Search Results (323)

This study analyses the potential of using sunflower husks as an energy source by producing bio-pellets and evaluating their combustion process in residential settings. As one of the leading sunflower producers in the European Union, Bulgaria generates significant agricultural residues with high, yet underutilized, energy potential. This study employs a combination of experimental data and numerical modelling aided by ANSYS 2024 R1 to analyse the combustion of sunflower husk pellets in a hot water boiler. The importance of balanced air distribution for achieving optimal combustion, reduced emissions, and enhanced thermal efficiency is emphasized by the results of a comparison of two air supply regimes. It was found that a secondary air-dominated air supply regime results in a more uniform temperature field and a higher degree of oxidation of combustible components. These findings not only confirm the technical feasibility of sunflower husk pellets but also highlight their commercial potential as a sustainable, low-cost energy solution for agricultural enterprises and rural heating providers. The research indicates that there are business-to-business (B2B) market opportunities for biomass producers, boiler manufacturers, and energy distributors who wish to align themselves with EU green energy policies and the growing demand for solutions that support the circular economy. Full article

Broccoli stalks are considered an agro-industrial by-product that, in the context of fresh consumption, is undervalued, as only broccoli florets are typically marketed. This study evaluated the up-cycling of broccoli stalks into a value-added fresh-cut product through postharvest preservation strategies. Stalks were peeled, cut into sticks (8 × 8 mm × 50–100 mm), sanitised, packaged under modified atmosphere conditions, and stored at 5 °C. Treatments included (a) calcium ascorbate (CaAsc, 1% w/v), (b) trehalose (TREH, 5% w/v), (c) hot water treatment (HWT, 55 °C, 1 min), and several combinations of them. HWT alone was highly effective in reducing browning, a key factor for achieving an extended shelf-life, controlling microbial growth and respiration, and obtaining the highest sensory scores (appearance = 7.3 on day 11). However, it was less effective in preserving bioactive compounds. The HWT + CaAsc treatment proved to be the most effective at optimising quality and retaining health-promoting compounds. It increased vitamin C retention by 78%, antioxidant capacity by 68%, and total phenolic content by 65% compared to the control on day 11. This synergistic effect was attributed to the antioxidant action of ascorbic acid in CaAsc. TREH alone showed no preservative effect, inducing browning, elevated respiration, and microbial proliferation. Overall, combining mild thermal and antioxidant treatments offers a promising strategy to valorise broccoli stalks as fresh-cut snacks. An 11-day shelf-life at 5 °C was achieved, with increased content of health-promoting bioactive compounds, while supporting circular economy principles and contributing to food loss mitigation. Full article

Red goji berries, reputed worldwide as “superfruit”, are commonly marketed after natural drying or hot-air drying. A sensomics approach was applied to the aroma analysis of red goji berries under two drying methods. Fifty-two aroma-active compounds were screened and identified by aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) coupled with gas chromatography with olfactometry (GC/O). The contents and the odor activity values (OAVs) of 49 aroma-active compounds were determined. Acetic acid was the predominant aroma compounds in both berries. Meanwhile, the key aroma compounds in both berries were (E)-2-nonenal, (Z)-4-heptenal, 3-methyl-2,4-nonanedione, hexanal, etc., which were lipid derivatives. Natural drying promoted the formation of some aldehydes that exhibited green and fatty notes. Hot-air drying facilitated the production of ketones with hay-like and cooked apple-like odor attributes due to the thermal reaction. The fatty acid patterns between naturally dried and hot-air-dried red goji berries differed not significantly and were dominated by linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, etc. The knowledge of the impacts of different drying processes on the aroma quality in red goji berries is beneficial for the quality control and optimization of dried red goji berries. Full article

Quantitative greenhouse gas (GHG) budgets for Mediterranean pepper cultivation are still missing, limiting evidence-based nitrogen management. Furthermore, mitigation value of fertigation respect to granular fertilization in vegetable systems remains uncertain. This study therefore compared the GHG footprint and productivity of ‘papaccella’ pepper under two nitrogen fertilization methods: granular fertilization versus low-frequency fertigation with urea, each supplying about 63 kg N ha⁻¹. Eight automated static chambers coupled to a cavity ring-down spectrometer monitored soil CO₂ and N₂O fluxes throughout the season. Cumulative emissions did not differ between treatments (CO₂: 811 ± 6 g m⁻² vs. 881 ± 4 g m⁻²; N₂O: 0.038 ± 0.008 g m⁻² vs. 0.041 ± 0.015 g m⁻², fertigation vs. granular), and marketable yield remained at ~11 t ha⁻¹, leaving product-scaled global warming potential (GWP) unchanged. Although representing less than 2% of measured fluxes, “hot moments,” burst emissions exceeding four standard deviations (SD) from the mean, accounted for up to 4% of seasonal CO₂ and 19% of N₂O. Fertigation doubled the frequency of these events but reduced their peak magnitude, whereas granular application produced fewer but more extreme bursts (>11 SD). Results showed that fertigation did not mitigate GHGs emission nor improve productivity for Mediterranean pepper, mainly due to the low application frequency and the use of a urea fertilizer. Moreover, we can highlight that in horticultural systems, omitting ‘hot moments’ leads to systematic underestimation of emissions. Full article

To address the challenges in forecasting crude oil and hot-rolled coil futures prices, the aim is to transcend the constraints of conventional approaches. This involves effectively predicting short-term price fluctuations, developing quantitative trading strategies, and modeling time series data. The goal is to enhance prediction accuracy and stability, thereby supporting decision-making and risk management in financial markets. A novel approach, the multi-dimensional fusion feature-enhanced (MDFFE) prediction method has been devised. Additionally, a data augmentation framework leveraging multi-dimensional feature engineering has been established. The technical indicators, volatility indicators, time features, and cross-variety linkage features are integrated to build a prediction system, and the lag feature design is used to prevent data leakage. In addition, a deep fusion model is constructed, which combines the temporal feature extraction ability of the convolution neural network with the nonlinear mapping advantage of an extreme gradient boosting tree. With the help of a three-layer convolution neural network structure and adaptive weight fusion strategy, an end-to-end prediction framework is constructed. Experimental results demonstrate that the MDFFE model excels in various metrics, including mean absolute error, root mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, coefficient of determination, and sum of squared errors. The mean absolute error reaches as low as 0.0068, while the coefficient of determination can be as high as 0.9970. In addition, the significance and stability of the model performance were verified by statistical methods such as a paired t-test and ANOVA analysis of variance. This MDFFE algorithm offers a robust and practical approach for predicting commodity futures prices. It holds significant theoretical and practical value in financial market forecasting, enhancing prediction accuracy and mitigating forecast volatility. Full article

To promote the sustainable use of land resources and improve air pollution control, this study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of industrial land development and the heterogeneity of PM_2.5 concentrations across regions. Based on national land transaction data and PM_2.5 raster datasets, the analysis employs Moran’s I, a hot and cold spot analysis, and multivariate linear regression to examine how the transaction frequency, transaction area, and total transaction price of industrial land influence PM_2.5 concentrations in 286 cities from 2010 to 2021. The study focuses on quantifying the impact of industrial land development on PM_2.5 concentrations. The main findings are as follows: (1) the frequency of industrial land transactions varies significantly across regions, with clear intra-regional differences. The transaction area and total transaction price decrease in the following order: “East-West-Central-North-East” and “East-Central-West-North-East”, respectively. (2) The spatial clustering of PM_2.5 concentrations has intensified, with hot spots concentrated in Eastern and Central cities. Cold spots are distributed in bands along the Southern coast and scattered patterns in Heilongjiang Province. (3) The influence of industrial land development on PM_2.5 concentrations has generally weakened nationwide, with the strongest effects observed in the Eastern region. Among the development indicators, the impact of the transaction area is increasing, while those of the transaction frequency and total price are declining, showing clear regional disparities. Therefore, integrating sustainable development principles into the adjustment of the industrial land market is essential for effective air pollution prevention. Full article

Clean heat standards (CHS) represent a promising policy mechanism to drive the decarbonization of space and hot water heating, a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. This paper provides an introduction to CHS, which set targets for heat decarbonization for heating market actors. We explore their design features, implementation approaches, and potential synergies with other policy instruments. The analysis focuses on their role in complementing fossil fuel phaseout policies, accelerating market transformation, and addressing key barriers. Drawing on examples from existing and proposed policies worldwide, the paper examines the potential impacts of clean heat standards placed on heating appliance manufacturers, energy companies, and end users. It also considers the importance of integrating these standards into broader energy and environmental policy frameworks to achieve equitable and efficient outcomes. The findings suggest that while clean heat standards have substantial potential to reduce emissions and advance energy transition goals, their effectiveness will depend on careful design, robust enforcement, and alignment with complementary policies. This paper aims to provide policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders with a foundational understanding of clean heat standards and their role in fostering sustainable heating solutions. Full article

In recent years, corporate ESG performance has been widely incorporated into investment decisions and capital allocation considerations, becoming a focal point and hot topic for research by governments and organizations worldwide. However, due to various reasons, significant discrepancies have emerged in ESG ratings for the same company across different institutions, and this growing divergence in ESG ratings has increasingly drawn the attention of scholars. Studying the differences in ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) ratings is of great significance. This not only helps to understand the root causes of differences, improve the objectivity, consistency, and comparability of ratings, but also helps users better understand the meaning and limitations of rating results. It is beneficial for investors to understand the focus of different ratings and develop more effective investment strategies. It can promote rated companies to improve the quality and transparency of ESG-related information disclosure. It can also provide a reference for regulatory agencies and policymakers, identify market failures and potential risks, and promote the development of more unified standards and frameworks. At the same time, this study can also promote the in-depth development of relevant academic research and theories. Based on this, this study systematically reviews the relevant literature on ESG rating divergence, focusing on its existence, causes, influencing factors, and impacts. The study finds that, in addition to the widespread existence of rating divergence in corporate ESG performance, scholars also disagree on the measurement and methods of this divergence. The reasons for rating divergence are mainly that ESG is a qualitative indicator; top-level design, intermediate calculations, and bottom-level data collection across multiple stages exacerbate divergence; and controversies in practice further deepen divergence, among others. The influencing factors and impact effects of ESG rating divergence are diverse. Given the existence of ESG rating divergence, all parties should treat ESG ratings with caution. This paper offers corresponding recommendations and looks forward to the future, providing a foundation for subsequent research. Full article

The construction sector’s increasing eco-consciousness is driving the need for higher-performance wood-based engineered products from underutilized timber resources, such as small-diameter trees from hazardous fuel treatments of our forests. Strand-based products, including oriented strand board (OSB) and lumber (OSL), are widely used. However, hot-pressing during their manufacturing generates approximately 10% waste, which includes a substantial amount of resinated strands that are landfilled. The huge potential of using strand-based products has led to many studies and growing interest in strand-based three-dimensional sandwich panels that can be used as wall, floor, or roofing panels. As the market grows, understanding the recyclability of these resinated strands becomes crucial. This study investigates the feasibility of using re-resinated waste strands that were collected during lab-scale production of strand-based panels. Results demonstrate significant improvements in dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and fire resistance. Specifically, recycling increased internal bond strength, flexural strength, time to ignition, time to flameout, mass loss, and time to peak heat release rate by 107%, 44%, 58%, 35%, 51%, and 27%, respectively, and helped decrease water absorption and thickness swell by 51% and 58%, respectively. Full article

This paper attempts to find alternative ways in which heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems can be made more energy efficient and sustainable at a global level. Eight technologies or solutions that either passively or supplementarily reduce the heating or cooling load required by a structure are detailed. These technologies or solutions were then presented to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry professionals in New Zealand to determine their viability and further establish market readiness towards integrating new, innovative, and sustainable solutions in New Zealand. A literature review was conducted to establish the performance of the selected solutions and understand their operational principles and the efficiency they provided. Qualitative research and data collected via semi-structured interviews provided the data for assessing the viability of the selected technologies in the New Zealand market. Following a thematic and hybrid-thematic analysis of the data, the technologies were ranked, and suggestions were made to help improve innovation and energy efficiency in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry in New Zealand. Of the technologies selected, airtightness, heat recovery ventilation retrofits, materials and design principles, and photovoltaic hot water heating were identified as the most viable. The New Zealand market was deemed not to be in a good position to adopt new or alternative solutions. The main issues affecting New Zealand’s market readiness to assimilate innovative and energy-efficient solutions are a lack of new technologies, poor standards of education throughout the industry, a lack of regulation, and a lack of government incentives. Full article

Sewing needle heating is a common problem in the sewing of technical and medical textiles. The hot needle causes burnt spots on fabric, the breakage of thread and weak seam strength. The most economical way of reducing needle heat is to use thread lubrication, needle coating or air cooling. Multiple coated needles are commercially available on the market, including those coated with Nickel, Chromium, Ceramic or Titanium Nitride, etc. In this research, the needles are coated with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) for improved frictional properties. Commercially available needles are compared with the DLC-coated needles for sewing performance and needle heat. The results shows a significant decrease in needle friction as compared to the classic needle but the commercial needles coated with Titanium Nitride still performed better. Also, the coating of DLC peeled off in a shorter time during high-speed sewing; within 15 cycles of continuous sewing, there was a significant loss of coating near the needle eye. The novel DLC technique can be of future benefit to sewing needles, offering an improved technique and more cost-effective approach. The results for the DLC-coated needles showed a 9–12% reduction in the needle temperature and, overall, a 12–14% rise in the tensile strength of the thread after sewing as compared to sewing by classical needles. Full article

As the global ecological environment faces serious challenges and extreme climate change threatens the survival of humankind, the promotion of green development has become the focus for all countries in the world. As one of the world’s major greenhouse gas emitters, China has put forward the “twin goals” of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and is committed to promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of its cities. As the core of economic and social development, cities are the main source of carbon emissions. In response to the dual challenges of carbon emission control and traffic growth, it is particularly important to promote the development of green transportation. With the acceleration of urbanization, urban traffic pollution is becoming more and more serious. As a zero-emission transportation mode, electric vehicles have become a key way to achieve the carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets. In order to deeply analyze the research status of electric vehicles in the field of the green and low-carbon transformation of urban transportation in China and to explore the research hot spots, evolution trends, and their roles and strategies in the construction of green transportation networks, this paper uses the CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Tableau analysis tools to review and analyze the 2460 articles and reviews in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOS) and 2650 articles and reviews in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), including the “publication volume and publication trend”, “subject citation path”, “countries cooperation and geographical distribution”, “author cooperation and institution cooperation”, “keyword co-occurrence and keywords clusters”, and the “evolution trend of research hot spots in timeline”. The results show that: (1) Since 2010, the research focus on electric vehicles has gradually increased, and especially in the past three years, the number of such publications has increased significantly. (2) China holds the lead in research output regarding electric vehicles and related fields, but its international cooperation needs to be strengthened. (3) In recent years, the research has focused on “energy transformation”, “energy-saving technology”, “carbon emissions”, “battery recycling”, and other relevant topics. The promotion and development of electric vehicles will continue to usher in new opportunities concerning technological innovation, policy support, and market expansion. Finally, based on the research hot spots and evolution trends of electric vehicles in the field of urban green transportation and low-carbon transportation in China, this paper discusses the key paths and strategies for electric vehicles to promote the transformation of urban transportation in China to green and low-carbon types and looks forward to future research directions. The research in this paper can provide theoretical support and practical guidance for China to promote electric vehicles, build low-carbon cities, and realize green transportation. It is expected to act as a useful reference for relevant policy formulation and academic research. Full article

The foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), has been reported from 110 countries on more than 162 commodities, more than 35 types of facilities, and 14 other habitats such as compost heaps and haystacks or manure. Compost heaps, haystacks, and manure heated by fermentation may allow overwintering in cold climates, making them important sources of infestation. From these sources the A. advena can fly and infest grain storage and processing facilities. A. advena has been found in empty grain storage bins, is often found in wheat immediately after harvest, and is most abundant early in wheat storage. Larvae and adults of A. advena are well adapted to feeding on several species of fungi and have higher chitinase levels and greater tolerance for fungal aflatoxins than other species. A. advena lay more eggs on the fungal species on which their offspring can develop most successfully. They are attracted to fungal odors and high moisture commodities and have the capability to disseminate grain fungi that cause hot spots within the grain mass. The presence of fungus beetles is indicative of poor storage conditions. A. advena is capable of feeding on some commodities and is a predator that may have a potential role in biological control. They are strong fliers but are distributed extensively with the movement of commodities in the marketing system. In countries with a zero tolerance for insects, their presence is sufficient for rejection of a load and associated economic losses. In other countries, contamination by A. advena is a problem, and in India, it is listed as a quarantine pest. Extension agents have had many requests for the identification of this species, and two other species of the same genus have been found in stored products. Some information is available for the effectiveness of nine pest management methods for A. advena. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the content of major bioactive compounds and characterize the volatile and sensory profiles of Coffea canephora flowers and their infusions. Dried flowers from six selected genotypes of C. canephora trees and their infusions were analyzed for bioactive compounds using HPLC–DAD, while volatile organic compounds (VOC) were analyzed using GC–MS. Eight chlorogenic acids (CGA), seven phenolic acids, and the alkaloids caffeine and trigonelline were quantified in all methanolic flower extracts. Total CGA, phenolic acids, caffeine, and trigonelline contents in the methanolic extracts ranged between 342.8 and 1079.4 mg/100 g, 27.1 and 41.0 mg/100 g, 515.6 and 745.9 mg/100 g, and 453.8 and 645.2 mg/100 g, respectively. CGA, caffeine, and trigonelline were well extracted (84%, 91%, and 74%, respectively) when the flowers were infused in hot water. No free phenolic acids were identified in the infusions. Eighty-five VOC were identified in the flowers. Aldehydes, monoterpenes, esters, alcohols, monoterpene alcohols, acids, and ketones prevailed in order of the number of compounds. In the infusions, 38 VOC were accurately identified. Monoterpenes and monoterpene alcohols prevailed. In general, floral, jasmine and orange blossom, herbal, green coffee, woody, and sweet were the most cited sensory attributes for fragrance, aroma, and flavor. Considering the typically weak aroma of C. canephora seeds, the aroma and flavor of the flower’s infusions were surprisingly strong and pleasant, showing great marketing potential. Full article

This study assesses the impact of two regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and one sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) strategies on the fruit quality characteristics of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) compared to a fully irrigated control in a Mediterranean climate. Field trials were conducted over two growing seasons at the Cajamar Experimental Center in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain. The SDI strategy, which achieved considerable water savings of approximately 50%, led to a reduction in yield (both total and marketable), as well as a decrease in the size and unit weight of the fruits. However, it also produced arils with higher dry matter content and aril juice with higher soluble solids content, all without altering the maturity index. Notably, the SDI approach resulted in increased non-marketable production due to a higher incidence of cracking, particularly during the exceptionally hot and dry summer of 2023. Although the maturity index remained unchanged across the irrigation strategies, the SDI yielded a greater percentage of pink-red rind on marketable fruits compared to the other strategies. This is important because ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates are typically harvested based on their external colour. Thus, the SDI strategy could allow for earlier harvesting, potentially enhancing the commercial value, as earlier harvests often command higher prices, which may partially offset some of the reduction in marketable yield. Conversely, both RDI strategies achieved a slight water saving without compromising marketable yield or the quality characteristics of the fruit. Full article