Search Results (10,757)

The global shift to remote instruction has accelerated the adoption of frameworks like Agile-blended learning (ABL), yet the operational challenges of these technology-intensive models remain largely unexplored. This study addresses this “operational foresight gap” by examining the often-overlooked perspective of university IT support staff. Since ABL is a nascent framework lacking a large population of IT professionals to survey, we employed an exploratory artificial intelligence (AI) role-play methodology to generate simulated heuristics anticipating IT staff’s professional responses to five common ABL implementation scenarios. Data were generated using four distinct large language models: GPT-4.1, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Sonnet 4, and DeepSeek R1. We analyzed the results through a structured thematic analysis. The simulations identified potential operational crises, including ecosystem fragmentation, unsustainable support workloads, and systemic instability caused by unvetted tools. Cross-model analysis revealed that while Western models focused on ecosystem integration, the non-Western model (DeepSeek R1) uniquely highlighted regional access barriers and low-cost open-source solutions. To mitigate these risks, the AI persona proposed unifying the technology ecosystem and adopting phased implementation strategies. However, successful execution requires specific resources, most notably increased specialized staffing, dedicated infrastructure funding, and the inclusion of IT leadership in strategic academic planning. The findings suggest that pedagogical innovation cannot succeed without a corresponding evolution in operational support. These AI-generated hypotheses indicate that universities need to help IT departments transition from reactive service providers to proactive strategic partners to ensure the sustainable implementation of flexible learning models. Full article

As a key driver of the rural revitalization strategy, the uneven development of rural tourism urgently requires resolution. To break through the limitations of traditional rural tourism research that focuses on a single economic dimension, this study innovatively constructs a comprehensive analytical framework integrating multi-dimensional evaluation, coupling measurement, and factor identification to examine the interaction between rural tourism development and ecosystem recovery capacity. Taking the Yangtze River Delta region of China as an empirical case, this paper analyzes the spatial coupling relationship and its associated factors between rural tourism development capacity and ecosystem recovery capacity. The results reveal that: (1) At the socio-economic level, the development of rural tourism in the Yangtze River Delta presents a spatial differentiation, with the southeastern region performing significantly better than the northwestern region, and 60.46% of the areas reaching a moderate level or above; (2) At the ecosystem level, high-value areas of ecosystem recovery capacity (50.28%) are mainly concentrated in the southern part; (3) The overall regional coordination level is relatively low, with 13 regions in the coordination stage (accounting for 35.3% of the total spatial area); (4) Technology and financial investment are the dominant factors associated with the coupling coordination degree, indicating a spatial pattern characterized by “innovation-driven” rather than “resource dependence”. Relying solely on natural background conditions is insufficient to build core advantages; we hypothesize that external interventions such as “capital injection” and “technological support” may serve as potential pathways to improve coordination and facilitate ecological value realization. The findings not only provide a new paradigm for evaluating the development quality of rural tourism, but also establish a complete research chain of “diagnosis-classification-optimization,” providing a scientific basis for formulating regionally differentiated development strategies. This study holds significant theoretical value and practical guiding significance for promoting the sustainable development of rural tourism. Full article

Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of olive oil, with Andalusia being the autonomous community with the largest cultivated area. In recent decades, agricultural practices have followed a trend toward maximizing production without adequately considering ecosystem contamination. Olive groves are, in fact, complex agroecosystems in which thousands of plant species and numerous plant communities have been documented, supporting a rich diversity of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. Intensive and unsustainable practices have led to a decline in floral diversity and, consequently, in faunal diversity. The aim of this research is to demonstrate the loss of floristic diversity associated with herbicide use. To this end, a comparative analysis of floristic diversity was conducted across 117 plots, contrasting data collected in 2007 with that from the same plots in 2021. From a methodological perspective, an inquiry-based approach was implemented involving students from the Master’s program in Olive Growing, Olive Oil, and Health. Abundance–dominance indices were compared, and the Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated to assess changes in plant community composition. For instance, Hordeum leporinum exhibited an IVI > 70 in 2007, decreasing in 2021 to values ranging between 11 and 31.58. Similarly, Sinapis alba subsp. mairei showed a decline in IVI from 81.06 to 26.35. A notable result is the greater floristic change observed in plots located on basic substrates where herbicides were applied, compared to plots on siliceous substrates designated for grazing. This issue clearly highlights a lack of knowledge regarding appropriate cultivation techniques that promote sustainable development and social awareness. It underscores the need for educational interventions that foster learning at all levels about agricultural practices, sustainability, and ecosystem services. Full article

Hyper-arid marine ecosystems, characterized by extreme environmental conditions, are experiencing intensified stress from the synergistic effects of climate change and pollution. This review synthesizes current knowledge on these interactions in Qatar’s coastal waters, serving as a model system for the Arabian Gulf. We document significant accumulations of heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, microplastics, and emerging contaminants near urban and industrial zones. The region’s rapid warming, hypersalinity, and restricted circulation amplify pollutant toxicity through mechanisms such as increased bioavailability, oxidative stress, and impaired physiological responses. These synergies elevate mortality in sensitive species by 50–100% compared to single stressors, push organisms beyond their physiological limits, and trigger biodiversity loss. As an example, given a baseline of around USD 148 million, a 30% decrease in exploitable fish biomass might result in an annual loss of approximately USD 45 million in the value of Qatar’s fisheries and aquaculture industry. Despite growing evidence, critical gaps persist in understanding mixture toxicity under Gulf-specific extremes, endocrine and neurobehavioral endpoints, and quantitative ecosystem service valuations. We conclude by highlighting emerging solutions, including IoT-based monitoring, AI-driven forecasting, and nature-based remediation, as pathways to enhance resilience under accelerating environmental change. These findings have important implications for marine ecosystem sustainability, food security, and sustainable coastal management in Qatar and other hyper-arid regions. This synthesis establishes Qatar’s coastal ecosystem as a global model for understanding climate–pollution feedback in hyper-arid seas. Full article

The persistence and hazardous potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), with compounds such as anthracene and phenanthrene, raise significant concerns about human health and environmental safety. PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants originating from natural processes and anthropogenic activities, notably fossil fuel combustion. Due to their stability, they tend to accumulate in ecosystems, posing risks to wildlife and human health through bioaccumulation and potential carcinogenicity. Conventional remediation techniques, such as physical adsorption and biological treatment, often fall short in their efficiency and long-term sustainability. Thus, there is an urgent need for innovative methods that can effectively degrade these persistent organic pollutants. Here, we reviewed recent advancements in the photocatalytic degradation of anthracene and phenanthrene, with a focus on metal oxide-based nanocomposites. The major points were: (1) Metal oxides such as TiO₂, ZnO, and CuO, recognized for their photocatalytic properties (they show significantly enhanced efficiency when utilized as a part of nanocomposites, primarily due to the improved charge separation, increased surface area, and numerous active sites); (2) The review of the photocatalytic mechanisms involved in PAH degradation, particularly through the generation of reactive oxygen species that can break down anthracene and phenanthrene into less harmful compounds; and (3) The insights into the formed intermediates and reaction pathways, which can help to deepen the understanding of PAH breakdown and support the design of more efficient catalytic systems for future environmental remediation applications. Full article

Groundwater is a critical lifeline for ecosystems and human settlements in arid and semi-arid regions, yet it is increasingly vulnerable to the dual pressures of extreme climatic conditions and intensifying anthropogenic activities. This study investigated 24 groundwater and 4 river water samples to discuss the hydrogeochemical evolution and water quality suitability in the Tianjun Basin, a typical high-altitude arid basin on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. The results indicate that groundwater is mildly alkaline (pH: 7.65–8.35) and predominantly fresh (TDS: 233.77–1061.42 mg/L). Hydrochemical facies evolve from HCO₃-Ca type in upstream areas to Mixed HCO₃-Na·Ca and Cl-Na types. Hydrochemical analysis suggests that silicate weathering and carbonate dissolution are the dominant natural processes, while cation exchange further modifies the ionic composition. Notably, anthropogenic nitrogen (NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺) contamination, primarily from domestic sewage in the Tianjun Basin, has significantly impacted groundwater quality. Health risk assessment shows that infants are the most vulnerable group, with 16.67% of samples posing a non-carcinogenic risk via the oral pathway. Regarding irrigation suitability, while sodium hazards are generally low, a significant salinity hazard is identified due to elevated electrical conductivity in the arid environment. This poses a substantial risk of secondary soil salinization, necessitating strict salt management strategies to preserve long-term land productivity. These findings provide critical insights for the sustainable management of fragile groundwater resources in extreme arid environments. Full article

This study analyzes transformative collaborative learning as a management innovation in a community-based service ecosystem in Phrom Kiri, Thailand. Leveraging Transformative Learning Theory and Service-Dominant Logic, the study employs qualitative participatory methods (i.e., multi-stakeholder workshops, focus groups, and field observations) to document the dynamic processes through which learning, interactions, and institutional changes evolve. These findings demonstrate how collectively informed strategies for sustainability challenges engendered collective learning processes that led to an alteration of actors’ assumptions, mobilization of shared understanding, and facilitated new governance practices driven by multi-dimensional value drives in response to accumulating disconnects. These reflect the rise of participatory governance mechanisms, the intermediation between actors to create synergies, and the anchoring of institutional frameworks into local contexts to allow for value generation both in economic terms and social ones. Our case study shows that transformative learning can be more than just a cognitive change, also enabling community-level management innovations. It finds that sustainable development of local service ecosystems relies on the formation, institutionalization, and promotion of collaborative practices that facilitate the alignment of stakeholders’ interests and competencies. By conceptualizing transformative collaborative learning as a key mechanism to understand how management innovation and value co-creation unfold in community-based development, this research advances sustainability and management literature. Full article

Nowadays, Global Value Chains (GVCs) play a vital role in job creation, income generation, knowledge diffusion, and productivity growth. However, significant disparities exist across countries in terms of their integration into GVCs, and Tunisia is no exception to this pattern. In this regard, the question about factors that influence GVCs’ participation is yet to be discussed, to formulate and implement appropriate strategies and reforms. Thus, using firm-level data from the 2025 World Bank Enterprise Survey, this paper examines the role of female leadership and innovation in determining Tunisian firms’ participation in GVCs. Participation in GVCs is captured by a dummy variable indicating the firm’s export and import status. Estimation results from the logit model show that female representation in decision-making positions significantly increases the likelihood of firms’ participation in GVCs. The results also highlight the importance of process innovation in GVC participation, while product innovation appears to have no significant effect. Notably, when firms combine both types of innovation, their likelihood of joining GVCs increases further. Regarding control variables, firm size appears to be an important determinant, as larger firms display a greater tendency to participate in GVCs. The findings further indicate that firm certification and foreign equity participation significantly promote integration into GVCs, while corruption constitutes a major constraint on the integration of Tunisian firms. From a policy perspective, these findings highlight the need to rethink industrial policies, with a stronger focus on process innovation as a key lever of productive sector modernization. Achieving this transformation also requires the development of an inclusive policy ecosystem that supports meaningful and sustainable progress in female’s leadership representation. Full article

Under the combined impacts of climate change and intensified human activities, harmful algal blooms (HABs) have occurred with increasing frequency in China’s coastal waters, posing growing risks to marine ecosystems and regional sustainability. Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), a key indicator of phytoplankton biomass, plays a crucial role in HAB monitoring and early warning. This study integrates satellite remote sensing data from 2000 to 2004, 2011 to 2013, and 2023 to 2024 with in situ measurements and environmental variables (e.g., dissolved oxygen) to investigate Chl-a dynamics in the East China Sea. The results indicate pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity across the region. Spectral features were represented using band-ratio methods and the BRG model, followed by variable selection based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) to determine the optimal band combinations for model training. Six mainstream machine learning models were evaluated, and the Backpropagation Neural Network (BP) was selected as the baseline model due to its superior performance. To further improve model robustness and global optimization capability, the Artificial Lemming Algorithm (ALA) was employed to optimize the BP network, resulting in the ALA-BP inversion model. The optimized model achieved correlation coefficients of 0.933 on the test set and 0.940 on the independent validation set, outperforming the other models. The proposed model was further applied to the 2024 algal bloom event in the East China Sea, successfully capturing the spatiotemporal variations of Chl-a. This study provides an effective retrieval framework for Chl-a in optically complex coastal waters and demonstrates its applicability in HAB monitoring. Full article

Aureobasidium pullulans is a polyextremotolerant yeast-like fungus increasingly recognized for its role in food ecosystems and its emerging potential in flavour development and nutrient modulation. However, systematic evaluations of autochthonous grape-associated populations integrating technological performance and safety-related traits remain limited. This study provides a broad phenotypic screening of 70 isolates from Maraština grapes (Dalmatia, Croatia), applying an integrated functional screening approach to link enzymatic potential, environmental resilience, and food safety. Most isolates displayed multiple hydrolytic enzymes, with widespread cellulase, pectinase, xylanase, esterase, and protease activities. Several isolates showed very high enzymatic indices, supporting their potential for plant-derived substrate transformation, aroma release, and food processing applications. β-glucosidase and urease activities were common, while amylase was limited. Ecological screening confirmed robust adaptability to salinity, osmotic stress, and wide pH ranges. Notably, 31% of isolates demonstrated phosphate solubilization capacity, indicating a possible contribution to mineral bioavailability and nutritional enhancement. Safety screening revealed decarboxylation of selected amino acids, while two isolates lacked detectable activity, highlighting them as candidates for further safety evaluation. Overall, this work establishes a framework for selecting A. pullulans isolates for next-generation, flavour-oriented and nutritionally enhanced food applications, supporting sustainable bioprocessing and future industrial validation. Full article

Quercus variabilis is one of the primary species for plantation regeneration across China’s warm-temperate and subtropical zones. However, its long-term monoculture leads to ecosystem instability. Soil fungi are essential for nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning, yet their responses to oak-dominated mixed plantations remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the soil fungal communities among Q. variabilis monoculture (QV), mixed plantations of Q. variabilis and Platycladus orientalis (PO), Q. variabilis and Pinus tabuliformis (PT), and Q. variabilis, P. orientalis and P. tabuliformis (PPQ). The results showed that PO and PPQ plantations contained significantly higher concentrations of SOC, TN, and TP compared to QV monoculture. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified as the dominant fungal phyla across four plantation types, with PO exhibiting the highest relative abundance of Ascomycota (60.85%) and fungal alpha diversity. The soil fungal communities across all plantations were predominantly saprotrophic, followed by mixotrophic modes. The relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi was significantly greater in the mixed plantations, peaking in PO at 44.69%. The soil fungal communities in both PO and PPQ plantations exhibited higher network interaction density. The SOC, TN, TP, water content, zinc, and β-glucosidase activity served as key environmental drivers of fungal community composition. Overall, the mixed plantation of Q. variabilis and P. orientalis most effectively improved soil fertility, enhanced fungal diversity, and increased network complexity, suggesting its potential as a sustainable afforestation strategy for oak-dominated ecosystems in the low hilly regions of western Henan. However, these findings are based on a single sampling period, and long-term monitoring is required to confirm its sustained ecological benefits. Full article

Riverine systems in tropical deltaic environments are increasingly exposed to hydrological variability driven by climate change, sea level rise, and extreme precipitation. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, recurrent flooding and environmental degradation are intensifying pressures on freshwater ecosystems and dependent communities. This study examines hydrological stressors in riverine settlements of Bayelsa State and explores associated socio-ecological responses. Using an exploratory qualitative design, data were collected from 51 women residing in highly vulnerable riverine communities through 24 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions. Thematic analysis identified prolonged flooding, riverbank erosion, salinity intrusion, water quality deterioration, and oil pollution, as key drivers of declining fisheries, reduced agricultural productivity, and household water insecurity. These stressors have prompted relocation, livelihood diversification, and reliance on indigenous adaptation practices. The study recommends: (1) installation of community-based flood early warning systems; (2) routine monitoring of surface water quality and salinity; (3) enforcement of oil spill remediation and pollution control measures; (4) rehabilitation of wetlands and natural drainage channels; and (5) targeted support for climate-resilient livelihoods such as aquaculture and elevated farming systems. These measures are critical for sustaining freshwater ecosystems and strengthening resilience in vulnerable deltaic communities. Full article

Autotrophic carbon-fixing microbes can assimilate atmospheric carbon dioxide into biomass via the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle (their primary carbon fixation pathway), thereby reinforcing soil carbon sequestration in the plantation ecosystem; however, the succession of RubisCO-harboring microbial communities across stand ages remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the community succession of microbes carrying the gene encoding RubisCO, a key enzyme in the CBB cycle, across a stand-age chronosequence in a Picea asperata plantation ecosystem. Our results revealed a progressive decrease in microbial α-diversity and a significant restructuring of community composition with increasing stand age, characterized by an enrichment of Proteobacteria and a concomitant depletion of Actinobacteria. While the Shannon–Wiener index was most strongly correlated with soil total nitrogen content, redundancy analysis identified soil pH as the predominant environmental driver of community turnover, a relationship that was found to be threshold-dependent, with substantial community shifts occurring in response to pH variations of 0.5 to 1.0 units. These findings suggest that sustaining the diversity of RubisCO-harboring microbes in older stands—a process potentially enhanced by soil nitrogen management—provides a viable strategy for augmenting the carbon sequestration capacity of managed forests through targeted microbiome regulation. Full article

The spongy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is one of the most destructive defoliators, primarily of oak forest ecosystems, causing severe ecological and economic damages. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the mating disruption method against L. dispar populations in an oak-dominated forest in Greece. Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years (2022–2024) in two forest areas: a treated area, where a flowable pheromone gel was applied, and an untreated control area. The L. dispar male flight activity was monitored using pheromone-baited traps. Egg cluster counts were assessed during winter to evaluate reproductive success. The obtained results revealed a significant reduction in male trap captures in the treated area, following the mating disruption application in 2023 and 2024, compared to the control area. Additionally, the egg cluster counts decreased significantly in the mating disruption area, reaching reductions of 94.8% and 99.2% during the winters of 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, respectively, compared to the winter of 2022–2023 (before the mating disruption application). These results demonstrate that mating disruption, an environmentally friendly strategy for sustainable forest pest management, can effectively reduce L. dispar populations under Mediterranean environmental conditions. Full article

Contemporary political crises have exposed the limitations of traditional political marketing instruments for building and sustaining legitimacy, particularly in contexts of widespread citizen rejection and low emotional identification with political leaders. Within platform-mediated communication environments—especially digitally mediated ecosystems such as TikTok—this article argues that a new mechanism has emerged: affective transfer as a form of mediated affective circulation. This mechanism operates when positive affect is not generated by political leaders themselves but by external, non-institutional mediators, and subsequently circulated and reinforced through platform logics of visibility, virality, and engagement. Adopting a qualitative and interpretive case study approach, the article examines how the circulation of a non-institutional humorous performance on TikTok may have contributed to processes of public acceptance for a sitting president in a context of acute institutional crisis. The findings suggest that the repeated circulation of such content stabilises recognizable affective codes and enables their symbolic association with presidential leadership, potentially facilitating indirect forms of legitimation without direct affective production by the leader. The article contributes by (1) conceptualizing affective transfer as a distinct interpretive mechanism within platformed communication environments; (2) differentiating it from charisma, populism, and traditional persuasion; and (3) demonstrating its implications for rethinking political legitimacy as a process that may be shaped by distributed affect within digitally mediated environments. Full article