Sustainable Tool Research Articles

Managed Aquifer Recharge in Mining: A Review.

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been gaining adoption within the mining industry for managing surplus water volumes and reducing the groundwater impacts of dewatering. This paper reviews MAR for mining and includes an inventory of 27 mines using or considering MAR for current or future operations. Most mines using MAR are in arid or semi-arid regions and are implementing it through infiltration basins or bore injection to manage surplus water, preserve aquifers for environmental or human benefit, or adhere to licensing that requires zero surface discharge. Surplus water volumes, hydrogeological conditions, and economics play a pivotal role in the feasibility of MAR for mining. Groundwater mounding, well clogging, and interaction between adjacent mines are common challenges. Mitigation strategies include predictive groundwater modeling, extensive monitoring programs, rotation of infiltration or injection facilities, physical and chemical treatments for clogging, and careful location for MAR facilities in relation to adjacent operations. Should water availability alternate between shortage and excess, injection bores may be used for supply, thus reducing costs and risks associated with drilling new wells. MAR, if applied strategically, also has the potential to accelerate groundwater recovery post-mine closure. The success of MAR for mining is emphasized by mines opting to increase MAR capacity alongside dewatering expansions, as well as prospective mines proposing MAR for future water requirements. Upfront planning is the key to maximizing MAR benefits. Improved information sharing could help increase awareness and uptake of MAR as an effective and sustainable mine water management tool.

Product Re-Engineering A Tool for Brand Sustainability and Growth in Today’s Global and Competitve Market.

Discontinuous innovation though attempt to solve consumers most delicate needs but due to changes in trends and preferences, it becomes something of strategic importance for a brand to be re-engineered to improve quality, functions, features, performance amongst others to achieve compatibility. The study sought to establish whether a product or service that goes through some form of disruption (re-engineering) can enhance the competitive advantage of the firm. Relational and conceptual analysis were employed for the study. The study established that a successful re=engineered brand does not strictly follow the diffusion process proposed for innovation products. It also revealed that perceived risk and the cost of developing marketing strategies including communication and promotion is low since the market is already aware of the brand. The inno-early-vators is a major factor towards the growth and sustainability of the re-engineered brand or product. The study again revealed that the higher rate of adoption of a re-engineered brand owes greatly compatibility and reduction in perceived risk.

Ethambutol and its ophthalmic effects; is screening and collaboration the new way forward?

AimTo screen patients on ethambutol and evaluate its role on visual functions and toxic optic neuropathy. Setting and designRetrospective, observational single tertiary centre cohort of 80 patients. Methods and materialA total of 69 from the initial 80 patients with visual complaints were categorised into two groups A and B; ongoing anti-tubercular therapy with ethambutol and having stopped ethambutol for greater than six months respectively. All patients underwent vision (V) testing on ETDRS chart and anterior and posterior segment evaluation. Additionally, patients in group A recorded color vision (CV) on Ishihara chart and visual evoked potential (VEP). Statistical analysis usedP value was calculated using Chi square test (SPSS ver. 20). ResultsOut of 69 patients in our study, 58 (84.05%) patients recorded reduced visual acuity. The mean visual acuity was 0.58 logMAR units. 33 out of our 58 (57%) patients with reduced visual acuity showed normal optic discs while 25 out of 58 (43%) showed altered optic discs. In group B, 14 out of 32 patients with vision of less than 20/20 also had optic disc pallor (p = 0.02). 12 out of 15 patients in group A recorded an altered color vision and also had a vision of less than 20/20 (p = 0.023). 15 patients who recorded altered VEP also had vision of less than 20/20 (p = 0.037). ConclusionVisual acuity, color vision and vep are sensitive and sustainable tools which can be implemented in regular screening. Ethambutol toxicity is a real problem and a collaborative approach is necessary to establish screening protocols and prevent ethambutol induced toxic optic neuropathy.

Enhancing Yield and Physiological Performance by Foliar Applications of Chemically Inert Mineral Particles in a Rainfed Vineyard under Mediterranean Conditions.

One of the biggest environmental challenges that most of the traditional and modern grape-growing areas are facing is the frequency, severity, and unpredictability of extreme weather events as a result of climate change. Sustainable tools such as chemically inert mineral particles could be a valid alternative for the promotion of environmentally-friendly viticultural techniques to enhance yield, improve physiological processes, and increase tolerance to biotic/abiotic stressors and grape quality. In regard to this concept, the effects of kaolin (KL) and zeolite (ZL) application was tested in the rosé grapevine cultivar Roditis, field-and rainfed, under the Mediterranean conditions of central Greece. In a two-year trial, the whole vine canopy was sprayed with kaolin and zeolite until runoff at a dose of 3% (w/v) twice throughout the growing season; the first at the beginning of veraison and the second one week later; treatment of the untreated control plants was also performed (C). The assimilation rate in morning and midday, the stomatal conductance, and the WUEi of the leaves of the treated and untreated plants were monitored one day after each application and at harvest. During the same time period of the day (i.e., morning and midday) in July, August, and September, the leaf temperature near the fruit zone was also recorded. At harvest, the yield parameters, cluster characteristics, grape composition, and incidence (%) of sunburned and dehydrated berries as well as berries infected by Plasmopara viticola and Lobesia botrana were recorded. The results showed that KL and ZL application decreased leaf temperature during the growing season until harvest compared to the control treatment, which resulted in an improvement in physiological parameters such as net photosynthesis and intrinsic water use efficiency. At harvest, the KL- and ZL-treated vines showed increased yield due to an increasing cluster and berry fresh weight. On the other hand, the KL and ZL application did not affect the sugar concentration and pH of the must and increased the total acidity and decreased the total phenolic compound content, but only in the first year of the experiments. Furthermore, the incidence of sunburn necrosis, dehydrated berries, and infected berries was significantly lower in the treated vines compared to the control vines. These results confirm the promising potential of kaolin and zeolite applications as a stress mitigation strategy during the summer period, with the ability to protect grapevine plants, enhance yield, and maintain or improve fruit quality in rainfed Mediterranean vineyards.

Machine Learning-Assisted Approaches in Modernized Plant Breeding Programs

In the face of a growing global population, plant breeding is being used as a sustainable tool for increasing food security. A wide range of high-throughput omics technologies have been developed and used in plant breeding to accelerate crop improvement and develop new varieties with higher yield performance and greater resilience to climate changes, pests, and diseases. With the use of these new advanced technologies, large amounts of data have been generated on the genetic architecture of plants, which can be exploited for manipulating the key characteristics of plants that are important for crop improvement. Therefore, plant breeders have relied on high-performance computing, bioinformatics tools, and artificial intelligence (AI), such as machine-learning (ML) methods, to efficiently analyze this vast amount of complex data. The use of bigdata coupled with ML in plant breeding has the potential to revolutionize the field and increase food security. In this review, some of the challenges of this method along with some of the opportunities it can create will be discussed. In particular, we provide information about the basis of bigdata, AI, ML, and their related sub-groups. In addition, the bases and functions of some learning algorithms that are commonly used in plant breeding, three common data integration strategies for the better integration of different breeding datasets using appropriate learning algorithms, and future prospects for the application of novel algorithms in plant breeding will be discussed. The use of ML algorithms in plant breeding will equip breeders with efficient and effective tools to accelerate the development of new plant varieties and improve the efficiency of the breeding process, which are important for tackling some of the challenges facing agriculture in the era of climate change.

Yield and Quality of Processing Tomato as Improved by Biostimulants Based on Trichoderma sp. and Ascophyllum nodosum and Biodegradable Mulching Films

Tomato is a great source of bioactive compounds, is important for human health, and is cultivated worldwide. However, the high inputs required for its cultivation must be sustainably managed in order to limit yield losses, thus obtaining high-quality and environmentally friendly production. In this perspective, we compared four biostimulant treatments, i.e., Ascophyllum nodosum extract—Bio; microbial biostimulant containing the micro-organism Trichoderma afroharzianum—Mic; a combination of both—M-B; not treated—Control) and three mulch treatments (biodegradable film Ecovio—ECO; biodegradable film MaterBi®—NOV; bare soil—BS) and evaluated their effects on yield and quality traits in processing tomato. Both biodegradable films elicited a 27.0% yield increase compared to plants grown on bare soil, and biostimulants determined a 23.7% increase over the Control, with the best performance recorded for M-B (+24.8%). Biodegradable MaterBi® film (NOV) was associated with higher total soluble solids (TSS) and firmness values (average of 4.9 °Brix and 1.30 kg cm−2, respectively), even if a significant effect of biostimulants was observed only for the second element. Carotenoid content was higher in non-treated plants grown on bare soil as well as hydrophilic antioxidant activity (AA), but in this case, no differences between biostimulant treatments were recorded. The lipophilic AA in NOV-treated plants was about six and four times higher than observed in BS and ECO treatments, respectively; NOV also caused a 38.7% increase in ascorbic acid content over the Control but was not different from ECO. All biostimulant treatments elicited a 30% increase in phenol content compared to Control plants. Our findings highlight that microbial biostimulants based on A. nodosum extract and T. afroharzianum (both applied singularly and combined) can be considered a sustainable tool for increasing yield and improve some quality traits of processing tomato; in addition, we also confirmed the capability of biodegradable mulches, in particular, MaterBi®, to enhance the agronomic performance of tomato.

Multivariate assessment of vaccine equity in Nigeria: A VERSE tool case study using demographic and health survey 2018

Nigeria experiences wide heterogeneity in vaccination rates by vaccine and region. However, inequities in vaccination status extend beyond just geographic covariates. Traditionally, inequity is represented by a single metric pertaining to socioeconomic status. A growing body of literature suggests that this view is limiting, and a multi-factor approach is necessary to comprehensively evaluate relative disadvantage between individuals.The Vaccine Economics Research for Sustainability and Equity (VERSE) tool produces a composite equity metric, which accounts for multiple factors influencing inequity in vaccination coverage. We apply the VERSE tool to Nigeria’s 2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) to cross-sectionally evaluate equity in vaccination status for national immunization program (NIP) vaccines over the following contributing covariates: age of child, sex of child, maternal education level, socioeconomic status, health insurance status, state of residence, and urban or rural designation. We also assess equity for zero-dose, fully immunized for age, and completion of NIP.Results show that socioeconomic status contributes substantially to variation vaccination coverage, but it is not the most substantial factor. For all vaccination statuses, except for NIP completion, maternal education level is the greatest contributor towards a child’s immunization status among model variables. We highlight the outputs for zero-dose, fully immunized at infancy, MCV1 and PENTA1. The percentage point gap in vaccination status between the top and bottom quintiles of disadvantage, as ranked by the composite indicator is 31.1 (29.5–32.7) for zero-dose status, 53.1 (51.3–54.9) for full immunization status, 48.9 (46.9–50.9) for MCV1, and 67.6 (66.0–69.2) for PENTA1. Though concentration indices indicate inequity for all statuses, full immunization coverage is very low at 31.5% suggesting significant gaps in reaching children after initial doses for routine immunizations. Applying the VERSE tool to future Nigeria DHS surveys can allow decisionmakers to track changes in vaccination coverage equity, in a standardized manner, over time.

In Depth Analysis of Power Balance, Handling, and the Traction Subsystem of an Articulated Skid-Steering Robot for Sustainable Agricultural Monitoring

This paper reports on the energy balance test performed on Agri.Q, an eight-wheel articulated robot intended to be a sustainable monitoring tool within the precision agriculture paradigm, and proposes an in-depth analysis of the traction subsystem in order to develop an appropriate traction allocation strategy to improve navigation through hilly or mountainous crops. Tests were conducted on the contribution of the orientable photovoltaic panel to the mission duration and overall sustainability, showing that a suitable mission plan, including dedicated charging phases, could significantly increase the robot’s operating time. A series of simulations of circular trajectories of different curvature and at different longitudinal velocities on flat ground were performed, with the aim of mapping the robot’s behaviour at steady state. The results of the simulations were analysed, paying particular attention to the required torques, manoeuvrability and forces exchanged on the ground. The simulations conducted demonstrated and extended previous results obtained on similar robotic architectures, which suffer from significant understeer behaviour due to significant lateral wheel slip during turning. They also showed the limitations of currently employed traction motors, but also the advantages of a proper traction allocation strategy involving the rear module.Article highlights.Agri.Q energy balance tests have been carried out to assess its endurance and sustainabilityThe traction and handling behaviours of Agri.Q were mapped and discussed in detail in order to improve themAgri.Q has proven to be a basis for the future implementation of precision agriculture to advance the SDGs

Biostimulant and Elicitor Responses to Cricket Frass (Acheta domesticus) in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under Protected Conditions.

Agriculture in the current century is seeking sustainable tools in order to generate plant production systems with minimal negative environmental impact. In recent years it has been shown that the use of insect frass is an option to be used for this purpose. The present work studied the effect of low doses (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% w/w) of cricket frass (Acheta domesticus) in the substrate during the cultivation of tomatos under greenhouse conditions. Plant performance and antioxidant enzymatic activities were measured in the study as explicative variables related to plant stress responses in order to determine possible biostimulant or elicitor effects of cricket frass treatments during tomato cultivation under greenhouse conditions. The main findings of this study indicated that tomato plants responded in a dose dependent manner to cricket frass treatments, recalling the hormesis phenomenon. On the one hand, a 0.1% (w/w) cricket frass treatment showed typical biostimulant features, while on the other hand, 0.5 and 1.0% treatments displayed elicitor effects in tomato plants under evaluated conditions in the present study. These results support the possibility that low doses of cricket frass might be used in tomato cultivation (and perhaps in other crops) for biostimulant/elicitor input into sustainable production systems.

Fostering a culture of business ethics: a roadmap for responsible management through codes of ethics based on the experience of Spanish companies

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the role of the code of ethics as a critical element of responsible management and posits it as a tool that integrates ethics, sustainability and attention to stakeholders. This proposed tool can be a facilitator of integrated management of these dimensions.Design/methodology/approachA survey was developed to answer the research questions, and descriptive and factor analyses were carried out. A non-probabilistic sampling technique, purposive sampling, was used. The survey, sent by e-mail, was addressed to managers and decision makers of Spanish companies belonging to associations explicitly committed to corporate social responsibility and ethics; 73 questionnaires were answered. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 26.0 software.FindingsThe findings highlight that companies that are showing leadership in ethical management are using their codes of ethics as a key instrument in the business ethics strategy. Codes of ethics go beyond being a guide to ethical conduct to being an instrument at the service of stakeholder relations, sustainability and ethics. The keys that these companies agree on are the design of participative processes of responsible management, the multidimensional content of their codes of ethics and a code management oriented to generate a proactive ethical culture in the company.Practical implicationsThis paper proposes a series of recommendations that may be useful to all those companies that wish to promote effective and integrative ethical management through their code of ethics, as much as if they already have one, as they are developing it.Originality/valueThis research highlights the role of code of ethics as an integrative tool for ethics, sustainability and stakeholder responsibility. For that, the keys that these companies agree on are the design of participative processes of responsible management, the multidimensional content of their codes of ethics and code management oriented to generate a proactive ethical culture in the company.

Electrochemical Difunctionalization of Alkenes

AbstractThe electrochemical alkene difunctionalization reaction has become a powerful and sustainable tool for the efficient construction of vicinal difunctionalized structures in organic synthesis. Since only electrons are used as the redox agents, electrochemical alkene difunctionalization avoids the need for additional redox catalysts, metal catalysts, or chemical oxidants and does not generate chemical waste. Herein we summarize the latest contributions in the electrochemical difunctionalization of alkenes over the last 3–4 years. We discuss in detail the reaction features, scope, limitations, and mechanistic rationalizations of three categories of alkene difunctionalization methods: (1) electrochemical alkene difunctionalization terminated by nucleophiles, (2) electrochemical difunctionalization of alkenes terminated by radicals, and (3) electrochemical alkene difunctionalization terminated by functionality migration.1 Introduction2 Electrochemical Alkene Difunctionalization Terminated by Nucleophiles2.1 Sulfonylative Difunctionalization of Alkenes2.2 Sulfurizative/Sulfoxidative Difunctionalization of Alkenes2.3 Azidotetrazolation of Alkenes2.4 Trifluoromethylative Difunctionalization of Alkenes2.5 Diarylation of Alkenes3 Electrochemical Difunctionalization of Alkenes Terminated by Radicals3.1 Direct Radical-Coupling-Enabled Alkene Difunctionalization3.2 Metal-Mediated Radical Transfer Coupling Enabled Alkene Difunctionalization3.3 Metalloid-Mediated Radical Transfer Coupling Enabled Alkene Difunctionalization4 Electrochemical Alkene Difunctionalization Terminated by Functionality Migration5 Summary and Outlook

Evaluation of soybean germplasm for resistance to Fusarium virguliforme, the major pathogen causing sudden death syndrome of soybean in the United States

AbstractSudden death syndrome (SDS) is one of the most important yield limiting diseases of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. In North America, the most common causal species is Fusarium virguliforme O'Donnell & T. Aoki. Yield losses of up to 80% have been reported. Host resistance is among the most sustainable tools to reduce SDS losses, and screening soybean accessions for sources of resistance is a fundamental part of discovering host resistance. This study evaluated 10,144 soybean plant introductions (PIs) in soybean maturity groups (MGs) 000 to X for resistance to F. virguliforme. Using a tiered testing sequence and a seedling‐layered inoculum method in the greenhouse, new sources of resistance were identified. In tier VI, 81 of 125 PIs evaluated had mean foliar severity that was equal to or significantly lower than that of the resistant check, PI 567374. In tier VII, 20 PIs with low foliar severity scores representing a range of MGs were further evaluated for foliar response, as well as “relative dry weights”—dry shoot and root weights expressed as a percentage of respective noninoculated plants. At 28 days after planting, 16 PIs had mean foliar severity ratings not significantly different from PI 567374; three of these PIs, 279081, 506757, and 507568, had significantly greater relative dry shoot, root, and total weight than PI 567374. The highly resistant entries reported here will be useful for further studies to understand the resistance mechanisms to F. virguliforme and for breeding programs focused on increasing SDS resistance in elite breeding lines.

Impact of Microcredit on Household Consumption and Assets In Nepal

This paper intends to assess the impact of microcredit on Household Consumption and Assets in Nepal. The multivariate techniques used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study uses Nepal Living Standard Survey 2011 data, which covers 5,988 households. Considering the endogeneity in the microcredit participation of household, the study uses instrumental variable technique (IV method) for assessing the impact of microcredit on Household Consumption and Assets. After the adjustment of the endogeneity, distance of bank, distance of cooperative from household and holding of land size of household as the instruments, eligible household reduced 475 household from 779 total households of intervention group and similarly 2,953 households from 5,209 total households of control group. CMP (conditional mixed process) estimator used to give flexibility in terms of combining continuous and binary variables together in the same model. Multivariate analysis indicates that it has positive and significant relationship on household consumption and on assets, (household consumption is on Food Consumption, Non-Food Consumption and Total Consumption. And similarly, household assets are, on ownership of livestock such as buffaloes, cows, sheep, etc, Ownership on transportation such as Cycle or Motor cycle, Ownership on appliances, such as Refrigerator, Television, CD player) on intervention group than the control group. The result and finding and review of the literatures in this paper provided a wide range of evidence that microcredit programs can increase incomes and uplift families out of poverty. Microcredit would be a viable and potentially sustainable tool to reduce poverty in Nepal.

Nano-Encapsulation Of Neem Based Pesticide Formulations

Neem based pesticide formulations are reported to control plant parasitic fungi, bacteria, virus, nematodes, insects and mites. Despite its many promising properties, low stability under field conditions, mainly due to a high rate of photo-degradation, as well as a short residence time and slow killing rates, compared to conventional pesticides hinder effective large-scale use of Neem. Although when two lines of Myzus persicae Were exposed to pure azadirachtin and refined Neem seed extract at the same concentration, it was found that after forty generations, the line treated with azadirachtin had developed ninefold greater resistance compared to a control line, whereas the line treated with the extract did not show resistance. To overcome these limitations, nanotechnology has emerged as a novel tool for agricultural sustainability. Many studies have shown that the encapsulation of agrochemicals in nanoparticulate systems can enhance the efficacy of the active ingredient, decrease toxicity toward the environment and humans, and reduce losses due to volatilization, leaching, and photobleaching. Thus, the use of nanoparticles provides an effective means of protecting neem oil against premature degradation, resulting in prolongation of its effect on the target pest. Due to nano encapsulation sustained release of the active component is achieved. Furthermore, the number of applications of neem oil can be reduced, bringing substantial economic benefits. Therefore, nano-encapsulation of neem oil may enable the production of more stable formulations for control of diseases and pests. Further, the use of nanotechnology is an excellent way to combat development of resistance in insects and pathogens due to indiscriminate use of neem oil.

Economic impact of roe deer tourist hunts in Vojvodina (Serbia)

Abstract Hunting tourism can have significant positive economic effects on the local community. The objective of the paper is to estimate the direct economic impact of roe deer hunting tourism, with a focus on regional level, by applying the Nordic Model. Analysis was based on data gathered in the autumn of 2021, from the interviews with hunting ground managers and hunting tourism outfitters, and a literature review. The length of stay of tourist hunters ranged from 2 to 6 days. According to the interviews and statistical data, one hunting tourist spent an average of 2,121 € per hunting day in Serbia. In 2019 the direct economic income of roe deer hunting tourism in Vojvodina was 623,574 €. The regional economic impact of hunting tourism in Vojvodina is significant given the small number of tourists from whom substantial income is generated. Developing of hunting activates on one or more game species could bring significant economic benefits to these kind of local communities. Resources raised through hunting tourism are later used in these regions through direct investment and as a tool for sustainable wildlife management, and thus, the ecological and economic sustainability of hunting tourism is crucial and must be considered in future development process.

Selection of the Most Appropriate Sustainable Buildings Assessment Categories and Criteria for Developing Countries: Case of Ethiopia

Sustainable buildings can save 36% of total energy use, 65% of electricity consumption, 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, 30% of raw materials use, 30% of waste output, and 12% of potable water consumption. Several sustainable building assessment tools were used by both developed and developing countries. However, Ethiopia’s buildings were not critically assessed and evaluated from a sustainability point of view because there was no such type of study conducted so far. This paper aims to explore the most significant and widely used tools as well as the basis for other sustainable building assessment tools, such as Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE), Sustainable Building Tool (SBTool), Comprehensive Environmental Performance Assessment Scheme (CEPAS), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB), and Green Mark and Green Star. The methodology employed is the selection of the 10 most commonly and widely utilized sustainable building assessment tools (SBATs) from the 57 SBATs based on desk review and document analysis. The results of the study identified that all 10 SBATs have their own assessment categories and criteria based on many factors, such as climatic conditions and availability of resources, plus methods employing demographic dynamics and legal aspects of the sector for assessing the sustainable/green buildings. It distinguishes the most commonly and repeatedly used assessment categories and criteria and uses a consensus-based approach with experts in the building sectors, a four-quadrant model, and a circular and helical flow model, to develop a new sustainable building assessment tool suitable for Ethiopia.

New Green and Sustainable Tool for Assessing Nitrite and Nitrate Amounts in a Variety of Environmental Waters

This paper aims to provide improved selectivity and sensitivity with a short analysis time of about 10 min and low residues for quantitation of nitrite and nitrate in waters by liquid chromatography. Ion-pair formation and ion exchange retention mechanisms were considered. The optimized option was in-tube solid phase microextraction (IT-SPME) by means of a silica capillary of 14 cm length and 0.32 mm id, coupled online with a capillary anion exchange analytical column (Inertsil AX 150 × 0.5 mm id, 5 µm) and the use of their native absorbance. Precision of the retention times expressed as % relative standard deviation (RSD) were <1% for both, nitrite (tR = 5.8 min) and nitrate (tR = 10.5 min). Well, river, channel, lake, sea, tap and bottled waters and several matrices of a drinking water treatment plant were analysed, and no matrix effect was observed for all of them. Inorganic anions and several organic acids were tested as possible interferences and suitable selectivity was obtained. Precision expressed as % relative standard deviation (RSD) was between 0.9 and 3%. Low detection limits of 0.9 and 9 μg/L for nitrite and nitrate were obtained, respectively, and low residue generation near 100 µL per run was also achieved.

Interdependence between structural and magnetic properties of transition metal doped multiferroic perovskite ferroelectric ceramics and its sustainable applications: Review

Multiferroic perovskite materials are considered brilliant & suitable materials for power storage and electrical energy conversion because of their excessive power efficiency, temperature stability, and occasional dielectric loss. The electric houses of such multiferroic substances are modify-made through ferroelectric and ferromagnetic parts and feature unfolded first-rate avenues in an electrochemical supercapacitor, photovoltaic, and optical tool applications. Dopants significantly optimize such materials' magnetic and structural properties owing to suitable applications like capacitors, multi-aspect capacitors (MLCs), and strength capability gadgets. This survey features the logical progressions announced in transition metal doped barium titanate multiferroic ferroelectric ceramics for energy applications by optimizing their magnetic properties. This paper begins off evolved with a quick advent of Barium titanate and a dialogue at the outcomes of diverse dopants with the aid of using extraordinary synthesis techniques, and their outcomes on structural and magnetic homes also are depicted. Ultimately, this assessment summarizes the diverse doping outcomes, which paves the manner for destiny studies in this multiferroic substantial for sustainable tool applications.

Perspectives on the material dynamic efficiency transition in decelerating the material stock accumulation

The golden rule of material accumulation can be defined as the ability of society to process materials as the benefit of capital, with physical investments as the expense of the process. Societies are incentivized to accumulate resources while disregarding resource restrictions. Since they earn more on such a path, despite how unsustainable it is. We propose the material dynamic efficiency transition as a policy tool for sustainability, with the goal of slowing down material accumulation as an alternative sustainable path.The material dynamic efficiency transition is characterized by a simultaneous drop in savings and depreciation rates. In this paper, we first examine a sample of 15 countries -using dynamic efficiency measures-in terms of their economies' responses to declining depreciation and saving tendencies. We then construct a large sample of material stock estimation and economic characteristics for 120 countries to examine the socioeconomic and long-term developmental implications of such a policy. We found that investment in the productive sector withstood the scarcity of available savings, whereas residential building and civil engineering investments reacted intensely to the changes. We also reported on the continuous rise in developed countries' material stock, accentuating the civil engineering infrastructure as a focal point of the related policies.The material dynamic efficiency transition shows a substantial reduction effect of 7.7%–10%, depending on the stock type and development stage. Therefore, it can be a potent tool for slowing material accumulation and mitigating the environmental implications of this process without causing significant disruptions in economic processes.

Role of plant essential oil nanoemulsions on host colonization by the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus

The development of effective control strategies targeting non-native ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae and Platypodinae) represents an emerging challenge. This is due both to their rapid spread into climatically suitable newly invaded regions rich in susceptible host plants and to the limited knowledge concerning sustainable management tools. In this context, the use of botanical insecticides, such as plant essential oils (EOs), is considered a promising option in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies as an alternative to conventional insecticides for sustainable crop protection. Here, the impact of five EO nanoemulsions (Rosmarinus officinalis L. cultivar verbenone, Carlina acaulis L., Laurus nobilis L., Cupressus sempervirens L., and Betula alba L.) on the choice behavior, host colonization and progeny production by the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) was evaluated under laboratory and semi-field conditions. The chemical composition of tested EOs was firstly evaluated by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses. Then, EO nanoemulsions were prepared and characterized through dynamic light scattering (DLS). Tested EO nanoemulsions showed single or bimodal droplet size distributions in the nanometric range. Results highlighted a significant repellent activity of R. officinalis cv. verbenone and C. acaulis EO nanoemulsions (at 3% EO concentration). However, the trend for repellence of the R. officinalis EO against the beetle was not confirmed at decreasing EO concentrations (i.e., 1% and 0.5%). Nanoemulsions based on C. acaulis EO significantly affected the beetle choices regardless of the tested EO concentration. Indeed, in no choice bioassays, a significantly lower number of individuals started infesting stems treated with these nanoemulsions. On the other hand, no effect of the EO treatment was found on the number of offspring produced by survived beetle females. The repellence by R. officinalis and C. acaulis EOs was confirmed in semi-field conditions. Overall, our findings provide new insights toward the use of R. officinalis and C. acaulis EOs as repellents of X. compactus, suggesting their future incorporation in non-chemical strategies, such as ‘push-pull’, as part of sustainable IPM packages targeting this invasive pest.