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Mobility as a Service, also known as (MaaS) represents a shift from traditional ownership-based modes of transportation towards access-based services. The success of MaaS, similar to any other service, depends on being user-centric. Still, due involvement of many stakeholders with different objectives necessitates establishing efficient governance to achieve the ultimate strategic goals for a sustainable transportation system. This study aims to shed light on stakeholders’ views on the success factors for implementing MaaS and how governance affects the development of MaaS in countries with a high share of expatriates, where Qatar was chosen as a case study.

The integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within the Internet of Things (IoT) framework has emerged as a compelling solution to address the energy constraints that impede the full realization of IoT potential. As IoT applications continue to proliferate across industries, the dependence on battery-powered devices poses challenges in terms of longevity, maintenance, and sustainability. UAVs have been widely promoted as efficient enablers for aerial data aggregation in IoT networks due to their high capability of approaching hard-to-reach areas. Recently, UAVs have been integrated with the wake-up radio (WuR) technology to further extend the lifetime of IoT networks. In this article, we explore the theoretical foundations, technical intricacies, and practical implications of the integration of UAVs and WuR technology, showcasing its capability to extend network coverage, prolong operational lifespans, and enhance data reliability. More specifically, this work proposes a comprehensive design and implementation of a UAV-enabled WuR and data collection (U-WuRIoT) system, with a focus on achieving extended wake-up range and low power consumption. Based on the obtained measurements, we compare the U-WuRIoT system against the traditional duty-cycling (DCY) scheme. The results highlight the efficiency of U-WuRIoT in overcoming the trade-off between energy consumption and data-collection reliability. Furthermore, we go beyond prototyping to test U-WuRIoT in large-scale deployments by developing a comprehensive analytical framework using stochastic geometry. Drawing insights from both analytical constructs and experimental validation, this work envisions a future where UAV-WuR synergy unleashes the full potential of IoT applications while surmounting the challenges of energy constraints.

For 2G ethanol production, pentose fermentation and yeast tolerance to lignocellulosic hydrolyzate components are essential to improve biorefinery yields. Generally, physicochemical pre-treatment methodologies are used to facilitate access to cellulose and hemicellulose in plant material, which consequently can generate microbial growth inhibitory compounds, such as furans, weak acids, and phenolic compounds. Because of the unsatisfactory yield of wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiaeduring pentose fermentation, the search for xylose-fermenting yeasts tolerant to microbial growth inhibitors has gained attention. In this study, we investigated the ability of the yeasts Pichia guilliermondiiG1.2 and Candida oleophilaG10.1 to produce ethanol from xylose and tolerate the inhibitors furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), acetic acid, formic acid, ferulic acid, and vanillin. We demonstrated that both yeasts were able to grow and consume xylose in the presence of all single inhibitors, with greater growth limitation in media containing furfural, acetic acid, and vanillin. In saline medium containing a mixture of these inhibitors (2.5–3.5 mM furfural and HMF, 1 mM ferulic acid, 1–1.5 mM vanillin, 10–13 mM acetic acid, and 5–7 mM formic acid), both yeasts were able to produce ethanol from xylose, similar to that detected in the control medium (without inhibitors). In future studies, the proteins involved in the transport of pentose and tolerance to these inhibitors need to be investigated.

This study was designed for integrated culture of fish and vegetables in cost effective aquaponics. Using cheaper, locally available inputs a 3 m2(1.52 m × 2.12 m) cages were introduced in pond; within a total cost between US$ 15 and 25. On three sides of the cages, there were sunshade-like structures to support horticulture products and a trellis to support climbing plants. Three treatments were introduced; monoculture of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), polyculture of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)and monoculture of Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus). After 80 days, the average weight of Tilapia was 178.5 g ± 0.92 SE and 174 g ± 1.2 SE in monoculture and polyculture with 19 cm ± 0.11 SE and 17 ± 0.14 SE cm in size respectively from 24 g ± 0.20 SE and 22 g ± 0.22 SE initial weight respectively with 4 cm of initial size. Climbing perch became 70 g ± 1.0 SE weight in monoculture and 57.6 g ± 0.93 SE in polyculture from 0.50 g ± 0.05 SE initial weight. The study found that treatment-1 (benefit cost ratio: 2.2) was more suitable. Considering the low capital cost, good return on investment and reduced vulnerability of this culture system to tidal surges and flood, this technology has the potential to increase resilience of the farming households with ponds towards climate change in the coastal region.

β-Glucosidases have been extensively investigated to integrate the enzyme complex for cellulose fiber saccharification and for improving the aroma of wine. To produce these enzymes, greater attention has been given to filamentous fungi and bacteria, and few investigations have targeted the potential applications of enzymes secreted by yeasts. Addressing this issue, in this study, β-glucosidases were produced by the Pichia ofunaensisand Trichosporon multisporumyeasts, via solid state fermentation with wheat bran as a substrate. When using p-Nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside (pNPG) as an enzyme substrate, maximum β-glucosidase activities were detected at pH 5.5–6.0 and 50–60 °C for P. ofunaensis, and pH 5–6 and 55 °C for T. multisporum. Both enzymes were able to hydrolyze cellobiose and exhibited stability over a wide range of pH (3.5–9.0) for 24 h at 4 °C, thermostability up to 50 °C for 1 h and tolerance to 10 mM phenolic compounds. Negative modulation on enzyme activity was observed in the presence of Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+, Al3+and Hg2+, while both β-glucosidases were tolerant to 30% methanol, isopropanol and acetone. In the presence of ethanol and glucose, enzymes from P. ofunaensiswere the more active and stable of the two. These enzymes, especially the P. ofunaensisβ-glucosidases, could be tested in enology for improving the aroma of wine and for integrating a cellulolytic complex to produce 2G ethanol.