Environmental Processes Research Articles

ABSTRACT This article presents the argument that sporting venues embody a diverse range of interpretations that have yet to be fully explored and understood by decision-makers and scholars alike. This paper fills this research gap through an in-depth environmental scanning process of the 30 North American Major League Baseball (MLB) ballparks. We employed a classification, cluster analysis, and strategic grouping approach to synthesize and organize knowledge. The classification process involved developing a set of 30 criteria to distinguish these ballparks from a tourism perspective, focusing on the experience within the ballpark as designed and presented by the organization to potential visitors. The cluster analysis reveals the presence of three groups of ballparks (Game-Centric Ballparks, Engaging Ballparks and Memorabilia Ballparks), each characterized by its own unique set of traits and behaviors. These clusters help in understanding how different ballparks attract and cater to various segments of tourists and sports enthusiasts. The key finding of this strategic group analysis is that ballparks fit into the following categories based on year of opening and user-generated ratings: beloved vintage ballparks, esteemed retro classic ballparks, fair contemporary ballparks and favored current ballparks. This triple approach – classification, cluster analysis, and strategic grouping – distinguishes between ballpark profiles and offers valuable insights into how ballparks can be strategically positioned and marketed as tourist attractions.

Spring awakening? Seasonal controls on halomethoxybenzenes in arctic waters.

Understanding the thermal behaviour of radioisotope generators under Martian conditions is essential for the safe and efficient operation of planetary exploration rovers. This study investigates the heat transfer and flow mechanisms around a simplified full-scale model of the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations performed with ANSYS Fluent 2023 R1. The model consists of a central cylindrical core and eight radial fins, operating under pure CO2 at a pressure of approximately 600 Pa, representative of the Martian atmosphere. Four cases were simulated, varying both the reactor surface temperature (373–453 K) and the ambient temperature (248 to 173 K) to reproduce typical diurnal and seasonal scenarios on Mars. The results show the formation of a buoyancy-driven plume rising above the generator, with peak velocities between 1 and 3.5 m/s depending on the thermal load. Temperature fields reveal that the fins generate multiple localized hot spots that merge into a single vertical plume at higher elevations. The calculated dimensionless numbers (Grashof ≈ 105, Rayleigh ≈ 105, Reynolds ≈ 102, Prandtl ≈ 0.7, Nusselt ≈ 4) satisfy the expected range for natural convection in low-density CO2 atmospheres, confirming the laminar regime. These results contribute to a better understanding of heat dissipation processes in Martian environments and may guide future design improvements of thermoelectric generators and passive thermal management systems for space missions.

We develop a unified first-principles formulation of fluorescence and internal conversion (IC) within the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics (QED). For molecules with negligible spin-orbit coupling, the approach accounts for both radiative and non-radiative processes in complex photonic environments. Our theory reveals that the IC, fluorescence, and two quantum electrodynamic non-adiabatic emission (QED-NAE) channels can all be regarded as non-adiabatic processes. First-principles simulations not only recover the established Chance-Prock-Silbey description of emitter-surface interactions but also quantify the contribution of vibrational overlap. We further find that cavity loss governs the competition between fluorescence and QED-NAE: reducing fluorescence in low-loss cavities results in the prominence of QED-NAE. By integrating radiative and non-radiative processes within a single macroscopic QED framework, this work provides a general foundation for photonic non-adiabatic phenomena and opens avenues for investigating electron-nucleus-photon and electron-nucleus-polariton interactions in photochemistry.

The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus, transmits rice stripe virus (RSV), a devastating pathogen that causes significant yield losses in rice. The components of the gut microbiota in SBPH and the effects of RSV infection on gut microorganisms are unclear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was utilized to evaluate the composition of gut microorganisms in SBPH. The gut microbiota of SBPH was primarily composed of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at ratios of 94.79%, 3.04% and 1.39%, respectively; furthermore, the composition of bacteria in the gut microbiota was relatively conserved with differences at the genus level. To elucidate the response of the SBPH gut microbiota to RSV infection, we compared its composition and abundance in viruliferous and naïve SBPH. Interestingly, RSV infection was associated with increased diversity in the SBPH gut microbiota. Comparative analysis demonstrated that RSV infection elevated the relative abundance of Proteobacteria while reducing that of Firmicutes. Population counts demonstrated that RSV infection reduced the gut loads of Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, and Brevibacillus, whereas the gut load of Staphylococcus was significantly increased. Further functional predictive assays revealed that RSV infection enhanced the functions of the SBPH gut microbiota in terms of metabolism, cellular processes, genetic and environmental information processing, and organismal systems. Our results indicate that RSV reshapes the composition, abundance, and functions of the SBPH gut microbiota, offering insights into virus–host–microbiome interactions.

Abstract This study presents the first investigation of halogen-substituted aniline-derived Schiff bases (SB1, SB2, SB3) as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in Nigerian tar sand environments. Key novelty includes introducing inhibition power as a new gravimetric-based performance metric for alkaline conditions where electrochemical methods are limited. Tar sand from Ilubirin was processed with 0.58 M NaOH at 90 °C for 24 h with inhibitors at concentrations of 25–150 ppm. Gravimetric analysis, SEM–EDS, and Langmuir isotherm modelling revealed a significant corrosion rate with effectiveness order SB3 > SB2 > SB1. SB3 achieved 94.4% inhibition efficiency at 150 ppm due to a favourable molecular structure promoting enhanced adsorption. Langmuir analysis confirmed chemisorption (ΔG°ads > − 20 kJ mol −1 ), while microstructural evaluation demonstrated excellent surface protection. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of inhibition power in assessing corrosion inhibitors using gravimetric data due to the limitations of electrochemical measurement in tar sand environments. The study concludes that Schiff-based compounds offer promising solutions for corrosion control in a harsh alkaline tar sand processing environment.

In this research work, a novel underwater laser surface texturing process has been introduced for improving the adhesive bonding strength of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). Joining carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) sheets is a major challenge for many applications, including hydrogen tanks, aerospace systems, and automotives. Adhesive-based joining is not only simple but also has widespread applications. Surface preparation techniques play an important role in the adhesive joining of two components. In this research work, a nanosecond fiber laser was used to create three different types of textures (line, honeycomb, and grid) on 2.5 mm thick CFRP sheets before the application of adhesives. Textured samples were joined using epoxy-based adhesives, and joint strength was evaluated. The effect of the texturing environment (open air and static water) and texture design on joint strength was determined using lap shear strength tests. The fiber exposure, surface contact angle, roughness, and morphology of each sample were evaluated using a goniometer, confocal microscope, optical microscope, and scanning electron microscope. One-way ANOVA was performed using the Minitab software package to assess the statistical significance of laser surface texturing patterns and processing environments on key performance metrics. Fiber exposure in a sample was quantified and categorized into moderate, considerable, and complete exposure. Failed surfaces were examined to identify the type of failure. Finally, correlation based analysis of surface output parameters and adhesive bonding strength were performed. Surfaces prepared in water-assisted conditions had the highest strength in the case of grid texturing. In comparison, open-air processing produced the highest strength for honeycomb and line pattern designs. Overall, grid textures in water-assisted conditions resulted in the highest bonding strength.

In this research article, the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology was applied in conjunction with the Warehouse 4.0 concept to optimize the distribution process in a limited environment derived from the restructuring and continuous improvement in the management and logistics of a distribution center. For each stage of DMAIC, specific goals and concrete actions were established, starting from the mapping of the native process together with Python software, adding new functions that enabled the optimization of inventory and stock management processes. The methodology employed consisted of on-site observation based on the principle of risk detection and resource optimization. Based on the results obtained, the process was standardized, an increase in the sigma level, an improvement in user interaction, the standard search time was reduced, and a considerable reduction of errors was achieved when locating items and verifying stock levels

ABSTRACT This study investigates the Proactive Environmental Practices (PEPs) adopted by U.S. craft breweries, addressing a significant gap in the literature that has largely overlooked the operational and managerial dimensions of sustainability in this sector. While the craft brewing industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, it also generates substantial environmental impact through energy use, water consumption, and waste. Existing research tends to focus either on consumer preferences or technological efficiency, leaving the perspectives of brewery owners underexplored. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, we conducted 31 semi-structured interviews with brewery owners across all U.S. regions, followed by a nationwide survey of 237 brewery owners and general managers. Guided by the 6 R framework (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Rationalize), we identified and ranked 41 PEPs based on their level of perceived importance. Findings reveal that low-cost and high-visibility practices such as spent grain reuse, LED lighting, and filtered water systems are widely adopted, while more capital-intensive solutions like solar energy and rainwater harvesting are underutilized. The analysis also uncovered that most breweries prioritize waste reduction over energy and water conservation. This research provides actionable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and sustainability advocates. It offers practical guidelines for integrating environmental practices into small and medium-sized brewery operations and contributes to broader discussions on sustainability in resource-intensive industries.

Enzymes derived from extremophiles, or extremozymes, possess unique properties that enable them to function under extreme environmental conditions. Microbial communities in subterranean ecosystems have evolved specialized metabolic pathways to survive, leading to the discovery of bioactive molecules with diverse biotechnological and industrial applications as well as the development of sustainable methods for habitat restoration. This study aimed to identify cultivable microorganisms producing industrially relevant enzymes, such as laccases, proteases, and urethanases, from extremophiles in the Dinaric Karst subterranean ecosystems, which are known as biodiversity hotspot. A total of 40 samples were collected from six caves and an abandoned railway tunnel, now a key roost for a large Myotis myotis maternity colony. Cave samples were taken from the entrance, twilight, and dark zones, including soil, sediments, moonmilk, mineral deposits, bedrock deposits, insect remains, entomophagous fungi, wall biofilm, and guano from various bat species. Following microbial cultivation, 207 colonies were screened for enzymatic activity using substrate-specific assays. Functional analysis identified one microorganism exhibiting strong laccase activity, seven capable of degrading polyurethane, and numerous protease-producing colonies. Notably, this study constitutes the inaugural report on discovering polyurethane-degrading microorganisms in karst caves. Molecular identification revealed microbial genera, including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Paenibacillus, and Priestia. These findings underscore the biotechnological potential of subterranean extremophiles and highlight the importance of conserving these ecosystems. Further characterization of these enzymes may drive advancements in environmental remediation, waste recycling, and sustainable industrial processes.

The utilization of waste cooking oil from rice bran and fish byproducts including their wastes can contribute to mitigate the environmental burden like global warming what already being faced by our society. Converting waste oils /fat bearing materials to biodiesel fuel for recycling and reusing material, and reducing Co2 emission equivalent to the amount that is produced when petroleum derived diesel fuel is used. Waste cooking oil ( rice bran oil) and fish oil have emerged as the most promising sources for biodiesel production. This study was investigated to understand the proper transesterification, amount of biodiesel production (ester) and physical properties of biodiesel. Biodiesel production was higher in rice bran waste oil than in fish byproducts oil. However, crude glycerine was lower in rice bran oil than in fish oil. There was a difference in biodiesel production in different concentrations of methanol and catalyst used in rice bran and fish oil from byproducts. These results indicate that high quality biodiesel can be produced from waste rice bran and fish byproducts oil as environmental recycling process.

Abstract With increasing wildfire and crop residue burning, organic P in biomass burning smoke‐derived dissolved organic matters (BBS‐DOMs), as an important source of atmospheric P, plays a growingly crucial role in P cycling on the Earth's surface. However, the limited understanding of the molecular characteristics of this organic P hampers our ability to comprehend its environmental stability and cycling processes. To address this knowledge gap, this study synthesized various BBS‐DOMs and used FT‐ICR‐MS to analyze their molecular characteristics and potential environmental stabilities. Herein, CHOP compounds (the capital letters in these compound names indicate their elemental compositions) were the dominant organic P component in most BBS‐DOMs, followed by CHONP and CHONSP compounds. However, high content of N in biomass enabled CHONP compounds to become the primary component during the burning process. Furthermore, CHOP compounds exhibited higher polarity and aliphaticity, lower molecular mass and aromaticity than CHONP and CHONSP compounds. Among these compounds, CHOP compounds predominantly existed as hydrolysis‐available P (phosphate esters with three P‐O‐C/H groups), accounting for >76% of the total organic P. Differently, CHONP and CHONSP compounds exhibited comparable oxidation‐available P (containing P‐C bond or incompletely oxidized P) and hydrolysis‐available P levels. These findings suggested that CHOP compounds had a lower environmental stability and shorter turnover cycle than CHONP and CHONSP compounds. Additionally, the (cellulose + hemicellulose)/lignin ratio of biomass and the burning temperature co‐regulated the aromatic degree and available state of organic P compounds in BBS‐DOMs. This study provides critical molecular‐level insights into the biogeochemical process of atmospheric P from biomass burning.

High-throughput sequencing technology was used to systematically analyze the composition, diversity, and dynamic changes of soil microbial communities during the wheat growing season in Lintong, Shaanxi Province. The abundance of bacterial communities significantly increases after the complete planting cycle of wheat, while the fungal community structure was relatively stable. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria constitute the dominant bacterial communities. The fungal community was Ascomycota and Zygomycota. The growth process of wheat significantly changes the structural composition of bacterial communities, enhances enzyme activity and biological regulatory functions of bacterial communities, while inhibiting cellular processes and environmental information processing functions. This study revealed the succession pattern of soil microbial communities during the wheat growing season, identified key microbial groups that maintain soil ecosystem functions, and provided an important theoretical basis and practical guidance for the sustainable management of the surface substrate layer in the study area. Bangladesh J. Bot. 54(3): 741-748, 2025 (September) Special

Mamuju Regency, Indonesia, is among the world’s notable high natural background radiation areas (HBNRAs). This study examines the environmental and geochemical processes responsible for the accumulation of uranium (U), thorium (Th), and potassium (K) in surface soils. Through systematic field sampling, geochemical characterization, and radiological measurements, we found that the distribution of radionuclides is primarily governed by weathering intensity and lateritization. High U and Th concentrations occur in clay-rich, acidic soils, whereas K is enriched in less weathered profiles. High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry confirmed elevated of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K activity, while survey meter measurements of ambient gamma dose rates exceeded global averages. Multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed strong correlations between radiological parameters and geochemical indicators, confirming that weathering and lateritization are the dominant factors. These findings advance the understanding of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) behavior in tropical soils and provide essential data for radiological risk assessment and environmental monitoring in HBNRAs.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-21431-6.

Listeria monocytogenes is a globally relevant foodborne pathogen and a major public health concern because of its ability to cause severe invasive disease and persist in food processing environments. This study aimed to characterize the genomic diversity of L. monocytogenes isolates collected in Uruguay from food and clinical cases of listeriosis between 2010 and 2019. The genomes sequences of 142 isolates representatives from a national collection were obtained and used for comparative genomic and phylogenetic analysis along with other 55 genomes from different geographical regions. The isolates belonged to lineages I (88%) and II (12%) and were distributed across 20 clonal complexes. The clonal complexes CC3, CC2, and CC1 were predominant. Notably, CC3 accounted for nearly one-third of the isolates and was evenly distributed between food and clinical sources, contrasting with its relatively low frequency in most international datasets. A novel sequence type (ST2832) and 112 new core genome MLST profiles were identified. The circulation of the rare clonal complex CC517 was detected, with evidence of persistence in food environments and a potential link to a human case. Comparative analysis revealed considerable virulence gene diversity, including specific distribution of LIPI-3 and LIPI-4 among lineages and clonal complexes, and the presence of truncated allelic variants of the inlA gene in food-derived lineage II isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed strong concordance with MLST-based classification and reveals linkage among isolates form different sources suggesting epidemiological relation between food and human cases of listeriosis. This study provides the first comprehensive genomic overview of L. monocytogenes in Uruguay, revealing the predominance of lineage I isolates from food and clinical sources, a particular high prevalence of CC3 and the local circulation of the rare CC517. The results highlight the importance of whole genome and phylogenetic analysis as molecular epidemiology tools and show the contribution of including isolates from underrepresented regions in global genomic databases.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-22190-0.

Inhalation exposure to nanoplastic particles (NPPs) can lead to significant pulmonary toxicity; however, the effects of environmental processing on their toxicity remain poorly understood. This study examines the toxicity of polystyrene (PS) NPPs on lung cells following controlled atmospheric aging. Human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were cultured in vitro at the air-liquid interface and acutely exposed to oxidized PS NPPs through electrostatic precipitation. Expression of proinflammatory genes interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was significantly elevated at 6 and 48 h postexposure to aged NPPs, with corresponding increases in interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein levels supporting an inflammatory response. The oxidative stress marker heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) also showed significantly increased expression at 6 h postexposure, supported by protein analysis. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS) revealed increased surface roughness and oxygen to carbon ratios in the atmospherically aged NPPs. Together, these results demonstrate that atmospheric aging alters the chemical composition and surface morphology of PS NPPs, enhancing proinflammatory and oxidative stress responses in bronchial epithelial cells, highlighting the critical role of environmental processing in determining the toxicity of nanoplastics.

In the context of digitalization of education, there is an increasing need for intelligent decision support systems that ensure informed, adaptive and personalized management of the educational process in a digital educational environment. At the same time, the key areas are timely assessment, forecasting of learning outcomes and personalization of educational routes in a digital educational environment. The implementation of these directions is impossible without an intelligent automated information system capable of providing adaptive feedback in a digital educational environment. The purpose of the study is to describe the architecture and modules of an automated decision support information system for implementing adaptive feedback. Unlike known implementations of automated information systems, the proposed project uses a modular architecture that integrates an analytical module and adaptive feedback to support decision-making in a digital educational environment. The description of the modules and the analysis of the implemented solutions in the automated information system of decision support are given. The article implements the design stages with a description of the adaptive assessment sequence diagram, class diagram, and deployment diagram. A functional architecture is built with decomposition by levels of representation in the designed decision support system. The presented draft of the system in the article will ensure the formation of personalized and informational support for the user in the decision-making process in the digital educational environment.

This study explores the integration of the "quintuple helix" model and esg (environmental, social, and governance) framework for sustainable business development, both critical for improving business processes and fostering systematic analysis. The research aims to reassess these frameworks and propose an innovative n-model of management. Validity is confirmed through analysis of kazakhstani and international literature, practical testing, and implementation of findings in real-world contexts. The purpose of the study is to review and rethink approaches to the formation of the “five helix” and esg with the development of prerequisites for the development of the n-model of management. Research methodology . Qualitative methods were employed, including observation of processes in natural environments and focus group discussions to analyze the significance of the "quintuple helix" model and esg transformation. Theoretical generalization identified commonalities and differences between the frameworks, highlighting priority directions for further research. Originality (value) of the research . The "quintuple helix" model emphasizes dynamic knowledge exchange within a nation for sustainable development. Esg focuses on environmental responsibility, social accountability, and robust corporate governance. Both concepts are essential for addressing issues like low management quality and insufficient decision-making systems in kazakhstan. Results of the study . The significance of the results and conclusions of the study lies in clarifying the characteristics and conditions that complicate innovative interaction. The five spiral model and the existence of prerequisites for adapting the esg education model show the qualitative changes that the relationships between participants in kazakhstan's innovative development are undergoing. The study concludes that the integration of the two concepts contributes to the development of the n-model of management, improving interaction between participants in the innovation process.

Abstract Particle-laden flows are fundamental in numerous engineering fields, including environmental hydraulics, sediment transport, and process engineering, where understanding the interaction between fluid and particulate phases is critical for design and prediction. This work presents a novel mixture model for sediment transport within the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) framework. The model couples the Navier–Stokes equations for fluid flow with a transport-diffusion equation for sediment concentration, treating sediment as a scalar field rather than discrete particles. This approach enables efficient simulation of fluid–sediment interactions without the computational cost of tracking individual sediment particles and their contacts. PFEM’s Lagrangian nature allows the mesh to follow the flow motion, with remeshing strategies implemented to maintain mesh quality during large deformations. The model incorporates both Neumann and Robin boundary conditions for sediment concentration, enabling a realistic representation of sediment deposition and exchange at fluid–bed interfaces. Validation is conducted through two- and three-dimensional test cases, including channel flows, gravity current intrusion with multiple fluids, and sediment deposition in tanks with orifices. Comparisons with experimental data and particle-based simulations demonstrate that the model captures key sediment transport phenomena accurately under low-concentration conditions. The proposed mixture model offers a robust and computationally efficient tool for simulating sediment-laden flows in engineering applications.

With the laser glass deposition, optical quartz glass fibers with a core-cladding structure are welded on fused silica chips for all-glass on-chip light-guiding systems. However, previous welding experiments resulted in a degradation of the transmission properties of the fibers [F. Spengler, Procedia CRIP, 124, 484 (2024)]. In this work, the beam path of the CO2 laser is modified to improve the transmission of the on-chip welded fibers and to maintain their single-mode properties. Rather than being guided directly onto the fiber from above, the laser beam is directed between the fiber and the substrate. The fiber is continuously placed in the created melt pool of the substrate, which enables a material bond with reduced thermal impact on the fiber core. The influence of process parameters, such as the power density and the wavefront curvature, on the optical transmission properties of welded fibers is systematically analyzed. Compared to previous processes, a 50% reduction in optical transmission losses can be observed. In the same process environment, an innovative laser-based cleaving process is being developed to create cleaves with end facet angles between 0° and 12°, enabling efficient and versatile coupling strategies and precise on-chip integration of discrete optical components through microassembly strategies such as pick and place.