Search Results (769)

With the advance of digital transformation, the assessment of the environmental impact of digital tools and technologies grows more relevant. Considering the inflated expectations of environmental responsibility in higher education, this study analyses how websites of Polish universities conform to sustainable web design criteria. The sustainability audit employed a methodology encompassing carbon emissions measurement, technical website analysis, and SEO evaluation. The author analysed 63 websites of public universities in Poland using seven independent audit tools, including an original AI Custom GPT agent preconfigured in the ChatGPT ecosystem. The results revealed a substantial differentiation in CO₂ emissions and website optimisation, with an average EcoImpact Score of 66.41/100. Nearly every fourth website exhibited a significant carbon footprint and excessive component sizes, which indicates poor asset optimisation and energy-intensive design techniques. The measurements exposed considerable variability in emission intensities and resource intensity among the university websites, suggesting the need for standardised digital sustainability practices. Regulations on the carbon footprint of public institutions’ websites and mobile applications could become vital strategic components for digital climate neutrality. Promoting green hosting, “Green SEO” practices, and sustainability audits could help mitigate the environmental impact of digital technologies and advance sustainable design standards for the public sector. The proposed auditing methodology can effectively support the institutional transition towards sustainable management of digital infrastructure by integrating technical, sustainability, and organisational aspects. Full article

Bamboo shoot boiled liquid (BSBL), a processing byproduct containing soluble proteins, peptides, amino acids, carbohydrates, and phenolics, is typically discarded, causing resource waste and environmental issues. This study analyzed metabolic changes in BSBL during Pediococcus pentosaceus B49 fermentation. The result of partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed significant metabolite profile differences across fermentation times (0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h). The most substantial alterations occurred within the first 24 h, followed by stabilization. Compared to unfermented BSBL, fermented samples exhibited significantly elevated signal intensities for 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, cinnamic acid, 3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, 6,8-dimethyl-4-hydroxycoumarin, and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid (p < 0.05), showing upward trends over time. Conversely, (+)-gallocatechin intensity decreased gradually. Bitter peptides, such as alanylisoleucine, isoleucylisoleucine, leucylvaline, and phenylalanylisoleucine, in BSBL exhibited a significant reduction following fermentation with P. pentosaceus B49 (p < 0.05). KEGG enrichment indicated tyrosine metabolism (ko00350) and arginine/proline metabolism (ko00330) as the most impacted pathways. These findings elucidate metabolic regulation in BSBL fermentation, supporting development of functional fermented bamboo products. Full article

Objectives: Light intensity is a critical environmental factor regulating plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying light responses in Aconitum kusnezoffii, a valuable alpine medicinal plant, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the adaptive strategies of A. kusnezoffii under different light intensities through integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses. Methods: Two-year-old A. kusnezoffii plants were exposed to three controlled light regimes (790, 620, and 450 lx). Leaf anatomical traits were assessed via histological sectioning and microscopic imaging. Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POD, and SOD), membrane lipid peroxidation (MDA content), osmoregulatory substances, and carbon metabolites were quantified using standard biochemical assays. Transcriptomic profiling was conducted using Illumina RNA-seq, with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified through DESeq2 and functionally annotated via GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Results: Moderate light (620 lx) promoted optimal leaf structure by enhancing palisade tissue development and epidermal thickening, while reducing membrane lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant defense capacity was elevated through higher CAT, POD, and SOD activities, alongside increased accumulation of soluble proteins, sugars, and starch. Transcriptomic analysis revealed DEGs enriched in photosynthesis, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, hormone signaling, and glutathione metabolism pathways. Key positive regulators (PHY and HY5) were upregulated, whereas negative regulators (COP1 and PIFs) were suppressed, collectively facilitating chloroplast development and photomorphogenesis. Trend analysis indicated a “down–up” gene expression pattern, with early suppression of stress-responsive genes followed by activation of photosynthetic and metabolic processes. Conclusions: A. kusnezoffii employs a coordinated, multi-level adaptation strategy under moderate light (620 lx), integrating leaf structural optimization, enhanced antioxidant defense, and dynamic transcriptomic reprogramming to maintain energy balance, redox homeostasis, and photomorphogenic flexibility. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing artificial cultivation and light management of alpine medicinal plants. Full article

As the primary biological risk threatening safe dairy production, bovine mastitis control highly relies on environmental disinfection measures. However, the mechanisms by which chemical disinfectants influence host–environment microbial interactions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the disinfection efficacy and regulatory effects on microbial community composition and diversity of glutaraldehyde-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and glutaraldehyde-didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DAB) at recommended concentrations (2–5%), using 80 environmental samples from intensive dairy farms in Xinjiang, China. Combining 16S rDNA sequencing with culturomics, the results showed that BAC achieved a disinfection rate of 99.33%, higher than DAB’s 97.87%, and reduced the environment–gut microbiota similarity index by 23.7% via a cationic bacteriostatic film effect. Microbiome analysis revealed that BAC selectively suppressed Fusobacteriota abundance (15.67% reduction) and promoted Bifidobacterium proliferation (7.42% increase), enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function through butyrate metabolism. In contrast, DAB induced Actinobacteria enrichment in the environment (44.71%), inhibiting pathogen colonization via bioantagonism. BAC’s long-acting bacteriostatic properties significantly reduced disinfection costs and mastitis incidence. This study first elucidated the mechanism by which quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants regulate host health through “environment-gut” microbial interactions, providing a critical theoretical basis for developing precision disinfection protocols integrating “cost reduction-efficiency enhancement-risk mitigation.” Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element involved in antioxidant redox regulation, thyroid hormone metabolism, and cancer prevention. Among its different forms, elemental selenium (Se⁰), particularly at the nanoscale, has gained growing attention in food, feed, and biomedical applications due to its lower toxicity and higher bioavailability compared to inorganic selenium species. However, the detection of Se⁰ in real samples remains challenging as current analytical methods are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and often unsuitable for rapid analysis. In this study, we developed a method for rapidly measuring Se⁰ using carbon nanodots (CNDs) produced from the Maillard reaction between glucose and glycine. The fabricated CNDs were water-dispersible and strongly fluorescent, with an average particle size of 3.90 ± 1.36 nm. Comprehensive characterisation by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy confirmed their structural and optical properties. The CNDs were employed as fluorescent probes for the selective detection of Se⁰. The sensor showed a wide linear detection range (0–12.665 mmol L⁻¹), with a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.381 mmol L⁻¹ and a quantification limit (LOQ) of 0.465 mmol L⁻¹. Validation with spiked real samples—including ultra-pure water, tap water, and soft drinks—yielded high recoveries (98.6–108.1%) and low relative standard deviations (<3.4%). These results highlight the potential of CNDs as a simple, reliable, and environmentally friendly sensing platform for trace-level Se⁰ detection in complex food and beverage matrices. Full article

The construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental degradation through intensive resource extraction, high energy consumption, and substantial waste generation. Addressing this unsustainable trajectory requires integrated approaches that simultaneously improve operational efficiency and material circularity. Lean Construction (LC) and Circular Economy (CE) offer complementary frameworks for enhancing process performance and reducing environmental impacts. However, their combined implementation remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025, selected using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A mixed-method approach combines bibliometric mapping and qualitative content analysis to investigate how LC and CE are jointly operationalized in construction contexts. The findings reveal that LC improves cost, time, and workflow reliability, while CE enables reuse, modularity, and lifecycle extension. Integration is further supported by digital tools—such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins—which enhance traceability and flow optimization. Nonetheless, persistent barriers—including supply chain fragmentation, lack of standards, and regulatory gaps—continue to constrain widespread adoption. This review identifies six strategic enablers for LC-CE integration: crossdisciplinary competencies, collaborative governance, interoperable digital systems, standardized indicators, incentive-based regulation, and pilot demonstrator projects. By consolidating fragmented evidence, the study provides a structured research agenda and practical insights to guide the transition toward more circular, efficient, and sustainable construction practices. Full article

Energy-intensive industries (EIIs) face mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining international competitiveness—a balance that is central to achieving the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate objectives. In this context, energy management (EM) emerges as a strategic instrument to decouple industrial growth from fossil energy consumption. This study proposes a redefinition of EM to support carbon-neutral supply chains within the European Union’s EIIs, addressing critical limitations of conventional EM frameworks under increasingly stringent carbon regulations. Using a modified systematic literature review based on PRISMA methodology, complemented by expert insights from EU Member States, this research identifies structural gaps in current EM practices and highlights opportunities for integrating sustainable innovations across the whole industrial value chain. The proposed EM concept is validated through an analysis of 24 EM definitions, over 170 scientific publications, and over 80 EU legal and strategic documents. The framework incorporates advanced digital technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics—to enable real-time optimisation, predictive control, and greater system adaptability. Going beyond traditional energy efficiency, the redefined EM encompasses the entire energy lifecycle, including use, transformation, storage, and generation. It also incorporates social dimensions, such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder engagement, to cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship within EIIs. This holistic approach provides a strategic management tool for optimising energy use, reducing emissions, and strengthening resilience to regulatory, environmental, and market pressures, thereby promoting more sustainable, inclusive, and transparent supply chain operations. Full article

Residential and agricultural buildings must prioritize environmental sustainability, employing locally sourced, bio/geologically sustainable materials, and reversible construction methods. Hence, adobe construction and earth-based building methods are experiencing a comeback. This article describes the hygrothermal performances of a real scale agricultural building prototype, in real field conditions, built and designed to be energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and well-suited for the hot, dry climates typical of the Mediterranean region during summer. The building prototype is a small modular two room construction, one room based on wood (for control purpose) and the other one on raw earth. The experimental set up highlights the passive cooling and humidity regulation potential provided by raw earth and adobe brick technology in agricultural buildings used for fruit and vegetable storage. Such passive cooling alternatives in the Mediterranean climate could reduce the need for energy-intensive and environmentally impactful cold storage rooms. Full article

The energy quota trading policy is a pivotal market-oriented environmental regulation policy that propels the reform of the energy structure. Utilizing panel data from 30 provinces in China covering the period from 2012 to 2022, this study employed a difference-in-differences model to systematically examine the influence of the energy quota trading policy on the decarbonization of energy consumption, and further explores two transmission mechanisms of green technology innovation and energy consumption intensity through mechanism tests. The study reveals several key findings: (1) The energy quota trading policy significantly enhances the decarbonization of energy consumption. (2) This policy encourages the adoption of clean energy by fostering green technological innovation and decreasing overall energy consumption. As a result, it makes a considerable contribution to the decarbonization process in energy usage. (3) The heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that in areas with low levels of industrialization and plentiful resources, as well as within the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the central and western regions, the effects of the policy are significantly more pronounced. Conversely, in regions characterized by high industrialization and limited resources, particularly in the eastern region, the effectiveness of the policy is comparatively diminished. Furthermore, this study not only offers empirical evidence supporting the optimization and enhancement of the energy quota trading policy but also presents recommendations for improving the trading market, regional policies, and fostering green technological innovation. Full article

In recent decades, the Brazilian Cerrado has faced rapid land conversion, resulting in the loss of approximately half of its original vegetation cover. Most existing conservation units within the biome are increasingly threatened by the expansion of land use around their boundaries. The establishment of buffer zones with land use regulations may protect biodiversity within these protected areas. In this study, we evaluated and ranked the 10 km buffer zones of 15 national parks (NPs) located in the Cerrado biome, identifying their priority for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use interventions. The analysis considered the following data: land use and land cover change from 2012 to 2020, extent of natural vegetation fragments, presence or absence of state and municipal conservation units within the buffer zones, and drainage density. Two multicriteria analysis methods, the analytic hierarchy process and the weighted linear combination, were applied to classify the buffer zones into five levels of threat: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. Among the 15 buffer zones analyzed, 11 were classified as having high to very high priority for conservation actions. The buffer zones surrounding the Serra da Bodoquena, Emas, Canastra, and Brasília NPs were ranked as having very high priority. Between 2012 and 2020, the most severe reductions in ecological connectivity were observed in the buffer zones of Grande Sertão Veredas (44.5%), Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba (40.4%), and Serra das Confusões (36.7%). Given the relatively high proportion of natural vegetation in the buffer zones located in the northern Cerrado, we recommend prioritizing conservation efforts in this region. In contrast, in the southern portion of the biome, where land occupation is more intense, strategies should focus on promoting environmentally sustainable land use practices. Full article

Emerging economies such as China have benefited from rapid growth but now face acute carbon risk amid worsening environmental conditions. Carbon-intensive firms—major emitters—face rising carbon risk that pervades operations and threatens efficient capital allocation. To advance global climate-change mitigation, help China meet its dual-carbon goals, and enhance corporate financial sustainability, we analyze panel data on 575 Chinese carbon-intensive companies from 2012 to 2022 and estimate OLS models to assess how carbon risk influences capital mismatch. Results show that higher carbon risk significantly widens capital mismatch, whereas higher media attention and better corporate governance each weaken this effect. These findings suggest that regulators and the media should monitor carbon-intensive firms more closely to improve information transparency and guide capital to its most productive uses, while firms themselves need to strengthen governance to limit the damage carbon risk inflicts on capital allocation. Full article

Although biofloc technology (BFT) currently offers advantages such as improving aquaculture water quality, providing natural bait for cultured animals, and reducing pests and diseases, single BFT systems face technical bottlenecks, including the complex regulation of the carbon–nitrogen ratio, accumulation of suspended substances, and acidification of the bottom sludge. Therefore, constructing a composite system with complementary functions through technology integration, such as with aquaponics, biofilm technology, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems (IMTAs), and recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs), has become the key path to breaking through industrialization barriers. This paper systematically reviews the action mechanisms, synergistic effects, and challenges of the four mainstream integration models incorporating BFT, providing theoretical support for the environmental–economic balance of intensive aquaculture. Full article

Polylactic acid (PLA) fabrics exhibit significant sunlight reflectivity and high emissivity within the atmospheric window, making them suitable as the foundational material for this study. This research involves the modification of one side of the fabric with hydrophilic agents and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), while the opposite side is treated with MXene and subsequently coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to inhibit oxidation of the MXene. Through these surface modifications, a thermal management fabric based on PLA was successfully developed, capable of passively regulating temperature in response to environmental conditions and user requirements. The study discusses the optimal concentrations of TiO₂ and MXene for the fabric, and characterizes and evaluates the functional surface of the PLA. Surface morphology analyses and tests indicate that the resulting functional PLA fabrics possess excellent ultraviolet (UV) resistance, favorable air permeability, high sunlight reflectivity on the TiO₂-treated side, and superior photothermal conversion capabilities on the MXene-treated side. Furthermore, photothermal effect tests conducted under a light intensity of 1000 W/m² reveal that the MXene-treated fabric exhibits a heating effect of approximately 25 °C, while the TiO₂-treated side demonstrates a cooling effect exceeding 5 °C. This study developed PLA functional fabrics with heating and cooling capabilities. Full article

The tea tree root system is an important tissue for nutrient uptake, accumulation, and transport, and pH is an important environmental factor regulating the growth of tea tree (Camellia sinensis). However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms of how the tea tree root system responds to pH are unclear. In this study, Tieguanyin tea tree was used as the research object, and treated with different pH values to determine the morphological indexes of the tea plant root system and systematically study the physiological and molecular mechanisms of the effect of pH on the growth of the tea plant root system using transcriptomics in combination with metabolomics. The results showed that total root length, root surface area, root volume, total root tips, root fork number, and root crossing number of root crosses of the tea plant root system increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing pH. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 2654 characteristic genes were obtained in response to pH regulation in the root system of the tea plant, which were mainly enriched in six metabolic pathways. Metabolomics analysis showed that the metabolites with the highest contribution in differentiating tea plant responses to different pH regulations were mainly heterocyclic compounds, amino acids and derivatives, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Interaction network analysis showed that pH positively regulated the metabolic intensity of the MAPK signaling pathway (plant, plant hormone signal transduction, and RNA degradation pathway), positively regulated the content of the heterocyclic compound, amino acids and derivatives, and alkaloids, and positively regulated tea plant root growth. However, it negatively regulated ribosome, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway intensity, and negatively regulated the flavonoid content. This study reveals the physiological and molecular mechanisms of the tea plant root system in response to pH changes and provides an important theoretical basis for the cultivation and management of tea plants in acidified tea plantations. Full article

Regulating lamprey populations is crucial for maintaining ecological equilibrium. However, the unique sex determination process of lampreys is constrained by multiple factors, complicating intuitive analysis of population dynamics and their impact on the natural environment. This study employed a two-species competition mechanism to elucidate the factors influencing sex ratios and their mechanistic effects on lamprey population size. Using the Lotka–Volterra equations, we investigated how sex ratios affect trophic levels both upstream and downstream of lampreys in the food web. A logistic population growth model was applied to assess the impact of sex ratio variations on symbiotic parasitic species, while the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized to explore the dynamic relationship between sex ratio changes and ecosystem stability. To validate model efficacy, we manipulated temperature and food availability under controlled disturbance conditions, analyzing temporal variations in lamprey population size across different disturbance intensities to evaluate model sensitivity. The findings indicate that the variable sex ratio’s benefit is in facilitating the lampreys’ population’s enhanced adaptation to environmental shifts. The coexisting species exhibit a similar pattern of population alteration as the lampreys, albeit with a minor delay. A definitive link between the quantity of lampreys and the parasitic species is absent. A male ratio of 0.6 optimally contributes to the ecosystem’s equilibrium. Over time, the configuration of our model’s parameters proves to be sensible. This research provides robust theoretical support for developing scientific strategies to regulate lamprey populations. Full article