Scientific Solutions Research Articles

Ecological crisis manifestations and innovative scientific strategies for resolution

The environmental crisis is a pervasive global issue with regionspecific characteristics. In Uzbekistan, the ecological challenges are severe, including the desiccation of the Aral Sea, soil salinization, and pollution affecting air and land. These issues pose significant threats to the population and ecosystems. This study aims to analyze the manifestations of the ecological crisis in Uzbekistan and evaluate the government’s efforts to address environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources. The focus is on understanding how constitutional provisions and scientific strategies are being employed to combat these environmental problems. The research employs a combination of theoretical analysis and empirical data review. It examines legislative measures, including Articles 50 and 55 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and evaluates innovative scientific approaches aimed at resolving environmental issues. The study reveals that while the government has initiated several measures to tackle environmental problems, challenges persist due to the scale and complexity of the issues. Innovative scientific strategies, including advanced monitoring techniques and sustainable resource management practices, are essential for effective resolution. The ecological crisis in Uzbekistan requires a multifaceted approach that integrates governmental policies with innovative scientific solutions. Emphasizing the constitutional commitment to environmental protection and the adoption of new technologies will be crucial in mitigating the adverse effects and ensuring sustainable development.

Новое качество российской экономики: стратегия и тактика

In 2024, Russia is entering a new electoral cycle, which involves both the formation of new development goals and certain shifts in economic policy. The new Presidential Decree on national development goals sets the general framework for the country's development for the next six years. It contains about 70 development goals, most of which are quantitative, which forms a new framework for both making management decisions and monitoring their implementation. The Russian expert community and academic economics should provide analytical support for decision-making on the implementation of national development goals. The most difficult and in-demand task is scientific and technological forecasting, which combines an understanding of the essence of a number of scientific solutions and an assessment of the economic efficiency of their implementation. There is a direct link between technological shifts and the level of labor productivity, which is the most important response to the challenges associated with changes in the labor market. The issues of structural imbalances of supply and demand and the impact of tax innovations on them are also the place where the intellectual efforts of the expert community and the Russian economic academic science are applied.

Effective Export Strategy Issue for Foreign Trade Activity of the Develped Economy Enterprises

The published article presents possible ways penetration and promotion of goods into foreign markets based on experience of developed economies in the focus of separate business management decision. The purpose of the publishing is to identify the key features of overseas trade and business activity for developed, new organized companies and its strategies, managers, entrepreneurs and scientist. Within a way of decision making concern about foreign trade activity beginning is important to estimate all kind of business parts due to organize profitable business and minimize all the kind of risks. The publishing is analyzing the possibilities of the overseas trade activity for a Company regardless of a company business location and size. A significant expansion of the key features of overseas trade was noted. The authors present a special theoretical approaches and scientific solutions concern of decision-making regarding foreign economic activity within the framework of strategic planning and development of the enterprise regardless of its size and nature of the enterprise activity in the conditions of the development of global economic process. The scientific research of this publishing is based on the following methods: analyses, generalization to identify the key features of export and overseas business activity as well as to select structural characteristic for international trade activity that might be implemented to incoming companies’ strategy of growing. The publication substantiates the need to control operating costs, acquire administrative and financial skills, and additional professional consulting services. There are main point for any managers like following: sense for exporting, obstacles to exporting, making the export decision, the pros and cons of exporting, getting the company ready to enter the export market, the new to export entrepreneur, key export products and destinations, the tools of trade, counseling sources. The presented article has practical significance in terms of minimizing possible management risks and can be useful for the successful start and development of foreign economic activity to any directions or type of the products and servicing.

Возрождение объектов исторического наследия на Северном Кавказе в условиях урбанизации

Introduction. The Caucasus attracts tourists with its historical heritage, but many monuments are under threat of destruction due to lack of funding. To preserve the heritage and develop the region, a strategy is needed to create a tourism cluster that will contribute to economic growth and the creation of new jobs. Many countries have used their historical monuments to develop tourism and the economy. In Europe and Asia, projects to reconstruct ancient cities and temples have led to an increase in the flow of tourists. The Caucasus has a unique heritage and can become a successful example. Restoring monuments not only preserves history, but also invests in the future of the region, its economy and cultural diversity. Materials and methods. The authors of this study analyzed a number of legislative initiatives, and also analyzed scientific and literary sources in the field of tourism and monument conservation. In addition to this, they conducted practical research using modern methods of physical and mechanical testing of materials and structures. These studies included quality control methods, as well as the use of modern mathematical tools for summarizing and processing experimental and statistical data. In addition to conducting their own research, the authors also took into account the results of previous scientific research and the experience of successful practices in the field of tourism and restoration of monuments. During the analysis of legislative initiatives, they took into account recent changes in legislation relating to the protection of cultural heritage and stimulation of tourism activities. The combined analysis approach included both theoretical and practical aspects, which contributed to a deeper understanding of issues related to tourism and restoration of monuments. This multifaceted approach also provided more accurate and objective results, supported by evidence and analysis. Results. The work provides an overview of the current state of monuments in the Caucasus region and examines their general characteristics. The essence of tourism as a key factor influencing the development of historically significant territories is analyzed. In this context, current trends in the field of tourism that have an impact on the preservation and restoration of the cultural heritage of the region are also considered. The role of tourism in the development of historical monuments of the Caucasus is undoubtedly high. The tourism potential of this region is based on its rich cultural heritage, which includes architectural masterpieces, ancient monuments and numerous archaeological finds. Discussion. Modern research shows that tourism contributes not only to the preservation, but also to the active restoration of objects of historical significance. Scientific and technical solutions play a key role in the process of restoration and maintenance of cultural monuments of the Caucasus. The use of advanced technologies also includes the use of remote monitoring methods, which allow us to constantly monitor the condition of monuments and quickly respond to any changes. This contributes to more effective and sustainable management of the cultural heritage of the Caucasus, preserving it for future generations. In general, the integration of tourism, scientific and technical solutions into the management and restoration of cultural monuments of the Caucasus region is an important aspect of modern practice, contributing to the preservation of the rich historical heritage of this unique region. Conclusion. Fundamental methods and methodologies were developed for organizing and carrying out work on the preservation and restoration of monuments of historical and cultural heritage. In this context, a scale for assessing damage and destruction has been developed, which makes it possible to more accurately determine the extent of damage and select appropriate methods of restoration measures. Based on current trends in the field of restoration and repair of cultural objects, the study included additional data obtained from the latest research and practical developments in this field. New approaches to repair and restoration requirements have been proposed taking into account modern standards and technologies. Resume. As a result of the research, effective repair and restoration compounds were identified, intended for use in various conditions and taking into account the specifics of specific historical and cultural monuments. These compounds meet the high requirements for preserving the authenticity of objects while ensuring the long-term stability of the restored structures. Suggestions for practical applications and future research directions. The research results can be useful in the repair, restoration and restoration of cultural heritage sites (towers, castles, historical monuments) both in the North Caucasus and beyond.

APPLICATION OF INTERNAL COATINGS IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION AND REDUCE CORROSION DAMAGE TO THE PIPELINE WALL

With the development of the fuel and energy complex of the Russian Federation, new problems and challenges are emerging that require new scientific and technical solutions. At the moment, the length of pipelines through which various types of hydrocarbons are transported is growing. At the same time, the number of easily recoverable hydrocarbon reserves decreases every year, and at the same time their quality characteristics deteriorate, there is a need for a higher degree of their preparation for further transportation and additional purification. As a result, the corrosion effect on the pipe wall increases, leading to a decrease in the service life of the pipeline. Along with this, the share of heavy components in hydrocarbon mixtures transported through pipeline systems increases, which leads to an increase in energy costs for their transportation. These factors lead to a qualitative change in transportation conditions and, accordingly, to the need for additional technical solutions to protect pipes from corrosion and ensure the efficient operation of pipeline systems due to the increase in pressure losses along the length of the pipeline. As a result, it is necessary to achieve a reduction in energy costs for the transportation of natural gas. The problems of reducing pressure losses during natural gas transportation, as well as preventing corrosion wear of the internal cavity of the main gas pipelines are very relevant and require serious research to solve them.One of the effective ways to reduce energy loss during natural gas transportation and protect the inner wall of the pipeline from corrosion damage is the use of internal smooth polymer coatings of steel pipelines. At the same time, due to the growing influence of the negative factors listed earlier, there is a need for a critical analysis of existing technical solutions for their compliance with the current state and prospects for the development of the oil and gas complex.The article discusses existing and promising developments in the field of application of internal coatings in order to increase the efficiency of natural gas transportation and reduce the amount of corrosion damage to the pipeline wall.

ELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF TUNGSTEN: STATUS AND PROSPECTS

An overview of studies of the electroche­mical reduction of tungsten compounds of different composition in various reaction media is presented. It is shown that among the variety of existing scientific and technical methods for obtaining tungsten, there are attractive prospects for the creation and development of a new industrial process that would ensure the direct electrochemical release of oxygen from its oxygen-containing compounds into molten mixtures based on chloride and calcium oxide. This scientific and technical solution is known in the literature as the FFC Cambridge process (FFC process).In contrast to the known methods of electrochemical reduction of tungsten compounds, this process allows the reduction of oxygen-containing tungsten compounds in the solid state and does not depend on the course of acid-base equilibria at the electrode/electrolyte phase separation boundary. The most favorable conditions for the reduction of oxygen-containing tungsten compounds are provided by electrolysis using a liquid gallium cathode in both galvanostatic and potentiostatic modes, and it is advisable to use the initial tungsten compounds in a finely dispersed state. The electrochemical reduction of tungsten trioxide in thee utectic melt of sodium and calcium chlorides occurs through the intermediate stage of calcium tungstate formation, so it is advisable to use CaWO4 instead of WO3 as the starting compound for reduction. Electrochemical reduction on a liquid gallium cathode in a molten eutectic mixture of sodium and calcium chlorides allows obtaining highly dispersed tungsten powder (11–35 nm) of high purity (99.9%) with a degree of extraction of at least 90.0% from both tungsten trioxide and from calcium tungstate. In addition, in this way it is possible to obtain not only pure tungsten, but also metal alloys and composites based on it.

Scaling up integrated care: a realist evaluation on the role of country-specific policy dialogues and scale-up roadmaps in Belgium, Slovenia, and Cambodia

Background: The ‘SCale-Up of diaBetes and hYpertension care’ (SCUBY) project aims to support the scale-up of integrated care for diabetes and hypertension in Cambodia, Slovenia, and Belgium through the co-creation, implementation, and evaluation of contextualized roadmaps. These roadmaps offer avenues for action and are built on evidence as well as stakeholder engagement in policy dialogues. These two implementation strategies – roadmaps and policy dialogues – are very much intertwined and considered to be key elements for successful stakeholder supported scale-up. Yet, little is known about how, why, and under which conditions a roadmap leads to successful implementation and scale-up of integrated care. Therefore, the resulting research question is: ‘How, why, and under which context conditions does a co-created scale-up roadmap lead to adoption, implementation, and scale-up of integrated care?’.
 Methods: A realist approach is used towards testing the initial programme theory (IPT) in the three countries. The IPT draws on political science theory of the multiple streams model (MSM) adapted by Howlett and includes five streams (problem, solution, politics, process and programme) that can emerge, converge and diverge across all policy stages. To test the IPT, information from different sources was collected. Firstly, qualitative interviews were conducted with the researchers in the SCUBY country teams as well as with key stakeholders (health facility managers, policy makers, civil servants, professional medical and patient associations, NGOs, and implementers). Secondly, a document review of grey literature, meeting reports, and official documents was performed. Finally, a workshop was organised with SCUBY researchers from all country teams to refine the IPT. We used the Intervention-Context-Actors-Mechanism-Outcome (ICAMO) configuration to synthesise information into a configurational map.
 Results: In each country case, the project partner’s mandate was key in the approach to scale-up, the design, and content, leading to different mechanisms, scale-up pathways, and outcomes. In Belgium, the (scientific) solutions stream was dominant with creating common understanding as a key mechanism; in Slovenia, the programme stream became the dominant focus whilst exemplifying good practices of patient empowerment; and in Cambodia, the political stream was dominant yet closely knit together with the solutions stream – with knowledge sharing and credibility as key mechanisms. A finding across all three countries was that a lack of political support can derail or slow down scale-up.
 Discussion: This study extends the knowledge base about the use of co-creation in policy dialogues to build a roadmap for scale-up. The roadmaps illustrate how the MSM theory can be used to theorize the policy process of roadmap and policy dialogues in different contexts, aligning the context-dominant stream with the context-specific scale-up strategy. By testing theories in real cases, the theories can be adapted, refuted and/or reconstructed to elicit a refined theory of how and why a roadmap co-created in policy dialogues for scale-up works.

Социологические перспективы изучения обращаемости за психологической помощью

Scientific solution of one of the topical problems of mental health of the population – the discrepancy between the need for psychological aid and the prevalence of seeking it – is currently explained by the concept of “help-seeking behavior”. However, in the world literature, this concept is a subject of discussion and faces a lack of a systematic methodological approach to its study, measurement and interpretation. The aim of the article is to reveal the possibilities of sociological knowledge applied to the studies of help-seeking behavior. The results of a secondary meta-analysis of systematic reviews on the topic (N = 416 articles) indicate a lack of theoretical framework and the need to build up comprehensive conceptual models using a macro-sociological perspec-tive.The literary review facilitated theoretical and methodological recommendations for future empiri-cal research, which is increasing with the growing attention of society to the problem of public mental health.

RESEARCH ON THE CONTROL OF DISEASES AND PESTS IN COWPEA CULTURE IN THE CONDITIONS OF SANDY SOILS IN THE SOUTH OF OLTENIA

The study was carried out in the period 2021-2022 at the Research and Development Station for Plant Culture on Sands Dabuleni, Romania, with the aim of finding scientific solutions to reduce the incidence of attack produced by the identified harmful agents in the cowpea crop (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) sown in the conditions of the sandy soils of southern Oltenia, Romania. Various environmentally friendly products with a fungicidal and insecticidal role were tested, in order to promote sustainable agriculture, by applying two phytosanitary treatments in the phases of 3-4 true leaves and the appearance of flower stalks of the cowpea plant. The results obtained for cowpea highlighted the phytosanitary treatment with the Polyversumbiofungicide, in a dose of 0.1 kg/ha and the Bioinsekt insecticide, in doses of 0.5-1 l/ha, which achieved the best phytosanitary control over the attack produced by plant pests (AD=0.79%), correlated with an increase in resistance to stress conditions (bound water=3.42%; vacuolar juice concentration=10.2%) and high productivity (12.6 pods/plant, leaf index=8.04, production=2725.2 kg/ha).

Territory as a Public Law Category: Concept and Logical Relationship with the State

The article is devoted to several conceptual issues of legal understanding of the state territory. The author analyzes the construction of the notion of state territory and substantiates that its multiple definitions are theoretically acceptable. However, modern legal practice implies the inevitability of recognizing a specific approach to understanding state territory as a sphere where state sovereignty manifests itself. The author considers the discrepancies in the legally fixed descriptions of the RF territory composition. It is stated that the discussion about this composition has no scientific solution and can only be arbitrarily terminated, namely by means of enumerating the components of the territory in the legislation or recognizing the correctness of a certain approach by the academic community. The article addresses some issues of using the relevant terminology in legal doctrine and legal regulation. The author shows that legal and linguistic traditions of the describing of territorial issues in various countries do not agree, and that under certain conditions jurisprudence can technically manage without the term “territory” and similar words. Nevertheless, although the term “territory” is flawed, it has practically no alternative in modern Russian-language jurisprudence. The article reveals that in order to assess if a state requires territory, one should consider the interpretation of the notions of territory and state, as well the used scientific methodology. Besides, it demonstrates that it is methodologically precarious to interpret territory as a feature, element, condition or prerequisite of the state. The author shows that the spatial nature of the state bodies jurisdiction and of the national law operation, as well as the spatial structuring of such jurisdiction and of the legal order stay relevant for the modern period of the statehood development. However, the intensive digitalization implementation taking place in the sphere of public functions and public services can lead to a noticeable reduction of the practical need for territorial structuring of the state.

Use of backscattering ultrasound parameters for iron ore varieties recognition

Purpose. Development of the method for recognizing the main mineral-technological varieties of iron ore in the deposits being developed by selecting an analytical model for the spectral characteristics of the received ultrasonic echo signals and quantitative assessment of their parameters. Methodology. The work uses methods for modeling the processes of propagation of ultrasonic waves in a randomly heterogeneous medium. The process of backscattering of ultrasound in mineral structures formed by inclusions of iron ore of various varieties and associated rock was considered. The estimated parameters of the spectral characteristics of the inversely scattered probing ultrasound pulse were studied. Findings. A method for recognizing the main mineral and technological varieties of iron ore of the deposit being developed, based on the parameters of the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the studied samples, was proposed. This is achieved by selecting an analytical model for the spectral characteristics of the received echo signals and quantifying their parameters. The amplitude of the echo signal and its spectral properties depends on the size and concentration of the scatterers, i.e., the structural and textural features of the iron ore sample under study. Taking into account these factors, the extracted parameters of the model were used to identify the main mineralogical and technological varieties of iron ore of the studied deposit. Originality. The proposed method for recognizing mineral-technological varieties of iron ore differs from the known ones in that the amplitude, central frequency, and bandwidth of the amplitude spectrum of the Gaussian parametric model of the measured echo signals are used as evaluation parameters. Practical value. The proposed scientific and technical solution allows for operational non-destructive control of the main mineralogical and technological types of iron ore in the process of its extraction and processing.

A Comprehensive Model for Recommending Personalized Learning Resources for the Development of Linguistic Competence

With the continuous advancement of globalization and informatization, the linguistic competence of college students has become a key index for evaluating their comprehensive quality. Faced with diverse needs of students and educational environments, it is increasingly important and complex to accurately locate the linguistic competence goals of college students. Although existing research methods, such as standardized testing and teacher assessment, provide certain convenience, they rely on single data sources and have a certain degree of subjectivity, which limits their universality and accuracy. This study aimed to solve this problem by doing comprehensive research on two aspects: first, curriculum analysis based on relation extraction. A relation extraction model, such as Casrel, was used for advanced text analysis, which provided educators with more in-depth insights; second, personalized learning material recommendation based on text recommendation. Personalized learning paths were provided for students of different levels using the abstractness-based text recommendation algorithm. This study not only filled the gaps in existing research methods, but also provided a new, scientific and efficient solution, helping improve the quality of education and promote the formulation of scientific education policies.

The fundamental basis of innovative technologies of oil and gas industry

The further development of the Russian oil and gas industry significantly depends on the creation of the new innovative technologies. The article deals with the achievements of the scientists of Oil and Gas Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other academic institutions in the field of creation of advanced scientific, technical and technological solutions for improving the efficiency of prospecting, exploration and development of oil, gas and gas condensate fields, as well as proposals for the development of the methods for monitoring oil and gas transportation routes and petrochemical industry.

A data-driven Bayesian model for evaluating the duration of detention of ships in PSC inspections

Port State Control (PSC) inspections are essential for port authorities to improve vessel quality and ensure maritime safety worldwide. However, the increasing frequency and duration of ship detentions indicate serious deficiencies of visiting vessels still largely exist, highlighting the urgent need for scientific solutions. This research aims to improve the efficiency of inspection policy and reduce the duration of detention by developing a data-driven Bayesian Network (BN) model using an improved machine-learning (ML) based methodology. New risk variables influencing the duration of ship detention, especially deficiency types, are identified based on the established database containing detention records within the jurisdiction of the Paris MoU from January 2015 to March 2022. Thorough analysis using the developed model allows the identification of deficiency types with a significant impact on the duration of detention, the discovery of interdependencies between these types and the clarification of the major and abnormal deficiency types in different port states. Policy implications and managerial recommendations for port authorities are presented. These include developing clear instructions on types of deficiencies that significantly impact detention time and proposing a selection strategy for vessels in different countries based on their specific circumstances. The proposed model utilizes big data analytics to support the development of inspection policies that are rational and effective. This research will provide good reference for effectively reducing the duration of ship detention, providing policy recommendations, improving ship standards, and ensuring maritime safety.

Somatic rights. Fundamental concepts

The need to approach this subject is largely determined by the modest interest of Moldovan scientists in somatic rights. A difficulty is also the absence in the content of national legislation of provisions dedicated to these rights. In these circumstances, the novelty of the approached subject is evident, especially for the local research space in the field of legal sciences. In this context, we reveal the need for succession from the fragmentary study to a com-prehensive and fundamental analysis of the issue of somatic rights, to identify not only scientific solutions, but also normative ones.

Progress in Additive Manufacturing

The article analyses the current trends in the development of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. In recent years, the development of additive technologies is one of the industry priorities. Additive technologies, first of all, make it possible to implement effectively any design and engineering ideas in high-tech industries, such as aircraft construction, engine and engine building, rocket engineering, modern electronic devices, etc. The expansion of the range of materials for additive technologies will facilitate their introduction into mass production. Meanwhile, the development of breakthrough scientific and technical solutions in the field of AT is impossible without new powder materials. Currently, there is an evident fundamental problem, namely, the lack of comprehensive scientific research aimed at developing new powder materials for additive technologies, adapting these materials to the requirements of modern additive manufacturing machines and studying the properties of products obtained by additive technology with various variations of technical parameters.

The impact of organizational commitment on knowledge management processes in project-based organizations with the mediating role of employee motivation

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of organizational commitment (with three dimensions of emotional commitment, continuous commitment, and normative commitment) on knowledge management processes (KMP) in project-based organizations, considering the mediating role of employee motivation. This research has an applied purpose and a descriptive and quantitative nature, which was conducted with a survey strategy. The statistical population is managers and experts of first-class construction companies in Tehran. Data collection was done through a standard questionnaire with 58 questions and hypotheses were tested with SmartPLS. The findings showed that emotional commitment and continuous commitment have a positive effect on employee motivation in project-oriented organizations, respectively, 0.56 and 0.2. Also, employee motivation has a positive effect of 0.51 on KMP in project-oriented organizations. Therefore, employee motivation plays a mediating role in influencing the dimensions of organizational commitment to KMP. But normative commitment does not have a positive effect on employee motivation in project-oriented organizations. On the other hand, employee motivation is influenced by their commitments to the organization and will have positive effects on intellectual capital management, KM and ultimately business performance. Among research backgrounds, the effect of organizational commitment dimensions on improving KMP with the mediating role of employee motivation in project-oriented organizations has not been investigated. It is expected that the results of this research can finally provide scientific and executive solutions to improve the performance of project-oriented organizations through the improvement of these components.

The Impact of Climate Change on the Occurrence of Diseases and Pests of Agricultural Plants and Forest Trees

The effects of climate change on harmful organisms are complex because other factors of influence are not constant, but are changing. In addition, climate change can affect harmful organisms differently or similarly, depending on which group of organisms they belong to: fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects, nematodes, etc. In fitopathogenic fungi, these effects are manifested in terms of: changes in biology; faster evolution due to longer seasons of the year; the emergence of new races or greater aggressiveness of existing species due to gene recombination; changes in geographical distribution, either towards the northern hemisphere or in areas of higher altitude; introduction of quarantine and invasive species, as well as expansion into new areas in relation to the area of origin; higher mycotoxin production; etc. For viruses and bacteria, which are transmitted by vectors, the impact of climate change on the presence, spreading and number of vectors is of special importance. The positive impact of climate change on different pests can be manifested in the form of: changes in biology and emergence of a higher number of generations; increased numbers and fertility; better overwintering; extended range of hosts; introduction of quarantine and invasive species; spreading to new areas; etc. The positive effects of climate change on harmful organisms are most often with a negative effect on the development of agriculture and food production, forestry development, biodiversity and the environment – due to possibility of greater economic damage, as well as greater needs for pesticides. Climate change can also affect host plants, with their loss of the natural basis of resistance being of particular importance. Although some progress has been made in monitoring and understanding climate change, there is still a need for many scientific, technical and institutional solutions to precisely plan, adjust and alleviate the effects of climate change on harmful organisms and hosts, as well as their interaction.

The Effect of Clearing Diseased Wood on the Soil’s Physicochemical Properties in Black Pine Forests

Clearing diseased wood is a common measure used to reduce the continued spread of pine wilt disease and prevent infecting other pines. However, the impact of clearing diseased wood on the physicochemical properties of the soil is still unclear. To elucidate this matter, we conducted a series of soil experiments and observations in Changdao, mainly focused on uncut black pine, cut black pine, and the inter-forest zone. The results showed the following. (1) The soil beneath the forest underwent a transition towards the characteristics of forest and grassland after clearing diseased wood, which indicated a potential shift in the ecosystem’s structure and function. (2) Clearing diseased wood led to an increase in the soil pH of 0.15, indicating that it facilitated the recovery of acidic soil. (3) The clearing of diseased wood can coarsen the soil’s texture. Moreover, it effectively reduced the surface soil temperature (0–20 cm) in summer by 1.52 °C, as well as significantly decreasing the surface (0–20 cm) soil moisture in spring and summer by 1.3% and 2.43%, respectively. (4) Clearing diseased wood clearing can effectively modify the content of essential nutrients in the soil. It reduced the available nitrogen by 26.86 mg·kg−1, increased the available phosphorus by 0.57 mg·kg−1, and decreased the available potassium by 1.68 mg·kg−1. Meanwhile, clearing diseased wood exacerbated soil salinization and increased the soil’s salt content by 0.70 g·kg−1. The findings of this study provide scientific solutions for the sustainable ecological development of black pine forests in Changdao.

The unequal landscape of civic opportunity in America.

The hollowing of civil society has threatened effective implementation of scientific solutions to pressing public challenges-which often depend on cultivating pro-social orientations commonly studied under the broad umbrella of social capital. Although robust research has studied the constituent components of social capital from the demand side (that is, the orientations people need for collective life in pluralistic societies, such as trust, cohesion and connectedness), the same precision has not been brought to the supply side. Here we define the concept of civic opportunity-opportunities people have to encounter civic experiences necessary for developing such orientations-and harness data science to map it across America. We demonstrate that civic opportunity is more highly correlated with pro-social outcomes such as mutual aid than other measures, but is unequally distributed, and its sources are underrepresented in the public dialogue. Our findings suggest greater attention to this fundamentally uneven landscape of civic opportunity.