Search Results (424)

Over recent decades, phase-change materials (PCMs) have gained prominence as latent-heat thermal energy storage systems in building envelopes because of their high energy density. However, only PCMs that complete a full daily charge–discharge cycle can deliver meaningful energy and carbon-emission savings. This simulation study introduces a methodology that simultaneously optimizes PCM integration for storage efficiency, indoor thermal comfort, and energy savings. Two new indicators are proposed: overall storage efficiency (EC_n), which consolidates heating and cooling-efficiency ratios into a single value, and the performance factor (PF), which quantifies the PCM’s effectiveness in maintaining thermal comfort. Using EnergyPlus v8.9 coupled with DesignBuilder, a residential ASHRAE 90.1 mid-rise apartment was modeled in six warm-temperate (Cfb) European cities for the summer period from June 1 to August 31. Four paraffin PCMs (RT-22/25/28/31 HC, 20 mm thickness) were tested under natural and controlled ventilation strategies, with windows opening 50% when outdoor air was at least 2 °C cooler than indoors. Simulation outputs were validated against experimental cubicle data, yielding a mean absolute indoor temperature error ≤ 4.5%, well within the ±5% tolerance commonly accepted for building thermal simulations. The optimum configuration—RT-25 HC with temperature-controlled ventilation—achieved PF = 1.0 (100% comfort compliance) in all six cities and delivered summer cooling-energy savings of up to 3376 kWh in Paris, the highest among the locations studied. Carbon-emission reductions reached 2254 kg CO₂-e year⁻¹, and static payback periods remained below the assumed 50-year building life at a per kg PCM cost of USD 1. The EC_n–PF framework, therefore, provides a transparent basis for selecting cost-effective, energy-efficient, and low-carbon PCM solutions in warm-temperate buildings. Full article

This study proposes an integrated framework for sustainable tropical agriculture by combining biochemical waste valorization with spatial carbon footprint estimation in ‘Phulae’ pineapple production. Peel and eye residues from fresh-cut processing were enzymatically converted into rare sugar, achieving average conversion efficiencies of 35.28% for peel and 37.51% for eyes, with a benefit–cost ratio of 1.56 and an estimated unit cost of USD 0.17 per gram. A complementary zero-waste pathway produced functional gummy products using vinegar fermented from pineapple eye waste, with the preferred formulation scoring a mean of 4.32 out of 5 on a sensory scale with 158 untrained panelists. For spatial carbon modeling, the Bare Land Referenced Algorithm (BRAH) and Otsu thresholding were applied to multi-temporal Sentinel-2 and THEOS imagery to estimate plantation age, which strongly correlated with field-measured emissions (r = 0.996). This enabled scalable mapping of plot-level greenhouse gas emissions, yielding an average footprint of 0.2304 kg CO₂ eq. per kilogram of fresh pineapple at the plantation gate. Together, these innovations form a replicable model that aligns tropical fruit supply chains with circular economy goals and carbon-related trade standards. The framework supports waste traceability, resource efficiency, and climate accountability using accessible, data-driven tools suitable for smallholder contexts. By demonstrating practical value addition and spatially explicit carbon monitoring, this study shows how integrated circular and geospatial strategies can advance sustainability and market competitiveness for the ‘Phulae’ pineapple industry and similar perennial crop systems. Full article

There is still a need to develop scenarios and models aimed at substituting fuelwood and reducing the use of fossil fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), on which low-income rural households in the Global South often depend. The use of these fuels for cooking and heating in domestic and productive activities poses significant health and environmental risks. This study validated, in three different phases, the sustainability of a model for the production and use of biogas from the treatment of swine-rearing wastewater (WWs) on a community farm: (i) A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), incorporating environmental, social/health, technical, and economic criteria, identified the main weighted criterion to C8 (use of small-scale technologies and low-cost access), with a score of 0.44 points, as well as the Tubular biodigester (Tb) as the most suitable option for the study area, scoring 8.1 points. (ii) Monitoring of the Tb over 90 days showed an average biogas production of 2.6 m³ d⁻¹, with average correlation 0.21 m³ Biogas kg Biomass⁻¹. Using the experimental biogas production rate (k = 0.0512 d⁻¹), the process was simulated with the BgMod model, achieving an average deviation of only 10.4% during the final production phase. (iii) The quantification of benefits demonstrated significant reductions in firewood use: in Scenario S1 (kitchen energy needs), biogas replaced 83.1% of firewood, while in Scenario S2 (citronella essential oil production), the substitution rate was 24.1%. In both cases, the avoided emissions amounted to 0.52 tons of CO_2eq per month. Finally, this study proposes a synthesised, community-based rural biogas framework designed for replication in regions with similar socio-environmental, technical, and economic conditions. Full article

This review explores CO₂ methanation and steam methane reforming (SMR) as two key thermochemical processes governed by reversible reactions, each offering distinct contributions to carbon-neutral energy systems. The objective is to provide a comparative assessment of both processes, highlighting how reaction reversibility can be strategically leveraged for decarbonization. The study addresses methane production via CO₂ methanation and hydrogen production via SMR, focusing on their thermodynamic behaviors, catalytic systems, environmental impacts, and economic viability. CO₂ methanation, when powered by renewable hydrogen, can result in emissions ranging from −471 to 1076 kg CO₂-equivalent per MWh of methane produced, while hydrogen produced from SMR ranges from 90.9 to 750.75 kg CO₂-equivalent per MWh. Despite SMR’s lower production costs (USD 21–69/MWh), its environmental footprint is considerably higher. In contrast, methanation offers environmental benefits but remains economically uncompetitive (EUR 93.53–204.62/MWh). Both processes rely primarily on Ni-based catalysts, though recent developments in Ru-based and bimetallic systems have demonstrated improved performance. The review also examines operational challenges such as carbon deposition and catalyst deactivation. By framing these technologies through the shared lens of reversibility, this work outlines pathways toward integrated, efficient, and circular energy systems aligned with long-term sustainability and climate neutrality goals. Full article

In recent years, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have increased at the fastest rates ever recorded. This is a trend that contradicts global efforts to stabilise greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations and prevent long-term climate change. Over 90% of global transport relies on oil-based fuels. The continued use of diesel and petrol raises concerns related to oil costs, supply security, GHG emissions, and the release of air pollutants and volatile organic compounds. This study explored electric vehicle (EV) charging networks by assessing environmental impacts through GHG and petroleum savings, developing dynamic pricing strategies, and forecasting infrastructure needs. A substantial dataset of over 259,000 EV charging records from Palo Alto, California, was statistically analysed. Machine learning models were applied to generate insights that support sustainable and economically viable electric transport planning for policymakers, urban planners, and other stakeholders. Findings indicate that GHG and gasoline savings are directly proportional to energy consumed, with conversion rates of 0.42 kg CO₂ and 0.125 gallons per kilowatt-hour (kWh), respectively. Additionally, dynamic pricing strategies such as a 20% discount on underutilised days and a 15% surcharge during peak hours are proposed to optimise charging behaviour and improve station efficiency. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with rising incidence in younger adults. Unhealthy diets high in red and processed meat and low in fiber are key modifiable risk factors, highlighting the need for preventive nutritional strategies targeting CRC through dietary interventions. Methods: A one-day sample diet for colorectal cancer prevention, consisting of fiber-rich meals excluding red meat and incorporating whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and lean protein alternatives (such as fish and poultry), was developed. Its acceptability was assessed in a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire among healthy Romanian adults aged 18–50, with a total of 395 included participants. Results: Of the 395 respondents meeting the inclusion criteria (aged 18–50, no cancer or chronic gastrointestinal disorders), 63.5% were females, predominantly urban (90.1%), and highly educated. Mean age was 32.4 years; mean BMI was 25.07 kg/m². The proposed colorectal cancer-preventive diet was rated as “quite attractive” and “very attractive” by 74.9% of participants. All meals received high ratings, with dinner and the first snack being most favored. Most respondents (77.2%) found the diet satisfying and the satiety level and energy adequate, and 90.4% were willing to adopt it at least a few times per week. Financial accessibility was affirmed by 77.2% of the respondents. However, 61.8% reported difficulty eliminating red meat consumption. Female participants rated the diet significantly more attractive than males did (p = 0.041). Willingness to adopt the diet strongly correlated with higher acceptability (p < 0.0001), while BMI and education level showed no significant effect. Conclusions: The proposed colorectal cancer-preventive diet was well accepted by Romanian adults aged 18–50, with higher receptivity among women and those with higher education; willingness to adopt the diet at least a few days per week was high, especially among those psychologically ready for dietary change, while key barriers included red meat reduction and perceived cost, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive, culturally adapted interventions and further research on long-term adherence and clinical impact. Full article

In this study, we comprehensively analyzed material consumption (fuel, hydraulic oil, lubricants, and AdBlue fluid) and estimated carbon dioxide emissions during logging operations. This study was carried out in the northeastern part of Poland. Four harvesters and four forwarders representing two manufacturers (John Deere-Deere & Co., Moline, USA, and Komatsu Forest AB, Umeå, Sweden) were analyzed to compare their operational efficiency and constructional influences on overall operating costs. Due to differences in engine emission standards, approximate greenhouse gas emissions were estimated. The results indicate that harvesters equipped with Stage V engines have lower fuel consumption, while large forwarders use more consumables than small ones per hour and cubic meter of harvested and extracted timber. A strong positive correlation was observed between total machine time and fuel consumption (r = 0.81), as well as between machine time and total volume of timber harvested (r = 0.72). Older and larger machines showed about 40% higher combustion per unit of wood processed. Newer machines meeting higher emission standards (Stage V) generally achieved lower CO₂ and other GHG emissions compared to older models. Machines with Stage V engines emitted about 2.07 kg CO₂ per processing of 1 m³ of wood, while machines with older engine types emitted as much as 4.35 kg CO₂ per 1 m³—roughly half as much. These differences are even more pronounced in the context of nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions: the estimated NO_x emissions for the older engine types were as high as ~85 g per m³, while those for Stage V engines were only about 5 g per m³ of harvested wood. Continuing the study would need to expand the number of machines analyzed, as well as acquire more detailed performance data on individual operators. A tool that could make this possible would be fleet monitoring services offered by the manufacturers of the surveyed harvesters and forwards, such as Smart Forestry or Timber Manager. Full article

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of two levels of a precision biotic (PB) within a reduced CP diet for performance, digestibility, and blood biomarkers in Dekalb White laying hens from 24 to 42 weeks of age. A total of four diets were fed: (1) an industry-standard positive control (PC) diet with a formulated CP level of 17.5%; (2) a negative control (NC) diet with a formulated CP level of 15.5%; (3) NC with 0.5 kg/ton PB (NC+PB1); (4) NC with 0.7 kg/ton PB (NC+PB2). The NC diet decreased hen–day egg production compared to the PC diet, and supplementation with both levels of PB led to intermediate levels of production. There was a similar trend for the feed conversion ratio (FCR), measured in kilograms of feed per dozen eggs. Feed cost was lower in the reduced CP diets compared to the PC. Apparent total tract digestibility was decreased with PB supplementation without differences in apparent ileal digestibility. The increased plasma uric acid levels in the NC+PB2 group suggest a shift in protein metabolism toward higher efficiency in ammonia detoxification. While more research is needed on PB, this research suggests that supplementation with PB in laying hens could potentially improve performance parameters. Full article

Accurate quantification of above-ground biomass (AGB) and carbon sequestration is vital for monitoring terrestrial ecosystem dynamics, informing climate policy, and supporting carbon neutrality initiatives. However, conventional methods—ranging from manual field surveys to remote sensing techniques based solely on 2D vegetation indices—often fail to capture the intricate spectral and structural heterogeneity of forest canopies, particularly at fine spatial resolutions. To address these limitations, we introduce ForestIQNet, a novel end-to-end multimodal deep learning framework designed to estimate AGB and associated carbon stocks from UAV-acquired imagery with high spatial fidelity. ForestIQNet combines dual-stream encoders for processing multispectral UAV imagery and a voxelized Canopy Height Model (CHM), fused via a Cross-Attentional Feature Fusion (CAFF) module, enabling fine-grained interaction between spectral reflectance and 3D structure. A lightweight Transformer-based regression head then performs multitask prediction of AGB and CO₂e, capturing long-range spatial dependencies and enhancing generalization. Proposed method achieves an R² of 0.93 and RMSE of 6.1 kg for AGB prediction, compared to 0.78 R² and 11.7 kg RMSE for XGBoost and 0.73 R² and 13.2 kg RMSE for Random Forest. Despite its architectural complexity, ForestIQNet maintains a low inference cost (27 ms per patch) and generalizes well across species, terrain, and canopy structures. These results establish a new benchmark for UAV-enabled biomass estimation and provide scalable, interpretable tools for climate monitoring and forest management. Full article

With over 180 million tons produced annually and a global market exceeding 500 billion dollars, beer is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, thanks to its broad variety of styles, traditions, ingredients, and brewing techniques. However, behind this widespread popularity lies a potentially impactful production chain, whose environmental impacts remain underexplored, particularly within the craft segment. This research evaluates the sustainability of a hemp-based craft beer produced in the Lazio region (Italy) using an integrated approach that combines life cycle assessment with environmental impact monetization. The results indicate that the main impacts in beer production are related to global warming potential (0.916 kg CO₂ eq/L), terrestrial ecotoxicity (0.404 kg 1.4-DCB eq/L), land use (0.841 m²a crop eq/L), and fossil resource scarcity (0.211 kg oil eq/L), primarily due to malt production and hop transportation. Packaging analysis revealed that including environmental costs, aluminum cans may add an additional environmental cost of €0.80–1.60 per unit, while glass bottles, despite their weight, incur a lower additional cost. For a beer priced at €3.50, this would translate to a real cost of €4.30–5.10, reflecting a 22–45% increase. Improving sustainability in the brewing sector requires strategic actions, such as careful supplier selection and appropriate packaging choices. Overall, sustainability in brewing emerges as a balance between production needs, distribution impacts, and systemic decisions. Full article

We evaluated the effects of supplementing 1,3-diacylglycerol (1,3-DAG) in diets with different energy levels on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, excreta scores, rectal temperature, meat quality, and blood parameters of broilers. A total of 576 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers (initial BW: 47.65 ± 0.51 g) were used in a 35-day feeding trial. The broilers were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (144 birds per group), with eight cages per group and 18 birds per cage, consisting of 9 males and 9 females. A 2 × 2 factorial design was employed, with two dietary energy levels (normal and reduced by 100 kcal/kg) with or without 0.075% 1,3-DAG supplementation. The results showed that compared with the diets without 1,3-DAG, the broilers receiving 1,3-DAG supplementation exhibited significantly greater body weight gain (BWG) and overall body weights (BWs) from days 10 to 35, along with a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). In contrast, the low-energy diets without 1,3-DAG supplementation resulted in reduced growth performance, an increased FCR, higher drip loss, and lower total cholesterol levels. Notably, the rectal temperature and excreta scores were not affected by dietary energy levels or 1,3-DAG supplementation. In conclusion, while low-energy diets negatively impact growth and meat quality, 1,3-DAG supplementation enhances energy digestibility and growth performance, partially alleviating the adverse effects of reduced-energy diets and potentially lowering feed costs without compromising growth. Full article

Agricultural production in the saline–alkaline soils of the Yellow River Delta faces persistent challenges in waste recycling and soil improvement. We developed a three-stage circular agriculture model integrating “crop straw–edible mushrooms–vegetables,” enabling simultaneous waste utilization and soil remediation within one year (two mushroom and two vegetable cycles annually). Crop straw was first used to cultivate Pleurotus eryngii, achieving 80% biological efficiency and reducing substrate costs by ~36.3%. The spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was then reused for Ganoderma lucidum and vegetable cultivation, maximizing the resource efficiency. SMS application significantly improved soil properties: organic matter increased 11-fold (from 14.8 to 162.78 g/kg) and pH decreased from 8.34 to ~6.75. The available phosphorus and potassium contents increased several-fold compared to untreated soil. Metagenomic analysis showed the enrichment of beneficial decomposer bacteria (Hyphomicrobiales, Burkholderiales, and Streptomyces) and functional genes involved in glyoxylate metabolism, nitrogen cycling, and lignocellulose degradation. These changes shifted the microbial community from a stress-tolerant to a nutrient-cycling profile. The vegetable yield and quality improved markedly: cabbage and cauliflower yields increased by 34–38%, and the tomato lycopene content rose by 179%. Economically, the system generated 1,695,000–1,962,881.4 CNY per hectare annually and reduced fertilizer costs by ~450,000 CNY per hectare. This mushroom–vegetable rotation addresses ecological bottlenecks in saline–alkaline lands through lignin-driven carbon release, organic acid-mediated pH reduction, and actinomycete-dominated decomposition, offering a sustainable agricultural strategy for coastal regions. Full article

Neuromuscular blocking agents such as atracurium and rocuronium are commonly used during anesthetic procedures in laboratory pigs. However, species-specific dosing guidelines remain limited, leading to reliance on data extrapolated from other species. This prospective, blinded study aimed to determine the equipotent dose for atracurium (A) and rocuronium (R) in laboratory pigs receiving propofol and to compare their cost-effectiveness. Twelve healthy animals were randomly distributed according to the drug administered (n = 6 per group). For both drugs, the infusion rate was adjusted following an up-and-down titration to maintain a train-of-four count between 3 and 4. Group differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The bolus induction dose (mg/kg) was comparable between atracurium (2.3 [1.8–2.6]) and rocuronium (2 [2]), while atracurium was associated with higher costs (CHF/kg: A, 1.122 [0.878–1.366] versus R, 0.208 [0.208–0.208]; p = 0.002725). The maintenance infusion rate (mg/kg/h) was approximately 40% lower for atracurium (2.7 [2.5–2.8]) than for rocuronium (4.5 [4.4–4.5]; p = 0.004922), yet the maintenance cost (CFH/kg/h) remained higher for atracurium (A: 1.30 [1.22–1.37] versus R: 0.47 [0.45–0.47]; p = 0.0043). This study reports higher doses for anesthetized pigs compared to other species and demonstrates that rocuronium offers superior cost-effectiveness compared to atracurium under these experimental conditions. Full article

The growing demand for biofuels, especially ethanol produced from corn, has driven the production of co-products such as dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). With a high protein content (around 30%), fiber, and minerals, DDGS presents an economical alternative for animal nutrition, replacing traditional sources like soybean meal while maintaining productive performance and reducing costs. This study evaluated the total replacement of soybean meal with DDGS in the diet of confined Holstein cattle, focusing on weight gain, feed intake, digestibility, feed efficiency, animal health, meat quality, and economic viability. The 24 animals received diets with 80% concentrate, containing either DDGS or soybean meal, and no significant differences were observed in terms of body weight (p = 0.92), feed intake (p = 0.98), or feed efficiency (p = 0.97) between the two treatments. The average daily gain was 1.25 and 1.28 kg for cattle in the DDGS and soybean meal groups, respectively (p = 0.92). Regarding metabolic and digestive parameters, no relevant changes were found in blood levels, except for higher serum cholesterol (p = 0.03) levels in animals fed DDGS. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (p = 0.03) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p = 0.05) was lower in the DDGS group, while the digestibility of ether extract was higher (p = 0.02). Rumen fluid analysis revealed an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids (p = 0.01), such as acetic and butyric acids (p = 0.01), in the DDG-fed animals. In terms of meat quality, animals fed DDGS produced meat with lower levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (p = 0.05) and higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (p = 0.02), especially oleic acid (p = 0.05). This resulted in a healthier lipid profile, with a higher UFA/SFA ratio (p = 0.01). In terms of economic viability, DDGS-based diets were 10.5% cheaper, reducing the cost of production per animal by 7.67%. Profitability increased by 110% with DDGS compared to soybean meal, despite the high transportation costs. Therefore, replacing soybean meal with DDGS is an efficient and economical alternative for feeding confined cattle, maintaining zootechnical performance, increasing meat lipid content and improving fatty acid profile, and promoting higher profitability. This alternative is particularly advantageous in regions with easy access to the product. Full article

The bench-scale demonstration of the UKy-IDEA process for direct air capture (DAC) technology combines solvent-aided CO₂ capture with electrochemical regeneration (ER) through a pH swing process, enabling efficient CO₂ capture and simultaneous solvent regeneration, producing high-purity hydrogen as a valuable co-product. The system shows stable performance with over 90% CO₂ capture efficiency and approximately 80% CO₂ recovery, handling ambient air at 280 L/min. During testing, the unit captured 1 kg of CO₂ over 100 h, with a concentrated CO₂ output purity of around 70%. Operating efficiently at low voltage (<3 V), the system supports flexible and remote operation without AC/DC converters when using intermittent renewable energy. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) highlight its minimized required footprint and cost-effectiveness. Marketable hydrogen offsets capture costs, and compatibility with renewable DC power enhances appeal. Hydrogen production displacing CO₂ produced via electrolysis achieves 0.94 kg CO₂ abated per kg CO₂ captured. The project would be economic, with USD 26 per ton of CO₂ from the federal 45Q tax credit for carbon utilization, and USD 5 to USD 12 per kg for H₂. Full article