With changing climate and increased frequency of wet weather extremes, increased attention is being directed towards understanding the resilience of agroecosystems and the goods and services they deliver. The world's most instrumented and monitored farm (the North Wyke Fam Platform - a UK National Bioscience Research Infrastructure) has been used to explore the resilience of sediment loss regulation delivered by lowland grazing livestock and arable systems under conventional best management. The robustness of water quality regulation was explored using exceedance of modern background (i.e. pre-World War II) net soil loss rates (i.e., sediment delivery) during both typical (2012-13, 2015-16) and the most extreme (2013-14, 2019-20, 2023-24) winters (December - February, inclusive), in terms of seasonal rainfall totals, over the past similar to decade. Exceedances of maximum modern background sediment loss rates from pasture were as high as 2.4X when scheduled ploughing and reseeding for sward improvement occurred immediately prior to the winters in question. Exceedances of maximum modern background sediment loss rates in the arable system (winter wheat and spring oats) were as high as 21.7X. Over the five monitored winters, the environmental damage costs for cumulative sediment loss from the permanent pasture system ranged from pound 163-203 and pound 197-245 ha(-1) to pound 321-421 and pound 386-507 ha(-1). Over the same five winters, environmental damage costs for cumulative sediment loss from catchments subjected to reseeding and, more latterly, arable conversion, ranged between pound 382-584 and pound 461-703 ha(-1) to pound 1978-2334 and pound 2384-2812 ha(-1). Our data provide valuable quantitative insight into the impacts of winter rainfall and land use on the resilience of sediment loss regulation.

Maximizing agricultural tractor energy efficiency is crucial for sustainable farming. Tractors are one of the most popular machines in use in agriculture, and much of their use is dedicated to drawbar operations. Under these conditions, only up to 70 % of engine power is transferred to the soil, and this may even drop to 50 % on soils with poor mechanical properties. Recently, tyres which meet very high flexion standards have hit the market and to date, no study has performed a thorough full-vehicle traction analysis of vehicles equipped with such standards. This paper investigated the influence of tyres on vehicle performance and efficiency. Moreover, a cost analysis of the new tyre technology was carried out to assess the duration of use necessary for farmers to recoup the financial investment this new tyre technology requires. The analysis comprised steady-state drawbar tests on two soil types using a tractor rated at 230 kW and equipped with wheel force transducers. Key performance indicators were calculated from the collected data. Results showed superior traction on softer soil, where the mean vehicle traction ratio was 6.4 % higher than on firmer soil, highlighting tyre set performance differences. However, traction efficiency was 17.5 % greater on firmer soil. Very high flexion tyres resulted in improved indicators in both soils and despite the greater cost of tyres using the new standard, farmers may obtain economic benefits even within a year if such tyres are mostly used in field operations and on soft soils.

This study developed all-solid-waste-based curing agents using industrial solid wastes-ground granulated blastfurnace slag (GGBS), carbide slag (CS), and sulfate solid wastes (electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), desulfurized-gypsum (DG), and phosphogypsum (PG))-to stabilize engineering sediment waste (ESW). Based on the simplex centroid design, three ternary curing agents (GGBS-EMR-CS (GEC), GGBS-DG-CS (GDC), and GGBSPG-CS (GPC)) were prepared. The optimal ratios for GEC, GDC, and GPC are 60:12:28, 70:27:3, and 70:21:9, respectively. Compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of ESW stabilized with these curing agents increased by 78 %, 178 %, and 98 %, respectively. Sulfate components synergistically activates GGBS and CS, promoting needle-like ettringite (AFt) formation, which fills pores and enhances strength. Meanwhile, COQ emissions and costs were reduced up to 99 % and 73 %, respectively. This study developed all-solid-waste-based curing agents with excellent mechanical performance, low costs, and near net-zero emissions, which provided a sustainable solution for ESW stabilization.

Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) is a soil-transmitted nematode that is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions. S. stercoralis has the ability to cause autoinfection, potentially leading to a chronic disease that can last for decades or result in severe hyperinfection especially in individuals who are taking corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medications. Here, we report the case of a patient presenting a two-week history of symptoms including cough, fatigue, weight loss, pruritus, and rash. Due to a significant increase in the percentage of eosinophils, the patient was referred to the hematology clinic. The patient underwent a comprehensive evaluation that included an autoimmune panel, genetic testing, and imaging methods. The results of these investigations were found to be normal. The upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy revealed eosinophilic duodenitis and corticosteroid treatment was initiated. The commencement of corticosteroid therapy resulted in a worsening of the patient's symptoms. In the repeated endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the presence of S. stercoralis larvae was observed between the crypts. Subsequently, stool tests for S. stercoralis diagnosis were also found to be positive. The patient was at risk of developing a hyperinfection syndrome. Corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms associated with eosinophilic disorders. The immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids are known to precipitate S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome, which can result in significant morbidity and mortality. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for S. stercoralis in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, particularly when presenting with unexplained eosinophilia.

This article investigates the influence of climatic and geographical characteristics in south-western region of Bangladesh on the temporal dynamics of post-cyclone impacts, with a critical focus on biophysical contexts. By quantitatively assessing the environmental consequences of cyclones Amphan (2020), Yaas (2021), Mocha (2023) and Remal (2024), the study offers a nuanced understanding of flood damage extent and vegetation health, measured through advanced remote sensing and geospatial techniques. Using Sentinel-1 (GRD) and Sentinel-2 (MSI) satellite imageries from 2020 to 2024, the study has examined post-cyclone changes of vegetation health and flood damage extent using available indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI). The results exhibit substantial spatial disparities occurred due to the cyclone events, with NDVI variations ranging from - 0.124 to 0.546 (Amphan), - 0.033 to 0.498 (Mocha), - 0.086 to 0.458 (Yaas), and - 0.061 to 0.362 (Remal), indicating significant ecological stress. Corresponding SAVI changes ranged from - 0.001 to 0.396 (Amphan), - 0.029 to 0.338 (Mocha), - 0.002 to 0.345 (Yaas), and - 0.0524 to 0.269 (Remal). Negative indices underscore potential vegetation degradation, while positive values indicate resilience or post-cyclone recovery. Furthermore, flood damage analysis indicates to a more severe and unevenly distributed impact than previously recognized, particularly in areas with pre-existing vulnerabilities with the damage extent variations between - 35.918 to - 2.0093 (Amphan), - 35.334 to - 4.4059 (Mocha), - 34.806 to - 0.94921 (Yaas), and - 48.469 to 0.00255 (Remal). The Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), model demonstrates a robust relationship, with r2 values of 0.894, 0.889, 0.899, and 0.95, indicating that approximately 85% of the ecological changes are driven by fluctuations of vegetation due to flood. The insight from this research provides a foundation of flood damage assessment technique occurred by cyclones in a short span of time to aid immediate policy recommendations to enhance resilience in remote areas of the coastal regions of Bangladesh.

Sustainability is defined as the process of developing and responsibly sustaining a healthy built environment based on resource-efficient and ecological principles. When it comes to sustainability, earthen construction is a good choice because of its minimal carbon impact and lower operating expenses. This study investigates the cost comparison between Alker and a reinforced concrete office with a dimension of 6 x 6 m. Alker is a stabilised form of earthen building. Based on the dry weight of the soil, it contains 10% gypsum, 2% lime, and 20%-22% water. Shredded plastic waste (SPW) was added to Alker to improve its properties with the addition of the environmental effect of plastic waste. The results showed that the office built with reinforced concrete had a total cost of Turkish Lira;119 348.57 (6630), whereas the building built with Alker materials had a total cost of Turkish Lira;103 474.19 (5748). Therefore, offices built with Alker's added SPW are 13% cheaper than offices built with reinforced concrete. Alker modified with shredded plastic waste has been demonstrated to be a sustainable building material with enhanced properties.

A tractor-operated sugarcane single bud sett cutter planter was designed and developed at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research in Lucknow for precision and resource conservation during sugarcane plantation. This planter has a serrated circular blade for cutting complete canes into single bud setts, as well as furrow openers, fertilizer measuring device, insecticide tank, soil-covering shovels, and tamping roller. Developed planter attached to the tractor via three-point linkage and operated by the PTO shaft. Field studies conducted on silty loam soil at the IISR farm showed that the planter could produce setts averaging 98 mm in length and 50 g in weight, with a cutting efficiency of 98% and minimal bud damage 1.56%. The planter had a cutting capacity of 3,600 setts per hour, high sett quality index of 93.08%, field capacity of 0.144 ha/h, and field efficiency of 64%. The average spacing between single bud setts during field operation was 205-228 mm, with miss index of 8.2-10.2% and seed rate of 2540-2670 kg/ha. Compared with conventional methods, the operational costs were 68% cheaper, at Indian Rupee15,800 per hectare. Other performance indicators were multiple index of 16.67-20.46%, quality of feed index of 69.34-73.99%, and precision coefficient of 25.75-27.5%. Germination tests revealed that two bud setts had a minimal advantage 1-2% higher, showing that single bud setts perform similarly under ideal conditions. This planter provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and precise alternative for sugarcane planting, with significant benefits for resource conservation and farm output.

This study aims to optimize geotextile placement depth to enhance subgrade strength and achieve sustainable pavement design. Laboratory tests were conducted to characterize the soil and evaluate the effect of geotextile placement at depths of 3/4D, 1/2D, and 1/4D (where D is the total specimen depth). California bearing ratio (CBR) tests revealed that positioning the geotextile at 0.3D significantly improves subgrade strength, yielding a 78.08% increase in soaked CBR (from 5.84 to 10.4) and a 136.56% improvement in unsoaked conditions (from 3.72 to 8.8). Pavement analysis using IITPAVE software further demonstrated that geotextile placement at 0.3D effectively reduces fatigue and rutting strains, allowing reductions in pavement layer thicknesses-16.67% for bituminous concrete (BC) and dense bituminous macadam (DBM), 38.18% for water bound macadam (WBM), and 25% for granular sub-base (GSB). These optimizations lead to a cost saving of Indian Rupee36,06,610 ($42,430) per kilometer. The findings highlight the practical and economic benefits of placing geotextile at 0.3D depth (150 mm for a 500 mm subgrade), offering improved pavement performance, material savings, and enhanced sustainability. This research benefits pavement engineers, contractors, and transportation agencies by offering a sustainable, cost-efficient design strategy. Additionally, the findings provide a foundation for future research into geosynthetic reinforcement techniques under varying soil conditions, supporting the development of resilient, eco-friendly pavements.

Recycling paper sludge waste (PSW) into inexpensive sheets for applications in household interiors, construction, and footwear is a sustainable approach to resource utilisation and pollution reduction. A flexible recycled sheet (FRS) in board form was developed using cellulosic-based PSW from the paper industry and a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binder. Various SBR concentrations were tested to determine the optimal amount for superior mechanical properties. The produced FRS was characterised using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. FRS made with 1000 g of PSW:300 ml of SBR exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, including tensile strength (62.32 +/- 0.51 MPa), elongation at break (51.99 +/- 0.94%), tearing strength (17.76 +/- 0.45 N/mm), and flexibility (6.98 +/- 0.24%). A biodegradation study, conducted per ASTM D 5988-03, assessed environmental impact by measuring carbon-to-CO2 conversion in soil over 90 days. All FRS samples showed similar degradation within the first 30 days, with FRS 5 degrading significantly faster thereafter due to its higher cellulose and hemicellulose content. This highlights the potential of PSW-based FRS as an environmentally friendly and mechanically robust material for diverse applications.

The challenge of achieving food security in a world with a growing population, given decreasing area of good arable land, and climate change impacts, necessitates structural system changes which includes a more efficient and less polluting agricultural practices. Cereals represent the major staple crop to feed the global population, and its production heavily relies on synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers. However, increasing fertilizer inputs for higher yields is not sustainable without proper management of soil, crop, inputs, water and nutrients. The NBCalCer tool was developed to evaluate options for a more sustainable cereal cultivation. NBCalCer quantifies long-term yield responses to N inputs and its implications for N budgets, N losses and environmental impacts for global countries. Crop benefits and environmental damages are monetized to assess benefit-cost consequences for the farming sector and society, to determine optimal N inputs for both sufficient grain supply and acceptable N pollution levels.