Artiles
Open Access
Article
01 September 2026Community-Based Soil and Water Conservation for Sustainable Agriculture in Lateritic South Bengal, India
Sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly essential in regions facing soil erosion, water scarcity, and declining productivity. Combining traditional soil and water conservation methods with biophysical techniques and community-based watershed management offers effective solutions to these challenges. This research investigates how community-driven watershed management methods impact soil conservation, water management, and agricultural productivity, using case studies from the lateritic region of South Bengal. This area faces significant issues, including soil erosion, unpredictable rainfall, and water scarcity, with local communities adopting traditional and modern watershed practices to enhance agricultural sustainability and output. The study evaluates the effectiveness of these techniques through two case studies, focusing on soil conservation methods such as terracing, check dams, water-harvesting structures, and vegetation cover, as well as water management efforts such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. Using field surveys, interviews with community members, and crop yield data, the research examines the relationship between these practices and improvements in soil quality, water availability, and crop productivity. Qualitative evidence from case studies suggests that community-led initiatives have reduced erosion risk, improved water availability, and enhanced agricultural production in some locations, especially when fully integrated into local farming systems. Additionally, the study highlights the vital role of community participation, local knowledge, and cooperative governance in ensuring the success and sustainability of these practices. The results from two case studies in different districts of the lateritic region of South Bengal emphasise the importance of incorporating community-driven strategies into watershed management to achieve long-term soil conservation, efficient water use, and increased agricultural yields. The findings suggest that merging traditional and modern techniques provides a resilient, sustainable approach to agricultural management, and expanding these methods can help address challenges related to climate change, food security, and rural livelihoods in similar regions. However, as the study is based primarily on farmer perceptions, case-study evidence, and existing records rather than direct biophysical measurements (e.g., soil loss, groundwater dynamics, or pre- and post-intervention crop yields), the findings should be interpreted as indicative rather than causal and should be further validated through field-based empirical assessments.
Open Access
Article
01 September 2026Evaluation of Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) as a Multifunctional Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Additive for Diesel Fuel
Melaleuca alternifolia is a plant native to Australia, and its essential oil is known for its biological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects; as a result, it is used in cosmetic formulations and in the pharmaceutical industry. Few studies have examined the use of these properties as an additive in diesel fuel. In this study, the essential oil inhibited visible fungal growth against two of the main fungi that degrade diesel/biodiesel—Bacillus subtilis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.5 μL/mL, and the fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus with similar MIC values of 0.25 μL/mL. Based on this, the same potential was tested in Melaleuca oil/diesel blends at various concentrations, demonstrating inhibition of visible fungal growth at blend concentrations of 1% (v/v) and above, whereas the control (without essential oil) and concentrations of 0%, 0.25%, and 0.50% allowed fungal growth. Tests for density and viscosity remained within the quality limits established by ANP Resolution No. 968/2024. The addition of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil also produced a concentration-dependent reduction in insoluble oxidation products, with the 2% blend showing the highest oxidative stability.
Open Access
Communication
01 September 2026Multi-Wavelength Superspectral Imaging of Trace Vape Aerosol Residues on Cotton Fabric
E-cigarette use may deposit vape aerosol residues on indoor textile surfaces, creating a potential but underexplored source of trace evidence in forensic environments. Detecting these residues visually is challenging because they are low contrast and may be distributed microscopically across porous substrates. This study assessed the capability of multi-wavelength superspectral imaging (SSI) to visualise trace vape aerosol residues on cotton fabric and identify illumination conditions that improve residue detectability. Cotton samples were exposed to controlled vape aerosol deposition over seven consecutive days, with one exposed sample collected daily and compared with an unexposed control. Samples were examined using SSI under multiple illumination wavelengths, followed by qualitative image-based assessment of residue visibility and contrast characteristics. Violet illumination (405–425 nm) produced the clearest contrast and most effective visualisation of residue features on the cotton surface. Temporal imaging showed a non-linear visibility pattern, with prominent features on Day 1, reduced detectability from Days 2 to 4, and increased visibility from Day 5 onwards. No comparable residue features were observed in control samples. These findings demonstrate the potential of multi-wavelength SSI as a non-destructive preliminary screening approach for visualising trace vape aerosol residues on textile substrates under controlled conditions.
Open Access
Review
31 August 2026Progress of Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Bionic and Flexible Mechanisms for Wave Energy Collection System
Wave energy is a renewable, clean energy source with abundant reserves and wide distribution. However, its characteristics of low frequency, randomness, and multi-directionality lead to problems such as low conversion efficiency, complex structure, and high maintenance cost for the traditional collection system. The triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can effectively address the above bottlenecks, while bionic design and flexible mechanisms can further enhance its adaptability to complex marine environments. This paper reviews the research progress of TENGs based on bionic and flexible mechanisms for wave energy collecting. It elaborates on the working principle and working modes, compares the performance differences with traditional structures, analyzes environmental adaptation and performance optimization strategies, and summarizes the advantages, disadvantages, and application potentials of different structures. Finally, it points out current challenges in durability, standardization, etc., and looks forward to future development directions such as marine-adaptive materials, hybrid collecting, and arrayed deployment, aiming to provide a systematic reference for researchers in related fields.
Open Access
Review
28 August 2026Blastospores of Entomopathogenic Fungi Emerge as the Promising Active Ingredients in Biocontrol Agents: Progressive View on Its Industrial Production and Biogenesis Mechanisms
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been employed worldwide in biological control programs due to their natural abilities to control the host populations. In these applications, aerial conidia are the widely used active ingredients of products. EPF produces yeast-like blastospores not only in the host hemocoel but also in artificial liquid media in large quantities. Here, we review advances in biogenesis mechanisms and the application of blastospore, an emerging, promising active ingredient in biocontrol agents, attributed to recent molecular advances and formulation improvements. Molecular advances in blastospore biogenesis offer opportunities to increase fungal virulence and reduce production costs through genetic modification. Many efforts/techniques have been utilized to improve the blastospore viability and stability in final products; however, more investigations are highly desirable in exploring the mechanisms underlying fungal adaptation to abiotic stresses during formulation preparation and storage. Future perspectives in the exploration of molecular mechanisms are suggested as well as the strategies for formulation development.
Open Access
Article
28 August 2026An Effective and Computationally Efficient Similarity-Based Method for Fault Region Identification in Electrical Distribution Systems
Nowadays, fast fault location in distribution systems plays a vital role for both utilities and end-users, improving grid availability and thereby reducing utility penalties and minimizing disturbances in consumers’ daily lives. Therefore, this work presents a simple yet accurate and robust method for identifying the faulted region in electrical distribution systems. To perform this task, the proposed method requires only local fault current measurements (available from digital relays) and a database built from historical data, simulations, or both, thereby eliminating the need for additional hardware or communication links. The Hausdorff distance (HD) was used to measure the similarity level between a fault current waveform acquired from the field and reference current waveforms previously stored in a database, thereby implementing a waveform pattern-matching approach. The method was initially developed and tested on a small distribution system, and subsequently validated using the IEEE 34-bus test feeder. After a sensitivity analysis regarding the most suitable data window length, sampling frequency, and input signals, the results demonstrate that the proposed method is reliable and accurate, even under different fault characteristics and loading conditions.
Open Access
Article
27 August 2026Physicochemical Characterization of the High-Altitude Lakes in Northern Pakistan: Implications for Water Resource Management
Lakes provide a wide range of ecological, cultural, and economic benefits and prime opportunities for recreation, tourism, and livelihoods in the Upper Indus Basin (UIB). In the wake of growing anthropogenic actions and climate change impacts, an appraisal of the lake water quality is essential to determine the health of the ecosystem and assist resource conservation initiatives in the region. An attempt has been made to establish a preliminary physicochemical baseline for eight high-altitude lakes in the UIB, Pakistan, to characterize their spatial hydrochemical variability and identify potential water quality concerns in the region. At the time of sampling, the lakes exhibited a slightly alkaline condition with pH ranging between 7.7 and 8.2 (mean 8.0). The lower alkalinity detected in the lakes, like Sheosar (42 mg/L), may indicate limited buffering capacity and more sensitivity to nutrient pulses or potential acidification. Nitrate-N concentration was low in most lakes, with many below detection limits. The Gibbs diagram indicated seven samples in the rock dominance zone, i.e., chemical weathering of rocks as the major factor contributing ions to the lake water, while in one sample, i.e., Borith Lake, evaporation-crystallization was the main source of dissolved chemical ingredients. The Spearman correlation analysis indicated a higher positive relationship (r > 0.9) between Ca and Mg, likely due to carbonate rock weathering. The observed variations in the water quality parameters may have significant effects on both the ecosystem and human health, necessitating further research and future attention. In-depth research on glacio-hydrological dynamics and limnology can support sustainable management and conservation of the freshwater ecosystems in the region.
Open Access
Article
27 August 2026Functionalized Polyurethane as a Hole Transport Layer for Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells with Higher Open-Circuit Voltage and Fill Factor
A functionalized polyurethane-based hole transport layer (HTL) for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) has been developed by tailoring the redox behaviour of segmented polyurethane. The successful incorporation of ionic moieties into the hard segment was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Sulfonation significantly improved the polymer’s electrical conductivity, electrochemical activity, and optical properties, thereby enabling efficient hole transport through favorable work-function alignment and reduced interfacial energy barriers between the photoactive layer and the Ag counter electrode. Ultrasmall spherical CuInS2 quantum dots with an average size of 3.15 nm were synthesized using a capping-assisted method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The HOMO-LUMO and valence/conduction band energy levels, determined by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroscopy, revealed favorable energy level alignment for efficient charge separation and hole extraction. QDSSCs were fabricated with the architectures FTO/TiO2/CuInS2/SPU-2/Ag and FTO/SnO2/TiO2/CuInS2/SPU-2/Ag. The introduction of an SnO2 interfacial electron transport layer enhanced electron extraction by improving the energy band alignment with TiO2, resulting in an increase in photocurrent density from 0.74 to 2.12 mA·cm−2. The corresponding devices exhibited high open-circuit voltages of 0.89 and 0.75 V, fill factors of 67% and 56%, and power conversion efficiencies of 0.45% and 0.89%, respectively. These results demonstrate that the functionalized polyurethane HTL, combined with a SnO2/TiO2 bilayer electron transport layer (ETL), provides an effective strategy to improve charge transport and enhance the photovoltaic performance of CuInS2-based QDSSCs.
Open Access
Review
27 August 2026Turbulent Transition Criteria: From Reynolds Experiment to Modern Numerical Methods
Turbulent transition refers to the complex flow phenomenon of laminar flow evolving into turbulence, and the criteria for judging transition constitute a core research topic in fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, flow experiments, and engineering applications. This study systematically reviews the evolutionary framework of transition criteria over the past century, ranging from the empirical Reynolds number rule, linear stability theory, and the engineering en method, to semi-empirical correlations, the intermittency factor γ model, energy gradient theory, and state-of-the-art numerical criteria based on direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES). Specialized stability criteria for non-parallel flows such as Taylor–Couette flow and Dean flow are sorted out, and the evolutionary paths, theoretical foundations, and applicable working conditions of low-turbulence natural transition and high-disturbance bypass transition are clarified. The progress of existing research is summarized, with critical bottlenecks identified, including high-Reynolds-number transition, three-dimensional coupled complex flows, and poor generalization of data-driven models. The applicable scopes and inherent defects of diverse transition theories are compared: energy gradient theory explains the instability mechanism of finite-amplitude perturbations; the intermittency factor model dominates industrial numerical simulations; and high-fidelity numerical simulation serves as the core tool for uncovering micro transition mechanisms. Four major future research directions are proposed: unified multi-scale theoretical frameworks, efficient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) algorithms, data-driven prediction models, and engineering applications for novel fluid machinery, delivering theoretical support for transition prediction and flow control.
Open Access
Article
27 August 2026The Use of Ultrasound Diagnostic Method and Histological Technique to Detect Pathologies of the Internal Organs and Skin of Sturgeon Species
To restore the stocks of sturgeon fish species in a depressed state, it is necessary to form broodstocks in hatchery farms. The technology of forming stocks in industrial conditions is far from perfect due to the low quality of breeders. The aim of this work was to identify the frequency of occurrence of anomalies and diseases of sturgeon internal organs using the method of ultrasound scanning and histological study. Two-dimensional black-and-white image, Doppler, elastography, and panoramic scan were used. Regular sonographic studies of abdominal organs, carried out in 2018–2025 at 20 fish farms, revealed a number of common pathologies and diseases in generative tissue: cystosis and polycystosis, fatty degeneration, underdevelopment and torsion of testes, neoplasm, hermaphroditism, sludge in the gallbladder, ascites, and others. The maximal number of individuals with disorders in the development of internal organs reached 67.9%, an average is 24.8%. Two stages of cystic degeneration of the ovaries were characterized by ultrasonic scanning. A significant increase in the number of females over 9 years old, with replacement of generative tissue with connective tissue (13.6%), was noted. The nature of ‘ink spots’ on the skin of Siberian sturgeon natural populations was studied. Malignant skin neoplasms were detected, and treatment routes were outlined.
