Abstract The Bhutan Government is exploring ways to generate revenue from its forest carbon. Community Forestry can contribute to this goal because of the presence of functioning Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs) that can exercise effective local authority to ensure the adoption of management practices aimed at increasing carbon sequestration. Here we present a preliminary analysis of the issues associated with forgoing timber harvests in community forests as a potential forest-based carbon pathway. Assuming 50% leakage and transaction costs of $US 7 MgCO2 −1, the carbon break-even price needed to compensate a sample of 20 CFMGs for forgoing legally permitted timber harvests averaged $35 MgCO2 −1 (95% confidence interval 27–42). Under this scenario, an estimated $5 million ($45 ha−1) annually would be required to compensate CFMGs for an additional carbon sequestration benefit of 151,012 MgCO2, but this value is sensitive to factors such as leakage rates, transaction costs, and market conditions. Stakeholder perceptions about the trade-offs involved in managing community forests for carbon revealed a mix of positive and negative views across different stakeholder groups, highlighting both commonalties and differences. Before Bhutan engages in forest-based carbon markets, clarity is needed on issues such as carbon ownership, additionality, transaction costs, leakage, regulation of carbon sales and benefit distribution. By exploring the carbon pathway of forgoing timber harvesting and identifying the major information needs to engage in carbon markets, we provide the key elements of a framework for discussion of this and other forest carbon pathways (e.g., thinning and reforestation) to inform policy decision making.
Cadmium (Cd(II)), one of the most toxic heavy metals in paddy soils, poses a major threat to food security. In this study, the effects of biochar derived from maize straw (MB), peanut shells (PB), and their copyrolysis (MPB) on soil properties, Cd(II) immobilization, microbial communities, and rice production were evaluated. MPB exhibited superior physicochemical properties relative to mono-feedstock biochars, including higher porosity, higher cation exchange capacity, and greater enrichment of oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., CO, CC). XRD and SEM analysis showed that MPB had an amorphous carbon structure with decreased crystallinity and a honeycomb-like porous network, providing abundant adsorption sites. Application of MPB significantly increased soil pH, organic carbon, and available K, whereas it decreased CaCl2-extractable Cd(II) by 51.79 % and shifted Cd(II) from the labile to residual fractions. MPB also increased bacterial α diversity, promoted the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Anaerolineaceae and Vicinamibacterales, and strongly reshaped community and environmental relationships. In rice tissues, compared with the control, MPB reduced Cd(II) accumulation by 19.42 % in roots, 23.32 % in stems, 47.18 % in leaves, and 45.56 % in grain, ensuring that Cd(II) levels in grain remained below the national safety threshold. Moreover, MPB improved rice yield (+2.55 %), milling quality, and amylose content. These findings demonstrate that copyrolyzed biochar provides an integrated strategy to simultaneously mitigate Cd(II) risk and increase rice productivity in contaminated paddy soils.
Islam Sayah, Ibtissem Chakroun, Claudio Gervasi
et al.
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has gained considerable interest over the last decade due to its unique properties and versatile applications. However, the low yield and the high production cost significantly limit its industrial scalability. The proposed study explores the isolation of new BNC producers from date palm sap and the use of date waste extract as a sustainable carbon source to improve BNC productivity. Results revealed three potential BNC producers identified as <i>Komagataeibacter</i> sp. IS20, <i>Komagataeibacter</i> sp. IS21, and <i>Komagataeibacter</i> sp. IS22 with production yield of 1.7 g/L, 0.8 g/L and 1.8 g/L, respectively, in Hestrin-Schramm (HS) medium. The biopolymer characterization indicated the presence of type I cellulose, a high thermal stability, and a highly dense network made of cellulose nanofibrils for all BNC samples. The isolate IS22, showing the highest productivity, was selected for an optimization procedure using a full factorial design with date waste extract as a carbon source. The BNC yield increased to 6.59 g/L using 4% date waste extract and 2% ethanol after 10 days of incubation compared to the standard media (1.8 g/L). Two probiotic strains, including <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> (BS), and <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> (LP) were successfully encapsulated into BNC matrix through a co-culture approach. The BNC-LP and BNC-BS composites showed antibacterial activity against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. BNC–probiotic composites have emerged as a promising strategy for the effective delivery of viable probiotics in a wide range of applications. Overall, this study supports the use of date waste extract as a sustainable carbon source to enhance BNC productivity and reduce the environmental footprint using a high-yielding producer (IS22). Furthermore, the produced BNC demonstrated promising potential as an efficient carrier matrix for probiotic delivery.
Abstract Employing electrochemistry for the selective functionalization of liquid alkanes allows for sustainable and efficient production of high-value chemicals. However, the large potentials required for C(sp 3)-H bond functionalization and low water solubility of such alkanes make it challenging. Here we discover that a Pt/IrO x electrocatalyst with optimized Cl binding energy enables selective generation of Cl free radicals for C-H chlorination of alkanes. For instance, we achieve monochlorination of cyclohexane with a current up to 5 A, Faradaic efficiency (FE) up to 95% and stable performance over 100 h in aqueous KCl electrolyte. We further demonstrate that our system can directly utilize concentrated seawater derived from a solar evaporation reverse osmosis process, achieving a FE of 93.8% towards chlorocyclohexane at a current of 1 A. By coupling to a photovoltaic module, we showcase solar-driven production of chlorocyclohexane using concentrated seawater in a membrane electrode assembly cell without any external bias. Our findings constitute a sustainable pathway towards renewable energy driven chemicals manufacture using abundant feedstock at industrially relevant rates.
Mohammad A. Farmani, Ahmad Tavakoly, Ali Behrangi
et al.
Abstract Understanding the factors controlling baseflow (groundwater discharge) is critical for improving streamflow predictions in the arid southwestern United States. We used an enhanced version of the Noah‐MP land surface model with advanced hydrological process options and the Routing Application for Parallel computation of Discharge (RAPID) to examine the impacts of process representation, soil hydraulic parameters, and precipitation data sets on baseflow production and streamflow skill. Model experiments combined multiple configurations of hydrological processes, soil parameters, and three gridded precipitation products: NLDAS‐2, Integrated Multi‐satellite Retrievals for GPM Final, and NOAA AORC. RAPID was used to route Noah‐MP‐simulated runoff and generate daily streamflow at 390 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauges. The modeled baseflow index (BFI) was compared with USGS‐derived BFI. Results show that (a) soil water retention curve model plays a dominant role, with the Van‐Genuchten hydraulic scheme reducing the overestimated BFI produced by the Brooks‐Corey, (b) hydraulic parameters (Van‐Genuchten parameters and hydraulic conductivity) strongly affect streamflow prediction, a machine learning‐based Van‐Genuchten parameters captures the USGS BFI, showing a better performance than the optimized National Water Model (NWM) by a median Kling‐Gupta Efficiency of 21%, and (c) incorporating a ponding depth threshold into the land surface models that increases infiltration is preferred. Overall, models with more physically realistic hydrologic representations show a better performance in modeling BFI and thus a better skill in streamflow predictions than the optimized NWM in the dry southwestern river basins. These findings can guide future studies in selecting reliable schemes and data sets (before calibration) to achieve better streamflow predictions as well as water resource projections.
Musaab A.A. Mohammed, Ladislav Tometz, Norbert P. Szabó
et al.
The Sobranecké Spa (“Salus per Aquam”) is historically known for its therapeutic mineral waters and recognized as a heritage site for its cultural significance. Despite its rich tradition and well-documented therapeutic effects, the spa ceased operations in 2004 and now remains in disrepair. However, renewed interest from the Košice self-governing region has prompted efforts to restore its activity. To support this initiative, a hydrogeological study was commissioned by the Technical University of Košice to provide a comprehensive assessment of the physical, chemical, and microbial properties of the mineral water and evaluate health risks related to dermal exposure. The study integrates hydrochemical classification, microbial assessment, and probabilistic risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulation and Sobol sensitivity analysis to evaluate dermal absorption dose (DAD), dermal hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) for both adults and children. Hydrochemical results indicated a Na-Cl-type highly mineralized water, shaped by mineral dissolution and ion exchange processes. The microbial analysis focused on coliforms, Escherichia coli, and heterotrophic bacteria to assess potential biological risks. The results showed individual hazard quotients below 1 for most parameters, but H2S drove cumulative hazard index values to 9.5 for adults and 12.1 for children, with children facing 28 % higher risk and persistent dermal health concerns across all scenarios. However, the findings confirm that the mineral waters meet Slovak and European standards for therapeutic use. Due to the study’s single sampling event, long-term seasonal monitoring is recommended to ensure water quality stability and safety for future spa use.
Microplastics are sub-millimeter-sized fragments of plastics and a relatively new class of pollutant increasingly found in the environment. Due to their size and surface area to volume ratio, the physicochemical characteristics of microplastics can diverge from those of their macroscopic counterparts. This is partly why it is challenging to understand their origin, analyze their behavior, and predict their fates in the environment compared to large pollutants. We believe that adopting a view of microplastics as a colloid provides a holistic framework that connects their physical properties and surface chemistries with observations of their dynamics in the environment. In particular, we discuss the role of fundamental principles of colloid science in interpreting phenomena of wetting, adsorption, aggregation, and transport of microplastics. Colloid and interface science can provide the tools to couple or decouple the physicochemical behaviors of microplastics, which may aid in understanding the environmental challenge both from a fundamental perspective and with respect to practical remediation methods.
Irene Martinez-Morata, Benjamin C. Bostick, Otakuye Conroy-Ben
et al.
AbstractThere is no safe level of exposure to inorganic arsenic or uranium, yet recent studies identified sociodemographic and regional inequalities in concentrations of these frequently detected contaminants in public water systems across the US. We analyze the county-level association between racial/ethnic composition and public water arsenic and uranium concentrations from 2000–2011 using geospatial models. We find that higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaskan Native residents are associated with significantly higher arsenic and uranium concentrations. These associations differ in magnitude and direction across regions; higher proportions of non-Hispanic Black residents are associated with higher arsenic and uranium in regions where concentrations of these contaminants are high. The findings from this nationwide geospatial analysis identifying racial/ethnic inequalities in arsenic and uranium concentrations in public drinking water across the US can advance environmental justice initiatives by informing regulatory action and financial and technical support to protect communities of color.
Diego Malacarne, Evangelos Handakas, Oliver Robinson
et al.
SummaryWe evaluated the epidemiological evidence on the built environment and its link to childhood obesity, focusing on environmental factors such as traffic noise and air pollution, as well as physical factors potentially driving obesity‐related behaviors, such as neighborhood walkability and availability and accessibility of parks and playgrounds. Eligible studies were (i) conducted on human children below the age of 18 years, (ii) focused on body size measurements in childhood, (iii) examined at least one built environment characteristic, (iv) reported effect sizes and associated confidence intervals, and (v) were published in English language. A z test, as alternative to the meta‐analysis, was used to quantify associations due to heterogeneity in exposure and outcome definition. We found strong evidence for an association of traffic‐related air pollution (nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxides exposure, p < 0.001) and built environment characteristics supportive of walking (street intersection density, p < 0.01 and access to parks, p < 0.001) with childhood obesity. We identified a lack of studies that account for interactions between different built environment exposures or verify the role and mechanism of important effect modifiers such as age.
Geetika Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Shivantika Bisen
et al.
Abstract Vascular adhesion molecules play an important role in various immunological disorders, particularly in cancers. However, little is known regarding the role of these adhesion molecules in proliferative retinopathies. We observed that IL-33 regulates VCAM-1 expression in human retinal endothelial cells and that genetic deletion of IL-33 reduces hypoxia-induced VCAM-1 expression and retinal neovascularization in C57BL/6 mice. We found that VCAM-1 via JunB regulates IL-8 promoter activity and expression in human retinal endothelial cells. In addition, our study outlines the regulatory role of VCAM-1-JunB-IL-8 signaling on retinal endothelial cell sprouting and angiogenesis. Our RNA sequencing results show an induced expression of CXCL1 (a murine functional homolog of IL-8) in the hypoxic retina, and intravitreal injection of VCAM-1 siRNA not only decreases hypoxia-induced VCAM-1-JunB-CXCL1 signaling but also reduces OIR-induced sprouting and retinal neovascularization. These findings suggest that VCAM-1-JunB-IL-8 signaling plays a crucial role in retinal neovascularization, and its antagonism might provide an advanced treatment option for proliferative retinopathies.
Hirohiko Nagano, Hirohiko Nagano, Hirohiko Nagano
et al.
Stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes (13C and 15N) in water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) derived from air-dried soils may be applicable to elucidate the microbial decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM), which is crucial in terrestrial C cycles. A total of 40 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–6 cm from a temperate broadleaved forest in Japan with vegetation succession from grassland approximately 150 years ago. Those soil samples were air-dried before the water extraction process and organic matter analysis. The C and N concentrations of WEOM were <3.6% of those of the bulk soil and were positively correlated with those of the bulk soil at a p-value of < 0.01. A positive correlation between the two fractions (i.e., WEOM and bulk soils) was also found for natural 13C and 15N abundances (δ13C and δ15N; p < 0.01). However, the C/N ratio of WEOM was slightly correlated with that of bulk soils, exhibiting a narrow range of values of ~10. Thus, those features of the WEOM were similar to the well-known features of microbial biomass. The δ13C and δ15N enrichments in WEOM relative to bulk soil, the difference in stable isotope abundances between bulk SOM and WEOM were negatively and positively correlated, respectively, with the concentrations of organo-mineral complexes and short-range order minerals (non-crystalline oxyhydroxides of aluminum and iron, allophane, imogolite, and allophane-like constituents), which play significant roles in SOM stabilization in soils. These relationships suggest that the stable isotopic enrichments in WEOM can be a good indicator of the microbial utilization of soil C and N under different substrate availabilities, which are crucial to SOM decomposition and decomposability substantially varying from local to global scales.
The article is devoted to the engineering of logistics flows. Logistics flow engineering aims to apply methods of fuzzy modeling of logistics processes according to indicators-criteria of fuzzy relationships, search for the most optimal counterparties that will allow achieving the best level of supply quality, taking into account all possible potential uncertainties. The author considers the algorithm of fuzzy modeling processes, which will improve the quality of development and the level of applied solutions to the problem of choosing a counterparty. It is advisable to use the fuzzy modeling algorithm in logistics flow engineering to obtain operational information, but taking into account the aggregation of input information data on the criteria of the fuzzy relationship system. The considered algorithm makes it possible to represent the relationships of criteria of various attributes, on the basis of which decisions can be made on aggregated indicators. This algorithm allows you to integrate the material and financial properties of logistics flows to increase the level of decisions based on the data system of information flows.
Mada Sophianingrum, Melisa Angelina, Prihadi Nugroho
Migration for rural communities is part of an adaptation strategy to deal with stresses and risks to their livelihoods. In fact, the rural agricultural sector is formidable compared to other sectors because it can survive and increase significantly even though the economy is being disrupted due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the role of migration strategies carried out by migrant households in Padas Village, Jono Village, and Gawan Village. The sustainable livelihood framework becomes a reference for assessing comprehensive household livelihood. This research uses a case study approach. In-depth data collection is carried out on migrants and migrant families with various migration characteristics. The results show that the migration strategy that occurs in Padas Village, Jono Village, and Gawan Village is influenced by the time of migration, differences in resources/livelihood capital characteristics, the context of vulnerability to livelihoods, and the migration strategy conducted. At the regional scale, although there are differences in the characteristics of resources/livelihood capital between the three villages, the role of migration remains the same. Meanwhile, the role of the migration strategy can be seen more clearly based on the time of migration that occurred in the three villages.
Matthew Combs, Ashley L. Marcinkiewicz, Alan P. Dupuis
et al.
ABSTRACT Host association—the selective adaptation of pathogens to specific host species—evolves through constant interactions between host and pathogens, leaving a lot yet to be discovered on immunological mechanisms and genomic determinants. The causative agents of Lyme disease (LD) are spirochete bacteria composed of multiple species of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, including B. burgdorferi (Bb), the main LD pathogen in North America—a useful model for the study of mechanisms underlying host-pathogen association. Host adaptation requires pathogens’ ability to evade host immune responses, such as complement, the first-line innate immune defense mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that different host-adapted phenotypes among Bb strains are linked to polymorphic loci that confer complement evasion traits in a host-specific manner. We first examined the survivability of 20 Bb strains in sera in vitro and/or bloodstream and tissues in vivo from rodent and avian LD models. Three groups of complement-dependent host-association phenotypes emerged. We analyzed complement-evasion genes, identified a priori among all strains and sequenced and compared genomes for individual strains representing each phenotype. The evolutionary history of ospC loci is correlated with host-specific complement-evasion phenotypes, while comparative genomics suggests that several gene families and loci are potentially involved in host association. This multidisciplinary work provides novel insights into the functional evolution of host-adapted phenotypes, building a foundation for further investigation of the immunological and genomic determinants of host association. IMPORTANCE Host association is the phenotype that is commonly found in many pathogens that preferential survive in particular hosts. The Lyme disease (LD)-causing agent, B. burgdorferi (Bb), is an ideal model to study host association, as Bb is mainly maintained in nature through rodent and avian hosts. A widespread yet untested concept posits that host association in Bb strains is linked to Bb functional genetic variation conferring evasion to complement, an innate defense mechanism in vertebrate sera. Here, we tested this concept by grouping 20 Bb strains into three complement-dependent host-association phenotypes based on their survivability in sera and/or bloodstream and distal tissues in rodent and avian LD models. Phylogenomic analysis of these strains further correlated several gene families and loci, including ospC, with host-specific complement-evasion phenotypes. Such multifaceted studies thus pave the road to further identify the determinants of host association, providing mechanistic insights into host-pathogen interaction.