Low-energy Intensity Research Articles

ПОВЫШЕНИЕ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ ПОЛИВНЫХ НОРМ ПРИ ОРОШАЕМОМ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИИ КОРМОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР В УСЛОВИЯХ СТЕПНОЙ ЗОНЫ СЕВЕРНОГО КАЗАХСТАНА

The article presents the results of research on the selection and use of sprinkling machines in the cultivation of agrophytocenoses of fodder crops on irrigated lands of Northern Kazakhstan. Evaluation and selection of a sprinkling machine for Northern Kazakhstan were made on the basis of theoretical data from previous studies, taking into account the following factors – low water and energy intensity, less or safe volume of soil washout. The objects of the study were annual fodder crops for mowing, in field experiments classical methods were used, based on the principles of observing a single difference by setting up and laying field and laboratory experiments on soils typical for the region, selecting a sprinkling machine by analyzing theoretical indicators.The analysis showed that the pre-irrigation soil moisture is not taken into account when calculating the erosion-permissible irrigation rate, which causes the risk of runoff and soil erosion at high thresholds of pre-irrigation soil moisture (70% lowest moisture capacity and more), respectively, the use of the ValleyFP565 sprinkling machine, with the calculated Erosion-Permissible Irrigation Rate indicators, does not cause runoff water, respectively, soil erosion and an irrational increase in the irrigation rate. For the cultivation of mixed sowing of oats with mustard during irrigation with a growing season of 56 days, 4 irrigations were required with an irrigation rate of 1096 m3/ha. During irrigation, the total water consumption of oat crops with mustard was 1638 m3/ha, while the share of the irrigation norm in the total water consumption was 61.5%.

Optimization of multifunctional powing unit parameters

Technology of soil moldboard plowing with a reversible plow with the simultaneous the main mineral fertilizer application, as well as additional crumbling of plowed layer and leveling the field surface, is substantiated. Using the modeling of operation process of complex plowing unit, its optimal parameters and operating modes are substantiated. Feature of the structural and technological scheme of the proposed unit is the use of reversible high-speed plow PSK with a reinforced frame structure, with a low energy intensity of the plowing process due to the elimination of plow land-sides, with devices for crumbling furrow slice and leveling field surface with simultaneous mineral fertilizer application. Incorporation and application of fertilizers into the soil without a break in time improves operation quality and reduces costs. Block diagram of algorithm for optimizing parameters and modes of proposed multifunctional plowing unit operation is presented and dependence of tractor engine power on its mass is approximated. Mathematical model and algorithm for optimizing the parameters and modes of complex unit operation have been developed, using as an optimization criterion, the minimum value of total energy consumption for the performance of operation process with a working speed limit of up to 15 km/h, plow working width of up to 6 m, plow specific resistance coefficient of up to 80 kN/m2, plowing depth of up to 0.3 m, fertilizer hopper capacity up to 4 m3, furrow length of up to 2 km. The K-701 tractor has been adopted as a power unit. At the minimum value of the optimization criterion, the following parameters have been substantiated: plow width, working speed, fuel consumption, performance, power unit tractive effort, traction power, fertilizer hopper capacity. Dependences of optimization criterion on the unit parameters and modes of its operation have been obtained.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF APPROACHES TO DETERMINING THE PARAMETERS OF A CAPACITIVE ENERGY STORAGE FOR ELECTRIC ROLLING STOCK

The article deals with the main existing approaches to determining the parameters of on-board capacitive energy storages for electric rolling stock and their comparative analysis. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the ten considered approaches are set out. Each of the approaches is described and their comparative analysis is performed according to such criteria as the level of research complexity, the financial component of research, the possibility of taking into account the real operation conditions of electric rolling stock while carrying out the research, the method of evaluating the parameters of the on-board capacitive energy storage, the possibility of determining rational parameters, the universality of the approach, considering the technical and economic component and limitations on weight and size of indicators. The power and energy capacity of on-board capacitive energy storage devices, their weight-size indicators when applying each of the considered approaches for the same given operating conditions of the electric rolling stock are determined. A five-car articulated vehicle with an asynchronous traction drive and recovery systems, consisting of metro cars of models 81-7080, 81-7081, 81-7081-01, was chosen as the electric rolling stock. The experimental section between the final stations of the SviatoshynskBrovary line of the utility company “Kyivskyi Metropolitan” was chosen as the specified operating conditions. The payback period and the impact of storage systems with the selected parameters on the performance indicators of the given electric rolling stock while using various approaches are determined. It was found that the most developed approaches, the key point of which is the selection of rational parameters using theoretical research with the help of application-specific software and multi-criteria evaluation methods. The feasibility of using a multi-criteria approach, which allows choosing rational parameters of the capacitive energy storage for electric rolling stock based on three important evaluation criteria, i.e., weight, volume and payback period, is demonstrated. It was established that it is rational to use an on-board capacitive energy storage device of low power and energy intensity.

Improving the properties of unburned earth to control the interior microclimate

The article concerns the problematics of unburned earth used as material for moulding formwork or clay plaster with lowered contraction, especially about interior unburned earth plaster with the heightened percentage of clay and therefore improved sorption abilities. By adding a plasticizer, it is possible to modify the fluidity of the mixture. With lessening the amount of water it is possible to lower the shrinkage. Furthermore, we can increase the ratio of clay to sand and thus we can control the indoor microclimate. This is because the clay provides adsorption properties. Unburnt clay has been widely used as a building material in the past around the world. In the last century, this material was rather despised. Nowadays, however, this trend is reversing and the unburnt clay is experiencing a renaissance. Increasingly people emphasize ecology, a healthy and balanced indoor climate, and demand buildings with low operational and energy intensity. All this can be offered by unburnt clay, because it is energy-efficient in production, easily accessible in almost all parts of the world, harmless, and beneficial to human health, as clay can contribute to the improvement of the internal microclimate to a much greater extent than other building materials, as confirmed by many scientific findings.

Energy efficiency in shared buildings: Quantification of the potential at multiple scales

The field of non-residential buildings is very heterogeneous. This results in a compartmentalized approach that prevents desired energy efficiency improvements from being achieved at a large scale. This paper proposes a transversal approach to energy efficiency based on the aggregation of building typologies and the integration of the scales of analysis.Upon energy and occupancy analogies we define shared buildings as buildings characterized by a low energy intensity, the predominance of HVAC systems on energy uses, and a large and variable occupancy. This concept gathers in itself a considerable energy efficiency potential, as shared buildings are found to account for 35% of non-residential energy consumption. We overview energy efficiency hotspots and operational criticalities in shared buildings and outline the development of a framework that is fit-for-purpose for the quantification of the energy efficiency potential at multiple scales.Improvement in ventilation energy management in a university stock is used to exemplify the approach: first, we apply dynamic simulation to a single building obtaining 65% HVAC energy savings; then, we generalize the results to the property stock obtaining reductions from 190 to 130 kWh/(m2y) in energy intensity, simultaneously fulfilling the desired energetic and economic targets.

How Do Innovation-Driven Policies Help Sports Firms Sustain Growth? The Mediating Role of R&D Investment

The sports industry features low energy intensity and low emissions through which it has played an important role in realizing sustainable development. This study aims to examine the driving factors that help sports firms improve their innovation development and sustain growth. Using a panel of 95 sports firms listed on the New Third Board in China from 2015 to 2021 with 582 observations, this study evaluated the effect of innovation-driven policies on sports firms’ long-term growth, measured by market value, and the mediating effect of R&D investment on this relationship. The results showed that innovation subsidies and the deduction of R&D expenses can effectively encourage sports firms’ engagement in innovation development and finally help improve the firms’ market value. Furthermore, we found that the effect of R&D subsidies on sports firms’ market values increases with firm size. This study provides new insights into the literature on the long-term growth of sports firms by showing that policy support for sports firms’ innovation activities enables them to invest more resources into research and development activities, which finally reinforce their potential of long-term growth. Furthermore, the findings provide practical suggestions for policymakers on enhancing the development of the sports industry and helping sports firms sustain growth.

Comparisons of alkali-activated binder concrete (ABC) with OPC concrete - A review

Improving the sustainability of concrete industry by adopting durable concrete with low energy intensity has become one of the major research focus in recent years, leading to the remarkable progress on alkali-activated binder concrete (ABC). To reveal the potentialities yet limitations of ABC towards a wider application, the parameters important to the properties of ABC were comprehensively reviewed in this paper. A systematic comparison with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) concrete was provided, intending to assist in the selection of raw materials as well as curing regime for ABC to achieve similar workability, mechanical properties and better durability. However, a broad synthesis of available laboratory and field data highlighted the fact that it is rather complicated to control the performance of ABC which is highly sensitive to both the chemical and physical characteristic of precursors and activators. The lack of standardised procedures for assessing specific performance has further challenged the production of ABC with desirable properties, since some practical and reliable test methods developed for OPC were proved unsuitable for ABC. Nevertheless, given careful mix design with locally available raw materials, ABC is a potential low carbon material, especially for structures in harsh environments like sewage, chemical acid, organic acid and elevated temperature.

The influence of biological techniques in the feed crop rotation link on soil productivity and fertility

Relevance. New fertilizers Azotovite and Phosphatovite do not pollute the soil and provide significant savings when applying in combination with traditional fertilizers. Studies on the use of Azotovite and Phosphatovite in the conditions of the Novgorod region on sod-podzolic soil in improved fodder crop rotations have not yetbeen conducted, therefore research on the influence of Azotovite and Phosphatovite together with mineral fertilizers in improved crop rotations is relevant.Methods. The results of studies of two-factor field experiment, carried out in 2019–2021 on sod-podzolic soil in the conditions of the Novgorod region, are presented to study the influence on the yield and nutritional value of forage cropsof three methods of using Azotovite (A) and Phosphatovite (P) — factor H— and mineral fertilizers in full dosagesfor a programmed yield (background 1) andin dosages, reduced by 50% (background 2) (factor B) in the feed crop rotation link: spring rapeseed for siderate; winter rye and spring barley for grain. The use of crop-root residues, siderates and grain straw serves as a basis for increasing soil fertility.Results. It was established that the introduction of a complete mineral fertilizer based on the planned harvest, the double use of Azotovite and Phosphatovite in technological operations— etching of seed material (by 2 l/t of each preparation) and non-root spraying of plants in the period up to 30 cm (by 1 l/ha of each preparation) —provided high productivity of siderate (38.2 t/ha),grain of winter rye (7.1 t/ha) and spring barley (4.1 t/ha); digestible proteinin amount 0.65 and 0.34 t/ha was obtained, low energy intensity of grain production (less than 3.0 GJ/t) is combined with high energy efficiency of production — 5.8 units. The use of siderate and grain straw as organic fertilizers allowed to increase soil fertility on average per crop rotation link for all variants of the experiment by more than 47 GJ/ha.

Laser specific energy consumption: How do laser systems compare to other manufacturing processes?

Laser material interactions are routinely praised for their selective processing and high processing rates. However, this does not guarantee that the total manufacturing system has a low energy intensity compared to conventional manufacturing processes. This paper presents the results of a collaborative UK and China research project to improve the comprehension of the total energy consumption and carbon emissions for laser-based manufacturing. A range of individual laser cutting, welding, and cleaning processes were studied to assess their energy efficiency, including the laser and its ancillary subsystems (e.g., cooling and extraction). The project developed a systematic analysis method, adapted from BS ISO 14955-1:2017, which incorporated time and subsystem level studies to quantify all energy consumption components of a laser system. Previous research has identified that the laser system's most significant contributor to the total energy consumption are the auxiliary or supporting subsystems, not the laser emission. This identified that using only the absorbed radiation to evaluate manufacturing efficiency is misleading. All the processes evaluated followed a negative correlation between processing rate (kg/h) and specific energy consumption (J/kg). The new data conclude that laser processes have a relatively high energy intensity compared to conventional manufacturing alternatives. The results can be used to identify where the most significant improvements to individual laser systems can be made. The comprehensive comparison of processes allows manufacturers to select processes to improve environmental impact.

Reducing energy poverty in deprived regions or supporting new developments in metropolitan suburbs? Regional differences in the use of subsidies for home energy efficiency renovations

This paper contributes to existing research on home energy efficiency renovations by analysing the extent to which regional differences in the distribution of subsidies for renovations are related to geographical and socioeconomic factors, by analysing statistical data for districts in the Czech Republic. The novelty of this study lies in the fact that it maps and analyses not only regional differences in the rate of drawing subsidies and its determinants, but also differences in the way these subsidies are used (whether for reducing the energy intensity of existing houses by insulation, implementing renewable energy technologies or building new houses with low energy intensity). The analysis revealed significant correlations between the amount of subsidies drawn in districts per capita and variables which indicate territorial stability and social capital. There are significant differences in the rate of drawing subsidies between specific regions that are considered as economically deprived and where people are at higher risk of energy poverty. While border regions in the east of the country show an above-average use of funds for insulation of existing houses, in the largest cities and their suburban areas people are more likely to use subsidies for construction of new houses. The results indicate that subsides should be redistributed and targeted more effectively in respect to the declared objectives of the program.

Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation Boosts Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia over Single-Atom Cu with Cu(I)-N3C1 Sites.

The conversion of nitrate to ammonia can serve two important functions: mitigating nitrate pollution and offering a low energy intensity pathway for ammonia synthesis. Conventional ammonia synthesis from electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reactions (NO3RR) is often impeded by incomplete nitrate conversion, sluggish kinetics, and the competition of hydrogen evolution reactions. Herein, atomic Cu sites anchored on micro-/mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon (Cu MNC) with fine-tuned hydrophilicity, micro-/mesoporous channels, and abundant Cu(I) sites were synthesized for selective nitrate reduction to ammonia, achieving ambient temperature and pressure hydrogenation of nitrate. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that the catalyst has an ammonia yield rate per active site of 5466 mmol gCu-1 h-1 and transformed 94.8% nitrate in wastewater containing 100 mg-N L-1 to near drinking water standard (MCL of 5 mg-N L-1) at -0.64 V vs RHE. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and theoretical calculations showed that the coordination environment of Cu(I) sites (Cu(I)-N3C1) localizes the charge around the central Cu atoms and adsorbs *NO3 and *H onto neighboring Cu and C sites with balanced adsorption energy. The Cu(I)-N3C1 moieties reduce the activation energy of rate-limiting steps (*HNO3 → *NO2, *NH2 → *NH3) compared with conventional Cu(II)-N4 and lead to a thermodynamically favorable process to NH3. The as-prepared electrocatalytic cell can run continuously for 84 h (14 cycles) and produce 21.7 mgNH3 with only 5.64 × 10-3 kWh energy consumption, suitable for decentralized nitrate removal and ammonia synthesis from nitrate-containing wastewater.

Ethyl acetate production from dilute bioethanol with low energy intensity

Ethyl acetate production by esterification and bioethanol recovery from dilute solutions (11 wt %) are energy-intensive processes. Although ethanol is a raw material for ethyl acetate production, both technologies are usually studied independently. Here, a cleaning coupled process was proposed. The dilute stream of ethanol was fed to a reactive distillation column, so reflux and columns for dehydration of ethanol were not required. This increases the steam flow at the bottoms of the reactive zone. Steam was found to displace the equilibrium allowing a total recovery of products in the reactive distillation column, ethyl acetate (top) and water (bottoms). So, it was found that, counterintuitively, steam favors the recovery of ethyl acetate, avoiding the over-recycle of raw materials such as acetic acid. An extractive distillation scheme using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was also proposed to minimize the energy requirements for the purification of a mixture of ethanol, water, and ethyl acetate. The decision tree model was used to estimate the importance of operating variables on total annualized costs. The operating conditions were selected considering steady-state multiplicities. The energy intensity was further decreased by heat integration with vapor compression from 2.4 to 2.8 to 0.9–1.4 MJ/kg-ethyl acetate. The scheme proposed in this work was found to be a novel intensified process as the energy intensity of the scheme proposed was between three and seven times lower than that reported previously in the literature.

Peaking Global and G20 Countries' CO2 Emissions under the Shared Socio-Economic Pathways.

Mitigating climate change requires long-term global efforts. The aim of this study is to simulate the possible paths of CO2 emissions in G20 countries and the world from 2020 to 2050, by using the STIRPAT model and SSP scenarios with different constraints (SSP baseline, SSP-3.4). The results show that: (1) the world’s CO2 emissions cannot peak in the SSP baseline scenarios, but can peak in the SSP-3.4 scenarios through four paths other than the high fossil energy consumption path; (2) for G20 countries, in the SSP baseline scenarios, 13 countries such as China, the United States, and the United Kingdom can achieve the peak, while six countries such as Argentina, India, and Saudi Arabia cannot. In the SSP-3.4 scenarios, Saudi Arabia cannot achieve the peak, while other countries can achieve the peak, and most of them are likely to achieve significant CO2 emission reductions by 2050; (3) climate goals have a crowding-out effect on other sustainable development goals, with less impact on developed countries and a greater impact on developing countries; and (4) the optimization of the energy structure and a low energy intensity can greatly advance the peak time of CO2 emissions.

Assessment and performance analysis of roof-mounted crystalline stand-alone photovoltaic (SAPV) system at selected sites in South Africa

BackgroundTechnology is deployed to take the advantage of the ultimate energy from the sun (solar energy) to be used as heat or clean electricity. This energy is classified as “sustainable energy” or “renewable energy” because it requires a short period to naturally replenish the used energy. The application of solar energy involves the conversion of the natural energy resource into a usable form, either as heat or as electricity. The device consists of solar cells made from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, cadmium telluride, gallium arsenide, and so on. Solar potential is both location- and climate-dependent; it is characterised by low energy intensity and intermittency, which limit its application; an improvement in photovoltaic (PV) system performance will facilitate more deployment of the clean electricity system. Therefore, this study provides PV potential and system information required for reliable and optimised solar PV systems at chosen locations. This work uses a 5-stage solar PV system assessment and system performance evaluation utilising Solargis Prospect software. The PV potential and system performance of nine selected site locations in South Africa was conducted using this method. The nine PV site locations are Bloemfontein (Free State), Germiston (Gauteng), Mahikeng (North-West), Mbombela (Mpumalanga), Musgrave (Kwazulu-Natal), Musina (Limpopo), Port Nolloth (Northern Cape), Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape), and Worcester (Western Cape).ResultThe results of the study were categorised into PV meteorological and system performance parameters as follows. Photovoltaic meteorological parameters—the site in Mahikeng has the highest global horizontal irradiance (GHI), 2156 kWh/m2, and a corresponding specific PV power output (1819.3 kWh/kWp), closely followed by Bloemfontein (2111.5 kWh/m2, 1819.4 kWh/kWp) and Port Nolloth (2003.2 kWh/m2, 1820.5 kWh/kWp). The lowest GHI (1645.1 kWh/m2) and specific PV power output (1436.6 kWh/kWp) were recorded in Musgrave. Photovoltaic system performance parameters—the range of performance ratio (PR) between 75.8 and 77.7% was reported across the nine sites. This ratio met the acceptable benchmark of PR. The highest specific PV power output loss, 118.8 kWh/kWp, was obtained at sites in Bloemfontein, Mahikeng, and Port Nolloth, while the lowest, 93.8 kWh/kWp, was in Musgrave.ConclusionsThe results of the solar PV potential assessment and the evaluation of PV systems performance in the chosen sites across the nine provinces of South Africa show huge PV potential and energy yield. From the results, it was observed that the range of the yearly average of: (1) GHI among the sites is 1645.1–2156 kWh/m2; (2) direct normal irradiation among the sites is 1785.3–2559.3 kWh/m2; (3) diffuse horizontal irradiation among the sites is 512.5–686kWh/m2; (4) global tilted irradiation among the sites is 1849.2–2397.1 kWh/m2; (5) the temperature (TEMP) among the sites is 16–23 °C; (6) specific PV power output (PVOUT specific) among the sites is 1436.6–1820.5 kWh/kWp; (7) total PV power output (PVOUT total) among the sites is 14.366–2397.1 MWh; and (8) the performance ratio among the sites is 75.8–77.7%. Based on the solar resource and performance results of the PV system obtained, the deployment of monocrystalline solar PV technology in all the considered sites across South Africa is technically viable.

Characterization of the coating structure and stability of core–shell Al nanoparticles generated by using pulsed laser ablation in acetone

Al nanoparticles are of significant interest due to their enhanced energetic properties and applicability in optics, biology, and the energy industry. We demonstrate the synthesis of core–shell Al nanoparticles via pulsed-laser-ablation-in-liquid, which reduces oxide formation and increases their resistance to reactive environments. When a bulk Al target was ablated in an organic solvent (acetone), high purity nanoparticles with a high Al content in the core part were generated. The size of the nanoparticles (6–7 nm) was not significantly changed according to the experimental conditions. However, low laser energy intensity is preferable due to less aggregation of nanoparticles and low impurity content. Amorphous and graphite carbon species were found in the coating of the core–shell Al nanoparticles. In addition, we show evidence of enolates or carboxylates in the coating material, as evidenced via energy dispersive spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Aging experiments in deionized water revealed that the passivated Al nanoparticles could maintain high purity in the core part and high stability in reactive environments such as water.

High-energy colliders as a probe of neutrino properties

The mediators of neutrino mass generation can provide a probe of neutrino properties at the next round of high-energy hadron (FCC-hh) and lepton colliders (FCC-ee/ILC/CEPC/CLIC). We show how the decays of the Higgs triplet scalars mediating the simplest seesaw mechanism can shed light on the neutrino mass scale and mass-ordering, as well as the atmospheric octant. Four-lepton signatures at the high-energy frontier may provide the discovery-site for charged lepton flavor non-conservation in nature, rather than low-energy intensity frontier experiments.

Comprehensive treatment of oil-contaminated soils using CO2-Responsive O/W microemulsions

In exploration of petroleum resources, a considerable amount of soils are inevitably contaminated, leading to many long-term environmental impacts. However, the treatment of oil-contaminated soils to reduce the residual oil for safe disposal at low energy intensity is a challenging task. In this study, a CO2-responsive microemulsion was formulated to treat oil-contaminated soils effectively at ambient temperatures of low energy consumption. Such effective treatment reduced the oil level of the contaminated soils from ∼15 wt% to below the discharge limit of 1 wt%. Purging of CO2 through the spent microemulsions for 30 s caused a rapid dissociation of the superamphiphile in the microemulsions, leading to a complete phase separation with the cleaned soils settled to the bottom for safe disposal, followed by an aqueous phase in the middle for recycling and a value-added oil product on top. The rapid and deep cleaning of oil-contaminated soils was attributed to an ultra-low interfacial tension and high level solubilization of oily contaminants in the O/W microemulsions. Such approach leads to a zero-waste discharge operation of remediating oil-contaminated soils while recovering value-added oil. Compared with other treatment methods operated at high temperature and/or pressure conditions, treatment of oil-contaminated soils using CO2-responsive microemulsions is easier to reach the discharge limit of residual oil while operating at ambient temperatures without any expensive equipment or extreme working conditions, making this microemulsion method a promising candidate for commercial applications of treating oil-contaminated soils in the oil field.

Optimization of urban resources efficiency in the domain of water–energy–food nexus through integrated modeling: a case study of Addis Ababa city

Abstract This study aims to understand the long-term (2020–2050) urban water–energy–food (WEF) resources access and sustainability in Addis Ababa city through a nexus modeling approach. Several feasible scenarios in line with improving WEF resources supply and access through conservation, system rehabilitation and technology input are explored. The water system scenarios include rehabilitation and conservation scenario, water supply enhancement scenario, technology input scenario and integrated water improvement scenario. The energy scenario includes energy conservation scenario and new renewable supply enhancement scenarios and integration of both scenarios as integrated energy scenario. The food system scenarios include crop yield productivity and irrigation water use efficiency scenarios of urban agricultural system. The integrated WEF nexus scenario is the integration of all scenarios under one nexus framework. The results are evaluated against baseline scenario. At a system level, the integrated water scenario result provides a water saving potential of 26 and 52% from the baseline scenario by 2030 and 2050, respectively, whereas the integrated energy use scenario saves energy by as much as 22 and 48%. For respective years, under the integrated WEF nexus scenario, the integrated water use scenario for low energy intensity reduces the energy use for urban water system by 23 and 72% from the baseline scenario. Similarly, urban food production have also shown enhancement. Urban food production system in Addis Ababa city is relatively small and does not significantly affect the food import from other parts of the country. Overall, the results WEF nexus modeling approach revealed the importance of exploring integrated nexus approach to sustainable urban water energy and food development and management as a first attempt at the urban scale.

Does the level of energy intensity matter in the effect of logistic performance on the environmental pollution of OBOR countries? Evidence from PSTR analysis

The present study examines the impact of energy intensity on the relationship between logistic performance and environmental pollution in 45 countries supporting the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project proposed to revitalize the historical Silk Road for the period between 2007 and 2018 by means of Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) analysis using the energy intensity as the threshold. The analysis results indicated that the relationship between logistics performance and environmental pollution is not linear, and energy intensity level has an important role in this relationship. The energy intensity threshold level was estimated as 3.228% and 4.432% in low and high energy intensity countries, respectively. When the energy intensity level is below the threshold in both low and high energy intensity countries, increase in logistics performance reduces environmental pollution. However, when it is above the threshold, a rise in logistics performance increases environmental pollution. In this context, reducing energy intensity is deemed helpful for the establishment of a favorable environment for logistic performance and environmental factors in the long term, leading to the reduction of environmental pollution.

Индустрия 4.0 в череде технологических укладов и промышленных революций: трансформация строительной индустрии

The article proposes axioms which reveal the features of technological paradigms` development through industrial revolutions. The role of technological paradigms in the development of society is considered and the mechanism of change from the currently dominant paradigm to the incipient one is investigated. The argument for the development of technological paradigms as large socio-economic systems is given, which gives a deep understanding of the regression of technological paradigms, and research points to the exhaustibility of evolutionary improvements of the existing fundamental innovation and the inevitability of a change in technological paradigms. It is determined that the main features of Industry 4.0 allow it to be identified and conclude that the influence of people`s knowledge and their living environment on the volume of gross domestic product of the country is evidently increasing. The results of the expert survey methodology determine different levels of Industry 4.0 interaction and the main factors that influence the world construction industry. Conclusion is made that within the framework of Industry 4.0, the main problem of economy is resource scarcity, and the low material intensity and energy intensity of production in Industry 4.0 will allow rejecting the principle of territorial location of production near raw materials, energy sources, labor resources.