Search Results (47)

As organizations become increasingly projectified, safeguarding the resilience of project professionals and teams emerges as a critical organizational challenge. Adopting a systems lens, we investigate how agile mindsets and agile practices function as systemic antecedents of resilience at the individual and team levels. Eleven semi-structured interviews with experienced project managers, product owners, and team members from diverse industries were analyzed through inductive thematic coding and system mapping. The findings show that mindset supplies psychological resources—self-efficacy, openness and a learning orientation—while practices such as team autonomy, iterative delivery and transparent communication provide structural routines; together they trigger five interlocking mechanisms: empowerment, fast responsiveness, holistic team dynamics, stakeholder-ecosystem engagement and continuous learning. These mechanisms reinforce one another in feedback loops that boost a project system’s adaptive capacity under volatility. The synergy of mindset and practices is especially valuable in hybrid or traditionally governed projects, where cognitive agility offsets structural rigidity. This study offers the first multi-level, systems-based explanation of agile antecedents of resilience and delivers actionable levers for executives, transformation leaders, project professionals, and HR specialists aiming to sustain talent performance in turbulent contexts. Full article

China leads global carp aquaculture (farming of species within the family Cyprinidae), producing 20 million tons annually in a sector shaped by favorable policies, infrastructure, and innovation. Carp farming in China is rooted in millennia of traditional practices and transformative post-1978 economic reforms. This review synthesizes the historical trajectory, technological advancements, policy frameworks, and sustainability challenges shaping China’s carp aquaculture sector. Historically, carp polyculture systems, developed during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), laid the foundation for resource-efficient practices. Modern intensification, driven by state-led policies, genetic innovations, and feed-based systems, enabled unprecedented growth. However, rapid expansion has exacerbated environmental trade-offs, including nutrient pollution, habitat loss, and antibiotic resistance, while socioeconomic disparities, aging labor forces, and market volatility threaten sectoral resilience. Policy shifts since the 2000s prioritize ecological sustainability, exemplified by effluent regulations, wetland restoration, and green technologies. Despite progress, challenges persist in reconciling economic viability with environmental safeguards. Key success factors include long-term policy support, smallholder capacity building, vertically integrated supply chains, product differentiation, and adaptive management. With balanced policies emphasizing economic, social, and environmental sustainability, carp aquaculture can enhance domestic food and nutrition security. China’s experience showcases the potential of aquaculture to bolster food security but highlights the urgent need to harmonize productivity with ecological and social equity to ensure long-term resilience. Lessons from China’s model offer actionable insights for global aquaculture systems navigating similar sustainability imperatives. Full article

Air pollution is an escalating global concern with significant implications for human health and athletic performance. This narrative review synthesizes and critically compares the current literature on the impact of air pollution on health and football performance, elucidates the physiological mechanisms involved, and evaluates available mitigation strategies. Comparative studies consistently demonstrate that football players—who frequently engage in high-intensity outdoor exercise—are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of airborne pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), and carbon monoxide (CO). These pollutants bypass natural respiratory defenses due to increased pulmonary ventilation during exercise, reaching deeper lung regions and triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired lung function. Evidence across studies indicates that poor air quality is associated with decreased football performance, including reduced distance covered, fewer high-intensity efforts, elevated physiological strain, and diminished training adaptation. Long-term exposure exacerbates respiratory conditions, suppresses immune function, and heightens the risk of illness and injury. Furthermore, comparative genetic research highlights inter-individual variability in pollution sensitivity, with specific gene variants conferring either increased vulnerability or resilience to adverse effects. This review also explores practical and emerging mitigation strategies—such as timing training to avoid peak pollution, utilizing air quality monitoring and antioxidant-rich diets, and promoting sustainable infrastructure—to safeguard athlete health and optimize performance. Novel approaches including respiratory training, anti-smog masks, indoor sessions, and personalized recovery protocols offer additional protection and recovery support. Full article

Mexico is home to a rich variety of fermented beverages made from both wild and domesticated plant species. Fermentation practices vary, with producers using either wild or inoculated techniques to obtain culturally valued final products. It is generally assumed that wild fermentations yield a greater diversity of volatile compounds compared to inoculated fermentations, as the latter tend to reduce microbial diversity throughout the process. However, this pattern remains largely unexplored in relation to the volatile profiles of traditionally fermented cactus-based beverages. Despite this assumption, comparative studies examining these profiles across different fermentation methods are scarce, especially given that these beverages are not produced under standardized conditions. To investigate this, we used GC-MS to characterize the aroma profile of colonche, a traditional fermented beverage made primarily from Opuntia streptacantha fruits. Colonche is produced by both wild and inoculated fermentation methods. In addition, a rapid sensory evaluation using the modified Flash Profile (mFP) technique was performed to evaluate flavor differences between the fermentation methods. A total of 55 volatile compounds were identified, with wild fermentations showing greater diversity (55) than inoculated fermentations (50). Most compounds overlapped, but five were unique to spontaneous fermentations, contributing to distinct sensory profiles. The mFP results also indicate that sensory attributes vary by fermentation type, with wild fermentations being more strongly associated with positive descriptors such as taste and smell, while inoculated samples have a distinctly pungent aftertaste. These findings highlight colonche not only as a reservoir of microbial diversity in arid regions but also as a culturally significant beverage with complex sensory attributes. Recognizing and preserving these attributes is essential for safeguarding traditional foodscapes. Full article

The Moe Yun Gyi constructed wetland in Myanmar, located along the East Asian–Australian bird migration path, serves as a crucial habitat for migrating waterbirds. Protecting this biodiverse habitat is crucial in the face of ongoing threats, highlighting the need for effective conservation strategies. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the restoration on the populations of waterbirds from January 2014 to January 2024, by analyzing the composition and the spatiotemporal dynamics of waterbirds communities, with particular reference to changes in diversity. We measured waterbird quantity and species richness using the point count method, employing the Shannon-Wiener and D_G–F Index formulae for diversity analysis. Habitat analysis was conducted with ArcGIS 10.6 and eCognition 10.3, while data analysis utilized RStudio and Microsoft Excel. The results indicate that restoration efforts in 2016 initially led to a decline in waterbird populations. Restoration efforts after 2017 resulted in a twofold increase in both diversity and abundance. However, in 2023, flooding in Bago City caused a decline in waterbird populations, impacting habitat rehabilitation. There was a notable rise in uncommon waterbird populations, especially threatened Pelecaniformes. The community’s richness has partially recovered, but seasonal water level volatility continues to impact diversity. The application of restoration techniques directly alters the extent and depth of water bodies, which are essential parameters for supporting appropriate waterbird habitats. We propose implementing a rational system for managing water levels, optimizing wetland hydrology, and enhancing water level regulation to safeguard significant resting areas along migration paths. Full article

This study investigates the impact of cyber threats on the clean energy (CE) market, which is increasingly dependent on digital technologies and interconnected infrastructure. The sector’s growing digitalization makes it more susceptible to cyberattacks, leading to significant effects on market volatility and financial performance. Using time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR), wavelet coherence models, and rolling window analysis, this research examines the dynamic relationships between cyberattacks and the CE market over various timescales. The severity of cyberattacks is quantified using the OWASP risk rating methodology, providing a structured approach to assessing cyber risks. The findings reveal that high-severity cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructures generate pronounced short-term volatility, especially in concentrated indices such as TAN and ICLN. In contrast, diversified indices like PBW and RNRG demonstrate greater resilience, highlighting the protective role of portfolio diversification. Moreover, the impact of cyber threats is exacerbated during periods of macroeconomic instability, reinforcing the need for integrated risk management approaches. These results provide actionable insights for investors and policymakers, emphasizing the need for proactive risk management strategies to enhance market resilience and safeguard the CE sector from cybersecurity threats. Full article

In recent years, the Italian peninsula has frequently been affected by fires in waste storage facilities, both accidental and malicious. Waste storage activities must comply with a series of regulations that require the employer to carefully assess the risks associated with the operation of the plant. All prevention and protection measures must be taken to reduce the risk of fires in order to safeguard both people and the environment. In addition, with new regulations coming into force in November 2022, efforts are being made to regulate waste treatment and storage facilities in terms of fire safety. This work presents simulations of the dispersion into the environment of toxic effluents produced during a polyethylene fire at a storage site, with the aid of dedicated software. Simulations were carried out using ALOFT, varying the parameters of the simulations (e.g., the burnt area, environmental characteristics, and toxic effluent investigated). In total, 24 simulations were carried out to investigate the emissions of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds in the case of polyethylene fires. The simulations showed that atmospheric stability class and wind speed had a significant impact on the dispersion. The proposed methodology can be applied both in the risk assessment and emergency phases and, eventually, as a valuable tool in post-accident analysis. Full article

Malodorous gases—particularly hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃), and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs)—significantly degrade water quality, threaten public health, and disrupt ecosystems. Their production stems from microbial activity, nutrient overload, and industrial discharges, often magnified by low dissolved oxygen. This review integrates current insights into the microbial sulfur and nitrogen cycles to elucidate how these gases form, and surveys advances in detection technologies such as gas chromatography and laser-based sensors. We also assess diverse mitigation methods—including biotechnological approaches (e.g., biofilters, biopercolators), physicochemical treatments, and chemical conversion (Claus Process)—within relevant regulatory contexts in Colombia and worldwide. A case study of the Bogotá River exemplifies how unmanaged effluents and eutrophication perpetuate odor issues, underscoring the need for integrated strategies that reduce pollution at its source, restore ecological balance, and employ targeted interventions. Overall, this review highlights innovative, policy-driven solutions and collaborative efforts as pivotal for safeguarding aquatic environments and surrounding communities from the impacts of odorous emissions. Full article

The rapid growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) has revolutionized the global financial landscape, providing decentralized alternatives to traditional financial services. This study investigates the asymmetric multifractal behavior of nine DeFi markets—AAVE, Pancake Swap (CAKE), Compound (COMP), Curve Finance (CRV), Maker DAO (MKR), Synthetix (SNX), Sushi Swap (SUSHI), UniSwap (UNis), and Yearn Finance (YFI)—using Asymmetrical Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (A-MFDA). The use of generalized Hurst exponents, Rényi exponents, and singularity spectrum functions revealed that DeFi markets exhibit multifractal behaviors. The analysis uncovered clear differences between uptrend and downtrend fluctuation functions, highlighting asymmetric multifractal behavior. The asymmetry intensity was analyzed through excess differences in uptrend and downtrend generalized Hurst exponents. AAVE, COMP, SNX, UNis, SUSHI, and MKR exhibit negative asymmetry, with stronger correlations during negative trends. CAKE shifts from positive to negative asymmetry, showing sensitivity to both trends. CRV is more volatile in negative trends, while YFI consistently displays positive asymmetry across market fluctuations. The results also reveal that long-term correlations and heavy-tailed distributions contribute to the multifractality of DeFi assets. This study highlights the need for dynamic risk management in DeFi markets, urging investors to adopt adaptive strategies for volatile assets and prepare for sudden price fluctuations to safeguard investments. Full article

Since the 19th century, the cultivation of Ocimum basilicum L. has increasingly been established in Liguria, with the in situ reproduction of seeds. Over the years, Ligurian basil accessions were crossed with allochthonous genomes to obtain disease-resistant plants. To preserve the original genetic resource, nine old Ligurian accessions (CV1–9) were recovered. As part of the PSR 2014–2022 Mis. 10.2 of Liguria Region, this work aimed to characterize these CVs by morphological and phytochemical analyses to safeguard their biodiversity. Commercial O. basilicum Genovese Superbo grown in Liguria (SL) was added for comparison. The micro-morphological investigation showed significantly different trichome densities among the samples. CV4 showed the highest densities of both peltate and capitate trichomes, while CV9 and CV1 had the lowest peltate and capitate densities, respectively. In addition, to perform the germplasm characterization, seed morphometric data and germinability were evaluated. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) analysis was carried out on CV1–9, SL, and Superbo plants grown in Piedmont (SP), to test the influence of territory on basil aromatic profiles. The results showed that the old accessions and SL were rich in linalool, eugenol, and bergamotene. Only CV1 slightly differed, with higher levels of methyl eugenol, eucalyptol, and camphor. On the contrary, SP had very high levels of methyl eugenol and camphor. These data represent valuable insights for preserving Ligurian old basil accessions and maintaining the production of Genovese Basil PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) in the future. Full article

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), as an emergent pollutant in China’s agricultural environment, have raised significant environmental and health concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential risks. This review explores the sources, distribution, ecological impacts, and human health risks associated with PAEs in agricultural soils and crop systems across China. PAEs primarily originate from agricultural plastic materials, wastewater irrigation, and agrochemical additives, leading to widespread contamination. Concentrations of PAEs vary significantly by region, with hotspots identified in areas with intensive agriculture and industrial activities. The transfer of PAEs from soil to crops is a critical pathway for human exposure, particularly through vegetables and grains, posing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. The review highlights the fate and transformation processes of PAEs, including adsorption, migration, volatilization, and microbial degradation, which influence their environmental behavior and risks. Effective risk control measures, such as microbial remediation and advancements in biodegradation technologies, offer sustainable solutions to mitigate PAE contamination. This study emphasizes the critical need for comprehensive monitoring systems, stringent regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices to effectively reduce PAE concentrations in soils, thereby safeguarding soil health, ensuring food safety, and protecting human health. Full article

Wavelet coherence analysis (WCA) examines the dynamic interactions between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico and key external variables, using monthly data from 2010 to 2022. The findings reveal the following: (i) medium-term co-movements (4–16 months) between EPU and global financial indicators, including the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) Market Volatility Index (RVIX), Merrill Lynch Option Volatility Estimate Index (RMOVE), and Global EPU Index (RGEPU), emphasizing the sustained influence of financial volatility on domestic policy environments, particularly during global turbulence; (ii) significant interactions between EPU and the Climate Policy Uncertainty Index (RCPU) in resource-dependent economies like Brazil and Colombia, with pronounced effects in medium- and long-term horizons; (iii) bidirectional relationships between Brent crude oil prices (RBRENT) and EPU in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, where oil price fluctuations shape policy uncertainty, especially during global market disruptions; and (iv) notable co-movements between EPU and the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (RW1SGI) in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, highlighting sensitivity to shifts in sustainability-driven markets. These results underscore the need for economic diversification, strengthened financial safeguards, and integrated climate risk management to mitigate external shocks. By exploring the time–frequency dynamics of global uncertainties and domestic policy environments, this study provides actionable insights for fostering resilience and stability in Latin America’s interconnected economies while addressing vulnerabilities to global market volatility and sustainability transitions. Full article

The formation of crude oil prices and their impact on diesel prices represent a significant economic challenge. The economy’s dependence on energy resources means that the development and competitiveness of the economy, as well as the standard of living of society, are contingent upon energy prices, including those of liquid fuels. It is therefore important to recognise the process by which changes in the price of crude oil affect other commodities. The recognition of these dependencies will have implications for political and fiscal decision-making at the governmental level, investment strategies of enterprises, and patterns of consumption. The research presented in this paper concerns the transmission of crude oil prices and the wholesale and retail prices of diesel oil in Poland between 2010 and 2024. A correlation analysis, a Granger causality test, and an impulse response function calculation were conducted. The research demonstrated that crude oil prices are the cause of the formation of wholesale and retail prices of diesel oil. However, the causality between wholesale and retail prices is bilateral, with a stronger flow of impulses from retail prices to wholesale prices than vice versa. These findings have significant implications for the evolution of the retail market. While the current situation may lead to the monopolisation of the market, it also provides decision-makers with the ability to regulate the market, potentially reducing the volatility of retail prices relative to raw material quotations. Furthermore, it offers a means to safeguard the retail market against speculative activities and mitigate the impact of sudden increases in raw material prices. Full article

The utilisation of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in co-inoculation and non-thermal technologies for must sterilisation is becoming increasingly prevalent due to their notable utility and potential. This new approach optimises the fermentation process and contributes to facilitating the production of wines with distinctive characteristics, improving their stability, and without organoleptic repercussions. Two trials were conducted concurrently, designated as A and B, using the same Tempranillo red must. In each trial, UHPH-treated and untreated must (serving as the control) were compared. The non-Saccharomyces yeasts (Lachancea thermotolerans and Metschnikowia pulcherrima) were identical in both trials, and fermentations were terminated by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae inoculated after 7 days (ternary fermentation). In Trial A, different percentages of the initial inoculum were employed with respect to the total volume that must be fermented, with the objective of evaluating the influence and competitiveness between yeasts. Trial B was designed to investigate the impact of two nutrients that provide vitamins, energy, and protection from oxidative stress on the development of these yeasts and their metabolic expression. Microbiological analysis and measurements of oenological parameters were carried out, acidification was assessed, volatile compounds were analysed, and the colour spectrum was measured by spectrophotometry. It was observed in both trials that the prevalence of Lachancea thermotolerans (Lt) was longer than that of Metschnikowia pulcherrima (Mp) and that the use of quercetin + thiamine had a positive effect on yeast growth. Furthermore, the combination of Lt and Mp yeasts demonstrated remarkable synergy, resulting in the production of a substantial quantity of lactic acid (>5 g/L). With regard to aroma compounds, the UHPH must have exhibited a nearly twofold increase in ethyl lactate. Additionally, the total polyphenol index (TPI) was observed to be 8–10% higher in wines derived from UHPH musts, indicating that this technology may potentially safeguard against oxidation. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in the context of 3D printing, a rapidly advancing technology that is transforming manufacturing processes. As the adoption of 3D printing grows, concerns regarding its potential impact on indoor air quality have emerged. This research addresses these concerns by investigating the risks associated with VOC emissions and proposing effective mitigation strategies. Using a robust methodology, filament and resin-based 3D printers were employed alongside VOC sampling equipment (Tenax tubes and personal pumps) to assess emissions. A detailed analysis of 49 VOCs revealed variable concentrations across different printing materials, with ethyl acetate being the dominant compound in resin printing and decanal in filament printing. While individual VOC levels were below 1% of occupational exposure limits, total VOC concentrations frequently exceeded the recommended indoor threshold of 200 µg/m³, particularly in resin-based processes. This raises concerns about the combined effects of multiple VOCs, some of which are known carcinogens. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the cumulative health impacts of prolonged exposure to multiple VOCs. The study also emphasises the importance of accounting for both facility-specific conditions and material emissions to fully understand the environmental and health consequences of 3D printing. Preventative measures, such as enclosing 3D printers and equipping them with extraction systems, are recommended to safeguard user health. Full article