Search Results (7,002)

UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) is an essential enzyme in the insect chitin biosynthesis pathway; however, little is known regarding its molecular functions in Oedaleus asiaticus Bey-Bienko (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Here, two UAP genes, OaUAP1 and OaUAP2, were identified and characterized in O. asiaticus. The effects of exogenous treatments, including the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the chitin biosynthesis inhibitor validamycin (VA), were assessed on chitin synthesis. Sequence analyses have shown that the cDNA and deduced amino acid sequences of O. asiaticus share over 90% identity with UAPs in Locusta migratoria. OaUAP1 and OaUAP2 are widely expressed in many tissues and developmental stages but exhibit different expression patterns: OaUAP1 shows higher expression in the epidermis and fifth-instar nymphs, while OaUAP2 is primarily expressed in the fat body and in the fifth-instar nymphs and adults. The functional analysis of two OaUAPs revealed that OaUAP2 was crucial in molting; moreover, its implication also exists in other biosynthetic processes since nymphs maintained normal growth and development. Both OaUAP expressions were upregulated by 20E and downregulated by VA in the chitin biosynthesis pathway. Our findings provide a vital molecular insight into the chitin biosynthesis pathway of O. asiaticus and lay a solid foundation for developing environmentally safe biological insecticides. Full article

The quest for environmental sustainability continues to gain prominence, but the environmental goods trade-environmental sustainability nexus has not received adequate research attention. Therefore, this study evaluates the impact of environmental goods trade on environmental performance. Environmental goods (EGs) are defined as products designed to support environmental protection and climate-change mitigation and are identified using the IMF environmental goods classification based on the WTO–OECD list, ensuring cross-country comparability. Using second-generation panel time series methods and the Augmented Anderson–Hsiao (AAH) estimation technique with a sample of 47 Asian countries over the period 1994–2021, this study provides interesting findings and insightful policy implications. First, the findings confirm the EKC Hypothesis in all the models. Second, the results support the pollution halo hypothesis because trade openness has a significant negative impact on the ecological footprint in all the models. This implies that trade openness reduces environmental degradation. Also, the result revealed that an increase in ecological goods reduces ecological footprint in production, consumption, and distribution, as well as imports and exports, based on ecological footprint in Asia. Therefore, we conclude that environmental goods trade enhances environmental sustainability. Full article

In the current context of the energy transition, the reuse of offshore oil and gas (O&G) structures that have reached the end of their operational life presents new engineering challenges. Many projects aim to adapt existing facilities for a range of alternative uses. This paper outlines guidelines for identifying the most suitable conversion options aligned with the goals of the ongoing energy transition, focusing on the Italian offshore area. The study promotes the reuse—instead of partial or full removal—of existing offshore platforms originally built for the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs. From an engineering perspective, the project describes the development of guidelines based on an innovative methodology to identify new uses for both offshore oil and gas platforms and the depleted reservoirs, with a focus on safety and environmental impact. The guidelines identify the most suitable and effective conversion option for the platform–reservoir system under consideration. To ensure a realistic approach, the developed methodology allows one to identify the preferable conversion option even when some piece of information is missing or incomplete, as often happens in the early stages of a feasibility study. The screening process provides an associated level of uncertainty related to the degree of data incompleteness. The outcome is a complete evaluation procedure divided into five phases: definition of criteria; assignment of an importance scale to determine how critical each criterion is; connection of indices and weights to each criterion; and analysis of the relationships between them. The guidelines are implemented in a software tool that supports and simplifies the decision-making process. The results are very promising. The developed methodology and the related guidelines applied to a case study have proven to be an effective decision-support for analysts. The study shows that it is possible to identify the most suitable conversion option from a technical, engineering, and operational point of view while also considering its environmental impact and safety implications. Full article

The transition toward a Circular Economy (CE) has received significant attention from academia, industry, and policymakers; however, manufacturing practices remain predominantly linear, generating waste and inefficiencies. This study addresses the lack of accessible sustainability assessment methods by introducing the Circularity Calculator (CC), a novel tool for evaluating circular strategies during the early phases of process development. Unlike existing assessment frameworks, which often require extensive data and customization, the CC can be integrated directly to existing processes to combine environmental and economic impact into a streamlined evaluation process for early decision-making. The research involves collaboration with a leading German automotive manufacturer. Site visits and interviews enabled the identification of material flows and primary waste streams, which informed the definition of relevant indicators. The CC generates a dimensionless index, enabling comparison and prioritization of proposed scenarios without relying on supply-chain-wide data, which is often unavailable at early stages. Implications demonstrate the adaptability of the CC across industrial contexts, supporting conceptual planning and operational phases. Its intuitive design facilitates adoption by practitioners without extensive expertise in sustainability. The tool represents an advance in CE assessment, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 12, and 17 by promoting sustainable industrial practices, resource circularity, and collaborative evaluation frameworks. Full article

In this analysis, the dynamic nexus between green governance, energy transition, and carbon emissions in the period spanning 1990 and 2022 for the twenty-one member economies of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and partner economies is examined. Employing Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), Driscoll–Kraay Standard Errors (DKSE), and Quantile-on-Quantile Regression (QQR), this analysis encompasses the effects of the use of renewable energy sources, economic growth, and changes in the population on carbon emissions. Results for the analysis show that the adoption of renewable energy sources, tough environmental regulations, and green innovation play a significant role in offsetting carbon emissions since the results are more pronounced at the tail ends of the distribution of carbon emissions. Conversely, changes in the level of population and economic growth are identified as potential exacerbators of environmental concerns. In offering implications for policymakers, this analysis argues that environmental laws and taxation and green innovation are potential means of improving environmental governance in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and climate change commitments. By addressing the issue of differential environmental effects based on varying levels of carbon emissions, this analysis makes contributions to the expanding literature on sustainable environmental governance in the twenty-first-century energy economy. Full article

Food fraud represents a growing global challenge with significant implications for public health, market integrity, sustainability, and consumer trust. Beyond economic losses, fraudulent practices undermine the environmental and social sustainability of food systems by distorting markets, misusing natural resources, and weakening incentives for authentic and responsible production. Despite the establishment of harmonized frameworks of the European Union for official controls, the increasing complexity of food supply chains has exposed persistent gaps in fraud detection, particularly for high-value products such as those with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Ιndication) Certification. This study investigates the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of frontline inspectors in Greece to assess current challenges and opportunities for strengthening official food fraud controls. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, validated by experts and administered nationwide, involving 122 participants representing all major national food inspection authorities. Statistical analysis revealed significant institutional differences in perceptions of fraud prevalence, with mislabeling of origin, misleading organic claims, ingredient substitution, and documentation irregularities identified as the most common fraudulent practices. Olive oil, honey, meat, and dairy emerged as the most vulnerable product categories. Inspectors reported relying primarily on consumer complaints and institutional databases as key tools for identifying fraud risks. Food fraud was perceived to contribute strongly to losses in consumer trust in food safety and product authenticity, as well as to the erosion of sustainable production models that depend on transparency, fair competition, and responsible resource use. Overall, the findings highlight detection gaps, uneven resources across authorities, and the need for improved coordination and capacity-building to support more efficient, transparent, and sustainability-oriented food fraud control in Greece. Full article

This study explores the factors that influence Gen Z consumers’ green purchasing behavior, addressing a gap in current research by combining the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Theory of Consumption Values, and Generational Theory, and applying them to the touristic accommodation context. Based on a quantitative survey of Gen Z tourists from Spain, Norway, and Lithuania, the study examined traditional constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior alongside subjective knowledge, environmental consciousness, perceived value, and green trust. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the results indicate a significant role for price-based functional value and emotional value in shaping Gen Z’s attitudes toward sustainable accommodation. Furthermore, subjective knowledge and environmental consciousness strengthen green trust, which in turn contributes to a more positive attitude toward sustainable touristic options. Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly predict behavioral intention, while both perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention directly influence actual purchasing behavior. The findings suggest that tourism marketers should focus on enhancing price-related and emotionally meaningful value propositions, while also fostering trust through clear communication of environmental performance. Overall, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of the drivers behind Gen Z’s sustainable accommodation choices and provides practical implications for promoting environmentally responsible tourism. Full article

As vital components of urban rail transit networks, subway stations are widely scattered across diverse urban districts, whose sustainability performance exerts a notable impact on the overall urban ecological and environmental quality. This study constructs a three-dimensional numerical model to conduct a comparative assessment of the seismic behavior of subway stations adopting different bearing systems at beam-column joints. The seismic responses of two typical structural configurations, a traditional rigid-jointed subway station and another equipped with rubber isolation bearings, are examined under a series of ground motions, with due consideration of amplitude scaling effects and material nonlinearity. A comprehensive evaluation is carried out on key performance parameters, including structural acceleration responses, column rotation angles, damage evolution processes, and internal force distributions. Based on this analysis, the research clarifies the sustainability implications by establishing quantitative correlations between seismic response indices (i.e., deformation extent, damage degree, and internal force magnitudes) and post-earthquake outcomes, such as repair complexity, material requirements, carbon emissions, and socioeconomic effects. The results can advance the integrated theory of seismic-resilient and sustainable design for underground infrastructure, providing evidence-based guidance for the optimization of future subway station construction projects. Full article

This review explores the innovative approaches in the development of next-generation biopesticides, focusing on molecular and microbial strategies for effective control of fungal plant pathogens. As agricultural practices increasingly seek sustainable solutions to combat plant diseases, biopesticides have emerged as a promising alternative to chemical pesticides, offering reduced environmental impact and enhanced safety for non-target organisms. The review begins by outlining the critical role of fungal pathogens in global agriculture, emphasizing the need for novel control methods that can mitigate their detrimental effects on crop yields. Key molecular strategies discussed include the use of genetic engineering to enhance the efficacy of biopesticides, the application of RNA interference (RNAi) techniques to target specific fungal genes, and the development of bioactive compounds derived from natural sources. Additionally, this review highlights the potential of microbial agents, such as beneficial bacteria and fungi, in establishing biocontrol mechanisms that promote plant health and resilience. Through a comprehensive review of recent studies and advancements in the field, this manuscript illustrates how integrating molecular and microbial strategies can lead to the development of effective biopesticides tailored to combat specific fungal threats. The implications of these strategies for sustainable agriculture are discussed, alongside the challenges and future directions for research and implementation. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a thorough understanding of the transformative potential of next-generation biopesticides in the fight against fungal plant pathogens, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable food production. Full article

Despite substantial growth in eco-innovation (EI) research, most studies rely on cross-sectional data, limiting understanding of the temporal dynamics of EI and its determinants under varying macroeconomic conditions. This study addresses this gap by analysing panel data from Spanish manufacturing firms across three phases of the business cycle: pre-crisis expansion (2004–2007), the global financial crisis (2008–2013), and recovery (2014–2016). We investigate the drivers of two distinct types of eco-innovation: efficiency EI (energy and material savings) and environmental EI (reducing environmental harm), focusing on the role of regulation, institutional interventions, and firm-level innovation capacities. Using a random-effects panel probit model that accounts for unobserved firm heterogeneity, we examine how these drivers operate across different macroeconomic contexts. Our findings reveal that regulation consistently fosters EI, while the influence of subsidies, R&D capacity, and collaborative networks is more context-dependent, particularly during economic downturns. The results highlight the cumulative, path-dependent, and cyclical nature of EI, providing novel insights into the conditions that enable firms to sustain green innovation over time. Drivers of eco-innovation differ systematically between efficiency- and environment-oriented strategies, and these differences remain stable over the business cycle, implying distinct underlying mechanisms and policy implications. Accordingly, policy design—particularly during economic downturns—should distinguish between reinforcing incentives for internal efficiency improvements and sustaining regulatory and financial support for environmental EI. Full article

In the context of global climate governance and China’s ‘Dual Carbon’ strategy, enhancing carbon emission efficiency (CEE) is a critical pathway toward high-quality development. Urban–rural integration (URI), reshaping urban–rural structures and resource allocation, has significant environmental implications. However, the mechanisms through which URI influences city-level CEE remain underexplored. Using panel data from 283 Chinese prefecture-level cities (2005–2022), we employ a Spatial Durbin Model to investigate URI’s direct and spatial spillover effects. First, spatiotemporally, URI demonstrates an imbalanced pattern, with higher levels in eastern coastal regions and lower levels in central and western areas. Conversely, CEE exhibits a north–south divide, with higher efficiency in the south. URI advancement has been sluggish with persisting imbalances, whereas CEE has demonstrated a consistent upward trend. Second, the relationship between URI and CEE is characterized by nonlinearity and spatial dependence. The direct effect follows a U-shaped curve, initially inhibiting but later promoting local CEE once a threshold is surpassed (URI = 0.103). The spatial spillover effect follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory (threshold URI = 0.179), suggesting that inter-regional dynamics evolve from synergistic promotion to potential competition. These findings underscore the necessity of phased, adaptive policies to unlock the potential between URI and CEE, providing a scientific basis for coordinating urban–rural development with carbon neutrality objectives. Full article

Aspergillus fumigatus is the primary pathogen causing aspergillosis. Recent molecular population genetic studies have demonstrated that A. fumigatus exhibits high local genetic diversity, with evidence for limited differentiation among geographic populations. However, research on the impacts of geomorphological factors on shaping the population genetic diversity patterns of this species remains scarce. In this study, large-scale sampling and in-depth population genetic analysis were performed on soil-derived A. fumigatus from Guizhou Province, a representative karst landscape in southern China. This area is dominated by plateaus and mountains (accounting for 92.5% of the total area) and represents a classic example of conical karst landscapes. A total of 206 A. fumigatus strains were isolated from 9 sampling sites across Guizhou. Genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, and population structure of these strains were analyzed based on short tandem repeats (STRs) at 9 loci. The results revealed that A. fumigatus in the karst region of Guizhou harbors abundant novel alleles and genotypes, with high genetic diversity. Gene flow among geographical populations was infrequent, and significant genetic differentiation was detected between 30 of the 36 pairs of geographical populations where mountain ranges played a very important role, with the overall regional genetic differentiation reaching PhiPT = 0.061 (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the Guizhou populations showed significant differences from those reported in other regions worldwide. Surprisingly, only one of the 206 (0.49%) A. fumigatus isolates from this region exhibited resistance to the two medical triazoles commonly used for treating aspergillosis, and this resistance frequency was far lower than those reported in previous studies from other regions. We discuss the implications of our results for evolution and environmental antifungal resistance management in this important human fungal pathogen. Full article

Cells are continuously exposed to physiological and environmental stressors that disrupt homeostasis, triggering adaptive mechanisms such as the integrated stress response (ISR). A central feature of ISR is the selective translation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), which orchestrates gene programs essential for metabolic adaptation and survival. Stress-induced acute ATF4 expression occurs in diverse mammalian cell types and is typically protective; however, chronic activation contributes to pathologies including cancer and neurodegeneration. Canonical ISR (c-ISR) is initiated by phosphorylation of eIF2α in response to stressors such as endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondrial dysfunction, hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and infections. This modification suppresses global protein synthesis while promoting ATF4 translation through upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in its 5′UTR. Recently, an alternative pathway, split ISR (s-ISR), enabling ATF4 translation independently of eIF2α phosphorylation, was identified in mice, suggesting ISR adaptability, though its relevance in humans remains unclear. Under normal conditions, cap-dependent translation predominates, mediated by the eIF4F complex and requiring the activity of eIF2B at its initial steps. During translational stress, eIF2α phosphorylation inhibits eIF2B activity, resulting in the formation of stalled initiation complexes, which can aggregate into stress granules (SGs). SGs sequester mRNAs and translation initiation factors, further repressing global translation, while ATF4 mRNA largely escapes sequestration, enabling selective translation. This partitioning highlights a finely tuned regulatory mechanism balancing ATF4 expression during stress. Recent advances reveal that, beyond cis-regulatory uORFs, trans-acting factors such as translation initiation factors and associated RNA-binding proteins critically influence ATF4 translation. Understanding these mechanisms provides insight into ISR plasticity and its implications for development, aging, and disease. Full article

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis is a fundamental mutualism crucial for forest eco-system health. Its establishment is governed by sophisticated molecular dialogue preceding physical colonization. This review synthesizes this pre-colonization crosstalk, beginning with reciprocal signal exchange where root exudates trigger fungal growth, and fungal lipochitooligosaccharides activate host symbiotic programming, often via the common symbiosis pathway. Successful colonization requires fungi to navigate plant immunity. They employ effectors, notably mycorrhiza-induced small secreted proteins (MiSSPs), to suppress defenses, e.g., by stabilizing jasmonate signaling repressors or inhibiting apoplastic proteases, establishing a localized “mycorrhiza-induced resistance.” Concurrent structural adaptations, including fungal hydrophobins, expansins, and cell wall-modifying enzymes like chitin deacetylase, facilitate adhesion and apoplastic penetration. While this sequential model integrates immune suppression with structural remodeling, current understanding is predominantly derived from a limited set of model systems. Significant knowledge gaps persist regarding species-specific determinants in non-model fungi and hosts, the influence of environmental variability and microbiome interactions, and methodological challenges in capturing early signaling in situ. This review’s main contributions are: providing a synthesized sequential model of molecular crosstalk; elucidating the dual fungal strategy of simultaneous immune suppression and structural remodeling; and identifying crucial knowledge gaps regarding non-model systems and species-specific determinants, establishing a research roadmap with implications for forest management and ecosystem sustainability. Full article

This study examines the relationship between perceived employee environmental, social, and governance (ESG) behavior and consumer meaningfulness by exploring the mediating role of moral elevation and perceived authenticity, as well as the moderating role of consumers’ skepticism. The study draws upon the integration of self-determination theory and social cognitive theory. Prior research has often neglected the outcomes of interaction between employee behaviors and consumer perceptions. Th study used a sequential explanatory research design to understand the observable perceived ESG behaviors of the employees and the psychological outcomes of the consumers. The study involved 390 consumers from five-star hotels in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The data was gathered through a survey and analyzed using a structural equation model via the Smart-PLS tool. The interview data were collected from 16 frontline employees of five-star hotels and analyzed through thematic analysis. The quantitative results confirmed perceived employee ESG behavior is positively and significantly associated with consumers’ sense of meaningfulness, moral elevation, and perceived authenticity. Additionally, moral elevation and perceived authenticity significantly mediate the link between perceived employee ESG behavior and consumer sense of meaningfulness. Furthermore, consumer ESG skepticism negatively moderates the link between employee ESG behavior and both moral elevation and perceived authenticity. The qualitative study indicated that internal motivation of the company predicts employee behaviors, promoting voluntary actions to build consumers’ meaningfulness. The study advances theories and suggests implications for policymakers and managers regarding ESG behaviors among employees and the way consumers perceive them. Full article