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Found 6273 publications
Soil microarthropods mitigate nitrogen loss and enhance crop yield in residue-amended soils
Publication Name: Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 404
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The application of crop residues is a common agricultural practice used to enhance soil health. However, the use of low-quality crop residues can lead to nitrogen (N) depletion in soil due to microbial immobilisation. This microbial activity is influenced by many factors including residue quality, soil type and interactions with higher trophic levels such as microarthropods. To investigate the processes influencing the effectiveness of crop residue application, we conducted a field mesocosm experiment using barley plants grown in either chernozem or sandy soil. As a second factor, low-quality crop residue was added to half of the mesocosms. All soils were initially defaunated, with half subsequently refaunated. Over a three-month period, we measured barley biomass and N content, soil microbial activity, and soluble and soil N concentrations. Inorganic N dynamics were more pronounced in chernozem soil, while differences in crop yield and plant N content were more evident in sandy soil. Residue addition stimulated microbial activity. Although it did not directly deplete soil nitrate, its negative effects were reflected in reduced crop yield and lower leaf N content. Faunal presence significantly reduced nitrate leaching and increased soil nitrate concentrations in both soil types. Moreover, faunated mesocosms exhibited higher microbial activity and crop yield compared to defaunated ones. These findings highlight the critical role of soil microarthropods in mediating the effects of crop residue on plant performance. Thus, maintaining functional soil faunal communities is essential for improving nitrogen retention and crop productivity in residue-amended agricultural systems.
Open Access: Yes
Computational thinking and self-leadership as predictor of innovative work behavior among employees in green product firms : An explanatory sequential mixed method
Publication Name: Acta Psychologica
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 267
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design to investigate the factors influencing innovative work behavior in green product firms in Pakistan. Guided by social cognitive theory, data from 278 employees were analyzed using structural equation modeling in AMOS, followed by qualitative interviews to further explain and contextualize the quantitative findings. The findings showed that computational thinking (β = 0.62, p < 0.001) and self‑leadership (β = 0.56, p < 0.001) have a significant positive association with creative self-efficacy. Additionally, creative self-efficacy has a significant direct positive influence on innovative work behavior (β = 0.76, p < 0.001). The mediation analysis confirmed that creative self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between computational thinking and innovative work behavior (indirect β = 0.29) and between self‑leadership and innovative work behavior (indirect β = 0.26). Notably, knowledge sharing significantly moderated the relationship between creative self-efficacy and innovative work behavior (β = 0.32, p < 0.001) strengthening the effect of creative self-belief on innovative. Eighteen (n = 18) interviews were conducted to gain insight into how these mechanisms worked. During the thematic analysis, results revealed that knowledge sharing weakens negative effect of hierarchical constraints, enabling employees to act on their creative self-efficacy. Computational thinking is associated with a language of credibility for innovative ideas, while self‑leadership is associated with a necessary internal motivation against bureaucratic fatigue. These findings are relevant for green product firms operating in high power distance, resource-constrained contexts such as Pakistan.
Open Access: Yes
Hybrid fertilized particle swarm optimization for engineering design with application to vibration control
Publication Name: Applied Soft Computing
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 198
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Structural vibration control is a critical challenge in engineering systems such as tower cranes, where excessive oscillations compromise safety and operational accuracy. This paper proposes a Fertilized Particle Swarm Optimization (FRPSO) algorithm that hybridizes Particle Swarm Optimization with Flower Fertilization Optimization via a dual-phase global-best update to enhance the exploration–exploitation balance. FRPSO is evaluated on 26 problems (20 non-convex constrained cases, four 1000-variable large-scale benchmarks, structural optimization, and a tower crane vibration-control case study) and is compared against 18 metaheuristic optimizers. Across the benchmark suites, FRPSO achieves solution quality with consistent run-to-run stability, achieving near-optimal objective values with very low dispersion in the 1000-variable tests under the reported experimental protocol. In structural optimization, FRPSO reduces the weight of the 72-bar truss from 381.91 lb (PSO) to 379.63 lb. For the tower crane boom modeled as a 3D beam structure under transient dynamic loading, FRPSO yields designs that achieve effective vibration attenuation, as evidenced by the rapid decay of boom-tip vertical displacement responses, while satisfying stress and displacement constraints. Non-parametric statistical comparisons based on the Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicate that the observed improvements are consistent across repeated runs for selected benchmark cases. Overall, the reported results suggest that FRPSO can be effectively applied to vibration-aware structural design of crane booms and other flexible beam-type structures.
Open Access: Yes
Assessing the impact of climate policy uncertainty on lobbying: An empirical analysis of European countries
Publication Name: Ecological Economics
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 245
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Climate policies are a key focus of the European Union's political agenda. Lobbyists aim to exert influence on these policies to advance their interests. This paper uses a panel dataset from 2011 to 2022 of European organizations to investigate the relationship between Climate Policy Uncertainty (CPU) and Lobbying Expenditure (LE). The dataset includes annual observations from organizations across eight European countries, incorporating both microeconomic and macroeconomic factors. The results indicate a positive association between CPU and LE, suggesting that higher levels of CPU are systematically linked to increased lobbying efforts within our sample. This relationship remains robust after addressing potential endogeneity concerns using the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) approach. The effect is particularly pronounced in countries with high GDP or high CO₂ emissions, as well as for organizations with lower participation in European Commission meetings. The study also examined the presence of an exogenous shock, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. While COVID-19 did not alter the existing relationship between CPU and LE, an analysis focused on the pandemic period revealed a reversal in the relationship. These findings carry important policy implications. Governments should prioritize transparency in lobbying activities and address the regulatory challenges posed by CPU to uphold accountability, balance diverse organizational interests, and safeguard the integrity of climate policymaking.
Open Access: Yes
Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash on the sustainable performance of hot-mix asphalt: A case study of experimental and numerical analysis
Publication Name: Case Studies in Construction Materials
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 24
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The growing demand for sustainable road infrastructure has intensified the interest in alternative mineral fillers that reduce natural resource consumption and environmental impacts. This study investigates the use of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SBA), an abundant agricultural by-product in sub-Saharan Africa, as a partial replacement for conventional mineral fillers in hot-mix asphalt (HMA). Unlike previous studies that considered SBA primarily as a minor additive, this study provides a systematic evaluation across a wide replacement range (0–16 %), combined with experimental testing and numerical validation. Marshall and indirect tensile strength (ITS) tests were conducted on HMA mixtures produced using locally sourced Nigerian aggregates and 60/70 penetration-grade bitumen. A three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of the ITS configuration was developed to corroborate the experimental response and identify stress concentration zones. results indicate that SBA improves both mechanical and volumetric performance within an optimal replacement range of 6–10 %, with peak performance of approximately 8 % SBA. Within this range, Marshall stability increased from 7.6 kN to 9.0 kN, the Marshall quotient reached 3.3 kN/mm, bulk density increased to 2.51 g/cm³, and air voids decreased from 4.9 % to 3.5 %, remaining within standard design limits. Microstructural analyses confirmed the predominance of amorphous silica and porous SBA morphology, which promoted enhanced filler–binder interactions and mixture densification. FEM predictions of peak tensile stress agreed with laboratory ITS results within 10 % and successfully reproduced observed crack initiation zones. Excessive SBA content (> 10 %) led to reduced stability and density owing to over-filling effects. The findings demonstrate that 6–10 % SBA is a technically viable and sustainable filler replacement for HMA, particularly in sugarcane-producing regions, offering improved performance alongside waste valorization and reduced reliance on quarry-derived fillers.
Open Access: Yes
Shear debonding at concrete repair interfaces: An integrated experimental and numerical study
Publication Name: Case Studies in Construction Materials
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 24
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Durable repair of concrete structures relies critically on the shear bond between new and existing concrete, yet reliable prediction of this bond remains challenging due to highly localized interfacial damage mechanisms. Conventional numerical interaction strategies, such as tie constraints, are unable to capture progressive debonding, often leading to unconservative estimates of load transfer and structural capacity. This study presents a three-dimensional Finite Element approach that explicitly represents the repair interface through thin sacrificial layers governed by Concrete Damaged Plasticity and element deletion. The approach is validated against a dedicated shear push-out experimental campaign in which the cement content of the repair layer was systematically varied from 300 to 550 kg/m³ while all other parameters are held constant. The numerical model accurately reproduces the experimentally observed zipper-type interfacial debonding and captures both the onset and propagation of localized shear damage, with satisfactory quantitative agreement. Building on this validation, continuous calibration curves are derived with high statistical correlation (R2 ≈ 0.95) and low predictive error (NRMSE < 9%), directly relating repair cement content to shear bond strength and interface compressive strength. Specifically, the framework captures the nonlinear increase in shear bond strength from 0.21 to 1.85 MPa. The proposed method provides a physically grounded and design-oriented bridge between mix proportioning and structural simulation, enabling consistent definition of interface parameters without iterative numerical tuning.
Open Access: Yes
Beyond lead and diabolo – penetration capabilities of non-traditional air gun projectiles
Publication Name: Forensic Science International
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 384
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The traditional air gun pellet is either spherical or diabolo type with a head followed by a narrow mid-section and a skirt. But apart from these traditional homogenous pellets, special ammunition is also available for air guns, including lead-free, dart-shaped, plastic-coated, and “explosive” pellets producing flash and loud bang upon impact. The scientific data on the penetration capability and terminal ballistic behavior of these pellets are very limited. The study aimed to determine and compare the ballistic gel and tissue penetration capabilities of different air gun ammunition. Ballistic gel and porcine skin penetration of eleven types of 4.5 mm diameter (.177) air gun pellets, including traditional diablo-type lead pellets, lead-free pellets, plastic-coated pellets, and ammunition with an “explosive” charge, were examined. The ballistic gel penetration depth was measured using a digital caliper. The porcine test targets underwent computer tomography (CT) examination and the traditional autopsy method. Histological analysis was performed of the entrance wound and wound track of “explosive” ammunition. The muzzle velocity ranged from 75.4 to 245.1 m/s, and the muzzle energy ranged from 2.5 to 8.5 J. The maximal gel penetration ranged from 26.0 to 117.8 mm, and the final projectile position ranged from 23.8 to 113.2 mm. Tissue penetration ranged from 8.5 mm to 102.2 mm, and full-thickness tissue penetration was achieved in 35 shots from 79. Results: indicate large variations in muzzle energy in the case of non-traditional pellets, even if the same weapon is used. Penetration depth does not correlate strongly with muzzle speed in the case of non-traditional pellets, as the shape and type of pellet have a significant influence on penetration. Some non-traditional pellets may leave behind their plastic sheath in the tissues, which requires special attention since these are invisible on CT scans. Pellets with an “explosive charge” leave behind a blackish discoloration around the entrance wound and in the wound track, which is visually identifiable and also visualized in CT.
Open Access: Yes
Artificial intelligence-driven performance analysis of carbon nanotubes hybrid nanofluid with wastewater treatment applications: an intelligent neuro-computing model
Publication Name: South African Journal of Chemical Engineering
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 57
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The current study examines the properties of heat radiation on the Darcy Forchheimer flow of carbon nanotube/water based hybrid nanofluid across a Riga plate in the occurrence of oxytactic microbes, employing a novel intelligent numerical computing paradigm based on the legacy of neural networks with the intelligent Bayesian regularization (NN-IBR) method. The AI-driven neuro-computing model for improving the thermal behavior of a carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid nanofluid in wastewater treatment has a wide range of applications. It has the potential to dramatically improve thermal management efficiency in wastewater treatment plants, improve pollutant removal through optimal heat and mass transfer, and minimize energy consumption in treatment operations. This model can also be used in sustainable water recycling, industrial effluent treatment, and smart environmental management systems, where intelligent prediction and control of nanofluid performance is critical for accomplishing environmentally friendly and cost-effective operations. The Homotopy analysis approach is used to classify the obtained equations. The concentration profile increases as the activation energy parameter values upsurge.
Open Access: Yes
Understanding the psychology of knowledge sharing and experience in digital service ecosystems
Publication Name: Acta Psychologica
Publication Date: 2026-07-01
Volume: 267
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Drawing on service-dominant (SD) logic, which conceptualizes value as emerging through resource integration and use rather than direct technological outputs, the study examines how technology-mediated knowledge-sharing platforms (TMKSP) influence employee and employee-perceived customer experience using the DART (dialogue, access, risk assessment, transparency) framework of value co-creation. Employing a mixed-method approach, a pre-hoc qualitative study (Study A) identified key TMKSP features relevant to value co-creation, which informed the development of a DART-based survey for the quantitative phase (Study B). Data from retail employees were analyzed using PLS-SEM with two-tailed bias-correct bootstrapping. The findings show that TMKSP significantly improves employee experience via platform access and reduced perceived risk, while enhancing employee-perceived customer experience through employee-customer dialogue and platform transparency. Mediation analysis confirms the explanatory role of DART-based constructs in linking TMKSP with experience outcomes, although the mediating role of perceived platform risk was not supported. The study contributes theoretically by operationalizing SD logic within an internal service ecosystem and demonstrating how value-in-use is shared through employee-perceived co-creation conditions rather than through direct technological effects. It offers practical guidance for managers aiming to design employee and customer-centric knowledge-sharing ecosystems.
Open Access: Yes
