bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recycling Agricultural Waste to Enhance Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture: Analyzing the Cost-Effectiveness and Agronomic Benefits of Bokashi and Biochar Byproducts as Soil Amendments in Citrus Nursery Production
Authors: Lavagi Valeria , Kaplan Jonathan , Vidalakis Georgios , Ortiz Michelle , Rodriguez Michael V. , Amador Madison , Hopkins Francesca , Ying Samantha , Pagliaccia Deborah
Published: July 2024

Applying bokashi (Bok) at 10% volume/volume (v/v), biochar (BC) at 10% v/v, and their combination (Bok_BC) as soil amendments significantly enhances citrus nursery production, improving plant growth and soil health, alongside offering notable economic benefits. Our greenhouse experiment evaluated these treatments across two fertilizer doses, at half (700 μS/cm) and full (1400 μS/cm) electrical conductivity (EC) levels, compared to a control mix, demonstrating improved nutrient availability, water retention, growth rates, and potential for carbon sequestration. Based on the results of this experiment, a cost–benefit analysis was performed; the BC treatment yielded substantial savings, particularly in large nurseries where BC at 700 μS/cm electrical conductivity (EC) saved USD 1356.38 per day and the same treatment at 1400 μS/cm EC saved USD 1857.53. These savings stem from increased nutrient contents (N, P, and K) and improved water retention, reducing irrigation; shortened growth cycles due to enhanced growth rates were observed, indirectly suggesting reduced electricity costs for greenhouse operations. Additionally, the increased carbon content within the soil points toward long-term benefits from carbon sequestration, further contributing to the sustainability and economic viability of these practices. These findings highlight the economic advantage of incorporating Bok and BC into soil mixes, providing a cost-effective strategy for enhancing greenhouse agriculture sustainability.
Can the Digital Economy Promote Sustainable Improvement in the Quality of Employment for Chinese Residents?—Moderated Mediation Effect Test Based on Innovation Environments
Authors: Liu Jiahe , Fang Yingzhu , Xia Yongxing , Zou Wenjie , Chan Ka-Leong , Lam Johnny F. I. , Chen Huangxin
Published: July 2024

Employment significantly impacts the national economy and people’s livelihoods and affects millions of households. How to effectively and sustainably improve the quality of employment for the population has thus become a key issue facing China at present. In recent years, under the strategic background of “Digital China” and “Employment Priority”, the digital economy has brought about profound changes in the efficiency, dynamics, and distribution of social production. It affects the quality of employment by creating jobs, reshaping employment patterns, and improving labor quality, but its impact and transmission path are still unclear. This research employs a multi-dimensional evaluation approach to score the digital economy and employment quality at the provincial level in China, utilizing data from the country’s provincial panels between 2012 and 2022, and examines the feasibility and effect pathways of the digital economy in promoting sustainable improvement in the quality of residential employment. The empirical results provide ample evidence of the significant role played by the digital economy in the sustainable improvement of the employment quality of the inhabitants. Regions with more robust innovation environments tend to benefit more from this impact, and there are discernible regional variations in the impact. The upgrading of industrial structure mediates this process, and the influencing mechanism is regulated by the innovation environment—that is, the innovation environment exerts a facilitating influence on the process of industrial restructuring. The findings herein offer novel insights into the intrinsic mechanism of the digital economy in promoting sustainable improvement in the quality of residential employment.
Revealing Greenhouse Gas Emission and Nitrogen Fertilizer Destination: A Case Study in Chengdu Plain Cultivation Industry
Authors: Hou Langong , Ma Che , Liu Tao
Published: July 2024

The cultivation industry occupies a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Assessing greenhouse gas emissions from the cultivation industry is pivotal for mitigating emissions and promoting sustainable cultivation. Utilizing greenhouse gas emission calculation methods recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other methods, this work evaluated annual emissions and the emission structure of major crops from 2005 to 2021 in the Chengdu Plain, a significant agricultural region in Southwest China. We identified nitrogen fertilizer as the primary contributing factor to high emissions from cultivation production. Subsequently, we analyzed the trend and utilization of nitrogen fertilizer, which proposes essential strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The results showed that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the cultivation industry in the Chengdu Plain exhibited a growth, fluctuation, and eventual decline trend from 2005 to 2021. The emissions increased from 5,148,900 t in 2005 to 6,289,700 t in 2009, representing a 22.16% increase, and subsequently decreased to 5,109,900 t in 2021, marking a 23.31% decrease. Nitrogen fertilizer application emerges as the primary source of GHG emissions, constituting approximately half of the total, with nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing contributing significantly as well, collectively amounting to about 70%. We also found that the proportion of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to cash crop cultivation has gradually increased over the last decade. Among these crops, vegetables exhibit the highest emissions, comprising nearly half of the total emissions from 2019 onwards. However, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency of cash crops is less than 30%, with higher nitrogen surplus, ammonia volatilization, and nitrogen leaching per unit area, and the total amount is higher than that of grain crops. Among cash crops, vegetables exhibit the highest amount of nitrogen surplus, ammonia volatilization, and nitrogen leaching, constituting nearly half of the total amount in the study area since 2019. Our findings significantly affect sustainable and low-carbon cultivation industry development in the study area.
Comparison of Process-Driven SWAT Model and Data-Driven Machine Learning Techniques in Simulating Streamflow: A Case Study in the Fenhe River Basin
Authors: Jiang Zhengfang , Lu Baohong , Zhou Zunguang , Zhao Yirui
Published: July 2024

Hydrological modeling is a crucial tool in hydrology and water resource management for analyzing runoff evolution patterns. In this study, the process-driven soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model and data-driven machine learning techniques (XGBoost, random forest, LSTM, BILSTM, and GRU) were employed to simulate runoff at monthly and daily intervals in the Fenhe River basin, situated in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, respectively. The SWAT model demonstrated effective performance in simulating runoff at various scales, with the coefficient of determination (R2) exceeding 0.80 and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) surpassing 0.79. Sensitivity analysis reveals varying degrees of sensitivity among the model parameters. Furthermore, the deep learning techniques (LSTM, BILSTM, and GRU) exhibited superior simulation generalization capabilities compared to the SWAT model across various scales. Additionally, the generalization abilities of traditional machine learning techniques (XGBoost and random forest) were comparable to the SWAT model. This indicates that deep learning techniques demonstrate remarkable stability and generalization capabilities across various scales. This analysis was motivated by the use of external continuous time series data as input and the application of deep learning techniques to internal mechanisms. Moreover, an integrated modeling approach was used to enhance simulation accuracy by combining the SWAT model with machine learning techniques. The results indicate that the integrated modeling approach improves simulation performance across various scales compared to the single-model approach. This research is significant for improving the efficiency of water resource utilization and management in the Fenhe River basin.
Unveiling the Soil beyond Definitions: A Holistic Framework for Sub-Regional Soil Quality Assessment and Spatial Planning
Authors: Richiedei Anna , Giuliani Marialaura , Pezzagno Michèle
Published: July 2024

The issue of land/soil consumption and degradation has been extensively explored in international literature, yet a universally accepted definition of soil quality remains elusive. Over the decades, the scientific community has witnessed the evolution of the concept of land/soil quality, with varying nuances across different disciplines. The absence of a shared definition poses challenges in addressing local concerns and preserving the distinctiveness and well-being of the soil. The present paper seeks to fill this gap from the spatial planning perspective by proposing a soil quality detection framework tailored for the sub-regional spatial context, offering support in particular for local planning decisions. The concept of soil quality is approached comprehensively, and the indicators put forth are selected based on specific soil functions, services, or threats. To support this all-encompassing approach through a case study in the Italian context, this paper suggests integrating 11 datasets and 55 indicators. This extensive dataset aims to quantify and generate meaningful cartographic representations, offering a multifaceted and detailed understanding of soil quality within the sub-regional context. The goal is to establish a framework that facilitates a more holistic understanding of soil quality, aiding in effective spatial planning and policy-making processes.
Exploring Digital Transformation Intensity and Its Relationship with Sustainability: Greek Managers’ Perspectives
Authors: Kargas Antonios , Gkika Eleni C. , Sepetis Anastasios
Published: July 2024

The digital transformation process gained significant research interest in recent years especially related to achievements in sustainability goals. Even though there exists growing research regarding various aspects of digital transformation and sustainability procedures, a more detailed analysis is needed in different national environments. The proposed study empirically analyzes the Greek managers’ perspective on the relationship between digital transformation intensity and sustainability practices implemented. Almost 156 Greek senior managers from various organizational sectors were interviewed, while a synthetic index already developed from previous studies was used. Results indicate that Greek companies do not fully exploit digital technologies to further develop their environmental practices. A digital transformation strategy contributes effectively to environmental strategies in the case of reducing emissions of waste and avoiding environmental accidents, while in the rest of the cases, emerging technologies play a less important role and not as a part of a holistic digital strategy.
Trend and Variability Analysis of Annual Maximum Rainfall Using Observed and Remotely Sensed Data in the Tropical Climate Zones of Uganda
Authors: Okirya Martin , Du Plessis JA
Published: July 2024

Understanding rainfall variability and trends is crucial for effective water resource management and disaster preparedness, particularly in tropical regions like Uganda. This study analyzes the trends and variability of the Annual Maximum Series (AMS) and seasonal rainfall data across four rainfall stations in Uganda, comparing observed data with various Remotely Sensed Rainfall (RSR) products. The key methods used in this study include the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator for trend analysis, AMS rainfall variability analysis using statistical performance metrics such as the Nash–Sutcliffe Coefficient of Efficiency (NSE) and Percent Bias (PBIAS), and data distribution comparisons based on goodness-of-fit evaluation using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test. The results indicate that most trends in the seasonal rainfall and AMS data are statistically insignificant. However, the September to November (SON) observed rainfall at the Gulu station shows a statistically significant increasing trend of 7.68 mm/year (p-value = 0.03). Based on the PBIAS metric, GPCC and NOAA_CPC products outperform other RSR data products. At the Jinja station, NOAA_CPC has a PBIAS value of −12.93% and GPCC, −14.64%; at Soroti, GPCC has −9.66% and NOAA_CPC, −14.79%; at Mbarara, GPCC has −5.93% and NOAA_CPC, −11.63%; and at Gulu, GPCC has −3.05% and NOAA_CPC, −19.23%. The KS test results show significant differences in the distribution of RSR data and observed rainfall data, though GPCC shows significant agreement at the Gulu (p-value = 0.60) and Mbarara (p-value = 0.14) stations. Additionally, NOAA_CPC outperforms other RSR data products at the Mbarara station, with a KS p-value of 0.24. This study highlights the limitations of current RSR datasets in replicating observed AMS rainfall data. Based on KS test results, GPCC is identified as a better product for hydrological applications at the Gulu, Jinja, and Soroti station areas compared to other RSR products. For the Mbarara station, NOAA_CPC outperforms other RSR products.
Implementation of the District Heating Delignification Project in Western Macedonia, Greece: A Comparative Analysis of the Alternative Solutions
Authors: Demesouka Olympia E. , Tripodi Anna , Koulinas Georgios K. , Koulouriotis Dimitrios E.
Published: July 2024

The main goal of this article is to give an overview of the importance of district heating and specifically emphasize its continued use with alternative fuels in the upcoming post-lignite era. The results of the cost–benefit analysis for district heating in the transition period after show promise and positivity. By examining key aspects undergoing changes and conducting a SWOT analysis related to this shift, this study sheds light on various benefits for the economy, society, and the environment in sustaining district heating post-lignite era. Additionally, it introduces a solution tailored to meet all district heating needs in Western Macedonia, Greece, during both the transitional phase and after phasing out existing lignite units as, per Greek National Energy and Climate Plan requirements. This devised solution ensures comprehensive coverage of all district heating demands.
The Driving Factors of Food Waste in Chinese Urban Households: A Qualitative Study Based on Grounded Theory
Authors: Guo Shuaichen , Guo Hongpeng
Published: July 2024

Food waste has become an increasingly common and serious global problem, affecting the guarantee of food security in China and the sustainable development of the national agricultural and food system. Urban households are the main source of food waste on the consumer side. Given China’s unique culture, economy, and social environment, the drivers of food waste in urban households need to consider broader social, psychological, and situational factors in order to provide a basis for formulating and implementing targeted policy measures. This article conducts a grounded theoretical analysis of semi-structured interview data from 56 urban households in China and constructs a driving factor model for food waste in urban households in the Chinese context. Research has found that the influencing factor system of food waste in Chinese urban households includes seven interrelated main categories. Among them, risk perception has a direct effect on responsibility awareness and behavioral tendencies, responsibility awareness and environmental pressure have a direct effect on behavioral tendencies, behavioral tendencies have a direct effect on behavioral choices, perception barriers play a moderating role in the impact of risk perception on responsibility awareness and behavioral tendencies, and behavioral constraints play a moderating role in the impact of behavioral tendencies on behavioral choices. This study enriches the research on the mechanism of food waste behavior in Chinese households, providing scientific basis for the formulation of intervention strategies for food waste in Chinese households, and also providing reference for revealing the mechanism of food waste behavior in other countries with similar cultural backgrounds.
Environmental Impact of Footwear Using Life Cycle Assessment—Case Study of Professional Footwear
Authors: Bodoga Alexandra , Nistorac Andreea , Loghin Maria Carmen , Isopescu Dorina Nicolina
Published: July 2024

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method for assessing the environmental impact of a product, activity, or system across all the stages of its life cycle. LCA can identify the activities with a major impact on the environment throughout the life cycle of a product. To analyze the environmental implications of footwear, the LCA was applied to a pair of shoes designed for professional use. In this paper, the impact of a single pair of shoes was studied. Every year, footwear production worldwide is over 22 billion pairs, which has a significant impact on the environment. In this case study, the “cradle-to-grave” approach was used, which refers to all the activities involved in the life cycle of a footwear product, starting from raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, maintenance, and, in the end, disposal. The LCA was conducted using the SimaPro software. The environmental impact assessment of the analyzed shoe needed the acquisition of two crucial datasets. Background inventory data were sourced from the Ecoinvent database (version 3.3). The impact was quantified using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) metric, which calculates the contribution of emissions to global warming over a 100-year time limit according to the established values provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was measured in relative carbon dioxide equivalents (kg CO2eq) to facilitate a standardized comparison. The results show that the total carbon footprint for a pair of safety boots is 18.65 kg of CO2eq with the “component manufacture” stage as a major contributor accumulating almost 80%.
Analyzing Alternatives for Managing Nitrogen in Puddled Transplanted Rice in a Semi-Arid Area of India
Authors: Suman Anurag Singh , Mishra Amit , Shukla Gaurav , Sah Dinesh , Chandra Umesh , Chaubey Anand Kumar , Mishra Bhanu Prakash , Pathak Jagannath , Panwar Gurusharan
Published: July 2024

The Bundelkhand region of India falls under a semi-arid climate and is not typical for rice cultivation. Rice cultivation has been expanding in heavy-textured soils with limited water irrigation. The experiment was carried out with a split-plot design with main factor transplanting methods (line and random transplanting) and subfactor six nitrogenmanagement options (omissionN (ON), farmers’fertilizer practice (FFP), state fertilizer recommendation (SFR), IRRI Leaf Color Chart (LCC), Panjab Agriculture University (PAU-LCC) and Rice Crop Manager (RCM) replicated thrice on heavy-textured soil at the student’s research farm, Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda during the wet season of 2020 and 2021. IRRI LCC and PAU LCC also had significantly higher growth parameters and yield attributes for augmenting better farm livelihoods. The two-year average significant increases in grain yield of puddled transplanted rice by IRRI LLC (24.8% and 9.1%), PAU LCC (26.8% and 10.8%) and RCM (20.0% and 4.9%) over FFP and SFR, respectively. The two-year mean agronomic efficiency was found to be significantly better with IRRI LCC (57.5% and 39.6%), PAU LCC (52.1% and 34.8%) and RCM (57.6% and 39.7%) compared to FFP and SFR, respectively. Similarly, Kg N uptake Kg N applied−1 was significantly better with both the LCC and RCM-guided nitrogen application than FFP and SFR. Moreover, it was discovered that N management using SSNM choices reduced total GHG generation. According to our research, the farmers were applying nearly identical amounts of nitrogen, and SSNM tools allow for the efficient management of nitrogen in semi-arid regions by adjusting the timing of application and splitting.
Hybrid Photovoltaic Output Forecasting Model with Temporal Convolutional Network Using Maximal Information Coefficient and White Shark Optimizer
Authors: Lin Xilong , Niu Yisen , Yan Zixuan , Zou Lianglin , Tang Ping , Song Jifeng
Published: July 2024

Accurate forecasting of PV power not only enhances the utilization of solar energy but also assists power system operators in planning and executing efficient power management. The Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN) is utilized for feature extraction from the data, while the White Shark Optimization (WSO) algorithm optimizes the TCN parameters. Given the extensive dataset and the complex variables influencing PV output in this study, the maximal information coefficient (MIC) method is employed. Initially, mutual information values are computed for the base data, and less significant variables are eliminated. Subsequently, the refined data are fed into the TCN, which is fine-tuned using WSO. Finally, the model outputs the prediction results. For testing, one year of data from a dual-axis tracking PV system is used, and the robustness of the model is further confirmed using data from single-axis and stationary PV systems. The findings demonstrate that the MIC-WSO-TCN model outperforms several benchmark models in terms of accuracy and reliability for predicting PV power.
Urban Development and Sustainable Energy in EU Countries
Authors: Bąk Iwona , Sompolska-Rzechuła Agnieszka
Published: July 2024

Cities are considered one of the most important elements in achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and are specifically addressed by SDG11, which identifies actions to ensure safe, resilient and sustainable urban living for residents. Sustainable energy is of key importance to the challenges facing the modern world, hence cities should be designed and built to use as little energy as possible, which translates into the implementation of SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The sustainable goals are interrelated, so it is crucial to study their interaction. This study formulated the following research objectives: to assess changes in the degree of SDG achievement in EU countries and to investigate interactions between SDGs, in particular between SDG11 and SDG7. Using the TOPSIS method for the years 2015 and 2021, it was found that there are more frequent synergies between the SDGs and SDG11. The top rankings in terms of SDG11 implementation were Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Austria, while the last positions were held by Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. In 2021, the relationship between the positions of countries in terms of SDG11 and SDG7 implementation rates, compared to 2015, increased significantly, indicating that action is being taken to implement green energy solutions.
Can Mega Sporting Events Promote Urban Green Transformation? Evidence from China
Authors: Zhou Zihao , Lin Shanlang , Shi Jianfeng , Huang Junpei , Han Xiaoxin
Published: July 2024

With the adoption of the concept of sustainable development, mega sports events (MSEs) are gradually aiming to be greener and to lower their carbon footprints. As such, does the hosting of MSEs provide an opportunity for urban green transformation? Taking MSEs in China as a quasi-natural experiment and using prefecture-level panel data from 2000 to 2020, we empirically explored the effects and mechanisms of MSE hosting on the green economic development in urban areas by applying a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The findings revealed that the hosting of MSEs can significantly increase the green total factor productivity (GTFP) of the host city, indicating that MSEs promote the green transformation of urban areas. The results of the mechanism analysis showed that hosting MSEs promotes urban green transformation through three channels: encouraging residents to choose public transport, promoting the development of the digital economy, and upgrading of the industrial structure. In addition, the effect of hosting MSEs on green transformation is stronger in cities where the public is more concerned about the environment. We argue that host city governments should implement the concept of green sports when organizing MSEs, increase public concern about the environment, focus on the development of urban public services, and vigorously develop tertiary industries to drive urban green transformations.
Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and ESG Scores: Do They Tell the Same Story?
Authors: Tehrani Minoo , Rathgeber Andreas , Dougherty Edward , Fulton Lawrence , Fournier James
Published: July 2024

The focal point of this research is to compare two of the largest global organizations’ sustainability indices and scores, namely Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSIs) and Standard & Poor’s Global (S&P Global) ESG scores (environmental, social, and governance), which rank companies based on their sustainability practices, and to learn if they correspond to each other. Considering that Germany is the hub of large companies from leading global industries, this research compares the ESG scores of the German companies that appear on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Several statistical analyses are conducted to determine if the German companies on the DJSIs correspond with high ESG scores. The years under consideration are 2018 through 2023. The results of this research indicate that DJSIs and ESG scores do not tell the same story and there are discrepancies regarding the sustainability practices of the studied companies that are added to the DJSIs and the assigned high ESG scores by S&P Global.
Sustainable Brand Reputation: Evaluation of iPhone Customer Reviews with Machine Learning and Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Kayakuş Mehmet , Yiğit Açikgöz Fatma , Dinca Mirela Nicoleta , Kabas Onder
Published: July 2024

Brand reputation directly influences customer trust and decision-making. A good reputation can lead to greater customer loyalty, commitment, and advocacy. This study aims to understand the effects of brand reputation on customer trust and loyalty and to determine how brands can protect their reputation. This study, which was conducted on the iPhone 11 sample by obtaining statistical data from customer reviews, can be adapted and used by researchers and companies that want to measure brand reputation. In this study, customer reviews for the iPhone 11 phone on the Trendyol e-commerce site, the largest e-commerce platform in Turkey, are analyzed using sentiment analysis and machine learning methods. While 85 percent of customers are satisfied with the iPhone 11, 13 percent are dissatisfied with it. The neutral comment rate of 2 percent indicates that some customers do not express a clear positive or negative opinion about the product. In the comments of customers who bought the iPhone 11, there are those who express satisfaction with the quality, technical features, performance, and price/performance ratio of the product, as well as those who express significant complaints about delivery, quality, price, and customer service. Neutral comments generally focus on the product itself, price, quality, shipping, and packaging, and make informative evaluations. A sustainable reputation is based on the extent to which an organization embraces ethical principles, social responsibility, and sustainable practices throughout its operations and business relationships. Brands can improve, protect, and increase their brand reputation by considering and analyzing the thoughts and feelings of their customers. For this, they should develop policies and strategies to reinforce their strong features and improve their faulty and deficient features.
Activated Carbons for Removing Ammonia from Piggery Vent Air: A Promising Tool for Mitigating the Environmental Impact of Large-Scale Pig Breeding
Authors: Fałtynowicz Hanna , Kaczmarczyk Jan , Łużny Rafał , Jaroszewska Karolina , Pstrowska Katarzyna , Hull Sylwia , Kułażyński Marek , Postawa Karol
Published: July 2024

Unsustainable pig breeding is a great threat to the environment. Ammonia is one of the main pollutants emitted in piggery vent air. This work is a comparative survey that presents the findings on the effectiveness of ammonia adsorption from air using various activated carbons (ACs). Detailed consideration is given to the effects of (i) type of raw material (wood char, wood pellet, and commercial lignite-based char), (ii) preparation method (CO2, steam, and KOH activation), and (iii) activation conditions (temperature and KOH/char ratio), on the porous structure of ACs and their ammonia sorption capacity and reversibility. Response surface methodology and genetic algorithm were used to find optimum KOH activation conditions. Economic analyses of AC production were performed using process modeling in Aspen software. It was found that ACs obtained from wood char in KOH activation show a maximum ammonia capacity of 397 g/kg, which is at least 2.5-fold higher than that reached on ACs from physical activation. A lower activation temperature (<750 °C) and a higher KOH/char ratio (>3) were preferred for effective adsorption, regardless of the type of feedstock. High sorption reversibility was achieved (87–96%). This makes the obtained sorbents promising sorbents for ammonia removal from piggery vent air with potential subsequent application as nitrogen-enriched biochar for crop fertilization. Thus, it facilitates sustainable pig breeding.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Scenario Simulation of Regional Green Spaces in a Rapidly Urbanizing Type I Large City: A Case Study of Changzhou, China
Authors: Xu Chenjia , Xiong Yao , Liu Ziwen , Chen Yajuan
Published: July 2024

The rapid urbanization observed in major Chinese cities has resulted in the degradation of both urban and rural environments. In response to this challenge, the concept of regional green spaces has emerged as an innovative approach to coordinate and manage green space resources across urban and rural areas. This study focuses on conducting a comprehensive analysis of the evolution, driving factors, and future scenarios of regional green spaces in Changzhou, which serves as a representative Type I large city in China. To accomplish this analysis, Landsat satellite images from 1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022 were utilized. Various methodologies, including landscape pattern indices for quantitative evaluation, the CLUE-S model, logistic regression for qualitative evaluation, and the Markov–FLUS model, were employed. The findings indicate a continuous decline in the area of regional green spaces in Changzhou, decreasing from 248.23 km2 in 1992 to 204.46 km2 in 2022. Landscape pattern analysis reveals an increase in fragmentation, complexity, irregularity, and human interference within these green spaces. Logistic regression analysis identifies key driving factors influencing regional green spaces, including elevation, urban population, and proximity to water bodies and transportation. The scenario simulations provide valuable insights into potential future trends of regional green spaces. According to the economic priority scenario, a modest increase in regional green spaces is anticipated, while the ecological priority scenario indicates substantial growth. Conversely, the inertial development scenario predicts a continued decline in regional green spaces. This research emphasizes the significance of achieving a harmonious coexistence between economic progress and environmental preservation. It emphasizes the necessity of optimizing the arrangement of green areas within a region while fostering public engagement in the conservation of these spaces. The findings contribute to the protection and sustainable development of the urban environment in the Yangtze River Delta region.
Citrinin Provoke DNA Damage and Cell-Cycle Arrest Related to Chk2 and FANCD2 Checkpoint Proteins in Hepatocellular and Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Stupin Polančec Darija , Homar Sonja , Jakšić Daniela , Kopjar Nevenka , Šegvić Klarić Maja , Dabelić Sanja
Published: July 2024

Citrinin (CIT), a polyketide mycotoxin produced by Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Monascus species, is a contaminant that has been found in various food commodities and was also detected in house dust. Several studies showed that CIT can impair the kidney, liver, heart, immune, and reproductive systems in animals by mechanisms so far not completely elucidated. In this study, we investigated the CIT mode of action on two human tumor cell lines, HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and A549 (lung adenocarcinoma). Cytotoxic concentrations were determined using an MTT proliferation assay. The genotoxic effect of sub-IC50 concentrations was investigated using the alkaline comet assay and the impact on the cell cycle using flow cytometry. Additionally, the CIT effect on the total amount and phosphorylation of two cell-cycle-checkpoint proteins, the serine/threonine kinase Chk2 and Fanconi anemia (FA) group D2 (FANCD2), was determined by the cell-based ELISA. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism statistical software. The CIT IC50 for HepG2 was 107.3 µM, and for A549, it was >250 µM. The results showed that sensitivity to CIT is cell-type dependent and that CIT in sub-IC50 and near IC50 induces significant DNA damage and cell-cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, which is related to the increase in total and phosphorylated Chk2 and FANCD2 checkpoint proteins in HepG2 and A549 cells.
Short Treatment of 42 Days with Oral GS-441524 Results in Equal Efficacy as the Recommended 84-Day Treatment in Cats Suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis with Effusion—A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Zuzzi-Krebitz Anna-M. , Buchta Katharina , Bergmann Michèle , Krentz Daniela , Zwicklbauer Katharina , Dorsch Roswitha , Wess Gerhard , Fischer Andrea , Matiasek Kaspar , Hönl Anne , Fiedler Sonja , Kolberg Laura , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina , Meli Marina L. , Spiri Andrea M. , Helfer-Hungerbuehler A. Katrin , Felten Sandra , Zablotski Yury , Alberer Martin , Both Ulrich von , Hartmann Katrin
Published: July 2024

In the past, feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV) was considered fatal. Today, highly efficient drugs, such as GS-441524, can lead to complete remission. The currently recommended treatment duration in the veterinary literature is 84 days. This prospective randomized controlled treatment study aimed to evaluate whether a shorter treatment duration of 42 days with oral GS-441524 obtained from a licensed pharmacy is equally effective compared to the 84-day regimen. Forty cats with FIP with effusion were prospectively included and randomized to receive 15 mg/kg of GS-441524 orally every 24h (q24h), for either 42 or 84 days. Cats were followed for 168 days after treatment initiation. With the exception of two cats that died during the treatment, 38 cats (19 in short, 19 in long treatment group) recovered with rapid improvement of clinical and laboratory parameters as well as a remarkable reduction in viral loads in blood and effusion. Orally administered GS-441524 given as a short treatment was highly effective in curing FIP without causing serious adverse effects. All cats that completed the short treatment course successfully were still in complete remission on day 168. Therefore, a shorter treatment duration of 42 days GS-441524 15 mg/kg can be considered equally effective.
Characterization of Six Ampeloviruses Infecting Pineapple in Reunion Island Using a Combination of High-Throughput Sequencing Approaches
Authors: Massé Delphine , Candresse Thierry , Filloux Denis , Massart Sébastien , Cassam Nathalie , Hostachy Bruno , Marais Armelle , Fernandez Emmanuel , Roumagnac Philippe , Verdin Eric , Teycheney Pierre-Yves , Lett Jean-Michel , Lefeuvre Pierre
Published: July 2024

The cultivation of pineapple (Ananas comosus) is threatened worldwide by mealybug wilt disease of pineapple (MWP), whose etiology is not yet fully elucidated. In this study, we characterized pineapple mealybug wilt-associated ampeloviruses (PMWaVs, family Closteroviridae) from a diseased pineapple plant collected from Reunion Island, using a high-throughput sequencing approach combining Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads. Reads co-assembly resulted in complete or near-complete genomes for six distinct ampeloviruses, including the first complete genome of pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 5 (PMWaV5) and that of a new species tentatively named pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus 7 (PMWaV7). Short reads data provided high genome coverage and sequencing depths for all six viral genomes, contrary to long reads data. The 5′ and 3′ ends of the genome for most of the six ampeloviruses could be recovered from long reads, providing an alternative to RACE-PCRs. Phylogenetic analyses did not unveil any geographic structuring of the diversity of PMWaV1, PMWaV2 and PMWaV3 isolates, supporting the current hypothesis that PMWaVs were mainly spread by human activity and vegetative propagation.
Metatranscriptomic Sequencing of Sheath Blight-Associated Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani Revealed Multi-Infection by Diverse Groups of RNA Viruses
Authors: Urzo Michael Louie R. , Guinto Timothy D. , Eusebio-Cope Ana , Budot Bernard O. , Yanoria Mary Jeanie T. , Jonson Gilda B. , Arakawa Masao , Kondo Hideki , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: July 2024

Rice sheath blight, caused by the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia solani (teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris, Basidiomycota), is one of the most devastating phytopathogenic fungal diseases and causes yield loss. Here, we report on a very high prevalence (100%) of potential virus-associated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) elements for a collection of 39 fungal strains of R. solani from the rice sheath blight samples from at least four major rice-growing areas in the Philippines and a reference isolate from the International Rice Research Institute, showing different colony phenotypes. Their dsRNA profiles suggested the presence of multiple viral infections among these Philippine R. solani populations. Using next-generation sequencing, the viral sequences of the three representative R. solani strains (Ilo-Rs-6, Tar-Rs-3, and Tar-Rs-5) from different rice-growing areas revealed the presence of at least 36 viruses or virus-like agents, with the Tar-Rs-3 strain harboring the largest number of viruses (at least 20 in total). These mycoviruses or their candidates are believed to have single-stranded RNA or dsRNA genomes and they belong to or are associated with the orders Martellivirales, Hepelivirales, Durnavirales, Cryppavirales, Ourlivirales, and Ghabrivirales based on their coding-complete RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequences. The complete genome sequences of two novel RNA viruses belonging to the proposed family Phlegiviridae and family Mitoviridae were determined.
Adhesion of Bacteroides vulgatus and Fusobacterium varium to the Colonic Mucosa of Healthy Beagles
Authors: Hanifeh Mohsen , Huhtinen Mirja , Sclivagnotis Yannes S. , Lyhs Ulrike , Grönthal Thomas , Spillmann Thomas
Published: July 2024

The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria phyla have been reported to be decreased in dogs with chronic enteropathies. In colitis, obligate anaerobes (e.g., Bacteroides and Fusobacterium) are likely to vanish in response to the heightened oxidative stress in the colon’s inflammatory environment. The ability to adhere to the colonic mucosa is viewed as an essential step for obligate anaerobic bacteria to colonize and subsequently interact with the host’s epithelium and immune system. The reintroduction of a balanced community of obligate anaerobic bacteria using probiotics can restore the microbial function in the intestine. We found no studies on dogs regarding the adhesion properties of Bacteriodes vulgatus and Fusobacterium varium on paraffin-embedded canine colonic mucosa. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the adhesion capacities of these two bacterial species to paraffin-embedded colonic mucosa from healthy dogs. Additionally, we investigated their hydrophobicity properties to determine whether differences in adhesion capability can be explained by this factor. The results of our study showed that B. vulgatus adhered significantly lower than F. varium to the canine colonic mucosa (p = 0.002); however, B. vulgatus showed higher hydrophobicity (46.1%) than F. varium (12.6%). In conclusion, both bacteria have potential as probiotics, but further studies will be required to determine the efficacy and safety of the strains to be used, which strains to use, and the reasons other than hydrophobicity for attachment.
Effects of Replacing Soybean Meal with Cottonseed Meal, Peanut Meal, Rapeseed Meal, or Distillers’ Dried Grains with Solubles on the Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Serum Parameters, and Rumen Fermentation in Growing Lambs
Authors: Yin Xuejiao , Chen Meijing , Yang Caihong , Duan Chunhui , Ji Shoukun , Yan Hui , Liu Yueqin , Zhang Yingjie
Published: July 2024

Considering the frequently large price fluctuations for soybean meal, an alternative is the increased use of locally produced high-protein ingredients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the total replacement of soybean meal with different sources of protein on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum parameters, rumen fermentation parameters, and bacterial communities in growing lambs. Sixty sheep with similar body weights (38.46 ± 0.71 kg) were distributed to one of five treatments: soybean meal (SBM); cottonseed meal (COM); peanut meal (PEM); rapeseed meal (RAM); and distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The experiment lasted 62 days with a 10-day adaptation period and a 52-day growing period. The results indicated that the body weight and average daily gain were not affected by different protein sources (p > 0.05), but the dry matter intake of the SBM group was lower than that of the other groups (p < 0.05); otherwise, the feed efficiency was higher (p < 0.05). The digestion of dry matter was higher in the SBM, COM, and RAM groups than in the DDGS and PEM groups (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, compared to the other groups, the SBM group had the highest digestion of gross energy and crude protein (p < 0.05). In addition, the concentration of glutathione peroxidase was highest in the SBM group (p < 0.05). Regarding the rumen fermentation, the SBM group had the highest concentration of NH3-N (p < 0.05). The rumen bacterial community was not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the total replacement of soybean meal with cottonseed, peanut, rapeseed, or DDGS reduced digestibility but did not impact the body weight or average daily gain of growing lambs and had no effect on the immune function and rumen bacterial community; thus, they can be used to substitute the soybean meal.
To Feel the Spatial: Graph Neural Network-Based Method for Leakage Risk Assessment in Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Wu Wenhong , Pan Xinyu , Kang Yunkai , Xu Yuexia , Han Liwei
Published: July 2024

As water distribution networks expand, evaluating pipeline network leakage risk has become increasingly crucial. Contrary to traditional evaluation methods, which are often hampered by subjective weight assignment, data scarcity, and high expenses, data-driven models provide advantages like autonomous weight learning, comprehensive coverage, and cost-efficiency. This study introduces a data-driven framework leveraging graph neural networks to assess leakage risk in water distribution networks. Employing geographic information system (GIS) data from a central Chinese city, encompassing pipeline network details and historical repair records, the model achieved superior performance compared to other data-driven approaches, evidenced by metrics such as precision, accuracy, recall, and the Matthews correlation coefficient. Further analysis of risk factors underscores the importance of factors like pipe age, material, prior failures, and length. This approach demonstrates robust predictive accuracy and offers significant reference value for leakage risk evaluation.
Simulation and Risk Assessment of Flood Disaster at the Entrance to a Rail Transit Station under Extreme Weather Conditions—A Case Study of Wanqingsha Station of Guangzhou Line 18
Authors: Jiang Yuchao , Gao Yan , Yuan Quan , Li Xiaohan , Sun Ketian , Sun Le
Published: July 2024

With the rapid development of urbanization and underground transportation, as well as the frequent occurrence of extreme weather conditions such as extreme rainfall, flooding disasters for rail transit are becoming severe, and need to be urgently clarified in terms of the mechanism causing them. In this study, a comprehensive model for water damage at the entrance to a rail transit station is proposed, emphasizing the entire process of extreme weather–surface ponding–underground intrusion. The model is validated by the inundation process of Line 5 of the Zhengzhou Metro during the “7.20” event and further applied to Wanqingsha Station of Guangzhou Metro Line 18 in China to determine the surrounding water depth, distribution, total water inflow volume, and water damage time under different rainfall intensities, rain patterns and protection scenarios. It was found that when rainfall reaches the level of a 1-in-2000-years event, the surface water begins to invade the internal rail transit system through the rail transit entrances. When facing extreme rainfall akin to the “7.20” event in Zhengzhou, the rail transit system in Wanqingsha Station meets a heightened risk of water damage, resulting in significantly deeper water levels compared to 1-in-5000-year rainfall event in Guangzhou and exceeds the height of the subway entrances. Analysis of the water intrusion process reveals that, as rainfall intensity escalates, the total inflow water volume into the rail transit system increases while escape time diminishes. Moreover, under identical rainfall intensity, pre-type rainfall yields the highest total water inflow, whereas mid-type rainfall exhibits the shortest escape time. Enhancing the protection conditions can markedly attenuate surface water intrusion into the subterranean rail transit system, thereby enhancing the evacuation time for individuals within the system.
Anaerobic Digestion of Dye Wastewater and Agricultural Waste with Bio-Energy and Biochar Recovery: A Techno-Economic and Sustainable Approach
Authors: Tumanyisibwe Albert , Nasr Mahmoud , Fujii Manabu , Ibrahim Mona G.
Published: July 2024

While several researchers have investigated the anaerobic digestion (AD) of textile wastewater for dye degradation, their studies suffer from lower biogas productivity due to substrate inhibition and the occurrence of secondary pollution from digestate disposal. Hence, this study focuses on using the extract of wheat straw (WS) as a co-substrate to facilitate the dye AD process, followed by recycling the digestate sludge for biochar production. In the first study, the batch digesters were operated at different dye wastewater (DW)/WS ratios (0–50% v/v), substrate-to-inoculum ratio of 0.28–0.50 g/g, pH 7.0 ± 0.2, and 37 °C. The digester operated at a DW/WS fraction of 65/35% (v/v) showed the best chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 68.52 ± 3.40% with bio-CH4 of 270.52 ± 19.14 mL/g CODremoved. About 52.96 ± 3.61% of the initial COD mass was converted to CH4, avoiding inhibition caused by volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation. In the second experiment, the dry digestate was thermally treated at 550 °C for 2 h under an oxygen-deprived condition, yielding 0.613 ± 0.031 g biochar/g. This biochar exhibited multiple functional groups, mineral contents, and high stability (O/C = 0.193). The combined digestion/pyrolysis scenario treating 35 m3/d (106.75 kg COD/d) could maintain profits from pollution reduction, biogas, biochar, and carbon trading, obtaining a 6.5-year payback period.