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Ecological farming is increasing worldwide, as more and more consumers prefer chemical-free fruits. As a result, ecological farming is becoming increasingly appealing to European farmers, including those in Romania. However, implementing an effective ecological phytosanitary program remains a challenge for farmers due to limited options and a lack of information about their effectiveness. Romania is a major producer of plums and ranks second in the world after China. Aphids are common pests of plum, and some species are vectors of the damaging Plum pox virus, and therefore require special attention regarding their control. Eight ecological products were tested both in the field and laboratory for a duration of three vegetative periods to determine their efficiency in aphid control. The effects of ecological products were compared with five chemical insecticides known to be effective against aphids. Observations were made 24 and 48 h after spraying. Two of the eight ecological products tested were proven to be efficient in aphid control, Ovipron Top and Prev-Am, with a mortality rate over 90%. The results indicate that these two ecological products are comparable in effectiveness to chemical insecticides and could be suitable candidates for both ecological and conventional treatment programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumer's interest in his/her health and the quality of his/her food has increased as well as in environmental issues such as animal welfare. Consumers believe that organic and similar (traditional) production systems are more advantageous for consumers (providing healthier food) and animals (providing better welfare). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of different rearing systems (organic, conventional and traditional) on the physicochemical properties and oxidation states of pork meat. The meat samples were obtained from three different rearing systems of pigs: organic, conventional and traditional. The samples (M. biceps femoris) were obtained from producers directly 3 days after slaughtering for analysis. The following physical and chemical parameters were analyzed: color (according to the CIE L * a * b * system), pH, dry matter, protein, collagen, fat and ash. The oxidation state of the meat samples was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), free fatty acid (FFA) and antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The results indicated that the rearing system affects most of the evaluated parameters. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in color parameters L* and b*, where the conventional pork samples were darker and the organic pork yellower. Total protein content in meat of pigs raised in a conventional system was higher (22.23%) than for organic (20.36%) and traditional (21.21%). The fat content in the meat of organically reared pigs was higher (2.81%) than in pork from conventional and traditional systems (1.43% and 0.37%, respectively). Organic pork was more susceptible to oxidation processes due to its higher TBARS (1.24 mg/kg) and FFA (1.15% fat as oleic acid) values and lower antioxidant capacity (26.42% inhibition), which may result in inferior technological properties of meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization and climate change pose significant challenges to urban ecosystems, underscoring the necessity for innovative strategies to enhance urban green infrastructure. Tree planting, a crucial aspect of green infrastructure, has been analyzed for optimized positioning using data metrics, priority scoring, and GIS. However, due to the dynamic nature of environmental information, the accuracy of current approaches is compromised. This study aims to present a novel approach integrating deep learning and cellular automata to prioritize urban tree planting locations to anticipate the optimal urban tree network. Initially, GIS data were collated and visualized to identify a suitable study site within London. CycleGAN models were trained using cellular automata outputs and forest mycorrhizal network samples. The comparison validated cellular automata's applicability, enabled observing spatial feature information in the outputs and guiding the parameter design of our 3D cellular automata system for predicting tree planting locations. The locations were optimized by simulating the network connectivity of urban trees after planting, following the spatial-behavioral pattern of the forest mycorrhizal network. The results highlight the role of robust tree networks in fostering ecological stability and cushioning climate change impacts in urban contexts. The proposed approach addresses existing methodological and practical limitations, providing innovative strategies for optimal tree planting and prioritization of urban green infrastructure, thereby informing sustainable urban planning and design. Our findings illustrate the symbiotic relationship between urban trees and future cities and offer insights into street tree density planning, optimizing the spatial distribution of trees within urban landscapes for sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study takes Tianjin as an example to analyze how to build the manufacturing industry chain ecosystem. Based on the ecosystem theory, the related literature of manufacturing industry chain and value chain, and combined with various action plans for the development of manufacturing industry in Tianjin, the structure chart and construction roadmap of industrial chain ecosystem were drawn. Based on the input–output data of 42 sectors in Tianjin, this study calculated and analyzed the changes in embedment degree of various manufacturing industries in Global Value Chain (GVC) and National Value Chain (NVC) in Tianjin from 2010 to 2017. It is found that the industrial chain ecosystem is mainly composed of four elements: the enterprises on the industrial chain, the information flowing among enterprises, the goods circulating among enterprises, and the external environment of enterprises. The connection of supply and demand chains, enterprise chains, space chains and value chains forms an industrial chain, and the value chain is a crucial relationship chain in the connection mechanism. In addition, 2015 is a turning point for Tianjin manufacturing industry to embed in GVC and NVC, mainly due to the industrial economic adjustment in Tianjin, the global economic turmoil, and the establishment of the manufacturing industrial park. In terms of R&D intensity, high and medium high-tech manufacturing industries tend to be embedded in GVC, but are easily affected by enterprises and environmental factors. However, low and medium low-tech manufacturing industries still have ample space to integrate into GVC, information and products are important factors to determine the upgrading of its industrial chain. Therefore, in order to better construct the industrial chain ecosystem of manufacturing industry and enhance the industrial competitiveness of Tianjin's manufacturing industry, it is necessary to give priority to the development of high-tech manufacturing industry, expand the international openness of low-tech manufacturing industry, support regional advantageous industries, and carry out dynamic regulation of industrial ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use/land cover (LULC) and climate are two crucial environmental factors that impact watershed hydrology worldwide. The current study seeks to comprehend how the evolving climate and LULC patterns are impacting the hydrology of the Mahanadi Reservoir catchment. A semi-distributed Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was utilized to simulate various water balance elements. Twelve distinct scenarios were developed by combining three different climatic data periods (1985–1996, 1997–2008, and 2009–2020) with four sets of land use maps (1985, 1995, 2005, and 2014). The SWAT model demonstrated strong performance in simulating monthly stream flows throughout the calibration and validation phases. The study reveals that changes in LULC have a distinct effect on the environment. Specifically, the changes in LULC lead to heightened streamflow and reduced evapotranspiration (ET). These changes are mainly attributed to amplified urbanization and the diminished presence of water bodies, forest cover, and barren land within the Mahanadi Reservoir catchment. The combined impact of climate change and LULC shifts reveals complex interactions. Therefore, the present study offers an understanding of how changes in climate and land use over the past few decades have influenced the hydrological behavior of the Mahanadi Reservoir catchment in Chhattisgarh. The findings of this study have the potential to offer advantages to governmental bodies, policymakers, water resource engineers, and planners seeking effective strategies for water resource management. These strategies would be particularly relevant in the context of climate change and land use/land cover changes in ecological regions similar to those of the Mahanadi Reservoir catchment. In addition, a rational regulatory framework for land use patterns is essential for assisting stakeholders in managing water resources and appropriately developing the entire catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecology and the climate provide two perspectives of the same biogeophysical system at all spatiotemporal scales More effectively embracing this congruence is an opportunity to improve scientific understanding and predictions as well as for a more effective policy that integrates both the bottom-up community, business-driven framework, and the popular, top-down impact assessment framework. The objective of this paper is, therefore, to more closely integrate the diverse spectrum of scientists, engineers and policymakers into finding optimal solutions to reduce the risk to environmental and social threats by considering the ecology and climate as an integrated system. Assessments such as performed towards the 2030 Plan for Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals and its Goal 13 in particular, can achieve more progress by accounting for the intimate connection of all aspects of the Earth's biogeophysical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to urgent demand to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of tomato consumption and to advocate for healthy diets through increased sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables, this study is intended to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle, sharing the best practices of production and consumption. The aim of this research was to compare the effects of the growing system (field vs. plastic tunnel) and of genotype characteristics for organic improved tomato genotypes. The research was carried out in the 2019 and 2020 years on eight improved tomato genotypes. The results showed that the ascorbic acid content presented higher values for organic tomatoes cultivated in the field for all genotypes studied, with an upper limit of 18.57 mg·100 g−1 FW. In contrast, the content in β-carotene and lycopene showed higher values for genotypes grown under plastic tunnel conditions. Significant statistical differences were noticed concerning the mean values of all genotypes according to cultivation conditions (field vs. plastic tunnel) for most parameters excepting total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI) and flavor index (FI). This highlights the major importance of the selection of some genotypes of tomatoes that respond positively to the organic cultivation system in terms of the presence of the antioxidants compounds (vitamin C, lycopene, and carotene) in representative quantities. Genotype 3 is highlighted by the highest content in carotene (7.4 mg·100 g−1 F.W.) and lycopene (8.4 mg·100 g−1 F.W.) and genotype 5 by the highest content in vitamin C (16.8 mg·100 g−1 F.W.). The results of the study suggest that by applying appropriate techniques for growing organic tomatoes in the plastic tunnel system, the antioxidant substrate can be optimized compared to the results obtained for the field system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological system is the basis of human survival and global environmental protection. In the process of development, countries will pay close attention to the changing state of the ecosystem. Taking the ecosystem pattern as the research object, a three-layer analysis method was proposed. The transfer matrix and landscape index were used as the first layer to analyze the basic changes. Grey correlation, range-coupling coordination and relative priority were used as the second layer to analyze the reasons of the change. The interval-entropy weight, TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution), was used as the third layer to evaluate the quality of the change. The ten counties in the worst-hit areas of the Wenchuan earthquake were analyzed from different angles, with county region, intensity zone and ecosystem as the objects, and the following results were obtained: (1) Taking Mianzhu City as an example, from 2000 to 2010 and 2018, the conversion ratio of forest, grassland and farmland is 54.24, 59.19, 17.21, 20.06, 37.39 and 52.86%, which were distributed in the north, central and southern parts, respectively. (2) Taking the ninth intensity zone as an example, the forest landscape fragmentation increased, disturbance decreased, and species diversity increased. There is a high influence and restriction relationship between ecosystem and landscape pattern in the total landscape area change. Additionally, the relationship between them tends to develop in a benign way. As of 2018, it is in the change state of moderate imbalance-ecosystem lag. (3) Taking the county ecosystem change as an example, urban type is the best in the counties of ecosystem change, of which Shifang is the best and Pingwu is the worst. The results show that this method can effectively compare and analyze the changes in the multi-regional ecosystem pattern, which has the characteristics of universality and can also be applied to the research of ecosystem pattern change in special regions.

This study was conducted to identify the factors associated with successful aging in older adults based on the ecological system model. Data from the 2017 National Survey of the Living Conditions of Korean Elderly were used. Participants comprised 10,074 older adults. The three principal components in the successful aging model developed by Rowe and Kahn, "absence of disease and disease-related disability," "maintenance of high mental and physical function," and "continued engagement with life," were used to determine successful aging. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, t-test, and logistic regression. The study results showed that the correlation factors were age, sex, educational level, economic status, heavy drinking, subjective health status, and health screening in the individual system; living arrangement, satisfaction with spouse, and frequency of contacting family, siblings, and relatives in the family system; and the frequency of contacting neighbors and friends, number of close neighbors and friends, and accessibility of neighborhood facilities in the community system. This study is significant because it confirms that individual characteristics and the environmental systems surrounding older adults should be considered for successful aging; it is necessary to develop and apply healthcare intervention programs that consider both of these aspects.

The aim of this paper was to evaluation functional diversity in rhizosphere soils of new quality varieties of winter wheat cultivation in organic farming. Field experiments were carried out in 2017 and 2018. Twelve commercial winter wheat varieties were selected for testing: Arktis, Bellisa, Estivus, Fidelius, Hondia, Jantarka, KWS Ozon, Linus, Markiza, Ostka Strzelecka, Pokusa, and Rokosz. Winter wheat cultivars were chosen for their high yielding potential and good tolerance to fungal diseases. In the plant production conducted in accordance with the principles of organic farming, the selection of the best quality varieties is a key element of agrotechnics. The samples of rhizosphere soils were collected each year in two seasons: spring and summer. The basic parameters of soil biological activities and microbial biodiversity indicators were determined. The high variability of biological activity and functional diversity of rhizosphere soils in the growing season between particular varieties of winter wheat was observed. The rhizosphere soils from varieties such as Bellisa, Arktis, Jantarka, Fidelius, Ostka Strzelecka, Pokusa, Rokosz and KWS Ozon were characterized by high biological activity and functional biodiversity. On the other hand, the soils collected from the varieties Estivus, Fidelius, Jantarkaand Hondia were characterized by medium and low biological activity and biodiversity indices. The highest yield was found in winter wheat varieties such as Bellisa, Fidelius and Jantarka. The results of these analyses allows for a more complete characterization of the yield potential of the tested varieties and their suitability for cultivation in the conditions of organic farming, taking into account the biological activity of soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objectives of this paper are to formulate an introduction to the mathematical theory of indirect effects with respect to some biotic relations, including symbiosis, commensalism, mutualism and predation, along with the time functions for these relationships. We employ the theory of system linkage in Patten's Theory of Environment to develop an analysis of the theoretical properties of direct and indirect influences, using the variables and structure of each system involved in the linkage. In this paper, in order to formulate the mathematical theory, we develop, as a contribution to Patten's Theory of Environment, so-called H-semiotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional value and disease-preventive effects of cabbage are well-known. Levels of the antioxidant compounds ascorbic acid (AA) and glucosinolates (GSL) in new Czech cabbage cultivars were determined in the context of different production systems. The contents of AA and GSLs in cabbage biomass were determined by HPLC. Individual GSLs were identified according to their exact masses with sinigrin used as the external standard. Artificial infection with A. brassicicola generally raised the AA levels. The major GSLs (≥10 mg kg−1) were glucobrassicin, sinigrin, and glucoiberin. Indole and aliphatic GSLs were present, but no aromatic ones were detected. Ecological growth conditions and the artificial fungal infection increased the total content of GSLs and, also, of the methoxylated indole GSLs. Sulforaphane, iberin, indole-3-carbinol, and ascorbigen resulting from the hydrolysis of GSLs were found in both cultivars. The amounts and profiles of GSLs present in the two Czech cultivars demonstrated their good nutritional value. The decomposition products sulforaphane, iberin, indole-3-carbinol, and ascorbigen detected improve its health-promoting qualities and represent a suitable component of the human diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]