Environmental Issues Research Articles

Harnessing Agri-Food Waste as a Source of Biopolymers for Agriculture

Harnessing Agri-Food Waste as a Source of Biopolymers for Agriculture

Environmental Care Behavior through Waste Bank (Study at Teratai Waste Bank Pondok Pucung Sub-district, Pondok Aren District, South Tangerang City)

This study investigates the effectiveness of Waste Bank Lotus in enhancing community environmental awareness in South Tangerang, Indonesia. With the escalating waste generation in tandem with population growth, waste management has emerged as a critical issue exacerbated by limited landfill capacity. The Lotus Waste Bank initiative seeks to mitigate these challenges by instilling environmental consciousness among residents. Employing descriptive research methods, including observation, interviews, questionnaires, documentation, and literature review, data were gathered from 63 participants selected through purposive sampling. The results reveal that Waste Bank Lotus has successfully raised community awareness regarding environmental issues, fostered responsible behaviors in waste, water, and energy management, and adopted eco-friendly products. Moreover, various factors, including intention, community support, personal autonomy, access to information, and favorable conditions, influence community environmental behavior. Environmental awareness through waste banks entails building awareness, motivation to act, evaluation, attempted implementation, and integration into daily routines. This research underscores the pivotal role of waste banks in promoting sustainable waste management practices and cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship within communities.

Neutrality and impartiality in Midwestern U.S. newspapers: community-oriented newspaper journalists reporting of environmental water problems in agricultural and ranching states

ABSTRACT Background U.S. journalists embedded in rural and agricultural communities could adversely affect the health of residents if they avoid alerting and engaging their readers – farmers, ranchers, and community members – on environmental and health issues. We expected reporters would maintain community status quo and inaction by framing local water pollution and quality issues neutrally deemphasizing threats and solutions to maintain their own credibility as unbiased informational sources. Method In a content analysis of local water quality newspaper articles from five farming and cattle ranching states in the west central U.S. Midwest, we employed seven variables to investigate whether journalists practiced neutral, detached forms of journalism (i.e. dissemination versus interpretative role enactment, government-frame) as well as whether they deemphasized water pollution as a concerning issue (i.e. problem, threat), water pollution solutions, and readers’ efficaciousness. Results The results showed these journalists relied heavily on government-driven narratives presenting water quality issues from an impartial, straight reporting lens in which they primarily followed the journalistic dissemination role enactment, while neglecting to provide readers with interpretative, threat, efficacy, or solution’s information. Conclusions The study seeks to help communicators understand the information diet people living in this part of the country likely receive on environmental and health risks in the context of water pollution. Communicators seeking to reach and affect audiences in this region should understand local information practices to navigate how to craft culturally specific public health messages.

Utilizing InSAR for Surface Stability Monitoring in Mining Sites: A Case Study of Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt

Abstract. The monitoring of mining sites is crucial as a result of the safety and environmental issues linked to mining activities. Traditional surveying and monitoring tools exhibit limitations in terms of spatial coverage and are associated with various concerns regarding time and cost efficiency. Hence, the mining industry has shown increased interest in the time-series analysis of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). This is primarily due to its precision and wide spatial coverage advantages. This study employed an InSAR technology, persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI), to identify potential geohazards within the Sukari gold mine (SGM), located in Egypt. A total of 23 images were collected from the ascending orbit of Sentinel-1 sensor between January 7, 2022, and November 3, 2022, for the SGM mining location. Results revealed relatively stable measurements in non-mining areas of the site, with a surface displacement within ±10mm per year in the line-of-sight (LOS) direction. However, several active mining operation areas showed significant surface motion. Various sections of the open pit of the SGM exhibited displacement, including the southwestern edge (-16.8mm) and the northeastern edge (35.7mm), and the highest velocity was detected at a section of the western edge, which demonstrated an annual displacement of -64mm in the LOS. Additionally, notable surface motion was observed in some parts of the two tailings storage facilities at the site. The results of this study illustrate the importance of InSAR techniques in mining site-wide coverage stability monitoring.

Highly efficient degradation and detoxification of antibiotics over C–Dots/siderite heteroaggregates in photo-Fenton systems: The crucial role of C–Dots

The substantial presence of antibiotics in aquatic environments remains as a critical environmental issue that needs to be urgently addressed. In this study, mimetics of C–Dots/siderite heteroaggregates (CSI) were studied in a visible-light-responsive Fenton system as a platform for the degradation of antibiotics in contaminated water. By virtue of the excellent electron transfer of C–Dots, the sustained conversion cycles of Fe(II) → Fe(III) → Fe(II) in CSI were greatly accelerated, and meanwhile the H2O2 utilization was enhanced. The optimized CSI–3 nanocomposite displayed a prominent degradation efficiency towards a series of tetracycline analogs at ppb levels. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated the excellent photo-Fenton catalytic performance of CSI originated from the increased d-band center and electron density, which considerably improves the utilization of H2O2. Both experimental and theoretical studies revealed that the correlated toxicity of degradation intermediates was significantly decreased. Additionally, a continuous flow device integrating the CSI photo-Fenton system maintained a high degradation efficiency after long-term treatment of simulated chlortetracycline wastewater. The presented work thereby confirms a spontaneous remediation process for the decontamination and detoxification of persistent organic pollutants under the action of heteroaggregates formed by engineered nanoparticles and natural minerals.

Use of low-cost sensors, attached to vests, to measure parameters of environmental issues by sending data to the cloud

Use of low-cost sensors, attached to vests, to measure parameters of environmental issues by sending data to the cloud

Conjugating HA bundles with ZIF-8 for catalytic degradation of tetracycline and antibacterial capacity

The overused of antibiotics had led to major environmental issues and drug-resistant bacteria, which inevitably harmed the environment and public health. In this work, in order to obtain environmentally friendly bi-functional materials to combat with residual antibiotics and bacterial contamination, ZIF-8, a typical Zn based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZnZIF) with excellent chemical stability, was conjugated to hydroxyapatite nanowire bundles (HAnBs) by a simple in-situ synthesis. The obtained ZnZIFs@HAnBs was characterized by SEM, EDS, XPS, FT-IR, XRD and BET. The effects of catalysts, catalyst dosage, TC initial concentration, PMS concentration and pH on TC degradation were investigated. Notably, ZnZIFs@HAnBs (94.0 %) exhibited excellent degradation effect of tetracycline (TC) within 15 min, which was 1.7 and 5.2 times than that of ZIF-8 (55.9 %) and HAnBs (18.1 %) under optimal conditions, respectively. Moreover, after recycling 10 times, the degradation rate still more than 86.8 %. The degradation mechanism was confirmed by free radical quenching experiment coupling with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and the 1O2 and O2•- were the major reactive oxygen species in TC degradation. Furthermore, it presented excellent antibacterial activity (95.0 %) against E. coli and S. aureus, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of sustained release of Zn2+ and phosphate in ZnZIF@HAnBs. In summary, an eco-friendly bi-functional materials of HA nanowire bundles could be synthesized by simple strategy, and it could be applied in the fields of environmental remediation, as well as in treatment of antibiotic and bacterial pollution.

Synthesis, antifungal activity and action mechanism of novel citral amide derivatives against Rhizoctonia solani.

Rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani is a severe threat to the yield and quality of rice. Due to the unscientific abuse of common fungicides causing resistance and environmental issues, the development of new fungicides is necessary. In this study, we used citral as the lead compound, designed and synthesized a series of novel citral amide derivatives, and evaluated their antifungal activity and mode of action against R. solani. Bioassay results indicated that the antifungal activities of most citral amide derivatives against R. solani were significantly improved compared to citral, with EC50 values ranging from 9.50-27.12 mg L-1. Among them, compound d21 containing the N-(pyridin-4-yl)carboxamide group exhibited in vitro and in vivo fungicidal activities, with curative effects at 500 mg L-1 as effectively as the commercial fungicide validamycin·bacillus. Furthermore, d21 prolonged the lag phase of the growth curve of R. solani, reduced the amount of growth, and inhibited sclerotium germination and formation. Mechanistically, d21 deformed the mycelia, increased cell membrane permeability, and inhibited the activities of antioxidant and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA)-related enzymes. Metabolome analysis showed the abundance of some energy-related metabolites within R. solani increased, and simultaneously the antifungal substances secreted by itself reduced. Transcriptome analysis showed that most genes encoding ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and peroxisomes upregulated after the treatment of d21 and cell membrane destruction. This study indicates that novel citral amide derivatives possess antifungal activity against R. solani and are expected to develop an alternative option for chemical control of rice sheath blight. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Board gender diversity and environmental material topics: Evidence from GRI-based reports in the Italian context

PurposeThis paper investigates whether board gender diversity is associated with the propensity to prioritize environmental issues in the material topic list on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-based reports.Design/methodology/approachRegressions analyses are performed using a sample of 755 firm-year observations from Italy over the 2018–2022 period. The data were obtained from hand-collection on GRI-based reports and Refinitiv Eikon database. Board gender diversity is measured through three proxies: the natural logarithm of the number of women directors, the ratio of female representation on board and the Blau index reflecting the proportion of women/men on board. Additional tests are also developed.FindingsResults show that board gender diversity positively influences the propensity to rank environmental issues at the top of the material topic list on GRI-based reports.Research limitations/implicationsSince the study focuses on the Italian context, results cannot be subjective to an extensive generalization to other countries.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the importance of strengthening the female participation on board to prioritize the firm’s impact on environment within the materiality assessment of sustainability reporting.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the association between board gender diversity and the highest ranked environmental material topics, thus contributing to better understand the role of women directors on materiality assessment within sustainability reporting.

Economic-environmental assessment of emission tax policy in developing countries: evidence from Iran

PurposeThe present study aims at quantifying the likely impacts of an environmental tax on macroeconomic variables and pollution in Iran.Design/methodology/approachThe computable general equilibrium model, which allows the prediction of the economy-wide effects of any change in policy instruments, is applied.FindingsThe main findings reveal that gross domestic product, private consumption and income in both urban and rural areas will follow a declining trend as a result of environmental tax imposition. In a scenario with the highest level of tax, the predicted percentage change to the gross domestic product and private consumption is estimated at −21.32 and −40.96, respectively. In the same scenario, pollution emissions would decrease by 12.4–22.6% for CO2, CH4 and N2O.Originality/valueThis study uses a general equilibrium model to examine the effects of the carbon tax on environmental issues and household welfare, considering the unique conditions and regulations of Iran. While the related literature examines the CO2 tax, the current study covers more pollutants, including CO2, CH4, N2O, CO, SO2 and NOx. In addition, a distinguishing feature of the current study is that it applies a modified version of the social accounting matrix (SAM) database, which includes the heavy subsidies of energy products. Another significant feature of the current study is that it examines tax policy while tax rates are exerted endogenously (compared to previous studies).

Review on preheating systems for Lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles under low temperature circumstance

Nowadays, energy and environmental protection issues have become the focus of most attention. The development of electric vehicles which depends on lithium ion battery as power source is one of the most applicable way in dealing with these issues. Lithium-ion battery (LIB) is highly favoured for its outstanding features in energy density, cycle life and energy retention. However, its severe sensitivity to working temperatures leads to problems when driving electric vehicles. Therefore, researchers and engineers have explored approaches to guaranteeing a suitable working temperature for LIB, one of which is the battery preheating system. To clarify the advancement of this system, both internal and external preheating methods studied in recent years are summarized, and the discussion for future research is included.

The new CEPAR® model: a five-step methodology to tackle corporate ESG challenges

PurposeAddressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues has become a critical aspect of business strategy. Since ESG has primarily focused on ratings and measures for reporting, there is a scarcity of methods to assist stakeholders in better comprehending corporate risk and addressing ESG-related issues and problems. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new model to narrow the critical gap.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on several well-known structural frameworks for managing risks and projects in various industries. Two case studies on topics related to environment (E) and social (S) responsibility are used to demonstrate the practical implementation of the CEPAR® model.FindingsThe CEPAR® model, a trademarked five-step methodology (the Challenge-Evaluation-Planning-Action-Review model) was developed by the International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD). The method and guidelines are outlined for easier appreciation by stakeholders of corporations to analyze ESG-related challenges and dilemmas, then able to make principled decisions, take actions, and review the outcomes. Each phase of the new model adheres to the theoretical and practical frameworks for problem-solving and decision-making, emphasizing the iterate process of addressing challenges, evaluating materiality, planning actions, taking actions, and reviewing the outcomes.Originality/valueThe new model is applicable for business corporations and organizations seeking to gain insight and tackle crucial ESG issues, ultimately improving their short- and long-term decision-making and business opportunities.

Altered biotoxicity of cadmium to freshwater green algae by different concentrations of polystyrene

Microplastic pollution has become a global problem, threatening water bodies and aquatic organisms around the world. Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment is an environmental issue of long-term concern, and relatively few studies have been conducted on the compound toxic pollution of freshwater algae by microplastics and heavy metals. Therefore, in this study, Cd and polystyrene (PS) were selected as representative heavy metals and microplastics in the environment, and the toxic effects of the two pollutants on freshwater algae were investigated by determining the biomass of algal growth, chlorophyll a content, and the bioconcentration of heavy metals. It was found that the two pollutants alone could inhibit the growth and photosynthesis of the algae, and the toxicity increased with the increase of concentration. When the two pollutants were combined, the toxicity of Cd depended on the concentration of PS, and both low (1 mg/L) and high (100 mg/L) concentrations of PS increased the toxicity of Cd in a synergistic manner, whereas the medium concentration (10 mg/L) of PS showed an antagonistic effect, which was able to inhibit the toxicity of Cd.

Environmental awareness of university students in Colombia

The objective of this article was to evaluate the level of environmental awareness of university students in a peripheral region of southern Colombia. Environmental awareness was approached as a multidimensional variable consisting of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions. The study was quantitative, approached from the deductive method and descriptive type. The study population corresponded to young university students, and a non-probabilistic convenience sampling was used. For the environmental awareness variable, an instrument was developed with a Likert-type scale based on multiple research studies. The sample consisted of 527 university students. The reliability of the study was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability, while validity was analyzed with mean variance explained and confirmatory factor analysis, being in all cases satisfactory. As a result, modest levels of environmental awareness were evidenced in all dimensions, which is particularly worrying as most of the young people surveyed were between 18 and 25 years old, indicating low interest, knowledge, and availability for environmental issues among future professionals of the South Colombian region. The results were in line with certain results found in similar research reported in the literature. Nevertheless, the situation is worrisome because young students are the new generation of citizens. Acknowledgment This article was written within the framework of the Special Cooperation Agreement No. 230 of 2023 signed between the Universidad Surcolombiana and the Corporación Autónoma Regional del Alto Magdalena CAM in the project “Implementation of the SENDICAM Science Center as a strategy for the recognition, conservation and social appropriation of the natural heritage in the central and southern area of the department of Huila” BPIN 2021000100425.

Additive Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 and its Implications for Sustainability in Production Processes

Objective: This research aimed to analyze the implications of the use of additive manufacturing for sustainability in production processes. Methodology: The research was characterized as exploratory qualitative approach, which was carried out with 15 professionals from a Brazilian industry. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, and analysis of the speech revealed insights into the environmental implications of additive manufacturing. Results and discussion: As a result, it was evidenced that despite the benefits offered by additive manufacturing for sustainability, such as reducing material waste and personalized production, there are significant challenges to be faced. Concern about the recyclability of materials used in 3D printing has been identified as a critical point, underlining the pressing need to develop more efficient and sustainable recycling processes to deal with the waste generated. In addition, mentioning the importance of considering the full life cycle of products emphasizes the complexity of environmental issues associated with additive manufacturing, requiring holistic approaches that consider environmental impacts at all stages of the process. Conclusion: Therefore, the need for an integrated approach to sustainability in additive manufacturing is highlighted, which not only maximizes the environmental benefits of the technology, but also proactively deals with emerging challenges, thus ensuring a positive impact on the environment.

Green decisions: The role of environmental strategies and proactivity in India’s manufacturing micro enterprises

This study investigates the implication of environmental strategies and environmental management accounting (EMA) on the environmental performance of manufacturing micro companies in India. It also assesses the mediating influence of EMA and the moderating impact of environmental proactivity. This paper employs the natural resource-based view theory to evaluate the domination of environmental strategies and EMA on environmental effectiveness. Even though MSMEs play a significant role in the Indian economy, their environmental impact is considerable due to less stringent adherence to environmental standards and practices. The data were gathered via a survey administered to managers of MSMEs. In the analysis, 107 reliable responses were included. Partial least square structural equation modeling is employed for the analysis of the dataset. The results show that environmental strategies positively influence environmental performance and EMA. EMA operates as a mediator for environmental strategies and environmental outcomes. Moreover, environmental proactivity moderates the association between environmental strategies and environmental performance. Hypotheses testing results conclude that manufacturing micro companies that emphasize environmental strategies and factors have improved environmental performance. Companies that proactively deal with environmental issues develop strategies to achieve sustainability.

Repurposing Industrial By-Products for Environmental Beneficial Applications : An Approach for Renewable Energy Production

Environmental pollution stemming from fossil fuel usage and industrial waste production poses significant challenges to global sustainability efforts. This research paper introduces a pioneering platform designed to facilitate collaboration between two key stakeholders: polluters generating waste and innovators seeking sustainable solutions. The platform aims to streamline the process of repurposing industrial by-products for environmentally beneficial applications, particularly in the realm of waste treatment and renewable energy production. Beginning with an overview of the pressing environmental issues caused by traditional energy production and waste generation processes, this paper underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to mitigate pollution and promote sustainability. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature, the research identifies opportunities to bridge the gap between polluters and innovators, laying the groundwork for the development of the sustainable resource management platform. Methodologically, the paper outlines the conceptualization and implementation of the platform, detailing its key features and functionalities. Central to its operation is the integration of user-friendly interfaces and robust data analytics capabilities, enabling efficient matchmaking between waste producers and potential users of by-products. Results from the platform's pilot implementation demonstrate its efficacy in fostering collaborative partnerships and promoting resource circularity. By connecting polluters with innovators capable of transforming waste into valuable resources such as biofuels and renewable energy, the platform facilitates a paradigm shift towards sustainable resource management practices. Discussion of the results addresses the broader implications of the platform for environmental conservation and sustainable development. Emphasizing its potential to drive positive environmental outcomes while fostering economic opportunities, the paper concludes by highlighting avenues for further research and expansion of the platform's functionalities. In summary, this research paper presents a novel approach to addressing environmental pollution and promoting resource efficiency through collaborative innovation, underscoring the importance of collective action in building a more sustainable future. Key Words: Enviroment pollution mitigation, climate safety, climate alert.

Analysis of Meteorological Drivers of Taihu Lake Algal Blooms over the Past Two Decades and Development of a VOCs Emission Inventory for Algal Bloom

Cyanobacterial blooms represent a common environmental issue in aquatic systems, and these blooms bring forth numerous hazards, with the generation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being one of them. Global climate change has led to alterations in various climatic factors affecting algal growth, indirectly impacting the quantity of VOCs released by algae. With advancements in remote sensing technology, exploration of the spatiotemporal distributions of algae in large water bodies has become feasible. This study focuses on Taihu Lake, characterized by frequent occurrences of cyanobacterial blooms. Utilizing MODIS satellite imagery from 2001 to 2020, we analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of cyanobacterial blooms in Taihu Lake and its subregions. Employing the LightGBM machine learning model and the (SHapley Additive exPlanations) SHAP values, we quantitatively analyzed the major meteorological drivers influencing cyanobacterial blooms in each region. VOC-related source spectra and emission intensities from cyanobacteria in Taihu Lake are collected based on the literature review and are used to compile the first inventory of VOC emissions from blue-green algae blooms in Taihu Lake. The results indicate that since the 21st century, the situation of cyanobacterial blooms in Taihu Lake has continued to deteriorate with increasing variability. The relative impact of meteorological factors varies across different regions, but temperature consistently shows the highest sensitivity in all areas. The VOCs released from the algal blooms increase with the proliferation of the blooms, posing a continuous threat to the atmospheric environment of the surrounding cities. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for further improvement of air quality in urban areas adjacent to large lakes.

Organic Electrode Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion: Mechanism, Characteristics, and Applications.

ConspectusLithium ion batteries (LIBs) with inorganic intercalation compounds as electrode active materials have become an indispensable part of human life. However, the rapid increase in their annual production raises concerns about limited mineral reserves and related environmental issues. Therefore, organic electrode materials (OEMs) for rechargeable batteries have once again come into the focus of researchers because of their design flexibility, sustainability, and environmental compatibility. Compared with conventional inorganic cathode materials for Li ion batteries, OEMs possess some unique characteristics including flexible molecular structure, weak intermolecular interaction, being highly soluble in electrolytes, and moderate electrochemical potentials. These unique characteristics make OEMs suitable for applications in multivalent ion batteries, low-temperature batteries, redox flow batteries, and decoupled water electrolysis. Specifically, the flexible molecular structure and weak intermolecular interaction of OEMs make multivalent ions easily accessible to the redox sites of OEMs and facilitate the desolvation process on the redox site, thus improving the low-temperature performance, while the highly soluble nature enables OEMs as redox couples for aqueous redox flow batteries. Finally, the moderate electrochemical potential and reversible proton storage and release of OEMs make them suitable as redox mediators for water electrolysis. Over the past ten years, although various new OEMs have been developed for Li-organic batteries, Na-organic batteries, Zn-organic batteries, and other battery systems, batteries with OEMs still face many challenges, such as poor cycle stability, inferior energy density, and limited rate capability. Therefore, previous reviews of OEMs mainly focused on organic molecular design for organic batteries or strategies to improve the electrochemical performance of OEMs. A comprehensive review to explore the characteristics of OEMs and establish the correlation between these characteristics and their specific application in energy storage and conversion is still lacking.In this Account, we initially provide an overview of the sustainability and environmental friendliness of OEMs for energy storage and conversion. Subsequently, we summarize the charge storage mechanisms of the different types of OEMs. Thereafter, we explore the characteristics of OEMs in comparison with conventional inorganic intercalation compounds including their structural flexibility, high solubility in the electrolyte, and appropriate electrochemical potential in order to establish the correlations between their characteristics and potential applications. Unlike previous reviews that mainly introduce the electrochemical performance progress of different organic batteries, this Account specifically focuses on some exceptional applications of OEMs corresponding to the characteristics of organic electrode materials in energy storage and conversion, as previously published by our groups. These applications include monovalent ion batteries, multivalent ion batteries, low-temperature batteries, redox flow batteries with soluble OEMs, and decoupled water electrolysis employing organic electrodes as redox mediators. We hope that this Account will make an invaluable contribution to the development of organic electrode materials for next-generation batteries and help to unlock a world of potential energy storage applications.

On the impact of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) - mining sector perspectives

ABSTRACT The application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industrial systems and other new technological advancements led to the development of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). IIoT can help overcome the shortcomings of the conventional monitoring and control system while enabling enterprises to create a unified monitoring system to automate operations, provide a safe working environment, enforce compliance effectively, and regulate environmental issues. Given the advantages that IoT brings to the forefront, it makes sense that so many mining companies have raised their investment following the implementation of IoT-enabled solutions in their organisations. To increase safety, productivity, and environmental sustainability in mining operations, this article examines the current state of information technology in the mineral industry with an emphasis on the implications and challenges brought on by the technological diversity of various systems and devices used in those activities. The study contributes valuable insights into the integration of IoT technologies in the mining industry, highlighting its potential to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The paper paves the way for future research and development efforts aimed at overcoming the challenges of adopting IIoT in mining operations by identifying gaps and proposing a comprehensive IoT architecture. The innovations of the study are encapsulated in its approach to detailing the application of IoT technologies in enhancing mining operations and the establishment of an overall IIoT architecture suitable for the general operations in the mining industry.