Ecological Civilization (Eco-Civ) in the Perspective of Geographical Processes of Revitalization of Remote Rural Areas

The global urbanization process is currently taking diverse territorial forms, leading to increased consumption of rural space through the creation of eco-cities. Within this context of transformation and the shifting nature of urban spaces, concepts and ideological frameworks are emerging to address environmental degradation caused by population concentration. Ecological Civilization (eco-civ) originated in China as a broad framework for managing new territorial processes through the construction of new eco-cities or the development of a comprehensive rural revitalization program that strengthens the urban-rural relationship. The major questions arising from this new process of rural revitalization in Chinese territories—and from the very concept of ecological civilization—can be summarized as follows: a simplification of the countryside, a loss of rural identity, the emergence of a post-agrarian society, the urbanization of rural areas, and an exacerbation of urban dependence on rural areas. Consequently, alternative approaches are proposed, based on multiple place-based approaches and actions that develop and adapt the fundamental principles of environmental and spatial renewal to each specific territory.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Extreme Rainstorm Events in China and Corresponding Population Exposure

In order to reveal the spatio-temporal evolution of extreme rainstorm events in China and the changing characteristics of population exposure in different periods, this study systematically explored the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of four indicators of extreme rainstorm frequency, duration, peak and cumulative amount, as well as the difference of population exposure to extreme rainstorm events in 2000 and 2020, based on the relevant data of extreme rainstorm and population distribution grid data from 2000 to 2020, using spatial analysis and trend analysis methods. The results show that in space, the frequency, peak value, and cumulative amount of extreme rainstorms are increasing from northwest to southeast, the southeast coast is a high value area, and there is almost no extreme rainstorm in the northwest arid area; The high-value areas of duration are concentrated in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and Northeast China. In terms of time, from 2000 to 2020, the frequency of extreme rainstorm in Northeast China increased, the southern part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and other regions decreased, the peak value of rainstorm in North China Plain and the eastern coast increased, Taiwan Province showed a significant downward trend, and the change rate of rainstorm accumulation was stronger in the south and weaker in the north. In terms of spatial concentration, the high value concentration area of extreme rainstorms generally shifts to South China, while the low value concentration area is stably distributed in the northwest and part of the north. In terms of population exposure, the distribution characteristics of 2000 and 2020 are low in the northwest and high in the southeast, and the exposure of capital cities in southeast coastal provinces to extreme rainstorm frequency and peak in 2020 is significantly higher than that in 2000. Population migration and the evolution of extreme rainstorm events are the main driving factors. This study clarifies the temporal and spatial evolution law of extreme rainstorm events in China and the characteristics of population exposure change, which provides a scientific basis for regional extreme rainstorm disaster risk assessment, disaster prevention and mitigation planning, and optimization of population and urban development layout, and has important practical significance for improving the ability to respond to extreme climate events and ensuring regional population security and sustainable development.

Metallic Iron, (Rain)Water, and the City: A Handout for Researchers and Policymakers

This study aims to promote residential rainwater harvesting everywhere rain falls. It recalls the history of urban rainwater (stormwater) management while insisting on the origin of the perception that rainwater is not a relevant source of potable water. It also argues that where rainwater is polluted, it can be easily treated using frugal technologies such as filtration on metallic iron-based filters. The study notes that stormwater is precipitation that is not harvested. Thus, harvesting rainwater prevents (quantitative) stormwater generation, and transforms stormwater from a threat (e.g., erosion, floods) to a resource (e.g., drinking water, food security) for human and environmental needs. The effective management of stormwater (i) enhances the quality of human life, (ii) sustains local biodiversity, and (iii) protects the whole environment. Thus, the failure to harvest rainwater should be considered irresponsible, if not unethical. This argument alone makes each conscientious citizen a changemaker. A number of local changemakers will organize to determine the best way to integrate overflow from individual residences to enhance the community’s liveability. This study provides a valuable consolidation of information that will facilitate the mainstreaming of rainwater harvesting as the pillar of holistic integrated water resource management.

The Future of Environmentally Powered Gliders: Emerging Prospects and Trends

To address the endurance limitations of traditional electrically driven underwater gliders, which are constrained by onboard battery energy density, harnessing marine renewable energy for propulsion or supplemental power has emerged as a critical approach to overcoming their operational endurance bottleneck. This paper systematically reviews the research progress on underwater gliders powered by environmental energy sources, such as thermal and solar. It provides an in-depth analysis of the utilization mechanisms, core technologies, and current challenges associated with each energy type, with a focused exploration of technical pathways for achieving energy synergy and enhancing system endurance through multi-energy integration and intelligent energy management. Furthermore, this study is the first to establish a comprehensive technical evaluation framework for environmentally powered gliders from three dimensions: energy coupling, system design, and mission adaptability, offering a systematic reference for subsequent research. The paper also explores the application potential of this technology in advanced scenarios, such as long-term ocean observation and dynamic environmental monitoring. Future efforts should prioritize efficient multi-energy hybridization, dynamic energy management, and mission-adaptive control to comprehensively enhance the endurance and operational reliability of gliders in complex marine environments.

Gut Microbiota: A Novel Key to Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of PD-1 Inhibitors

Adjusted Net Savings and Sustainable Development in Africa: A Panel Evidence Approach

This study investigates the key drivers of sustainable development in African economies using Adjusted Net Savings (ANS) as an indicator of long-term sustainability. Employing second-generation panel data methods—namely the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator, System GMM, and the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality test—the analysis accounts for cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and potential endogeneity across countries. The results indicate that economic growth significantly enhances sustainable development in the long run: a one-unit increase in GDP per capita is associated with approximately a 31-point increase in ANS. In contrast, renewable energy consumption exerts a negative short-run effect on sustainability (−0.38), reflecting transition-related costs and efficiency constraints in developing economies. Carbon intensity adversely affects sustainability, while the impact of trade openness remains heterogeneous across countries. Country-specific estimates further reveal substantial cross-country differences driven by variations in economic structure, energy systems, and institutional capacity. Overall, the findings suggest that achieving sustainable development in Africa requires aligning economic growth with environmental efficiency through well-sequenced renewable energy investments, green trade policies, and strengthened institutional frameworks.

Sexual Dimorphism in the Association Between Status Symbols and Body Height in the Early Medieval Avar Population from the Csokorgasse Burial Ground (Vienna, Austria)

The relationship between material culture and body height, commonly used as a proxy for reconstructing economic conditions and social stratification, has not previously been examined for early medieval Avar populations. Therefore, this study investigates the association between estimated body height and grave goods, funerary characteristics, and activity-related indicators interpreted as markers of elevated social status in 148 male and 136 female individuals from the Avar burial ground Csokorgasse (Vienna, Austria). In addition, diachronic changes in body height from the late 6th to the late 8th century CE, a period marked by substantial transformations in subsistence strategies and lifestyle, are assessed. Overall, body height shows a slight but statistically insignificant decrease over time in both sexes. Among males, individuals interred in equestrian graves together with horses were on average more than 6 cm taller than males buried without horses. Similarly, males identified as warriors based on the presence of weapons as grave goods were significantly taller than those without weapons. Multipart belt sets, commonly interpreted as indicators of high-status males, display only a weak and statistically insignificant positive association with body height. In contrast, patterns observed among females differ markedly: Of the categories examined, only jewelry shows a statistically significant association with body height, with shorter women being buried with a greater quantity of jewelry. Thus, whereas male body height is positively associated with several markers of elevated social status, no comparable pattern can be identified for females. These results indicate a pronounced sex-specific divergence in the relationship between biological status, as reflected by body height, and socially expressed status in early medieval Avar society.

A Fast Acting Quantized Energy Balance Criterion for Power System Instability Detection Based on WAMPAC GOOSE Pulses Induced by Small Speed Perturbations

A newly developed stability assessment tool for a power system is proposed in this paper based on estimating the kinetic energy-time variations. It aims to introduce a practical alternative to the Equal Area Criterion (EAC) method that is valid for multi-swing cases. It utilizes the Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) packets launched due to angle variations during swing by the Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) measuring the generator bus angle. The scheme maps the GOOSE packets to quantized energy levels. The detector IED receives the launched GOOSE from disturbed generators through the Wide Area Monitoring, Protection and Control (WAMPAC) System and evaluates the system stability accordingly. The areas under the positive energy intervals above the time axis determine the stability for the oscillatory swing. It has been proven that the area under positive energy levels is proportional to the number of GOOSE packets emitted during these intervals. For the fast monotonic swing, the quantized energy pattern shows quasi-stable intermediate energy levels between two high energy levels, where the scheme detects the transition to the second higher level as an indication of instability, with enough time in advance for corrective measures. The scheme is Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)-independent, thus eliminating the burden and cost of synchronization requirements. The new scheme has been tested using the IEEE 39 Bus System. The results show the scheme’s capability to predict instability 87 ms prior to its occurrence, which is an adequate time for remedial action.

Evaluation of Power Grid Investment Effectiveness in New Power Systems Considering Decision Psychology and Sustainable Development: An Empirical Study Based on Chinese Urban Power Grid Simulation

The evaluation of investment effectiveness in power grids oriented towards new-type power systems is a critical issue for advancing grid transformation and enhancing the scientific basis of investment decision-making. To address the current challenges—such as single-dimensional evaluation, strong subjectivity in index weighting, and insufficient consideration of risks and decision-makers’ psychological factors—this paper aims to construct a hybrid evaluation framework that comprehensively reflects both objective data and subjective decision-making preferences. First, a comprehensive evaluation index system is established, encompassing four dimensions: low-carbon performance, safety, economic efficiency, and intelligence. Second, an innovative integration of the Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), the CRITIC method, and the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) is conducted. The combination weights are determined through game theory to scientifically quantify the importance of each index. Based on this, the Improved Cumulative Prospect Theory (ICPT) is introduced to characterize decision-makers’ psychological behavior under uncertainty. Furthermore, by combining Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), an ICPT-GRA-TOPSIS comprehensive evaluation model is constructed. An empirical study of 13 typical urban power grids in China reveals that the proposed model can effectively identify the strengths and weaknesses of investment effectiveness across different regions, categorizing them into development tiers such as “multi-objective collaborative leading type”, “key breakthrough but unbalanced type”, and “system-lagging type”. More importantly, the sensitivity analysis of decision-making psychology demonstrates that the evaluation of investment strategies is highly dependent on decision-makers’ risk attitudes and value orientations. This provides critical quantitative decision-making references for formulating differentiated, precise investment strategies for power grids, offering significant theoretical and practical value for guiding power grid enterprises in optimizing resource allocation and supporting the construction of new-type power systems.

Mechanical Properties of Developed Corncob-Urea Particles Hybrid Reinforced Polyester-Based Composites

This study investigates the development of hybrid-reinforced polyester composites using corncob and urea particles as reinforcement for sustainable applications. Composites were fabricated by the stir casting method with varying weight fractions of corncob and urea. The mechanical and physical properties of the developed composites were evaluated, while fracture surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The burning rates of the samples were investigated to evaluate their flame-retardant potential. The results demonstrate that incorporating corncob and urea effectively enhances stiffness-related mechanical properties, including tensile and flexural moduli and hardness. Composite containing 12 wt% urea and 3 wt% corncob exhibited the highest flexural moduli and hardness with an improvement of 122% and 45%, respectively. Composite with 3 wt% corncob and 18 wt% urea has the highest flexural strength with an increase of 44%, composite with 9 wt% corncob and 18 wt% urea has the highest tensile modulus with an improvement of 22%. In addition, it was found that the presence of corncob and urea reduced burning rates, with the sample containing 15 wt% corncob and 18 wt% urea exhibiting the lowest burning rate, indicating better flame-retardant potential. Thus, the findings indicate that corncob–urea hybrid reinforcement offers a promising, sustainable approach to enhancing the mechanical stiffness and reducing the burning rate of polyester composites. These materials have potential for use in applications requiring improved durability and low burning rate potentials while reducing reliance on conventional synthetic additives.