Hydrogen is the lightest atom and composes roughly half of the atomic content in macromolecules, yet their location can only be inferred or predicted in most macromolecular structures. This is because hydrogen can rarely be directly observed by the most common structure determination techniques (such as X-ray crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy). However, knowledge of hydrogen atom positions, especially for enzymes, can reveal protonation states of titratable active site residues, hydrogen bonding patterns, and the orientation of water molecules. Though we know they are present, this vital layer of information, which can inform a myriad of biological processes, is frustratingly invisible to us. The good news is that, even at modest resolution, neutron crystallography (NC) can reveal this layer and has emerged this century as a powerful tool for elucidating enzyme catalytic mechanisms. Due to its strong and coherent scattering of neutrons, incorporation of deuterium into the protein crystal amplifies the power of NC. This is especially true when solvation and the specific participation of key water molecules are crucial for catalysis. Neutron data allow the modeling of all three atoms in water molecules and have even revealed previously unobserved and unique species such as hydronium (D3O+) and deuteroxide (OD-) ions as well as lone deuterons (D+). Herein, we briefly review why neutrons are ideal probes for identifying catalytically important water molecules and these unique water-like species, limitations in interpretation, and four vignettes of enzyme success stories from disparate research groups. One of these groups was that of Dr. Chris G. Dealwis, who died unexpectedly in 2022. As a memorial appreciation of his scientific career, we will also highlight his interest and contributions to the neutron crystallography field. As both the authors were mentored by Chris, we feel we have a unique perspective on his love of molecular structure and admiration for neutrons as a tool to query those structures.

In the drive towards environmental restoration and sustainable energy solutions, effective utilization and management of agricultural crop residues are vital to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste accumulation. Converting biogenic wastes into biofuels and bioproducts has the potential to tackle the energy crisis and contribute to environmental remediation. In this investigation, teff husk, primarily generated in Ethiopia during teff production within the agro-industrial sector, is used as the feedstock for the slow pyrolysis process. In Ethiopia, it is estimated that over 1.75 million tons of teff husk are generated annually, with a significant portion being incinerated in the fields, resulting in substantial environmental pollution. This study focuses on assessing teff husk as a potential material for slow pyrolysis, a crucial stage in biochar production, to tap into its biochar-producing potential. To determine the composition of the biomass, the teff-husk was initially analyzed by thermogravimetry. The significant presence of fixed carbon indicates that teff husk is a viable candidate for pyrolytic conversion into biochar particles. The process of slow pyrolysis took place at three varied temperatures—specifically, at 400, 450, and 500 °C. Process parameters of slow pyrolysis such as reaction time, temperature, and heating rate were enhanced to obtain maximum biochar yields. The highest biochar yield of 43.4 wt% was recorded at optimized reaction time, temperature, and heating rate of 120 min, 400 °C, and 4.2 °C/min, respectively. Furthermore, biochar's physicochemical, SEM-EDX, FTIR, and TGA characterization were performed. The thermal stability and carbon content of biochar were found to rise at higher temperatures. Unlike fuel recovery, the results suggest that teff-husk can be used as a feedstock for biochar production.

Iron is a critical yet limited nutrient for microbial growth. To scavenge iron, most microbes produce siderophores—diverse small molecules with high iron affinities. Different siderophores are specifically recognized and uptaken by corresponding recognizers, enabling targeted interventions and intriguing cheater-producer dynamics. We propose constructing a comprehensive iron interaction network, or "iron-net," across the microbial world. Such a network offers the potential for precise manipulation of the microbiota, with conceivable applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry, as well as advancing microbial ecology and evolution theories. Previously, our successful construction of an iron-net in the Pseudomonas genus demonstrated the feasibility of co-evolution-inspired digital siderophore typing. Enhanced by machine learning techniques and expanding sequencing data, forging such an iron-net calls for multidisciplinary collaborations, and holds significant promise in addressing critical challenges in microbial communities.

Solid waste management in Accra is a major challenge to the Metropolitan Authorities and inhabitants. The rapidly increasing population coupled with poor capacity of the municipal and private waste management companies to management waste effectively has created issues of environmental concern. Due to poor waste managements systems, most household dispose waste indiscriminately leading to floods and health issues. The study showed that about 60% of household waste is organic materials which has the potential to be converted to compost for agriculture purpose. Meanwhile plastics and rubbers which litters the environment as well as blocking major storm drains and gutters hence creating huge environmental hazard is made of 11% of the total component of most household waste generated daily. The study also revealed that among the methods of disposing waste, dumping waste in skip containers located at authorized places was the preferred means of disposing waste by household though others also dispose waste by other means such as burying and burning. Inadequate skip containers per population of household in an area coupled with irregularity of tracks picking these containers makes skip containers dumping site ugly scene, hence creating health issues. Among the constraints that impact negatively on sustainable waste management in Accra Metropolis, economic constraints was perceived as the main challenge which affect efficient waste management. Currently the country is going through serious economic challenges so government does not release money timely to fund projects which waste management is key. Most donor partners that use to support the government with funds have either reduced or redrawn their services as they have no confidence in the state of Ghana economy. Aside the constrains, the study also indicated that factors such as poor public attitude towards waste management, poor enforcement of sanitation by-laws, inadequate and untimely release of government funds were also seen as the main factors affecting waste management.

Development of high nutritious bakery products with optimum utilization of food waste is a major challenge for food industries. Food waste is major challenge in an each country. The optimum utilization of food waste for sustainable development goal of country is important ant for growth of the nation. The aim of the present work is to prepare value-added composite flour mixed bread from wastes of fruit and vegetables. The composite flour was prepared in four formulations of Peel and Pomace Wheat Flour (PPWF), as PPWF1, PPWF2, PPWF3 and PPWF4. Compositing flour was blended by a mix of vegetable and fruits pomace powders and whole wheat flour. Indian gooseberry pomace powder, apple pomace powder, bottle gourd peel powder, and potato peel powder were used with whole wheat flour to make pomace and whole wheat flour compositions as PPWF1, PPWF2, PPWF3 and PPWF4. Broadly this work was divided into three phases, first phase has conducted nutritional and functional analysis on peel and pomace powders individually, which shows the significance of using them for our research work. The second phase works in the creation of composite flours with different composition ratios as discussed above as PPWF. This phase shows the nutritional and functional analysis of four composite flours. Out of these four flours, PPWF3 contained a good amount of fiber 8.16%, crude protein 3.18%, total phenolic content 14.48%, moisture 9.5%, vitamin C 13.64mg/100g, and total phenolic compound 14.48(mg/GAE/g) which are maximum and acceptable range values as compared to other three composite flours and the wheat flour-control group flour. Then in the third phase, the PPWF3 is used as a partial replacement ratio of wheat flour in wheat flour due to its high phenolic content, Vitamin C, and the richness of fibers. This composite flour is used to make bread dough, two samples G1 and G2 are made; out of which G2 offers better nutritional, functional, and sensory evaluations in comparison with refined wheat four bread is taken as a control group. Thus, such utilization of food wastes in bread making can generate a value of wastes and can improve nutritional attributes of bread, which may improve an individual’s health.

Liability to prevent consequences of an unhealthy situation due to accumulating toxic and hazardous emissions caused by open dumping of municipal solid waste with increasing urbanization has necessitated a renewed thinking on waste disposal. Grate fired incineration systems were adopted by urban managements in past and present but with criticisms due to formation of air borne emissions. Improved combustion methods like fluidized bed are now propagated because of current requirements like efficient energy recovery potential, stricter emission norms, adaptability with urban growth, adaptability to co-firing with other waste like biomass, edible oil wastes or industrial effluent and integration with conventional energy generation. Such a comprehensive and futuristic approach is more sustainable for the community. Multi-criteria decision-making tool is used to identify the best technology option among grate combustion and fluidized bed combustion for disposing and energy recovery from waste. Ten different collection and disposal options involving two combustion methods, namely, grate combustion and fluidized bed method are considered. Utilization of the energy is done for three end uses, namely, power generation, water distillation and district cooling. Two different regions in Saudi Arabia are considered for this study under two types of scenario, namely with recycling and without recycling. The different options are prioritized based on their overall ranking using five major performance factors.

Valorization of food and fruit wastes has the potential for the production of sustainable energy and biochemicals. Approximately 70% of the weight of the original jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) fruit is lost during processing as waste in the form of peeled skin and core, both of which have not been utilized and, thus contribute to disposal as well as pollution issues. The major components, cellulose, and hemicellulose, can be biologically transformed easily into bioenergy sources like ethanol, methanol, and butanol; valuable phenolics and biotechnological products like pectin, citric acid, bromelain, ferulic acid, and vanillin; and many other products. These residues can also be utilized as essential sources for the biological transformation process leading to the production of numerous products with added value, such as phenolic antioxidants, phenolic flavor compounds, and organic acids. Thus, the value addition of jackfruit waste can support the sustainable solution towards food and nutritional security. In this way, zero waste can be achieved through novel biorefineries which are critically highlighted in this paper. Furthermore, novel technologies for the conversion of jackfruit wastes are summarized with recent findings.

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) is a lipid kinase that phosphorylates diacylglycerol (DAG) to generate phosphatidic acid (PA). Based on converting one important signaling molecule (DAG) to another (PA), DGK plays an important role in plant responses to abiotic stress including waterlogging stress. However, no studies have been reported on the characterization of the DGK gene family in the waterlogging-tolerant kiwifruit germplasm, Actinidia valvata Dunn. Here, we identified 18 AvDGK genes in the A. valvata genome. The phylogenetic analysis showed that AvDGKs can be classified into three clusters, and members within the same cluster have similar domain distribution, exon-intron structures and conserved motif compositions. Chromosome localization analysis revealed that all the AvDGK genes are located across 18 different chromosomes. There were 29 duplicated gene pairs in kiwifruit and all had undergone purifying selection during evolution. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed that the cis-elements within AvDGK genes are associated with multiple functions, including phytohormone signal transduction, stress response, and plant growth and development. The expression pattern analyses indicated that AvDGK play an important role in the fruit development and plant response to waterlogging stress. AvDGKs gene family in the tetraploid A. valvata genome might promote PA synthesis and subsequent signal transduction both under short-term and long-term waterlogging stress. These results provide information regarding the structural characteristics and potential function of DGK genes within kiwifruit and lay a fundamental basis for further research into breeding for enhancing the kiwifruit’s tolerance to waterlogging stress.

To evaluate the used and End-of-Life tyre management chains, both direct observation and interviews with approximately 200 used-tyre dealers were conducted. The study revealed that while the used tyre business is well-organized, End-of-Life tyre treatment is nearly non-existent, often involving dumping, open burning for metal recovery, or use in meat processing, causing environmental and health risks. To address these challenges, an 8 t/hr capacity tyre recycling plant is planned, based on estimated tyre availability and development opportunities for sustainable recycling in Togo.

This investigation explores the potential of enhancing aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) through the introduction of a novel cathode material, NH4V4O10 (NVO), combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), it was hypothesized that the incorpora-tion of rGO would increase the interlayer spacing of NVO and diminish the charge transfer in-teractions, thus promoting enhanced diffusion of Zn2+ ions. These theoretical predictions were substantiated by experimental data acquired from hydrothermal synthesis, which indicated a marked increase in interlayer spacing. Significantly, the NVO-rGO composite exhibits remarkable cyclic durability, maintaining 95% of its initial specific capacity of 507 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. The electrochemical performance of NVO-rGO not only surpasses that of pristine NVO but also outperforms the majority of existing vanadium oxide cathode materials reported in the literature. This study underscores the effective integration of theoretical insights and experimental validation, contributing to the advancement of high-performance energy storage technologies.

This study explores the enhancement of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) using ammonium-enhanced vanadium oxide cathodes. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that NH₄⁺ incorporation into V₆O₁₆ lattices significantly facilitates Zn²⁺ ion diffusion by reducing electrostatic interactions, acting as a structural lubricant. Subsequent experimental validation using (NH₄)₂V₆O₁₆ cathodes synthesized via a hydrothermal method corroborates the DFT findings, demonstrating remarkable electrochemical stability with a capacity retention of 90% after 2000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. These results underscore the potential of NH₄⁺ in improving the performance and longevity of AZIBs, providing a pathway for sustainable energy storage solutions.

This study presents the synthesis and electrochemical evaluation of nitrogen-doped vanadium oxide (N-V2O3/C) as a cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), using a hydrothermal method. Compared to undoped V2O3/C, N-V2O3/C exhibits enhanced electrical conductivity, capacity, and electrochemical kinetics, attributed to the incorporation of pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen. Initial charge-discharge cycles indicate phase transitions to amorphous vanadium oxides, enhancing conductivity. N-V2O3/C shows a high specific capacity of 168.4 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 and remarkable reversibility, highlighted by the transient existence of intermediate species during cycling. Optimal electrochemical performance is achieved with a vanadium to nitrogen molar ratio of 2:3, indicating the significant impact of nitrogen doping concentration on the material’s efficiency. This work underscores the potential of N-V2O3/C as a superior cathode material for AZIBs.

Using density functional theory (DFT), the density of states of NH4V3O8 (NVO) was analyzed pre and post-oxygen defects (Od) formation. The findings revealed a reduced bandgap in NVO after Od introduction, emphasizing the role of Od in enhancing conductivity of the material, thus improving its electrochemical attributes. Through the water bath method, both NVO and its oxygen-deficient counterpart, (NH4)2V10O25⸱8H2O (NVOd), were synthesized as potential cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Experimental outcomes resonated with DFT predictions, highlighting the beneficial role of oxygen defects in boosting electrical conductivity. Notably, the refined material displayed a remarkable capacity of 479.3 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, underscoring its promise for advanced energy storage solutions.

Thorough and precise gene structure annotations are essential for maximizing the benefits of genomic data and unveiling valuable genetic insights. The cucumber genome was first released in 2009 and updated in 2019. To increase the accuracy of predicted gene models, 64 published RNA-seq data and 9 new strand-specific RNA-seq data from multiple tissues were used for manual comparison with the gene models. The updated annotation file (version 2.0) contains increased 24,145 predicted genes from previous version (24317 genes) with a higher BUSCO value of 96.9%. 6231 and 1490 transcripts were adjusted and newly added, respectively, accounting for 31.99% of the overall gene tally. These newly added and adjust genes were renamed (CsaV3.1_XGXXXXX), while genes remaining unaltered preserve their original des ignations. A random selection of 21 modified/added genes were validated using RT-PCR analyses. Additionally, tissue-specific patterns of gene expression were examined using newly obtained transcriptome data with the revised gene prediction model. This improved annotation of cucumber genome will provide essential and accurate resources for studies in cucumber.

Lecanicillium lecanii KMZW-1, is recognized for its potential as a bio-control agent against agricultural and forestry pests, particularly due to its compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This study aimed to investigate the complete genome of L. lecanii KMZW-1 and assess its pathogenicity against Bactrocera dorsalis. Whole genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 47,239,278 bp, comprising 27 contigs, with a GC content of 51.16%. The genome completeness was assessed as 97.93% using BUSCO analysis, AntiSMASH analysis identified 29 gene clusters associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis providing insights into the genetic basis of its pathogenic mechanisms and biocontrol potential. The pathogenicity of L. lecanii KMZW-1 was assessed using concentrations ranging from 1×10^4 to 1×10^11 spores/mL. Higher-concentrations (1×10^10 to 1×10^11 spores/mL), resulted in significantly increased cumulative mortality rates of B. dorsalis adults compared to the control group. Notably, the pathogenicity was higher in male adults than in females. Probit regression analysis yielded LogLC50 values as 5.662 for female and 4.486 for male B. dorsalis adults. In summary, L. lecanii KMZW-1 exhibits strong insecticidal activity against B. dorsalis and shows potential as a biocontrol agent with IPM strategies. These findings provide robust genomic evidence supporting the use of L. lecanii KMZW-1in managing against B. dorsalis populations.

Many types of banana (Musa spp.)—one of the most economically important horticultural crops—exist, and their ploidy (diploid, triploid, and tetraploid, usually) and genome types (containing A or/and B genome in most cases) differ. At present, observation and genome type detection are commonly used to identify banana germplasm resources. However, the former is tedious, while the latter cannot distinguish categories below genome types. It is therefore urgent that a simple and effective method for identifying banana germplasm resources is established. We sequenced and analyzed the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 62 banana germplasm and found that the sequencing peaks, especially the 20 bp region near the 420 bp position (referred to as the “420 bp region”), exhibited relatively recognizable and repeatable polymorphism characteristics. Using the “420 bp region” as a marker, we were able to quickly distinguish bananas belonging to different genome type groups (comprising the AA, AB, AAA, ABB, AAB, ABBB, AAAB, and AAAA groups) or different subgroups in the same genome type group (for example, the Cavendish, Gros Michel, Red, Lakatan, and Ibota Bota subgroups in the AAA group; and the Pisang Raja, Plantain, Pome and Silk subgroups in the AAB group). Moreover, it appeared that Sanger sequencing of ITS could be used for identifying banana hybrid offspring. These results demonstrated that the banana ITS region contains rich genetic information that is useful for genotyping. In general, ITS sequencing simplifies the classification of banana germplasm resources and has potential application in several areas of Musa improvement.

Hybrid reverse osmosis electrodialysis systems make it possible to obtain solutions with a higher concentration of components compared to single electrodialysis treatment, i.e. more efficient separation of brine and pure water. The article proposes experimental and pilot-industrial studies of a hybrid membrane system operation using industrial wastewater for the disposal of liquid waste from an ion-exchange chemical-desalting water treatment plant of a thermal power plant, followed by a calculation of economic efficiency and an analysis of the environmental feasibility of their use. The developed technological scheme offers separate processing of acidic and alkaline waste regeneration solutions using calcium carbonate reagent and desalination on baromembrane and electromembrane units to obtain clean water and dry residue. The hybrid system includes a booster filter press and an evaporator. The hybrid system makes it possible to provide a thermal power plant with a "zero discharge" with a minimum consumption of reagents and electricity, as well as return all water from wastewater to the power plant cycle.

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers made from organic materials which are partly or wholly derived from waste materials, the function of these fertilizers is to improve the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the soil, these fertilizers are processed through the composting process, these fertilizers are very much needed because they are difficult to obtain at a high price. expensive. This study aims to obtain data on the growth and yield of sweet corn, due to the use of agricultural waste as organic fertilizer. The research method was experimentally consisting of 5 treatments and 5 replications; ie P0 = Without organic fertilizer (control) P1 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 2.5 tons/ha, P2 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 5 tons/ha P3 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 7.5 tons/ha, P4 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 10 tons /ha using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) The results showed that organic fertilizer had a significant effect on plant height aged 30, 40 and 50 DAP, had a very significant effect on cob length at a dose of 10 t.ha-1 and, had no significant effect on cob weight, will still have a high weight of 350 g.cob-1 From this description it can be concluded that organic compost can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizers which provides an increase in the growth and production of sweet corn plants at the use of 10 tons/ha.

Biodiversity loss and nature degradation are pressing issues with huge impacts on our society and economy. Businesses, investors, and regulators focus on corporate efforts to support biodiversity and nature positive actions. This review provides a comprehensive overview about the importance of biodiversity in businesses, the materiality of biodiversity and the role of mandatory and non-mandatory regulations on corporate environmental reporting and sustainability disclosure frameworks. The review also discusses descriptive information on the evolution of sustainability frameworks with a comparison of most prominent sustainability frameworks with a key focus on the materiality approach and biodiversity-related disclosure recommendations. Further, we provide suggestions for more holistic approaches to improve the future sustainability frameworks focusing on the biodiversity impact while showing the necessity of more focus on the decision-making paradigm. Further research on measuring biodiversity impact and innovative trends in sustainability reporting are required to better reflect nature-positive outcomes in corporate sector businesses.

Listeria monocytogenes is an emerging pathogen responsible for the serious foodborne disease, listeriosis. The commensal gut microbiota is the first line of defense against pathogen internalization. The gut microbiome can be modified by prebiotic substrates, which are frequently added to food products and dietary supplements. Prebiotics should selectively support the growth of beneficial microbes and thus improve host health. Nevertheless, little is known about their effect on the growth of L. monocytogenes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth ability of four L. monocytogenes strains, representing the most common serotypes, on prebiotic oligosaccharides (beta-(1,3)-D-glucan, inulin, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, lactulose, raffinose, stachyose, and 2´-fucosyllactose and a mixture of human milk oligosaccharides) as a sole carbon source. The results showed that only beta-(1,3)-D-glucan was metabolized by L. monocytogenes. Therefore, the safety of beta-(1,3)-D-glucan with respect to listeriosis development should be further studied.

A method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (UPLC-DAD) was developed for quantitative analysis of five active compounds and chemical fingerprint analysis of Rosa rugosa. Ten batches of Rosa rugosa collected from different plantations in the Xinjiang region of China were used to establish the fingerprint. The feasibility and advantages of the used UPLC fingerprint were verified for its similarity evaluation by systematically comparing chromatograms with professional analytical software recommended by State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China. In quantitative analysis, the five compounds showed good regression (R²=0.999 5) within the test ranges and the recovery of the method was in the range of 94.2–103.8%. The similarities of the fingerprints of 10 batches of the samples were more than 0.981. The developed UPLC fingerprint method is simple, reliable and validated for the quality control and identification of Rosa rugosa. Additionally, simultaneous quantification of five major bioactive ingredients in the Rosa rugosa samples was conducted to interpret the consistency of the quality test. The results indicated that the UPLC fingerprint as a characteristic distinguishing method combining similarity evaluation and quantification analysis, can be successfully used to assess the quality and to identify the authenticity of Rosa rugosa.

This study investigates cloud cavitation suppression around a model scale NACA66 hydrofoil using active water injection and explores the effect of multiple injection parameters. Numerical simulations and a mixed-level orthogonal test method are employed to systematically analyze the impact of jet angle αjet, jet location Ljet, and jet velocity Ujet on cavitation suppression efficiency and hydrofoil energy performance. The study reveals that jet location has the greatest influence on cavitation suppression, while jet angle has the greatest influence on hydrofoil energy performance. The optimal parameter combination (Ljet = 0.30C, αjet = +60 degrees, Ujet = 3.25 m/s) effectively balances energy performance and cavitation suppression, reducing cavitation volume by 49.34% and improving lift-drag ratio by 8.55%. The study found that the jet's introduction not only enhances vapor condensation and reduces the intensity of the vapor-liquid exchange process but also disrupts the internal structure of cavitation clouds and elevates pressure on the hydrofoil suction surface, thereby effectively suppressing cavitation. Further analysis shows that positive-going horizontal jet components enhance the lift-drag ratio, while negative-going components have a detrimental effect. Jet arrangements near the trailing edge negatively impact both cavitation suppression and energy performance. These findings provide valuable reference for selecting optimal injection parameters to achieve a balance between cavitation suppression and energy performance in hydrodynamic systems.

Starfish are keystone species as predators in benthic ecosystems, but when population outbreaks occur this can have devastating consequences ecologically. Furthermore, starfish outbreaks and invasions can have adverse impact economically by impacting shellfish aquaculture. Addressing the imperative need to proactively mitigate starfish invasions requires comprehensive research on their behavior and the underlying mechanisms of outbreaks. This review scrutinizes the historical patterns of outbreaks among diverse starfish species across various regions, delineates the factors contributing to the proliferation of Asterias amurensis in Chinese waters, articulates preventive and remedial strategies, and outlines the potential for sustainable utilization of starfish.

Microwave technology has a potential application in the extraction of zinc from sulphide ores, knowledge of the dielectric properties of these ores plays a major role in the microwave design and simulation for any process. The dielectric properties of zinc sulfide concentrate for two different apparent densities—1.54 and 1.63 g/cm³—have been measured by using the resonance cavity perturbation technique at 915 and 2450 MHz during the roasting process for the temperature ranging from room temperature to 850 °C. The variations of dielectric constant, the dielectric loss factor, the dielectric loss tangent and the penetration depth with the temperature, frequency and apparent density have been investigated numerically. The results indicate that the dielectric constant increases as the temperature increases and temperature has a pivotal effect on the dielectric constant, while the dielectric loss factor has a complicated change and all of the temperature, frequency and apparent density have a significant impact to dielectric loss factor. Zinc sulfide concentrate is high loss material from 450 to 800 °C on the basis of theoretical analyses of dielectric loss tangent and penetration depth, its ability of absorbing microwave energy would be enhanced by increasing the apparent density as well. The experimental results also have proved that zinc sulfide concentrate is easy to be heated by microwave energy from 450 to 800 °C. In addition, the experimental date of dielectric constant and loss factor can be fitted perfectly by Boltzmann model and Gauss model, respectively.

The most recent National Research Council Nutrient Requirements for Sheep and Goats was published in 2007, one of the most consequential nutrient requirement recommendations for sheep and goats in the world. It is pertinent to continue the refinement and discussion of nutrient utilization and requirements for the purposes of enhancing the efficiency of production systems, maximizing resource economy, and minimizing the carbon footprint, among others. Progress has been made in the estimation of energy and protein requirements in sheep and goats, mainly utilizing empirical feeding experimentation, comparative slaughter technique and minimum endogenous loss method. In sheep, newer estimates of energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth and partial efficiencies had been reported since 2007. There were suggestions that energy and protein requirements could have been affected by breed, wool growth, gender and size; with these reported values being similar or lower than the recommended values in international feeding systems such as NRC, ARC, INRA and AFRC. In goats, energy and protein requirements for growing goats were reported to be either higher or lower than the established recommendations, depending upon meat or dairy breeds. Effect of gender on energy requirement appeared to be related to the stage of growth or degree of maturity. Newer data also suggested that the guidelines of the major feeding systems for the entire growth phase may not be adequate for non-pregnant and non-lactating pubertal females. In multiparous pregnant goats, energy and protein requirements for maintenance did not appear to be affected by days of pregnancy, but efficiencies of metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein utilization for pregnancy were. There were suggestions that that metabolizable protein synthesis in the rumen can be predicted from energy intake using combined equations that encompass both sheep and goats, but more data on goats were called for to account for specific differences in nutrition. In addition to sulfur, there has been progress made on the estimation of maintenance and growth requirements of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in goats, with suggestions on the consideration of gender and breed differences. Species, level of Intake, genotype, mature size, age, gender, body composition, use of tissue energy, activity, season, and acclimatization continue to be important considerations for the estimation of nutrient requirements in sheep and goats, with emerging factors such as climate change, heat stress, parasitism and secondary plant compounds. Model equations and partial efficiencies used by NRC to predict energy and protein requirements for maintenance, growth, lactation, and fiber have been highlighted and discussed for the purpose of a more focus discussion and refinement for the future. Potential and limitation of both traditional and emerging methodologies in determining the nutrient requirements in sheep and goats were discussed. To justify the research investment, emerging methodologies such as nutrigenomics will have to be linked more directly to the improvement of production efficiency via more precise prediction of nutrient requirement.

Mangrove plant seedling cultivation is crucial for the protection, management and restoration of mangrove ecosystem. In this study, we focused on Kandelia obovata, a typical mangrove, and evaluated nursery cultivation with different combinations of three salinity levels (S1: 0 ppt, S2: 10 ppt, and S3: 20 ppt), three genealogies (EZD, JX, and YZ), and five growth media (M1: 100% loess, M2: 100% sandy, M3: 50% loess + 50% sandy, M4: 40% loess + 40% sandy + 20% peat, and M5: 40% loess + 40% sandy + 20% coir), by measuring the growth parameters such as mortality rate, seedling height, diameter, and biomass partition. These growth indexes were significantly affected by salinity and medium, and genealogies also had significant effects on mortality rate and biomass accumulation. S2 or S3 both had lower mortality and higher growth indexes than S1. M1 was the medium that increased seedlings height, diameter and biomass the most and had the lowest death rate. EZD and JX were also higher levels than YZ in these indicators, but the difference between them was not obvious. S3, M1, and EZD consistently performed well in fuzzy evaluation and quality assessment. Furthermore, combinations involving these treatments also produced highly favorable results. These results furnish both a theoretical and practical foundation for advancing nursery cultivation techniques and germplasm breeding of K. obovata in mangroves.

Currently, there is a marked increase in the importance of the environmental and cultural ecosystem services of the forest. Among the social benefits, protection of human health and improvement of human well-being come to the fore. Forests, both reserve and commercial, benefit human health. However, people often have negative attitudes toward forest management activities, especially near urban areas, and prefer forest management that results in a forest that is close to natural. Second-growth forest and clear-cutting are the most visible manifestations of ongoing forest management in forests. The purpose of this study was to compare the benefits derived from exposure to second-growth forest, clear-cutting and mature forest stands. Fifty-five students of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW (WULS-SGGW) participated in the study. The study was conducted in October 2023 in a forest within the city of Otwock, within the range of the Warsaw metropolitan area. Participants were exposed for 15 minutes to selected plots: second- growth forest, clear-cutting area and mature forest stand. Before the experiment (PRE-Test control trial) and after each of the exposures four psychological questionnaires were administered: the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS), the Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) and Profile of Mood States (POMS). The results indicate that not all analyzed features of the forest landscape have a regenerative effect on people. Exposure to a commercial forest, only in the case of a mature stand, yielded the most benefits in terms of mood improvement. In contrast, exposure to clear-cutting area resulted in a decrease in positive feelings and an increase in negative feelings, leading to a complete disturbance of mood, an increase in tension, depression and a decrease in feelings of vigor. Clear-cutting area has significantly worse restorative properties compared to mature forest stands and second-growth forest. This observation is relevant to forest management within city limits and in the suburban zone of large cities. Not only is clear-cutting area not accepted by people visiting forests for recreational purposes, but it leads to a detraction from the health benefits provided by forests.

Plastics, once regarded as a revolutionary material shaping modern society, now poses an unprecedented threat to our environment. Household solid waste sorting stations produce several fractions, one of which contains a high concentration of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) film waste (packaging, sunscreen film, etc.). This fraction is difficult to recycle because it contains quite a lot of impurities. Usually, it is sent to the cement factories that burn it together with other fuels. However, with some processing techniques such catalytic pyrolysis this fraction could be valorized. In this paper the experiments which were carried out at a laboratory scale installation, in batches with a processing capacity of 1-3 kg of waste. The pyrolysis reactor is connected to a distillation column giving the possibility to separate the fractions. The gaseous and liquid fractions were characterized by GC-FID-TCD (gases) and GC-MS (liquids) analysis. Natural catalysts such as bentonite or clinoptilolite were studied and used in the melting of plastic mass to simplify the process as much as possible. To test the activity of the catalysts, the pyrolysis of LDPE granules was initially studied. It was found that natural zeolites are much more active than bentonite and that a minimum concentration of 5-10% is needed to have a positive effect on the composition of the fractions (increasing the weight of the light fractions C1-C6, C6-C10 and C11-C13) in relation to the heavy fractions C13-C20 and C20+. Catalytic pyrolysis gives a completely different distribution of light hydrocarbons. The best catalyst selected from LDPE lab experiments, was then tested upon the pyrolysis of plastic film waste obtained by a waste treatment plant. The research objective reported in this paper was to obtain a fraction of combustible gases in the largest possible proportion, which can be much easier exploited by burning in an engine that drives an electric generator.

Disposable surgical gowns are usually made from petroleum-based synthetic fibers that do not naturally decompose, impacting the environment. A promising approach to diminish the environmental impact of disposable gowns involves utilizing natural fibers and/or bio-based synthetic fibers. In this study, composite web from polylactic bicomponent fiber and natural fibers, cattail and kapok fiber, were prepared by hot-press method. Only the sheath region of the PLA bicomponent fiber melts, acting as an adhesive that enhanced the strength and reduced the thickness of the composite web compared to its state before hot-pressing. Mechanical and physical properties of composite webs were evaluated. Composite webs created from kapok fiber displayed a creamy yellowish-white color, while those made from cattail fiber showed a yellowish-brown color. Composite webs exhibit hydrophobic properties when adding the natural fiber. The maximum natural fiber content, at a ratio of 30, can be incorporated into composite webs while preserving mechanical properties and proper water vapor permeability. This nonwoven material presents an alternative with the potential to replace petroleum-based surgical gowns.

In the case of a Cu-Mo-W polymetallic ore, the wastewater from the scheelite cleaning flowsheet contains large amounts of residual flocculants and metal ions, and the separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite require a large number of environmentally harmful depressants. Therefore, it is necessary to find new methods to reduce the environmental and cost pressures of wastewater treatment and the use of depressants. In this work, the flotation wastewater from scheelite cleaning flowsheet for the separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite by selective surface passivation was investigated for the first time. Flotations of single minerals and artificially mixed minerals with or without immersion pretreatment in the presence and absence of aeration were performed. The results showed that pulp pH had no effect on the flotation of either mineral, and a molybdenite recovery of 93.22% with chalcopyrite recovery of 10.77% was achieved under the conditions of 10 days of immersion pretreatment with aeration, 350 mg/L of kerosene, and 100 mg/L of MIBC. By combining the electrochemical cyclic voltammetry analysis and characterization by XRD and SEM, the selective surface passivation mechanism of chalcopyrite was discussed, which could be due to the coverage of the insoluble oxidation products, especially jarosite. This work has simultaneously achieved the depressant-free flotation separation of molybdenite and chalcopyrite and the reuse of scheelite flotation wastewater, which is of great significance for environmental protection and cost saving.

The mystery phenomenon of fungal bioluminescence has always captivated human curiosity, although more attempts need to be made, particularly to bring the new species to the surface. In this study, we devoted considerable space to the taxonomy of these fungi while discussing their biogeography, evolution, bioluminescence mechanism, and potential ecological roles. We provide a detailed explanation of how these fungi produce light, including the role of the enzyme luciferase and luciferin. We also discussed their applications. Here, we presented an updated list of 122 bioluminescent fungi identified from five distinct evolutionary lineages viz. Armillaria, Eoscyphella, Lucentipes, Mycenoid, and Omphalotus worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical areas. The bioluminescent fungi descended from the last common ancestor of the mycenoid and the marasmioid clades of Agaricales, which have been maintained for at least 160 million years of evolution. We highlighted the need for further research to understand the ecological role of bioluminescent fungi. Applying bioluminescent fungi in various areas (e.g., environmental and medicinal) demonstrates their validity.

Currently, the use of recycled waste plastic in road construction is not just considered ecofriendly but also considered advantageous for improving road performance over time. This research explores using recycled plastic bags, made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), in asphalt mixtures to improve road performance and manage waste. The study aims to assess the effects of incorporating different amounts of shredded waste plastic into asphalt mixes and determine the optimal percentage. The aggregate used was obtained from Sargodha quarry Pakistan and asphalt used was 60/70 grade obtained from national refinery limited Pakistan. Using the Marshall mix design, the optimum bitumen content (OBC) was found to be 4.5% of the asphalt mix weight. Thirty samples were tested with waste plastic proportions of 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, and 14% of OBC weight, along with a standard mix. Tests on stability, bulk density, flow, and air voids showed that a 10% plastic content significantly enhances asphalt performance, increasing stability by around 25%. The study recommends using 10% plastic by OBC weight in asphalt mixes for better performance and suggests further research on optimal incorporation techniques of waste materials in asphalt mixtures.

The development of biofuels and biodiesel industry specifically, has resulted in the generation of large amounts of glycerol as a surplus. The conversion of glycerol, into chemicals with indus-trial interest, through anaerobic fermentation using E. coli as a biocatalyst is an attractive alter-native to improve economic performance in the biodiesel industry, for example through the bi-otransformation of residual glycerol into ethanol. For 2019, the size of the global ethanol market was valued at $ 89.1 billion US dollar. Biodiesel can be produced from several materials like rapeseed, palm, soya, corn, palm kernel, frying oil or olive-pomace oil (OPO). The last, can be extracted from alperujo, byproduct of olive oil process. However, olive-pomace oil converting into biodiesel is not enough established to achieve a global olive-oil/biodiesel derived process with minimized waste generation. Traditionally biodiesel production process produces an equivalent of 10% by mass of glycerol as a waste or by-product. This work explores the conver-sion of residual glycerol into chemicals like ethanol and hydrogen with a focus on projecting raw material potential availability from OPO, contributing to the promotion of the use of biofu-els and biodegradable compounds.

One of the most concerning global environmental issues is the pollution of agricultural soils by heavy metals (HMs), especially cadmium (Cd), which not only affects human health by taking Cd-containing foods but also impacts the quality of rice. The soil's nitrification and denitrification processes, coupled with the release of volatile organic compounds by plants, raise substantial concerns. The understanding of three aspects of paddy soil under conditions of heavy-metal pollution and water management is currently limited. In this review, we summarized recent literature related to the deleterious effects of Cd on both soil processes related to the N cycle and rice quality, particularly aroma, in different water management practices. Under both continuous flooding (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) conditions, cadmium (Cd) has been observed to reduce both nitrification and denitrification processes. The adverse effects are more pronounced in continuous flooding (CF) compared to alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Similarly, the alteration in rice aroma is more significant in AWD than in CF. The precise modulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by Cd, remains unclear based on the available literature. Nevertheless, HM accumulation is higher in AWD conditions compared to CF, leading to a detrimental impact on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The literature concluded that AWD practices should be avoided in Cd contaminated fields to decrease accumulation and maintain the quality of rice. In the future, rhizospheric engineering and plant biotechnology can be used to decrease the transport of HMs from the soil to the plant’s edible parts.

Abstract Global marine fish harvest has reached a plateau over the last decade. Efforts to increase aquaculture tend to face limitations in water resources and contamination problems. Of the current fish harvest at least 50% is discarded as waste. The chemical and microbiological contaminations limit the utilization of harvested fish. There is a need to improve fish preservation to minimize spoilage and process them into more appealing products. Instead of resorting to individual food processing methods, the efficiency of processing could best be increased by a combination of conventional and modern processing methods, or combinations of modern processing methods. Fish waste is a rich source of oils containing essential fatty acids, polypeptides, and amino polysaccharides that could be utilized through upscaling of the current scientifically proven methods, to new processing technologies. Separation of collagens, gelatins, bioactive peptides, edible fish oils, and chitosan form the primary stages in the utilization of fish waste. The products need purification to meet food quality and safety standards, and desirable industrial characteristics. The diversity of information and products generated through new methods requires advanced data handling and prediction systems, such as artificial intelligence, to address food safety and get the best out of fish processing and utilization.

Electronic waste generation has been following a continuously rising trend. With electronics containing a myriad of materials some of which are hazardous, toxic, extremely rare or precious combined with more stringent legislative laws which encourage the reuse and optimised recycling of the materials included in e-waste, the need for a holistic approach is inevitable. Such an approach should not only identify the materials found in the various types of e-waste and their respective quantities but also needs to highlight the possible handling techniques and their respective impacts and associated hazards whether to the environment or human health. Performing such a task manually would be exasperating and costly while requiring extensive resources which might not be met with a justifiable economic gain; thus, the use of the advancement in computational sustainability to draw a complete picture and aid in an informed decision-making process is crucial. The e-waste ontology developed in this paper is one way of addressing the problem since it covers the treatment domain, the hazard and the materials contained within the different types of e-waste. The ontology developed can be used directly from the protégé software or by embedding it into a developed Decision Support System.

L-Theanine, a unique non-protein amino acid, is an important bioactive component of green tea. Previous studies have shown that L-theanine has many potent health benefits, such as anti-anxiety effect, regulation of immune response, relaxing neural tension, reducing oxidative damage. However, little is known concerning whether L-theanine can improve the clearance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in organisms. Here, we reported that L-theanine treatment increased ATP production and improved mitochondrial morphology to extend the lifespan of UVC-exposed nematodes. Mechanistic investigations showed that L-theanine treatment enhanced the removal of mtDNA damage and extended lifespan by activating autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in UVC-exposed nematodes. In addition, L-theanine treatment also up-regulated the expression of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism in UVC-exposed nematodes. Our study provided a theoretical basis for the possibility that tea drinking may prevent mitochondrial related diseases.

Graphene was synthesized through a two-step pyrolysis method using waste candlenut (Aleurites moluccanus) shells as the precursor. Cerium (Ce)/graphene composites were prepared via an impregnation technique. The resulting graphene and Ce/graphene were characterized using various analytical methods, including Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV). The bio-carbon produced predominantly exhibited a graphene structure with flat carbon morphology and an interlayer distance of 0.33 nm. This structural information is supported by XRD data, which shows a broad and weak peak at 2θ = 26° corresponding to the C (002) plane, indicative of graphene presence. FTIR, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy further confirmed the presence of graphene through the detection of Csp2 aromatic bonds and the characteristic D, G, and 2D peaks. Notably, the performance of cerium can be enhanced by the incorporation of graphene, attributed to the large surface area and chemical interactions between Ce and graphene. Consequently, candlenut-derived graphene shows potential as a supportive material for modifying the properties of cerium, thereby opening avenues for various advanced applications, such as sustainable and high-performance energy storage systems.

The rising challenge of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste necessitates efficient collection methods to mitigate environmental impacts. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approaches utilized in this study. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was used to rank each alternative according to the objective weight that AHP had produced. Also, sensitivity analysis was performed to determine how robust the findings were when considering equal weights and entropy weights to maximize PET waste collection techniques. The alternative achieved the objective of obtaining the best collection method, Threshold Plastic Bottle Waste Collection (Tpbw), out of all the three alternatives considered. Another MCDA approach, VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), was used to compare the results and validate the ranking result achieved by the TOPSIS method. The VIKOR technique's validation of the TOPSIS approach showed that the outcomes were highly consistent. Data for the study were gathered from the archives of waste management companies on possible practices of plastic waste collection addressing costs, environmental impacts, social acceptance, feasibility, and efficiency. The findings provide a prioritized framework for enhancing PET waste collection strategies, contributing to sustainable waste management. Many criteria are considered when deciding the best collecting method for PET waste recycling, making it challenging. By using criteria importance, multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was applied in this study, and the objective weight of the criteria was determined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The five criteria considered in this study are Initial investment cost, Operational cost, Transportation cost, Environmental risk, Employment potential, and the objective weights allocated to them. AHP results 0.4952, 0.1997, 0.1565, 0.0870, and 0.0616 are respectively determined.

Puerto Rico's geographic and climatic conditions render it highly susceptible to natural disasters, particularly hurricanes. The devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017 highlighted the fragility of the island's centralized energy infrastructure, which led to prolonged power outages and severe disruptions in essential services. This review explores the potential of biomass energy to enhance resilience in post-disaster scenarios, focusing on Puerto Rico as a case study. Biomass energy, derived from organic materials like agricultural residues, woody biomass, and municipal solid waste, offers a renewable and locally sourced power solution that can be rapidly deployed. Key biomass conversion technologies, including direct combustion, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and pyrolysis, are examined for their applicability and benefits in emergency energy provision. The implementation of biomass-powered microgrids in Puerto Rico, such as those by Casa Pueblo and Arensis, demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of decentralized energy systems in disaster recovery. These microgrids provide reliable power to critical infrastructure, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and support waste management efforts. The review also discusses ongoing research and development in advanced biomass technologies, such as second-generation biofuels, algae-based biomass, and biomass-to-hydrogen conversion, which can further enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the economic, environmental, and social impacts of biomass energy are evaluated, highlighting its role in job creation, waste reduction, emission control, and community resilience. Policy recommendations include streamlining permitting processes, enhancing financial incentives, developing feedstock supply chains, and incorporating biomass into disaster recovery plans. The findings suggest that integrating biomass energy into Puerto Rico’s energy strategy can significantly improve its capacity to respond to and recover from natural disasters, promoting long-term sustainability and resilience.

The rapid growth of the global population is causing a significant increase in waste production, leading to serious environmental and public health challenges. To address these issues, waste management systems are incorporating advanced technologies. Machine learning and computer vision are used to predict waste patterns, optimize collection schedules, and improve sorting accuracy. Deep learning automates the sorting process, provides predictive analytics, and enhances recycling rates. Robotics, combined with AI and computer vision, improves sorting efficiency, while the Internet of Things (IoT) monitors waste levels and optimizes collection routes. Despite these benefits, challenges such as data scarcity, high computational demands, and the need for substantial infrastructure investments must be addressed. This research explores the integration of advanced technologies into waste management and evaluates their effectiveness using waste datasets. It highlights the potential to tackle environmental challenges and lay the groundwork for more intelligent waste management solutions.

Buckwheat is important not only as a crop that improves soil quality and reduces erosion, but its excellent nutritional profile for usage in functional foods. This study aimed to investigate how long-term storage (3, 6, and 9 months) affects Novosadska variety buckwheat's chemical, nutritional, and antioxidative properties, phenolic acids and bioflavonoids profiles. Standard traditional methods were used for quality determinations, and instrumental (spectrophotometry, reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography) for antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds determination. One-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s HSD post-hoc were performed for statistical data processing. Throughout the storage period, proximate composition and starch content significantly decreased (p<0.05), while total carbohydrates, β-glucan, and energy value significantly increased (p<0.05). Significant decrease in pH and alcoholic acidity of 0.55 pH units, and 0.33% DM, were observed. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity decrease to 5.57 mg GAE/g DM TPC, 22.20 μmol Fe2+/g DM FRAP and 8.12 μmol TE/g DM DPPH, during the storage (p<0.05). Of fifteen phytochemical compounds, gallic, p-coumaric, trans-cinnamic acids, and epicatechin were in high abundance, with a notable decrease in epicatechin (38%). To the authors' knowledge, dihydrocaffeic and phloretic acids, daidzein, naringin, and naringenin were quantified in buckwheat flour for the first time. Easy adaptability to the environment, ability to attract various insects, speedy short-season growing plant for food, many nutritional and health benefits, gives buckwheat potential to be sustainable and biodiversity-friendly crops.

The aim of this study was utilization of ground tea waste (GT) left after brewing the black tea as a biofiller of natural rubber (NR) composites. Ionic liquids (ILs), i.e., 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium lactate and 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, often used to extract phytochemicals from tea, were applied to improve the dispersibility of GT particles in elastomeric matrix. The influence of GT loading and ILs on curing characteristics, crosslink density, mechanical properties, thermal stability and resistance of NR composites to thermo-oxidative aging was investigated. The amount of GT did not significantly affect curing characteristics and crosslink density of NR composites, but had serious impact on tensile properties. Applying 10 phr of GT improved the tensile strength by 40% compared to unfilled NR. Further increasing in GT content worsened the tensile strength due to the agglomeration of biofiller in elastomer matrix. ILs significantly improved the dispersion of GT particles in elastomer and increased the crosslink density by 20% compared to the benchmark. Owing to the poor thermal stability of pure GT, it reduced the thermal stability of vulcanizates compared to unfilled NR. Most importantly, GT-filled vulcanizates showed improved resistance to thermo-oxidative aging, since the aging factor increased by 25% compared to the unfilled vulcanizate.

Abstract: Field studies with large-stemmed plants Artemisia dubia (wormwood) have been carried out at Vėžaičiai Branch LAMMC since 2018. According to three years of experimental results, annual dry matter (DM) yield varied from 7.94 to 10.14 t ha-1. Growing conditions, nitrogen ap-plication level and harvesting time had significant impacts on Artemisia dubia productivity. This article presents the results of research on preparation and use of Artemisia dubia biomass for en-ergy conversion and evaluation of technological-technical and environmental parameters of these plants utilization for solid biofuel. For experiments were used 6 variants of Artemisia dubia samples, which were grown in 2021: plants were cut three times and two fertilization options were used: (1) no fertilization and (2) fertilization with 180 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertilizer. These harvested plants were chopped, milled and were pressed into the pellets. The physi-cal-mechanical characteristics (mоisture content, density and strength) of Artemisia dubia pellets were investigated. During this study, it was found that the density in dry mass (DM) of pellets ranged from 1119.86 to 1192.44 kg m-3. The pellet moisture content ranged from 8.80 to 10.49%. After testing of pellet strength, it was found that the pellets which were made from plant bio-mass PK-1-1, were the most resistant to compression, they withstood 560.36 N of pressure. Dry fuel lower heating value (LHV) of pellets was sufficiently high and was very close to pine saw-dust pellets, it varied from 17.46±0.25 MJ kg-1 to 18.14±0.28 MJ kg-1. The ash content of burned pellets ranged from 3.62±0.02% to 6.47±0.09%. Emissions of harmful pollutants – CO2, CO, NOx and unburnt hydrocarbons (CxHy) did not exceed the maximum permissible levels. Summariz-ing the results of investigated properties, cоmbustion and emissiоns of Artemisia dubia pellets, it can be concluded that this biofuel can be used for production of pressed biofuel and it is charac-terized by sufficient high quality, efficient combustion and permissible emissions to the envi-ronment.

Aiming at the development of the application of massive and heterogeneous LEO constellations, the influence of typical perturbation forces on the orbit prediction of LEO satellites at different altitudes is analyzed. Firstly, the main perturbation force model of LEO satellites is introduced. Then experiments for analyzing the influence of orbit prediction on LEO satellites at different altitudes are designed. Finally, the influence of typical perturbation forces on the orbit prediction under different prediction durations by numerical analysis is assessed systematically, and the orbit prediction of LEO satellites with different non-spherical gravitational field orders, ocean tide orders and atmospheric density models were compared and calculated. The research results show that different orders of non-spherical gravitational fields should be considered when the altitude of satellites is different, the reasonable gravitational field orders for LEO satellites at 500km, 1000km, 1500km and 2000km under 1-hour forecast time are 140x140, 80x80, 60x60 and 40x40 orders, the reasonable orders of ocean tide perturbation for 1500km and 2000km satellites are 20x20 orders. Under the 24-hour forecast time, atmospheric resistance has a great influence on the precision of LEO satellites at orbit altitude below 1,000km. The forecast deviation of the LEO satellites orbit at 500km reaches 8751.576m. The difference of orbit precision between different atmospheric density models is in the meter level. The orbit deviation by the Standard Atmosphere 1976 and NRLMSISE 2000 atmospheric models respectively reaches 25.494m. Relevant conclusions provide support for the optimization and selection of dynamical models in high precision orbit determination and fast orbit prediction of LEO satellites.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are gaining attention as a potential treatment for obesity. While studies have shown that these medications greatly impact dietary habits, their relationship to consumer food waste is unexplored. We analyzed data from 505 U.S. consumers who self-report GLP-1 medication use and found that 25% agree that they waste more food since beginning the medication with 61% disagreeing with this statement. Respondents are less likely to agree with this statement if they have been on the medication a longer time and more likely to agree if they report experiencing nausea since beginning the medication. Several dietary changes are also significantly associated with self-reported changes in food waste since starting the medication. With previous literature finding GLP-1’s significant impact on individual food consumption and dietary choices, our findings suggest that the effects of this novel class of anti-obesity medications may cast a significant impact on food waste patterns. With the potential for widespread adoption of these medications, and given that approximately one-third of food in the United States is wasted by consumers, understanding the interaction of these two consumer trends is critical for projecting their joint impact on the food system.

The effects of rare earth Ce on the microstructure and properties of cast pure copper were investigated through thermodynamic calculations, XRD analysis, mechanical testing, metallographic microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results demonstrate that the reaction between rare earth Ce and oxygen as well as sulfur in copper exhibits a significantly negative Gibbs free energy value, indicating a strong thermodynamic driving force for deoxidation and desulfurization reactions. Ce is capable of removing trace amounts of O and S from copper. Moreover, the maximum solid solubility of Ce in Cu falls within the range of 0.009% to 0.01%. Furthermore, Ce can refine columnar grains while enlarging equiaxed grains in as-cast copper.Upon addition of rare earth Ce, the tensile strength increased by 8.45%, elongation increased by 12.1%, and microhardness rose from 73.5HV to 81.2HV-an increase of 10.5%. Overall, rare earth Ce has been found to enhance both the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast pure copper.

Upholstery nonwoven fabric is a waste product mainly generated during upholstered furniture production. The polyester composition makes it problematic to recycle and reuse this product. This study examined the manufacturing process of nonwoven fabric-reinforced plywood composites and their selected mechanical and physical properties. Nonwoven fabric was integrated between veneers bound with urea-formaldehyde resin to improve standard layered composites' mechanical and physical properties. Several board variants were produced, differing in the position of the nonwoven layers in the composite structure. The composites were evaluated for modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and screw withdrawal resistance, among others. The results showed that the addition of nonwoven fabric significantly improved some properties. Variants with strategically placed nonwoven layers showed the highest performance increases. The results underscore the potential of nonwoven fabric as an effective reinforcing material, offering a path to developing high-performance plywood composites suitable for demanding applications. Another, environmental profit is that the nonwoven fabric waste, that was used in tested plywood production, has not been subjected burning nor landfilling, but, by incorporation to plywood structure, have positively contributed to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) policy. The findings advocate for a circular economy approach, where industrial waste is effectively repurposed, contributing to the development of green materials in the wood-based composite industry.

Improper disposal of waste plastic has caused serious ecological and environmental pollution problems. Transforming plastics into high value-added chemicals can not only achieve efficient recycling of waste plastics, but also an effective way to control white pollution. The catalyst selectively breaks the C-C bond of polyolefin plastic under heat treatment and converts it into liquid fuel, thus realizing sustainable recycling of plastics and has a good development prospect. This review provides a detailed overview of the current development of catalytic pyrolysis, catalytic hydrolysis, solvent decomposition and supercritical hydrothermal liquefaction for cracking plastics to make fuel oil. The reaction mechanism, influencing factors and promoting effects of catalysts in various degradation technologies are analyzed and summarized and the latest proposed tandem reaction for degrading plastics is briefly introduced. Finally, some optimization paths of waste plastic pyrolysis to fuel oil technology are proposed: synergies between mixed raw materials, in-depth exploration of catalysts, design and manufacture of reactors that match the pyrolysis technology. All these are important research directions for promoting the industrialization of plastic pyrolysis to fuel oil.

Silica fly ash, Certyd aggregate, and an alkaline solution were used to produce lightweight geo-polymer concretes. The compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density and SEM photos showing the structure of the obtained composite were carried out. Tests conducted on the specifi-cation of lightweight geopolymer concretes have revealed significant chemical interactions between the ash aggregate and the geopolymer mortar, particularly when the coarse aggregate surface has been pre-treated with an alkaline solution. Statistical analysis of the experimental data, which in-vestigated the influence of three key variables on compressive strength, water absorption, and bulk density of Lightweight Geopolymer Concrete (LBG), identified the following factors as having the most substantial impact: the quantity of alkali used, the curing temperature, and the concentration of alkali in the mixture. The optimal test series exhibited a commendable compressive strength of 20.14 megapascals (MPa), accompanied by a water absorption rate of 14.72% and a bulk density of 1486.6 kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³). These findings underscore the importance of alkali con-tent, curing temperature, and alkali concentration in tailoring the properties of lightweight geo-polymer concrete to meet specific performance requirements.

Molten salt electrolysis stands as an indispensable technique for the production of rare earth metals, where the judicious distribution of the electric field within the electrolytic cell is paramount for ensuring the seamless operation of the electrolysis process. This study introduces a pioneering approach by integrating the Nernst-Planck equation with the Butler-Volmer equation, thereby devising a holographic electric field model tailored for the electrolysis of the NdF3-LiF molten salt system. The paper presents pioneering experimental measurements concerning the potential distribution and voltage drop characteristics within a 6kA rare earth electrolytic cell, elucidating the interplay between decomposition voltage and current density, which substantiates the model's precision. Our findings unveil that, under operational conditions of 4010 amperes, the 6kA electrolytic cell incurs a total voltage drop of 6.3 volts, delineating a melt voltage drop of 4.43 volts, an ohmic voltage drop of 0.248 volts, and an interfacial voltage drop of 1.622 volts at the electrode-electrolyte junction. The discrepancy in error is confined to within 0.3% of the actual measured voltage of 6.28 volts.The simulation outcomes from the holographic electric field model have been confirmed to precisely and comprehensively reflect the characteristics of the electric field distribution during the rare earth molten salt electrolysis process, offering valuable theoretical insights for practical manufacturing applications.

Waste cooking oil (WCO) recycled asphalt is facing issues regarding insufficient thermal oxidation stability and aging resistance. In this research, glycerol esterification was adopted to pretreat WCO, and the consequences of this treatment on the aging resistance and thermal stability of WCO were analyzed. The impacts of varying levels of esterification of WCO on the high-temperature, low-temperature performances, fatigue properties, as well as aging resistance of recycled asphalt were investigated. Furthermore, the mechanisms of regeneration and anti-aging of deeply esterified WCO recycled asphalt were revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) tests. The results indicated that variations in the physical properties of WCO during the aging process were reduced, and its aging resistance was improved following glycerol esterification therapy. The initial thermal decomposition temperature was increased by approximately 115°C, which resulted in the enhancement of thermal stability significantly. Recycled asphalt obtained from deeply esterified WCO exhibited superior high-temperature, low-temperature performances and fatigue properties. Moreover, the thermal oxidation stability and aging resistance of recycled asphalt with deep-esterified WCO could be promoted by reducing the oxidation and volatilization of light components during the aging process.

Inter-industry has various capital structures to take advantage of growth opportunities due to agency differences and information asymmetric problems. This research aims to analyze: (1) the differences in leverage between industries; (2) the impact of shareholders-debtholders conflict and information asymmetric on growth opportunities. The findings show that there are differences in leverage between industries. However, they are relatively stable and not excessive for assets to prevent conflicts between managers and shareholders and debtholders. Equity is also not used to utilize growth because it is used to reduce the discretionary power (dilution) of shareholders. As a result, the use of opportunities and growth is limited.

A overview on application of CO2 in the ironmaking and steelmaking process is presented. Study on resource utilization of CO2 is significant for the reduction of CO2 emissions and the coping with global warming. The paper introduces the research progress of CO2 utilization in the sintering, Blast Furnace, Converter, secondary refining, Continuous Casting and smelting process of stainless steel in recent years in China. According to the foreign and domestic research and application status, the paper analyzes the feasibility and metallurgical effects of the CO2 utilization in the ferrous metallurgy process. The paper mainly introduces such new techniques as 1) flue gas circulating sintering, 2) blowing CO2 through Blast Furnace tuyere and CO2 as a pulverized coal carrier gas, 3) top and bottom blowing CO2 in the converter, 4) Ladle Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace bottom blowing CO2, 5) CO2 as Continuous Casting shielding gas, 6) CO2 for stainless steel smelting, and 7) CO2 circulation combustion. CO2 has a very wide application prospect in ferrous metallurgy process and the quantity of CO2 utilization is expected to be 100kg per ton of steel. It will effectively facilitate the progress of metallurgical technology and strongly promote the energy conservation of metallurgical industry.

Extracting the economic value by integrated utilization of space in old communities is crucial for encouraging independent participation from enterprises and residents, reducing reliance on government leadership and fiscal investment. This study starts from the active perspective of spatial assets, constructs a value activation framework for old community spatial assets by balancing "endogenous demand" and "exogenous opportunities." By enhancing "economic value" through "use value," five methods for value extraction and overall project utilization paths are proposed, guided by a dynamic "cost-revenue" balance. Using multi-source data, we identify the spatial assets of 1,096 old communities in central Guangzhou and apply a market comparison method for economic value assessment. Additionally, the study offers recommendations on timing and project portfolios for regeneration efforts, along with strategies for establishing a coordinating implementation entity and fund account. This research provides strategic insights for advancing the regeneration of old communities by tapping into their macro-level economic potential.

Solvent free copolymerization of epoxides derived from fatty acid esters of waste cooking oil with phthalic anhydride using (salen)CrIII Cl as catalyst and n-Bu4NCl/DMAP as co-catalyst was carried out for the first time under microwave irradiation, where reaction time was reduced from number of hours to minutes. The polyesters were obtained with molecular weight (Mw = 3084-6740 g/mol) and dispersity values (D = 1.18-1.92), when (salen)CrIII Cl/n-Bu4NCl was used as catalysts. While in case of DMAP as a co-catalyst, polyesters with improved molecular weight (Mw = 5537-6925 g/mol) and narrow dispersity values (D = 1.07-1.28) were obtained even at reduced concentrations of (salen)CrIII Cl and DMAP. The obtained products were characterized and evaluated by attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) Techniques.

(1) Background: Food waste (FW) in Romania is 70 Kg/capita/year, while 70% of food waste comes from public catering, retail services, and households (over 50% – 47 million tons). (2) Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online questionnaire via the Google Forms platform from 15 April 2023 to 15 May 2023. The questionnaire was designed to assess various aspects, such as some socio-demographic information (age, sex, occupation, area of residence, study level, household members number, children < 18 years of age); the personal involvement and frequency of food purchases and homemade food cooking; the main sources that generate food waste; the motivation and frequency with which food waste occurs; the level of awareness regarding the impact of food waste; the respondents' intentions regarding sustainable behaviors and practices food management; the level of information and familiarity of the respondents with the notions of validity and how these may influence their food consumption decisions. (3) The results show that FW incidence is occasionally (42%), very rarely (43.33%), frequently (15%), and no food waste was reported by 2.66% of respondents. The [35-44] age category records the highest FW frequency, followed by [18-24]. The most wasted are homemade food (29.67%), bread and bakery products (27.00%), and fruits and vegetables (14.33%). High involvement in purchasing and buying food following a previously established list reduces FW frequency. The same is valid for high daily involvement in food and homemade cooking. High interest in the FW problem and its perception as a waste of money leads to diminishing it, while guilty feelings increase the FW level (37.50% to 73.33%). (4) Conclusions: The present study shows that household food waste management is a multifactorial process that involves numerous socio-demographic, behavioral, and emotional aspects. Extensive data analysis supports our results, revealing deep self-reported information details and confirming its complex approach.

Low fertility is a critical social problem worldwide, and infertility has a prevalence of 15%. This cross-sectional study aimed to understand the factors affecting the usage and satisfaction of Korean medicine (KM) in subfertile women. An online survey was conducted from November 3 to November 8, 2021. The survey collected basic information, KM treatment experience, and satisfaction from women who experienced poor pregnancy. The t-test and chi-square test (χ2-test) were used to determine the overall characteristics of the subjects and factors affecting the utilization and satisfaction of KM treatment. Of the total of 29,465 people, 4,922 read the survey email, and 601 responded. After excluding 51 insincere respondents, 550 respondents were included in the final analysis. Of these, 43.1% had experience with conventional treatment, and 15.6% had received KM treatment. Integrative subfertility treatment was significantly more common (24.9%) than KM treatment alone (10.2%) (P=0.00). Women with no childbirth experience (P=0.01) and those with a master’s degree (P=0.01) were more willing to participate in the ‘KM Support Project for Subfertility’. Our findings suggest that subfertile patients prefer integrated medical treatment over KM alone. Further studies are needed to assess the status of integrative medicine treatment, satisfaction with each KM intervention, factors for low satisfaction, and patient requirements.

Households and businesses are generating unprecedented levels of electrical and electronic wastes (e-waste), fueled by modernisation and rapid obsolescence. While the challenges imposed by e-waste are similar everywhere in the world, disparities in progress to deal with it exists; with developing nations such as South Africa lagging. The increase in e-waste generation increases the need to formulate strategies to manage it. This paper presents an overview of e-waste management on a global and South African scenarios with a specific case for Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) waste management practices in South Africa. CRTs present the biggest problem for recyclers and policy makers because they contain hazardous elements such as lead and antimony. Common disposal practices have been either landfilling or incineration. The research into the South African practices with regards to CRT waste management showed that there is still more to be done to effectively manage this waste stream. This is despite clear waste regulatory frameworks in the country. However, recent developments have placed e-waste as a priority waste stream, which should lead to intensified efforts in dealing with it. Overall, these efforts should aim to maximise diversion from landfilling and to create value-addition opportunities, leading to social and environmental benefits.

In an attempt to reuse fibrous textile waste and, at the same time, to address dye pollution in textile wastewater, waste cotton-based yarn was utilized as both a cheap and sustainable adsorbent and a precursor for carbon adsorbent production. Cotton and cotton/polyester yarn samples underwent thermal modification through carbonization followed by chemical activation with KOH. Various techniques including nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface charge determination were employed to analyze the morphological and surface properties of the cotton-based adsorbents. Adsorption properties were evaluated by testing the removal of selected cationic and anionic dyes from water. The impact of temperature, contact time, initial concentration, and pH of the adsorbate solution on adsorption was investigated, with experimental data analyzed using theoretical models. While carbonization alone did not significantly enhance adsorption properties, activated samples exhibited high efficacy in removing both cationic and anionic dyes from water. Despite the negative influence of the polyester component in the carbon precursor on the efficiency of activated samples in removing methyl orange, results indicated that activated cotton and cotton/polyester yarn could be used to prepare highly efficient adsorbents for the rapid removal of methylene blue from real wastewater samples.

Fermenter is a vessel that maintains optimum environment for the development of significant microorganism used in large scale fermentation process and the commercial production of products like Alcoholic beverages, Enzymes, Antibiotics, Organic acids etc. The fermenter aims to produce biological product like vaccines and hormones, it is necessary to monitor and control the different parameters like external and internal mass transfer, heat transfer, fluid velocity, shear stress, agitation speed, aeration rate, cooling rate or heating intensity, and the feeding rate, nutrients, base or acid valve. Fermentation in the fermenter are accomplished in several configuration and these simple configurations are batch, fed-batch and continuous fermentation process. Fermentation process is carried out in small or large size fermenter depending on product quantity. The selection of the suitable process depends on the fermentation kinetics, type of microorganism used and process economic aspects. Improved modelling tools, reactor operation and reactor design in bioreactor is because of mass transfer behavior and it is important for reaction rate maximizing, throughput rates optimization and cost minimizing. The fermenter design, fermentation process, types of the fermenter that are used in industries and heat and mass transfer in fermenter is discussed.

The present study aimed at utilizing technically hydrolyzed lignin (THL), industrial biomass residue, derived in high-temperature diluted sulphuric acid hydrolysis of softwood and hardwood chips to sugars. The THL was carbonized in horizontal tube furnace at atmospheric pressure, in inert atmosphere and at three different temperatures (500, 600 and 700 ºC). Biochar chemical composition was investigated along with its HHV, thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis) and textural properties. Surface area and pore volume were measured with nitrogen physisorption analysis often named upon Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Increasing the carbonization temperature reduced volatile organic compounds (40 ÷ 96 wt. %), increased fixed carbon (2.11 to 3.68 times the wt. % of fixed carbon in THL), ash and C-content. Moreover, H and O were reduced, while N- and S-content were below the detection limit. This suggested biochar application as solid biofuel. The biochar Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the functional groups were gradually lost thus, forming materials having merely polycyclic aromatic structures and high condensation rate. The biochar obtained at 600 and 700 ºC proved having properties typical for microporous adsorbents, suitable for selective adsorption purposes. Based on the latest observations another biochar application was proposed - as catalyst.

Organic soil amendments, such as composts, mitigate the environmental burdens associated with wasting organic resources. Although compost application to soil enhances an agroecosystem's capacity to store carbon and produce food, studies investigating the agronomical efficacy and their ability to ameliorate drought stress when used as a soil amendment are minimal. In this study, we produced and used a nutrient rich co-compost through the composting of sludge, a nitrogen-rich organic material with carbon rich municipal solid wastes (MSW) to evaluate the agronomic efficacy of the MSW derived co-compost and their ability to ameliorate drought stress. Application of co-compost significantly enhanced growth and yield of lettuce and maize, by a magnitude comparable to chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, under drought stress, lettuce plants grown under co-compost soil amendment grew much better with less wilting, more biomass and yield, and improved root growth. Also, co-compost application enhanced relative root mass ratio (RRMR) under drought stress, indicative that co-compost amendment increased the allocation of biomass to the roots, which is an important morphological attribute for drought adaptability. K content in both leaves and roots of plants amended with co-compost was also higher under drought stress, which may have played a role in osmotic adjustment, consequently, the plants exhibited higher leaf relative water content (RWC). Other nutrient elements that were significantly enhanced by co-compost application included Mg, Ca, Fe and Cu. These results provide evidence that MSW co-composting could optimize organic resource recycling for climate change mitigation and agricultural productivity while minimizing nutrient losses from agroecosystems.

Waste glycerol can be subjected to various processing operations, including purification and re-fining, to obtain glycerol of appropriate purity. In addition, alternative methods of utilising waste glycerol are also being sought, e.g. by converting it into other valuable chemical products or biofuels. Therefore, various technologies are being developed to utilise this type of waste effectively and sustainably. The production of value-added products from waste glycerol is an important issue that determines the improvement of the economic viability of biofuel production and corresponds to the model of a waste-free and emission-free circular economy. This paper characterised the mechanisms and evaluated the efficiency of existing methods of microbiological utilisation of waste glycerol into liquid biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol and biobutanol, and identified further directions for the production of value-added products. In addition, a bibliographical analysis of publications re-lated to the production of liquid fuels and economically valuable products from glycerol was carried out, the progress of research and application work was assessed and directions for future research were identified.

: The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties toward CO2. The impregnated ACs were characterized in which surface chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDX, FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24; 48, and 72 hours. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a TPD CO2 measurement. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C = O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of N-modified activated carbons are 0.24; 1.78; 2.24 and 1.26 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in in the literature.

The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties toward CO2. The impregnated ACs were characterized in which surface chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDS, FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24; 48, and 72 hours. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a breakthrough adsorption experimental setup at room temperature. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C = O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of N-modified activated carbons are 0.24; 1.47; and 1.20 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in in the literature.

In this work, dry and hydrothermal carbonization (DC and HTC) of RDF pellets were conducted to evaluate the physical, chemical, and fuel properties of the produced chars. In the dry carbonization tests, biomass sawdust was incorporated in different proportions on the samples to minimize agglomeration caused by the melting of the plastic fraction. The experiments were carried out in a temperature of 400°C (DC) and 250-300°C (HTC), in a residence time of 30 minutes. The respective chars and hydrochars were characterized according to their mass yield, apparent density, proximate, elemental, and mineral composition, chlorine content, high heating value, thermogravimetric profile, and surface functional groups. The results showed that dry carbonization of RDF pellets with biomass incorporation, followed by a washing step, resulted in the production of chars with improved properties such as higher fixed carbon and HHV (25-26 MJ/kg) and lower ash and chlorine content. Additionally, the HTC experiments demonstrated that hydrochars showed improved properties without the need for biomass addition and washing, however, with no significant difference in the HHV (20-21 MJ/kg). Therefore, DC of RDF pellets with 10% biomass incorporation seems to be a promising option to overcome the constraints of RDF utilization as an alternative fuel.

Recycling information can be complex and often confusing which may subsequently reduce the participations in any waste recycling schemes. As a result, this research explored the roles as well as the importance of a holistic approach in designing recycling information using 15 expert-based in-depth interviews. The rationale was to offer a better understanding of what constitutes waste, recycling, and how recycling information should be designed and presented to make recycling more attractive/convenient. Based on the research participants’ perceptions with supports from the existing studies, this research sub-categorised recycling information into three different themes, termed the “WWW” of recycling information components. As a result, these components (or attributes) were extensively described (using findings of semi-structured interviews) to elicit pragmatic guidance for practitioners, policy-makers, and other stakeholders in designing structured communication or information strategies that may simplify and subsequently increase waste-recycling practices. The policy implications of holistic information in enhancing recycling are further discussed.

This paper presents findings of a study on continuous feed-in management and continuous synthetic inertia contribution with wind turbines. A realistic case study, based on real measurements, is outlined. A wind turbine feeds into a weak feeder, such that its power has to be adapted to the permissible loading of this feeder. At the same time the wind turbine is to provide inertia to the grid by applying the previously published variable inertia constant controller. It is discussed that optimal grid utilisation and simultaneous inertia contribution are mandatory for the frequency control in power systems that are heavily penetrated with renewable energies. The study shows that continuous feed-in management can be combined well with continuous inertia provision. There are hardly any negative consequences for the wind turbine. The benefits for the grid are convincing, both in terms of increased system utilisation and in terms of provided inertia. It is concluded that wind turbines can enhance angular stability in a power system to a larger extent than conventional power plants.

This paper examines the relationship between GDP per capita and waste generated in European Union countries, highlighting the importance of this relationship for understanding the environmental consequences of economic growth and formulating waste management policies. The analysis findings demonstrate that, in most cases, higher GDP is associated with higher amounts of waste, although there are exceptions to this trend. A smaller number of countries are also found where no such relationship exists. These are primarily high-income countries in the lower part of the EKC or countries in transition. Cluster analysis reveals regional differences in the relationship between GDP and waste that the economic factors and the level of development in the regions concerned can explain. Bulgaria is among the European countries with the lowest economic growth associated with a large amount of waste. The analysis, therefore, focuses on Bulgaria. The impact of GDP per capita, Human Development Index and Population Density on municipal waste in Bulgaria is studied. The aim is to identify significant relationships and dependencies between these factors and the amount of waste. Based on the results of multiple regression analysis and the findings from municipal waste management data in Bulgaria, specific actions are proposed for municipal waste management in the country. Recommendations are made for developing sustainable waste management policies and sharing best practices between regions.

This study presents a novel Fe-CNs-P/S carbon composite material, synthesized by doping elements P and S into NH2-MIL-101 (Fe) using carbonization method. The material's application in sustainable water treatment was evaluated, focusing on its effectiveness in activating persulfate for pollutant degradation. The research thoroughly investigates the synthesis process, structural characteristics, and performance in degrading pollutants. Results indicate that Fe-CNs-P/S-5 with 50% P and S co-doping is higher than that of other samples, where the degradation rate of TC in 30min is as high as 98.11% under the optimum conditions, that is temperature at 25 ℃, 0.05 g/L of catalyst concentration, and 0.2 g/L of PMS concentration. The composite material demonstrates robust versatility and stability, maintaining high degradation efficiency across multiple organic pollutants, with no significant reduction in catalytic performance after four cycles. Furthermore, the free radical quenching experiments displays that the singlet oxygen 1O2 is the main active species. It is demonstrated that the doping of P and S play a role in the enhancement of PMS activation over the Fe-CNs-P/S catalyst. This material demonstrates remarkable efficacy in treating a range of organic contaminants and exhibits excellent reusability, presenting a promising approach for enhancing sustainability in water treatment applications.

The global increase in population has placed significant pressure on food security, leading to the emergence of aquaculture as a vital source of aquatic foods. However, rising costs and the limited availability of fishmeal in aquafeeds have spurred the search for alternative protein sources. While plant-based ingredients have been integrated into commercial aquafeeds, they come with challenges, including low protein content, palatability issues, and the presence of antinutritional factors. In this context, fish silage, derived from fish waste and discarded fish, stands out as a promising alternative technology due to its cost-effectiveness and sustainability attributes. The production of fish silage involves the addition of organic/inorganic acids or lactic acid bacteria to homogenized fish waste. This process yields a valuable mixture rich in peptides, free amino acids, and partially hydrolyzed proteins, offering significant nutritional benefits for animal diets. Beyond its nutritional advantages, fish silage contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the impact of waste disposal and enhancing the value of fish waste. The objective of this review is to promote sustainable practices in the aquaculture industry in response to the increasing demand for high-quality feed nutrients. To achieve this, it includes an analysis of research results related to silage technology, an appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of using fish silage as a feed additive, and a focus on emerging trends in this field.

Ghana Tamale's current waste management system is overwhelmed by the growing waste crisis, necessitating the exploration of Waste-to-Energy technologies as an innovative solution. This study explores challenges and opportunities for integrating Waste-to-Energy (WtE) technologies into Tamale's existing waste management system. Qualitative research identified policy hurdles, financial constraints, social concerns, and institutional weaknesses as key barriers. Conversely, stakeholder collaboration, public education, and capacity building emerged as some success fac-tors. A proposed implementation plan emphasizes feasibility studies, public engagement, pub-lic-private partnerships (PPPs), and technology selection based on waste composition. Addition-ally, a novel framework for WtE integration within a broader Integrated Solid Waste Manage-ment (ISWM) system is presented. This framework incorporates waste sorting, recycling, WtE alternatives, and responsible management of residuals. Validation by key stakeholders con-firmed the framework's potential to improve waste management in Tamale. By overcoming identified challenges and implementing the proposed framework, Tamale can achieve environ-mental sustainability, energy generation, and progress towards UN SDGs 7, 11, and 12. This re-search offers valuable insights for policymakers and paves the way for a cleaner and more sus-tainable future for Tamale, potentially serving as a model for other developing cities.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of adding fermented herbal extracts (FHE) derived from mulberry leaf (Morus alba), Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), and fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) to the diet of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) on their growth, moulting performance, feed efficiency, and nutrient retention. The main feed used in this trial was a commercially manufactured pellet, then five different doses of FHE supplementation were used: 0 mg/kg feed (P0, control), 50 mg/kg feed (P1), 100 mg/kg feed (P2), 150 mg/kg feed (P3), and 200 mg/kg feed (P4). Weight gain, average daily gain, and length gain of shrimps fed P2 was significantly higher than that of those fed the control diet. Similar result was observed in moulting performance. The application of P2 showed superior results in enhancing the FE of cultured shrimp. Thus, the protein and energy retention of P. monodon was significantly better in P2 treatment groups. P0 had the lowest crude protein, while shrimp given P2 and P3 diets had the highest crude protein content of any treatment group. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the juvenile tiger shrimp diet contain 100 mg/kg of FHE for the best effects.

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) have great potential as a useful, value-added biological material. In this context, activated carbon (AC) was prepared from SCG by an activation process using H3PO4 at 600°C in air and used as an adsorbent for the azo dye AO7, a model molecule for dye colorants found in textile industry effluents. X-ray diffraction, SEM and BET revealed that the AC was predominantly amorphous, consisting of a powder of 20-100 µm particles with mesopores averaging 5.5 nm in pore size. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order law, while the Langmuir model best fitted experimental isotherm data (maximum capacity of 119.5 mg AO7 per AC g). Thermodynamic parameters revealed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. All the characterizations indicated that adsorption occurred by physisorption via mainly - interactions. The best experimental removal efficiency optimized by means of a Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology was 98% for an initial AO7 concentration of 20 mg.L-1 at pH 7.5 with a dose of 0.285 g.L-1 of AC and a contact time of 40 min. These results clearly show that activated carbon prepared from SCG can be a useful material for efficiently removing organic matter from aqueous solutions.

Vermicomposting is one of the most important waste management techniques in the process of vermiculture. In this study, a Neural Network-assisted novel paradigm is proposed to predict waste from vermicomposting. The proposed Neural Network Skeleton is based on a Gallium Arsenide Processing Schema, which is used to separate wastes. By comparing the proposed sys-tem with existing methods, it was found that the proposed approach had the highest average prediction ratio of 91.32%, outperforming other techniques like ERD, RNN, and Deep LSTM. The separation ratio analysis also demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method, with a range of 45-94%. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of chemical equilibrium and the effectiveness of our proposed Gallium Arsenide Processing Schema in achieving high prediction and separation accuracies, showcasing its potential for practical application in waste management processes. Lastly, the prediction of the process evolution stages is detailed, indicating the efficiency of the proposed system in achieving various levels of waste separation. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential of the proposed methods in op-timizing wastewater management processes, paving the way for more effective and sustainable vermicomposting practices.

Global wastes accumulate at an accelerating rate especially food and slaughterhouse waste constituting a major proportion owing to inefficient management. The high protein concentration of fish waste and keratinaceous byproducts is hazardous, harbouring pathogens, and emitting toxins. Transforming proteinaceous waste into amino acids (AAs) reduces waste bulk and offers a smarter nutrient approach for agriculture. However, this resource remains underutilized triggering eco-system pollution, diseases spreading, and climate change. Currently, small quantities of proteinaceous waste are valorized as animal feed, fertilizer, and in medical, and biotechnological sectors, which cannot solve bulk waste accumulation further, natural AA sources in agriculture are less recognized meanwhile researchers focus on synthetic AAs. Introducing various plant-nutrient formulas enriching fish AA with keratinaceous waste hydrolysate has not been broadly discussed. With this novel approach, using proteinaceous waste resources in agriculture would solve environmental pollution while minimizing land degradation by synthetic fertilizer. In this review, we illustrate the potential and benefits of valorizing proteinaceous waste in bulk through bioconversion. More importantly, we spotlight the biocompatibility of natural AAs and propose an enrichment, to use the ultimate product as catalysts for crops. Consequently, this approach reduces hazardous waste while paving a paradigm change in agriculture.

Making sustainable business models, especially in manufacturing, is a key approach for organizations to adopt in order to create more sustainable processes. New technologies are needed to implement new policies that can minimize the economic, environmental, and social consequences of industrial activity. Sustainable maintenance is decisive to guarantee the availability, reliability, and safety of assets, surpassing traditional maintenance policies and embracing the principles of the circular economy. The main objective of Maintenance 4.0 is to increase the lifespan and availability of the equipment by preventing unplanned downtime, reducing planned shutdowns, and improving safety. This research focuses on the integration of advanced Industry 4.0 tools with conventional monitoring and control techniques in process industries. The article suggests that while complex neural networks might provide good predictions, simpler solutions can generalize well and have lower prediction errors because they can capture the underlying relationships between variables in a specific asset better. The combination of maintenance function, Industry 4.0 tools, and advanced statistical solutions to obtain sustainable processes can facilitate organizational change and aid decision-making in equipment management. These solutions seek to reduce interruptions and expenses through the unnecessary utilization of labor and spare parts. All these considerations improve communication and data processing, resulting in improved maintenance of a hydrogen compressor in the petrochemical industry.

This work aimed to develop an anionic cellulose nanofiber (CNF) bio-adsorbent from palm date tree waste and to investigate its removal efficiency against cationic methylene blue dye from contaminated water. Palm date pulp was first prepared from palm date leaves through acid hydrolysis using H2SO4, followed by hydrolysis in a basic medium using KOH, in which the process completely removed the components of hemicellulose, lignin, and silica. To obtain anionic CNF, the resulting pulp was further treated with H2SO4, followed by centrifugation. Biogel formation of the CNF suspension was promoted by sonication, where its removal efficiency of methylene blue dye was studied as a function of dye concentration, temperature, contact time, and pH value. Two equilibrium models, the Langmuir and Freundlich models were employed, and the Langmuir model was found to be consistent with the experimental data. The highest removal efficiency was obtained at 60oC and was 5mg/gm. Furthermore, several kinetic models were used to gain insight into the adsorption mechanism. The pseudo-second-order model provided an accurate description of the adsorption process, while the Elovich equation suggested a chemical reaction between methylene blue dye and CNF. The study’s findings were in agreement with the pseudo-second-order model, indicating general chemical reactions. The study indicates that CNF adsorbents derived from renewable natural waste sources such as palm date leaves can be effective in removing cationic contaminants such as methylene blue dye.

The valorization of the large amount of crude glycerol formed from biodiesel industry, is of primordial necessity. One possible direction with high interest to the biorefiniery sector is the production of fuel additives as solketal, though the acetalization of glycerol with acetone. This is a chemical process that conciliates high sustainability and economic interest, since solketal contributes to the fullfilment of a Circular Economy Model through its use in biodiesel blends. The key to guarantee high efficiency and high sustainability for solketal production is the use of a recovery and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. Some examples are already reported in the literature (first example in 2012), and this review intends to conciliate the information spreaded in this topic and established the most important reacional parameters and the main catalytic characteristics strategies to achieve high solketal production in short reaction time.

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), as a transformative technology in the field of additive manufacturing, offers unprecedented design flexibility and material efficiency. This review paper delves into the latest advancements in LPBF technology and the various alloys used in the process, including titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, nickel-based superalloys, steel alloys, copper alloys, and high-entropy alloys. For each alloy category, we discuss their specific applications, performance characteristics, and challenges faced in LPBF usage. The paper discusses important technological breakthroughs, including innovations in laser systems, scanning strategies, and in-situ monitoring technologies, which have enhanced the precision and reliability of LPBF.

This study aims to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from China's sludge treatment industry and explore the potential of novel technologies to mitigate these emissions, promoting sustainable sludge management practices. Using a life cycle assessment approach, the total GHG emissions from sludge treatment in 2017 were estimated at 18.54 Mt CO2-eq, with significant regional variations. Incineration contributed the highest emissions (1,011.53 kg CO2-eq/t dry sludge), followed by landfill (717.51 kg CO2-eq/t) and land application (276.41 kg CO2-eq/t). The uneven distribution of emissions across cities highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies that consider local sustainability challenges. Principal component analysis revealed that economic factors and treatment scale significantly influence emissions, emphasizing the importance of integrating sustainability goals with economic development. To reduce the carbon footprint of sludge treatment and enhance sustainability, the mitigation potential and costs of various technologies were evaluated, including thermal conversion, anaerobic digestion, hydrothermal processes, and wet oxidation. These technologies offer GHG emission reductions ranging from 0.09 to 0.46 t CO2-eq/t dry solids compared to conventional methods, while also promoting resource recovery and circular economy principles. However, further optimization is necessary to enhance their environmental and economic performance, ensuring long-term sustainability. By implementing these technologies and adopting optimization strategies, China's sludge treatment industry can significantly contribute to achieving the country's carbon neutrality goal and fostering sustainable development.

Singapore, being a land-scarce country, is heavily dependent on imported food, which poses a challenge in ensuring food security. In addition, the substantial amount of food waste generated in Singapore further deepens food insecurity challenges, imposing enormous pressure on the country's food and land resources. In the recent years, valorising food waste streams into higher value products has been an increasing trend in tackling food wastage due to its economical and environmental benefits. This paper provides a thorough review on food waste valorisation in Singapore and summarizes critical information from the current food landscape to the food waste management strategies adopted. The review highlights the prototypes developed from food waste streams by the local research and development capabilities and the technological processing and techniques used for versatile applications ranging from food and nutraceuticals to urban agriculture. The challenges associated with the valorisation of food waste are also addressed. Two ambitious Initiatives by the Singapore government Zero Waste Plan and the 30-by-30 food security goal to encourage food waste valorisation are explored and presented. The review serves as a reference for other countries in ensuring food security and achieving sustainable development goals.

Waste-to-Hydrogen (Wahh) is a process of converting waste into hydrogen gas through various methods such as thermal conversion, biological conversion, and chemical conversion. This process not only helps in managing waste but also provides a clean source of energy as hydrogen is a renewable energy source that produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during combustion. Wahh has the potential to provide a sustainable solution for energy generation and waste management in the current scenario of globally increasing energy demands. This study aims to examine the properties and energy efficiencies of various renewable fuels including fuelwood, biogas, biomethane, and biohydrogen with a specific focus on differentiating the characteristics of biohydrogen. The paper explores the emerging concepts of waste-to-hydrogen microgrids, biohydrogen refineries, biohydrogen prosumer networks, and a biohydrogen circular economy, as well as Public-Private-People Partnerships (4Ps) and the hydrogen-centric renewable energy revolution, which are taking shape in industrialized countries. The study presents a comprehensive feasibility analysis of these concepts in the context of Nepal. The results of this research will provide valuable insights into the potential for adopting these innovative technologies in Nepal and will contribute to the development of a sustainable and efficient energy system.

Peanut hulls (PH) are an edible food waste that is an underutilized food source for human consumption. While edible and palatable, they are mainly diverted to livestock feed or building materials. Here, we describe existing literature on human food valorization of PHs and propose methods to optimize recapturing nutrients (e.g. protein, fiber, polyphenols) lost by treating PHs as waste. Incorporated into common foods, PHs can be processed into functional ingredients to improve nutrient-density and the corresponding positive health outcomes associated with increases in plant foods. PH valorization can also address additional priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Goals using a Food Systems Approach (FSA) including food waste, increasing economic opportunities for farmers, and increasing the availability of healthy shelf-stable foodstuffs to address food security. Recent advances in sustainable food processing technologies can be utilized to safely incorporate peanut hulls into human food streams. We propose future applications that could make meaningful impacts to food availability and the nutritional composition of common foods. While the limited literature on this topic spans several decades, no global operations exist to incorporate peanut hulls and most publications precede the technological ‘green revolution’. The approaches outlined in this review may help bolster commercialization of this underutilized and nutritious food potentially improving opportunities for multiple global stakeholders.

Ghana spends over $4000 (US dollars) annually managing municipal solid waste (MSW) with little improvement in regional sanitation. Energy demand in the country is also on the rise. Therefore, addressing waste problems via the waste-to-energy valorization approach is necessary for dual benefits. This paper thus seeks to comprehensively review Ghana's MSW's proximate and ultimate compositions for biological and thermochemical conversions. Studies between 2011 and 2024 were analyzed. The findings revealed that the organic fraction of Ghana’s MSW is currently about 10.47Kt per day. The proximate analysis reveals a moisture content from 13.55 – 61.9 %, volatile matter ranges from 6.24 - 80.25%, and the calorific value ranges from 14.96-21.46MJ/Kg. The ultimate analysis revealed that the carbon-to-nitrogen ratios range from 24.3-32.2, and the hydrogen content ranges from 5.53-22.8%. The sulphur and nitrogen contents were below 0.6 and 1.7% respectively. Approximately 2,534.65 GWh of electricity is estimated from the organic fraction. Ghana’s MSW is more suited for biochemical conversions.

This study aimed to explore the sociocultural determinants of family planning (FP) utilization among women in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 682 re-productive aged women selected from three regions in pastoralist districts. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with women who did not use FP. This study revealed that 47% of women did not use FP. Women who did not use FP were more likely to shorter spaces between births, lack of partners’ support, when only a husband or someone else decides on large household purchases, and low use of household expenditure were some of the factors associated with not using FP. Overall, the prevalence of not using FP is significantly high in pastoralist communities of Ethiopia. The authors recommend that investment in women’s health and FP be targeted at educational campaigns to raise awareness about FP and its importance. Engaging men and community leaders, promoting their support for FP and contraceptive use, and providing financial assistance to address financial barriers such as transportation costs and healthcare fees, are important aspects that can increase the utilization of FP methods.

The study evaluated potassium peroxymonosulfate (PPMS) efficacy against rifampicin-resistant Salmonella Infantis (rif-SI), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella Infantis (SI), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV). The assessment encompassed varied concentrations, organic material conditions, and exposure durations to comprehensively evaluate PPMS efficacy. Moreover, PPMS’s efficacy was tested on diverse carrier surfaces and clothing to evaluate its bactericidal and virucidal potential. At the recommended concentrations (1X), PPMS effectively inactivated all pathogens within 5 sec, except for NDV, which required 30 sec in the presence of organic materials. At 0.5X, PPMS successfully inactivated E. coli, AIV and NDV within 5 sec in the absence of organic material. However, rif-SI and SI necessitated 30 sec for inactivation. Most pathogens were inactivated within 30 sec, with the exception for AIV, which was inactivated within 5 sec. PPMS effectively eliminated rif-SI on all carriers within 30 sec. Moreover, at both concentrations, PPMS successfully inactivated AIV on all carriers within 30 sec, except on stainless steel at 0.5X. Furthermore, PPMS at both concentrations required 5 and 30 sec, respectively, to inactivate AIV on the rayon sheet. Therefore, due to its demonstrated efficacy against a wide range of pathogens across diverse surfaces, PPMS emerges as a crucial alternative disinfectant significantly enhancing biosecurity on and around chicken farms. found in and around animal farms, slaughterhouses, and hospitals.

This study delves into the impact of artificial intelligence on students’ learning.The paper pioneers the use of kmeans classification to reduce the dimensionality of features before the classification process, which minimizes redundant information and computational overhead. This step is not commonly found in prior research.Firstly, a random forest model is established with “whether AI assistance was used to complete the paper” as the output, and various features as inputs. The analysis of the predictive accuracy when changing input features reveals the degree of influence of each feature on using AI to complete the paper. After feature selection, the remaining 6 features can still effectively predict the use of AI to complete the paper, indicating the representativeness of the extracted indicators. Subsequently, the PCA-K-means algorithm is employed to classify the use of artificial intelligence. PCA algorithm is used for dimensionality reduction of the extracted features to better characterize students’ use of AI. Three representative variables are selected, and the contribution of each feature is computed based on the factor loading matrix. Finally, the K-means algorithm is used to classify students based on the three dimensional features, showing that students can be effectively classified into 2 categories. The results indicate that the majority of students support the use of AI technology to enhance their abilities, although some students may only intend to use AI to cope with exams and similar tasks.

This study seeks to comprehend the complex and diverse dynamics of women's encounters with urban green areas in the specific setting of Jordan. The utilization of the focus group methodology facilitated the organization of unstructured talks involving a cohort of twenty-seven female participants, which yielded intricate and perceptive perspectives on their opinions. This study revealed a widespread pattern of stigmatization and unfavorable assessment of women who utilize public areas, which is strongly ingrained in cultural norms and gender expectations. Women were also concerned about the potential harm to their reputation and the censure of society, which ultimately deterred women from participating in public spheres. The research thus centers on the close proximity and insufficiency of urban green areas in Jordan, which is worsened by high urban density. Insufficient lighting and security measures are responsible for further limiting women's access to areas like these, which also raises concerns about safety. Recent evidence has revealed deficiencies in infrastructure designed to accommodate the needs of women, particularly in public restroom facilities. This study emphasizes the immediate necessity for a fundamental change in urban policy and planning, towards more inclusive approaches. Within this strategic framework for urban policy, there is a strong emphasis on incorporating aesthetics, comfort, and safety elements to enhance the whole urban experience for women. Consequently, addressing this issue necessitates using gender-responsive strategies in urban design and planning. This includes enhancing the quality, cleanliness, and privacy aspects of facilities to cater to the specific needs of women and improve their overall well-being. This study contends that any ongoing discussion on sustainable urban development in Jordan must take into account the interaction between urbanization, accessibility to public spaces, and the well-being of women. Therefore, it is necessary to implement a worldwide effort to advocate for urban policies that include both genders. This program aims to propose innovative approaches to governance, security measures, and municipal infrastructures that are sensitive to gender-related issues.

Citrus waste has been used as a source of bioplastic research in different ways. Because the juice industry produces significant amounts of residue each year, it would be advantageous to use the byproducts in the creation of new materials. For many years, researchers have been investigating an environmentally friendly way to take citrus and other organic waste and turn it into polymers that may be used, for instance, to produce bio-based and biodegradable films for food packaging. The goal of this study is to create biofilms from orange (OW) and ginger waste (GW) using an ultrafine grinder and study the films' properties. Since pectin has the ability to gel and because cellulosic fibres are strong, citrus waste has been studied for its potential to produce biofilms. After being washed, dried, and milled, orange and ginger waste were shaped into films using a casting process. Tensile testing was used to determine the mechanical properties of biofilms, while dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to determine their thermal properties. As the number of grinding cycles increased, the suspension's viscosity increased from 29 to 57 mPa.s for OW and from 217 to 376 mPa.s for GW while the particle size in the suspension significantly decreased. For OW and GW films, the highest tensile strength was 17 MPa and 15 MPa, respectively. The maximum strain obtained among all films was 4.8%. All the tested films were stable up to 150°C, and maximum degradation occurs after 300°C.

Within the past few decades, thousands of experiments have been performed to characterize waste and biomass to estimate the bioenergy potential and product identification. There is a need to develop an integrated process model based on experimental literature, and simulation to obtain suitable products. In this study municipal solid waste (MSW) characterization and integrated process model have been developed to optimize final products in a reactor system. The process model has two modes R&D and reactor control (RC) to obtain suitable products including bio-oil, char, and gases. A database was integrated based on thermokinetics, machine learning and simulation models to optimize product efficiency. The experimental data includes thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Gas chromatography, and Mass spectrometry, which are linked with pyrolysis experimental setup. Feedstock-product mapping models were incorporated into the database along with the temperature, heating rates, elemental analysis, and final product concentration, which are utilized for pyrolysis reactor setup. Product feasibility is conducted based on lifecycle cost, affordability, and product efficiency. The present work will bridge the gap between experimental study and decision making based on obtained products at several experimental conditions around the world.

(1) Background: There is insufficient empirical evidence on the correlates of health care utilization of irregular migrants currently living in Turkey. The aim of this study was to identify individual level determinants associated with health service and medication use. (2) Methods: 155 Afghans completed surveys assessing service utilization including encounters with primary care physicians and outpatient specialists in addition to the use of prescription and nonprescription medicines. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to examine associations between service use and a range of predisposing, enabling, and perceived need factors. (3) Results: Health services utilization was lowest for outpatient specialists (20%) and highest for nonprescription medications (37%). Female gender and higher income predicted encounters with primary care physicians. Income, and other enabling factors such as family presence in Turkey predicted encounters with outpatient specialists. Perceived illness-related need factors had little to no influence on use of services; however, asylum difficulties increased the likelihood for encounters with primary care physicians, outpatient services, and the use of prescription medications. 4) Conclusion: This study suggests that health services use among Afghan migrants in Turkey is low considering the extent of their perceived illness-related needs, which may be further exacerbated by the precarious conditions in which they live.

Mixed plastic packaging waste sorting residues (MPO323) were treated by thermal pyrolysis to utilize pyrolysis oil and char. The pyrolysis oil was found to contain aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Chlorine and bromine contents were up to 40,000 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, other elements like sulfur, phosphorous, iron, aluminum, and lead were detected, which can be interpreted as impurities regarding the utilization of the oils by means of chemical recycling. The pyrolysis char showed high contents of potentially active species like silicon, calcium, aluminum, iron, and others. To enhance the content of aromatic hydrocarbons and to reduce the level of contaminants, the pyrolysis oil was reformed with the corresponding pyrolysis char to act as an active material in a fixed bed. The temperature of the reactor and the flow rate of the pyrolysis oil feed were varied to gain insights on cracking and reforming reactions as well as on the performance with regard to decontamination.

Melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, has seen improved survival rates due to advances in diagnosis and treatment, yet the need for further improvement remains critical. Tumor-associated antigens, such as PRAME (Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma), offer promising avenues for enhanced diagnostic precision, prognostic assessment, and targeted immunotherapy. PRAME, a cancer-testis antigen, is selectively expressed in various cancers, including melanoma, and plays a key role in promoting tumorigenesis through inhibition of retinoic acid signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion. This review explores the diagnostic utility of PRAME in distinguishing melanoma from benign nevi, its prognostic value in aggressive melanoma subtypes, and its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies. While PRAME-targeted therapies face challenges such as tumor heterogeneity and immune suppression, ongoing research aims to overcome these barriers, offering hope for more effective melanoma treatments.

In this paper, we propose "Synergized Efficiency Optimization for Large Language Models" (SEO-LLM), a groundbreaking approach that integrates advanced data utilization and model compression techniques to significantly enhance the performance, efficiency, and scalability of large language models (LLMs). Our method synergistically combines Adaptive Data Augmentation (ADA), Transfer- Active Learning (TAL), Adaptive Iterative Pruning (AIP), and Synergistic Quantization and Distillation (SQD). These components work together to reduce the training data requirement by 30%, compress model size by 67.6%, and improve inference speed by up to 50%, while preserving or even enhancing model accuracy across various NLP tasks. ADA dynamically adjusts augmentation strategies to optimize model generalization, while TAL leverages pre-trained models to focus learning on the most informative data samples. AIP intelligently prunes less significant weights, and SQD harmonizes quantization with knowledge distillation to achieve high compression rates without significant performance loss. The synergy between these techniques makes SEO-LLM a robust solution for deploying LLMs in resource-constrained environments, maintaining state-of-the-art performance with a fraction of the computational and data resources.

The recent happenings in the world such as flood and wild forest fire were as a result of climate effect as being envisaged by scientists. It is urgent now to adopt a source of energy that will eliminate this effect on our universe. Solar energy is the major energy means that is abundant which could be utilized. In this review, the prospects of solar energy exploration were studied in Nigeria which include assessments, economic viability and hybrid systems. Findings show higher potential in the North as compared to the Southern region. Additionally, potential of offshore solar energy system was simulated by considering 2002, 2003 and 2004 data sets from Era5-land base. Their monthly mean, seasonal changes and annual mean value were estimated. The algebraic annual solar radiance for 2002, 2003 and 2004 were 34,914.732 kWh/m2, 33,898.316 kWh/m2 and 34,338.324 kWh/m2. Suggestions were made due to the present status of solar energy utilization that will enhance its maximum usage and development. One of these is the establishment of a functioning financial scheme and the database for all renewable energy systems. When all these are put in place, the energy supply will increase, climate effect will be reduced, and the economy will be boosted.

The advancement of bioconcrete over cementitious composites has brought us to the application of microbes in the field of construction materials. Certain microbes like bacteria, algae, and fungi have been discussed in the review. The purpose of applying these microbes in the matrix is mainly to enhance the concrete’s strength and other properties such as durability, resistance, and self-healing ability. As these microbes are able to induce calcite biomineralizations, the process is also known as Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP). Some known microorganisms with their mentioned ability are Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cohnii (bacteria), Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis (algae), and Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger, and Neurospora crassa (fungi). The paper provides a “state-of-the-art” review of research into the effects of bioconcrete and discusses the overall methodologies of every medium with their physiological, physicochemical and bioengineering properties in the light of recent researches done so far in the same field.

Traditional lime-based materials have considerable potential for use as components of green materials for plastering and finishing building surfaces in both new construction and historic heritage conservation. The paper presents the preliminary results of a research activity aimed at developing pre-packaged products based on Traditional Lime Putty (TLP) by partially replacing natural aggregates with Stone Waste Sludge (SWS), with a low rate of recovery from Apricena limestone production district in Apulia. The mineralogical and chemical analysis carried out by means XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), TG-DTA (Thermo Gravimetry-Differential Thermal Analysis) and hydrochloric acid attack test showed that the SWS consisted of 98.4 % CaCO3 by mass. The particle sizes measured by laser diffraction technique are below 22.5 μm for the 92% by mass of the sample. The high fineness of the stone waste was confirmed by the Blaine specific surface method equal to 9273.79 cm2/gr. The behavior of three fresh mixtures for prepacked coarse plaster, fine plaster, and finishing plaster with 12.90%, 17.94%, and 18.90 by mass of SWS, respectively, was evaluated by spreading test and applicability tests on a perforated ceramic slab. The finishing plaster has the highest consistency value of 235 mm, while the fine plaster and the coarse plaster have values of 205 mm and 155 mm, respectively. The coarse plaster is suitable for the use as base plaster (arriccio) or second layer rendering (tonachino) up to a thickness of approximately 1 cm. Both the fine plaster and finishing plasters can be used for the surfaces finishing with the application of layers of a few millimeters thick.

The article aims to present the results of research on anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste wafers (WF - control) and co-substrate system - waste wafers and cheese (WFC - control), combined with digested sewage sludge. The aim of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical parameters of the chitosan/perlite (Ch/P; 3:1) carrier material and to verify its effect on the directions of change of the bacterial microbiome, removal kinetics of organic matter and AD process efficiency. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory, in a periodical mode of operation of bioreactors, under mesophilic conditions. The results of analyses of morphological-dispersive, spectroscopic, adsorption, thermal and microbiological properties confirmed that the tested carrier material can be an excellent option to implement in biotechnological processes, especially in anaerobic digestion. The microstructural properties of the carrier were influenced by both components: perlite determined the development of the specific surface area, while chitosan shaped the porosity of the system. The thermal properties were determined by the less heat-resistant component, present in a threefold higher weight proportion, i.e. chitosan. The evaluation of quantitative and qualitative changes in the genetic diversity of bacterial communities, carried out using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), showed that the material has a modifying effect on the bacterial microbiome. Amount of bacteria from phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Campilobacterota, Chloroflexi, Euryarchaeota, Planctomycetes, and Proteobacteria decreased while Firmicutes, Synergistetes, and Thermotogae increased during the course of the experiment. The shapes of the FT-IR spectra indicated a dependence of the degradation rate on both the presence of the carrier and the cosubstrate system. Monitoring of the course of AD was carried out by measuring key parameters for the stability of the process: pH, VFA and VFA/TA ratio (volatile fatty acids/total alkalinity). As a result, an increase in the volume of biogas/methane produced, under the influence of the carrier, was recorded for WF-control by 12.05% and for WFC-control by 19.16%. The volume of methane for the WF-control increased from 351.72 m3 Mg-1 VS to 411.14 m3 Mg-1 VS, while for the cosubstrate sample it increased from 476.84 m3 Mg-1 VS to 518.08 m3 Mg-1 VS, confirming the validity of combining the respective cosubstrate with microbial carrier in anaerobic bioreactor.