bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Potential Roles of Polyphenols and Flavonoids in Response to Sunburn Stress in Chinese Olive (Canarium album)
Authors: Long Yu , Shen Chaogui , Lai Ruilian , Zhang Meihua , Tian Qilin , Wei Xiaoxia , Wu Rujian
Published: August 2024

Sunburn stress is one of the main environmental stress factors that seriously affects the fruit development and quality of Chinese olive, a tropical and subtropical fruit in south China. Therefore, the understanding of the changes in physiological, biochemical, metabolic, and gene expression in response to sunburn stress is of great significance for the industry and breeding of Chinese olive. In this study, the different stress degrees of Chinese olive fruits, including serious sunburn injury (SSI), mild sunburn injury (MSI), and ordinary (control check, CK) samples, were used to identify the physiological and biochemical changes and explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) by using transcriptomics and metabolomics. Compared with CK, the phenotypes, antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant-related enzyme activities of sunburn stress samples changed significantly. Based on DEG-based KEGG metabolic pathway analysis of transcriptomics, the polyphenol and flavonoid-related pathways, including phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, sesquiterpenoid, and triterpenoid biosynthesis, monoterpene biosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis, isoflavonoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, were enriched under sunburn stress of Chinese olive. Meanwhile, 33 differentially accumulated polyphenols and 99 differentially accumulated flavonoids were identified using metabolomics. According to the integration of transcriptome and metabolome, 15 and 8 DEGs were predicted to regulate polyphenol and flavonoid biosynthesis in Chinese olive, including 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), cinnamoyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), chalcone synthase (CHS), flavanone-3-hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS). Additionally, the content of total polyphenols and flavonoids was found to be significantly increased in MSI and SSI samples compared with CK. Our research suggested that the sunburn stress probably activates the transcription of the structural genes involved in polyphenol and flavonoid biosynthesis in Chinese olive fruits to affect the antioxidant capacity and increase the accumulation of polyphenols and flavonoids, thereby responding to this abiotic stress.
Integrating Bioinspired Natural Adhesion Mechanisms into Modified Polyacrylate Latex Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
Authors: Jiang Chunyuan , Zhang Xinrui , Zhang Xinyue , Li Xingjian , Xu Shoufang , Li Yinwen
Published: August 2024

For polyacrylate latex pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs), high peel strength is of crucial significance. It is not only a key factor for ensuring the long-lasting and effective adhesive force of polyacrylate latex PSAs but also can significantly expand their application scope in many vital fields, such as packaging, electronics, and medical high-performance composite materials. High peel strength can guarantee that the products maintain stable and reliable adhesive performance under complex and variable environmental conditions. However, at present, the peel strength capacity of polyacrylate latex PSAs is conspicuously insufficient, making it difficult to fully meet the urgent market demand for high peel strength, and severely restricting their application in many cutting-edge fields. Therefore, based on previous experimental studies, and deeply inspired by the adhesion mechanism of natural marine mussels, in this study, a traditional polyacrylate latex PSA was ingeniously graft-modified with 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (DHBA) through the method of monomer-starved seeded semi-continuous emulsion polymerization, successfully synthesizing novel high-peel-strength polyacrylate latex pressure-sensitive adhesives (HPSAs) with outstanding strong adhesion properties, and the influence of DHBA content on the properties of the HPSAs was comprehensively studied. The research results indicated that the properties of the modified HPSAs were comprehensively enhanced. Regarding the water resistance of the adhesive film, the minimum water absorption rate was 4.33%. In terms of the heat resistance of the adhesive tape, it could withstand heat at 90 °C for 1 h without leaving residue upon tape peeling. Notably, the adhesive properties were significantly improved, and when the DHBA content reached 4.0%, the loop tack and 180° peel strength of HPSA4 significantly increased to 5.75 N and 825.4 gf/25 mm, respectively, which were 2.5 times and 2 times those of the unmodified PSA, respectively. Such superior adhesive performance of HPSAs, on the one hand, should be attributed to the introduction of the bonding functional monomer DHBA with a rich polyphenol structure; on the other hand, the acetal structure formed by the grafting reaction of DHBA with the PSA effectively enhanced the spatial network and crosslink density of the HPSAs. In summary, in this study, the natural biological adhesion phenomenon was ingeniously utilized to increase the peel strength of pressure-sensitive adhesives, providing a highly forward-looking and feasible direct strategy for the development of environmentally friendly polyacrylate latex pressure-sensitive adhesives.
Empathy and Socio-Emotional Competencies: The Perception of Portuguese Adolescents in Today’s Changing Environment
Authors: Ferreira Paula , Gameiro Fátima , Faria Miguel
Published: August 2024

According to the literature, recent world events seem to play a significant influence in the acquisition and upgrowth of empathy and socio-emotional competencies (SEC), especially in adolescents. In this study we sought to assess the level of socio-emotional competencies and interpersonal reactivity of Portuguese adolescents in today’s context and analyze differences due to sex, relationship status, residence, and educational level on the dimensions of inter-personal reactivity and socio-emotional competencies. Participants were 230 adolescents of both sexes, living in Portugal, with ages between 16 and 18 years old, mostly female, with a secondary educational level, living in an urban area, and not in a relationship. An online questionnaire was applied using the Social and Emotional Competencies (SEC-Q) scale and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The results were that adolescents had an above-average global interpersonal reactivity, with empathic concern and perspective-taking presenting the higher values. Adolescents showed a medium-high average level of SEC, with the highest domains being self-awareness, social awareness, and pro-social behavior. Girls showed significantly more interpersonal reactivity in empathic concern, personal distress, and fantasy, and boys presented more self-awareness. As for the relationship status, adolescents not in a relationship manifested more personal distress, while those in a relationship presented higher values in all dimensions of SEC. Neither residence, nor educational level, presented significant main effects. These results can contribute to thinking about youth protection policies and designing more appropriate interventions to promote well-being in this crucial period of life, especially in times of change.
Accurate Deformation Retrieval of the 2023 Turkey–Syria Earthquakes Using Multi-Track InSAR Data and a Spatio-Temporal Correlation Analysis with the ICA Method
Authors: Liu Yuhao , Wu Songbo , Zhang Bochen , Xiong Siting , Wang Chisheng
Published: August 2024

Multi-track synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) provides a good approach for the monitoring of long-term multi-dimensional earthquake deformation, including pre-, co-, and post-seismic data. However, the removal of atmospheric errors in both single- and multi-track InSAR data presents significant challenges. In this paper, a method of spatio-temporal correlation analysis using independent component analysis (ICA) is proposed, which can extract multi-track deformation components for the accurate retrieval of earthquake deformation time series. Sentinel-1 data covering the double earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in 2023 are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that co-seismic displacement in the east–west and up–down directions ranged from −114.7 cm to 82.8 cm and from −87.0 cm to 63.9 cm, respectively. Additionally, the deformation rates during the monitoring period ranged from −137.9 cm/year to 123.3 cm/year in the east–west direction and from −51.8 cm/year to 45.7 cm/year in the up–down direction. A comparative validation experiment was conducted using three GPS stations. Compared with the results of the original MSBAS method, the proposed method provides results that are smoother and closer to those of the GPS data, and the average optimization efficiency is 43.08% higher. The experiments demonstrated that the proposed method could provide accurate two-dimensional deformation time series for studying the pre-, co-, and post-earthquake events of the 2023 Turkey–Syria Earthquakes.
Direct and Remote Sensing Monitoring of Plant Salinity Stress in a Coastal Back-Barrier Environment: Mediterranean Pine Forest Stress and Mortality as a Case Study
Authors: Alessandrino Luigi , Giuditta Elisabetta , Faugno Salvatore , Colombani Nicolò , Mastrocicco Micòl
Published: August 2024

The increase in atmospheric and soil temperatures in recent decades has led to unfavorable conditions for plants in many Mediterranean coastal environments. A typical example can be found along the coast of the Campania region in Italy, within the “Volturno Licola Falciano Natural Reserve”, where a pine forest suffered a dramatic loss of trees in 2021. New pines were planted in 2023 to replace the dead ones, with a larger tree layout and interspersed with Mediterranean bushes to replace the dead pine forest. A direct (in situ) monitoring program was planned to analyze the determinants of the pine salinity stress, coupled with Sentinel-2 L2A data; in particular, multispectral indices NDVI and NDMI were provided by the EU Copernicus service for plant status and water stress level information. Both the vadose zone and shallow groundwater were monitored with continuous logging probes. Vadose zone monitoring indicated that salinity peaked at a 30 cm soil depth, with values up to 1.9 g/L. These harsh conditions, combined with air temperatures reaching peaks of more than 40 °C, created severe difficulties for pine growth. The results of the shallow groundwater monitoring showed that the groundwater salinity was low (0.35–0.4 g/L) near the shoreline since the dune environment allowed rapid rainwater infiltration, preventing seawater intrusion. Meanwhile, salinity increased inland, reaching a peak at the end of the summer, with values up to 2.8 g/L. In November 2023, salts from storm-borne aerosols (“sea spray”) deposited on the soil caused the sea-facing portion of the newly planted pines to dry out. Differently, the pioneer vegetation of the Mediterranean dunes, directly facing the sea, was not affected by the massive deposition of sea spray. The NDMI and NDVI data were useful in distinguishing the old pine trees suffering from increasing stress and final death but were not accurate in detecting the stress conditions of newly planted, still rather short pine trees because their spectral reflectance largely interfered with the adjacent shrub growth. The proposed coupling of direct and remote sensing monitoring was successful and could be applied to detect the main drivers of plant stress in many other Mediterranean coastal environments.
The Dual-Pathway Model of Respect in Romantic Relationships
Authors: Young Gracynn , Zeigler-Hill Virgil
Published: August 2024

Respect has been shown to be an important aspect of romantic relationships. The current research explored whether the associations that status-based respect and inclusion-based respect had with romantic commitment would be mediated by satisfaction, investment, and the perceived quality of alternative romantic partners. Study 1 examined these associations with an undergraduate sample (N = 200), whereas Study 2 replicated the results of Study 1 using a community sample (N = 264). Study 3 (N = 187) extended these results by focusing on a specific situation in which participants felt either disrespected or respected by their romantic partners. Across these studies, status-based respect and inclusion-based respect were associated with romantic commitment. For example, status-based respect and inclusion-based respect had associations with commitment that were mediated by satisfaction in each study. The findings of the current studies indicate that people who experience disrespect in their relationships tend to be less satisfied, which, in turn, may lead to them being less committed to maintaining their relationships. In our discussion, we explore how status-based respect and inclusion-based respect can offer insights into understanding commitment to romantic relationships.
EduSolar: A Remote-Controlled Photovoltaic/Thermal Educational Lab with Integrated Daylight Simulation
Authors: Korkut Talha Batuhan , Rachid Ahmed
Published: August 2024

This study presents a compact educational photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system designed for thorough performance assessment under simulated weather conditions. As an affordable educational tool, the system offers significant pedagogical value. The PV/T system features two photovoltaic modules: a thermally enhanced module and a standard one. The thermally enhanced module uses water as a coolant, which transfers heat from the PV cells to a fan-operated heat exchanger, with the coolant being recirculated to maintain optimal conditions. A halogen lamp, placed between the modules, simulates solar radiation to ensure effective electrical current generation. The system’s remote-control capabilities, managed via the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol, enable real-time adjustments to the coolant flow rate, heat exchanger efficiency, and lamp brightness, as well as monitoring of electrical parameters. Experimental findings indicate that the PV/T module achieves a 7.71% increase in power output compared to the standard PV module and offers a 17.41% improvement in cooling efficiency over scenarios without cooling. Additionally, the numerical methods used in the study show a maximum deviation of 4.29% from the experimental results, which is considered acceptable. This study showcases a best practice model for solar training, applicable from elementary to university levels, and suggests innovative approaches to enhancing solar energy education.
The Adhesion Performance in Green-Glued Finger Joints Using Different Wood Ring Orientations
Authors: Rodríguez-Grau Gonzalo , Cordonnier Pierre-Louis , Navarrete Benjamín , Montero Claudio , Alvarado Claudia , Pommier Régis , Rosales Víctor , Galarce Carlos
Published: August 2024

Structural lumber is designed to meet the technical standards that ensure safety, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. However, some tree species face limitations in their growth, which restricts their widespread use. An example of this is Nothofagus alpina, which has excellent mechanical properties but is not utilized much due to the challenges in extracting its timber and poor utilization, mainly because of the length of the wood. There is little information concerned with the uses and better management of small pieces using Nothofagus species, but it is still insufficient. This study investigates the adhesion performance of green-glued finger joints with varying wood ring orientations and moisture contents ranging from 21% to 25% using Nothofagus alpina. The primary aim is to assess how ring orientation and wet timber affect the green gluing process for creating larger wood pieces than sawn wood. The resulting products could meet the standards for wood serviceability number three for native Chilean wood. The findings indicate that finger joint performance improves with higher timber moisture levels. However, the orientation of the wood fibers did not significantly affect the performance under the tested conditions. It is important to note that this effect may become more significant near the fiber saturation point. These findings emphasize the need for a detailed protocol on the green gluing technique for Nothofagus alpina and the associated drying and surface processes in finger joint construction.
Consumer Acceptance of Grass-Derived Ingredients in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mumbi Anne Wambui , Pittson Helen , Vriesekoop Frank , Kurhan Sebnem
Published: August 2024

The development of sustainable food production requires reducing the strain from present production systems on the environment using novel/disruptive technologies, one of which is to use grass as an abundantly available raw material, either minimally processed grass or grass-derived ingredients. With grass supplies readily available and the potentially significant carbon footprint reduction that this technology offers, this is an opportunity for sustainable production of much-needed food ingredients for human consumption. This study investigates UK consumers’ acceptance of grass-derived ingredients and examines the factors influencing their willingness to adopt these innovations as part of their diets. This study was conducted through a cross-sectional study in the UK, in which the participants were divided into three groups based on meat avoidance, i.e., meat reducers, meat avoiders, and meat consumers. The key findings emphasise the importance of education on grass-derived products to enhance consumer awareness and confidence. Other factors—such as age, meat attachment, grass-derived ingredients’ characteristics, social norms, and attitudes—have influenced willingness to try (WTT)/accept grass-derived ingredients. The findings suggest that while grass-derived ingredients in human diets may struggle to gain positive perceptions, targeted product development and marketing strategies tailored to highlight grass-derived ingredients’ nutritional benefits and safety are key to reshaping perceptions and fostering consumer readiness for novel food technologies in the UK.
New Challenges to Managing Cultural Routes: The Visitor Perspective
Authors: Rudan Elena , Madžar Danijela , Zubović Vedran
Published: August 2024

In recent decades, cultural routes have become increasingly important in the tourism offerings of rural destinations. It is vital to identify the factors that visitors consider important to their satisfaction with a cultural route and its overall impact on a tourist destination. This paper employs Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to investigate the dimensions of visitor satisfaction on cultural routes. A survey assessed satisfaction with 37 specific aspects of a cultural route in a tourist destination, revealing three key dimensions: satisfaction with destination characteristics, tourism infrastructure, and the cultural roots offerings. The findings highlight the need to move beyond traditional models of tourist satisfaction that focus on specific experiences and instead explore overall factors contributing to tourist satisfaction with a destination. The study examines cultural routes in rural regions of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County in Croatia and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. The scientific findings have significant implications for cultural route managers, aiding in the innovation and creation of offerings that will enhance tourist and visitor satisfaction.
Integrating Circular Economy Principles into Agri-Food Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cahyadi Eko Ruddy , Hidayati Nurul , Zahra Nisa , Arif Chusnul
Published: August 2024

This systematic literature review (SLR) examines the integration of circular economy (CE) principles into the agri-food supply chain over the past 20 years. The review aims to consolidate existing knowledge, identify research gaps, and provide actionable insights for future research. A comprehensive search across major databases yielded 1200 articles, which were screened, filtered, and assessed, resulting in a final selection of 100 high-quality studies. This review highlights the significant potential of the CE to enhance sustainability, reduce waste, and improve resource efficiency in the agri-food sector. These studies were categorized based on thematic issues, geographical regions, and supply chain stages. The findings highlight the predominant focus on waste management, resource efficiency, sustainable practices, and economic impacts, reflecting regional priorities and regulatory frameworks. The review also underscores the multiplier effect of CE implementation, which enhances sustainability and efficiency within the agri-food sector and generates significant economic and environmental benefits on a regional and global scale. Key challenges and areas for further research are identified, providing a comprehensive foundation for advancing CE practices in the agri-food supply chain.
Research on the Disaster Management of China’s Ethnic Minority Autonomous Regions in the Development of Modernization Construction—Taking Mabian Yi Autonomous County in Southern Sichuan as an Example
Authors: Wan Siqi , Shu Zhile , Zhang Xin , Zhong Wenwu , Wu Haikuan , Kang Shun , Zheng Tingyue
Published: August 2024

Many ethnic minority autonomous regions in China, mainly in mountainous areas, have caused great harm to people’s life and property safety due to frequent geological disasters. Therefore, it has become an urgent task for the government to create a system for predicting, preventing and effectively responding to disasters, and to strengthen the ability of relevant regions to jointly resist disasters. This paper takes Mabian Yi Autonomous County as the research object, and studies the disaster management of Mabian Yi Autonomous County. The research focuses on geological disaster vulnerability evaluation, geological disaster hazard evaluation, geological disaster risk evaluation, and geological disaster carrying capacity evaluation. The two elements of geological disaster risk evaluation are vulnerability evaluation and hazard evaluation. The main element of geological disaster carrying capacity evaluation is risk evaluation. Through evaluation, it is found that the central and eastern regions of Mabian Yi Autonomous County can be used as population concentration areas and develop modern agriculture and tourism. The western and northeastern regions can be used as nature reserves. Based on the above evaluation results, the disaster management opinions of Mabian Yi Autonomous County are given. This makes the government have a certain reference basis in the preparation of regional construction policy planning. From the perspective of unique disaster management, this paper provides the government with a political governance model for ethnic minority areas through the harmonious development of man and nature, to achieve a goal of sustainable development.
Sustainable Waste Governance Framework via Web-GIS: Kadikoy Case
Authors: Karademir Melda , Özbakır Acımert Buket Ayşegül
Published: August 2024

Waste management, one of the fundamental problems of today, is at the center of sustainability discussions. The failure to adopt a holistic and participatory approach in traditional waste management highlights the need to develop new approaches. The main purpose of this research is to present the basic components of a Web-GIS-based platform design for sustainable waste governance. The presented framework emphasizes that waste management is not a problem of local or central government and that holistic sustainable waste governance can be achieved with the participation of all relevant stakeholders. The Kadikoy district of Istanbul, a metropolitan city, was selected as the study area. Information was collected from the study area with quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. The results obtained with fieldwork and survey data show that there is a need for a location-based platform that allows relevant stakeholders to see the current waste management workflow, enter data themselves, and provide feedback. The Web-GIS-based platform proposed in this article to meet this need is an important step in ensuring sustainable waste governance. In the article, a Web-GIS-based platform has been developed to ensure the sustainable waste governance of commercial enterprises for local governments.
The Impact of Digital Economy Development on Improving the Ecological Environment—An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from 30 Provinces in China from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Huang Danyu , Huang Chunye
Published: August 2024

The rapid progress in science and technology has ushered in a new era of organized and efficient development within the digital economy. China has repeatedly emphasized the need for high-quality development that prioritizes ecological conservation. The central challenge is to balance economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring sustainable development. Understanding the environmental impact of the digital economy is critical for achieving green growth in China. This paper investigates the relationship between the digital economy and ecological protection, using data from 30 provinces and cities in China between 2012 and 2021. Through empirical analysis, including a two-way fixed effect model, mechanism analysis, regional difference analysis, and robustness tests, the study found a significant negative correlation between the digital economy and environmental pollution. This indicates that the development of the digital economy can effectively improve the ecological environment. In the information age, seizing the opportunities presented by the digital economy is crucial. By deepening the digital industry and leveraging digital technologies, China can enhance enterprise production, promote innovation, and create a positive feedback loop between economic development and environmental optimization. However, it is essential to recognize regional disparities in digital economy development and work to narrow these gaps, ensuring balanced and sustainable growth across the country.
A Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Wave-Induced Soil Deformation on Solute Release from Submarine Sediments
Authors: Liu Xiaoli , Ye Taoling , Xi Gangzheng , Zhao Hongyi
Published: August 2024

The sustainable development of marine environments requires a deep understanding of their chemical and biological conditions. These are significantly impacted by the exchange of substances such as contaminants, heavy metals, and nutrients between marine sediments and the water column. Although the existing literature has addressed the physics of enhanced solute migration in sediment due to sea waves, the role of coupled flow and soil deformation has often been neglected. This study investigates the effects of wave-induced soil deformation on solute release from the marine sediment using a coupled numerical model that incorporates the effect of soil deformation into the advection–diffusion equation. The results reveal that solute release is notably accelerated in deformable sediments with a smaller shear modulus, with the longitudinal dispersion coefficient increasing up to five times as the shear modulus decreases from 108 Pa to 106 Pa. This enhancement is more pronounced in shallow sediments as the sediment permeability decreases, where the longitudinal dispersion coefficient in deformable sediments can be 15 times higher than that in non-deformable sediments at a hydraulic conductivity of 1 × 10−5 m/s. Furthermore, the rate of solute release increases with decreasing sediment saturation due to the compressibility of pore water, although this rate of increase gradually diminishes.
Proposed Index for Assigning an Environmental Label to Passenger Cars
Authors: Cremades Lázaro V. , Muñoz Aina , Gómez Milena E.
Published: August 2024

At present, the classification of vehicles by means of the environmental label aims to positively distinguish the most environmentally friendly vehicles and to be an effective instrument at the service of municipal policies, both to restrict traffic during high pollution periods and to promote new technologies through tax benefits and other incentives related to mobility and the environment. However, there is a great deal of controversy about the awarding of this environmental label, since it is basically based only on the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the type of fuel it uses, without taking into account many other factors that influence the environmental characterization of a vehicle. This paper presents a proposal for an index to characterize passenger cars from an environmental point of view, considering other additional factors, such as tire wear and particulate emissions during braking. The proposed index is applied to a series of passenger cars representative of the segments currently present in the Spanish market. The index considers seven vehicle parameters. Up to three cases with different parameter weights are analyzed. This index provides greater discrimination of the environmental performance of vehicles than the current eco-labeling system, in each of the three cases studied.
Spatiotemporal Coupling Relationship between Higher Education and Economic Development in China: Based on Interprovincial Panel Data from 2012 to 2023
Authors: Liang Qingqing , Yin Fang
Published: August 2024

This study explored the relationship between education and the economy in China, focusing on 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions from 2012 to 2023. It developed an appropriate evaluation model to assess the coupling and collaborative development of the ‘higher education and economy’ composite system. The study quantified both the quantity and quality of higher education modernization in China using the entropy-weight method and a comprehensive development- level evaluation model. The coupling-coordination degree model was applied to empirically analyze the internal logic, operating mechanisms, and coupling-coordination degree between the supply of higher education and the demand for high-quality regional economic development within the context of the new development pattern. Additionally, the obstacle degree model was introduced to identify factors hindering the coupling and coordination of higher education and regional economic development across 31 provinces and municipalities. The findings revealed that (1) the modernization levels of higher education exhibited fluctuating yet overall upward trends, with the eastern region leading. Economic development followed a similar upward trajectory, with the eastern region outperforming other areas. (2) The coupling coordination between higher education and economic development followed a ‘rising-falling-rising’ pattern. (3) The higher education system emerged as the primary obstacle to coupling coordination, with specific challenges varying across different regions.
Double-Stage Anaerobic Digestion for Biohydrogen Production: A Strategy for Organic Waste Diversion and Emission Reduction in a South African Municipality
Authors: Dell’Orto Andrea , Trois Cristina
Published: August 2024

Landfilling of organic waste poses a significant environmental threat, heavily contributing to climate change. The diversion of waste is imperative, but pathways to implementing alternative waste management strategies are needed. Double-stage anaerobic digestion has been identified as a potential technique that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and diminish the amount of waste landfilled. Still, further research is needed before its implementation at the municipal level. This paper explored the potential insertion of double-stage anaerobic digestion into the portfolio of alternative treatment methods using the case study of the eThekwini Municipality in Durban, South Africa, by proposing a source-separation waste management scheme and forecasting the organic waste generation for a 24-year timeframe until 2050. The WROSE model has been identified as the ideal tool for the analysis. A new scenario, including double-stage anaerobic digestion, has been introduced in WROSE after developing a country-specific emission factor. The technology has been assessed against similar techniques, namely anaerobic digestion and composting, according to the environmental indicators included in WROSE. Compared with the business-as-usual scenario and three other alternatives, the new scenario proved to be the second-most effective (−282% versus business-as-usual) after anaerobic digestion (−291%) in reducing climate-altering emissions, achieving analogous waste diversion rate (10.09%), landfill airspace (1,653,705 m3), and monetary savings (3.8 billion Rand) compared to composting and anaerobic digestion.
Modeling Ecosystem Regulation Services and Performing Cost–Benefit Analysis for Climate Change Mitigation through Nature-Based Solutions Using InVEST Models
Authors: Bouguerra Sana , Stiti Boutheina , Khalfaoui Mariem , Jebari Sihem , Khaldi Abdelhamid , Berndtsson Ronny
Published: August 2024

Climate change and land degradation menace ecosystem sustainability. This study assessed the effectiveness of integrating nature-based solutions (NBSs); soil and water conservation techniques, agroforestry, and reforestation, to mitigate these impacts. Focusing on carbon storage and sediment retention at the watershed level (Sidi Barrak), the InVEST model quantified changes from 1990 to 2050 under the Business as Usual (BAU) and management scenarios. The results showed a significant decrease in sediment retention and carbon storage from 19.25 to 15.5 t ha−1year−1 and from 1.72 to 1.61 t ha−1year−1, respectively, between 1990 and 2021. By 2050, BAU scenario projections demonstrate a 28% decrease in sediment retention and a 16% drop in carbon storage under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5. The Management scenarios indicate substantial improvements, with carbon storage increasing by 77% and sediment retention by 87% when all strategies were combined. The economic valuation, performed through the application of the cost–benefit analysis, shows positive net benefit values (NPVs) for the different NBS management scenarios. The combined management scenario, which includes soil and water conservation techniques, agroforestry, and reforestation under the same scenario, presents the highest total NPV with 11.4 M€ (2%, 2050), an average of 130 €/ha (2%, 2050), and an opportunity cost of 1.7 M€ compared to BAU. Such results may orient decision-making by providing solid arguments toward ecosystem resilience and climate change mitigation.
The Key Role of Cooperatives in Sustainable Agriculture and Agrifood Security: Evidence from Greece
Authors: Kalogiannidis Stavros , Karafolas Simeon , Chatzitheodoridis Fotios
Published: August 2024

This research investigated the role of agricultural cooperatives (ACs) in promoting sustainable agriculture and agrifood security, with a particular emphasis on Greece. A cross-sectional survey technique was employed, and data were collected from 400 farmers and professionals either employed by or associated with Greek agricultural cooperatives by administering an online questionnaire. A response rate of 96.5% was achieved. The study findings show that cooperative techniques bring about a positive shift in agrifood security and sustainable agriculture. Particularly, participants concurred that resource sharing among cooperative members increases farm productiveness and sustainability by 94.2% while improving access to credit and financial support by 91.5%. Moreover, 84.3% agreed that access to up-to-date information enhances the practice of sustainable agriculture, and 95.1% agreed that collective bargaining through cooperatives increases the prices of agricultural commodities. Regarding the application of advanced technologies in cooperative practices, 96.7% of the participants acknowledged that it improved farm efficiency. The cooperative model demonstrates how agricultural expansion may be achieved by collective bargaining, information sharing, resource sharing, and technological integration, while also considerably improving agrifood security and sustainability. These findings highlight the crucial importance of cooperatives in increasing the level of agricultural production, ensuring sustainability, and improving agrifood security in Greece.
Ada-XG-CatBoost: A Combined Forecasting Model for Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) Prediction
Authors: Liu Yang , Yang Tianxing , Tian Liwei , Huang Bincheng , Yang Jiaming , Zeng Zihan
Published: August 2024

The degradation of the ecosystem and the loss of natural capital have seriously threatened the sustainable development of human society and economy. Currently, most research on Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) is based on statistical modeling methods, which face challenges such as high modeling difficulty, high costs, and inaccurate quantitative methods. However, machine learning models are characterized by high efficiency, fewer parameters, and higher accuracy. Despite these advantages, their application in GEP research is not widespread, particularly in the area of combined machine learning models. This paper includes both a GEP combination model and an explanatory analysis model. This paper is the first to propose a combined GEP prediction model called Ada-XGBoost-CatBoost (Ada-XG-CatBoost), which integrates the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) algorithms, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) model. This approach overcomes the limitations of single-model evaluations and aims to address the current issues of inaccurate and incomplete GEP assessments. It provides new guidance and methods for enhancing the value of ecosystem services and achieving regional sustainable development. Based on the actual ecological data of a national city, data preprocessing and feature correlation analysis are carried out using XGBoost and CatBoost algorithms, AdaGrad optimization algorithm, and the Bayesian hyperparameter optimization method. By selecting the 11 factors that predominantly influence GEP, training the model using these selected feature datasets, and optimizing the Bayesian parameters, the error gradient is then updated to adjust the weights, achieving a combination model that minimizes errors. This approach reduces the risk of overfitting in individual models and enhances the predictive accuracy and interpretability of the model. The results indicate that the mean squared error (MSE) of the Ada-XG-CatBoost model is reduced by 65% and 70% compared to the XGBoost and CatBoost, respectively. Additionally, the mean absolute error (MAE) is reduced by 4.1% and 42.6%, respectively. Overall, the Ada-XG-CatBoost combination model has a more accurate and stable predictive performance, providing a more accurate, efficient, and reliable reference for the sustainable development of the ecological industry.
Optimization Control Strategies and Evaluation Metrics of Cooling Systems in Data Centers: A Review
Authors: Chang Qiankun , Huang Yuanfeng , Liu Kaiyan , Xu Xin , Zhao Yaohua , Pan Song
Published: August 2024

In the age of digitalization and big data, cooling systems in data centers are vital for maintaining equipment efficiency and environmental sustainability. Although many studies have focused on the classification and optimization of data center cooling systems, systematic reviews using bibliometric methods are relatively scarce. This review uses bibliometric analysis to explore the classifications, control optimizations, and energy metrics of data center cooling systems, aiming to address research gaps. Using CiteSpace and databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE, this study maps the field’s historical development and current trends. The findings indicate that, firstly, the classification of cooling systems, optimization strategies, and energy efficiency metrics are the current focal points. Secondly, this review assesses the applicability of air-cooled and liquid-cooled systems in different operational environments, providing practical guidance for selection. Then, for air cooling systems, the review demonstrates that optimizing the design of static pressure chamber baffles has significantly improved airflow uniformity. Finally, the article advocates for expanding the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate data collection and energy efficiency analysis, it also calls for the global standardization of energy efficiency metrics. This study offers new perspectives on the design, operational optimization, and performance evaluation of data center cooling systems.
Artificial Intelligence and Technological Innovation: Evidence from China’s Strategic Emerging Industries
Authors: Li Daojun , Wang Haiqin , Wang Juan
Published: August 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the driving force for the leapfrog development of science and technology, the optimization and upgrading of industry, as well as the overall leap in productivity. Using panel data of strategic emerging firms in Chinese A-Share Listed companies from 2012 to 2022, this study empirically examines the impact of AI on technological innovation through a two-way fixed-effects model. The study discovered that technological innovation capability can be greatly enhanced by the degree of AI present in strategic emerging industry businesses. This conclusion remains valid following a series of robustness tests. The mechanism study demonstrates how the degree of AI increases businesses’ capacity for technological innovation by lowering funding constraints and boosting R&D investment. According to heterogeneity analysis, AI has varying empowering effects on different industries within strategic emerging industries. Its strongest empowering effect is observed in the western region, with the central and eastern regions seeing the weakest effects. Additionally, the promotion effect of AI is greater for state-owned enterprises than for non-state-owned enterprises. To better play the role of AI in encouraging the technical innovation of firms in strategic emerging industries, it is required to establish dedicated funds, create an AI technology innovation platform, and develop differentiated regulations.
Research on Optimal Driving Torque Control Strategy for Multi-Axle Distributed Electric Drive Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Authors: Xu Shiwei , Li Junqiu , Zhang Xiaopeng , Zhu Daikun
Published: August 2024

Multi-axle distributed electric drive heavy-duty vehicles have the characteristics of high transmission efficiency, strong maneuverability, and good passability, making them widely used in large cargo transportation. However, the current driving torque control strategies of multi-axle distributed electric drive heavy-duty vehicles lack comprehensive consideration of their longitudinal and lateral dynamic characteristics, making it difficult to comprehensively optimize multiple performances such as power economy, comfort, and stability. In order to solve the above problems, This work focuses on a five-axle distributed electric drive heavy-duty vehicle. Firstly, given the differences in dynamics between two-axle vehicles and multi-axle vehicles, the dynamic model of the multi-axle distributed electric drive heavy-duty vehicle and its critical components is constructed. Then, by analyzing the characteristics of power economy, comfort, and stability of the multi-axle distributed electric drive heavy-duty vehicle, an optimal driving torque control strategy based on multiple performance coordination is proposed. Finally, on the hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) platform, the performance of the optimal driving torque control strategy proposed in this paper is verified by using the China Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicle Test Cycle for Truck (CHTC-HT) and a straight-line acceleration driving condition on a split friction road. The simulation test results show that, compared with the traditional torque average distribution strategy, the proposed optimal driving torque control strategy can reduce the energy consumption rate by 3.45% in CHTC-HT. The strategy is attributed to the driving torque distribution based on the vehicle’s optimal instantaneous energy consumption, and vehicle comfort is also ensured by the driving mode switching frequency suppression. Subsequently, the vehicle’s stability on the split friction road is effectively improved by the torque coordination compensation strategy. This control strategy significantly improves the comprehensive performance of multi-axle distributed electric drive heavy-duty vehicles.
Implementing Ireland’s Food Vision 2030 within the Fresh Produce Sector: An Investigation of the Barriers and Enablers Using Systems Thinking Principles
Authors: Kenny Denis , Dermiki Maria , Britton Fiona
Published: August 2024

The Irish Food Vision 2030 (IFV 2030) seeks to restructure Ireland’s agricultural food system to deliver long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability in keeping with its commitment to the European Green Deal and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This study investigates the effectiveness of the IFV 2030 in delivering on this commitment across the fresh produce supply chain in Ireland using a combination of data collected from stakeholders through a survey and systems thinking principles. A review of the literature and Foucault’s genealogical methods guided the development of the survey. Systems thinking principles were used to review the IFV 2030 and assess its capacity to deliver large-scale change for a sustainable Irish food system. Barriers to change were identified, including historical patterns of behaviour between EU and Irish policymakers that have repeatedly hindered progress towards large-scale change events. The results demonstrate that successful, long-term change will depend on the involvement and incentives of stakeholders within the supply chain. Continuous stakeholder engagement is required through a bottom-up organisational and supply chain approach to deliver long-term sustainability within the fresh produce sector. Using a systems thinking lens brings benefits through transdisciplinary collaboration and fosters the multiple stakeholder perspectives needed to deliver new ideas and solutions.
Advancing the Sustainability of Geopolymer Technology through the Development of Rice Husk Ash Based Solid Activators
Authors: Panitsa Olga Andriana , Kioupis Dimitrios , Kakali Glikeria
Published: August 2024

Rice husk ash (RHA), an agricultural waste byproduct, has already been tested as a component in geopolymeric binders, typically as part of the precursor solid mix, alongside materials like fly ash (FA), slag, and cement. This study presents a novel approach where RHA is employed to create a solid activator, aimed at entirely replacing commercial sodium silicates. The synthesis process involves mixing RHA, NaOH (NH), and water by applying a SiO2/Na2O molar ratio equal to 1, followed by mild thermal treatment at 150 °C for 1 h, resulting in the production of a solid powder characterized by high Na2SiO3 content (60–76%). Additionally, microwave treatment (SiO2/Na2O = 1, 460 W for 5 min) increases the environmental and economical sustainability of alkali silicates production from RHA since this processing is 12 times faster than conventional thermal treatment reducing at the same time the final product’s embodied energy. The efficacy of this new material as a sole solid activator for the geopolymerization of Greek FA is investigated through various techniques (XRD, FTIR, SEM). One-part geopolymers prepared with RHA-based solid activators demonstrated mechanical performance comparable to those prepared with commercial products (~62 MPa at 7 days). This research contributes to the advancement of sustainable construction practices emphasizing the importance of local materials and reduced environmental impact in achieving long-term sustainability goals.