Sustainable Tool Research Articles

Groundwater and Dissolved Gases Geochemistry in the Pesaro-Urbino Province (Northern Marche, Central Italy) as a Tool for Seismic Surveillance and Sustainability

The Pesaro-Urbino province (PUP) (northern Marche, central Italy) is one of the most seismically active areas in Italy, with the most recent earthquakes (5.2 and 5.5 Mw) having occurred on 9 November 2022 with an epicenter located in the Adriatic Sea. A detailed geochemical and isotopic characterization of 87 groundwaters (and dissolved gases) circulating in the PUP was carried out to (i) unravel the geochemical processes controlling the water circulation, (ii) investigate the interplay between deep originated fluids and shallow aquifers, (iii) evaluate the reliability of specific geochemical parameters as tracers for seismic activity, and (iv) select the most suitable sampling sites to deploy a monitoring network to highlight possible compositional changes related to the regional and local tectonic activity. The geochemical dataset includes waters showing five different hydrochemical compositional facies: (i) calcium bicarbonate with low Total Dissolved Solids (TDS); (ii) calcium bicarbonate with relatively high concentrations of sulfate (>200 mg/L); (iii) sodium bicarbonate with pH > 8.8; (iv) calcium sulfate; (v) sodium chlorine. Two distinct groups of dissolved gases can be recognized: (a) N2-dominated gases with N2/Ar ratios similar to those of Air-Saturated Water (ASW); (b) CO2- and CH4-rich gases associated with high TDS and springs rich in S-bearing reduced species. The isotopic values of δ13C-CO2 and δ13C-CH4 suggest a predominant biogenic origin for both species with a negligible contribution from deep-seated fluids. The Ca-HCO3(SO4), Ca(Na)-SO4(Cl), and Na-HCO3 waters, being likely related to deep hydrological pathways, are the best candidates to be included in the monitoring network in the Pesaro-Urbino province. This will be of paramount importance in addressing the challenge of unravelling fluid geochemical precursors of earthquakes, thus increasing and improving seismic surveillance practices and hazard mitigation.

Uncovering the multifaceted properties of 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone for control of plant pathogens.

Some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by microorganisms have the ability to inhibit the growth and development of plant pathogens, induce the activation of plant defenses, and promote plant growth. Among them, 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone (6-PP), a ketone produced by Trichoderma fungi, has emerged as a focal point of interest. 6-PP has been isolated and characterized from thirteen Trichoderma species and is the main VOC produced, often accounting for >50% of the total VOCs emitted. This review examines abiotic and biotic interactions regulating the production of 6-PP by Trichoderma, and the known effects of 6-PP on plant pathogens through direct and indirect mechanisms including induced systemic resistance. While there are many reports of 6-PP activity against plant pathogens, the vast majority have been from laboratory studies involving only 6-PP and the pathogen, rather than glasshouse or field studies including a host plant in the system. Biopesticides based on 6-PP may well provide an eco-friendly, sustainable management tool for future agricultural production. However, before this can happen, challenges including demonstrating disease control efficacy in the field, developing efficient delivery systems, and determining cost-effective application rates must be overcome before 6-PP's potential for pathogen control can be turned into reality.

Cutting-edge HPLC and MCR techniques for synchronically quantifying anticholinergic drugs in the presence of C12 and C14 homologs: Robust application to green and white chemistry.

Green and white chemistry are vital to revolutionizing the chemical industry through their unparalleled potential to enhance sustainability and efficiency. In this study, nine sustainability tools of both green and white metrics, including green analytical procedure index (GAPI), ComplexGAPI, analytical greenness, analytical greenness metric for sample preparation, Analytical Eco-Scale (ESA), analytical method greenness score, high-performance liquid chromatography- environmental assessment tool (HPLC-EAT), analytical method volume intensity, and blue applicability grade index (BAGI), have been developed for appraising environmental friendliness for both innovative and straightforward mean centering of ratio spectra (MCR) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)strategies utilized for concurrent analysis and separation of cyclopentolate (CYC) and C12 and C14 homologs of benzalkonium chloride (BNZ) in pure and ophthalmic solution. The mobile phase, formed of buffer phosphate and acetonitrile (35:65, v/v), was adjusted to pH 6.3, and 215-nm UV detection was used. The experimental flow rate was 2.0 mL min-1, and the analytical column was L11 Inertsil Ph-3 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm). All sequences were run at 25°C in the column oven. The MCR approach effectively resolved the drug's spectral overlapping. CYC and BNZ employed this approach at 227.5 and 220.4 nm, respectively. As part of the HPLC analysis, an isocratic method was employed with phosphate buffer and acetonitrile in the mobile phase at 35:65. A correlation coefficient greater than 0.999 was observed between the calibration curves for the HPLC and MCR methods in the ranges of 20-320 µg mL-1 and 5-30 µg mL-1 for all drugs. The technique yields excellent primary recovery rates, ranging from 97.2% to 100.5%. The recommended approach has been validated according to International Council for Harmonizationguidelines.

Art and architecture as sustainable tools of propaganda: a brief review of the imperial Rome and its influences on the 21st century polity

Art and architecture as sustainable tools of propaganda: a brief review of the imperial Rome and its influences on the 21st century polity

Tailoring the properties of castor oil polyurethanes organogels with green oligoesters

Castor oil (CO) can react with isocyanate to form polyurethane organogels, whose hydrophobicity can be regulated by functionalization with “green” oligoesters of bio-dicarboxylic acids. Here, we elucidated the gelation mechanism induced by the oligoesters to gain control of the gels’ mechanical properties and solvent confinement capacity. This can be useful in cleaning Cultural Heritage items, a socioeconomically important application, and other scientific/technological sectors. During gelation, the oligoesters react with isocyanate to form aggregates whose compatibility with CO is regulated by the oligoesters’ hydrophobicity. This allows fine control of gelation time and of the gels’ micro- and nanostructure structure, where the presence of oligoesters in solid-like regions regulates rheological behaviour and mechanical resistance. The gels’ solvent upload capacity also depends on the oligoesters’ hydrophobicity, which can favour chain relaxation over Fickian diffusion during swelling. Finally, the swollen organogels were used to remove organic varnishes/coatings from painted wood and glass, demonstrating potential as sustainable cleaning tools for works of art.

Identifying the origin of Yemeni green coffee beans using near infrared spectroscopy: a promising tool for traceability and sustainability

Yemeni smallholder coffee farmers face several challenges, including the ongoing civil conflict, limited rainfall levels for irrigation, and a lack of post-harvest processing infrastructure. Decades of political instability have affected the quality, accessibility, and reputation of Yemeni coffee beans. Despite these challenges, Yemeni coffee is highly valued for its unique flavor profile and is considered one of the most valuable coffees in the world. Due to its exclusive nature and perceived value, it is also a prime target for food fraud and adulteration. This is the first study to identify the potential of Near Infrared Spectroscopy and chemometrics—more specifically, the discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA)—as a promising, fast, and cost-effective tool for the traceability of Yemeni coffee and sustainability of the Yemeni coffee sector. The NIR spectral signatures of whole green coffee beans from Yemeni regions (n = 124; Al Mahwit, Dhamar, Ibb, Sa’dah, and Sana’a) and other origins (n = 97) were discriminated with accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity ≥ 98% using PCA-LDA models. These results show that the chemical composition of green coffee and other factors captured on the spectral signatures can influence the discrimination of the geographical origin, a crucial component of coffee valuation in the international markets.

Can Biochar Made from Rice Husk Affect Savanna Soils’ pH, Electrical Conductivity, and Soil Respiration?

Biochar is now gaining awareness as a sustainable tool for soil health improvement, boosting carbon (C) storage and the enhancement of nutrient cycling in agricultural soils. This study assesses the effects of biochar on soil respiration, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) in savanna soils over a 45-day incubation trail in the laboratory. Four different biochar treatments (0, 2, 4, and 6 t/ha) were used in the study. The treatments were established at 26°C, and after 2, 5, and 10 days, the CO2 levels were recorded. After incubation for 0, 5, 10, and 45 days, the EC and pH were assessed. As the rate of application of biochar increased, the rate of CO2 evolution increased as well. During the first two days of incubation, the CO2 evolution rate rose by a value of 129 at 2 t/ha biochar, 146 at 4 t/ha biochar, and 168 ug CO2/g soil/d at 6 t/ha biochar above the 0 t/ha biochar. Following five days of incubation, the amounts of CO2 evolution that were higher than the control were 99 with 2 t/ha, 116 with 4 t/ha, and 120 ug CO2/g soil/d with 6 t/ha of biochar. The increase in CO2 evolution above the control treatment at 10 days of incubation was 61 with 2 t/ha, 79 with 4 t/ha, and 87 ug CO2/g soil/d with 6 t/ha of biochar. Analogously, rising patterns in CO2 emissions were noted. Throughout the whole incubation period, the biochar treatments' soil EC and pH were greater than those of the control treatment. After applying biochar, there were increases in the evolution of CO2, however after 10 days of incubation, the percentage of C evolved from the addition of biochar decreased as the rates of biochar increased. At two t/ha, four t/ha, and six t/ha, the percentage C developed was 1.74 %, 1.66%, and 0.82% of the applied biochar C, respectively. Although the CO2 evolved ratio to the total amount of biochar C typically reduced with increasing biochar rates, this study shows that the addition of biochar increases soil respiration, EC, and pH.

Impact of corporate social responsibility on the corporate image of MSMEs: A case study in Tacna

Nowadays, the use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a sustainable management tool enhances environmental, social, and economic care in MSMEs and improves business image among stakeholders, creating a competitive advantage. This study aims to determine the relationship between social responsibility and the corporate image of MSME Makinser S.A.C in Tacna, 2022. The results indicate a significant relationship, with a bilateral significance of 0.048 and a correlation coefficient of 22.1%, showing a low correlation. This research contributes to understanding the impact of ethics and CSR on corporate governance practices, promoting inclusion, environmental care, and community well-being.

A Government Sustainable Building Rating Tool?

A Government Sustainable Building Rating Tool?

Mapping the International Valuation Standards ESG criteria and sustainability rating tools adopted at scale by the Australian commercial real estate market

PurposeThe proliferation of environmental rating tools over the past two decades has endeavoured to assist the industry in measuring sustainability. Recent changes to the International Valuation Standards (IVS) have directed valuers to consider ESG. The purpose of this study aims to examine how commonly utilized sustainability tools, which have been employed to communicate building sustainability credentials, align with the IVS categories of ESG.Design/methodology/approachThe research utilises the IVS categorisation of ESG and maps sustainability tools adopted at scale by the Australian Commercial Real Estate market. The approach identifies the various attributes within the commonly utilised rating tools that align with IVS defined ESG criteria.FindingsThe mapping provides insights into the coverage of the IVS ESG criteria in the mainstream tools used in Australia. Further, the research identifies existing sustainability criteria that are relevant to the built environment, that have not been clearly identified by the IVS, but have an important role in evaluating the sustainability of commercial real estate.Practical implicationsFor investors, occupiers and valuers, this research provides insights on how the current, commonly utilised sustainability rating tools align with the IVS-defined ESG metrics. This research assists in providing greater clarity regarding the relationship between ESG criteria and existing rating tools, which have been recently identified as key considerations in valuation practice and help to provide transparency and understanding for property stakeholders.Originality/valueThe importance of monitoring, reporting and enhancing transparency in ESG disclosures has emerged as a central issue with significant implications for the property industry. This research provides the first evaluation of how existing sustainability rating tools map against ESG criteria as directed in the IVS.

Elevating Sustainability: The Role of Machining in Modern Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Processes

Sustainable manufacturing has become a critical concern across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and services. It involves the creation of manufactured products through economically sound processes that minimize negative environmental impacts while conserving energy and natural resources. Additionally, sustainable manufacturing aims to enhance employee, community, and product safety.This paper focuses on the machining process as a key component of sustainable manufacturing. Machining is widely used in manufacturing industries to fabricate components, but it also significantly contributes to environmental pollution. Sustainable machining has been a topic of discussion for over a decade. In sustainable machining processes, every factor acts differently like, the tool life, productivity, and effective utilization of resources must be increased. In contrast, the machining cost, machine cutting power, and adverse effect of cooling and lubrication fluids will be decreased. Important aspects of sustainable machining include dry and near-dry machining, cryogenic machining, and minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) were presented in this article. The effectiveness of these processes is assessed based on cutting tool life and the quality of machined components. In addition, the advancements consideration such as novel process variations, process hybridization, the use of sustainable tools and green transfer mediums, and the optimization of process parameters. Recommendations include increasing efficiency and reducing waste by incorporating recyclable tools in the machine industry implementing either stand alone or hybrid sustainable lubrication machining techniques.

Nickel-Catalyzed Four-Component Carbonylation of 1,3-Butadiene To Access β,γ-Unsaturated Ketones.

A new strategy to obtain β,γ-unsaturated ketones via the cross-coupling of 1,3-butadiene, alkyl bromides, and arylboronic acids under 1 bar of CO with nickel as the catalyst has been developed. This newly developed four-component carbonylation procedure features advantages including using a cheap catalytic system, high step economy, mild reaction conditions, and excellent 1,4-regioselectivity, thereby providing a sustainable and alternative tool for β,γ-unsaturated ketones production compared to the present tactics. To elucidate the application potential of this method, olefin synthons are derived from the representative coupling product.

Transcriptome sequencing of the endangered land snail Karaftohelix adamsi from the Island Ulleung: De novo assembly, annotation, valuation of fitness genes and SSR markers.

The Bradybaenidae snail Karaftohelix adamsi is endemic to Korea, with the species tracked from Island Ulleung in North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea. K. adamsi has been classified under the Endangered Wildlife Class II species of Korea and poses a severe risk of extinction following habitat disturbances. With no available information at the DNA (genome) or mRNA (transcriptome) level for the species, conservation by utilizing informed molecular resources seems difficult. In this study, we used the Illumina short-read sequencing and Trinity de novo assembly to draft the reference transcriptome of K. adamsi. After assembly, 13,753 unigenes were obtained of which 10,511 were annotated to public databases (a maximum of 10,165 unigenes found homologs in PANM DB). A total of 6,351, 3,535, 358, and 3,407 unigenes were ascribed to the functional categories under KOG, GO, KEGG, and IPS, respectively. The transcripts such as the HSP 70, aquaporin, TLR, and MAPK, among others, were screened as putative functional resources for adaptation. DNA transposons were found to be thickly populated in comparison to retrotransposons in the assembled unigenes. Further, 2,164 SSRs were screened with the promiscuous presence of dinucleotide repeats such as AC/GT and AG/CT. The transcriptome-guided discovery of molecular resources in K. adamsi will not only serve as a basis for functional genomics studies but also provide sustainable tools to be utilized for the protection of the species in the wild. Moreover, the development of polymorphic SSRs is valuable for the identification of species from newer habitats and cross-species genotyping.

Staphylococcal mastitis in dairy cows.

Bovine mastitis is one of the most common diseases of dairy cattle. Even though different infectious microorganisms and mechanical injury can cause mastitis, bacteria are the most common cause of mastitis in dairy cows. Staphylococci, streptococci, and coliforms are the most frequently diagnosed etiological agents of mastitis in dairy cows. Staphylococci that cause mastitis are broadly divided into Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus staphylococci (NAS). NAS is mainly comprised of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (CNS) and some coagulase-positive and coagulase-variable staphylococci. Current staphylococcal mastitis control measures are ineffective, and dependence on antimicrobial drugs is not sustainable because of the low cure rate with antimicrobial treatment and the development of resistance. Non-antimicrobial effective and sustainable control tools are critically needed. This review describes the current status of S. aureus and NAS mastitis in dairy cows and flags areas of knowledge gaps.

Is eco-innovation the virtue of CEO grandiosity? The moderating roles of CEO ancestor origins and CEO tenure

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of CEO narcissism on eco-innovation. Moreover, we explore the moderating influence of CEO ancestor origins and CEO tenure on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachBased on a comprehensive dataset comprising 198 non-financial U.S. firms spanning the years 2010–2021, we apply OLS regression.FindingsOur research findings are as follows: (1) CEO narcissism negatively affects eco-innovation. (2) CEO ancestor origins play a moderating role, with this effect being attenuated for CEOs with ancestral origins from highly sustainable backgrounds. (3) CEO tenure strengthens the relationship between CEO narcissism and eco-innovation. This study sheds light on the significance of CEO personality traits in influencing eco-innovation decision-making. The results offer valuable insights for stakeholders, boards of directors and investors.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, none of the studies on sustainable tools have examined the moderating effect of CEO demographics characteristics on the CEO personality traits –eco-innovation nexus, and this offers a great opportunity to make new contributions to the extant literature.

Sustainable Plantwide Optimizing Control for an Acrylic Acid Process.

This paper presents a sustainable control strategy from a plantwide control (PWC) perspective. The proposed strategy is subjected to testing within an operational environment of an acrylic acid plant. To integrate sustainability tools into the plantwide optimizing control (PWOC) formulation, the present proposal suggests the utilization of green chemistry principles. These principles will be incorporated as constraints within the optimization problem. A comparative analysis is conducted between the proposed sustainable PWOC approach and two alternative structures: a PWOC framework that does not take sustainability issues into account and a conventional PWC structure. The findings indicate that the sustainable PWOC demonstrates superior economic performance from a financial standpoint, reaching the highest cumulative profitability(1.6274 × 105 USD), exceeding 11.94% in comparison to the PWOC without sustainability concerns, which reach a cumulative profitability of 1.4330 × 105 USD, and surpassing 13.01% when compared to the decentralized PWC approach, which reach a cumulative profitability of 1.4158 × 105 USD. Additionally, the sustainable PWOC demonstrated a reduced emission impact on the process, with a decrease of 6.17% compared to the unsustainable PWOC and a 9.79% decrease compared to the decentralized approach. This demonstrates that the incorporation of the proposed green chemistry metrics as an explicit component of the formulated PWC problem significantly mitigates the impacts of global warming and human health.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of sulfonamides from soil samples using natural deep eutectic solvents and their determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, several potential natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) were evaluated as sustainable solvents in the development of an ultrasound (US)-assisted extraction method for sulfonamides from soil samples and final determination by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Choline chloride (ChCl) was used as hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), and different carboxylic acids and alcohols were tested as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) in different molar ratios in order to find the optimum combination able to form appropriated NADES for the extraction of sulfonamides. Among the different mixtures tested, the one consisting of ChCl:1,3-propanediol in a molar ratio of 1:4 showed the better physico-chemical properties and was selected for the US-assisted extraction of sulfonamides. Under optimum conditions, no matrix effect was observed and quantitative recoveries, ranging from 81.9 % to 103.9 % with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 8 % were obtained, reaching limits of quantification within the range 8.5–31 µg Kg−1, depending upon the analyte. In addition, after evaluation by AGREEprep, Sample Preparation Metric of Sustainability (SPMS) and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) metrics tools, the proposed method was found to be superior to other published methods in terms of safety and environmental impact with good applicability potential.

Plant Biostimulants Enhance Tomato Resilience to Salinity Stress: Insights from Two Greek Landraces

Salinity, one of the major abiotic stresses in plants, significantly hampers germination, photosynthesis, biomass production, nutrient balance, and yield of staple crops. To mitigate the impact of such stress without compromising yield and quality, sustainable agronomic practices are required. Among these practices, seaweed extracts (SWEs) and microbial biostimulants (PGRBs) have emerged as important categories of plant biostimulants (PBs). This research aimed at elucidating the effects on growth, yield, quality, and nutrient status of two Greek tomato landraces (‘Tomataki’ and ‘Thessaloniki’) following treatments with the Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract ‘Algastar’ and the PGPB ‘Nitrostim’ formulation. Plants were subjected to bi-weekly applications of biostimulants and supplied with two nutrient solutions: 0.5 mM (control) and 30 mM NaCl. The results revealed that the different mode(s) of action of the two PBs impacted the tolerance of the different landraces, since ‘Tomataki’ was benefited only from the SWE application while ‘Thessaloniki’ showed significant increase in fruit numbers and average fruit weight with the application of both PBs at 0.5 and 30 mM NaCl in the root zone. In conclusion, the stress induced by salinity can be mitigated by increasing tomato tolerance through the application of PBs, a sustainable tool for productivity enhancement, which aligns well with the strategy of the European Green Deal.

Physical exercise as a sustainability tool in men affected with metabolic syndrome-related late-onset central hypogonadism: role of endocrine-metabolic and neurovegetative outcomes

Physical exercise as a sustainability tool in men affected with metabolic syndrome-related late-onset central hypogonadism: role of endocrine-metabolic and neurovegetative outcomes

Bicycle facilities and women's cycling frequency – An intersectional analysis of gendered travel behaviour

Bicycle facilities are a widely used sustainable transportation policy tool, but their role in mitigating gendered barriers to cycling is less studied. This paper presents the findings from an online household survey conducted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Canada, focusing on 10 neighbourhoods- five with a newly constructed facility and five without. In this work, we explore how socially influenced and intersectional gendered experiences (expressed through age, employment, having children and trip-chaining) may influence commute-related cycling, in the presence or absence of bicycle facilities. Results from binomial logistic regression models indicate a higher likelihood of cycling at least once a week, for commuting purpose, amongst women who are 30–44 years old, who work part-time or are students, who have children, and who engage in trip chaining during commute, in neighbourhoods with a bicycle facility. We also found that in the absence of bicycle facilities, women’s likelihood of cycling frequently was no different than men’s. Using a feminist geography lens, we argue that the presence of new bicycle facilities potentially allowed some women to minimize the barriers they experience when cycling, including social expectations around feminine performance on streets. We show the importance of intersectional analyses in cycling research. By addressing women’s traditional gender roles, opportunities and patriarchal division of labor, transportation policy can positively influence women's participation in cycling.