Search Results (11,983)

Supersulfated cement (SSC) is an environmentally friendly cementitious material with a low clinker content, in which industrial byproduct gypsum serves as the sulfate source, thereby enabling the valorization of solid waste. The hydration process, pore structure, microstructure, and hydration products were investigated using paste samples by means of isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG–DTG), Fourier transform–infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while compressive strength was evaluated using mortar specimens. Compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC), SSC offers clear advantages in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the effects of titanium gypsum (TG) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD) on the hydration behavior, fluidity, mechanical properties, and microstructural evolution of an anhydrite (AH)–phosphogypsum (PG)-based SSC were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the incorporation of 11% TG and FGD mitigates the strong sulfate environment caused by the rapid dissolution of soluble AH, thereby regulating the hydration process. As the proportion of TG and FGD increased, the cumulative heat release within 72 h gradually decreased. When AH was completely replaced, the cumulative heat release of TG4 and FG4 decreased by approximately 19.7% and 28.6%, respectively. TG and FGD exhibited opposite effects on the fluidity of SSC while both promoting strength development. Among all mixtures, TG2 and FG2 showed the best performance, with the highest 28-day compressive strengths of 50.15 MPa and 51.95 MPa, respectively. Microstructural analysis reveals that differences in particle size distribution and dissolution kinetics among gypsums governed the sulfate release characteristics and slag activation mechanisms, thus leading to distinct hydration pathways, pore structure evolution, and microstructural densification. This study provides a theoretical basis for the efficient utilization of various industrial byproduct gypsums and offers important guidance for the controllable design of SSC performance. Full article

The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) implicates genetic predispositions and environmental chemicals, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). We aimed to identify whether mitochondrial quality control (MQC) was involved in ASD-relevant behavioral changes induced by decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE, BDE-209) and the alleviation by melatonin. Pregnant rats exposed to BDE-209 (50 mg/kg i.g.) were administrated melatonin through drinking water (0.2 mg/mL) during gestation and lactation. Behavioral assessments integrated open-field test, three-chamber social test, and Morris water maze; mitochondrial detections took transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and homeostasis together; hippocampal molecular network was identified through transcriptomics profiles, combining dendritic morphology analysis after Golgi-Cox staining. Melatonin supplementation attenuated BDE-209-reduced social and cognitive ability, accompanied by improvements in hippocampal synaptic plasticity (dendritic spines, PSD95, SNAP25). Mitochondrial dysfunctions, shown as decreases in complex IV activity, ATP content, and mtDNA copies, plus redox imbalance (ROS/SOD2) and resultant mitochondrial membrane potential disruption and apoptosis, together with fusion/fission dynamic (MFN2/DRP1), biogenesis (SIRT1-PGC1α-TFAM), and mitophagy (SIRT3-FOXO3-PINK1) suppression, were reversed by melatonin partially through SIRT1 (Sirtuin-1)-dependent pathways, as these protections were abolished by inhibitor EX527. This study highlighted the SIRT1–SIRT3 axis in MQC and behavioral effects, providing novel intervention for PBDEs’ neurodevelopmental impairment. Full article

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) plays a vital role in occupant health and productivity. However, current Building Management Systems (BMS) often struggle in sustaining optimal IEQ levels due to limitations in data management and lack of occupant-centric feedback loops. To address these gaps, this research synthesizes the state-of-the-art methods for IEQ monitoring, assessment, and control within Building Automation Systems (BAS), identifying both technological and methodological advancements, as well as highlighting the challenges and potential opportunities for future innovations. Employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, this multi-stage literature review analyzes 176 publications from 1997 to 2024, with a focus on the decade of rapid technological evolution from 2014 to 2024. The review focuses on high-impact journals indexed in Scopus to ensure quality while acknowledging the potential bias inherent in a single-database search. The synthesis reveals a methodological shift in monitoring from sparse, zone-level sensing towards dense, multi-modal systems that incorporate physiological data via wearables and behavioral recognition through computer vision. Assessment techniques are evolving from static models such as the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) towards adaptive, personalized frameworks supported by Digital Twins and integrated simulations. Furthermore, control logic is transitioning toward Reinforcement Learning and Model Predictive Control to proactively manage occupancy surges and environmental variables. This evolution of monitoring approaches, assessment techniques, and control strategies is represented within the study’s Three-Tiered Developmental Trajectory, providing a novel Body of Knowledge (BOK) for mapping the transition of building systems from reactive tools to autonomous, occupant-centric agents. This study also introduces a Cross-Modal Interaction Matrix to systematically analyze the systemic trade-offs between IEQ domains. Furthermore, by establishing the “Implementation Frontier,” this work identifies the specific technical and ethical bottlenecks, such as “false vacancy” sensing errors, fragmented data silos, and the ethical complexities of high-resolution data collection that prevent academic innovations from becoming industry standards. To bridge these gaps, we conclude that the next generation of “cognitive buildings” must prioritize three pillars: resolving binary sensing limitations, harmonizing data via vendor-neutral APIs, and adopting privacy-preserving architectures to ensure scalable, interoperable, and occupant-centric optimization. Full article

Developing sustainable electrode materials from renewable biomass is important for improving the environmental sustainability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Sugarcane bagasse lignin, an abundant agricultural byproduct, is a promising precursor for lignin-derived carbon anode materials, yet systematic comparative studies on catalyst-dependent structure evolution and LIB performance remain limited. In this study, lignin extracted from sugarcane bagasse by an ethanosolv process was converted into Fe- and Ni-catalyzed lignin-derived carbon materials via catalytic pyrolysis at 900 °C. The effects of catalyst type, metal-to-lignin ratio, and pyrolysis holding time on textural properties, structural features, and electrochemical behavior were systematically investigated. Among the studied conditions, the Fe-catalyzed sample prepared at a metal-to-lignin ratio of 1:2.5 and a holding time of 3 h (GLKL-2.5Fe-3h) exhibited the highest BET surface area (332.71 m² g⁻¹) and the most developed porous morphology. SEM, TEM, Raman, and XRD analyses indicated catalyst-dependent differences in pore development, carbon domain morphology, and local graphitic ordering, with Fe- and Ni-catalyzed samples following distinct structural evolution pathways. Electrochemical testing showed that GLKL-2.5Fe-3h delivered the highest initial discharge capacity (759 mAh g⁻¹), retained 165 mAh g⁻¹ after 500 cycles, and exhibited more favorable rate performance and lower apparent interfacial resistance than the other tested samples under the same conditions. In contrast, the Ni-catalyzed and solvothermally treated samples showed lower capacity retention and/or less favorable electrochemical behavior. These results demonstrate the strong effect of catalyst type on the structure-performance relationship of bagasse lignin-derived carbon anodes and support Fe-catalyzed lignin-derived carbon as a promising sustainable anode candidate for LIB applications. Full article

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and young adults, is characterized by aggressive behavior, frequent metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Increasing evidence indicates that OS progression is not solely driven by tumor-intrinsic factors but is strongly influenced by dynamic interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This literature review synthesizes current research on the roles of endothelial cells, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, immune populations, and osteoclasts in OS pathogenesis, with emphasis on cell–cell interactions mediated by direct contact, soluble factors, and extracellular vesicles. The studies demonstrate that these interactions promote tumor proliferation, immune evasion, extracellular matrix remodeling, metastatic dissemination, and therapeutic resistance. Adaptive responses of both tumor and stromal cells to environmental stressors contribute to chemoresistance and disease progression. Collectively, our findings highlight the multifactorial nature of OS driven by complex cellular crosstalk within the TME. Understanding these mechanisms highlights the limitations of conventional chemotherapy and encourages the development of combined therapeutic approaches, including targeted therapies, immunomodulation, and microenvironmental interventions. Continued investigation into tumor–microenvironment interactions may facilitate the identification of actionable targets and improve personalized treatment approaches for OS. Full article

The persistence of pesticide residues in food and water poses a significant challenge to global food safety, particularly under the pressures of intensive agriculture and climate variability. Despite significant progress in developing adsorbent materials for pesticide remediation, most approaches remain chemically optimized but geographically blind. This review introduces the concept of geo-adaptive design of carbon-based adsorbents, emphasizing that remediation materials should be tailored to the regional profiles of pesticide use, environmental conditions, and available biomass precursors. Pesticide contamination patterns vary widely across climates and agricultural systems, resulting in distinct chemical signatures that determine adsorption behavior. Simultaneously, locally abundant agro-industrial byproducts, such as walnut shells, rice husks, olive stones, or fruit pomace, offer sustainable carbon sources for region-specific materials. By correlating pesticide structure, adsorbent surface chemistry, and environmental parameters, geo-adaptive materials can be designed to maximize efficiency, selectivity, and sustainability in environmental remediation contexts, including the treatment of pesticide-contaminated soils and water streams. In addition, these materials may be integrated into food processing and packaging systems, where they can function as localized, low-cost mitigation strategies aligned with circular economy principles. The review highlights how regionally optimized carbon materials could connect advances in environmental remediation with the practical needs of food technology, leading toward food safety strategies that are both globally relevant and locally adaptable. Full article

This study examines how abusive leadership influences non-green behavior among employees in five-star hotels in Egypt, drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model. Using survey data collected from 400 full-time hotel employees, the study investigates the mediating roles of emotional exhaustion and presenteeism, as well as the moderating role of perceived co-worker support. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed relationships. The results indicate that abusive leadership increases emotional exhaustion and presenteeism, both of which contribute to higher levels of non-green behavior. Emotional exhaustion mediates the relationship between abusive leadership and non-green behavior, while presenteeism partially mediates the link between abusive leadership and emotional exhaustion. Additionally, perceived co-worker support buffers the negative effect of presenteeism on emotional exhaustion. By integrating COR and JD–R perspectives, this study advances understanding of the psychological mechanisms through which abusive leadership undermines environmentally responsible behavior. The findings offer practical insights for hospitality managers seeking to promote employee well-being and sustainability in high-pressure service environments. Full article

The raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), an economically important crop, is affected by the crumbly fruit disorder, a malformation that leads to fruit disintegration at harvest due to poor drupelet cohesion. Despite previous efforts to identify genetic determinants of this phenotype, its complex inheritance and strong environmental component have limited the development of robust predictive markers. This study assessed the behavior and transferability of previously reported SSR and SNP markers associated with crumbly fruit across plants from a diverse panel of 34 R. idaeus cultivars, including in adjacent genomic regions not screened previously. Phenotyping was based on multi-season fruit performance and drupelet cohesion, and genetic variation was analysed using PCR-based genotyping within a multilocus approach. Consistent clustering patterns were observed across multiple SSR and SNP loci, suggesting a reproducible association between these genomic regions and the crumbly phenotype. Overall, the results support a multilocus genetic architecture underlying crumbly fruit, but also demonstrate that previously reported markers are not universally transferable across genetic backgrounds. These findings highlight the importance of integrated, population-aware marker validation to enable more reliable implementation of marker-assisted strategies in raspberry breeding programs. Full article

Climate change poses a growing threat to global health, yet healthcare systems contribute substantially to environmental harm through energy use, waste, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among hospital departments, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are among the most resource- and energy-intensive, generating disproportionately high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the literature on the environmental footprint of ICUs and to develop evidence-based strategies for creating sustainable ‘Green ICUs’ in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and October 2025 were identified through searches of major biomedical databases. Eligible studies examined the impacts of climate change on human health and infectious diseases, the ecological footprint of medical imaging and personal protective equipment, and sustainability interventions relevant to adult intensive care units. The environmental footprint of ICUs ranges from 88 to 178 kg CO₂-equivalents per patient per day. High electricity consumption, especially from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, along with single-use medical supplies and diagnostic imaging, drives this impact. Life-cycle assessments consistently demonstrate that reusable textiles, optimized energy systems, and rationalized diagnostic practices significantly reduce emissions and waste. Educational and behavioral interventions were effective in reducing unnecessary consumable use while maintaining patient safety. A “Green ICU” model integrating energy efficiency, sustainable procurement, waste reduction, and staff education can substantially reduce environmental harm without compromising quality of care. Full article

A significant portion of plastic products is not accepted by curbside recycling companies and goes to landfills or incineration, causing an adverse impact on the environment. This study investigated the effects of utilizing post-consumer plastic and e-waste in concrete. A plastic product made of thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) was ground into fine particles and used for 10% volumetric replacement of sand, while bare printed circuit boards (PCBs) were pulverized into powder and used for 10% cement replacement by mass. This study introduces a unique utilization of grounded powder PCBs by partially replacing cement in concrete. Furthermore, reinforced concrete beams with the replacements were constructed and tested under flexure for structural behavior evaluation. The results of this study show an average of 11% reduction in both the compressive strength of concrete and the maximum load capacity of the beams incorporating plastic products. A life cycle assessment study was conducted using a functional unit of 1.0 cubic yard concrete production. The system boundary for the environmental assessment of the concrete in this study includes only the production phase, which is from the cradle to the end gate of the ready-mix concrete plant. The environmental impact estimation of a 10% reduction in constituents of concrete showed a 10% reduction in most LCA measures where cement was replaced compared to a 1% effect for the fine aggregate replacement. Full article

Composite materials are commonly employed because of their superior mechanical and electrical properties, as well as their lower density compared to metals. In this research, ceramic waste from the Casablanca region (Morocco) was incorporated into a composite material by combining it with finely ground ceramic fragments (CB) in an unsaturated polymer (UP) resin. The study objectives include the characterization of ceramic waste, evaluation of the mechanical stiffness, influenced by CB content and specimen thickness, and the assessment of its hydric behavior and erosion resistance in aggressive chemical environments. This valorization approach includes a baseline assessment of unmodified ceramic waste and UP’s compatibility and systematic documentation of geometry-dependent stiffness in short-cylinder compression tests. Several methods were used to characterize the material, including XRD, optical microscopy, FTIR-ATR, erosion testing, hydric behavior analysis, surface area measurement, and Young’s modulus. The results showed increased tensile strength and stiffness compared to the starting materials through the evolution of Young’s modulus, demonstrating the enhanced mechanical quality of the composite. Additionally, the material properties changed with the CB content and thickness of the sample, which indicated the potential for optimization. These findings advocate for the reuse of Moroccan industrial ceramic waste as a viable mineral filler for semi-structural polymer composites, supporting the circular economy, environmental sustainability, and public health. Full article

Rapid housing expansion exacerbates the urban heat island (UHI) effect, yet the influence of household-level awareness on sustainable housing decisions remains underexplored, particularly in tropical contexts. This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) into a moderated-mediation model to examine how UHI awareness shapes the relationships among attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, socioeconomic factors, purchase intention, and willingness to pay (WTP) for heat-mitigating housing. Survey data from 441 homebuyers in Bandung City, Indonesia, were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (SEM). Results reveal that awareness fundamentally alters decision pathways: without awareness, subjective norms (β = 0.066, p-value = 0.007) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.050, p-value = 0.005) significantly influence WTP via purchase intention; with high awareness, attitude becomes the sole significant predictor (β = 0.109, p-value = 0.035), while the effects of social pressure (β = −0.015, p-value = 0.130) and perceived control (β = −0.005, p-value = 0.376) diminish. The model explains 50.1% of the variance in purchase intention (R² = 0.501) but only 14.7% of the variance in WTP (R² = 0.147), reflecting the low-price premiums respondents are willing to pay (0–5%). These findings highlight that climate-specific awareness acts as a cognitive filter, guiding pro-environmental housing choices, and underscore the importance of awareness-driven interventions for promoting sustainable urban development in tropical cities. Full article

The long-term accumulation of phosphogypsum (PG) stacks has caused combined pollution of total phosphorus (TP), fluoride (F⁻), metals and metalloids (MMs), posing a severe threat to regional ecological security. To clarify the migration characteristics of pollutants in PG stacks, water leaching experiments and environmental risk assessment were conducted in 21 typical PG stacks in Southwest China. The spatial differentiation and vertical migration characteristics of pollutants under various coverage measures (high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film covering, soil covering, a composite of film–soil covering, and open-air storage) at different pH conditions were systematically analyzed. Results indicated that under open-air stockpiling conditions, the surface accumulation of TP and F⁻ was the most significant among all covering measures, corresponding to the highest environmental risk. In contrast, the membrane–soil composite covering exhibited the optimal inhibitory effect on the surface diffusion of TP and F⁻, but was less effective for metal and metalloid enrichment. Under acidic conditions (pH < 6), the vertical migration capacity of TP, F⁻, and MMs (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn) increased, leading to enrichment in the deep layers of the stack. With the increase in pH, the calcium-mediated precipitation–adsorption effect created a “geochemical barrier”, facilitating the solid-phase fixation of pollutants. A significant positive correlation among pollutants indicates synergistic release and fixation behaviors. In addition, a pH-controlled P-F-MM source-to-sink conceptual model was established, outlining the dissolution, precipitation, adsorption, fixation and re-enrichment pathway from fresh stock to leachate. This work provides insights for optimizing cover designs and pollution control strategies. Full article

Understanding the psychological underpinnings of environmental decision-making is crucial for addressing climate change. Responsible consumption and pro-environmental behaviors often involve complex trade-offs between individual and collective outcomes, as well as between immediate and long-term consequences. Drawing on the Behavior Change Wheel and its core COM-B model—a comprehensive behavioral framework integrating Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation—this study systematically examines how the COM-B model has been applied in research on responsible consumption and environmentally relevant behavior. Using a combined bibliometric and content-analytic review of peer-reviewed studies indexed in the Web of Science between 2018 and 2026, we explore the focus, the behavior targets, and the contextual factors in existing COM-B applications. The findings reveal a focus on individual-level awareness, such as dietary behavior and sustainable lifestyles, while meso- and macro-level applications addressing institutional and policy mechanisms remain limited. By identifying a structural misalignment between the COM-B framework and its empirical applications, we contribute to behavioral science by highlighting the need to integrate structural determinants with individual processes to better understand and address the psychological mechanisms underpinning responsible decisions using this theoretical breadth. In this context, we emphasize the importance of aligning behavioral research priorities with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12. Full article

The generative mechanisms underlying multifractal scaling in complex systems remain a fundamental unsolved problem, limiting our ability to distinguish healthy from pathological dynamics, predict system failures, or understand how scale-invariant organization emerges across vastly different physical domains. We resolve this challenge by introducing threshold sensitivity analysis—an extension of Chhabra–Jensen’s direct method—as a framework that classifies cascade types by examining how scaling reliability varies across moment orders q. Different q values systematically probe weak fluctuations (negative q) versus strong fluctuations (positive q), and the coefficient of determination ($r^2$) of partition function regressions quantifies scaling reliability at each q. Analyzing $r^2\left(q\right)$ patterns in 280 cardiac recordings (healthy controls through fatal heart failure), 200 financial time series (global equity markets and currencies, 2000–2025), and 80 climate stations (tropical to continental zones, 2000–2025), we discover a universal diagnostic signature: symmetric expansion of valid scaling behavior under relaxed $r^2$ thresholds, spanning both weak and strong fluctuations. This threshold sensitivity fingerprint—predicted by synthetic cascade simulations but never before validated empirically—uniquely identifies additomultiplicative cascades, hybrid processes that randomly alternate between additive stabilization and multiplicative amplification. Critically, this symmetric signature persists universally across domains: cardiac dynamics maintain consistent patterns across health and disease states, financial markets show varying robustness across asset classes (currencies more variable than US equities) while preserving a hybrid structure, and climate systems exhibit geographical variations (subtropical/continental stronger than tropical) without altering fundamental cascade type. These findings suggest that additomultiplicative organization is a unifying feature of complex adaptive systems, offering a resolution to decades of debate between additive and multiplicative models. The $r^2\left(q\right)$ profiling provides a mechanistic diagnostic capable of detecting early dysfunction, assessing system resilience, and revealing how environmental constraints shape—but do not determine—the fundamental principles governing multifractal complexity. Full article