Utility Perspective Research Articles

Sustainability and Perspectives of Edible Insect Rearing and Utilization of Their Products and Byproducts

This Special Issue, titled “Sustainability and Perspectives of Edible Insect Rearing and Utilization of Their Products and Byproducts”, aimed to gather high-quality scientific contributions suggesting innovative solutions for rearing edible insects and new perspectives on the use of rearing products and by-products [...]

Clean Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles

In this paper, a comprehensive synthesis of salient points from pertinent literature in the field is presented, accompanied by an analytical review of extant experimental data. The mechanisms underlying the utilization of green hydrogen in fuel cell vehicles are meticulously dissected from the perspectives of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. An in-depth investigation into the energy conversion efficiency within the hydrogen production phase is conducted, as well as an examination of the energy conversion efficiency when utilizing green hydrogen as a fuel within fuel cell vehicles. Moreover, the article provides an informative overview of the fundamental attributes and performance metrics of fuel cell vehicles. It conducts a comparative analysis against traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, considering variables such as safety profiles, refueling duration, fuel mass, and fuel cost implications. The advantages of deploying fuel cell vehicles are analyzed, elucidating their benefits. Conversely, the article also enumerates the shortcomings and current bottlenecks faced by fuel cell vehicles, offering a critical view of their current limitations. Furthermore, the study delves into prevalent methods for green hydrogen production, positioning green hydrogen as a viable solution to the current challenges of carbon neutrality. The article culminates by suggesting the role of green hydrogen in spearheading future low-carbon development initiatives, thereby delineating a prospective roadmap for sustainable energy advancement.

Oxygen vacancies-enriched spent lithium-ion battery cathode materials loaded catalytic membrane for effective peracetic acid activation and organic pollutants degradation

Advanced oxidation processes combined with membrane filtration technique offer a promising approach for pollution mitigation and catalyst recovery. Herein, a waste ternary lithium-ion battery cathode material of LiNixCoyMnzO2 (LNCM) loaded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane was synthesized for peracetic acid (PAA) activation (LNCM-PTFE/PAA) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) degradation. Such a novel membrane, with a catalyst loading of 10 mg (0.796 mg/cm2) of LNCM achieved 96.4 % removal of TCP (2 mg/L) within 20 min in neutral pH. The redox cycles of surface metals (such as Co3+/Co2+, Ni3+/Ni2+, and Mn4+/Mn3+/Mn2+) in spent LNCM efficiently enhance charge transfer and mediated PAA activation. And intrinsic oxygen vacancies in LNCM facilitated PAA adsorption and its cleavage. The resulting carbon-centered radicals (R-C•, CH3C(O)OO•) and 1O2 are identified as the primary reactive species that collaboratively participate in TCP degradation. Quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis demonstrated a substantial reduction in product toxicity. The successful practical application of the LNCM-PTFE/PAA membrane was exemplified by treating chlorophenol industrial wastewater. This study presents a new LNCM-PTFE/PAA catalytic membrane for high-efficiency water treatment and a novel perspective for green utilization of waste LNCM.

THE BALANCE OF LEGAL CERTAINTY AND UTILITY IN BALI’S ALCOHOL REGULATION

Traditional alcoholic beverages hold a significant place in the culture of Indonesia, embodying the nation's rich heritage and diverse local wisdom. However, the regulation of these beverages presents critical concerns regarding public health and societal impact. This study critically examines how the principles of legal certainty and utility are reflected in Bali Governor Regulation Number 1 of 2020 (“Bali’s Alcohol Regulation”). The primary objective of this research is to analyze and evaluate the embodiment of these values within the regulation. Employing a normative legal research methodology, the study scrutinizes the regulation alongside the hierarchy of laws governing it. The findings reveal notable inconsistencies between Bali’s Alcohol Regulation and the definitions of traditional alcoholic beverages established in higher legislative frameworks, raising pertinent questions about the balance between legal certainty and the practical benefits offered by the regulation. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the regulation fails to uphold several legal principles, leading to ambiguity in its enforcement. From a utility perspective, the regulation does not yield substantial benefits for artisans, producers, distributors, sellers, buyers, or the broader community. Consequently, it falls short of meeting adequate utility standards, underscoring the necessity for revision and enhancement to better accommodate the interests of all stakeholders involved in the traditional alcoholic beverage sector in Bali.

Real-time risk assessment of distribution systems based on Unscented Kalman Filter

The continuous growth of renewable energy and the load level has posed increasingly severe operational risks to distribution systems. In view of this, this paper combines state estimation with risk assessment, and uses the results of distribution system state estimation based on Unscented Kalman Filter as the input of risk assessment. With the combination, the sampling based on probability distributions in traditional risk assessment methods is no longer needed, thus avoiding the difficulty of updating probability distributions timely according to the latest information in real-time operation. By applying the proposed risk assessment method, the real-time assessment of operational risks in perspectives of bus voltage, branch power, and renewable energy utilization is achieved. Meanwhile, the weight of each risk index is properly determined according to both subjective and objective knowledge by using Analytic Hierarchy Process method and entropy weight method. Case studies show that the proposed method achieves effective assessment of comprehensive risks in the operation of distribution system.

Synthesis of rice husk derived porous carbon as low-cost and high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors

Porous carbon electrode materials derived from agricultural by-products of food processing have attracted widespread interest. Rice husk (RH) is a promising raw material owing to its abundance and low price. In this study, a supercapacitor electrode was prepared by using recycled RH and secondarily activated with ZnCl2 to enhance its electrochemical energy storage performance. RH carbonized at the optimum temperature (i.e., 800 °C) was activated to synthesize RH-800-X (X = 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, representing the mass ratio of ZnCl2 to RH-800). Sample RH-800-3 exhibited the highest specific surface area (1348.29 m2 g−1) and mesoporous pore volume (0.8375 cm3 g−1) among the samples. In a three-electrode system, the prepared electrodes delivered a high specific capacitance (242 F g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 in 6 M KOH solution). Furthermore, the capacitance retention of RH-800-3 remained at 99.9 % after 17,000 charge/discharge cycles. The results demonstrate the excellent capacitive behavior and superior electrochemical performance of RH-800-3. In addition, symmetrical capacitors prepared using RH-800-3 have an energy density of up to 101 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 900 W kg−1. Therefore, this study presents a simple and effective method for preparing a high-performance electrode material from biomass-derived porous carbon (i.e., recycled RH) and offers a new perspective for the efficient utilization of waste biomass resources.

Allocating inter-provincial CEA in China based on the utility perspective --a method for improving the variable weight function

Introduction:At different times, China has pursued different carbon emission reduction targets, so it is crucial to develop a reasonable and flexible allocation scheme for Chinese carbon emissions quotas, referred to as Chinese Emission Allowance (CEA), in order to achieve carbon reduction goals. As important responsible entities for carbon reduction, each province needs to rely on a well-designed CEA allocation scheme to help achieve their emission reduction goals.Methods:Therefore, based on the utility perspective, this paper constructs allocation principles and methods to formulate the inter-provincial CEA allocation scheme for China in 2030. Specifically, the entropy method, SBM model, improved variable weight function, and ARIMA time series model are sequentially adopted to simulate the re-allocation scheme, examine its rationality, and develop CEA allocation schemes under different principles.Results and Discussion:The following conclusions are drawn: 1) The allocation scheme formulated based on historical emission simulation methods, industry benchmark methods, and other current CEA allocation methods has certain irrationality, and future CEA allocation should not follow the original methods; 2) The improved variable weight function is better suited for allocation in CEA than the current original allocation method. The allocation scheme developed under this method, which balances fairness and efficiency principles, is more appropriate for the actual reduction of carbon emissions in China.

On neutron generator applications in Brazil: current panorama and perspectives

Techniques based on neutron beams are used in research, industry and medicine being especially suitable for the characterization of a wide variety of materials. Neutron radiation can be produced using nuclear reactors, isotopic sources, or particle accelerators. Since the number of reactors is in decline and isotopic sources are expensive and difficult to handle, neutron generator (NG) technology has experienced significant development. Neutron generators are safer than nuclear reactors and isotopic sources, and the use of NGs is increasing worldwide, including in Brazil. This article reviews the main applications of neutron radiation, neutron production techniques, and specifically the technologies used in neutron generators. An overview of the utilization of these techniques in Brazil is presented, along with studies on acquisition and start-up costs of neutron-generating equipment and perspectives for future utilization in various areas.

Research participant perceptions of personal utility in disclosure of individual research results from genomic analysis.

This article elaborates research participant perspectives on the communication of individual research results from genomic analyses. While most analyses focus on how to communicate results from the perspectives of clinicians or researchers, there is insufficient data on user perspectives and how this information may be used, valued, and interpreted by patients and their families. The concept of personal utility, which considers factors related to quality of life, including on how information may impact the person's future decisions, has been shown to be particularly relevant to understand research participant perspectives and to move beyond clinical and analytic utility factors such as mortality and morbidity. This article draws from qualitative research of research participants awaiting genomic results in the case of sudden cardiac death. Our results show perspectives of personal utility in communication of genomic results, including cognitive, behavioral, and affective outcomes. Cognitive outcomes include gain of information, improved knowledge of etiology and inheritance characteristics, and curiosity for what might be found. Behavioral outcomes include being able to plan life decisions, while affective outcomes include various coping strategies used. We will also discuss the value of knowing negative results and incidental findings from the research participant's perspective. This contribution gives suggestions on best practices to guide genome analysis returns, including incorporating participant wishes on individualized communication at the consent stage; developing relational autonomy approaches; and engaging them throughout the research trajectory.

Medical Applications and Cellular Mechanisms of Action of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogels.

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) hydrogels have been investigated in biomedical research because of their versatile properties that make them suitable for various medical applications. Key properties that are especially valuable for biomedical use include biocompatibility, tailored solid-like mechanical characteristics, biodegradability, antibacterial activity, moisture retention, and pH stimuli-sensitive swelling. These features offer advantages such as enhanced healing, promotion of granulation tissue formation, and facilitation of neutrophil migration. As a result, CMCS hydrogels are favorable materials for applications in biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery systems, wound healing, tissue engineering, and more. Understanding the interactions between CMCS hydrogels and biological systems, with a focus on their influence on cellular behavior, is crucial for leveraging their versatility. Because of the constantly growing interest in chitosan and its derivative hydrogels in biomedical research and applications, the present review aims to provide updated insights into the potential medical applications of CMCS based on recent findings. Additionally, we comprehensively elucidated the cellular mechanisms underlying the actions of these hydrogels in medical settings. In summary, this paper recapitulates valuable data gathered from the current literature, offering perspectives for further development and utilization of carboxymethyl hydrogels in various medical contexts.

Characterization of genetic diversity in Eragrostis tef (zucc.) Trotter through microsatellite and morphological markers

Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter is Ethiopia's most significantly important grain crop; however, its productivity is quite low (1.7 tons per hectare) due to a variety of issues, including the poor yield potential of varieties produced thus far. To achieve future production improvements in tef, comprehensive study of the crop's genetic variability and variety, utilizing both genetic and morphological markers, necessary. The study was designed to assess the genetic diversity of 64 tef genotypes utilizing 10 Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) markers. This investigation took place at the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center in Holeta, Ethiopia. Field phenotypic diversity evaluation was conducted at two distinct locations: Debre Zeit and Worabe, applied a simple lattice design during 2020/21 season. Molecular analysis of variance demonstrated a substantial proportion of variation among individuals (46 %), followed closely variation among individuals (43 %), with the least variation observed within population (11 %). Concurrently, analysis of morphological data, encompassing twenty phenotypic characteristics, revealed significant variation (P ≤ 0.01) among almost all the tested genotypes for recorded parameters, as indicated by combined analysis of variance across sites. These findings underscore the high diversity among the studied genotypes, suggesting a considerable potential for crop improvement through direct selection and intra-specific hybridization strategies. From the perspectives of both conservation and utilization of tef genetic materials, there is a pressing need for more extensive and systematic molecular level research. Promoting field trials and genotype-by-environment interaction research is crucial. These efforts will enhance our understanding of tef genetic and contribute to its effective conservation and utilization.

Land use policy implications of demographic shifts: Analyzing the impact of aging rural populations on agricultural carbon emissions in China

China is facing a unique demographic challenge with its population entering a phase of negative growth, alongside the growing issue of Rural Population Aging (RPA). This has brought significant attention to the broader population challenges the country is encountering. While the aging of rural populations has been a focal point of discussion, there remains a need for deeper insights into how it specifically impacts Agricultural Carbon Emissions (ACE). To address this knowledge gap, this study has devised a research framework grounded in the human-land relationships theory. This framework seeks to analyze the influence of RPA on ACE. Empirical tests have been carried out using provincial (municipal) panel data spanning from 2002 to 2019. The study's findings indicate that RPA exacerbates ACE, particularly in regions with a pronounced aging rural demographic. However, this adverse effect is lessened in coastal areas and placed with a lighter rural aging phenomenon. Additionally, the negative impact gradually diminishes in the long term. From a land utilization perspective, RPA contributes to Land Misallocation (LM), serving as a critical conduit through which RPA influences ACE. Nevertheless, mitigating factors such as Land Transfer (LT) and Land Scale (LS) help alleviate this negative influence. This mitigation is more pronounced in the long run. In the context of smallholder farmers, the study suggests that a moderate-scale expansion and the promotion of new agricultural models can be instrumental in achieving broader agricultural carbon reduction targets.

Hydroxyl-functionalization promoted activity and recovery of ionic liquids in direct dimethyl carbonate synthesis from CO2

Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO2 is promising for CO2 utilization, however its efficiency remains far from industrial-scale implementation for lack of customized catalysts. Herein, a hydroxyl-functionalized ionic liquid (HFIL) was developed to enhance catalytic activity, and importantly, to facilitate IL recovery through spontaneous phase separation. A high DMC yield (6.5 gDMC·kgcat−1·h−1) over HFIL was achieved under mild conditions compared to non- hydroxyl IL. Self-diffusion coefficients characterization revealed intensified diffusion of CH3OH and HFIL, alongside reduced blockage of active sites after hydroxyl functionalization. Density functional theory calculations elucidated that cation polarization induced by hydroxyl group facilitated the synergistic activation of both substrates and monomethyl carbonate intermediate. The reaction mechanism was further verified through diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The self-separation behavior was demonstrated by molecular dynamics simulations. The deep insights into hydroxyl effects towards direct DMC synthesis provide a pioneering perspective for CO2 capture and utilization using functionalized ILs.

Green synthesis of carbon dots from Hakka yellow wine lees: Characterization and applications for Fe3+ and NaFeEDTA sensing

In this study, Hakka yellow wine lees carbon dots (HYWL-CDs) with an average diameter of 1.75 nm are synthesized from Hakka yellow wine lees (HYWL) via a one-pot hydrothermal method. Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and FTIR reveal the presence of C=C and –OH in the HYWL-CDs. Additionally, the HYWL-CDs present excitation-wavelength dependence, with maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of 360 and 440 nm, respectively. The fluorescence of the HYWL-CDs can be quenched by Fe3+. The Fe3+ concentration is correlated linearly with the quenching rate over a linear range of 0.6–1.1 mg/mL, and the limit of detection is 0.18 μg/mL. And phenols have been shown to be present in HYWL-CDs, and the color reaction between phenols and FeCl3 is most likely the mechanism by which FeCl3 causes fluorescence burst in HYWL-CDs. Moreover, the HYWL-CDs demonstrate significant potential for detecting NaFeEDTA in iron-fortified soy sauces, the linear-fit equation was y = 185.38x + 1024.6 (R2 = 0.9995) The HYWL-CDs are loaded onto paper strips, iron-fortified straw mushroom dark soy sauce showed noticeable color changes, which allows one to differentiate normal soy sauce from iron-fortified soy sauce more conveniently and provides a new perspective for the high-value utilization of yellow wine lees.

Overlooked pyrite-mediated heterogeneous Fenton processes: Mechanisms of surface hydroxyl radical generation and associated decontamination performance

Pyrite-based Fenton-like processes have been extensively studied for wastewater decontamination; however, most relevant studies placed excessive emphasis on the homogeneous Fenton reaction mediated by aqueous Fe2+, resulting in the proposed technologies facing issues such as additional acid requirements for pH adjustment and excessive iron sludge production. Herein, through in situ shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS), custom dual-chamber reactor experiments, and a series of control experiments, significant hydroxyl radical generation was identified during the pyrite/H2O2 process, while the dominant reactive iron species was verified to the structural Fe sites on the pyrite surface, rather than structural Fe(II) in secondary iron minerals and surface adsorbed Fe2+. Consequently, even with significant suppression of the homogeneous Fenton pathway, the pyrite/H2O2 process exhibited significant degradation efficiency for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) at pH 4. Moreover, the pyrite/H2O2 process was found to selectively remove 50 μM of pollutants with high affinity for pyrite (bisphenol A, carbamazepine, nitrobenzene, and SMX), even in the presence of 50–100 mM methanol. Compared to the typical iron-based reductive catalyst (zero-valent iron, ZVI), pyrite mediated a Fenton process with greater potential for practical applications at pH 4, achieving a 43.75-fold reduction in iron sludge production and almost doubling the H2O2 utilization efficiency. Additionally, in contrast to ZVI, minimal iron oxide formed on the pyrite surface during the oxidation process. Thus, after seven cycles of degradation experiments, the decontamination efficiency of the pyrite/H2O2 process remained stable. These findings are crucial for understanding the complex environmental behavior of pyrite in both natural and engineering processes and provide a new perspective for the efficient utilization of pyrite resources as well.

Harnessing ultrasonic power to optimize quinoa byproduct protein for sustainable utilization

The objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of ultrasonic treatment on quinoa by-product protein (QBP). Ultrasound treatment resulted in decreases in the moisture, lipid content, water activity, bulk and compact densities, and turbidity of the QBP. This treatment disrupted the compact protein structure and hydrophobic regions, thereby releasing a greater quantity of amino acids. Chemical analysis revealed that subjecting QBP aggregates to 400 W ultrasound transformed them into smaller and more uniformly distributed aggregates. Ultrasound significantly affected the secondary structure of QBP, increasing the relative proportions of α-helix and β-turn, while reducing β-pleated sheet and random coil proportions. Additionally, it altered the intrinsic fluorescence intensity and increased the sulfhydryl-group content. Notably, at 400 W, the protein exhibited optimal solubility, foaming properties, water and oil-binding capacity, and in vitro digestibility. These findings suggest that ultrasonic treatment can effectively enhance the quality and functional characteristics of quinoa protein byproducts, offering new perspectives for the comprehensive utilization of quinoa waste.

Automatic road network selection method considering functional semantic features of roads with graph convolutional networks

Road network selection plays a key role in map generalization for creating multi-scale road network maps. Existing methods usually determine road importance based on road geometric and topological features, few evaluate road importance from the perspective of road utilization based on human travel data, ignoring the functional values of roads, which leads to a mismatch between the generated results and people’s needs. This paper develops two functional semantic features (i.e. travel path selection probability and regional attractiveness) to measure the functional importance of roads and proposes an automatic road network selection method based on graph convolutional networks (GCN), which models road network selection as a binary classification. Firstly, we create a dual graph representing the source road network and extract road features including six graphical and two functional semantic features. Then, we develop an extended GCN model with connectivity loss for generating multi-scale road networks and propose a refinement strategy based on the road continuity principle to ensure road topology. Experiments demonstrate the proposed model with functional features improves the quality of selection results, particularly for large and medium scale maps. The proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods and provides a meaningful attempt for artificial intelligence models empowering cartography.

Closed-Loop recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries based on preferentially selective extraction of lithium strategy

From the perspective of sustainable energy utilization and green economic development, efficient and closed-loop recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is imperative. This work has developed a closed-loop recovery process for spent LIBs based on preferentially selective extraction of lithium. After molten salt assisted roasting, the efficiency for preferential extraction of Li+ could be high up to 99.3 % after optimization of selectivity. Dilute sulfuric acid alone facilitated the leaching efficiency of valuable metals over 98 %, eliminating the need for reductants. Regeneration of residue into graphite and recovery of NaCl mixed powder could avoid the wastage of residual metals. Compared with the conventional process, this work shows a high recovery efficiency and closed-loop extent, with a profit of $6,820 per ton of recovered spent LIBs. This work provides a more environmentally friendly recovery strategy with higher economic profits and environmental impacts, thereby enhancing the potential for industrial applications.

Effectiveness of expired estradiol valerate drug molecule as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl medium: Waste utilization perspective

This study explores the utilization of expired pharmaceutical drugs, specifically Progynova 2 mg (estradiol valerate), as a sustainable solution for corrosion inhibition in mild steel exposed to a 1 M HCl medium at 30 °C. Through a comprehensive analysis employing FTIR, mass loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), quantum chemical analysis (DFT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the research confirms the remarkable effectiveness of estradiol valerate (EPROG) in inhibiting mild steel corrosion, achieving an impressive 94.27 % inhibition efficiency at a concentration of 600 ppm. Potentiodynamic polarization reveals mixed-type inhibition behavior, while EIS measurements indicate increased charge transfer resistance (Rct) and reduced double layer capacity (Cdl) with higher estradiol valerate concentrations, in line with Langmuir adsorption isotherm results. The DFT analysis of the EPROG inhibitor indicates that it use a donor-acceptor mechanism to interact with the metal surface. SEM analysis further substantiates the presence of a stable EPROG inhibitor layer on the mild steel surface, underscoring its corrosion inhibition properties and advocating for the sustainable repurposing of expired pharmaceuticals in environmental and structural preservation efforts.

Strategy for sustainable supply chain transformation: a resource orchestration perspective

PurposeWith the popularization of sustainable concepts, how to transform into a sustainable supply chain has received widespread attention in practice. Under this circumstance, this paper aims to propose a theoretical framework of sustainable supply chain transformation (SSCT) from a perspective of resource identification and utilization, investigates resources/capabilities that can be used to promote SSCT and explores how to use resources/capabilities to achieve SSCT effectively.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive multi-case analysis is applied to this paper. Four state-owned/non-state-owned enterprises from the manufacturing sector are selected as the research objectives, which are all leaders in the industry based on the 2022 China TOP 500 Enterprises Ranking. Meanwhile, to guarantee the diversities of enterprises, the four selected enterprises are respectively positioned in upstream and downstream of the supply chain.FindingsA theoretical framework of SSCT is proposed with following research findings: (1) Technology resources, facilities and equipment resources, and business process reengineering capability are the key resources/capabilities to promote SSCT. (2) From the supply chain structure perspective, there exists a leader-participant structure in SSCT. The enterprise with dominant resources/capabilities should actively transfer to a SSCT leader. From the supply chain function perspective, specific sustainability assessment indicators and special teams are two necessary settings for SSCT. From the supply chain lifecycle perspective, SSCT should be promoted in a phased manner and dynamically adjusted in each stage. (3) Digital transformation degree and enterprise ownership play a moderating role in the implementation of strategies.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a conceptual framework of SSCT based on the resource orchestration perspective, which provides decision support for enterprises in practice.