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This study adds to the literature on energy studies on exploring for the first time to the best of our comprehension the importance of alternative measures of economic globalization indicators on energy-based demand in the context of economic complexity dynamics for 1971 to 2018 across a panel set of 63 countries classified as high-income (HIE), upper-middle-income (UME) and lower-middle-income countries (LME). Empirical results based on the panel ARDL model demonstrate i) the long-run relationships between economic complexity, economic globalization with energy demand; ii) economic complexity appears to increase energy-based demand in the short run, but it would reduce energy-based demand in the long run; iii) economic globalization is found to have decreasing effects in the short run and increasing effects in the longer run-on energy demand in LMEs and UMEs, while it has mixed effects in HIEs. The results suggest that policies supporting economic complexity would be a good strategy to aim at economic development while controlling for the increasing effects of globalization on energy demand to achieve long-term sustainable development. • Investigating the role of alternative measures of economic globalization on energy demand. • Across 63 countries segregated across varying income groups for the period 1971 to 2018. • The context of economic complexity dynamics is also explored. • Long-run relationships between economic globalization with energy demand is validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembly of disordered amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides results in highly ordered amyloid fibrils. The structural information of the early-stage events and also in the presence of inhibitors is of great significance. It is challenging to acquire due to the nature of the amyloids and experimental constraints. Here, we demonstrate the cascade of aggregation (early to late) of the Aβ 25-35 peptide in the absence and presence of carvedilol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor blocker. The aggregation process of Aβ 25-35 peptide is monitored using Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD), Raman spectroscopic techniques, and imaging experiments. We find that the Aβ 25-35 peptide undergoes an early-stage (3-6 h) helical intermediate formation across the fibrillation pathway using CD and Raman measurements. Carvedilol obstructs the helical intermediate formation of Aβ 25-35 peptide resulting in inhibition. CD spectra and deconvolution of the Raman bands suggest the β-sheet formation (24-100 h) in the absence of carvedilol. Spectroscopic results indicate a disordered structure for the peptide in the presence of carvedilol (24-100 h). Electron microscopy (EM) shows the formation of polymorphic fibrils for the peptide alone and non-amyloidal aggregates in the presence of carvedilol. Molecular docking study suggests that the plausible mode of interaction with carvedilol involves the C-terminal residues of the peptide. A schematic representation of carvedilol mediated inhibition of Aβ 25-35 fibrillation process. [Display omitted] • Aβ 25-35 peptide undergoes early-stage helix formation at pH 7.4 between 3 and 6 h. • Carvedilol inhibits Aβ 25-35 fibrillation perturbing ordered structure formation. • Aβ 25-35 peptide exhibits twisted and striated fibrillar polymorphism. • CD and Raman describe the structural features of early to late aggregation. • Biophysical techniques reveal a crucial role of Ile residues and carbazole moiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One mystifying outcome in the literature on renewable-economy-environmental causality is the inconsistency of outcomes specifically across various sample sizes, model specifications, and periods. Considering such difficulties, the study applies Bootstrap Rolling Window Granger Causality (BRWGC) test with fixed-size rolling sub-samples to evaluate connections. The data used incorporates REC, EG, and CO 2 emissions for G-7 nations between 1970 and 2021. Using the full-sample, it is observed that there is predictive power from REC to EG only in the USA and UK while there is predictive power from REC to CO 2 emissions in the USA and Italy. However, full-sample outcomes are unreliable because models do have not parameter constancy based on parameter instability tests. Similar to full-sample results, BRWGC estimation results do not present evidence of a consistent relationship from REC to EG and CO 2 emissions. However, it is discovered that causal interrelationships exist between the series in a number of the sub-samples. Additional evidence that the results are not statistical artifacts but rather reflect actual economic shifts comes from the fact that these sub-sample times coincide with important economic events. The findings of this study complement earlier research and provide a rationale for divergent outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the milieu of rapidly growing investment in technologically induced assets, this study examines the investment role of Bitcoin, fintech, and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks in relation to major environmentally friendly assets (green bonds, sustainable investments, and clean energy), Islamic stocks, and conventional financial markets using quantile-based approaches. To this end, we specifically examine the distributional and directional predictability between the returns of fintech, Bitcoin, and AI and various markets using the nonparametric causality-in-quantiles method and the cross-quantilogram correlation method respectively. We use daily data spanning March 9, 2018 to January 27, 2021. In terms of the distributional predictability of fintech, Bitcoin, and AI in relation to the traditional markets, Islamic stocks, clean energy stocks, and sustainable investments, we find strong evidence of causal asymmetry across quantiles and strong variations across markets. Likewise, findings in terms of directional predictability between the returns of fintech, Bitcoin, and AI and various markets infer that Islamic stocks act as a good hedge against Bitcoin. The S&P Treasury Bond and S&P Green Bond are also perfect hedges for fintech stocks, while S&P Global Clean Energy is a perfect hedge for AI stocks in terms of long-term dynamics. • This study examines the effect of fintech, Bitcoin, and artificial intelligence stocks on eco-friendly assets, Islamic stocks, and conventional financial markets. • Specifically, we examine the distributional and directional predictability between the markets examined. • We use the nonparametric causality-in-quantiles method and the cross-quantilogram correlation method as estimation techniques. • From the distributional predictability results, we find strong evidence of causal asymmetry across quantiles and strong variations across markets. • Results from directional predictability infer that Islamic stocks act as a good hedge against Bitcoin, while the S&P Treasury Bond and S&P Green Bond are perfect hedges for fintech. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although opioids are highly efficacious analgesics, their abuse potential and other untoward side effects diminish their therapeutic utility. The addition of non-opioid analgesics offers a promising strategy to reduce required antinociceptive opioid doses that concomitantly reduce opioid-related side effects. Inhibitors of the primary endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) show opioid-sparing effects in preclinical models of pain. As simultaneous inhibition of these enzymes elicits enhanced antinociceptive effects compared with single enzyme inhibition, the present study tested whether the dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor SA-57 [4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl ester] produces morphine-sparing antinociceptive effects, without major side effects associated with either drug class. SA-57 dose-dependently reversed mechanical allodynia in the constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve model of neuropathic pain and carrageenan inflammatory pain model. As previously reported, SA-57 was considerably more potent in elevating anandamide (AEA) than 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) in brain. Its anti-allodynic effects required cannabinoid (CB) 1 and CB 2 receptors; however, only CB 2 receptors were necessary for the anti-edematous effects in the carrageenan assay. Although high doses of SA-57 alone were required to produce antinociception, low doses of this compound, which elevated AEA and did not affect 2-AG brain levels, augmented the antinociceptive effects of morphine, but lacked cannabimimetic side effects. Because of the high abuse liability of opioids and implication of the endocannabinoid system in the reinforcing effects of opioids, the final experiment tested whether SA-57 would alter heroin seeking behavior. Strikingly, SA-57 reduced heroin-reinforced nose poke behavior and the progressive ratio break point for heroin. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that inhibition of endocannabinoid degradative enzymes represents a promising therapeutic approach to decrease effective doses of opioids needed for clinical pain control, and may also possess therapeutic potential to reduce opioid abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting the development of renewable energy sources is crucial for sustainability. This paper explores the impact of energy security risks and economic complexity on expanding renewable energy sources, accounting for trade openness and economic growth for the top 23 energy consumers. The period of observations spans from 1997 to 2017. The study was conducted using panel quantile regression methods with fixed effects. The empirical outcomes indicate that economic complexity has a significant negative effect on renewable energy at low quantiles but a positive effect at medium to high quantiles. Furthermore, economic complexity has a greater impact on middle-income countries than on high-income countries. Energy security risks positively and significantly impact renewable energy development. However, for middle-income countries, the impact of energy security risks on renewable energy is unstable. The impact is at its peak between the 60th and 70th quantiles and then declines to its lowest level between the 80th and 90th quantiles. The robustness tests confirm the earlier findings. Based on empirical outcomes, policy prescriptions are suggested to address renewable energy deployment against the backdrop of sustainable development concerns. The policy implications suggest that the government should actively promote trade openness and increase economic complexity. Greater energy security risk index shocks increase the use of renewable energy. • Studies roles of economic complexity and energy security on renewable energy. • On 23 top energy users for 1990–2017. • Advanced quantile regression technique adopted. • Scale effect and composition effect of economic complexity on divergence of impact. • Empirical outcomes have directions on policy for SDG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study is to scrutinize the linkage between technological advancement and energy security in the presence of global uncertainty, financial development, globalization, international cooperation in the form of trade and infrastructure for the panel set of the newly industrialized countries. This paper contributes to the empirical literatures by using robust econometric techniques and the main estimation technique employed is cross sectional autoregressive distributed lag model (CS-ARDL). A battery of robustness tests is further put to use to test the underlying model specifications. To explore the causality nexus, the [1] panel causality test is also employed. The long-run estimation results reveal that technological advancement reduces the risk associated with energy security. But world uncertainty induces energy security risk. Furthermore, financial development and globalization affect energy security risk negatively. The causality test results demonstrate bidirectional causality between financial development and energy security, international cooperation and energy security, uncertainty and financial development, international cooperation and financial development, infrastructure and financial development. The empirical outcomes from this study offer salient aspects for designing policy strategy on energy security in the newly industrialized countries against the backdrop of attainment of the sustainability goals. [Display omitted] • Factors of Energy Security are examined for Newly Industrialized countries. • Robust second generation econometric models are employed. • Technological growth reduces energy insecurity. • Global uncertainty induces energy security risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the association between economic complexity (ECI), tourism, urbanization, globalization, natural resources and renewable energy on carbon dioxide emissions, ecological footprint and carbon footprint in the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve in the context of the G7 countries for the period 1990 to 2018. The study has employed second-generation cointegration methods. The results from the F.M.O.L.S. and D. O.L.S. methods describe the mitigating impacts of tourism on the dilapidation of the environment. Further, the Environmental Kuznets Curve is verified in the context of the G7 countries. The ECI reduces ecological footprint in the long run for the G7 countries but enhances carbon dioxide emissions. The empirical outcomes based on Dumitrescu and Hurlin Panel Granger causality test describe that any policy direction to increase tourism, renewable energy, economic growth, and urbanization has a considerable impact on the quality of the environment. The robustness tests confirm the model specifications. Based on the rigorous empirical discussion, we suggest that tourism, renewable energy and globalization would help to alleviate environmental degradation in the G7 countries. The study concludes with important policy suggestions against the backdrop of Sustainable Development. • Explored the climate vulnerability nexus by exploring the tourism industry. • On panel data sets of the G7 countries from 1990 to 2018. • Environment degradation indicators: carbon dioxide, ecological and carbon footprint. • Explored the role of EKC. • Used second generation panel estimation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) causes complete reduction of Cu(II) to Cu(I) at pH 7. Here in the present article, we have shown the presence of both Cu(II) and Cu(I) at pH 11 during fibrillation of HEWL using electron paramagnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy. Our results suggest the existence of a partially reducing environment during fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme at pH 11. The fibrillation process is governed by the pH of the solution and maximum fibrillation is found to occur at pH 11. Fibrils formed in the absence of Cu(II) were also found to cause significant hemolysis of RBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The endogenous deposition of protein aggregates with fibrillar morphology is known to govern the genesis of several neurodisorders. The investigation of naturally occurring small molecules which can restrict the fibrillation process can help in the design of rational therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. We report the inhibition of HSA fibrillation in the presence of naturally occurring sugars such as glucose, fructose, ribose and sucrose with fructose being the most potent. We have characterized the inhibitory potency of the sugars, using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The central reason behind pathogenesis of various neurological disorders is usually attributed to the accumulation of aggregated proteins particularly in fibrillar morphology in vivo. One of the plausible remedial treatments for such disorders may be to identify molecules which are capable of either preventing formation of fibrils or disintegrating formed fibrils. The effect of cationic surfactants cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in vitro toward mature HSA fibrils has been investigated. The process has been monitored using ThT fluorescence, FTIR, circular dichroism, fluorescence microscopy and HRTEM. It was observed that the micelles of cationic surfactants were able to effectively disrupt the HSA fibrils, among which CTAB was found to be the most potent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: The present study tested whether the selective monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor JZL184 would reduce allodynia and paw edema in the carrageenan test. Main methods: The anti-edematous and anti-allodynic effects of JZL184 were compared to those of PF-3845, an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and diclofenac, a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Cannabinoid receptor involvement in the anti-edematous and anti-allodynic effects of JZL184 was evaluated by administration of the respective CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists rimonabant and SR144528 as well as with CB1(−/−) and CB2(−/−) mice. JZL184 (1.6, 4, 16, or 40mg/kg) was administered for six days to assess tolerance. Key findings: JZL184 administered before or after carrageenan significantly attenuated carrageenan-induced paw edema and mechanical allodynia. Complementary genetic and pharmacological approaches revealed that the anti-allodynic effects of JZL184 required both CB1 and CB2 receptors, but only CB2 receptors mediated its anti-edematous actions. Importantly, both the anti-edematous and anti-allodynic effects underwent tolerance following repeated injections of high dose JZL184 (16 or 40mg/kg), but repeated administration of low dose JZL184 (4mg/kg) retained efficacy. Significance: These results suggest that the MAGL inhibitor JZL184 reduces inflammatory nociception through the activation of both CB1 and CB2 receptors, with no evidence of tolerance following repeated administration of low doses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) are found to be potent inhibitors of amyloid fibril formation. We report the effective inhibitory property of (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) during the alkali-salt induced fibrillogenesis of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) at 37°C. Spectroscopic techniques such as fluorescence, circular dichroism and microscopic images show that (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) show moderate inhibition of fibrillation with ECG as the most potent polyphenol. Aromatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, the radical scavenging activity and autoxidation of polyphenols are likely to be the major reasons for ECG being the most effective inhibitor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are currently being considered as novel therapeutic approaches for managing cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and Alzheimer''s disease. Though α7 agonists were recently found to possess antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models of chronic neuropathic pain and inflammation, the effects of α7 nAChRs PAMs on chronic pain and inflammation remain largely unknown. The present study investigated whether PAMs, by increasing endogenous cholinergic tone, potentiate α7 nAChRs function to attenuate inflammatory and chronic neuropathic pain in mice. We tested two types of PAMS, type I (NS1738) and type II (PNU-120596) in carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain and chronic constriction injury (CCI) neuropathic pain models. We found that both NS1738 and PNU-120596 significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia, while only PNU-120596 significantly reduced edema caused by a hind paw infusion of carrageenan. Importantly, PNU-120596 reversed established thermal hyperalgesia and edema induced by carrageenan. In the CCI model, PNU-120596 had long-lasting (up to 6 h), dose-dependent anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic effects after a single injection, while NS1738 was inactive. Systemic administration of the α7 nAChR antagonist MLA reversed PNU-120596''s effects, suggesting the involvement of central and peripheral α7 nAChRs. Furthermore, PNU-120596 enhanced an ineffective dose of selective agonist PHA-543613 to produce anti-allodynic effects in the CCI model. Our results indicate that the type II α7 nAChRs PAM PNU-120596, but not the type I α7 nAChRs PAM NS1738, shows significant anti-edematous and anti-allodynic effects in inflammatory and CCI pain models in mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Copper is known to exert diverse effects on the self-association of proteins and has been found in amyloid deposits that are involved in neurodegenerative disease processes. The effects of the metal ion on the protein during fibrillation were investigated by fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. We report for the first time, the complete reduction of Cu(II)→Cu(I) in vitro during fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme at pH 7. This was confirmed by the lack of any signal for Cu(II) in electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and quantification of Cu(I) was achieved by a bathocuproine disulfonate based assay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The molecular diversity of algae in the final clarifier or denitrification filter outfall from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with activated sludge based treatment was analyzed using the rbcL gene as a phylogenetic marker. The rbcL gene encodes the large subunit of the CO2 fixing enzyme RuBisCO. Among algae identified at the WWTPs were diatoms, green algae, cyanobacteria, Eustigmatophyceae, and unknown heterokonts. A high level of diversity was observed within WWTPs with 19–24 unique rbcL sequences detected at each plant. Algae composition also varied between treatment plants. Our results show that the rbcL gene can be used as a phylogenetic marker for algae diversity analysis in a wastewater treatment context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to scrutinize the major drivers of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in an augmented model framework. The roles of eco-innovation, economic complexity, institutions, and globalization are examined in the context of two sets of heterogeneous panel observations, namely the G7 and E7 countries from 1991 to 2017. The estimated results obtained from the Fully Modified Least Square, Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares, and Canonical Correlation Regression demonstrate the effectiveness of eco-innovation in reducing the intensity of energy use in G7 countries. Eco-innovation is also found to be beneficial for controlling carbon emissions in G7 countries. In contrast, the impact of eco-innovation on the E7 countries is harmful as far as energy efficiency and carbon emissions are concerned. Such contrasting behaviors across the two panel sets of observations validate the postulation of the "rebound effects" of environmental-related technologies in the latter group. The findings further indicate the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic complexity and carbon emissions for G7 countries. In contrast, the E7 countries experience a U-shaped relationship. Both institutions and globalization are significant determinants of environmental quality in G7 and E7 countries. There is an urgency to reinforce the commitment towards the application of eco-technology for efficiency in energy use in G7 countries. As far as the E7 countries are concerned, the governments should optimize the gains from globalization to develop energy efficiency and carbon abatement strategies. • The paper analyses the effects of eco-innovation and economic complexity on energy uses and carbon emissions in G7 and E7. • There exist heterogeneous relationships between the concerned variables. • The eco-innovation reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions in G7 but intensifies environmental problems in E7. • The environmental effects of economic complexity in G7 (E7) follow an inverting U-shape (U-shaped) relationship. • Institutional quality and globalization reduce (increase) energy uses and carbon emissions in G7 (E7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the gravitational settling of a single semi-torus shaped particle immersed in a viscous, incompressible fluid in two dimensions. To study the problem, numerical simulations were done using Immersed boundary (IB) method. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effect of varying parameters namely, density of the particle (for a fixed fluid density), fluid's dynamic viscosity and particle's size on the settling velocity of the particle considered. We also considered the particles in different orientations to investigate its effect on the dynamics of the settling particle. The results obtained were physically justified. The convergence studies done validated IB method's spatial accuracy of first order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamics of correlated ionic-electronic components often get reflected in the measured photovoltage of a hybrid perovskite solar cell. This communication describes a unique overshoot voltage phenomenon that appears soon the light is turned off during the large signal photovoltage transient measurements at low (≤250K) temperature regime. The occurrence of the overshoot voltage largely depends on fluence, temperature and can be perturbed with device preconditioning. We observe that the phenomenon occurs only in TiO 2 based devices but never if the electron transport layer is SnO 2 indicating that the interface plays a major role. Our investigations reveal a strong correlation between the ionic movement and the transitory photogenerated electric field that are responsible for the momentary increase in the measured potential. • Overshoot voltage is appeared during OCVD measurements soon light is extinguished at lower operating temperatures. • Overshoot voltage primarily depends on temperature, illumination intensity and the device pre-conditioning. • Necessary condition for overshoot voltage is the existence of momentary photogenerated electric field or interfacial potential gradients and slower ionic discharge. • Interfacial dynamics plays a dominant role in the formation of overshoot features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the impact of the tourism industry on income inequality upon a panel set of countries, classified in accordance with their levels of economic development. The countries are classified into three clusters based on their per capita GDP, the volume of international trade, and foreign direct investment inflows. The income inequality was measured using the GINI score. The long-run relationship between tourism receipts and GINI income inequality was explored for a panel set of forty-one countries over the period 1995 to 2016. The study concludes that earnings from tourism have varying impacts on the three clustered sets of countries. The inequality index of the highly developed countries remains unaffected by the earnings from tourism. The developed countries show Kuznets curve behaviour as far as the relationship between tourism and inequality is concerned. The developing countries exhibit an inverted Kuznets curve behaviour between tourism receipts and inequality of income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study on the drafting, kissing, tumbling (DKT) phenomenon between two circular and impermeable interacting particles of different sizes and densities in a confined medium in 2D using Immersed Boundary (IB) method. There are two different cases considered in this study. The first case, Case 1, deals with the scenario when the trailing particle was larger in size than the leading particle and in the second case, it was the other way round (Case 2). In both cases, apart from the size difference, the particles were assumed to have different densities. The paper investigated the effect of diameter ratio, as well as the effect of density differential on the dynamics of the settling particles. The obtained results clearly indicated that the size and the density of particles play an important role in the dynamics of the two interacting particles. The results suggested when the larger particle in both the cases was chosen to have higher density than the smaller particles, irrespective of diameter ratio and density difference, the particles went through one complete cycle of DKT. On the other hand, when the larger particle, irrespective of its initial position- leading or trailing, was having less density than the smaller particles, the results obtained was specific to diameter ratio as well as density difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though perovskite solar cells (PSC) have reached high efficiency comparable to its counterparts, it is still striving towards finding a strong hold in terms of long-term stability. Several approaches have been made to prevent the degradation of PSC. Here, we present low-temperature ALD deposited Al 2 O 3 as an effective encapsulant for PSC. The encapsulated devices improve with PCE reaching up to 19.4% post 300 cycles of Al 2 O 3 deposition. In-situ QCM and FTIR measurements reveal that trimethylaluminum gets trapped inside the spiro-OMeTAD layer and is available for the subsequent dosage of H 2 O during nucleation regime. Here we unveil the fact that the ALD grown Al 2 O 3 is not only surface limited, but the material penetrates the spiro-OMeTAD and enhances the hole transport property, improving the overall performance of encapsulated cells. Intermittent measurements indicate that encapsulated cells are stable, retaining 84% of its initial efficiency by the end of 300 days. Subsequently we elucidate that the device measurements under continuous illumination and with different bias conditions and atmosphere show that the ALD grown encapsulation prevents ingress of moisture and oxygen into the cells maintaining their stability. • ALD-Al 2 O 3 encapsulated PSC retained 84% of initial efficiency by the end of 300 days of intermittent measurement in ambient. • In-situ QCM showed non-linearity in mass change until a complete surface coverage after which it reaches the linear growth regime. • In-situ FTIR revealed continuous addition of Al–CH 3 on the bulk of spiro-OMeTAD upon TMA exposure during the nucleation regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the impact of an environmental tax on carbon emissions for the G7 nations from 1994 to 2014 and the importance of the major drivers of emissions such as energy use, economic complexity, natural resources rent and economic growth. The study also verifies the Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis for the G7 countries and explores the marginal effects of an environmental tax on traditional energy consumption, natural resources rent and renewable energy consumption. This paper's unique contribution is that it investigates for the first time the moderating role of an environmental tax on renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, natural resources rent and CO 2 emissions. The results suggest that environmental taxes effectively reduce emissions for the G7 countries and confirm that the marginal effects of the environmental tax on traditional energy consumption, natural resources rent and renewable energy consumption rise with the level of taxation in a statistically significant way. The findings indicate that strict environmental tax laws will allow businesses to shift production towards cleaner methods. Finally, the paper proposes that redistributing tax revenues to the research and development of sustainable technology programmes would empower the nations to achieve the United Nations' SDG-7 and SDG-13 goals. Flow Diagram on the nexus between emissions, tax, economic complexity, energy and economic growth. [Display omitted] • The paper analyses the effects of economic complexity on carbon emissions. • Environmental tax affects directly carbon emissions. • Environmental tax lessens the effect of energy consumption and natural resources. • Environmental tax amplifies the effect of renewable energy consumption. • The EKC hypothesis is validated for economic complexity in G7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the United Nations Climate Change Conferences, industrial economies have been urged to formulate stringent environmental regulations. This study adds to the current deliberations by exploring the role of energy transition and environmental innovation on ecological footprint for the top ten manufacturing countries. The time period of analysis runs from 1995 to 2019. We have added other energy and macro variables to reduce the omitted variable bias. The panel estimation methods confirm significant association across the concerned variables. Our findings from CS-ARDL, AMG, CCEMG, and FMOLS confirm that environmental innovation, renewable energy and energy transition have a significant negative association on ecological footprint. On contrary, financial development, economic growth and urbanization lead to environmental deterioration. Given the findings we propose some policy suggestions. In particular governments should foster technological and structural changes that are necessary for energy transition to enhance long-run economic efficiency. Further the manufacturing economies should encourage renewable energy consumption to reduce the burden on ecological footprint. To this end the countries can foster development of solar industry and upgradation of infrastructure in the context of other renewables. • We evaluate how energy transition and environmental innovation impact ecological sustainability. • We use empirical dataset from top-ten manufacturing countries from 1995 to 2019. • Energy transition, renewable energy, and environmental innovation mitigate environmental degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving sustainable environmental development, while further avoiding environmental degradation is an unprecedented challenge for policymakers. This article aims to explore whether the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis holds if the relevant carbon emissions modelling approach includes both energy consumption and the Konjunkturforschungsstelle (KOF) globalization index. The analysis is performed through panel methods and for 67 developed and developing countries, spanning the period 1971–2018. The empirical results demonstrate that there is a significant and positive association between globalization and carbon emissions. At the same time, higher GDP increases carbon emissions, while higher coal energy also leads to higher emissions, with the coefficient of the squared GDP turning out to be negative, which lends amble support to the validity of the EKC hypothesis. The findings of this article might be helpful in policy making regarding overall energy structure, carbon emissions, and globalization trends in developing and developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, stringent environmental policies have gained prominence to tackle rising ecological and environmental threats and achieve energy transition. The current research extends fiscal and environmental deliberations by analyzing how fiscal, environmental and energy policies impact energy transition in advanced industrial economies. Our empirical analysis helps us identify that renewable energy, economic developments and environmental stringency ensure energy transition. On the other hand, fossil fuels, governmental expenditures and taxation revenues hinder ecological progress and energy transition. Based on our analysis, we propose that policymakers must align fiscal and environmental policies to bring structural changes and upgrade energy infrastructure to combat environmental threats from climate change. • We evaluate the impact of fiscal policy, energy consumption and environmental policy on energy transition. • Renewable energy, economic developments and environmental stringency ensure environmental sustainability. • Nonrenewable energy, governmental expenditures and taxation revenues hinder energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different from previous studies which examine the relationship between either separate parameters or drivers of economic development and ecological sustainability, this study employs the productive capacity index to provide a holistic understanding into the ecological impacts of improving the productive sources of a nation. It also considers the increasingly importance role of green financial policy in lessening the ecological degradation under an uncertain economic and political environment. We adopt advanced panel quantile regression to three samples of 34 high-, 17 upper middle-, and 17 lower middle-income countries from 2000 to 2018. The empirical results show the existence of N-shaped, inverted N-shaped, and U-shaped relationship between productive capacity and ecological footprint in high-, upper middle-, and lower middle-income country groups, respectively. Meanwhile, green financial policy is found to generate beneficial effect on the quality of the ecology in all panels. Uncertainty reduces ecological degradation in high- and upper middle-income countries but intensifies ecological ruin in lower middle-income countries. This complicated relationship between variables of interest warns policymakers to adopt suitable economic and political policies that can deal with both severe ecological degradation and raising uncertainty. Finding the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) at different levels of development and the presence of the turnaround points within the sample ranges also validates the EKC hypothesis to be a policy benchmarking tool for developing effective environmental policies at the global level. This study outcomes have been utilized to develop Sustainable Development Goals oriented policy framework. • We employ productive capacity index for ecological impact assessment. • We adopt advanced panel quantile regression. • Our study is on high-, upper middle-, 17 lower middle-income countries. • Study is done from 2000 to 2018. • Results show different productive capacity-ecological footprint associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of energy security on environmental assessment using empirical dataset from the Newly Industrialized Countries. Along with energy security, several important non-climatic indicators such as quality of governance, financial development and uncertainty index are incorporated into the carbon emissions function. This study uses efficient panel data techniques such as Dynamic Common Correlated Effects Estimator-Mean Group and Common Correlated Effects Mean-Group estimation approaches. These techniques take into account the problems of cross-section related dependence and slope-heterogeneity. The findings from current study demonstrate that energy insecurity drives emissions while technological innovations, natural resources and financial development negatively affect environmental quality. Moreover, having uncertainty in the economy also drives emissions. Emerging economies must implement environmental plans that amalgamate economic decisions and environmental concerns. Another thrust of emphasis is on the need to encourage the pricing of environmental resources to influence environmental sustainability. To promote energy security and environmental welfare, there is an urgent need to discuss the roles of energy savings and abolishing subsidies on fossil fuels. [Display omitted] • We study the impact of energy security and natural resources in NICs. • D-CCEMG and CCEMG were used for empirical investigation. • Energy security risk and uncertainty enhance emissions. • Technological innovations and quality of governance lower emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]