Review
Agronomy
Lydia Bondareva, Nadezhda Kudryasheva
Summary: This review summarizes the detoxification effects of water-soluble humic substances on microorganisms in wastewater and their efficiency in different pollutant solutions. The main focus is on the prospects and potential problems of using bioluminescent bacteria to monitor toxicity levels in the presence of humic substances.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Qi Xia, Xiyu Zhang, Yanmin Hu, Wanxin Tian, Wenqing Miao, Bing Wu, Yongqiang Lai, Jia Meng, Zhixin Fan, Chenxi Zhang, Ling Xin, Jingying Miao, Qunhong Wu, Mingli Jiao, Linghan Shan, Nianshi Wang, Baoguo Shi, Ye Li
Summary: This study reveals the spatial impact of various factors, including air pollution, on government health expenditure in China. It found that multiple factors, including health and socio-economic factors, contribute to the increase in government health expenditure. The study suggests adopting an integrated approach to address high-risk areas affected by multiple risk factors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samuel V. V. Arsenault, Oksana Riba-Grognuz, DeWayne Shoemaker, Brendan G. G. Hunt, Laurent Keller
Summary: Indirect genetic effects refer to phenotypic variations caused by differences in the genetic composition of social partners. In the fire ant Solenopsis invicta, a social supergene shows significant indirect genetic effects on the regulation of queen number by worker ants. Our study compared the direct and indirect genetic effects of this supergene on gene expression in different tissues and castes, and found that direct genetic effects caused larger and more consistent changes in gene expression across tissues and castes than indirect genetic effects. Moreover, indirect genetic effects mainly influenced gene expression in the abdominal tissues, and were only significant when the genotypic composition of social partners changed throughout the development and adult life of the workers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jingwei Chen, Ziyang Liu, Hanwen Cui, Hongxian Song, Jiajia Wang, Haining Gao, Shuyan Chen, Kun Liu, Zi Yang, Yajun Wang, Xiangtai Wang, Xiaoli Yang, Lihua Meng, Lizhe An, Sa Xiao, Yoann Le Bagousse-Pinguet
Summary: This study reveals the direct and indirect effects of dominant plant species on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF), showing that changes in soil water content and pH caused by dominant plants contribute to the enhancement of EMF.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irene Garcia-Ruiz, Andres Quinones, Michael Taborsky
Summary: This study models the coevolution of philopatry and alloparental care in cooperative breeding, finding that direct fitness benefits are the main driver for the evolution of philopatry and kin selection is mainly responsible for the emergence of alloparental care. The coevolution of philopatry and alloparental care is subject to positive feedback.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christopher J. Brown, Camille Mellin, Graham J. Edgar, Max D. Campbell, Rick D. Stuart-Smith
Summary: Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, impacting coral reef fisheries indirectly through habitat degradation. A study found that the 2016 heatwave had both direct and indirect effects on the Great Barrier Reef's largest reef fishery, with temperature affecting fish catch rates and biomass. The research highlighted the potential large effect of heatwaves on catch rates of reef fishes, independent of changes in reef habitats.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Brianda D. Gonzalez-Orozco, Israel Garcia-Cano, Rafael Jimenez-Flores, Valente B. Alvarez
Summary: Kefir, a fermented dairy product with probiotic properties, has shown promising antimicrobial effects through its microbiota and associated compounds, which may act through various mechanisms. While research on kefir's health properties exists, more studies are needed to further understand the antimicrobial activity of its microbiota and compounds.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alessandro Filazzola, Stephen F. Matter, J. Scott MacIvor
Summary: The review article provides a synthesis of the impact of extreme climate events on insect biodiversity, emphasizing the need for further research on the effects of extreme events on non-trophic interactions, population dynamics, and community functional traits. It highlights the importance of understanding the sensitivity and resilience of individuals, populations, and communities to climate extremes in order to mitigate the loss of insect biodiversity and ecosystem services.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Termeh Teymoorian, Targol Teymourian, Elaheh Kowsari, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: The novel coronavirus can be transmitted through sewage, especially in countries with weak wastewater treatment technologies. Overuse of cleaning products during the pandemic can also impact the quality of wastewater.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Sabrina Kesraoui, Maria Fe Andres, Marta Berrocal-Lobo, Serine Soudani, Azucena Gonzalez-Coloma
Summary: Plant essential oils serve as biopesticides for crop protection, with direct effects on pests and diseases, as well as the ability to induce plant defenses. The domestication and cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for chemically stable EOs production contribute to species conservation and reduce variations in active ingredients.
Article
Biology
Yuchen Hu, Shuangning Li, Stefan Wager
Summary: This paper proposes a definition for the average indirect effect of a binary treatment and establishes its relationship with the effect of policy intervention. The authors also explore different parametric models for interference and find that the nonparametric indirect effect remains a natural estimand in those models.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Tomohiro Inoue, Su-Zhen Zhang, George K. Georgiou
Summary: This study examined the development relationship between cognitive-linguistic skills, home environment factors, and pinyin reading ability. The results showed that phonological awareness, rapid automatised naming, and direct teaching were related to pinyin letter knowledge. Parental expectations and family's socioeconomic status predicted pinyin reading indirectly through rapid automatised naming and direct teaching.
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Economics
Martin Huber, Mark Schelker, Anthony Strittmatter
Summary: This study introduces a novel approach for causal mediation analysis, which restrains unobserved heterogeneity changes over time. It identifies direct and indirect effects for different subgroups and includes a simulation study and two empirical applications.
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMIC STATISTICS
(2022)
Article
Business, Finance
Le Tang, Shiyu Sun, Weiguo Yang
Summary: This article uses data from Chinese families and government education spending to show that government education expenditure can enhance intergenerational mobility in China, helping to improve mobility among underdeveloped families and promote equality of opportunity.
INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF ECONOMICS & FINANCE
(2021)
Article
Political Science
Weixing Liu, Hongtao Yi
Summary: Change agents play important roles in the diffusion of policy innovation. Their career paths can facilitate the diffusion of innovation through network-based mechanisms of portable innovation or policy wormholes.
GOVERNANCE-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF POLICY ADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
George E. Halkos, Apostolos S. Tsirivis
Summary: An eco-friendly and sustainable power production system is crucial for combating climate change and achieving energy resource autonomy. This research examines the impact of renewable energy resources, GDP per capita, electricity gross fixed capital formation, and urbanization on CO2 intensity and sustainability level of electricity production. The analysis reveals the statistical significance of these variables and establishes causal relationships, leading to policy suggestions. Surprisingly, higher GDP per capita can exacerbate electricity carbon footprint, while the role of renewable energy in clean electricity production has a reversing effect after a certain threshold. In contrast, electricity GFCF has a adverse effect on CO2 intensity, indicating a reliance on carbon-intensive technologies. A dynamic analysis also provides insights into the time frame for new energy policies to have a full impact on carbon emissions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
George Halkos, Eleni-Christina Gkampoura
Summary: The disadvantages of fossil fuels and their impact on the environment have made the transition to renewable energy sources essential. This study examines the impact of fossil fuels and renewables on energy poverty conditions in Europe. It also compares Sweden, Germany, and Greece in terms of energy poverty and transition. The findings can help governments and policy makers develop strategies for energy transition while protecting consumers.
Article
Energy & Fuels
George E. Halkos, Apostolos S. Tsirivis
Summary: Electricity is the most valuable energy commodity for households, and it is crucial for regulatory authorities and the EC to ensure affordable and unrestricted access to European citizens. Existing literature neglects the impact of electricity market structure on prices, focusing only on specific renewable energy resources. This study fills this gap by analyzing the relationship between renewable energy production, market liberalization indices, and household electricity prices using both static and dynamic panel methodologies.
Review
Energy & Fuels
George E. Halkos, Panagiotis-Stavros C. Aslanidis
Summary: This study examines whether shifts in policymaking stance can explain the predictability in excess energy poverty or fuel poverty levels. Energy-related poverty is a subcategory of global poverty and can be categorized into accessibility problems related to energy poverty and affordability issues associated with fuel poverty. Developed and developing countries have different energy issues, with developed countries dealing with fuel poverty and developing countries with energy poverty. Difficulties in energy access can be devastating for people at risk of poverty. Social welfare is at stake due to the energy crisis and warfare in eastern Europe. Solutions to energy poverty and fuel poverty include adopting renewables, governmental regulation, and supranational support through green deals and sustainable development goals (SDGs). In short, inflationary trends and war have put Agenda 2030 at risk due to the provocation of sustainability through energy-related vulnerability, insecurity, and poverty phenomena.
Review
Energy & Fuels
George Ekonomou, George Halkos
Summary: The importance of this study lies in the discussion of the relationship between energy growth and environmental degradation in environmental economics. It highlights the impacts of untested explanatory variables on environmental degradation levels. The findings suggest that sustainable economic growth can avoid or significantly reduce environmental degradation by reducing demand and improving energy efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
George Halkos, Ioannis Kostakis
Summary: The present study investigates consensual-based energy poverty in Greece using four rounds of household panel data. The findings show genuine state dependence effects in consensual-based energy poverty among Greek households, with poverty persistence effects also evident in the data (10-12%). Socioeconomic, demographic, market, household, and climatic characteristics are essential predictors of energy poverty. About 9-10% of households appear to be chronically energy poor, and factors such as education, income level, dwelling characteristics, migration background, and employment status affect the chances of experiencing and escaping energy poverty. The empirical results have significant policy implications for mitigating residential energy poverty.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
George Halkos, George Ekonomou
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between tourism expansion and the environment in the Eurozone countries from 1996 to 2019. The findings suggest that tourism proxies play a significant role in environmental degradation in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Reciprocal causalities are identified between leisure and investment spending and environmental degradation, indicating complementarities between these variables. The study also highlights the importance of energy efficiency in the tourism sector.
Article
Economics
George Ekonomou, George Halkos
Summary: The present study investigates the causality relationships between environmental quality, energy efficiency, and economy through panel data analysis of Eurozone member states. The study confirms the validity of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis and explores the impact of tourism on environmental degradation. The findings highlight the importance of establishing sustainable energy consumption and tourism spending patterns.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND POLICY
(2023)
Review
Economics
George E. Halkos, Panagiotis-Stavros C. Aslanidis
Summary: Prevailing measures on poverty, inequality, and social exclusion are critically assessed under sustainable development goals (SDGs) with a global perspective. Core poverty indices include poverty headcount ratio and various poverty gaps, while inequality measures like the Gini index and the Palma ratio are evaluated for policymaking potential. Addressing poverty, inequality, and social exclusion is integral to SDGs (1, 6 and 10), highlighting their multidisciplinary nature. Incorporating these elements into Agenda 2030 and improving measurement methods can significantly enhance integrated policy pathways at national and international levels.
Article
Energy & Fuels
George E. Halkos, Apostolos S. Tsirivis
Summary: Replacing conventional CO2 intensive generation with green electricity from RES is crucial for sustainable development and achieving clean low-cost energy production and climate change. This research analyzes the determinants of RES deployment in 17 European countries from 2003 to 2020, finding that electricity prices, energy taxes, and competition level impact each country's RES percentage in electricity production fuel mix. The study emphasizes the complexity of developing a unified and eco-friendly electricity market based on a fundamental energy strategy in the EU.
Editorial Material
Energy & Fuels
George Halkos
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
George Ekonomou, George Halkos
Summary: This study expands on the energy tourism growth discussion by introducing market segments and econometric procedures to investigate tourism proxies. It integrates the energy growth nexus with the tourism growth nexus and examines potential impacts and causalities using new variables. The findings confirm the conservation hypothesis and the presence of the feedback hypothesis. The study highlights the importance of effective management within the tourism system to promote pro-environmental behavior and efficient energy use.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
George E. Halkos, Panagiotis-Stavros C. Aslanidis
Summary: The term multi-crisis refers to the occurrence of multiple crises simultaneously, often stemming from geopolitical risks. Our study examines how institutional variables such as government effectiveness, the rule of law, and political stability influence the overall productivity of G20 economies. We find that on average, the BRICS have achieved higher total factor productivity (TFP) than the G7, with the G7 performance driven by innovation and the BRICS performance attributed to catching-up activities. Interestingly, weaker democratic institutions paradoxically show a link to higher productivity performance in the G20.
Editorial Material
Economics
George Halkos
ECONOMIC CHANGE AND RESTRUCTURING
(2023)
Review
Business, Finance
George Halkos, Argyro Zisiadou
Summary: This paper reviews the case of nuclear energy, discussing its advantages and disadvantages as a possible energy alternative in the future. It examines the impact of nuclear power on economic growth and the environment, highlighting the importance of waste management and disposal. The controversial history of nuclear accidents and military usage is also presented.
JOURNAL OF RISK AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Simon Rabaa, Robert Wilken, Sylvie Geisendorf
Summary: Energy efficiency measures are crucial for combating climate change, but rebound effects may undermine their effectiveness. This study finds that prior energy efficiency behavior does not hinder subsequent climate-friendly behavior, which is determined by individual demographics and environmental attitudes.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
James R. Meldrum, Patricia A. Champ, Hannah Brenkert-Smith, Christopher M. Barth, Abby E. McConnell, Carolyn Wagner, Colleen Donovan
Summary: This study reassessed a previous study using a richer dataset and found that individuals with lower incomes are less likely to participate in cost-sharing programs, and even if they do participate, they contribute a lower share. This indicates potential economic equity concerns.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Rueb
Summary: This paper examines the distributional effects of the European Commission's Fit-for-55 package at the household level in seven EU countries and finds that a household-size specific lump-sum refund can mitigate the negative distributional effects of a carbon tax and reduce overall inequality.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Correction
Ecology
Anke Jacksohn, Miguel Angel Tovar Reanos, Frank Pothen, Katrin Rehdanz
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Pierre Chiaverina, Sophie Drogue, Florence Jacquet
Summary: This study investigates the impact of farmers' participation in different short food supply chains (SFSCs) on synthetic pesticide use and crop yields. The findings show that farmers who sell part of their crops through direct-to-consumer channels use significantly fewer synthetic pesticides compared to those who sell through long food supply chains. However, there is no evidence that farmers involved in direct-to-retailer channels use significantly fewer synthetic pesticides. Additionally, there is no indication that SFSC participation affects crop yields.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Kangyin Dong, Yang Liu, Jianda Wang, Xiucheng Dong
Summary: This study uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) model to explore the relationship between the digital economy and energy vulnerability in 110 economies. The findings suggest that the digital economy effectively reduces energy vulnerability, with digital infrastructure and social impact being the main contributors. Furthermore, the digital economy helps upgrade the industrial structure and financial development level, thereby reducing energy vulnerability. Additionally, the negative impact of the digital economy on energy vulnerability is more significant in regions with higher income levels.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Romain Espinosa, Nicolas Treich
Summary: This study examines a simple model of consumption of animals with altruistic behavior towards animals. The model reveals a public good issue, where the market equilibrium leads to low quality and excessive quantity of animal lives when they are not worth living. The implications of the findings and the significance of the modeling choices for future economic research on animal welfare are discussed.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Arianna Buratto, Lorenzo Lotti
Summary: Finding ways to steer consumers towards vegetarian and plant-based meals is important for reducing the environmental impact of diets. In this study, we investigated the use of nudges in restaurants to increase sales of vegetarian and plant-based dishes. We found that removing symbols for these dishes increased sales, while adding a low emissions symbol had no effect. However, when the nudge was made transparent through a statement, sales significantly increased. These findings support the use of nudges as cost-effective interventions to address unsustainable food consumption in the hospitality sector.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Emmanuel Paroissien, Timothy K. M. Beatty, Antoine Nebout
Summary: This article provides empirical evidence that the opportunity cost of time explains the frequency of household food waste. The study found that proxies for the opportunity cost of time were positively correlated with the probability of reporting wasting food.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Jefim Vogel, Gauthier Guerin, Daniel W. O'Neill, Julia K. Steinberger
Summary: This study explores the vulnerability of livelihoods to a reduction in economic output and introduces a novel analytic framework to describe their relationship. The study finds that the vulnerability is not inevitable but arises from insecurity in wage labor, adequate incomes, and pensions. These conditions are primarily due to profit maximization and neoliberal welfare and labor policies. The study identifies a range of interventions to overcome this vulnerability and make stringent environmental policies socially sustainable and politically palatable.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Franziska Dorn, Simone Maxand, Thomas Kneib
Summary: Understanding the interconnected nature of rising carbon emissions and income inequality is crucial to achieve social and ecological sustainability. The distributional copula model used in this study uncovers complex interdependencies that standard linear regression techniques might hide.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Darius Corbier, Frederic Gonand
Summary: The article investigates the macroeconomic channels of transmission of the low-carbon transition in two official scenarios for the French power system under different oil price scenarios. The results show that technical progress and substitution mechanisms can drive the decarbonization of the economy and growth, with energy demand and durable goods demand being the main transmission channels.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Gloria Amaris, Stepan Vesely, Stephane Hess, Christian A. Klockner
Summary: The study of human behavior is crucial for the development of policies for sustainability. It is important to consider the possibility of spillover effects in mathematical models, as exposure to related choices can influence subsequent behavior. Our study demonstrates the existence of these spillover effects and showcases the effectiveness of discrete choice models.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Sonia Almeida Neves, Antonio Cardoso Marques, Leonardo Batista de sa Lopes
Summary: This paper investigates the impact of European Union regulations on e-waste exports. The findings suggest that taxation is ineffective in reducing e-waste exports and may even increase them. Additionally, high dependence on foreign raw materials and sub-standard waste collection systems contribute to the increase in e-waste exports. Therefore, investing in e-waste collection facilities can better utilize the valuable resources in this waste.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Gregor Semieniuk
Summary: Efforts to decouple economic growth from resource use and negative environmental impacts have yielded inconclusive results, partially due to the uncertainties in historical measurement arising from definitional changes to GDP. This study examines the impact of GDP vintages on decoupling results and finds that a significant number of countries switch between relative decoupling and recoupling, and that GDP vintages also affect environmental Kuznets curve results and the decline in global energy intensity. The inconsistencies in economic measurement introduce ambiguity into historical decoupling evidence and model projections into the future.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2024)
