Search Results (10,457)

Background: Rice breeding requires faster development of high-yielding, climate-resilient, resource-efficient, and high-quality cultivars for production systems exposed to environmental variability and increasing input constraints. Genomic selection offers an opportunity to predict breeding value before extensive field evaluation, although its effectiveness depends on the integration of genomic, phenotypic, and environmental information. Methods: This narrative review critically examines recent advances in genomic selection for rice and its integration with high-throughput genotyping, high-throughput phenotyping, machine learning, multi-environment prediction, and speed breeding. Results: Genome-wide marker data can support early ranking of breeding materials for grain yield, grain quality, disease resistance, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance, and nutrient-use efficiency. Prediction performance is influenced by trait architecture, marker density, training-population size, genetic relatedness between training and candidate populations, phenotypic data quality, and genotype-by-environment interaction. Red-green-blue, multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal, and light detection and ranging platforms can generate temporal traits associated with plant architecture, biomass, water status, nutrient status, and stress responses, which may improve prediction under suitable population and validation designs. Speed-breeding systems shorten generation intervals and facilitate rapid advancement, recurrent selection, and recycling of superior parental lines. Conclusions: Integrated breeding pipelines that combine genomic prediction, high-throughput phenotyping, environmental data, and speed breeding can improve selection efficiency and shorten rice improvement cycles. Wider adoption will require affordable technology platforms, standardized data systems, multi-environment validation, breeder capacity development, and collaborative data-sharing frameworks for smart and greener agriculture. Full article

To advance its green and low-carbon transition, China has implemented the Low-Carbon City Pilot Policy (LCCPP) as a strategic initiative. A critical question remains unanswered on whether this policy effectively improves urban carbon productivity and facilitates the decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions. Using the phased expansion of the LCCPP across Chinese cities as a quasi-natural experiment, this study constructs a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model based on a panel dataset of 276 prefecture-level and above cities from 2007 to 2023. The empirical results show that the LCCPP significantly enhances urban carbon productivity in pilot cities relative to non-pilot counterparts. This finding remains robust across a series of sensitivity checks. Mechanism analysis provides suggestive evidence that the policy may operate through two primary channels: fostering green technological innovation and promoting economic agglomeration. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the policy’s positive effects are more marked in developed cities, innovation-active cities, high-carbon-emission cities, and environmentally prioritized cities. Furthermore, moderation analysis demonstrates that stricter environmental regulations strengthen the policy’s effectiveness. These findings provide empirical evidence for optimizing the design of low-carbon policies and offer actionable insights for tailoring green urban transformation strategies to local conditions. Full article

Agri-food processing generates large quantities of residues that are increasingly recognized as sustainable sources of bioactive ingredients for high-value applications. This narrative review examines agri-food by-products as sources of antioxidant compounds and provides an integrated mechanistic perspective on their applications in skin, oral, and hair care. By highlighting the shared antioxidant mechanisms of action underlying these applications, the review offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the cosmeceutical potential of agri-food-derived bioactive compounds. Peer-reviewed studies published mainly between 2015 and 2026 were considered, focusing on the chemical composition of by-products, green recovery strategies, biological mechanisms, and evidence from in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and clinical studies. Fruit and vegetable peels, seeds, skins, pomaces, and other agro-industrial residues contain polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, carotenoids, vitamins, lipids, peptides, and polysaccharides with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, photoprotective, anti-aging, moisturizing, and pigmentation-modulating properties. These compounds can reduce oxidative stress, support endogenous antioxidant defences, modulate redox-sensitive signaling pathways, attenuate inflammation, preserve extracellular matrix integrity, and improve skin barrier-related outcomes. Green extraction technologies, including ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, and natural deep eutectic solvents, enhance their sustainable recovery. Overall, agri-food by-products represent promising resources for circular cosmeceutical innovation, although extract standardization, safety, stability, skin bioavailability, formulation performance, and controlled clinical validation remain essential for translation. Full article

Leaves of Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (M. speciosa), commonly known as Kratom, are rich in alkaloids, with mitragynine as the main bioactive compound. This study presents a technique for the entrapment of ethanolic Kratom leaf extract within bacterial cellulose (BC) films and the subsequent controlled release of mitragynine. Kratom leaves were dried, ground, and extracted by maceration in 95% ethanol at 35 °C for 72 h. The extract was incorporated into the BC matrix via the immersion method, followed by air-drying at room temperature (~32 °C). BC’s highly porous structure facilitates sustained mitragynine absorption and entrapment within a tight nanofibrillar network. The mitragynine content in the BC films ranged from 9.1 to 23.3 mg/g, allowing for the evaluation of its effects on film properties and drug release performance. Release studies were conducted using Franz diffusion cells, with acetate buffer (pH 5.5) and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) as receptor phases. Consistent with its higher solubility in acidic conditions, mitragynine showed greater release in acetate buffer, particularly within the first 0–12 h. The release profile depended on both mitragynine loading and time. The mitragynine-loaded BC films exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, achieving 100% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vitro studies using L929 mouse fibroblast cells demonstrated that the films were noncytotoxic. The films also promoted proliferation and viability of normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Overall, the mitragynine-loaded BC films support skin cell growth and attachment and exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting their potential as candidates for wound healing applications. Full article

Rice and rice-derived products are staple foods worldwide, creating an urgent demand for green processing technologies that ensure safety, preserve quality, and extend shelf life. Ionizing irradiation, characterized by high efficiency, non-thermal processing, and the absence of chemical residues, has been increasingly utilized in the storage, preservation, and quality control of rice and rice-based products. As the principal component of rice, starch exhibits a multiscale structural organization spanning molecular to macroscopic levels, which fundamentally determines cooking performance, eating quality, and storage stability. Through modulation of the multiscale structure of starch, ionizing irradiation can achieve targeted quality improvement and stabilization of rice products. This review summarizes the effects of three common types of ionizing irradiation on the structural evolution of rice starch. With a focus on practical applications, it further elucidates the intrinsic relationships between irradiation-induced starch structural modifications and the physicochemical properties, sensory quality, and storage stability of rice products. In addition, current industrial applications and existing technical limitations are critically discussed, and targeted optimization strategies. Finally, based on the fundamental mechanisms underlying starch “structure–quality” regulation, future application-oriented research directions are highlighted. Full article

This research concentrates on the electric vehicle (EV) industry in China and Japan. China is the largest and Japan the third-largest auto production country after the U.S. This study explores the current and future transition to battery electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles in Japan and China. Three Japanese auto companies, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, and BYD from China are studied in this research. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are actively pursuing the development of hybrid electric vehicles in Japan. Meanwhile, the research examines the Chinese EV company BYD, which is a major global competitor in the EV industry. This study compares the companies in terms of their strategies, strengths, weaknesses, and export destinations and delineates their competitive strategies and outlooks. In addition, the study examines the elements of the supply chain needed for building EVs, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Furthermore, this research discusses some of the issues with EVs, such as the challenges related to the production and recycling of batteries and the implications as far as green and sustainable practices regarding EVs in the selected countries are concerned. The final part of this research explores how the production of EVs can affect the global reduction of carbon emissions. The findings of this study indicate that the transition to EVs depends on the structural position as far as the supply chain, the manufacturing of electric batteries, charging stations, and the size of the operations are concerned. The results indicate that BYD is in a stronger position in terms of the infrastructure necessary for the production of EVs. Meanwhile, Japanese auto companies are focused on hybrid EVs due to infrastructure related to EV batteries, supply sources, and charging stations. In addition, this research provides informative insights into the future of electric vehicles in the global market. The study offers recommendations for a comprehensive approach that integrates national policies, technological innovation, and the environmental impact of the transition to electric vehicles on a global scale. Full article

Regions dominated by brown industries have long been excluded from conventional green financial systems, reinforcing spatial inequality in green innovation. Under financing constraints, brown firms tend to adopt strategic innovation behaviors—namely, symbolic, intermittent, or displaced innovation. These behaviors create technological lock-in and exacerbate regional disparities. Sustainable finance offers a potential pathway by targeting support to transformable brown firms. Using China’s north–south green innovation divide as a case, we find that sustainable finance policy significantly narrows regional green innovation disparities. Mechanism analysis reveals that the policy differentially suppresses three strategic innovation archetypes. It attenuates symbolic and intermittent innovation through funding conditionality and inter-temporal incentives yet fails to curb displaced innovation where funds are diverted toward non-green projects. Furthermore, patient capital and ESG ratings can synergistically enhance the efficiency of sustainable finance policy. These conclusions offer valuable insights for the advancement of regional rebalancing in green innovation. Full article

The ever-increasing output of coal gasification slag from coal gasification technology has created an urgent need for its efficient disposal. In this study, the fine-slag fraction is uti-lized as a precursor to prepare a carbon electrocatalyst for Li-O₂ batteries. Residual carbon was extracted from coal gasification fine slag via an integrated alkali-acid co-activation process. Subsequently, hydrothermal modification reconstructed the carbon microstructure and strengthened its coupling with intrinsic Ca-containing species. The as-prepared slag-derived catalyst improved oxygen-reaction kinetics at the battery cathode and effectively reduced polarization. The Li-O₂ cells delivered a low charge–discharge voltage gap of 1.02 V, a high discharge specific capacity of 9480 mAh g⁻¹, and stable long-term cycling for more than 870 h. The enhanced electrochemical performance arises from the synergistic interplay among the reconstructed carbon framework, surface defects, oxygen-containing functional groups, and Ca-containing species, with the latter serving as a major source of active sites for the oxygen electrocatalytic reactions. This work establishes a resource-utilization pathway from coal gasification slag to high-end energy-storage applications, aligning with green development goals to address both mining-area energy demands and solid-waste pollution. Full article

Synergistic infections by different viruses exacerbate symptoms, broaden host ranges, and cause severe economic losses, becoming a critical factor in viral disease epidemics. Mixed-infection by Amalgavirus lycopersici (commonly known as southern tomato virus, STV) and Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (commonly known as tomato spotted wilt virus, TSWV) results in leaf necrosis, fruit hardening, and severe yield loss in tomatoes. However, the mechanisms by which their synergistic infections aggravate tomato diseases remain unclear. From 2020 to 2023, the incidence of STV and TSWV was monitored by RT-PCR in a total of 572 tomato samples. The annual incidence of STV was 29.0%, 31.5%, 31.1%, and 45.2% in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively, while that of TSWV was 23.3%, 18.9%, 22.5% and 16.1%, respectively. Shoot tip detoxification technology was applied to cultivate virus-free seedlings of Ninghuang-1, and 80% of virus-free plants survived in large-scale cultivation experiments. Mixed-infection markedly increased viral RNA and TSWV N protein expression levels, accompanied by severe damage to chloroplasts, mitochondria, and other cellular structures. Putative STV virions were observed. This study provides a theoretical foundation and has practical implications for green prevention and control of viral diseases in the field. Full article

Zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf) and tellurium (Te) are environmentally and technologically relevant elements whose occurrence in wild macrofungi remains insufficiently characterised. This study investigated their concentrations, distribution and multielement relationships in wild mushroom fruiting bodies collected from urban and peri-urban green spaces in Leicester and Leicestershire, England, together with contextual topsoil geochemistry. Acid-recoverable concentrations were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 121 fruiting-body-level mushroom units and 26 independent site-level composite topsoils. Zr and Hf were detected above their respective working limits of detection in all mushroom units and topsoil composites, whereas Te was detected in 118/121 mushroom units but remained below the working limit of detection in all topsoil composites. Median mushroom concentrations were 170 ng g⁻¹ dry weight for Zr, 270 ng g⁻¹ for Hf and 110 ng g⁻¹ for Te. Comparatively elevated concentrations were observed in Panaeolina foenisecii collected from Abbey and Braunstone Parks and in Mycena citrinomarginata from Victoria Park, while Agaricus bitorquis from St Augustine Road showed lower and less variable concentrations. Park-level concentrations were strongly correlated across the three elements (Spearman’s ρ = 0.819–0.885; all BH-adjusted q < 0.001), and the first principal component accounted for 93.4% of the total variance, consistent with the strong inter-element correlations. However, contextual soil–mushroom comparisons for Zr and Hf were inconclusive because of limited site overlap and spatial mismatch, and no direct inference regarding environmental source or soil-to-mushroom transfer was supported. These findings establish an exploratory baseline for Zr, Hf and Te in wild mushrooms and demonstrate the value of taxon- and site-resolved fungal biomonitoring for under-characterised environmental elements. Full article

Against the global backdrop of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, renewable energy subsidy policies worldwide are shifting from universal, tariff-based schemes toward targeted, market-oriented mechanisms. However, existing research remains divided on the incentive effects of subsidies on firm investment and the risk of resource misallocation, and few studies have established a clear micro-macro linkage between firm-level subsidy receipts and regional employment and growth outcomes. Taking China’s 2016 renewable energy subsidy reform—characterized by competitive project bidding and green certificate trading—as a quasi-natural experiment, this study constructs a two-layer panel dataset covering 286 A-share listed renewable energy firms (2010–2023, 2412 firm-year observations) and 30 provincial-level regions in China (2010–2023, 420 region-year observations). Employing difference-in-differences (DID), triple difference-in-differences (DDD), mediation effect models, and threshold regression, combined with instrumental variables and placebo tests to address endogeneity, we empirically examine how subsidy policies transmit from firm behavior to regional employment and economic growth. The results indicate that the 2016 reform significantly boosted regional employment (elasticity = 0.035, p < 0.01) and economic growth (elasticity = 0.031, p < 0.05) in treated provinces. At the firm level, subsidy intensity exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with investment efficiency, with an estimated inflection point at 8.3% of operating revenue within the sample. Mechanism analysis shows that easing financing constraints, stimulating technological innovation, and reducing operational risk serve as core transmission channels, with the strongest contribution from financing constraint alleviation. Heterogeneity analysis further finds larger effects for private firms, high-tech enterprises, and coastal regions. This study develops a nonlinear analytical framework of “subsidy intensity–firm behavior–regional outcomes”, identifies context-specific boundaries of subsidy effectiveness, and provides integrated micro-macro empirical evidence for optimizing subsidy policies and advancing the global energy transition. Full article

Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer underpins global cereal production, yet a substantial share of applied nitrogen escapes to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide, ammonia, and nitrogen oxides, with significant consequences for climate, air quality, ecosystems, and soil health. Despite extensive research on nitrogen losses and mitigation options, no synthesis has traced the historical intensification of cereal nitrogen use, current emission patterns, and the technological and policy responses to these losses as a single connected trajectory. This review provides that integrated synthesis. This review adopts a gloom-to-glory framing to trace nitrogen fertilizer use in cereal systems from its Green Revolution origins through current emission trends to the technological and policy responses now being deployed, treating these as a single continuous narrative rather than separate bodies of literature. Global nitrogen application in maize, wheat, and rice rose roughly tenfold between 1961 and 2010, and more than half of applied nitrogen across this period was never recovered in harvested grain. This unrecovered fraction partitions across mechanistically distinct loss pathways, i.e., nitrous oxide from soil nitrification and denitrification, ammonia from urea hydrolysis and volatilization, and indirect losses from residual soil nitrate, each carrying separate climate, air quality, and ecosystem consequences. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, precision nitrogen management, renewable hydrogen-based ammonia synthesis, and biologically mediated approaches such as nitrification inhibition each demonstrate mitigation potential without compromising yield, though field-scale evidence for the biological route remains limited. Regional case studies from China, India, and the European Union show that national policy has altered nitrogen use trajectories without closing the gap to demonstrated best-practice potential, for reasons specific to each jurisdiction’s regulatory design, price structure, and institutional capacity. The review concludes that the principal barriers to realising cereal production’s glory pathway are no longer primarily mechanistic but lie in measurement coverage, technology transfer to smallholder and developing-region producers, and the economic architecture needed to scale proven mitigation measures across cereal-growing regions. Full article

Digitalization and sustainability are increasingly important in container terminal development, yet their operational-level integration remains insufficiently explained in medium-sized terminals. This study examines how digital systems support sustainability-related outcomes in a medium-sized container terminal in the Port of Klaipėda, Lithuania. An exploratory qualitative case study was conducted using document analysis and semi-structured interviews with three key informants representing operational, planning/administrative, and technical or sustainability-related functions. Qualitative content analysis was applied to identify digital technologies, operational mechanisms, sustainability outcomes, implementation barriers, and managerial responses. The findings show that the terminal operating system, vehicle booking system, automated gate solutions, and port community system support sustainability mainly indirectly, through improved planning, information exchange, gate coordination, reduced congestion, and more efficient resource use. However, these effects are constrained by system fragmentation, limited interoperability, manual data transfer, uneven access to real-time information, and insufficiently targeted staff training. The strongest documented sustainability effects relate to LED lighting and solar energy infrastructure, while other digital-green links remain mainly qualitative or potential. The study provides exploratory, case-based evidence on how digitalization and sustainability are operationally connected in the analyzed medium-sized container terminal. Rather than proposing a new general theory, the study offers an analytical classification structure that helps distinguish documented, indirect and potential digitalization–sustainability links. The findings provide practical recommendations for system integration, staff training and sustainability performance monitoring. Full article

To achieve the European Union’s zero-emission building targets and overcome the limitations of slow, costly on-site construction, off-site prefabrication is vital. However, existing research often neglects real-world constructability and circularity constraints. This study presents a systematic technology supply mapping and a performance-oriented taxonomy—single-function envelopes, multi-functional integrated systems, and stand-alone installations—of prefabricated renovation solutions, focusing predominantly on Southern European contexts. Applying a structured three-step screening protocol across the literature, industry databases, and European project repositories, technologies were evaluated through a multi-dimensional framework capturing market readiness, functional integration, structural constraints, and circularity indicators. Results reveal a strongly polarized market where passive envelope systems dominate commercial availability, while multi-functional active solutions remain largely confined to experimental prototype stages. Furthermore, most systems target low-to-mid-rise residential buildings, show limited compatibility with complex architectural geometries, and exhibit low integration of circular criteria due to conventional material reliance. This study concludes that bridging the research-to-market gap requires interface standardization, demand aggregation through Green Public Procurement, and localized regulatory adaptations for envelope thickness. Ultimately, this taxonomy establishes a rigorous diagnostic framework and a solid foundation for a future quantitative Prefabrication Readiness Index (PRI). Full article