of holistic approaches, continuous monitoring, and strengthening environmental governance to ensure the sustainability and resilience of ecosystems like the Caatinga in the face of the challenges posed by global environmental change, urban growth, and those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This research simulates Aswan City’s urban transportation dynamics utilizing the Multi-Agent Transport Simulation (MATSim) framework. As a fast-expanding urban center, Aswan has many transportation difficulties that require extensive modeling toward sustainable mobility solutions. MATSim, recognized for its agent-based methodology, offers a detailed portrayal and analysis of individual travel behaviors and their interactions within the metropolitan transportation system. This study compiled and combined many databases, including demographic data, road infrastructure, public transit plans, and travel demand trends. These data are altered to produce a realistic digital clone of Aswan’s transportation system. Simulated scenarios analyze the consequences of several actions, such as increased public transit scheduling, traffic flow management, and the adoption of alternative transport modes, on minimizing congestion and boosting accessibility. Pilot findings show that MATSim effectively captures the distinct features of Aswan’s transportation network and offers practical insights for decision-makers. The results identified some opportunities to improve mobility and promote sustainable urban growth in developing cities. This study emphasized the importance of agent-based simulations in designing future transportation systems and urban infrastructure. Full article

This study aims to explore the relationship between a company manager’s activities and their impact on business performance. Networking is considered a worthy factor in professional and organizational success, providing access to important research, industry insights and future partnerships. Through the analysis of the data used in the study, this paper adopts a methodological approach to examine how managerial networking influences business results, with a particular focus on French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The findings indicate a strong and positive correlation between the manager’s ability to build and maintain professional relationships and the entire performance of their business. In fact, managers who actively engage in networking often gain access to better business opportunities, funding sources and strategic collaborations that increase growth and competitiveness. Additionally, strong networks facilitate the exchange of knowledge, best practices and innovative ideas, thereby improving decision making and operational efficiency. The review further highlights that networking is not just about expanding contacts, but also about attending meaningful and beneficial affairs that contribute to long-term success. These results underline its importance as a strategic tool for business leaders, sustaining the idea that well-connected managers are better equipped to navigate challenges, catch opportunities and drive sustainable business prosperity in an increasingly competitive market. Full article

The agricultural industry faces increasing environmental degradation due to the intensive use of conventional chemical fertilizers, leading to water pollution and alterations in soil composition. In addition, root-knot and cyst nematodes are major constraints to cucumber production, causing severe root damage and yield losses worldwide, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilization and pest management. Under greenhouse conditions, a four-month cultivation trial evaluated vegetable oil-, micronutrient-, and activated flavonoid-based biostimulants, applying Key Eco Oil^® (Miami, USA) via soil drench (every 15 days) combined with foliar sprays of CropBioLife^® (Victoria, Australia) and KeyPlex 120^® (Miami, USA) (every 7 days). Results showed reduced parasitic nematodes by 66% in soil and decreased gall formation by 41% in roots. Chlorophyll fluorescence and infrared gas analysis revealed higher oxygen-evolving complex efficiency (38%), increased PSII electron transport, improved the fluorescence decrease ratio, also known as the vitality index (Rfd), and higher CO₂ assimilation compared to conventional treatments. Processed cucumbers showed higher sugar and nearly double ascorbic acid content, with improved flesh consistency and color. Therefore, the application of these bioactive products significantly reduced nematode infestation while enhancing plant growth and physiological performance, underscoring their potential as sustainable tools for crop cultivation and protection. These results provide evidence that sustainable bioactive biostimulants improve plant resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality, offering also an environmentally sound approach to pest management. Full article

This study establishes a comprehensive structural isomorphism between Conway’s Game of Life and the entrepreneurial process, analysing the latter as a complex adaptive system governed by non-linear dynamics rather than linear predictability. Through a rigorous qualitative approach based on a systematic literature review and abductive inference, the research identifies and correlates four fundamental dimensions: uncertainty, adaptability, growth, and sustainability. Transcending traditional metaphorical comparisons, this paper introduces a novel mathematical model that modifies Conway’s deterministic logic by incorporating an «Agency» variable (A). This critical addition quantifies how an entrepreneur’s internal capabilities can counterbalance environmental pressures (neighbourhood density) to determine survival thresholds, effectively transforming the simulation into a «Game of Life with Agency» where participants actively influence their viability potential (Ψ). The analysis explicitly correlates specific algorithmic configurations with real-world business phenomena: high-entropy initial states («The Soup») mirror early-stage market uncertainty where outcomes are probabilistic; «gliders» represent the necessity of strategic pivoting and continuous displacement for survival; and «oscillators» symbolise dynamic sustainability through rhythmic equilibrium rather than static permanence. Furthermore, the study validates the «Gosper Glider Gun» pattern as a model for scalable, generative growth. By bridging abstract systems theory with managerial practice, the research positions these simulations as «mental laboratories» for decision-making. The findings theoretically validate iterative methodologies like the Lean Startup and conclude that successful entrepreneurship operates on the «Edge of Chaos», providing a rigorous framework for navigating high stochastic uncertainty. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a major cereal crop cultivated in semi-arid regions, but its yield is often constrained by soilborne fungal pathogens that affect plant growth and grain quality. This study explored how Trichoderma-based bioinoculants restructure the structure and functional composition of fungal communities in distinct sorghum compartments (soil, root, seed, and stem) using ITS amplicon sequencing. Two cultivars, Kalatur and Foehn, were evaluated under control and inoculated conditions. Alpha diversity indices revealed that inoculation reduced overall fungal richness and evenness, particularly in seed and stem tissues, while selectively enhancing beneficial taxa. Beta diversity analyses (PERMANOVA, p < 0.01) confirmed significant treatment-driven shifts in community composition. LEfSe analysis identified Trichoderma and Mortierella as biomarkers of inoculated samples, whereas Fusarium, Alternaria, and Penicillium predominated in controls. The enrichment of saprotrophic and symbiotrophic taxa in treated samples, coupled with the decline of pathogenic genera, indicates a transition toward functionally beneficial microbial assemblages. These results demonstrate that Trichoderma bioinoculants not only suppress fungal pathogens but also promote the establishment of beneficial ecological groups contributing to plant and soil health. The present work provides insight into the mechanisms through which microbial inoculants modulate host-associated fungal communities, supporting their use as sustainable tools for crop protection and microbiome management in sorghum-based agroecosystems. Full article