Balanced Supply Research Articles

Bi-Directional Charging with V2L Integration for Optimal Energy Management in Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular as an efficient transportation solution but they also present unique challenges for energy management. Bi-directional charging (BDC) is a solution that allows EVs to not only consume energy from the grid but also supply energy back to the grid. This facilitates vehicle-to-load (V2L) integration, where EVs can act as mobile power sources for homes, buildings, and the grid. V2L enables better energy management by utilizing EVs as a flexible resource to balance grid demand and supply in the proposed system. This is achieved through intelligent coordination between the EVs, charging stations, and the grid, using smart meters and communication networks. Integration of BDC and V2L also enables EVs to provide backup power during grid outages, reduce the need for costly grid infrastructure, and support renewable energy integration. BDC with V2L integration is a promising approach for optimal energy management in EVs and can play a significant role in the future of sustainable transportation and energy systems. The proposed model reached 95.13% charging efficiency, 95.03% energy management, 95.69% power rating, 96.28% voltage support and 87.99% temperature management.

Irrigation suitability assessment of urban wastewater for sustainable agriculture: a case study of Musi river, India

In urban areas with dense populations and high water demands, effective management of water resources is crucial for sustainable development. It includes optimizing water usage and recycling wastewater to balance supply and demand. Urban rivers, which now carry sewage year-round due to increased urban water consumption, are increasingly used for irrigation in peri-urban regions. This study aims to assess the suitability of an urban stream for irrigation compared to catchment groundwater, using hydrochemical parameters to evaluate water quality indices. Analysis of major ion distribution from upstream to downstream reveals a significant increase of TDS (r2 = 0.65; p < 0.001) in the surface water and a decrease (r2 = 0.93; p < 0.001) in groundwater samples. The calculated Weighted Arithmetic-Water Quality Index (WA-WQI) indicates that around 85% and 75% of surface water and groundwater samples from the Musi river are classified as very poor to unsuitable for any use, highlighting critical pollution levels. Based on irrigation suitability indices, only 16% of the surface water samples and 60% of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation. The nitrate concentration increased from less than 10 mg l−1 in the upstream region to over 100 mg l−1 in the urban stretch. Nitrogen-Phosphate-Potassium (NPK) ratios across the basin are exceptionally higher, representing crops irrigated using the Musi river water might not require fertilizer applications. The adoption of fertilizer application concerning supplied water hydrochemistry, particularly the NPK ratio, might limit the excess usage of fertilizer and benefit farmers. Additionally, this practice may also limits the excess input of nitrate to the groundwater in the Musi river basin.

Analysis Of Load Balance In 20 Kv Distribution Systems On Power Losses

Load balancing is one of the things that must be considered by reducing the value of voltage drops or power losses that occur in distribution channels. It is necessary to know the characteristics of the load in an area or area with a balanced supply so that each phase is burdened evenly. Calculating the voltage drop on the distribution network conductors, the voltage drop on the KBN09 Slawi feeder was calculated. What will be calculated here is from the line to the transformer furthest from the GI, namely from the three-phase 20 kV main line, single-phase branching. The results of power calculations from GI Kebasen Tegal show differences between R, S and T phases with three 20 kV phases in pre-balance and post-balance conditions. As written, the value for R wire is 82661.52 W, for S 52613 W, while for the T phase the value is 60127.06 W. Meanwhile, the calculation of power losses from GI Kebasen Tegal shows differences between the R, S and T phases with 1 phase voltage in the conditions before balance and after balanced. On the 3-phase line for the R wire, the power loss decreases from 34,198 W to 17,0425 W, for S it increases from 11,540 W to 19,077 W, while for the T phase the value remains 15,274 W.

Optimization of a “Social‒Ecological” System Pattern from the Perspective of Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand: A Case Study of Jilin Province

This study establishes and refines a social-landscape ecological security pattern that integrates the demand and supply of ecosystem services, providing a substantial foundation for the ecological restoration of territorial spaces. This foundation is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of “social–ecological” systems in achieving sustainable development. Jilin Province, serving as a national ecological security buffer and experiencing rapid economic growth, exhibits a significant spatial imbalance between social and economic progress and ecological conservation. The balance of ecosystem service demand and supply is pivotal in this context, making Jilin Province an ideal study area. We employed a multifaceted approach, including MSPA, the InVEST model, landscape connectivity assessment, circuit theory, and ecological network integrity evaluation, to elucidate the spatial disparities between the demand and supply of ecosystem services. We then developed and optimized social and landscape ecological security patterns to meet human demands and safeguard ecological integrity, thereby promoting the sustainable development of “social–ecological” systems. The key findings are as follows: (1) The supply of ecosystem services shows a clear spatial gradient, with lower values in the west and higher in the east, while demand is concentrated in the central region with lower values in the east and west, indicating a pronounced spatial mismatch in Jilin Province. (2) The landscape ecological security pattern includes 18 barrier points, 33 pinch points, 166 ecological corridors, and 101 ecological sources. (3) The social–ecological security pattern comprises 119 demand sources and 150 supply–demand corridors. (4) The study introduces 14 supply–demand nodes and 47 optimization corridors, proposing zoning schemes for the eastern core protection area, the central ecological demand area, and the western core restoration area. Additionally, recommendations are concerning the optimization of the “social–ecological” system pattern. This research advances the theoretical understanding of “social–ecological” system development in Jilin Province and offers insights for more harmonized development strategies.

Water–Ecological Health Assessment Considering Water Supply–Demand Balance and Water Supply Security: A Case Study in Xinjiang

Water scarcity and ecological degradation in arid zones present significant challenges to regional ecological health. Despite this, integrating the water supply–demand balance and water supply security (SEC) into ecological health assessments—particularly through composite indicators—remains underexplored in arid regions. In this study, we assessed the ecological health changes in Xinjiang by utilizing multivariate remote sensing data, focusing on the balance between water supply and demand, the degree of SEC, and ecosystem resilience (ER). Our results indicate that while water supply and demand remained relatively stable in northern Xinjiang between 2000 and 2020, the conflict between supply and demand intensified in the southern and eastern agricultural regions. SEC evaluations revealed that 73.3% of the region experienced varying degrees of decline over the 20-year period. Additionally, ER assessments showed that 7.12% of the region exhibited a significant decline, with 78.6% experiencing overall reductions in ecological health. The indicators’ response to drought demonstrated that improvements in ecological health during wet conditions were less pronounced than declines during droughts. This study underscores the necessity of prioritizing areas with lower ecological health in future water allocation strategies to optimize water resource utilization.

Economic Development of the Major Cities in the Context of Demographic Challenges

In recent years, Russia has faced serious global challenges. Particular attention is required for demographic challenges, which are caused by natural population decline, ambiguous migration processes, and their exacerbation due to the spread of the coronavirus infection and subsequently the aggravation of the foreign policy situation. The largest Russian cities are centers of economic growth with significant potential for solving regional livelihood problems. An important indicator of the state and development of a city as a socio-economic system is the change in population size. The dynamics of demographic and other socio-economic indicators deserve detailed analysis and study. The results obtained must be considered when making strategic decisions and developing adaptation mechanisms. In the past five years, a natural population decline has prevailed in the studied largest municipalities, which is only partially offset by migration growth. In most cities with a population of over one million, there is a correlation between the dynamics of population growth (both natural and migration), the average wage level, and the quality of the urban environment. In cities with migration outflow, measures are needed to improve these parameters. Since all cities have developed industries, including due to natural and historical factors, systematic monitoring of the relevant indicators and a detailed analysis of the reasons for negative trends, including demographic ones, are important for ensuring balanced economic development. To ensure the balance of supply and demand in the labor market in terms of qualification and professional requirements and expectations, the implementation of regional programs and projects with the participation of government and business is proposed. In the context of the economic development of the largest cities and adaptation to global challenges, it is proposed that government authorities, local governments, the scientific community, and businesses identify new promising specializations for cities, including the need to enhance import substitution and implement high-tech, science-intensive industries.

Hydrogeomorphic response of steep streams following severe wildfire in the Western cascades, Oregon

AbstractSevere wildfire may alter steep mountain streams by increasing peak discharges, elevating sediment and wood inputs into channels, and increasing susceptibility to landslides and debris flows. In the Pacific Northwest, where mean annual precipitation is high and mean fire‐return intervals range from decades to centuries, understanding of steep stream response to fire is limited. We evaluate the hydrologic and geomorphic response of ~100‐m‐long steep stream reaches to the large‐scale and severe 2020 fires in the Western Cascade Range, Oregon. In the two runoff seasons after the fires, peak flows in burned reaches were below the 2‐year recurrence interval flood, a level sufficient to mobilize the median grain size of bed material, but not large enough to mobilize coarser material and reorganize channel morphology. Sediment inputs to study streams consisted of two road‐fill failure landslides, slumps, sheetwash, and minor bank erosion; precipitation thresholds to trigger debris flows were not exceeded in our sites. There was a 50% increase in the number of large wood pieces in burned reaches after the fires. Changes in fluxes of water, sediment, and wood induced shifts in the balance of sediment supply to transport capacity, initiating a sequence of sediment aggradation and bed‐material fining followed by erosion and bed‐material coarsening. Gross channel form showed resilience to change, and an unburned reference reach exhibited little morphologic change. Post‐fire recruitment of large wood will likely have long‐term implications for channel morphology and habitat heterogeneity. Below‐average precipitation during the study period, combined with an absence of extreme precipitation events, was an important control on channel responses. Climate change may have a complex effect on stream response to wildfire by increasing the propensity for both drought and extreme rain events and by altering vegetation recovery patterns.

СОЦІАЛЬНО-ЕКОНОМІЧНІ ЦИКЛИ: ТЕОРЕТИЧНА ІНТЕРПРЕТАЦІЯ ТА СТАТИСТИЧНЕ ОЦІНЮВАННЯ

Sustainable national economic development requires a balance of aggregate demand and aggregate supply. The country's government is working out economic and legal mechanisms to achieve macroeconomic balance against factors that can disrupt it. The preconditions of macroeconomic instability include exogenous (natural and military-political) and endogenous (macroeconomic cyclical development). Due to the combination of these factors, achieving national macroeconomic balance is an urgent scientific and practical task for economists, scientists who study macroeconomics, as well as politicians and government officials. The key questions that need to be answered are the length of the cycle, the pace of the recession, and most importantly, the development of effective mechanisms for restoring macroeconomic balance and its long-term maintenance. The study of sustainable national economic development assumes cyclicality. It can be considered an independent process from the point of view of the manifestation of self-regulation of the market economy, when the equilibrium will be restored after a certain period of time by the action of market mechanisms, and also as a process of decline in business activity, which can be scientifically and practically studied as a phenomenon and, accordingly, an effective macroeconomic strategy of government policy can be identified. With the aim of accelerated and controlled passage of the economic cycle and development of effective government instruments, scientists study the essence and causes of macroeconomic instability, manifestations of unemployment and inflation. Cyclicality should be considered as a movement of the national economy, a form of its development and improvement. The socio-economic cycle involves fluctuations in the macroeconomic situation (level of employment, production and prices) from recession to upswing against the background of the general trend of the dynamics of the gross domestic product. The success of the government's macroeconomic policy is determined by the cause of the crisis, the degree of state regulation of the economy, opportunities to use the results of scientific and technical development, and the ratio of the shares of the real and non-productive sectors of the economy. This approach involves theoretical interpretation and statistical evaluation of socio-economic cycles. The article considers the main aspects of the theoretical interpretation of socio-economic cycles. A review of the scientific works of leading macroeconomists regarding the study of the essence and manifestations of cyclicality in the economy, social life of society was carried out, and attention was also paid to the issues of the interrelationship of the development of the economies of different countries in the conditions of globalization. The main factors of cyclical fluctuations and their periodicity are highlighted, the main theoretical provisions of economic cyclicality are given. The article provides a methodology for statistical evaluation of socio-economic cycles and the selection of its individual phases (recession, boom) based on the application of the method of statistical equations of dependencies and the method of complex statistical coefficients. Using the method of statistical equations of dependence, the existence of a relationship between the result indicator (GDP, billion US dollars, y) and two factors: "External debt, billion US dollars, x", "Number of registered unemployed, thousands of people, z" was established . It was determined that the factor "External debt, billion US dollars, x" plays the main role in the formation of the output indicator (GDP). It is substantiated that when the value of "GDP, billion US dollars" increases by 1 billion dollars. In the USA, the factor "External debt, billion US dollars" is expected to increase by 0.63 billion US dollars, and with an increase in the value of "GDP, billion US dollars" by 1 billion dollars. In the USA, the value of the factor "Number of registered unemployed, thousands of persons" is expected to decrease. for 5.43 thousand persons. Cyclicality was studied on the basis of the two mentioned methods and two phases of the economic development cycle of Ukraine were identified: 2008-2009 and 2013-2015. A generalization was obtained regarding the existence of a phase of the seven-year economic cycle.

Inflammation and cognitive performance in elite athletes: A cross-sectional study

Functional cognition is relevant for athletic success and interdependent with physical exercise, yet despite repeatedly demonstrated inflammatory responses to physical training, there are no studies addressing the relationship between cognition and inflammation in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and selected inflammatory, and further physiological biomarkers in elite athletes. Data from 350 elite athletes regarding cognitive performance (processing speed, selective attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility), systemic inflammatory markers, metabolic hormones, growth factors, tissue damage markers, and micronutrients (e.g., ferritin, 25-OH-vitamin D), as well as physiological, subjective ratings of recovery and stress were analysed by correlative and multiple regression analyses. Results show that across all athletes variance in processing speed, selective attention, and working memory, could be best explained through a combination of metabolic hormones with physiological and psychological indicators of stress, and in cognitive flexibility through vitamin D levels. Only for the subgroup of athletes from closed-skill sports, the ratio TNF-α:IL-10 significantly contributed to explanation of variance in working memory and cognitive flexibility. In general, found correlations point to the importance of inflammatory balance and sufficient long-term nutrient supply for unaffected cognitive performance.

Study on the ecosystem service flow based on the relationship of between supply and demand in Yangtze River Economic Belt

Ecosystems supply goods and services to humans and are the basis for sustainable development of human society. The study of the supply of ecosystem services and the demand and consumption of ecosystem services by human society, and the analysis of the supply and demand characteristics and flow relationships of ecosystem service flows are of great significance for the management of regional ecosystems and the development of ecological compensation. Taking the Yangtze River Economic Belt as an example, this paper calculates the supply and demand indices of ecosystem services in 2015 and 2020, and determines the ecosystem spatial flow paths and flow volumes from the ecosystem supply area to the demand area based on various methods and models such as the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and distance decay model. The results indicate that 1). In 2015 and 2020, the supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Zone show an increasing trend numerically, and there is spatial heterogeneity in the spatial distribution. In terms of ecosystem service supply per unit area, the midstream region is higher than the upstream and downstream regions. In terms of the demand for ecosystem services per unit area, the downstream is higher than the midstream and upstream. 2). From the supply-demand balance of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, the midstream region is mainly the area of surplus supply of ecosystem services, and the downstream region is mainly the area of deficit supply. From 2015 to 2020, the number of areas with balanced supply and demand of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt decreases and the number of areas with unbalanced supply and demand increases, which is related to the changes in the level of economic development and land use patterns. 3). The flow of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Economic Belt shows an increasing trend, from 726.59 billion yuan in 2015 to 1,450.54 billion yuan in 2020, with Jiangxi Province being the main ecosystem service supply area and Zhejiang Province being the main ecosystem service demand area in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Coordinated reprogramming of ATP metabolism strongly enhances adipic acid production in Escherichia coli

Maintaining a delicate balance of adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) is crucial not only for optimal cellular functions but also for improved metabolite production, indicating the need for careful regulation of ATP demands in metabolic engineering. This study explored the modification of ATP metabolism to enhance adipic acid production in Escherichia coli, focusing on the reverse adipate degradation pathway (RADP), and ATP-consuming cycles were fine-tuned by controlling the overexpression of genes (panK and acs) to balance ATP consumption and adipic acid production. As a result, we successfully achieved a significant increase (19.5-fold) in adipic acid production, reaching 1,093.11 mg/L in a shake flask, compared to that in the control strain (wild-type E. coli harboring the RADP). Our transcriptomic analysis indicated that modulation of ATP metabolism, along with a balanced supply of pathway precursors, affects metabolic fluxes, enhancing adipic acid biosynthesis in E. coli. This study suggests the potential of metabolic reprogramming of ATP to meet biosynthetic demands, which may improve the production of adipic acid and other ATP-derived chemicals.

Labour Market of Ukraine and Meeting Post-War Workforce Supply Market Demands

Introduction. Full-scale military actions in Ukraine increased the dynamics of changes in the labour market, caused significant uncertainty in influencing factors, and increased the imbalance of supply and demand in the labour market, which was characterised as a crisis even before the invasion. This strengthened the need for a relevant assessment of the needs of the Ukrainian labour market and the possibility of its personnel support and management of labour resources, taking into account the risks for the country's economy and post-war reconstruction. Aim and tasks. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the labour market of Ukraine in the post-war period and substantiate ways of meeting the market's personnel needs using the example of the construction and IT industries. The tasks of this study are to identify the factors affecting the labour market in the post-war period, assess the dynamics of changes in the balance of demand and supply in the labour market in the post-war period, and develop a mathematically formalised approach to the adaptive assessment of the labour market. Results. The developed mathematically formalised approach to assessing the imbalance of the labour market in individual areas allowed the stabilisation of the demand and supply of the IT labour market in 2026 at a level 1.496 times lower than the maximum in 2023. In the construction industry, differentiation in sectoral priorities of post-war reconstruction has been determined, as evidenced by the expected shortage of personnel in this industry, which is 2.15 times higher than the indicator for all industries. This is also indicated by the differentiation in the demand for qualified workers from 20% to 60% for large and small construction enterprises. Conclusions. The identified reasons for the uncertainty of factors affecting the labour market (losses in the quality of labour resources and forced migration) proved that post-war reconstruction would require an adaptive approach to managing labour resources at all levels. The lack of personnel in the post-war period will require a change in the concept of ensuring the competitiveness of domestic enterprises by using cheap labour. It was determined that the demand for qualified personnel in the post-war period for all industries would grow, which is confirmed by the dynamics of the index of change of employees, which is 30% higher for qualified workers than unskilled workers. Significant differentiation by micro-specialty influences the gap between demand and supply, which does not consider the market's needs.

Improving grid reliability with grid-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

The modern electric power system is stable because generation and demand are balanced in real-time. To provide grid managers the leeway to maintain this balance, grid-scale energy storage devices are seeing increased deployment. Another existing technique to achieve a stable and reliable power system today is integrating renewable energies with a battery energy storage system (BESS). Integrating grid-scale BESS to improve grid dependability is crucial since renewable energy sources, which may be somewhat unpredictable, are increasingly being integrated into existing power networks. With its massive electrical energy storage and distribution capabilities, BESS contributes to the grid's ability to balance supply and demand. The BESS helps maintain grid stability by storing energy that is not used during peak hours. This energy comes mostly from renewable sources like solar and wind and is then sent back to the system when the demand is highest. Primary function of BESS includes energy storage and time-shifting, regulation of frequency, voltage support, and enhancement of grid reliability. Development in battery technologies and controls has made them cheaper and inevitable for future power networks. The functions and elements of BESS, the types of electrochemical batteries, the implications of their degradation, and their applications for grid optimization and reliability are discussed in this research. In conclusion, BESS is a significant enabler of grid modernization, resilience, and the evolution of the energy system.

Effects of Plant Extracts on Growth Promotion, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Secondary Metabolites in Rice (Oryza sativa) Plants

Plant extracts are widely used in sustainable agriculture practices to enhance crop production and reduce chemical usage in agriculture. This study employed several extraction solutions of various plant extracts to synthesize planting and spraying strategies, assess the persistence efficacy of rice, and investigate the influence of selected water extracts on secondary chemicals at different rice planting stages. Among 17 water extracts that were evaluated on rice seeds, 7 were enhanced to align with the lengths of rice roots 50–70% and shoots 40–50%. The analysis of extraction, spraying, and planting experiments revealed that water extracts, soil application, and transplanting were the most efficient methods for stimulating rice growth, especially 0.1 and 0.5% concentrations. The efficacy of the extracts remained intact also after 14 days of treatment. This study showed that photosynthesis and antioxidant activities may play crucial roles in plant growth. Rice growth stimulation has been linked to photosynthesis, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant enzymes, providing a balanced supply of nutrients for plant growth. Among all tested water extracts, Psidium guajava, Aloe vera, Allium sativum, and Medicago sativa extracts can be used to promote plant growth in organic farming.

Integrated Benefits of Sustainable Utilization of Construction and Demolition Waste in a Pressure-State-Response Framework

This study presents the first application of the pressure-state-response (PSR) model in the comprehensive assessment of construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling benefits. Unlike traditional methods, the PSR model provides a multi-dimensional analysis that integrates economic, environmental, and social factors, offering a more holistic approach to evaluating the impact of CDW recycling strategies. This model enables stakeholders to better understand the pressures, states, and responses involved in CDW management, providing actionable insights to optimize recycling efforts and support sustainable urban development. Using the pressure-state-response (PSR) logical framework of sustainable economics, this paper systematically analyzed the comprehensive benefit mechanism of the recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW), and designed a comprehensive benefit evaluation model for CDW recycling. At the same time, taking Chongqing as an example, the management status of construction and demolition waste, the supply and demand matching of sustainable recycling products, and the impact of the input and output of CDW management were analyzed. The results were as follows: (1) The recovery rate of urban manure fluctuated between 0.13 and 0.17, mainly in temporary landfill. (2) Based on the latest market demand data of CDW recycled products, the supply–demand ratio of recycled products fluctuated between 0.11 and 0.21. This change in the supply–demand ratio reflects improvements in recycling technologies, such as the introduction of C2CA technology, which has greatly increased the supply of high-quality recycled materials. In addition, government policies encouraging the use of recycled products in public projects have contributed to this shift, further aligning supply with market demand. (3) The benefit–cost ratio of CDW management reflects new recycling technologies and the improved efficiency of CDW management. The benefit–cost ratio, which currently fluctuates between 0.32 and 0.39, more accurately reflects the current state of CDW management, which is increasingly adopting advanced technologies, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced costs. Based on this, this paper discusses the supply–demand relationship and benefit–cost ratio in CDW management from supply-side and demand-side perspectives, and puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. The research results provide a clear reference for improving the efficiency of building demolition waste resource utilization, especially in optimizing the balance of market supply and demand, and improving the economic benefits of recycled products. By analyzing the balance between the supply and demand ratio and the benefit–cost ratio, this study helps inform policy makers, businesses, and investors, to promote the sustainable development of CDW recycling projects to maximize resource efficiency, while reducing environmental pressures. These results not only provide practical guidelines for the implementation of CDW recycling projects, but also lay a foundation for future policy formulation and the setting of industry standards.

Development status of coal industries in the worlds major coal-producing countries

The global coal industry has changed significantly in recent years. In this paper we analyse the coal production and consumption, imports and exports, and coal prices in China and other major coal-producing countries during the past four decades. The analysis shows that global coal production and consumption have declined over the last three years, in striking contrast to the continuous growth for most of the past 35 years. Australia, Indonesia, and Russia have become the world's major coal providers, while China, India, and the USA, and Germany are the major coal consumers. The world's, and China's, coal industry can be classified into four stages of development: the stable growth phase, stable phase, rapid growth phase, and high-quality phase. Coal prices rose in the world's four major coal markets in 2016 after four consecutive years of falling prices. The elimination of overcapacity and production-optimizing operations in China could assist in achieving a demand and supply balance.

Synergistic conservation approaches for nurturing soil, food security and human health towards sustainable development goals

Using chemical fertilizers extensively in small farms has helped increase crop yields, supporting food security and economic growth. However, recent studies show that these fertilizers are often used inefficiently and inconsistently. This leads to environmental harm, unbalanced soil nutrients, and lower-quality food production. These issues threaten food security, which is vital for human survival and may lead to the abandonment of arable land. This situation calls for a significant shift in soil conservation research to better connect scientific findings with practical conservation methods, ensuring that agricultural progress goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability. Effective use of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers is vital for both environmental sustainability and food security. Correcting nutritional imbalances, especially the disrupted N/P ratio caused by faulty fertilization practices, is key to ensuring a balanced nutrient supply. These imbalances have a substantial effect on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, altering their functionality, biodiversity and human nutrition Therefore, adopting balanced fertilization techniques is essential to combine environmental sustainability with global food security and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).To optimize nutrient consumption and production efficiency, regulations should be enacted to enforce the 4R principle, which involves applying the right nutrient source at the appropriate rate, time, method and location. This article emphasizes the connections between current agricultural practices, land use, fertilizer application, soil degradation, and future challenges. It promotes environmentally friendly farming methods that recognize the vital links between soil quality, food security, human health, and environmental sustainability.

Spatial Control of Nickel Vacancies in Colloidal NiMgO Nanocrystals for Efficient and Stable All‐inorganic Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes

AbstractColloidal quantum dot (QD)–based light‐emitting diodes (QD‐LEDs) have reached the pinnacle of quantum efficiency and are now being actively developed for next‐generation displays and brighter light sources. Previous research has suggested utilizing inorganic hole‐transport layers (HTLs) to explore brighter and more stable QD‐LEDs. However, the performance metrics of such QD‐LEDs with inorganic HTLs generally lag behind those of organic‐inorganic hybrid QD‐LEDs employing organic HTLs. In this study, colloidal NiMgO nanocrystals (NCs) with spatially controlled Mg are introduced as HTLs for realizing efficient and stable all‐inorganic QD‐LEDs. During the co‐condensation of Ni and Mg precursors to produce valence band‐lowered NiMgO NCs, incorporating ≈2% Mg into the NiO lattice creates additional Ni vacancies (VNi) within and on the NCs, influencing the hole concentration and mobility of the NiMgO NC films. Passivating the VNi exposed on the surface with magnesium hydroxide allows for tuning the electrical properties of the NiMgO NCs relative to those of an electron transport layer, allowing for a balanced charge supply and suppressed negative charging of the QDs. Optimized all‐inorganic QD‐LEDs employing NiMgO NCs achieved a peak external quantum efficiency of 16.4%, peak luminance of 269 455 cd m⁻2, and a half‐life of 462 690 h at 100 nit.

Model estimation of eastern oyster larval performance from food quantity and quality measures in western Mississippi Sound

Oyster Crassostrea virginica population recovery is critical in degraded estuarine systems, such as Mississippi Sound, USA, where repeated mass mortality events have depleted local oyster stocks. Owing to multiple recent die-offs, the western Mississippi Sound oyster population is recruitment-limited; population growth is constrained by the entry of new individuals into the extant population. Therefore, oyster recovery requires an adequate supply of larvae capable of timely development, growth, and successful metamorphosis. Larval performance and settlement potential are influenced by ambient temperature, salinity, and food supply. Food quantity is important to larvae, but so is food quality, as larvae require a balanced diet of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates to develop and survive through metamorphosis. In this study, in situ environmental and food conditions during the 2021 and 2022 spawning seasons from 7 oyster reefs in western Mississippi Sound were integrated into an established biochemically based larval performance model to estimate periods facilitative of successful metamorphosis. In 2021, model-estimated larval survivorship was suppressed through much of the spawning season by prolonged, extremely low salinity (&lt;5 ppt) and inadequately balanced food supply. Higher seasonal salinity and more balanced food composition increased model-estimated larval survivorship in 2022, despite lower total food content, suggesting larval performance was primarily governed by the quality of available food. Model-estimated settlement windows were compared to settlement windows derived from concomitant field observations of recruitment. Strong agreement between model-estimated and observed settlement windows validates the effectiveness of the model and informs on the underlying causes of recruitment limitation in western Mississippi Sound.

Prognostic Significance of Lactate Clearance in Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema in the Emergency Department.

Background and Objectives: Acute cardiorespiratory failure disrupts the delicate balance of energy supply, demand, and consumption, with elevated lactate levels and decreased blood pH serving as crucial indicators. Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPO), a common cause of acute respiratory failure, poses a substantial mortality risk. Lactate, a byproduct of pyruvate reduction, is a pertinent marker in perfusion assessment. Lactate clearance (LC) has proven prognostic efficacy in various conditions but lacks consensus on its predictive power in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study, conducted in a metropolitan area's third-level emergency department, involved patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema from May 2021 to August 2023. The inclusion criteria specified acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, excluding patients with incomplete data or other respiratory conditions. Lactate clearance, calculated at presentation and after 6 h, served as the primary outcome predictor. Our data analysis employed logistic regression, the ROC curve, and statistical tests. Results: The cohort of 106 patients revealed that a lactate clearance below 14.29% was significantly associated with mortality. While 51.6% of survivors were discharged, LC's predictive success for discharge was inconclusive. Logistic regression underscored the significance of lactate clearance, with a one-unit increase yielding a 5.55-fold probability of survival. The AUC for LC was 0.759. Conclusions: This study pioneers the exploration of lactate clearance in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. LC below 14.29% signifies a poor prognosis, emphasizing its potential as an early treatment initiation marker. While acknowledging this study's limitations, we advocate for further multicenter research to refine the understanding of lactate clearance in this context.