Managing grasslands for both carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation is increasingly challenging under climate change. We develop an integrated climate-ecological-economic modelling framework to evaluate biodiversity-carbon trade-offs in the Inner Mongolian typical steppe, where mowing and grazing are dominant management practices. Using butterflies as biodiversity indicators, carbon-sequestration estimates, regional opportunity-cost parameters, and downscaled climate projections under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5, we applied the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) to identify Pareto-optimal mowing-grazing configurations from 2025 to 2050. The simulations indicated that, within the parameterized water-limited response functions, projected precipitation differences were associated with larger shifts in biodiversity-carbon co-management potential than temperature differences. Under the assumptions of our modelling framework, optimized configurations were generally mowing-dominated, with mowing accounting for 77%- 94% of the management-allocation matrix in representative 2030 solutions, although grazing-oriented patches remained important in biodiversity-priority outcomes by maintaining habitat heterogeneity. Opportunity-cost accounting provided a regional economic comparison layer for Pareto-optimal configurations, with temporal cost increases mainly reflecting the assumed annual escalation and cross-scenario differences reflecting the cost ranges of feasible Pareto-optimal solutions. Overall, the framework provides a transferable approach for linking climate scenarios, land-use allocation, ecological outcomes, and economic constraints in grassland biodiversity-carbon co-management, subject to recalibration with local ecological, management, and economic parameters.
Rapid advances in automation are transforming transport systems worldwide, with autonomous technologies increasingly being deployed in public transport. This study examines public perceptions of a newly introduced autonomous metro system during its initial phase of operation in Thessaloniki, Greece. Using data from a largescale online survey of 1137 respondents from a university-affiliated community, the research investigates pre-operation expectations, post-operation experience relative to expectations, and emotional responses toward the automated metro. Two complementary bivariate probit models with allowances for random parameters are estimated to jointly analyze expectation-experience alignment and emotional reactions. The results reveal that expectations, emotional responses, and system performance perceptions play a decisive role in relation to early evaluations of automated metro services, with notable heterogeneity being detected across socio-demographic groups and travel-related behavioral patterns. Low initial expectations, perceived reliability, and excitement are associated with more favorable evaluations, while fear and stress act as significant barriers. The findings highlight the importance of expectation management, emotional engagement, and reliable early operation, offering actionable insights for policymakers and transport authorities aiming to support public acceptance of autonomous urban rail systems.
The enticing properties of memristor devices have been exploited for the design of various unconventional circuits while being extensively utilized in the implementation of novel neuromorphic hardware. However, the intrinsic stochastic nature of resistive switching events in these devices due to nanoscale phenomena hinders circuit realizations and mass fabrication capability. Addressing this, a fully parameterizable stochastic model was implemented in Verilog-A, embodying intrinsic probabilistic time-evolution by combining memristor mathematics with Markov Processes and leveraging the Kolmogorov equations for the integration of the transition rates in the switching process. Additionally, the proposed framework incorporates the ensemble of reported conduction mechanisms in dielectric films in compact forms from the relevant literature toward a general-purpose modeling tool. A behavioral and parametric analysis showcases the model's adaptability to different device types and technologies. The model was fitted to devices of different technologies, namely: a bipolar SiNx-based RRAM, a volatile planar Ag-based CBRAM, a multistate Spin Torque MRAM, and a perovskite device representative of unipolar switching dynamics. Subsequently, the temperature and endurance mechanisms are showcased, as well as the C2C and D2D capabilities of the proposed framework.
Background COVID-19 pandemic responses in European countries relied on both vaccination campaigns and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). While vaccination reduced severe disease, NPIs remained necessary to limit transmission, particularly during periods of variant emergence. However, the effectiveness of these strategies depended on social trust, communication clarity, and behavioural adaptation. Objective To synthesize empirical evidence on shared determinants of vaccination and NPI-related behaviours, behavioural relationships between these strategies, and evidence concerning their joint epidemiological effects. Methods PubMed and Scopus were searched on 11 February 2025 using free-text terms for COVID-19, vaccination, and social or non-pharmaceutical measures. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed, empirical (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods), conducted by authors affiliated with selected European institutions, and examined relationships between vaccination and NPIs. Studies based solely on modelling or secondary data were excluded. Data were synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity of study designs and outcomes. Results Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Trust in scientific and governmental authorities consistently predicted adherence to NPIs and willingness to vaccinate. Sweden's reliance on voluntary measures was effective where institutional trust was high. In contrast, inconsistent communication in the United Kingdom contributed to reduced adherence and public frustration. Vaccinated individuals tended to increase social contacts, an association compatible with behavioural adaptation. A conjoint experiment examined stated vaccination preferences in relation to NPI attributes. Younger populations experienced notable psychological strain during prolonged restrictions. Conclusions The synthesis primarily informs social and behavioural relationships involving vaccination and NPIs. Shared determinants and behavioural associations should not be interpreted as evidence of synergistic effects on infection, hospitalisation, or mortality. Future pandemic preparedness should prioritize trust-building, consistent messaging, and targeted psychosocial support for vulnerable groups.
The lignocellulosic agro-residues such as corn stover are indeed abundant but still recalcitrant due to the presence of lignin. In the present study a co-digestion of corn stover, dairy manure, tomato residues enriched with rumen microbiota was implemented to enhance production of biogas. In batch Biological Methane Production (BMP) assays (n = 3) the corn stover mixture yielded 196.41 mL/g VSadded, which corresponds to a 9.3-fold increase compared to corn stover alone. Moreover, corn stover mix in rumen fluid at different ratios of 4 Co-digestion improved corn stover conversion and biogas production. Rumen bioaugmentation further increased methane yield. Best BMP performance occurred at 4
