bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives of Small-Scale Hydropower Engineering in Ukraine
Authors: Riabenko Oleksandr , Halych Oksana , Bilkova Eva , Nowak Petr
Published: May 2023

Every country takes care of energy independence and security by using different energy sources and remarkably increasing electricity production by renewable energy sources. Ukraine is not an exception, especially when the energy infrastructure is significantly damaged during the war and there is a lack of capacities in the energy system. Because of this, the Government of Ukraine is planning a number of measures to launch systems of domestic mini-power plants.Ukraine has favourable conditions for developing the network of small-scale hydropower plants. While the hydropower potential of the largest Ukrainian rivers is used, the potential of small rivers is used only partially. The small-scale hydropower plants were built during the last century very actively. In 1912 the first small-scale hydropower plant was built. From 1923 to 1960, there were 956 hydropower plants with different capacities from a few kW to a few MW. However, at the end of the 1980s, the interest in small hydro decreased because of the construction of the large hydropower plants in the river Dniester and Dnipro, heat and nuclear power plants. Only 49 plants were in operation. Since 1995 the interest in small hydro has increased again. Nowadays, there are about 150 hydropower plants in operation.The paper examines the past and present state of small hydropower plants and perspectives on their development in the future, both by building new or reconstructing existing power plants. The list of hydropower plants with a short description of possible reconstruction is given. Moreover, the way of reducing the negative influence of hydropower plants on the environment is studied. Taking into account the energy issues in Ukraine, the possibilities of off-grid operation of hydropower plants are considered.The importance of energy security was evident from the issues that Ukraine is recently facing. Building new and reconstructing old small-scale hydropower plants will help to ensure the energy security of other types of electricity generation.
Profitability Assessment of Windfarm Overplanting in Spain
Authors: Roldan Fernandez Juan Manuel , Serrano Gonzalez Javier , Mohedas Lopez Rufino , Fuentes Sevillano Fernando , Burgos Payan Manuel , Riquelme Santos Jesus Manuel
Published: May 2023

The efforts made by European institutions to decarbonise the electricity system over the last decade have led Spain to become the fifth country in the world in terms of wind power plant capacity in 2021. This major achievement is still far from being able to contain and limit CO2 emissions. By 2030, it is expected that, together with photovoltaic energy, Spain will reach 74 % of renewable generation in its electricity system. Wind technology is currently very mature in onshore wind farms and its relatively low cost makes this technology attractive to investors. However, the best wind sites were the first places to be occupied by the first turbine generations. On the other hand, newer wind farms occupy sites with less wind resource but have more efficient turbines. To improve the profitability of the wind farm and increase its production, the feasibility of other alternatives such as overplanting or storage is beginning to be investigated. Overplanting aims to optimise the use of the transmission system by increasing wind capacity above the transmission capacity limit. In this work, we measure the profitability of an overplanting strategy by quantifying the parameters that make profitable the investment. The developed model optimised the production of energy taking into account technical and financial parameters in order to cover a wide range of situations. We analysed the case of a specific site with 25 2 MW turbines with the Python tool PyWake. The results obtained show that for each new turbine the annual energy produced (AEP) grows by around 3.87 GWh per turbine added (a cut of 1.69 GWh due to congestion of the transmission system). The study shows improvements in profitability when the electricity price exceeds 70 €/MWh.
The Role Of Hydrogen In Future Climate-neutral Economy
Authors: Safronova Alina , Barisa Aiga , Hmelniks Davis , Bazbauers Gatis
Published: May 2023

Global annual CO2 emissions have increased more than 16 times in 2021 compared to 1990 and are expected to keep growing. Renewable energy is a critical way to reduce the impact on the climate. However, renewable energy production’s power output does not necessarily match the demand. The intermittent character of renewable electricity generation requires the storage of produced energy. Green hydrogen production via electrolysis is an opportunity to increase the integration of renewable energy sources and move hard-to-decarbonize sectors to climate neutrality. This research aims to assess the potential role of hydrogen in decarbonizing the energy sector in Latvia in the long term. Latvia’s energy system is modeled using the input/output deterministic energy system analysis model EnergyPlan. The model includes all the primary energy demand sectors, energy production, and storage, and allows the analysis of the impact of different strategies on the total costs and emissions of the system by 2050. The results show that the production potential of green hydrogen will increase significantly by 2030, taking into account the existing plans for the installation of 800 MW of wind and solar generating capacity on a national scale. The most significant potential is associated with using hydrogen in the transport sector in vehicles and in producing alternative fuels. Other uses include the decarbonization of the natural gas sector. In these scenarios, it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions while annual system costs increase.
Unlocking the Impact of Climate Change Mitigation Policies: A Comprehensive Study of Clean and Dirty Innovation Dynamics
Authors: Balcilar Mehmet , Agan Busra
Published: May 2023

Achieving the Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C to 2 °C by the end of the century will require massive investments in environmental technologies and a drastic shift away from high-carbon technologies. This paper investigates the impact of climate change mitigation policies on clean energy innovation. A statistical evaluation of the impact of public policies on the rate and direction of innovation for a lowcarbon future is complicated by the nature of the data and the absence of benchmarks. In addition, the statistical analysis is further complicated by the spillover effects between clean and dirty innovation and by the lag effects. In this paper, the authors assess the effects of both public policies, such as carbon taxes and green subsidies, and economic and environmental conditions, such as oil prices, large recessions, climate-related disasters, etc., on clean innovation using a nonparametric method based on the copula distribution of clean innovation. The authors collect data from the European Patent Office (EPO) Worldwide Patent Statistical (PATSTAT) Database, both on clean and dirty patents. This database is managed by the EPO and compiles data from patent offices around the world. The emphasis is put on inventions for which a patent application has been submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The inventions are dated based on the date of their first patent application. Clean innovation refers to patents in areas such as renewable energy generation and electric vehicles, while dirty innovation refers to fossil-based energy generation and internal combustion engines. The authors employ a novel nonparametric test against pairwise differences, especially in tail dependence structures, which we measure with tail copulas, thereby avoiding the possibility of parametric misspecification. This method also permits to examine the effects of various interventions and economic conditions on different portions of the distribution, with a particular emphasis on tail dependence. The authors identify nonlinear dependence structures between clean innovation, public policies, and economic determinants like the oil price and recession. By comparing the effects of clean and dirty innovation, we can determine whether the effect on clean innovation is distinct. The findings indicate that the tightening of environmental policies since the early 1990s has statistically and economically contributed to the increase in clean innovation. The findings can bolster public support for green R&D. In addition, they suggest that green policies may be able to increase the knowledge diffusion of clean innovation.
GHG Savings Calculation: Switch from Electricity Production to Biomethane. Case Study
Authors: Terjaņika Viktorija , Pubule Jelena , Sanchez Valdespino Angelica Araceli
Published: May 2023

Carbon dioxide is one of the main components of greenhouse gases. The amount of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the atmosphere reached 37.9 Gt, which is 60 % more than in 1990. The use of CO2 in the production of valuable products can help to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Biomethane fuel production could be a successful solution in Latvia as well. The work includes a case study of a Latvian biogas production facility Agro Iecava with a switch from biogas to biomethane production. All calculations are made according to REDcert rules. For biofuel production the Plant uses 13 types of substrates, which is also reflected in the calculation. The work shows a step-by-step algorithm for research and analysis. The experience can be used at other biogas production stations, regardless of its location. The analysis of the Plant shows that switching to biomethane production saves up to 80.34 % of GHG emissions (with an estimated loss during transportation in the network of 1 %). In the worst-case scenario, this amount is 76.34 % (loss from transportation is 5 %), which is also above the minimum indicated in the Renewable Energy Directive.
Insights of Bioeconomy: Biopolymer Evaluation based on Sustainability Criteria
Authors: Patel Nidhiben , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: May 2023

Sustainable development in the agriculture sector can be boosted by integrating a sustainable bioeconomy and transforming renewable resources into added-value products. There are various methods to determine, measure, and compare the extent of sustainability. We promote the bioeconomy concept by utilizing agricultural waste in biopolymers considering the sustainable development in the agriculture sector. This research aims to evaluate biopolymer alternatives based on sustainability criteria and indicators using the integrated multi-criteria decision analysis approach under the sustainability umbrella. The authors evaluated the PLA, PHA/PHB, starch, protein, and cellulose-based biopolymers. As a result, the cellulose-based biopolymer shows the best performance. The research findings provide valuable information to establish a sustainable pathway for biopolymer production for industries.
Bibliometric Analysis on Sustainability Assessment Methods in the Bioeconomy
Authors: Zlaugotne Beate , Pubule Jeļena
Published: May 2023

Sustainability is meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability assessment is a complex process because it needs to cover multidisciplinary aspects – environmental, economic, and social. The sustainability assessment is created by combining different indicators, and the resulting single holistic value can be used as an indicator for comparison. A successful economic transition towards a bioeconomy can contribute to the achievement of many sustainability goals. In this paper, a bibliometric analysis method is used to analyse Open Access articles from the Web of Science database using bibliometric VOSviewer software. The relationship between sustainability assessment methods and associated keywords is explored through a biometric analysis. A literature review is conducted on the methods and tools of assessing the sustainability of bioresources. The authors have summarised the use of sustainability assessment methods and tools, and their characteristics. The obtained results show that keywords' sustainability assessment methods, in publication have become particularly popular since 2015, as the number of publications increases by more than 100 publications every year. The biggest connection with keywords are keywords 'life-cycle assessment', 'performance', 'management', 'framework', 'model', and 'impact'. Life-cycle assessment, material flows analysis, multi-criteria decision analysis, system dynamics and modelling are popular for assessing sustainability. Each method has advantages and disadvantages; however, it is possible to combine several tools to improve the assessment.
Mapping of the Bioeconomy Ecosystem in Latvia
Authors: Kubule Anna , Raiena Inta
Published: May 2023

Bioeconomy is no longer limited to being a concept in research papers and policy strategies; it presents real opportunities for regional development, i.e., by improving local employment, socio-economic development, economy and sustainable local bioresource use. But the obtaining of these opportunities is challenged by various barriers. It is proposed that analogously with other widely research fields (energy efficiency, industrial sustainability), the implementation of novel bioeconomy ideas, even when they are scientifically based, encounters the so-called ‘implementation gap’ (similarly to, e.g., the ‘energy efficiency gap’). This implementation gap is related to national, but also regional challenges, i.e., technical, economic, organizational, behavior and other barriers that hinder the most successful bioeconomy deployment. The technical obstacles can be, e.g., lack of processing or production technologies, capacity problems, while organizational barriers can manifest as logistics chain problems due to the availability of bioresources or internal organization problems of the company, lack of time, reluctance to take on new responsibilities or lack of awareness of opportunities provided by the bioeconomy. This significance of the regional analysis level for barrier assessment calls for more precise information. The first step for in-depth investigation of the bioeconomy implementation gap in Latvian context is the research of the bioeconomy ecosystem. In fact, as required by the National industrial policy guidelines, the Strategy for knowledge based bioeconomy development for Latvia was developed in 2022 by the Latvian bioeconomy ecosystem stakeholders. The current research focuses on the identification and more detailed characterization of the stakeholders of Latvian bioeconomy ecosystem, their interactions, as well as the identification of current challenges and barriers for knowledge-based bioeconomy and innovations development. In order to further elaborate the structure of the bioeconomy ecosystem, the mapping of ecosystem stakeholders was implemented.
On Carbon Storage and Substitution Factors of Harvested Wood Products in the Context of Climate Change Impacts of the Norwegian Forest Sector
Authors: Kallio A. Maarit I. , Houtmeyers Silke , Aza Ana
Published: May 2023

Harvested wood products (HWP) contribute to climate change mitigation via two main mechanisms: carbon storage and substitution. The authors examined the data on carbon storage and substitution factors of HWPs that are relevant in evaluating the climate change mitigation potential in the context of the Norwegian forest sector. While there seem to be many uncertainties in these parameters, the data suggest that several uses of wood for industrial products come with clear carbon substitution benefits and, in some cases, provide long-term carbon storage. Such wood products could play an important role in climate-friendly bioeconomic transformation. In particular, the authors considered wood- based construction materials, textile fibres, and insulation materials as examples of such products with potential in future bioeconomy. The decay of the carbon stored in HWP pools over time is often modelled using the product half-lives that correspond to the number of years it takes for the carbon in a pool to be reduced to half of its initial value. Using the default half-life values of greenhouse gases reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the average half-life of carbon in HWPs produced by the forest industry in Norway of today is approximately 21 years. Shifting some of the use of pulpwood and sawn wood chips from producing paper and pellets to produce insulation materials or panels for construction would increase the time carbon is stored in the HWP pool. Accounting for the large uncertainty in the carbon substitution parameters of HWPs found in this study, a cautious estimate of the substitution benefits of HWPs produced in Norway can be considered to amount to at least 5 Mt CO2. Redirecting some pulpwood use from paper production to the production of textile fibres and the above-mentioned construction materials would increase the substitution benefits.
Tool Development for Carbon Footprint Evaluation of Packaging Alternatives
Authors: Patel Nidhiben , Feofilovs Maksims , Romagnoli Francesco
Published: May 2023

With the increasing concern of pollution, any business willing to reduce its carbon footprint embraces sustainability and positively impacts the progress towards achieving climate neutrality. Well-prepared and presented information to the business customer before purchasing can be a strong driver for better decision-making towards less impactful product alternatives. This study presents the development of a tool that informs customers of an online marketplace for packaging products about the carbon footprint of customer-preferred packaging concerning possible alternatives and, in this way, promotes the reduction of packaging carbon footprint. For tool development, the LCA-based approach includes the raw material extraction stage, packaging production, and transportation to the customer. The impact assessment in the tool is performed according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021 methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions based on information obtained from the database Ecoinvent 3.8. The final output of carbon footprint calculation is provided with a colour indicator marking the carbon footprint performance of customer-defined alternatives clearly and simply to educate the customer, foster informed purchasing decisions, and improve environmental outcomes.
How Artisans Apply Clean Production: The Circular Economy of Handicrafts in Industrial Centers
Authors: Al-Arsy Auliana Farabbanie , Wahjoedi Wahjoedi , Soetjipto Budi Eko , Sunaryanto Sunaryanto
Published: May 2023

Clean production in the production of handicrafts is one of the key elements of success for artisans in creating environmentally friendly products. The industrial waste generated by society has polluted the environment. Micro, small, and medium enterprises have a significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product of a country. The presence of industrial centers that produce various types of handicrafts using clean production is expected to increase the income of artisans. The purpose of this research is to investigate the circular economy of handicraft artisans in producing products through clean production. The research used a descriptive qualitative approach, with artisans in Indonesian handicraft industrial centers as the subjects. Data collection was conducted through interviews and direct observations involving artisans in the industrial centers, as well as online data collection with relevant agencies. The research findings indicate that clean production in handicraft industrial centers is carried out using simple technology. This is influenced by the number of orders received by the artisans and based on sales turnover. The circular economy in the micro, small, and medium enterprises of handicraft industrial centers at the level of raw material usage, production processes, and marketing has already implemented environmentally friendly principles. However, the concepts of better service and remanufacturing are not present in the circular economy model applied in the industrial centers. This is due to the artisans’ limited understanding and knowledge, as well as the function of the product itself.
From Incineration to Sterilisation of Solid Hospital Waste in Low-income Contexts: a Gradual Sustainable Transition.
Authors: Castellucci Ada , Rama Isaco , Guirreri Dario , Rada Elena Cristina , Mendoso Cesar , Torretta Vincenzo , Ragazzi Marco
Published: May 2023

Open burning and incineration are the two most common treatments for hospital solid waste in low-income countries. Due to the absence of limits on emissions and the lack of technical capacity or funding, obsolete incinerators do not guarantee neither a low environmental and economic impact nor people health. The SIRSU Project, co-financed by the Italian Agency for Sustainable Development and Newster Group, aims to substitute the incinerator in Beira Central Hospital (Mozambique) with an electric sterilizer, an environmentally friendly machine that is also safe for workers. However, it is not sufficient to import this new technology and train the staff. First, an assessment of the quantities and types of biomedical waste produced in the different hospitals is necessary, as well as a careful analysis of the waste management system of all hospitals in the city. If the technology is suitable for the context, then, after the training of technicians for maintenance and operation, a period of accompaniment and monitoring is necessary to optimise performances. The transition cannot be immediate, and a period of coexistence of the two plants (steriliser and incinerator) is necessary. To facilitate the gradual transition, the SIRSU project foresees the foundation of a local start-up to manage the steriliser and offer a waste full transport service for smaller hospitals to the Central Hospital where the machine is installed. This experience could be an opportunity to set guidelines comprehensive of the concepts of safety and security during all the steps of the transition. This aspect can be an important element for defining 1) the most appropriate technical solutions, evaluating the implementations on the control and regulation systems in order to minimize the risks associated with the process, 2) management and above all operational methods in order to guarantee not only compliance with the most precautionary technical legislations, but also modern and advanced operating standards.
Green Transformation of Scrap Metal. MCDA and SWOT Analysis of Metal Melting Methods: Case Study of Latvia
Authors: Terjanika Viktorija , Pubule Jelena
Published: May 2023

Metal is one of the most used materials in the world. It was an important impetus in technological development during the industrial age and is still pushing us forward to this day. Along with the growth of metal consumption, the amount of scrap metal also increases. The correct use of this kind of waste plays an important role in reducing the negative impact of the metalworking industry on the environment. Replacing raw metal with scrap metal can reduce the amount of electricity consumed by up to 10 times and the amount of CO2 emissions created by up to 30 times. The choice of the optimal scrap metal processing technology also plays an important role. The metal melting furnace can be considered the backbone of the industry, and the environmental indicators of the entire scrap metal melting process depend on its efficiency. In this paper, 8 metal melting furnaces are analysed according to 11 natural criteria. In addition, a SWOT analysis is carried out to determine the efficiency of the metal smelting process in Latvian metalworking enterprises and the possibility of expanding enterprises in the future.
MSW Management in Mountainous Areas: Outcomes from a Comparison Between Two Italian Provinces
Authors: Ragazzi Marco , Conti Fabio , Torretta Vincenzo , Zatelli Claudio , Ghiringhelli Giorgio , Lakatos Elena Simina , Rada Elena Cristina
Published: May 2023

In the present paper, two case studies are reported regarding the municipal solid waste (MSW) management trend in the last decades in two Italian areas in order to propose some guidelines for replicating the approaches. The first case study has a very good selective collection (SC) rate that is expected to reach 80 % in a few years. SC is made mainly kerbside. There is no thermo-chemical plant in the territory (but a part of the residual MSW is burnt in an external combustion plant). A local plant combines anaerobic digestion with post-composting as a main destination for food waste and green waste. A sanitary landfill receives the main stream of locally pre-treated residual MSW. The adopted tariff helped increasing the SC rate: since 2013, the punctual tariff has been adopted. The second case study concerns an area where SC reached about 75 % in 2019, before the pandemic period that affected the performances of the sector. The punctual tariff has been recently introduced. In the territory, there are an incineration plant and a Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) plant that sends the final product mainly to a cement factory. No plant for the biodegradable waste exists locally (export is adopted). Looking at the two case-studies, useful waste guidelines for similar areas could be set up starting from these experiences.
Origins of the Concept of Circular Economy and its Evolution
Authors: Rada Elena Cristina
Published: May 2023

The first concepts connected with the material circularity have been introduced through the terms of Industrial Symbiosis and Industrial Ecology since the 1940s. In 1947 Renner, G. included in his works the term of ‘reuse – exchange’ as processes by which waste or by-products of an industry or industrial processes become the raw materials for another one (exchange). In 1966, Economy in Washington – with the paper ‘The Economics of the Coming Spaceship Earth’ presented the idea of a circular loop for the materials, considering open and closed systems. Moreover, in the 1970s, Stahel, W. R. introduced the concept with the expression ‘cradle-to-cradle’ in opposition with ‘cradle-to grave’. As a consequence of the environmental revolution, the industrial ecology gained more and more importance. In the 1980s, Frosh, R. A. proposed an analogy of natural ecosystems, for the eco-industrial ones: in addition to reducing the production of wastes, they should maximize the efficient use of residue materials and end-of-life products, as an input for other production processes. In 1994, Pauli, G. in ‘Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives’ divided the economic models in three: red, green and blue economy. Later, Ayres went ahead using the metaphor of the biosphere (ecology) – technosphere (economy), followed by Biomimicry of Benyus, thanks to the ‘Spiral of Life’. At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, the Linear Economy based on the terms take, make, consume, throw away was introduced. Its development is connected with the technological innovations encouraged by the growing scientific development increased productivity and promoted the progress of the linear economy. The Circular Economy, was introduced in 2015 by the European Union, and its aim is connected with the concept of: a) more efficient and sustainable use of resources; b) new integrated model of production, distribution and consumption.
How to Measure Public Awareness of Environmental Protection
Authors: Kavals Edgars , Kalnins Silvija Nora , Gušča Jūlija
Published: May 2023

Human actions intensified processes in the environment, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental pollution, escalating the role of environmental awareness. Along with the formal environmental education performed in pre-schools, schools and universities, vocational education is taking a special role due to the flexibility of educational formats as well as the diversity and deepness of topics to be covered. While there are a lot of public awareness campaigns on climate change, environmental and nature protection issues, there is still a lack of methods on how to measure the effectiveness of these. Within the present paper, the methodology for measuring the effectiveness of outdoor events focused on awareness raising of local society on nature protection actions. The methodological framework is based on the ecosystems services travel cost method – estimation of the value of nature provided benefits generated by ecosystems. As a case study object to adapt the methodology, a project named Nature Concert Hall is selected. Nature Concert Hall is a symbiosis of science, music, poetry and visual art organising annual summer festivals (1–2 per year) in previously unrecognized natural settings, such as meadow, forest, seacoast or riverside but dedicated to a specific nature protection topic. The effectiveness of the event is measured for the period of 7 years.
Identification of the Weak Stages of the Agricultural Sector’s Progress toward Climate Neutrality
Authors: Bumbiere Ketija
Published: May 2023

The agricultural sector’s progress towards climate neutrality is of great importance not only in the climate but also in the economic and social context. The agricultural sector is the 3rd largest emission-generating sector both in Latvia and Europe, and it directly and/or indirectly affects all other sectors. Climate-neutral agriculture is highly dependent on innovations that ensure maximally efficient farming, which does not only reduce emissions, but also ensures competitiveness in the market. However, all of this is fundamentally influenced by well considerate policies. Although the goals of the Green Deal are united, each country’s situation must be thoughtfully considered individually to evaluate the best action plan for integrating the EU’s common agricultural policy. In addition, due to the complicated structure of the sector, it tends to be very difficult or even impossible to determine the real obstacles and mistakes that delay the progress of sustainable farming. Therefore, this research aims to create a system dynamics model using Latvia as a case study, which would not only provide an insight into the system’s structure but also identify the system’s weak links and allow for the development of recommendations. The results could help policymakers in any country to make rational, non-controversial decisions simultaneously in the context of economic and Green Deal objectives. The results of the study demonstrate that in order to increase economic competitiveness and reduce emissions in agriculture, the most important aspect is the ability to invest in innovations and new technologies that would achieve not only the lowest emissions, but also the highest productivity and competitiveness in the market.
Sustainable Technology of Wood Charcoal Diffuser for Indoor Acoustical Quality
Authors: Khrystoslavenko Olga , Grubliauskas Raimondas
Published: May 2023

Wood charcoal is sustainable, renewable, environmentally friendly material using which the acoustic device may be produced. Charcoal made of wood waste materials allows to improve indoor acoustical quality. The current article aims to investigate sound scattering coefficients of quadratic residue diffusers with the covering of oak (Quercus robur) wood charcoal elements. The sound scattering coefficient is calculated due to the reverberation time measurement in the reverberation chamber. The calculation results of the scattering coefficient show the growth of scattering in the frequencies – the highest value reached 0.88 (diffuser N7 with charcoal). The effectiveness of diffusers to diffuse sound waves increases as the number of wells grows. The diffuser with 80 % charcoal elements showed a higher scattering coefficient comparing to the diffuser without charcoal elements.
Relationship between Greenness and Health Indicators in Urban Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Čerkauskaitė Sonata , Kubilius Raimondas , Venclovienė Jonė
Published: May 2023

The environment has a significant impact on a person’s general well-being. Distance to green space has been found to be an important factor influencing health. Urban green spaces enhance people’s quality of life and physical and mental health. According to recent research, living near green space may reduce one’s risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as other harmful health issues. In this study, the health data was collected in 2007– 2009 in Kaunas, Lithuania. The study participants (144) randomly were divided into two groups, control, and trained groups. Long-term aerobic physical training was applied to the exposure group. General clinical, echocardiography, and spiroergometry parameters were evaluated for the study participants. Greenness was estimated from satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in zones with radii of 1 km, 1.5 km, and 2 km surrounding the participants’ residences. To assess the effect of greenness on the effects of rehabilitation, changes in health indicators during a period of 6 months in the groups of low/high greenness environment were presented separately for participants in control and training group. For this purpose, the paired t-test was used. For changes in patient characteristics, the effect of greenness within a radius of 1.5 km was stronger, also the effect within a radius of 1 km was similar. It was discovered that in the trained group, people who lived in high greenness experienced the best increases in the distance walked over the course of six minutes (6 MWT) and a decrease in the mean heart rate. Spiroergometry indication improvements were notable and more pronounced for residents of high greenness areas. After 6 months, a decrease in echocardiographic indicators was found when living in low greenness. Living in low greenness was found to raise diastolic blood pressure and reduce 6 MWT in the control group. Only the control group’s ejection fraction was non-significant alterations in the low greenness environment. It can be concluded that greater greenness, according to NDVI, may lead to better rehabilitation outcomes for heart failure patients undergoing an aerobic exercise training program.
The Effect of Laser on the Efficiency of Biological Treatment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater
Authors: Zarecka Diāna , Lazov Lyubomir
Published: May 2023

The aim of the work is to explain the danger of phenol and phenolic compounds to human health and the environment. In addition, it explains where and why pollution by phenol and its compounds occurs, especially in industrial wastewater. The authors investigate the possibility of using laser technologies for the decomposition of phenol, as well as for the purification of industrial wastewater from phenolic compounds. Treatment of wastewater from phenol and its compounds using microorganisms for biological treatment is widely used in the world. This method is economical and environmentally friendly. On the other hand, exceeding the permissible concentration of phenol, which is individual for each biological treatment plant, microorganisms in such treatment plants may die because they are poisoned by phenol or its compounds. Thus, the biological treatment of industrial wastewater is temporarily stopped until the concentration of phenol is reduced to an acceptable limit and the microorganisms recover. Such a procedure can take a long time and is unpredictable because microorganisms are sensitive to changing conditions. Based on this, literature sources have been explored. This could help to understand which laser devices can be used to split a phenol compound or a benzene ring into simple chemicals. It also helps to understand how phenol-containing wastewater affects the microorganisms of biological treatment plants and the course of the process, as well as to find a laser device that would not affect the usual conditions of microorganisms of biological treatment plants. Several experiments were carried out, including those with lasers, to exclude possible interfering factors and to prove the already known data for further scientific research.
Treatment of Textile Wastewater Containing Dyes
Authors: Liugė Monika , Paliulis Dainius
Published: May 2023

In recent years there has been an interest in the study of new methods for the removal of textile dyes from water due to its large-scale use in different industries. For example, paper printing, textile, leather, pharmaceutical, food or technological applications. It is estimated that more than 700 thousand tons of about 10 000 different types of dyes are produced annually. Most of them are of synthetic origin and can generate adverse effects, for example, teratogenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic action. Dyes are mainly applied in the textile industry, and they are usually classified into anionic (acid dyes), cationic (basic dyes) and non-ionic (disperse dyes) dyes. The direct discharge of dyes into the environment can cause various damages to plants and animals: dyes can block the penetration of sunlight, reduce the photosynthetic efficiency of aquatic plants and ultimately destroy the ecological balance of the aquatic ecosystem. This study determines the adsorption efficiency of congo red, methylene blue, rhodamine B and naphthol green B dyes used in textile industry by using the aerogel. To achieve the aim, the effects of adsorbent dosage, pH, dyes concentration, adsorption contact time and temperature of solutions were studied. Kinetic data, equilibrium isotherms and thermodynamic parameters were determined.
Extraction of Apple Pomace from Juice Production Using Supercritical CO2 Extraction
Authors: Luksta Ilze , Mika Taras , Spalvins Kriss
Published: May 2023

Apple pomace, a by-product of apple juice and cider production, is a sustainable raw material from which valuable products such as nutritional supplements and pectin can be obtained. It contains significant amounts of antioxidant compounds that have been linked to several health benefits. Both traditional and new technologies can be used to extract valuable components from apple pomace, with an emphasis on new and environmentally friendly methods. One such technique is the use of supercritical CO2 extraction. This method is considered environmentally friendly, and it can be used to extract valuable compounds such as antioxidants and pectin from apple pomace. This article examines the extraction parameters of apple pomace and analyses the valuable substances in the extract samples. Apple pomace is a promising source of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and other compounds with a vast range of food applications.
Prikaz monografije
Authors: SIMOVIĆ Marina M.
Published: May 2023

Resocijalizacija osuđenika, kao cilj kazne zatvora, uslovljava i primjenu odgovarajućeg tretmana koji predstavlja složen sistem institucionalnih i vanin- stitucionalnih metoda, mjera i postupaka. Radi se o društveno važnoj temi, sa stanovišta zaštite društva, ali i poštovanja osnovnih ljudskih prava i sloboda. U potrazi za mogućim rješenjima, uvijek kada je to moguće, potrebno je težiti odgo- varajućem odgovoru u okviru pitanja rizika i prava. U tom kontekstu, mogu se ra-zlikovati tri faze tretmana: sudski tretman, tretman u ustanovi i postpenalni tret- man. Ove faze su međusobno povezane istim ciljem – resocijalizacijom osuđenika.Postpenalni tretman predstavlja pomoć nakon izvršenja kazne zatvora, a sasto- ji se od niza aktivnosti, i predstavlja vrlo kompleksan ali i dugotrajan proces. Radi se o vrlo kontroverznoj temi koja izaziva mnoge rasprave, posebno ako se radi o opasnim punoljetnim učiniocima krivičnih djela nakon punog izvršenja kazne za- tvora. U tom smislu, u teoriji i praksi moguće su dvije mjere namijenjene opasnim učiniocima nakon punog izvršenja kazne za- tvora. U tom smislu, u teoriji i praksi moguće su dvije mjere namijenjene opasnim učiniocima nakon punog izvršenja kazne zatvora: sigurnosno preventivno zatva- ranje (engl. secure preventive detention) i preventivni nadzor (engl. preventive supervision).
Joint inference of evolutionary transitions to self-fertilization and demographic history using whole-genome sequences
Authors: Strütt Stefan , Sellinger Thibaut , Glémin Sylvain , Tellier Aurélien , Laurent Stefan
Published: May 2023

The evolution from outcrossing to selfing occurred recently across the eukaryote tree of life in plants, animals, fungi, and algae. Despite short-term advantages, selfing is hypothetically an evolutionary dead-end reproductive strategy. The tippy distribution on phylogenies suggests that most selfing species are of recent origin. However, dating such transitions is challenging yet central for testing this hypothesis. We build on previous theories to disentangle the differential effect of past changes in selfing rate or from that of population size on recombination probability along the genome. This allowed us to develop two methods using full-genome polymorphisms to (1) test if a transition from outcrossing to selfing occurred and (2) infer its age. TheteSMCandtsABCmethods use a transition matrix summarizing the distribution of times to the most recent common ancestor along the genome to estimate changes in the ratio of population recombination and mutation rates overtime. First, we demonstrate that our methods distinguish between past changes in selfing rate and demographic history. Second, we assess the accuracy of our methods to infer transitions to selfing approximately up to 2.5Negenerations ago. Third, we demonstrate that our estimates are robust to the presence of purifying selection. Finally, as a proof of principle, we apply both methods to threeArabidopsis thalianapopulations, revealing a transition to selfing approximately 600,000 years ago. Our methods pave the way for studying recent transitions to self-fertilization and better accounting for variation in mating systems in demographic inferences.
Development of frequency tuning shaped by spatial cue reliability in the barn owl’s auditory midbrain
Authors: Shadron Keanu , Peña José Luis
Published: May 2023

Sensory systems preferentially strengthen responses to stimuli based on their reliability at conveying accurate information. While previous reports demonstrate that the brain reweighs cues based on dynamic changes in reliability, how the brain may learn and maintain neural responses to sensory statistics expected to be stable over time is unknown. The barn owl’s midbrain features a map of auditory space where neurons compute horizontal sound location from the interaural time difference (ITD). Frequency tuning of midbrain map neurons correlates with the most reliable frequencies for the neurons’ preferred ITD (Cazettes et al., 2014). Removal of the facial ruff led to a specific decrease in the reliability of high frequencies from frontal space. To directly test whether permanent changes in ITD reliability drive frequency tuning, midbrain map neurons were recorded from adult owls, with the facial ruff removed during development, and juvenile owls, before facial ruff development. In both groups, frontally tuned neurons were tuned to frequencies lower than in normal adult owls, consistent with the change in ITD reliability. In addition, juvenile owls exhibited more heterogeneous frequency tuning, suggesting normal developmental processes refine tuning to match ITD reliability. These results indicate causality of long-term statistics of spatial cues in the development of midbrain frequency tuning properties, implementing probabilistic coding for sound localization.
Profiling the bloodstream form and procyclic form Trypanosoma brucei cell cycle using single-cell transcriptomics
Authors: Briggs Emma M , Marques Catarina A , Oldrieve Guy R , Hu Jihua , Otto Thomas D , Matthews Keith R
Published: May 2023

African trypanosomes proliferate as bloodstream forms (BSFs) and procyclic forms in the mammal and tsetse fly midgut, respectively. This allows them to colonise the host environment upon infection and ensure life cycle progression. Yet, understanding of the mechanisms that regulate and drive the cell replication cycle of these forms is limited. Using single-cell transcriptomics on unsynchronised cell populations, we have obtained high resolution cell cycle regulated (CCR) transcriptomes of both procyclic and slender BSF Trypanosoma brucei without prior cell sorting or synchronisation. Additionally, we describe an efficient freeze–thawing protocol that allows single-cell transcriptomic analysis of cryopreserved T. brucei. Computational reconstruction of the cell cycle using periodic pseudotime inference allowed the dynamic expression patterns of cycling genes to be profiled for both life cycle forms. Comparative analyses identify a core cycling transcriptome highly conserved between forms, as well as several genes where transcript levels dynamics are form specific. Comparing transcript expression patterns with protein abundance revealed that the majority of genes with periodic cycling transcript and protein levels exhibit a relative delay between peak transcript and protein expression. This work reveals novel detail of the CCR transcriptomes of both forms, which are available for further interrogation via an interactive webtool.
Molecular consequences of peripheral Influenza A infection on cell populations in the murine hypothalamus
Authors: Lemcke René , Egebjerg Christine , Berendtsen Nicolai T , Egerod Kristoffer L , Thomsen Allan R , Pers Tune H , Christensen Jan P , Kornum Birgitte R
Published: May 2023

Infection with Influenza A virus (IAV) causes the well-known symptoms of the flu, including fever, loss of appetite, and excessive sleepiness. These responses, mediated by the brain, will normally disappear once the virus is cleared from the system, but a severe respiratory virus infection may cause long-lasting neurological disturbances. These include encephalitis lethargica and narcolepsy. The mechanisms behind such long lasting changes are unknown. The hypothalamus is a central regulator of the homeostatic response during a viral challenge. To gain insight into the neuronal and non-neuronal molecular changes during an IAV infection, we intranasally infected mice with an H1N1 virus and extracted the brain at different time points. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of the hypothalamus, we identify transcriptional effects in all identified cell populations. The snRNA-seq data showed the most pronounced transcriptional response at 3 days past infection, with a strong downregulation of genes across all cell types. General immune processes were mainly impacted in microglia, the brain resident immune cells, where we found increased numbers of cells expressing pro-inflammatory gene networks. In addition, we found that most neuronal cell populations downregulated genes contributing to the energy homeostasis in mitochondria and protein translation in the cytosol, indicating potential reduced cellular and neuronal activity. This might be a preventive mechanism in neuronal cells to avoid intracellular viral replication and attack by phagocytosing cells. The change of microglia gene activity suggest that this is complemented by a shift in microglia activity to provide increased surveillance of their surroundings.