Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anudari Batsaikhan, Stephan Jung, Stephan Hachinger
Summary: This study aims to analyze the state of online citizen science activities in Mongolia and compare it with Germany and Japan. Mongolia faces various environmental challenges, and online citizen science can help address them. The use of web technologies and citizen participation in citizen science projects are similar in Germany and Japan but may differ in their link to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jack Leeming, Jack Leeming
Summary: Interdisciplinary collaborations are increasing, with artificial intelligence playing a key role in enhancing joint working efforts.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anoop Manjunath, Nathan Kahrobai, Jaya Manjunath, Angelina Seffens, Arya Gowda, Rohaan Umbarkar, Esha Umbarkar, James Y. Zou, Ishan Kumar
Summary: An analysis of patents' citation map to biomedical research literature shows significant and persistent disparities in the commercialization process regarding the overlap of authors and inventors.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claudi L. Bockting, Eva A. M. van Dis, Robert van Rooij, Willem Zuidema, Johan Bollen
Summary: To prevent potential harm to science and public trust, it is necessary to establish an independent scientific body to test and certify generative artificial intelligence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alanood A. Alsarayreh, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Alejandro Ruiz-Garcia, Raj Patel, Iqbal M. Mujtaba
Summary: This paper investigates the energy dissipation and thermodynamic limitations of the RO system of the Arab Potash Company. By using RO and exergy analysis models, the distribution of energy dissipation is explored, revealing that the highest dissipation occurs in the product stream, while the lowest dissipation occurs in the mixing location of the first pass of the RO desalination system.
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Sungho Yoon, Patricia Cargill
Summary: This review paper revisits important past studies on casing treatments to clarify findings and understand applicable lessons. It discusses both circumferential grooves and axial slots, with more emphasis on the latter. The paper concludes that casing treatment offers powerful benefits to a compressor and deserves continuing research and development.
JOURNAL OF TURBOMACHINERY-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Vahab Okati, Ali Jabari Moghadam, Mahmood Farzaneh-Gord, Mahbod Moein-Jahromi
Summary: This study comprehensively investigates the performance of direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) through energy, exergy, economic, and environmental analyses. By developing a robust computational code in MATLAB software, the study provides one of the most comprehensive investigations on DCMD behavior in the literature. The results show that heat recovery heat exchangers significantly improve the system's operating conditions, with a 48.34% improvement in exergy efficiency when heat recovery is implemented. Moreover, economic and environmental analyses demonstrate that recovering wasted heat can reduce distillate water production costs and decrease CO2 emissions and energy consumption.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefano Sandrone, Gregory Scott, William J. Anderson, Kiran Musunuru
Summary: The global pandemic of COVID-19 has pushed higher education towards remote learning, presenting an opportunity to embrace active learning that can improve student performance, narrow achievement gaps, and promote equity and inclusivity in STEM education.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Hanif Ullah, Yali Tian, Safia Arbab, Ka Li, Muhammad Inayat Ullah Khan, Sajid Ur Rahman, Abdul Qadeer, Nehaz Muhammad, Suleman, Inam Ul Hassan
Summary: Infections caused by helminths pose serious public health problems and economic burdens on a continental scale. Timely and accurate diagnosis of helminth infections is crucial for appropriate pathogen control. Circulating miRNAs have emerged as stable diagnostic tools for various diseases in different body fluids. Detection of miRNAs in body fluids of helminth-infected hosts is rapidly growing as a diagnostic biomarker in infectious diseases. miRNAs provide a relatively new tool for early-stage detection of helminth infections from experimental or non-invasive clinical samples. miRNAs can be detected in body fluids such as serum, saliva, urine, and tissues of helminth-infected hosts, particularly in blood, offering important benefits for accurate diagnosis. This review discusses the characteristics of helminth parasite-derived circulating and EV miRNAs, and their potential uses in helminth diagnosis and treatment efficiency.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dongbo Gao, Xiaoqi Peng, Yanpo Song, Ping Zhou
Summary: This paper analyzes the problems associated with physical exergy splitting, presents a new splitting method, and applies it to the exergy analysis of a thermal power cycle. The results show that the new method can better represent the change rule of the working ability of the real working stream in the cycle and the influence of operation parameters. The study suggests that the new method can make the exergy analysis more helpful and guidable in its applications.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tao Hai, Masood Ashraf Ali, As 'ad Alizadeh, Hayder A. Dhahad, Sattam Fahad Almojil, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Almohana, Abdulrhman Fahmi Alali, Vishal Goyal, Babak Farhang
Summary: This paper proposes and analyzes two novel configurations for hybridization of geothermal and biomass energies. In Configuration 1, geothermal heat is used for feed water heating, while in Configuration 2, geothermal energy is used for steam generation for the low pressure steam turbine stage. The method of hybridization of geothermal and biomass resources in this paper is different from previous researches and can utilize geothermal resources with various temperature levels.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bilal Kazmi, Syed Ali Ammar Taqvi, Faizan Raza, Junaid Haider, Salman Raza Naqvi, Muhammad Saad Khan, Abulhassan Ali
Summary: This study proposes an effective solvent blend for CO2 sequestration from sour natural gas in a remote area of Baluchistan, Pakistan. The combination of monoethanolamine and piperazine is found to be a highly efficient solvent, with potential for improving performance. Advanced exergy analysis is used to optimize and select suitable solvent combinations.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon Baker
Summary: The rapid progress of technology offers both interdisciplinary opportunities and ongoing ethical and social concerns.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brooks Hanson, Shelley Stall, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Kristina Vrouwenvelder, Christopher Wirz, Yuhan (Douglas) Rao, Ge Peng
Summary: AI tools are transforming data-driven science, but better ethical standards and data management are needed to support its growth and prevent issues.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Waseem Qader, Reyaz Ahmad Dar, Irfan Rashid
Summary: The diverse composition and abundance of suspended particulate matter make it difficult to identify the exact precursors for atmospheric pollutants. Phytoliths, microscopic biogenic silica deposited by plants, are dispersed into the atmosphere through dust storms, forest fires, and stubble burning. Due to their durability, chemical composition, and diverse morphology, phytoliths are considered a possible particulate matter that can impact air quality, climate, and human health. Estimating the phytolith particulate matter, its toxicity, and environmental impacts will help develop effective policies for improving air quality and reducing health risks.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Correction
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pau Brunet-Navarro, Hubert Jochheim, Giuseppe Cardellini, Klaus Richter, Bart Muys
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hadgu Hishe, Kidane Giday, Tobias Fremout, Aklilu Negussie, Bart Muys
Summary: Anthropogenic disturbances have a severe impact on dryland forests. This study conducted in Ethiopia found that woody species diversity and population are affected by these disturbances.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Juan Zuo, Bart Muys, Matty P. Berg, Mariet M. Hefting, Richard S. P. van Logtestijn, Jurgen van Hal, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen
Summary: This study investigated earthworm communities in decaying deadwood and examined how their dynamics are influenced by tree species, wood decomposition stage, and forest environment. The results showed that tree species, wood decomposition stage, and forest type influenced the composition and abundance of earthworm communities in deadwood. Additionally, the interaction between these factors played a role in shaping the community dynamics. The findings suggest that the diversity of deadwood resources contributes to earthworm diversity in forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellen Desie, Juan Zuo, Kris Verheyen, Ika Djukic, Koenraad Van Meerbeek, Harald Auge, Nadia Barsoum, Christel Baum, Helge Bruelheide, Nico Eisenhauer, Heike Feldhaar, Olga Ferlian, Dominique Gravel, Herve Jactel, Inger Kappel Schmidt, Sebastian Kepfer-Rojas, Celine Meredieu, Simone Mereu, Christian Messier, Lourdes Morillas, Charles Nock, Alain Paquette, Quentin Ponette, Peter B. Reich, Javier Roales, Michael Scherer-Lorenzen, Steffen Seitz, Anja Schmidt, Artur Stefanski, Stefan Trogisch, Inge van Halder, Martin Weih, Laura J. Williams, Bo Yang, Bart Muys
Summary: Tree species diversity has a significant impact on litter decomposition in forests. Our study, conducted in 15 tree diversity experiments across three continents, found that tree identity has a significant effect on decomposition, while tree species richness does not. Additionally, litter quality, stand age, and density also influence decomposition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vyom Thakker, Bhavik R. Bakshi
Summary: A novel methodological framework is proposed to screen and rank potential eco-innovations based on their potential for establishing a Sustainable Circular Economy (SCE). The framework utilizes multiobjective optimization and evaluation of cradle-to-cradle life cycle pathways. A case study on packaging eco-innovations demonstrates that a preliminary screening step identifies the 10 most promising alternatives, although at a higher cost.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Nikinmaa, Marcus Lindner, Elena Cantarello, Barry Gardiner, Jette Bredahl Jacobsen, Alistair S. Jump, Constanza Parra, Tobias Plieninger, Andreas Schuck, Rupert Seidl, Thomas Timberlake, Kristen Waring, Georg Winkel, Bart Muys
Summary: Against the backdrop of increasing climate-induced disturbances, there is an urgent need to enhance the resilience of forests and forest management. However, current methods for assessing resilience lack considerations for trade-offs. This study proposes a hierarchical framework that considers trade-offs between mechanisms, social-ecological system components, ecosystem services, and spatial and temporal scales to assess resilience.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
M. Varga, B. Csukas, S. Khanal, B. R. Bakshi
Summary: This paper analyzes how the essential features of recycling based conservation are embedded in natural systems and can be implemented in human-built systems through the study of cyclic and transferring maximal pathways. It explores the role of local open transferring routes, diversification of species from a restricted pool of components, symmetrical structural patterns in assembly and disassembly coordination, and recycling supported by storage. The paper also discusses conscious applications of these features in carbon emission-free hydrogen energy cycle, grocery bag recycling, and electronic waste reprocessing logistics.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amrita Sen, Bhavik R. Bakshi
Summary: Fertilizer runoff disrupts nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles globally. We analyzed selected approaches for a circular economy of phosphorus through techno-economic and life cycle analyses. Four schemes were considered: ion exchange with precipitation, wetland interception and recovery in char after biomass pyrolysis, bioreactor removal and recovery in char after bio-reaction substrate pyrolysis, and wetlaculture using legacy phosphorus in saturated wetland to grow crops. Wetland-dependent approaches were economically attractive with lower impact, but without policy interventions, linear phosphorus economy remains most attractive.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nick Gutkin, Valens Uwizeyimana, Ben Somers, Bart Muys, Bruno Verbist
Summary: Eastern Rwanda has diverse land cover types including agroforestry, forest patches, and shrubland, all of which have tree cover. The use of automated methods and satellite imagery, such as Google Earth Engine and the random forests algorithm, allows for cost-effective and time-efficient mapping and monitoring of the landscape. This study combined Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with various vegetation indices, texture metrics, principal components, and non-spectral layers to classify land cover types in the study area. The results showed high classification accuracies for forest, shrubland, and agroforestry, with non-spectral layers and texture metrics being important for accurate classification.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yazeed M. Aleissa, Bhavik R. Bakshi
Summary: Chemical processes have significant impacts on the environment and society, and integrating ecological systems is crucial for sustainable solutions.
COMPUTERS & CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuangxiu Max Ma, Changlong Zou, Ting-Yeh Chen, Joel A. Paulson, Li-Chiang Lin, Bhavik R. Bakshi
Summary: This study investigates the rapid pyrolysis of PET using reactive molecular dynamics simulations and establishes a kinetic model based on ordinary differential equations to describe the key products of PET pyrolysis as a function of time and temperature. The research provides insight into the mechanisms and optimal reaction conditions for low environmental impact, and also presents an approach to extract kinetic information from atomistic simulations.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Avan Kumar, Bhavik R. R. Bakshi, Manojkumar Ramteke, Hariprasad Kodamana
Summary: Managing waste plastic is a global challenge. A natural language processing-based model called Recycle-BERT is proposed to extract relevant information from literature on plastic waste processing.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yazeed M. Aleissa, Bhavik R. Bakshi
Summary: Providing adequate food, energy, and water to everyone without exceeding nature's carrying capacity is a major challenge. To achieve this, we need to assess whether each country is meeting its needs in an environmentally safe and socially just manner. This study develops a biophysical approach to quantify the minimum greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption required to meet basic needs, as well as the actual demand and ecosystem capacities for these services. The findings reveal that a majority of countries are operating within safe and just limits for water provisioning, but only a small percentage meet these limits for carbon sequestration and both water provisioning and carbon sequestration. A significant number of countries lack a safe and just space for carbon sequestration and water provisioning. The framework provided can guide decisions on technology, policy, and trade to meet basic needs in a safe and just manner.
Article
Forestry
Ellen Desie, Bart Muys, Jan den Ouden, Bart Nyssen, Rita Sousa-Silva, Leon van den Berg, Arnold van den Burg, Gert-Jan van Duinen, Koenraad Van Meerbeek, Maaike Weijters, Karen Vancampenhout
Summary: The vitality of European forests is declining due to various factors, including pests, diseases, climate change, and nitrogen deposition. Deteriorating soil health is a major reason for the low vitality of West-European forests. This study evaluated the impact of black cherry on the vitality of neighboring pedunculate oak in mixed forests in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The findings suggest that while black cherry admixture has negative effects on oak foliar nutrient concentrations, it can also reduce defoliation caused by herbivory. The study also highlighted the limited indirect effects of black cherry on oak vitality via improved soil health.
Article
Forestry
Bart Muys, Christian Messier
Summary: The UNFCCC COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh confirmed that climate policies heavily rely on forest mitigation instead of transitioning away from fossil fuels to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C. However, the decline in forest vitality highlights the urgent need for forest adaptation, which is not being adequately addressed by foresters. This letter explores the reasons for this inaction and proposes a diversity-based no-regret approach as a way forward.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2023)
