Search Results (21,897)

As native bovine whey (WHEY) poses environmental concerns as a high-water-content by-product, this trial aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a thermal–mechanical microparticulation coupled with a fermentative process to concentrate it into a high-protein soft dairy cream. Compared to native whey, in microparticulated (MPW) and fermented (FMPW) matrices, there was a significant increase in proteins (from 0.7 to 8.8%) and lipids (from 0.3 to 1.3%), and a more brilliant yellowness colour. A factorial discriminant analysis (FDA) showed that FMPW had a higher content of saturated fatty acid (SFA) and some specific polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) n-6, and also identified C14:0, C18:1, C18:1 t-11, C18:2 n-6, and C18:3 n-6 as informative biomarkers of microparticulation and fermentative treatments. The SDS-PAGE indicated no effects on the protein profile but indicated its rearrangement into high molecular weight aggregates. Z-sizer and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed a different supramolecular structure corresponding to a higher variability and greater incidence of very large molecular aggregates, suggesting that MPW could be accounted as a colloidal matrix that may have similar ball-bearing lubrication properties. Microparticulation of whey could facilitate its circularity into the dairy supply chain through its re-generation from a waste into a high-value fat replacer for dairy-based food production. Full article

Environmental sustainability reporting is increasingly adopted by firms, yet its actual impact on economic performance remains unclear, raising the question of whether such disclosures represent genuine strategic resources or merely symbolic practices. This study examines the relationship between environmental disclosure and economic performance, in the Italian chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Adopting the Resource-Based View (RBV), we evaluate the effectiveness of certified environmental practices as strategic assets that can enhance firm performance. We utilized an AI-based content analysis of financial reports from non-listed, non-SME Italian chemical and pharmaceutical companies between 2012 and 2020 to determine the level of firms’ generic environmental disclosures (without third-party verification) and on specific environmental certifications. We then examine the relationship between economic performance and the type of environmental disclosure observed. Using financial data at the firm level as moderators, we found that generic environmental disclosures have no significant impact on economic performance. In contrast, disclosures on environmental certifications are positively associated with higher economic performance in the chemical sector. Certifications may provide a competitive advantage in environmentally intensive sectors but appear to be less relevant in innovation-driven sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry. Our findings emphasize the strategic value of reliable, externally validated environmental practices, and highlight the limitations of symbolic disclosure. Full article

This study investigates whether digital economy imports can mitigate the environmental costs of foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing economies. While FDI typically increases carbon emissions, particularly in countries with weak infrastructure and limited technological capabilities, digital imports can provide a compensatory mechanism by enhancing energy efficiency, facilitating the diffusion of green technologies, and strengthening environmental regulations. Our contribution lies in shifting the focus from domestic “digitalization levels” to cross-border digital absorption as a moderating factor in environmental relations. Furthermore, this paper proposes a compensation mechanism for developing countries’ digital economy imports, explaining how they can mitigate environmental costs associated with FDI by alleviating structural constraints such as inadequate infrastructure and limited technological capabilities. The findings indicate that while FDI inflows exacerbate carbon emissions, digital economy imports play a new moderating role by addressing structural deficiencies in developing economies. This study advances the debate on FDI and the environment, revealing the short-term environmental value of digital economy imports. Full article

This study aims to explore the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, and Open Innovation (OI) within the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). As ESG considerations increasingly influence corporate strategy and valuation, integrating AI offers powerful tools for enhancing due diligence, reducing risks, and creating long-term value. Building on the ARCTIC framework, an extension of the VRIO framework and real options theory, this paper introduces a new method for measuring AI-ESG-OI-driven synergies in mergers and acquisitions. It highlights the crucial role of Open Innovation in facilitating cross-boundary knowledge exchange, federated learning, and collaborative ESG data analysis. Based on recent advances in AI-ESG-enabled OI practices, such as multi-agent systems, synthetic data, and decentralized innovation, this paper shows how companies can address ESG complexity and cultural integration challenges. The findings indicate that incorporating OI principles into AI-ESG strategies not only enhances decision-making but also aligns M&A activities with evolving investor expectations and sustainability goals. The study concludes with practical insights and directions for future research in AI-driven, ESG-aligned corporate innovation. Full article

Lignin, as one of the three primary components of renewable lignocellulosic biomass, can be converted into aromatic platform chemicals and holds significant potential for high-value applications. p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde is a compound derived from lignin. In this study, the mutant Δ60 of the glycosyltransferase UGT_BL1 derived from Bacillus licheniformis was adopted to catalyze the glycosylation reaction of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, producing a bioactive compound Helicid analogue (p-hydroxybenzaldehyde β-glucoside). Truncation mutations targeting loop regions may reduce local flexibility, thereby facilitating enhanced access of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde to the active site pocket and promoting relative activity. Under optimal conditions (35 °C, pH 7.5, and glucose 200 mM), a high yield of 97.8% for p-hydroxybenzaldehyde β-glucoside was achieved from 2 mM p-hydroxybenzaldehyde within 10 h. The conversion of 3 mM p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (366.4 mg/L) yielded up to 2.7 mM (767.5 mg/L) of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde β-glucoside within 48 h. According to the molecular docking results, the CDOCKER energy value of mutant Δ60 was lower than that of the wild-type, at −16.0 kcal/mol. To our knowledge, this is the first example of an efficient and environmentally sustainable approach for the synthesis of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde β-glucoside, providing a new insight for the valorization of lignin into valuable biobased chemicals. Full article

The coloration of shellfish significantly influences both environmental adaptability and economic value. In the Jinjiang oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis), soft-body color varies between individuals, with an orange-yellow phenotype distinct from the milky white coloration of the wild type. To elucidate the compositional differences and molecular mechanisms underlying orange-yellow (designated as CaR) versus milky white (CaW) soft-body color in C. ariakensis, we conducted comparative ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) non-targeted and transcriptomic analyses. A total of 280 differential accumulation metabolites (DAMs) and 691 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between the CaR and CaW groups. The metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) revealed that DAMs were significantly enriched in pigment metabolism pathways, including tyrosine metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, genes associated with melanin synthesis and carotenoids conversions or transports were upregulated in the CaR vs. CaW group. These genes included Cyp4z1, Cyp4f22, Cyp17a1, Cyp1a5, Cyp2d28a, Lrp4, Aldh, and Tyr-3, potentially driving the accumulation of pheomelanin and carotenoids. This study demonstrates the vital roles of melanin and carotenoid metabolism in Jinjiang oyster body color formation, providing key insights into the molecular mechanisms of color determination in shellfish. Full article

Polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and glyphosate (GLY) are widespread aquatic contaminants, but their combined effects on microalgae remain poorly understood. This study assessed the individual and joint toxicity of GLY and PE-MPs to the model microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Acute (3-day) and chronic (7-day) exposures were performed using GLY at 1–40 mg/L, alone or combined with PE-MPs (10 mg/L). A four-parameter log-logistic (4PL) model was applied to estimate median effect concentrations (EC₅₀). After 72 h, the EC₅₀ values were 9.77 mg/L for the GLY single system and 2.31 mg/L for the GLY-PE combined system, confirming enhanced toxicity in combined exposures. Co-exposure reduced pigment levels (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids) by up to 65% and significantly increased oxidative stress markers, including reactive oxygen species production and malondialdehyde accumulation, compared with single treatments. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) showed concentration- and time-dependent responses, indicating activation of cellular defense mechanisms. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed PE-induced aggregation and structural damage to algal cells, particularly at higher GLY concentrations. These findings demonstrate that PE-MPs can amplify the toxic effects of GLY on microalgae and highlight the need for further studies at environmentally relevant concentrations and with different polymer types. Full article

Global urbanization has led to massive generation of high-water-content waste slurry, creating serious environmental challenges. Conventional treatment methods are costly and unsustainable, while cement-based foamed lightweight soils typically exhibit low strength and limited CO₂ sequestration. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel stabilization pathway by integrating a MgO–mineral powder–carbide slag composite binder with CO₂ foaming–carbonation. The approach enables simultaneous slurry lightweighting, strength enhancement, and CO₂ fixation. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate flowability, density, compressive strength, and deformation characteristics of the carbonated lightweight stabilized slurry. Microstructural analyses, including SEM and XRD, were used to reveal the formation of carbonate phases and pore structures. The results showed that MgO content strongly promoted carbonation, leading to denser microstructures and higher strength, while mineral powder and carbide slag optimized workability and pore stability. Orthogonal testing indicated that a mix with 25% mineral powder, 12.5% MgO, and 7.5% carbide slag achieved the best performance, with unconfined compressive strength up to 0.48 MPa after carbonation. Compared with conventional cement- or GGBS-based foamed lightweight soils, the proposed system exhibits superior strength development, improved pore stability, and enhanced CO₂ sequestration potential. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of recycling high-water-content waste slurry into value-added construction materials while contributing to carbon reduction targets. This study not only provides a sustainable solution for waste slurry management but also offers new insights into the integration of CO₂ mineralization into geotechnical engineering practice. Full article

Fujian Tulou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is highly vulnerable to environmental and anthropogenic stresses, with its earthen walls prone to surface cracking that threatens both structural stability and cultural value. Traditional manual inspection is inefficient, subjective, and may disturb fragile surfaces, highlighting the need for non-destructive and automated solutions. This study proposes a dual-path framework that integrates lightweight crack detection with independent physical simulation. On the detection side, an improved YOLOv12 model is developed to achieve lightweight and accurate recognition of multiple crack types under complex wall textures. On the simulation side, a two-layer RFPA^3D model was employed to parameterize loading conditions and material thickness, reproducing the four-stage crack evolution process, and aligning well with field observations. Quantitative validation across paired samples demonstrates improved consistency in morphology, geometry, and topology compared with baseline models. Overall, the framework offers an effective and interpretable solution for standardized crack documentation and mechanistic interpretation, providing practical benefits for the preventive conservation and sustainable management of Fujian Tulou. Full article

In recent years, corporate perceptions of environmental sustainability have shifted from viewing it as a compliance burden to recognizing it as a strategic driver of innovation and competitive advantage, prompting a demand for effective sustainable design tools. Traditionally, tools like the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool have been used to evaluate environmental impacts, yet their complexity, cost, and retrospective focus make them impractical for driving early-stage, disruptive innovation. Although biomimicry has emerged as a promising approach, adopting this novel interdisciplinary design practice within a corporate setting requires significant resources and time, disrupting established processes. Therefore, the biomimicry Life Principles (LPs) tool, a guiding sustainable design tool of the practice, provides an opportunity to lower the barrier to the entry of biomimicry within a corporate setting and potentially increases adoption of the broader practice. This comparative study seeks to explore the creative potential, and practical value of the biomimicry LPs tool compared to the traditional LCA approach while exploring the intrinsic motivation of R&D practitioners to implement these tools within a virtual product redesign workshop. To derive our conclusions, we employed a mixed-methods approach comprising a 23-item survey designed to assess practitioners’ intrinsic motivation and perceived practical value of the implemented tool alongside an external evaluation of the creativity of all generated design concepts. Together, these methods provide empirical evidence of the biomimicry LPs tool’s potential to enhance creative output, require minimal adoption effort, and act as a catalyst for whole-systems thinking in sustainable innovation. These findings offer compelling evidence to support their strategic addition to existing R&D toolkits and workflows. By highlighting the efficacy, accessibility, and intrinsic motivation of R&D professionals to use biomimicry LPs, the results underscore the viability of this tool to streamline the integration of biomimicry design thinking into real-world workflows. As such, they represent a pragmatic and scalable pathway to catalyze broader and deeper engagement with biomimicry across corporate contexts. Full article

Guava (Psidium guajava L.), a perennial species native to tropical regions of the Americas, holds significant economic value and plays an important role in the global fruit industry. Although several reference genomes have been published, population-level genomic studies remain limited, hindering genetic improvement efforts. In this study, we conducted whole genome re-sequencing of 62 guava accessions, primarily from Southern China and Brazil. A total of 4,887,006 high-quality SNPs and 731,469 InDels were identified for population genomic analyses. Phylogenetic and population structure analyses revealed subgroupings that largely corresponded to geographic origins. The data indicated that extensive hybridization between accessions from Brazil and or within China has contributed to the development of many dominant commercial varieties. Genetic diversity analyses showed that Brazilian accessions exhibited higher nucleotide diversity and more rapid linkage disequilibrium decay than those from China. Environmental factors and artificial selection likely imposed selective pressures that shaped guava’s adaptability and agronomic traits. A preliminary genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified PgMYB4 as a candidate gene potentially associated with fruit flesh color. These findings provide novel insights into the genetic diversity, population history, and domestication of guava, and lay a valuable foundation for future breeding and improvement strategies. Full article

University campuses in rapidly urbanizing regions face increasing pressure to balance infrastructure development with environmental sustainability, yet their carbon storage potential remains largely unexplored in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed land use changes, carbon storage dynamics, and economic valuation across three Ghanaian universities, University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and University of Cape Coast (UCC), from 2017 to 2023, and evaluated five future scenarios using the InVEST carbon model. Land use analysis employed ESRI 10 m annual land cover data, while carbon storage was estimated using regionally appropriate carbon pool values, and economic valuation applied Ghana’s social cost of carbon ($0.970/tCO₂). Historical analysis revealed substantial carbon losses: UG declined by 17.1% (19,695 Mg C), KNUST by 29.5% (20,063 Mg C), and UCC by 7.9% (3292 Mg C), due to tree cover conversion to built areas. Scenario modeling demonstrated that infrastructure-focused development would cause additional losses of 4211–6891 Mg C, while extensive tree expansion could increase storage by 1686–5227 Mg C. Economic analysis showed tree expansion generating positive net present values ($1612–$5070), while infrastructure development imposed costs (−$4028 to −$6684). These findings provide quantitative evidence for sustainable campus planning prioritizing carbon conservation in tropical institutional landscapes. Full article

High-rise building facades offer an alternative site for installing photovoltaic panels, which are traditionally placed on rooftops. The unique spatial configuration of high-rise buildings, characterized by a small footprint area relative to their height, supports the application of vertical facades for this purpose. Photovoltaic panels installed in these areas not only generate electricity but also enhance the aesthetic dimension of the urban landscape. The proposed methodology uses the EnergyPlus software to simulate the electricity generation of photovoltaic panels mounted on the walls of high-rise buildings in the city of Kragujevac, Serbia. A technical, economic, and environmental analysis was conducted for two scenarios: (1) photovoltaic panels installed on two facade areas with the highest solar potential, and (2) photovoltaic panels installed on all four available facade areas. In Scenario 1, the annual reduction in electricity consumption, annual cost savings in electricity consumption, and investment payback period range from 13 to 38%, 11 to 31%, and 8.4 to 10.6 years, respectively. In Scenario 2, these values range from 23 to 58%, 18 to 47%, and 10.9 to 12.9 years, respectively. The results indicate that southeast and southwest facades consistently achieve higher levels of electricity generation, underscoring the importance of prioritizing high-performing orientations rather than maximizing overall surface coverage. The methodology is particularly efficient for analyzing the solar potential of numerous buildings with comparable shapes, which is a characteristic commonly found in Eastern European architecture from the late 20th century. The study demonstrates the applicability of the proposed methodology as a practical and adaptable tool for assessing early-stage solar potential and providing decision support in urban energy planning. The approach addresses the identified methodological gap by offering a low-cost, flexible framework for assessing solar potential across diverse urban contexts and building typologies, while significantly simplifying the modeling process. Full article

High-quality development highlights the importance of environmental protection and green low-carbon development. The high-quality development of the manufacturing industry is not only the key content for achieving green transformation, but also an important cornerstone for building a modern national industrial system. Current research focuses on companies and governments, ignoring the important value of suppliers and consumers. As a result, existing mechanisms have failed to deliver the desired results. This paper constructs an evolutionary game model involving manufacturing enterprises, local governments, suppliers, and consumers, and systematically analyzes the strategy selection process of the four participating populations. On this basis, the impact of exogenous and endogenous factors on the evolutionarily stable strategy is studied at the microscopic level using numerical simulation methods. The results show that (1) increasing any of the endogenous factors, such as innovative capability, organization building, and industrial resources, can accelerate the evolution of manufacturing enterprises evolve to smart upgrade strategy. (2) Increasing any one of the exogenous factors, such as policy environment, industrial cooperation, and market demand, can accelerate the rate at which manufacturing enterprises choose to adopt the strategy of smart upgrade. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical reference for the behavioral strategies of manufacturing enterprises, and to provide a realistic reference for local governments to build a mechanism to promote the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. Full article

Significant depletion of natural resources, coupled with increased environmental pollution resulting from the constant evolution of global industrialization, poses a considerable problem. Therefore, it is unsurprising that sustainable “green” chemistry and technology are gathering the worldwide scientific community, whose common goal is to find applicable solutions for the abovementioned problems. This paper combined the ultrasonic extraction method (a form of “green” technology) with natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs, a type of “green” solvent) for the production of extracts from an industrial by-product (discarded waste wild apple dust). Waste wild apple dust was pretreated with different NADESs in order to explore the pretreatment benefits regarding ultrasonic extraction of bioactive compounds. Among all solvents used, aqueous propylene glycol was chosen as the best system, which, combined with Reline NADES pretreatment, provided the highest TPC and TFC values, together with the best antioxidant activities. UHPLC-DAD-MS analyses of extracts revealed the presence of natural organic acids, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, tannins, and flavones. Following this procedure, valorization of agro-industrial apple herbal waste resulted in obtaining extracts with high potential for utilization in different industrial branches (food and pharmaceutical industries), contributing to both cleaner production and reduced environmental impact. Full article