Economic Value Research Articles

Leveraging next-generation sequencing technology for the study of ginsenosides biosynthesis and exploring DNA markers in the endemic species Panax vietnamensis.

Panax species, particularly Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Panax vietnamensis are renowned for their medicinal properties and economic value. Of these, the endemic P. vietnamensis species (native to Vietnam, Laos, and southern China) is currently receiving focused attention due to its special ginsenosides accumulation in comparison to the others. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have accelerated the molecular genetic studies in this Panax species, providing deeper insights into the ginsenosides biosynthesis pathway as well as other aspects such as genetic diversity and molecular evolution. This work aims to systematically review all studies on the application of NGS in P. vietnamensis, particularly in whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis. These key findings significantly contribute to identifying critical genes involved in ginsenosides biosynthesis, developing various DNA markers (such as SSR and SNP) for molecular genetic studies, and gaining insights into the species' molecular evolution. Based on these findings, future research can further expand to complete the full genomic database of this species and further investigate the underlying regulatory mechanisms of ginsenosides biosynthesis. These efforts will be crucial for enhancing the conservation, molecular breeding, and agricultural productivity of this valuable medicinal species.

Transcriptome and metabolome reveal the primary and secondary metabolism changes in Larix gmelinii seedlings under abiotic stress.

Larix gmelinii is an excellent stress resistant coniferous tree species with a wide distribution and important economic and ecological value. However, at seedling stage, L. gmelinii is extremely susceptible to abiotic stresses, and systematic research on the adaptation mechanisms of L. gmelinii seedlings to abiotic stress is still lacking. Phenotypic observation and physiological index detection showed that L. gmelinii seedlings wilted with needles withered and yellowish at later stages of drought and salt stress; Under low temperature, the seedlings grew slowly and turned red at later stage. Under all 3 abiotic stresses, the chlorophyll content in seedlings significantly decreased, while the MDA content significantly increased; The activity of SOD and CAT showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. Transcriptome analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid synthesis metabolism. Metabolomic analysis found unique DAMs under 3 stress treatments. The combined analysis of transcriptome and metabolome showed that the changing patterns of DEGs and DAMs in primary and secondary metabolism were consistent: carbohydrate were significantly accumulated under low temperature stress; amino acids showed the most significant changes under salt stress. The variation pattern of secondary metabolism was similar under both drought and salt stress, while anthocyanin accumulation was the most obvious only under low temperature stress. Our study provides insightful information about the different mechanisms that L. gmelinii seedlings employ in response to drought, low temperature or salt stress.

Secondary Metabolite of Bacopa monnieri Under Plant Growth Regulators Treatment on Fibroblast and Cancer Cells

Background: Bacopa monnieri L. is a significant medicinal herb with high economic and social value. Objectives: This study aimed to enhance the growth rate and the production of flavonoids and polyphenols using plant growth regulators (PGRs). Additionally, the study evaluated the effects of these metabolites on the viability of skin cancer cells (A375) and human fibroblast cells (HDF) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Methods: For flavonoid extraction, samples were dried at 50°C. A total of 0.25 g of finely powdered dried sample was extracted with 20 mL of 60% (v/v) aqueous ethanol. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. monnieri was calculated. Human fibroblast cell lines (IBRC No. C10506) and skin cancer cells (A375; IBRC No. C11337) were cultured in an incubator maintained at 37°C, with 5% CO2 and high humidity. Results: The study found that 1 mg/L NAA yielded the highest flavonoid (1.76 mg/g DW) and polyphenol (35.17 mg/g DW) content. Among the cytokinins, 0.8 mg/L BAP produced the highest flavonoid (1.61 mg/g DW) and polyphenol (32.51 mg/g DW) content. The maximum viability of HDF cells (135%) was observed at 0.4 mg/L 2IP. The findings suggest that increasing flavonoid content in B. monnieri through various hormones is not recommended for skin cancer treatment. However, the use of 0.5 μg/mL 2IP significantly enhanced the growth of fibroblast cells. Conclusions: The results suggest that the application of 2IP in tissue culture of the B. monnieri plant can be beneficial for increasing fibroblast cell viability, making it a promising ingredient in cosmetics and health products. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and optimize applications.

Green High-Rise Buildings

Objectives: The study aims to critically analyze green high-rise buildings and their associated challenges based on peer-reviewed journals published between 2020 and 2024, in order to understand the effectiveness of sustainable practices applied to tall buildings. Theoretical Framework: The study explores the concepts of green and sustainable buildings, differentiating their respective short- and long-term approaches in the context of building, occupant, and environmental interactions. It also considers the concept of green retrofitting, which involves upgrading existing buildings to improve their efficiency and reduce their environmental impact. Method: The research was conducted through a bibliographic review of peer-reviewed articles, focusing on terms such as “green high-rise building” and “green skyscraper.” The analysis included 72 articles categorized into four main areas: economic sustainability, water management, energy efficiency, and environmental comfort. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that elements such as green facades and renewable energy systems are widely used to reduce the environmental impact of tall buildings. Key themes discussed include energy efficiency and the economic value of green buildings. Technical and economic challenges are emphasized, but it is believed that local-scale research can help overcome these obstacles. The benefits of green retrofitting are highlighted, as it improves energy efficiency, increases property value, and contributes to climate change mitigation. Research Implications: The research suggests that sustainable practices in tall buildings are essential for sustainable urban development and mitigating the effects of climate change. Legal and public incentives are recommended to support these initiatives, promoting more resilient cities. Originality/Value: This article contributes by demonstrating how sustainable practices applied to tall buildings can address urban environmental challenges and foster conscious development. It also offers an updated and critical view of green high-rise buildings and their challenges. By identifying the most effective practices and technical and economic obstacles, it contributes to the evolution of knowledge in sustainable construction, providing a foundation for future local and interdisciplinary research.

Optimal consumption and annuity equivalent wealth with mortality model uncertainty

The classical Yaari (1965) lifecycle model (LCM) stands as a cornerstone in numerous modern retirement studies, especially in understanding the determinants of annuity demand. The LCM predicts a high annuity demand among individuals facing retirement, yet it is rarely the case in reality. This gap between economic theory and empirical reality, commonly referred to as the annuity puzzle, has spurred extensive research endeavors aimed at elucidating its economic and behavioral underpinnings.In this paper, we examine the cause of low annuity demand through the angle of mortality model uncertainty. To this end, we advance Yaari's LCM via integrating a mortality perturbation analysis within a recursive utility framework. Through this approach, we derive the robust optimal consumption strategy and the corresponding annuity equivalent wealth. By utilizing stochastic dominance theory, we establish a series of monotonicity results about the annuity equivalent wealth with respect to ambiguity aversion parameter and other key parameters, such as interest, discount, and mortality rates. Our findings suggest that, among decision-makers with elasticity of intertemporal substitution less than unity, the economic value of an annuity is diminished for those who place greater confidence in their subjective mortality table. In other words, retirees may underestimate the additional utility gained from annuitization if they do not adequately consider the potential uncertainty surrounding their subjective mortality estimates.

Why recommend? Unlocking the factors and configurations influencing word-of-mouth intentions in continuing care retirement communities

In the context of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), the synergistic effect of perceived value on older adults’ word-of-mouth intentions remains unclear. This article presents two studies designed to identify and assess the key factors and combinatorial configurations driving older adults’ CCRC recommendations from a perceived value perspective. Study 1 uncovered multiple dimensions (e.g., economic value, contextual value, functional value, emotional value, and social value) of older adults’ perceived value of CCRCs using a grounded theory approach. Structural equation modeling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis were integrated in Study 2 to validate the impacts of perceived value subdimensions on word-of-mouth intention. Four common combinations, namely “economic–emotional–social,” “contextual–emotional,” “economic–functional–emotional,” and “economic–functional–social,” were found to promote this intention. This study provides a nuanced understanding of enhancing CCRC-related word-of-mouth communication by analyzing the synergistic effects of perceived value, thereby extending the application of perceived value theory to the CCRC field.

Climate Change and its Economic Impacts in Mexico

Introduction: Climate change is one of the great challenges of the 21st century, due to its global causes and consequences and its heterogeneous and asymmetric regional impacts, with those who contribute the least to the phenomenon receiving the greatest negative impacts. Mexico has a minor contribution to climate change in terms of greenhouse gas emissions; however, it is highly vulnerable to its negative effects. Climate change is a long-term global phenomenon, with a high level of uncertainty. The economic analysis of climate change has a high level of risk, which makes it a process where risk must be managed. Despite these characteristics and limitations, it is a fundamental instrument for public policy and society since it identifies options and alternatives to build sustainable development strategies and protect natural resources and ecosystems for future generations beyond their economic value. However, it must be understood that projections are not one-off forecasts but only prospective scenarios. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the economic impacts of Climate Change for Mexico during this century, according to the different scenarios of the IPCC AR6. Methodology: The methodology consists of presenting a set of regional projections of climate variables under the IPCC's AR6 climate change scenarios, and estimating the possible impacts of climate change on Mexico's economic sector. Results: Regional models show temperature increases between 0.5 and 5 °C, while changes in precipitation will range between -20.3% and 13.5%. Low soil moisture, negative changes in vegetation (NDVI) and drought (SPEI12) will lead to soil moisture deficits, water stress, sparse vegetation and semi-permanent drought. The entire country is expected to be subjected to moderate (Central and Southern) to extremely severe (Northern) droughts that will worsen by the end of the century. Climate change will have effects on crop yields, livestock reproduction, production of meat and its derivatives throughout the country in a differentiated way, with increases in food prices. It will also cause a deficit of land suitable for agricultural activities; and water availability. Diseases associated with climate change will become more acute by the end of the century, with increases in health spending. It is estimated that the investment of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the health sector would go from 6.25% to more than 18%, which could be unfeasible for the national economy. Based on the likely temperatures by the end of the century, it is estimated that the risk of extinction of species will range between 3 and 48% in terrestrial, oceanic and coastal ecosystems, the risk of biodiversity loss will go from moderate to very high. The total costs of climate change reach 2050, with a discount rate of 4%, values that range between 9 and 13% of GDP in the most likely scenarios for the end of the century and reach between 28 and 36% of GDP at a discount rate of 0.5%, while by 2100 with a discount rate of 4%. around 16.5% of GDP and reach maximums between 69 and 76% of GDP at a discount rate of 0.5%. Conclusion: The results allow us to conclude that climate change has significant impacts on the Mexican economy and that the costs of inaction are higher. Thus, it is more efficient to act now than to leave the problem to future generations, beyond the ethical considerations that it implies.

Hotspots in peril: Misalignment of conservation efforts and ecological values in a shallow coastal sea

Abstract Misalignment between the location of marine protected areas (MPAs) and ecologically valuable areas, here defined as low conservation conformity, may arise due to conflicting socioeconomic and ecological demands, diminishing MPA effectiveness. Such conflicts are especially found in coastal areas with high human population density and high natural productivity. Here, we aim to provide a framework to quantitatively and qualitatively assess conservation conformity using multiple indicators to identify hotspots of ecological quality. We use the subtidal Dutch Wadden Sea as a case study due to its unique natural, cultural, and economic values and the availability of high‐resolution spatial data. We focus on macrozoobenthic communities (larger animals living in and on the seafloor), a vital group experiencing significant ecological degradation due to a long history of human activity. A complex set of restrictions has been implemented to prevent further macrozoobenthos degradation and to stimulate recovery. We first spatially overlay and translate the different protection measures to international standards. We then determine hotspots of ecological quality based on nationally and internationally used indicators of biodiversity and seafloor status and map their overlap with protected areas. We found that in 2024, 37% of the 134,466 ha subtidal Dutch Wadden Sea has some level of protection. However, due to the poor spatial overlap of implemented measures, the IUCN‐based guidelines would classify only 10% as an MPA, while only 2% of the subtidal is truly free of human bottom‐disturbing activities. Of this total subtidal area, 19% was classified as an ecological hotspot based on multiple indicators. However, the protection measures in place overlapped very poorly with these ecological hotspots. Overall, only in 2% of the total subtidal area, IUCN‐classified MPAs overlapped with locations identified as ecological hotspots for at least six indicators, indicating poor overlap of MPAs with ecological hotspots. Because the whole Wadden Sea is subject to several international protection schemes (e.g. Natura 2000, OSPAR convention, Ramsar Convention, and UNESCO World Heritage), these results call for substantial adjustment of the current conservation layout. We thus emphasise the importance of quantitatively evaluating potential misalignment between protected areas and ecologically valuable areas in coastal zones. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Synergistic mechanisms of magnesium slag coupled with dust removal ash for CO2 sequestration via direct aqueous carbonation: High mineralization efficiency and optimization of reaction parameters

Utilizing natural industrial solid waste for CO2 capture and utilization can reduce both the environmental problems caused by industrial solid waste and greenhouse gases. Based on this idea, magnesium slag-based solid waste has great economic and environmental value as CO2 storage and backfill material. In this study, the CO2 mineralization capacity and efficiency of two magnesium slag-based industrial solid wastes including magnesium slag (MS) and dust removal ash (DRA) and their mixtures were studied by gas-liquid two-phase mineralization method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of techniques such as XRF, XRD, SEM, FT-IR and TG tests. The results exhibited that compared with single MS and DRA sample, the mineralization efficiency of composites increased 7.63 % and 14.1 %, respectively, which performed a synergistic effect. In addition, the main operation parameters including reaction temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio and CO2 concentration were investigated, and the temperature of 35 ℃, solid-to-liquid ratio of 0.1 g/mL and CO2 concentration of 30 vol% were chosen as optimum operating parameters. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism of CaCO3 formation and the mineralization efficiency improvement after cooperation were expounded.

Paying for green tide management or participating in cleanup activities? Testing and controlling for payment vehicle bias in the valuation of ecological damage caused by green tides

Payment vehicle bias is one of the biases in the contingent valuation method (CVM). This research uses the ecological damage assessment of the Ulva prolifera green tides in Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China, as a case study to examine the factors influencing the payment vehicle bias and control for it. The results indicate that nearly 50% of respondents might refuse to pay because monetary or labor payment vehicles do not meet their payment preferences. This situation leads to nonrandom sample selection and payment vehicle bias. To address these issues, this research proposes a novel valuation framework that combines monetary and labor payment vehicles. And the Heckman two-stage model is used to estimate the economic value of labor time and combines sample data from both monetary and labor payment vehicles to control for bias and obtain a more reliable valuation result. The results show that, compared with sole reliance on monetary payment vehicles, the use of dual payment vehicles increases the observable sample size from 222 to 330. Furthermore, respondents’ average WTP for green tide management increases from 101 CNY/person·year to 116 CNY/person·year. Therefore, employing both payment vehicles simultaneously can reveal more respondents’ true preferences, reduce non-randomness in sample selection and mitigate payment vehicle bias. The findings of this study can demonstrate the value of labor payment vehicles in CVM applications and provide a scientific basis for the Qingdao municipal government to establish more effective strategies for green tide management.

Empowerment of the “Sinar Bahagia” Cocoa Farmers Group in Bebidas Village, Wanasaba District, East Lombok Regency Through Diversification of Cocoa Bean Processing

Bebidas Village is one of the villages in Wanasaba District, East Lombok Regency, which has relatively potential to be developed into a cocoa production center. There are two main obstacles faced by farmers, namely the lack of knowledge, attitudes, and skills of cocoa farmers towards cocoa farming management and cocoa bean processing technology into various commercial products and the absence of a standard procedure to produce quality dry cocoa beans. This community service activity aims to assist in processing cocoa plant products into various cocoa products with economic value to increase the income of cocoa farmers in Bebidas Village, Wanasaba District, East Lombok Regency. This activity can increase the productivity of cocoa plants and increase the types of processed cocoa plant products with commercial value.

Locational marginal pricing of energy in pipeline transport of natural gas and hydrogen with carbon offset incentives

We propose an optimization formulation for locational pricing of energy transported through a pipeline network that carries mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen from distributed sources to consumers. The objective includes the economic value provided by the pipeline to consumers of energy and suppliers of natural gas and green hydrogen, as well as incentives to lower carbon emissions by consuming the latter instead of the former. The optimization is subject to the physics of gas flow and mixing in the pipeline network as well as engineering limits. In addition to formulating this mathematical program, we synthesize the Lagrangian and derive analytical expressions for the dual variables. We propose that the dual solution can be used to derive locational marginal prices of natural gas, hydrogen, and energy, as well as the decarbonization premium paid by consumers that receive hydrogen. We derive several properties of solutions obtained using the proposed market mechanism, and demonstrate them using case studies for standard 8-node and 40-node pipeline test networks. Finally, we show that optimization-based analysis of the type proposed here is critical for making sound decisions about economic policy and infrastructure expansion for blending green hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines.

Neighboring fauna of sea cucumber Isostichopus fuscus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in collectors on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Isostichopus fuscus is an invertebrate species distributed from Baja California to the Galapagos Islands. I. fuscus holds significant economic value in international markets; however, overfishing has led to its classification as an endangered species. Additionally, the surrounding fauna of I. fuscus remains unknown; such information would be valuable for establishing sea cucumber production sites, which rely on the biodiversity surrounding the larvae of this species. This study aimed to determine the accompanying fauna found in Isostichopus fuscus collectors and identify the most representative marine inhabitants to understand their ecological roles. Multiple collectors were installed to simulate the marine habitat where sea cucumbers develop. Associated fauna was collected from two different sites on Santa Cruz Island: La Fe and Las Palmas. The presence or absence of species was compared using diversity indices. Las Palmas exhibited a low level of biodiversity (Shannon = 1.792) and low evenness (Simpson = 0.253). La Fe showed higher biodiversity (Shannon = 2.088) and greater evenness (Simpson = 0.459). Dominant species recorded included: Polyonyx nitidus, Megabalanus vinaceus, and polychaetes. Both sites have a rich influx of fauna, which is beneficial for the conservation of I. fuscus.

Evaluation of Probiotic Potential and Functional Properties of Lactobacillus Strains Isolated from Dhan, Traditional Algerian Goat Milk Butter

Goat milk butter, locally known as “Dhan,” from the Sfisfa region of Algeria, holds significant cultural and economic value. This study investigates the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in Dhan, focusing particularly on Lactobacillus strains. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA revealed a dominance of Levilactobacillus brevis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, forming a substantial part of the bacterial profile. Three LAB isolates (DC01-A, DC04, and DC06) were selected from fresh samples, and rigorous analyses were performed to evaluate their probiotic properties. Safety assessments confirmed the absence of gelatinase, DNase, and haemolytic activities in all isolates. The isolates demonstrated high tolerance to bile salts and acidic conditions, along with the ability to survive simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Notably, strain DC06 exhibited exceptional survival at low pH (1.5) and high bile salt concentrations (0.15–0.3%). All isolates showed substantial growth in MRS medium with 2% phenol, although growth was significantly decreased at 5% phenol. Furthermore, our strains exhibited high adhesion rates to various solvents, demonstrating their potential for strong interaction with cell membranes. Specifically, adhesion to chloroform was observed at 98.26% for DC01-A, 99.30% for DC04, and 99.20% for DC06. With xylene, the adhesion rates were 75.94% for DC01-A, 61.13% for DC04, and 76.52% for DC06. The LAB strains demonstrated impressive growth in ethanol concentrations up to 12%, but their tolerance did not exceed this concentration. They also exhibited robust growth across temperatures from 10 °C to 37 °C, with strains DC04 and DC06 able to proliferate at 45 °C, though none survived at 50 °C. Additionally, the isolates showed significant resistance to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and displayed medium to high autolytic activity, with rates of 50.86%, 37.53%, and 33.42% for DC01-A, DC04, and DC06, respectively. The cell-free supernatant derived from strain DC04 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens, while strain DC06 demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity with the highest DPPH scavenging rate at 68.56%, compared to the probiotic reference strain LGG at 61.28%. These collective findings not only suggest the probiotic viability of LAB strains found in Dhan but also highlight the importance of traditional food practises in contributing to health and nutrition. Consequently, this study supports the potential of traditional Dhan butter as a functional food and encourages further exploration of its health benefits.

Advances in Heat Treatment and Microstructural Optimization of Hadfield Steel for Enhanced Wear Resistance

Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of heat treatment processes on carbide formation in Hadfield steel, focusing on optimizing its microstructure and mechanical properties for industrial applications that require high wear resistance. Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in theories of metallurgical transformation and work hardening, particularly in relation to the metastable austenitic structure of Hadfield steel, which transforms into martensite under impact. This transformation mechanism, alongside alloy composition and heat treatment, shapes the steel’s resistance to wear and mechanical strength. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted, encompassing 11 relevant studies on Hadfield steel from four scientific databases: Taylor & Francis, Springer, Wiley, and ScienceDirect. The selected studies were analyzed using the PRISMA methodology to evaluate the influence of heat treatments—such as austenitization, quenching, and tempering—on carbide formation and microstructure. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal that specific heat treatments significantly enhance Hadfield steel’s wear resistance and strength. The influence of processes like austenitization on carbide dissolution and rapid cooling to avoid carbide precipitation has proven critical for the steel’s toughness. This discussion aligns the observed improvements with theoretical predictions and identifies challenges in carbide control for enhanced performance. Research Implications: The study provides practical insights for industries utilizing Hadfield steel in high-wear environments, such as mining and transportation, and proposes further research into innovative heat treatment strategies. Originality/Value: This study contributes novel perspectives on the optimization of Hadfield steel's heat treatment processes, potentially informing advanced manufacturing techniques to improve the steel’s durability and economic value in key industrial applications.

Estimation of carbon stock and economic value of Sanjiangyuan National Park, China

Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP) is one of China’s national parks with high ecological significance and ecological vulnerability. In order to promote the healthy development of national park ecosystems, it is extremely important to investigate the carbon sequestration potential and the economic value of carbon sequestration in the SNP. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the characteristics of land use change from 1985 to 2022 based on the land use transfer matrix and land use dynamic degree, calculated the ecosystem carbon storage based on the InVEST model, and estimated the economic value of carbon storage in each period combined with compound interest present value method. The results show that: (1) From 1985 to 2022, carbon stocks generally went through three phases: increasing, stabilizing, and decreasing. (2) Low carbon density areas were concentrated in the Kekexili Natural Reserve in the Yangtze River Source Park and a small part of the Yellow River Source Park and Lancang River Source Park; The high carbon density area was concentrated in the water area and the forest land in the southeast of the Lancang River Source Park. (3) Land use change in SNP had a decisive impact on carbon storage change, and the economic value of carbon storage in SNP continued to increase from 1985 to 2022. In order to provide a scientific basis for the sustainable management of carbon sinks and the reduction of carbon emissions in the SNP area, it is necessary to further study the carbon cycle process, carbon storage and carbon emissions in the region in the future.

Carbon Stocks Estimation Using the Stock Difference Method of Various Land Use Systems Based on Geospatial in Kualan Watershed

Indonesia controls 75%-80% of the world's carbon stocks, so the amount of carbon stocks must be utilized optimally. This study aims to determine carbon stocks, potential emissions, and economic value of carbon stocks in each land use. The method used is secondary data analysis and field checking. The data collected were Sentinel 2A acquisitions in 2020 and 2022, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and land use land cover in 2020-2023. Data analysis used SNAP and ArcGIS 10.8. The tool used for data analysis is spatial analysis map algebra. The results showed mixed dryland agriculture has the most extensive carbon stock, at 2,614,178 tons/ha, with potential emissions of 9,585,320 tons/ha. The most minor carbon stock is in mining land use, which is 0 tons/ha with potential emissions of 0 tons/ha. The highest C02 value in USD is the forest land use group. In the Secondary Dryland Forest, Secondary Swamp Forest, and Plantation Forest groups, it is 17,517,400.50 USD, while the lowest is mining land use, which is 0 USD. Overall, the CO2 value of land use in the study area is 34,246,314.45 USD. Integrating remote sensing data analysis and field surveys in geospatial technology is one of the new approaches to studying carbon stocks and CO2 emissions in topsoil from various land uses. By utilizing geospatial technology, efforts to estimate carbon stocks on the surface are easier and faster.

On‐site Portable Lithium Detection in Mining and Recycling Industries based on a DNAzyme Fluorescent Sensor

The global demand for lithium has soared in recent years due to the wide use of lithium batteries. To meet this demand, we herein report developing novel on‐site sample preparation methods for the extraction of Li+ from relevant materials, including brine water, spodumene rock, and lithium‐ion battery electrodes, and a DNAzyme‐based fluorescent sensor for sensitive and robust detection of Li+ in these samples down to 1.4 mM (10 ppm) using a portable fluorometer. The system can distinguish key threshold lithium levels that indicate economic value across several industries, including 200 ppm Li+ for brine mining, 6% Li2O or SC6 for rock mining, and Li+‐specific aging in LIBs. The methods developed and demonstrated in this work will allow highly selective, on‐site, portable detection of lithium in both environmental samples to identify new lithium resources and in battery electrodes to guide recycling strategies in order to meet the global demand for lithium.

NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COCOA AND COFFEE BEAN SKINS IN SILAGE PRODUCTION

Cocoa bean skin and coffee bean skin are biomass waste that is underutilized in Indonesia. Given the nutritional potential of cocoa and coffee bean skin biomass waste, processing it is considered to add potential value. The objective of this research is to investigate the potential of utilizing cocoa and coffee bean skin waste in silage production to address specific nutritional requirements. This will be accomplished through the analysis of nutritional characteristics via proximate analysis and the evaluation of economic value added (EVA). Characteristic analysis was carried out with predetermined parameters with raw materials from silage in the form of odot grass, corn husks and additional biomass in the form of cocoa and coffee bean skin waste with concentrations of 20%, 25% and 30% respectively. The results showed that cocoa bean skin silage generally has a higher fat and protein content than coffee bean skin silage. Meanwhile, coffee bean skin silage showed a higher crude fiber and carbohydrate content than cocoa bean skin silage. Economic Value Added (EVA) analysis also revealed that silage generated an added value of IDR 806,018 with a profitability value of 40%, indicating the economic potential in processing biomass waste into silage. Future research can optimize the formulation of biomass waste and explore various biomass sources to improve nutritional and economic benefits. Evaluation of these formulations on various livestock species can also provide valuable insights into their effectiveness in various types of livestock feed. Keywords: proximate analysis; cocoa bean skin; coffee bean skin; silage

The Impact of Blockchain NFTs Technology on the Conservation and Preservation of Print Newspaper Content

The emergence of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) technology has led to a significant transformation in the creative industry and media content realm, introducing fundamental new opportunities for the media sector as well as for the conservation and preservation of newspaper content. This research aims to analyze the impact of implementing Blockchain NFTs technology on the conservation and preservation of print newspaper content. This is motivated by the fact that many print media outlets have not yet adopted NFT technology, despite its potential to secure and provide economic value to both old and new print news content. The adoption of Blockchain NFTs technology is considered a forward-looking technology that offers excellent opportunities for the preservation of print newspaper content. This research uses a qualitative method to explore the impact of Blockchain NFTs technology on the conservation and preservation of print newspaper content. The research methods include literature review, in-depth interviews, and secondary data analysis. The findings indicate that implementing Blockchain NFTs technology can provide benefits such as better data security, transparency, and the potential for new economic value through the creation and trading of NFTs from historically or otherwise significant print newspaper content. Keywords: Blockchain, Conservation, NFTs, Newspapers, Preservation