Search Results (3,299)

Faced with increasing climate challenges, this pioneering study introduces groundbreaking approaches to ensure the resilience of potato crops in east-central Poland. Our research was aimed at developing an innovative, cost-effective system tailored to the diverse local conditions of this region. Conducted between 2018 and 2020, the study analyzed integrated and organic production systems across different soil types and potato varieties. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications in two locations. Integrated production systems involve the strategic use of mineral fertilization and chemical protection to optimize crop growth and health, whereas organic production systems rely solely on natural inputs and biological pest control methods. Integrated practices, enhanced by mineral fertilization and chemical protection, notably delayed the onset of late blight by 16 days and extended the critical infection period by 17% compared to their organic counterparts. Remarkably, the integrated systems resulted in a 49% increase in total production and a 52% increase in commercial yields, demonstrating their effectiveness in enhancing crop resilience. Different potato varieties exhibit varied responses to cultivation systems, influencing both yield and disease resistance. Further investigation into these varietal responses can help optimize cultivation practices, leading to improved efficiency and sustainability in potato farming. Location and soil conditions have a significant impact on potato yield and the spread of potato blight. Specific soil properties such as pH levels, organic matter content, soil texture (clay, silt, and sand composition), moisture retention capacity, and nutrient availability are crucial in determining potato productivity and disease dynamics. Further research into these soil properties and the adaptation of varieties to local conditions can contribute to increased productivity and stability in potato production. This study not only paves the way toward sustainable agriculture but also highlights the crucial role of soil diversity in shaping resilient farming practices. Potato producers in the eastern-central region of Poland should implement integrated production systems using mineral fertilization and chemical plant protection, adapted to local soil conditions and potato varieties. These practices can delay the appearance of late blight and increase the total and marketable potato yield. Further research on soil properties and variety adaptation may increase production stability and efficiency. Promoting soil diversity and modern technologies will ensure resilient and sustainable agricultural production in the face of climate change. Full article

Sub-Saharan African farmers have long been portrayed with very negative representations, at least since the beginning of coordinated European colonialism in the late 19th century. In the Sahel-Sudan area, agrosystems have been described as overgrazed, forests as endangered, and soils as overexploited, with local and traditional “archaic” practices. Against this background, the objective of this article is to focus on these agrosystems’ resilience, for which several criteria have been monitored. The approach used in this research was to synthesize observations from a large amount of material gathered over multiple years by the authors, drawing on our long-term commitment to, and inter-disciplinary study of, the evolution of surface hydrology, ecosystems, and agrosystems of West Africa. The positive trends in rainfall and streamflows, reinforced by farmer’s practices, confirm the overall regreening and reforestation of the Sahel-Sudan strip, especially in areas with high population densities, including the mangrove areas. The intensification of agricultural systems and the recovery of the water-holding capacity of soils and catchments explain the recorded general increase in terms of food self-sufficiency in the Sahel, as well as in crops yields and food production. Finally, we compare the neo-Malthusian discourse to the actual resilience of these agrosystems. The article concludes with a recommendation calling for the empowerment of smallholder farmers to take greater advantage of the current wet period. Overall, the speed of change in knowledge and know-how transfer and implementation, and the farmers’ ability to adapt to ecological and economic crises, must be highlighted. Far from being resistant to change, West African agriculturalists innovate, experiment, borrow, transform, and choose according to their situation, projects, and social issues. Full article

This article presents a model built for deep digitalization in the construction industry and for making building information modeling achieve a greater level of transparency, verifiability and effectiveness for the benefit of all stakeholders. Thanks to blockchain and the self-sovereign identity paradigm, the model guarantees data integrity and transaction reliability, enabling the generation of more efficient and productive businesses. The model includes a decentralized application for notarization of the information flow in building information modeling processes; the application is implemented and tested on a local blockchain. The proposed model represents a so-called digital twin and is, hence, a huge system that manages all the information flow associated with a building throughout its life cycle, returning to individuals the control of their own data. In this model, all stakeholders operate based on so-called decentralized identifiers and DID documents, which store on-chain the fingerprints of the information flow in a common data environment. Full article

The viewpoint and reaction of a country towards climate change are shaped by its political, cultural, and scientific backgrounds, in addition to the distinct characteristics of its evolving climate and the anticipated and actual consequences of the phenomenon in the times ahead. A region’s climate has a significant impact on how water is managed and used, mostly in the primary sector, and both the distribution of ecosystem types and the amount and spreading of species on Earth. As a result, the environment and agricultural practices are affected by climate, so evaluating both distribution and evolution is extremely pertinent. Towards this aim, the climate distribution and evolution in the São Francisco River basin (SFRB) is assessed in three periods (1970–2000, 1981–2022) in the past and 2041–2060 in the future from an ensemble of GCMs under two SSPs (Shared Socioeconomic Pathways), SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. The Köppen-Geiger (KG) climate classification system is analyzed, and climate change impacts are inferred for this watershed located in central-eastern Brazil, covering an area equivalent to 8% of the country. Results predict the disappearance of the hot summer (Csa) and warm summer (Csb) Mediterranean climates, and a reduction/increase in the tropical savanna with dry winter (Aw)/dry summer (As). A striking increase in the semi-arid hot (BSh-steppe) climate is predicted with a higher percentage (10%) under SSP5-8.5. The source and the mouth of SFRB are projected to endure the major impacts of climate change that are followed by a predicted increase/decrease in temperature/precipitation. Future freshwater resource availability and quality for human use will all be impacted. Consequences on ecosystems, agricultural, and socioeconomic sectors within the SFRB might deepen the current contrasts between regions, urban and rural areas, and even between population groups, thus translating, to a greater extent, the inequality that still characterizes Brazilian society. Maps depicting land use and cover changes in SFRB from 1985 to 2022 highlight tendencies such as urbanization, agricultural expansion, deforestation, and changes in shrubland and water bodies. Urban areas fluctuated slightly, while cropland significantly increased from 33.57% to 45.45% and forest areas decreased from 3.88% to 3.50%. Socioeconomic data reveals disparities among municipalities: 74.46% with medium Human Development Index (HDI), 0.59% with very high HDI, and 9.11% with low HDI. Most municipalities have a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita below US$6000. Population distribution maps show a predominance of small to medium-sized urban and rural communities, reflecting the basin’s dispersed demographic and economic profile. To achieve sustainable adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts in SFRB, it is imperative that integrated measures be conducted with the cooperation of stakeholders, the local population, and decision-makers. Full article

UWB has been in existence for several years, but it was only a few years ago that it transitioned from a specialized niche to more mainstream applications. Recent market data indicate a rapid increase in the popularity of UWB in consumer products, such as smartphones and smart home devices, as well as automotive and industrial real-time location systems. The challenge of achieving accurate positioning in indoor environments arises from various factors such as distance, location, beacon density, dynamic surroundings, and the density and type of obstacles. This research used MFi-certified UWB beacon chipsets and integrated them with a mobile application dedicated to iOS by implementing the near interaction accessory protocol. The analysis covers both static and dynamic cases. Thanks to the acquisition of measurements, two main candidates for indoor localization infrastructure were analyzed and compared in terms of accuracy, namely UWB and LIDAR, with the latter used as a reference system. The problem of achieving accurate positioning in various applications and environments was analyzed, and future solutions were proposed. The results show that the achieved accuracy is sufficient for tracking individuals and may serve as guidelines for achievable accuracy or may provide a basis for further research into a complex sensor fusion-based navigation system. This research provides several findings. Firstly, in dynamic conditions, LIDAR measurements showed higher accuracy than UWB beacons. Secondly, integrating data from multiple sensors could enhance localization accuracy in non-line-of-sight scenarios. Lastly, advancements in UWB technology may expand the availability of competitive hardware, facilitating a thorough evaluation of its accuracy and effectiveness in practical systems. These insights may be particularly useful in designing navigation systems for blind individuals in buildings. Full article

Spain is the leading citrus producer in the European Union, with the Segura River Basin in southeastern Spain playing a crucial role in this industry. However, the impact of local agricultural production on water appropriation has been overlooked. This study assesses the water footprint (WF) of both conventional and organic citrus production using the Water Footprint Network approach, addressing beneficial practices aiming to reduce the water appropriation impact. Focusing on four citrus fields, the evaluation covers green, blue, and grey components of the WF, and secondary impacts from electricity and fossil fuel consumption, which are usually omitted from the WF assessments. The results indicate that the total WF for organic orange and lemon production is over 19% lower than for the conventional system. Notable differences are observed in the blue component, attributed to the use of vegetative mulches, and in the grey component due to the reduced impact of fertilizers in organic practices. The individual and total WF values are lower than those reported in other citrus studies, and are linked to efficient resource management in semi-arid regions that helps overcome water scarcity. Nevertheless, the sustainability analysis reveals major challenges for the citrus sector in the basin, highlighting the strain on resources given the limited water availability. The available water remaining (AWARE) indicator demonstrates extremely high potential water deprivation in the area. Overall, the study underscores the necessity of integrating WF analyses in agricultural planning to manage resource scarcity effectively. Future research should focus on developing precise methodologies and incorporating unconventional farming practices to enhance sustainability. This research provides valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to optimize water use in agriculture under scarce resource conditions. Full article

The development of surfaces in cities, as a result of progressive urbanization, not only reduces the natural retention capacity of the environment but also causes changes in the water balance. In urbanized areas, the amount and intensity of rainwater discharged to receivers increase, and the time of water outflow from the catchment area shortens. Low retention does not provide effective responses to the local water deficit and does not limit the effects of excess water during flood periods. Furthermore, aging drainage systems do not always have the required hydraulic efficiency in absorbing runoff after intense and heavy rainfall or snowmelt. The aim of the work was to determine the possibility of obtaining flat aggregates with a grain size of 2–16 mm from clay-silt fractions from sedimentation tanks using selected mechanical processing methods (crushing and screening in a crusher-screener system with recycling). An important issue was the examination of the physical and mechanical properties of the produced aggregates after firing, where the work required a detailed material analysis using various research techniques, such as XRD, XRF, SEM and digital microscopy. The obtained results will allow for further research on developing the concept of technology for the production of lightweight aggregates used, for example, on building roofs. Particular attention was paid to the flat shape of the aggregate, which affects a number of its properties. To obtain a flat-shaped aggregate, the authors used a patented sieving method. The obtained materials had high cavernosity of 69% on average, water absorption of 40.7% and low bulk density of 0.82 g/cm³. Full article

Upwelling, which mixes deep and surface waters, significantly enhances the productivity of surface waters and plays a critical role in marine ecosystems, especially in key fishing areas like Zhoushan. This study utilized merged sea surface temperature data and an upwelling edge detection algorithm based on temperature gradients to analyze the characteristics of upwelling in Zhoushan and the Yangtze River Estuary over the past 28 years. The results indicate that upwelling in Zhoushan begins in April, peaks in July, gradually weakens, and disappears by October. The phenomenon is most pronounced during the summer months (June to August), with significant spatial distribution differences in April and September. Notably, high probability values of upwelling centers and core areas are mainly concentrated near Ma’an Island, Zhongjieshan Island, and Taohua Island. In these areas, upwelling remains stable during the summer, forming a unique “footprint” distribution pattern, and these are also the locations of the Zhoushan National Marine Ranch. From April to August, the extent of the upwelling area gradually decreases and stabilizes. These findings emphasize the frequent upwelling activity around Zhoushan and its significant contribution to the formation of local fisheries. Additionally, considering that the formation of natural upwelling in the East China Sea depends on the southern monsoon, the study suggests establishing artificial upwelling systems during periods unfavorable for natural upwelling, based on high probability areas, to enhance fishery yields and support the development of local fisheries. Full article

Preserving local autochthonous domestic animal populations and the products derived from them is a crucial aspect of managing human utilization of the biosphere. This management approach aims to ensure sustainable benefits for both present and future generations. The diversity of autochthonous domestic animal populations plays a vital role in the functionality and sustainability of the food production system. It encompasses both productive and non-productive aspects, contributing significantly to the overall health, nutrition, and food security of the landscape by providing a wide range of animal-derived food resources. Based on the data contained in the Draft Program of Rural Development, a significant presence of more than 44 autochthonous and local breeds of domestic animals has been noted in Serbia. In order to enable the sustainable preservation of local domestic animals, the competent Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Serbia has, through a number of projects, implemented models for the preservation of local breeds on farms (in situ), as well as provided technical assistance to small farms that keep animal collections. It also helps the local population to procure animals, conducts product quality research, and provides opportunities to integrate conservation programs through tourism. Given that molecular characterization is a key factor for the preservation of autochthonous breeds, in the Republic of Serbia, DNA markers are used for identification and to investigate the belonging to a specific breeds or strain. All the mentioned activities led to an immediate increase in the number of animals, which is especially true for the autochthonous breeds of cattle (Busha), sheep (Sjenicka, Svrljiska, and Vlach-vitohorn) and pigs (Mangalitsa, Moravka, and Resavka) that are discussed in this paper. In addition to the significant measures undertaken to preserve animal genetic resources (AnGR), it is necessary to continue to work primarily on ex situ conservation in order to prevent the loss of their gene pools. However, regardless of the evident effort that has been made to preserve autochthonous genetic resources in Serbia, we believe that there is still a lot of room for further improvement. This primarily refers to advanced technologies that have not been applied so far, mostly related to the identification of genomic regions associated with economic traits, resistance to diseases, and adaptability to emerging climate changes. In this way, the production capacity and functional characteristics of autochthonous species and breeds of domestic animals in Serbia will be improved. Full article

Oxidative neurodegeneration causes various neuronal diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. This study aimed to demonstrate the protective effect of Allium senescens leaf extracts on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-stressed SH-SY5Y cells, which are known to be optimal for neurotoxic research. The levels of apoptotic markers were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and flow cytometry. The localization of apoptotic cells in vivo was analyzed using whole-mount immunochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Additionally, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated using flow cytometry. 6-OHDA induced ROS production in neuroblasts and in vivo, but treatment with the extract protected against the 6-OHDA-induced increase in ROS levels. Under oxidative stress, the extract performs three protective functions: decreasing ROS production, preventing mitochondrial apoptosis, and protecting the central and ventral nervous systems. These results also suggest that the extract can be useful in the development of functional foods for the prevention of neural damage caused by oxidative stress. Full article

We used inter-delta typing (IDT) and MALDI-TOF profiling to characterize the genetic and phenotypic diversity of 45 commercially available winemaking Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and 60 isolates from an organic winemaker from Waipara, New Zealand, as a stratified approach for predicting the commercial potential of indigenous isolates. A total of 35 IDTs were identified from the commercial strains, with another 17 novel types defined among the Waipara isolates. IDT 3 was a common type among strains associated with champagne production, and the only type in commercial strains also observed in indigenous isolates. MALDI-TOF MS also demonstrated its potential in S. cerevisiae typing, particularly when the high-mass region (m/z 2000–20,000) was used, with most indigenous strains from each of two fermentation systems distinguished. Furthermore, the comparison between commercial strains and indigenous isolates assigned to IDT 3 revealed a correlation between the low-mass data (m/z 500–4000) analysis and the recommended use of commercial winemaking strains. Both IDT and MALDI-TOF analyses offer useful insights into the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of S. cerevisiae, with MALDI-TOF offering potential advantages for the prediction of applications for novel, locally isolated strains that may be valuable for product development and diversification. Full article

The traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor are the products of migrations, social interactions, and transportation, as well as production interchanges between the central plains and the frontiers of China in ancient times. They have made significant contributions to local multicultural inheritance and regional social development. However, with the increasing pressure of heritage conservation and sustainable development, there is growing attention on how traditional villages can tap into their cultural continuity and distinctiveness. This study introduces the concept of cultural routes, with the aim of integrating traditional villages of different ethnicities, regions, and characteristics from the perspective of diversity. It analyzes their spatial differentiation characteristics and the factors influencing them, providing basic support for the overall protection of traditional villages with special characteristics. Following this idea, 338 remaining traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor were selected as the research objects. With the help of 91-satellite maps and a geographic information system (GIS), a cultural and geographic database of the traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor was constructed to objectively explore the roles of the traditional villages’ natural geography, historical, and humanistic elements in the spatial categorization on a large scale. This study shows that the spatial distribution of the traditional villages in the Miao Frontier Corridor is uneven, exhibiting a cluster structure with of a “single primary nucleus with multiple secondary nuclei”. The spatial differentiation of traditional villages exhibits a similar clustering pattern based on individual natural geographic factors, such as elevation, mountain undulation, slope, and water systems. Additionally, there is discernible regularity concerning historical and humanistic factors, such as ethnicity type, age of village establishment, and the presence of guard stations. Further exploring the micro-spatial level, the natural geographical environment serves as the structural foundation of traditional village space, while the historical and humanistic environment fosters multiple differentiations in traditional village space in terms of influencing factors. Together, these factors jointly influence the spatial differentiation of traditional villages. This study enriches the dynamic aspects of linear cultural heritage preservation and also provides new insights into the specialized development within the overall protection of traditional villages. Full article

Irrigation is an essential component of our food production system and a large user of freshwater. Pressure on irrigated agriculture is likely to increase with growing populations and climate uncertainty. Efforts to ensure sustainable water use in this sector have had mixed results. Some of these efforts have been used in the interest of political or financial gain. The situation is complicated by the vulnerability of irrigating farmers, locally within irrigation schemes and in the global agricultural supply chain. An opportunity exists in the form of increasing the accessibility of open-source remote sensing products and wireless sensor networks. Irrigating farmers can define and assess their irrigation performance at different spatial and temporal scales. A review of irrigation performance assessment approaches and the available products and sensors is presented. Potential implementations for sensing and monitoring, as well as irrigation performance, are presented. The possibilities at different time scales and the influence on performance of different groups within the irrigation scheme are discussed. The particular circumstances of specific irrigation schemes need to be assessed with a cost–benefit analysis. The implementation of irrigation performance analysis tools should be led by irrigating farmers, as it directly impacts this group. Full article

Regional innovation systems (RISs) can stimulate knowledge sharing and collaboration, attracting investments and promoting economic and social progress. This is often linked to what is known as frugal innovation, involving small businesses developing and selling sustainable, low-cost products that meet local needs. This study aims to present and apply a model to measure regional innovation potential, using a multicriteria approach based on the principles of frugal innovation (FI). The analytical hierarchical process (AHP) was used to generate factor weights, enabling score calculation to provide insights into FI potential on a literature-based five-point scale. Data were collected in two stages: (i) from twelve main participants—working in a rural RIS—who responded to a questionnaire, and (ii) from cities through official government channels to collect information about their innovation development initiatives. The results reveal that the RIS analyzed still lacks assistance in the development of public policies to support the development of an innovative culture, indicating the need for appropriate mechanisms to boost innovation actions. The outputs of this study can help cities and regions to analyze their innovation potential, assist public managers in decision-making, support the creation of innovation-stimulating mechanisms, help RISs to address deficiencies, and promote local development. Full article

Sustainable Emergency Material Reserve Systems (SEMRSs) are complex frameworks comprising three types of reserves, namely, physical, capacity, and agreement reserves, and involve various stakeholders such as local governments and enterprises. However, multiple stockpiling methods have not been considered in investigations on the influencing factors and inter-factor relationships within an emergency material stockpiling system. In this study, we achieved consensus through a questionnaire, established an evaluation system encompassing various reserve methods and participating entities, and delineated the key factors affecting SEMRSs while analyzing their causal relationships using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory–based analytic network process. Results reveal that (1) local governments and participating enterprises play crucial roles in ensuring the sustainable supply of emergency provisions; (2) the capacity to guarantee emergency funds serves as a pivotal link among all key influencing factors, emergency funds should be augmented, and the utilization of contingency funds should be rationalized; and (3) the integration of physical, production capacity, and agreed stockpiling methods in the emergency reserve system requires enhancement, and the incorporation of capital reserves should be considered as part of the stockpiling strategy. These insights hold significant implications for refining emergency stockpiling practices and fostering the development of SEMRSs. Full article