Search Results (48,743)

Against the dual background of restructuring global green trade rules and advancing China’s “dual-carbon” strategy, environmental information disclosure has increasingly become a crucial strategic tool for firms seeking to enhance international competitiveness. Existing studies have mainly examined the quantity, content, and quality of environmental information disclosure, while paying insufficient attention to its relative disclosure position, a strategic feature of information presentation that may affect signal salience and attention allocation. Drawing on signaling theory and the attention-allocation perspective, this study examines Chinese A-share listed exporters by matching environmental information disclosure positions observed during 2021–2023 with firms’ export product quality during 2022–2024. The final baseline sample contains 1472 firm-year observations. The findings show that earlier environmental information placement is significantly associated with higher subsequent export product quality. This relationship is mainly concentrated in the difference between Position_1 and Position_3, whereas Position_2 does not differ significantly from Position_1. The main result remains robust to alternative coding of disclosure position, additional controls for environmental disclosure volume, adjustment of the sample period, a panel-preserving placebo test, and an external peer-based instrumental-variable analysis. The three-step mechanism tests provide channel-consistent evidence for two potential transmission channels. More prominent environmental information placement is associated with a higher likelihood of ISO 14001 certification, reflecting stronger externally verifiable green credibility, and with greater realized green innovation output, reflected in granted green patents. Both mechanism variables are positively associated with subsequent export product quality. This study extends the literature on environmental information disclosure by shifting attention from static disclosure characteristics to the strategic prominence of information presentation, enriches the micro-level application of signaling theory in international trade, and provides practical insights for firms and regulators to improve the prominence, credibility, and substantive consistency of environmental disclosure while promoting export-quality upgrading. Full article

Soil organic matter replenishment is essential for sustainable viticulture because it improves nutrient cycling, water retention, and vineyard resilience. This study evaluated the effects of different compost application methods on leaf chlorophyll content, grape yield, and grape quality of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sauvignon Blanc grafted onto Kober 5BB rootstock under Central European conditions during 2020–2022, following compost application in fall 2019. Leaf chlorophyll content was monitored weekly using an atLeaf+ chlorophyll meter calibrated against spectrophotometrically determined chlorophyll concentrations. At harvest, grape yield, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN) were determined. Deep compost application consistently produced the highest chlorophyll concentrations, increasing seasonal means by 10.4%, 24.7%, and 25.4% compared with the unfertilized control in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Yield responses also increased over time, with deep compost application improving grape yield by 53.8% in 2021 and 60.7% in 2022. Effects on grape quality were smaller and varied among years, although compost-treated vines generally exhibited higher titratable acidity and YAN. The calibration of atLeaf+ readings against spectrophotometrically determined chlorophyll concentrations in grapevine leaves showed high accuracy (R² = 0.9542). These results indicate that deep compost application may enhance grapevine physiological status and productivity while supporting circular nutrient management and may contribute to improved vineyard resilience under variable climatic conditions. Full article

The development of sustainable and low-cost electrocatalysts based on Earth-abundant elements is essential for the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen production via anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). Herein, we demonstrate the feasibility of cobalt-free high-entropy oxide (HEO) electrodes for AEMWE through a set of spinel oxides based on equimolar Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn. The HEOs were synthesized by a scalable sol-gel route followed by calcination at different temperatures (400–800 °C). The pristine oxides were employed as oxygen evolution reaction catalysts, whereas their H₂/Ar-reduced counterparts were used as hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts in symmetric membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). Comprehensive physicochemical characterization combined with electrochemical testing revealed that the phase purity of the anodic catalyst mainly correlates with both the maximum current density and the polarization resistance of the electrolyzer. In contrast, a correlation is observed between the physicochemical features of the reduced cathodic catalyst, the iR-free potential and the polarization resistance after prolonged operation. The best-performing Co-free MEA achieved a current density of 0.51 A cm⁻² at 2.2 V and exhibited stable operation for hundreds of hours under alkaline electrolysis conditions. Although the complete replacement of cobalt results in lower activity than previously reported Co-containing HEOs, the present work establishes a viable design strategy for fully Co-free electrocatalysts and highlights the critical balance between catalytic performance, long-term stability, and material sustainability in future AEMWE technologies. Full article

Red mud (RM), a highly alkaline by-product of the alumina refining process, poses significant environmental challenges due to its large-scale accumulation. This study systematically investigates the mechanical performance, thermal resistance, and durability of RM-based cement mortar, evaluating the individual effects of fly ash (FA), basalt fibers (BF), and nano zinc oxide (NZO) as separate modifying constituents introduced independently into the RM matrix. Fourteen mortar mixtures were prepared with RM replacement levels of 10–35%, a constant FA content of 15%, BF dosages of 0.5–1.5%, and NZO dosages of 0.5–2.0%. Workability, 28-day compressive and flexural strengths, residual mechanical properties after exposure to 600 °C and 800 °C, sulfate resistance, and microstructural characteristics were evaluated. Increasing RM content reduced workability and mechanical strength, with compressive and flexural reductions reaching 35.5% and 29.0% at 30% RM, respectively. FA partially compensated through its ball-bearing effect and pozzolanic reactivity. The optimal 1.5% BF dosage increased the compressive and flexural strengths by 14.7% and 37.5%, respectively, and significantly enhanced the residual performance at elevated temperatures. The optimal 0.5% NZO improved the compressive and flexural strengths by 13.2% and 18.3%, respectively; however, 2.0% NZO caused complete strength loss, which may be associated with severe nanoparticle agglomeration and possible zinc-containing reaction products reported in previous studies. The formation of specific crystalline phases was not experimentally verified in the present study. Sulfate resistance deteriorated with increasing RM, whereas 1.5% BF and 1.0% NZO reduced mass loss by 58.9% and 59.7%, respectively. SEM confirmed that RM15 + FA15 exhibited the densest microstructure with minimal voids. The results demonstrate that RM can be effectively utilized as a sustainable cement replacement, with FA, BF, and NZO each independently identified as effective performance-enhancing constituents at their respective optimal dosages; their combined quaternary application remains untested and is proposed as a direction for future validation. Full article

Uganda hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, with South Sudanese refugees forming the majority. Uganda’s progressive approach to refugee protection is recognized globally as a model for economic inclusion, integration, and self-reliance. Notwithstanding global praise, empirical evidence indicates an increasingly challenging situation for refugees’ socio-economic well-being and the difficulties this poses for pursuing sustainable lives. With limited access to agricultural land, limited formal employment opportunities, and rising budget cuts, refugees in rural settlements are often compelled to diversify their livelihoods and enter the informal economy, where home-brewed alcohol production is a visible strategy. Drawing on eight months of ethnographic fieldwork in Bidibidi from January 2025 to August 2025, this paper explores the attractions and dilemmas of home-brewed alcohol production and sale as a rural livelihood from the perspectives of South Sudanese refugees and host communities in Bidibidi. This paper advances a debate on the under-researched prospects of refugee integration and inclusion through rural livelihoods. These findings suggest areas where Uganda’s current refugee settlement agenda and alcohol policies may benefit from reconsideration. In addition, this paper highlights gaps in refugee and host community involvement in policy making and proposes ways to better address their livelihood needs for socio-economic inclusion and local integration. Full article

Fruit production represents a major agricultural sector worldwide; however, it is severely affected by pests that reduce fruit yield, quality, and marketability. The intensive use of chemical insecticides has generated environmental contamination, resistance in pest populations, and risks to human health, increasing the demand for sustainable alternatives. In this context, endophytic fungi (EF) have gained relevance as biological control agents due to their ability to colonize plant tissues and produce bioactive metabolites that affect agricultural pests. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current scientific knowledge regarding EF as biological control agents against pests in fruit crops and to analyze the tripartite interactions among fungi, plants, and pests. The review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using the databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and OpenAlex. Studies were selected according to predefined exclusion criteria focused on the simultaneous presence of endophytic fungi, fruit crops, and agricultural pests. A total of 24 fruit species, 51 endophytic fungi, and 33 agricultural pest species were identified. The most frequently reported fungal genera were Penicillium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Gnomoniopsis, and Trichoderma, while a broad diversity of pest species affected by these fungi was recorded. Interaction analyses revealed complex and highly interconnected tripartite relationships, in which some fungi exhibited strong host specificity whereas others displayed broader interaction ranges. The findings demonstrate that EF possess significant potential as sustainable biological control agents in fruit production systems. However, research in this field remains limited and fragmented, highlighting the need to develop standardized models, validate their efficacy under field conditions, and conduct studies focused on the commercial scalability of EF-based management strategies. Full article

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a relapsing course and a substantial multidimensional burden. Conventional clinical and patient-reported outcome measures mainly provide cross-sectional evaluations and may not fully capture the long-term impact of the disease. The concept of cumulative life course impairment (CLCI) has been proposed to describe the progressive and lifelong consequences of chronic dermatologic conditions. Methods: This narrative review is based on a non-systematic literature search conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase up to July 2026. Relevant studies addressing quality of life, mental health, comorbidities, and economic burden in AD were identified and narratively synthesized, with particular focus on evidence supporting the CLCI framework. Results: AD exerts a cumulative burden across multiple domains. Pruritus and sleep disturbance emerge as key drivers, contributing to a self-reinforcing cycle involving psychological distress and impaired daily functioning. Increased rates of anxiety and depression, along with social stigmatization, negatively affect interpersonal relationships, educational attainment, and work productivity. Comorbidities and the chronic relapsing nature of AD further amplify long-term impairment. Economic burden, including both direct and indirect costs, acts as both a consequence and a driver of cumulative disadvantage. Recurrent disease flares play a central role in sustaining and amplifying this trajectory over time. Conclusions: AD should be considered a life-course disease in which interacting biological, psychological, and social factors shape long-term outcomes. A CLCI-oriented approach may improve patient stratification and support earlier, multidisciplinary, and proactive management strategies aimed at reducing long-term burden and improving overall outcomes. Full article

Freeze-drying is one of the most effective and widely applied techniques for microbial preservation, playing an increasingly important role in the development of microbial bioinputs for sustainable agriculture. Beyond maintaining microbial viability, successful freeze-dried formulations require the integration of preservation science, formulation engineering, storage stability, and functional performance to ensure product efficacy under industrial and field conditions. This review discusses the current state of the art in freeze-drying for microbial preservation, focusing on the physicochemical mechanisms of cellular damage and protection, formulation strategies, storage stability, and technological factors influencing the development of agricultural bioinputs. Recent advances in computational modeling, systems biology, and rational formulation design are also highlighted as emerging tools for optimizing preservation systems and accelerating product development. Finally, the challenges associated with industrial implementation, quality assurance, and commercial translation are discussed, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches to develop robust, scalable, and effective freeze-dried microbial bioinputs for sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Full article

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deployment requires simultaneous coordination of spatially distributed biomass supply chains and nonlinear conversion technologies. This study develops an integrated multiscale optimization framework for SAF production in Mexico using second-generation sugarcane bagasse as the lignocellulosic resource for alcohol-intermediate production, followed by an intensified Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) upgrading stage targeting Mexico City Airport. A multi-period mixed-integer linear programming model optimizes harvest-area selection, biorefinery location, biomass allocation, inventory, production, and distribution, while an Aspen Plus model of an intensified Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) process with reactive distillation is optimized using Differential Evolution with Tabu List. In this framework, the ATJ block is not modeled as direct biomass-to-jet conversion. In the base case, ethanol is used as the representative alcohol intermediate. Therefore, the upstream biomass-to-alcohol section is represented through an effective bagasse-to-ethanol coefficient, whereas the Aspen Plus–DETL model explicitly describes the downstream ethanol-to-ATJ-range hydrocarbon blendstock upgrading section through dehydration, ethylene oligomerization, hydrogenation, and fractionation. Process yield, production cost, environmental impact, and feasible capacity are fed back into the supply chain model, making process performance endogenous rather than fixed. Results show that the decoupled supply chain baseline favors large production capacities, reducing TAC from approximately 1010 to 340 USD/tSAF and system-level EI99 from 1.110 to 1.059 kPt EI99/tSAF as capacity increases from 80,000 to 490,000 tSAF/year. This corresponds to an environmental reduction of approximately 5.2%. In contrast, isolated ATJ optimization exhibits nonlinear scale-dependent behavior, with process-only EI99 decreasing from approximately 1.70 to 0.55 kPt EI99/tSAF. The integrated framework identifies an intermediate capacity region of 120,000–300,000 tSAF/year, with TAC values of approximately 3400–6800 USD/tSAF and total EI99 values of approximately 0.78–1.31 kPt EI99/tSAF. The integrated base case at 200,000 tSAF/year has an EI99 value of approximately 1.063 kPt EI99/tSAF. Full article

Coupling renewable energy with seawater electrolysis is a highly promising strategy for sustainable hydrogen production. However, the practical application of direct seawater electrolysis remains challenging due to severe anode corrosion and the competitive chlorine evolution reaction (CER) induced by chloride ions. Herein, we report a facile cation-etching strategy to synthesise Fe@ZIF-67 catalysts at room temperature, using ZIF-67 as the sacrificial template and Fe²⁺ salts as the etching agent. The as-prepared Fe@ZIF-67 exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in a simulated alkaline saline electrolyte (1.0 M KOH + 0.5 M NaCl). Specifically, it achieves a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at a low overpotential of 259 mV, outperforming commercial RuO₂. Furthermore, an alkaline saline electrolyser assembled with Fe@ZIF-67 as the anode and Pt/C as the cathode requires a cell voltage of only 1.57 V to reach 10 mA cm⁻², which is significantly lower than that of the RuO₂||Pt/C benchmark (1.65 V). This work demonstrates that the cation-doping strategy effectively modulates the surface electronic structure of metal–organic frameworks (MOF)-based catalysts, providing a new perspective for optimising their performance in seawater electrolysis. Full article

Duckweed-associated plant growth-promoting bacteria have attracted attention for their potential to enhance duckweed biomass production. However, the mechanisms underlying isolate-specific growth promotion are unclear. This study compared the effects of two duckweed-associated bacterial isolates, Terrimicrobium sp. PS02 and Aeromicrobium sp. PS05, on the growth, biomass composition, colonization behavior, and transcriptomic responses of Spirodela polyrhiza. Biomass composition and transcriptome analyses were performed to characterize the host responses. Both isolates enhanced duckweed biomass; PS02 increased it 1.2-fold, whereas PS05 induced a significant 1.4-fold increase compared to the uninoculated control. PS05 established bacterial populations approximately one order of magnitude higher than those of PS02 and formed dense extracellular polymeric substance-mediated microcolonies on the surface. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PS05 induced 1108 differentially expressed genes, compared with 454 in PS02, indicating greater host transcriptomic reprogramming. Functional enrichment of transcriptome responses showed that PS05 preferentially regulates carbohydrate biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism, and starch biosynthesis, significantly enhancing starch accumulation and turion formation without reducing protein or photosynthetic pigment content. This study provides evidence linking bacterial colonization, host transcriptomic regulation, carbon allocation, and biomass production in duckweed, offering a basis for engineering high-performance duckweed–microbiome systems for sustainable biomass production. Full article

The search for sustainable feed ingredients has increased interest in insect-derived proteins for livestock production. This study evaluated the effects of replacing 3% soybean meal with house cricket (Acheta domesticus) meal on carcass traits, meat quality, proximate composition, and fatty acid profile of growing rabbits. Twenty-four weaned New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to either a control (CNT) or a cricket meal diet (ADM) from 35 to 85 days of age. Physical meat quality was evaluated in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), while proximate composition and fatty acid profile were determined in LTL and thigh muscles. Carcass performance was not affected by dietary treatment, whereas the cricket meal diet increased adiposity, resulting in greater scapular and perirenal fat deposition (p < 0.001) and a higher fat proportion in the hind leg (p = 0.011). Physical meat quality traits were unaffected, except for higher cooking loss in ADM-fed rabbits (p = 0.039). Cricket meal increased crude fat and modified the fatty acid composition by increasing n-6 PUFA (p = 0.013) and reducing n-3 PUFA (p < 0.001), resulting in a less favorable n-6/n-3 ratio. Overall, cricket meal modified lipid deposition and fatty acid composition without compromising carcass performance, although its greater lipid contribution should be considered when interpreting these effects. Full article

Apis dorsata honey is a rich source of natural antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. Thermal processing is commonly used to improve honey fluidity and delay crystallization; however, it may also affect bioactive properties and promote the formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). We evaluated the impact of temperature regimes on biological activities and 5-HMF contents of A. dorsata honey. Honey samples were collected from A. dorsata colonies. Honey color, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 5-HMF content, and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated after being treated at room temperature, 55 °C, 65 °C, 75 °C, and 85 °C for 0.5, 1, and 2 h. Heating at 55 °C, 65 °C, 75 °C, and 85 °C significantly enhanced color intensity, TPC, and TFC. Samples treated at 85 °C for two hours showed the highest antioxidant activity, with an EC₅₀ significantly lower than that of the others (51.31 ± 0.77 mg/mL). Conversely, 5-HMF content increased markedly with increasing exposure temperature and time. Antibacterial assays revealed that all treated samples inhibited E. coli, whereas no inhibitory activity was detected against S. aureus. These results define important processing parameters in food safety for heating honey to preserve bioactivity integrity without loss in quality and maintenance of product stability and sustainability. Full article

Fungal cellulases are key biocatalysts for lignocellulosic biomass valorization and the development of sustainable biorefineries. This review examines recent advances in the production of endoglucanase (EGL), exoglucanase (EXG), and β-glucosidase (BGL) by fungi of the genera Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium under solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF). Emphasis is placed on fermentation strategies, substrate selection, process optimization, and emerging chemometric and artificial intelligence-based approaches. The literature reveals a predominance of SSF systems, especially when agri-food residues such as wheat bran, sugarcane bagasse, rice-derived residues, fruit-processing wastes, and cocoa by-products are employed as low-cost substrates. Among the evaluated genera, Aspergillus was among the most frequently investigated genera and exhibited broad substrate versatility, whereas Trichoderma reesei remains the principal industrial production host for cellulase-rich enzyme preparations used mainly in the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass for cellulosic ethanol and other biorefinery applications. In contrast, Penicillium stands out as an important source of BGL, complementing cellulase systems derived from other fungi. Temperature, pH, moisture content, and fermentation time were consistently identified as the main factors affecting cellulase biosynthesis, with optimal production generally occurring under mildly acidic conditions and mesophilic temperatures. CCD and BBD were the predominant optimization strategies, while artificial neural network-based models are emerging as promising alternatives. The complementary characteristics of these fungi genera support their application in integrated biomass conversion and future lignocellulosic biorefineries. Full article

This study protocol presents a pre-specified framework for assessing whether Farm Machinery-as-a-Service (FMaaS) can support inclusive access to Agriculture 4.0 in fragmented agrarian systems. The aim of the protocol is to define the conceptual framework, research questions, hypotheses, target population, sampling strategy, data collection procedures and planned analytical approach for a future empirical study using Poland as a case of a fragmented, family-farm-based agricultural system in which many small and medium-sized farms face difficulties in keeping pace with Agriculture 4.0. The manuscript does not report empirical results or human-subject data. The planned study will use a sequential mixed-methods design in which each component has a specific role. Secondary data analysis will diagnose farm structural conditions, machinery-use patterns, productivity gaps and innovation gaps. Expert and stakeholder interviews will refine the typology of FMaaS arrangements and identify relevant service attributes. A farm survey and a discrete choice experiment will assess farmers’ willingness to use FMaaS, perceived transaction costs, trust, digital readiness and preferences for specific service characteristics. Farm-level economic modeling and Monte Carlo simulation will evaluate the viability of ownership-based and service-based modernization scenarios under uncertainty. Structural equation modeling will examine social-sustainability mechanisms, including adaptive capacity, perceived resilience, perceived inclusion in digital agriculture and the perceived ability to continue farming under technological change. The expected output of the protocol is an integrated analytical framework for evaluating the economic, institutional, resource-use and social conditions under which FMaaS may become a viable and socially acceptable pathway to Agriculture 4.0. By combining transaction-cost theory, market-design reasoning, stated-preference methods, farm-level modeling and social-sustainability assessment, the protocol provides a transparent basis for future empirical research on access-based digital mechanization. Full article