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In recent years, the demand for environmentally sustainable materials has led to the exploration of biodegradable composites as alternatives to fossil‐based polymeric matrices. Among these, poly‐ε‐caprolactone (PCL) has emerged for its versatility and broad applicability. However, challenges such as limited mechanical strength and thermal stability demand innovative approaches for enhancement. This study focuses on the development and characterization of hierarchical composites of PCL, ramie fibers, and graphene oxide (GO) to address these challenges. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle, surface energy, mechanical properties (impact and tensile), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ecotoxicity assays were employed for evaluation. Results indicate that the inclusion of GO and ramie fibers alters the thermal properties, increasing melting enthalpy and crystallinity due to GO's nucleating effect and fiber‐induced steric hindrance. Increased hydrophilicity and surface free energy suggest enhanced biodegradation potential. Ecotoxicity tests confirm non‐toxicity, while SEM reveals low interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix. Tensile tests reveal no synergistic effects, although GO enhances biodegradation without compromising mechanical integrity. The presence of GO and ramie fibers does not induce toxicity, as evidenced by normal seedling growth. While hybridization does not significantly impact mechanical properties, GO offers avenues for enhancing biodegradability and expanding ramie fiber applications. This study highlights the impacts of filler integration on the properties of PCL, indicating pathways for tailored material design aimed at sustainable solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources are playing a leading role in today's world. However, integrating these sources into the distribution network through power electronic devices can lead to power quality (PQ) challenges. This work addresses PQ issues by utilizing a shunt active power filter in combination with an Energy Storage System (ESS), a Wind Energy Generation System (WEGS), and a Solar Energy System. While most previous research has relied on complex methods like the synchronous reference frame (SRF) and active-reactive power (pq) approaches, this work proposes a simplified approach by using a neural network (NN) for generating reference signals, along with the design of a five-level reduced switch voltage source converter. The gain values of the proportional-integral controller (PIC), as well as the parameters for the shunt filter, boost, and buck-boost converters in the WEGS and ESS, are optimally selected using the horse herd optimization algorithm. Additionally, the weights and biases for the neural network (NN) are also determined using this method. The proposed system aims to achieve three key objectives: (1) stabilizing the voltage across the DC bus capacitor; (2) reducing total harmonic distortion (THD) and improving the power factor; and (3) ensuring superior performance under varying demand and PV irradiation conditions. The system's effectiveness is evaluated through three different testing scenarios, with results compared against those obtained using the genetic algorithm, biogeography-based optimization (BBO), as well as conventional SRF and pq methods with PIC. The results clearly demonstrate that the proposed method achieves THD values of 3.69%, 3.76%, and 4.0%, which are lower than those of the other techniques and well within IEEE standards. The method was developed using MATLAB/Simulink version 2022b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This account summarizes the impact that the quest for sustainability is having on the field of organic polyconjugate molecules and polymers for plastic (opto)electronics. While at the proof-of-concept level, the design criteria as well as the preferred synthetic strategies to access new and improved materials have been dominated by the need for performance. The ongoing transition from the lab environment to the industrial scale imposes strict limitations on the cost and overall environmental impact of new materials. We here summarize our efforts on the development of new design criteria and synthetic strategies aimed at improving sustainability – without compromising performance – in organic polyconjugated molecules. The article is composed of three sections: Introduction and motivation, sustainability through improved synthetic methods and through improved design. Outline 1 Introduction and Motivation 2 Sustainable Reaction Methods 2.1 The New Tools: Reactions in Aqueous Solution of Surfactants 2.2 Intrinsically More Sustainable Reactions: Direct Arylation 2.3 Sustainable Multistep Protocols: Combining Micellar, Solventless, and Mechanochemical Methods 3 Sustainability as a Design Criterion: De Novo Design 4 Conclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the peak of carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality, China is placing greater emphasis on energy expenditure. Office buildings occupy a prominent position in building energy consumption, which is one of the main energy consumption areas. Taking an administration building in Chengdu as an example, this article simulates the building energy consumption based on Design Builder software, examines the variables influencing energy consumption, and suggests energy-saving strategies combined with fresh ideas for sustainable architectural design. The results showed that the modeling building was a high-energy-consuming building, with an energy consumption of 724,857.59 kWh, and a unit area energy consumption of 288.17 kWh/m2 in Chengdu. For energy conservation and emission reduction, this article proposes the following three energy-saving measures. The first is to apply heat recovery technology for air conditioning systems. The second is photovoltaic glass, which provides partial electricity demand for buildings and reduces dependence on traditional energy sources. The third is roof greening, which utilizes the plants to purify the air and beautify the environment. The results showed that the heat recovery technology in air conditioning systems reduced the total energy consumption of buildings from 642144.04 kWh/m2 to 502937.83 kWh/m2, photovoltaic glass reduced 552243.87 kWh/m2, and roof greening reduced to 635947.35 kWh/m2. All of these have good energy-saving and emission reduction effects. The above three strategies not only help reduce building energy consumption, but also provide substantial support for China to achieve carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust method for uncertainty quantification is undeniably leading to a greater certainty in simulation results and more sustainable designs. The inherent uncertainties of the world around us render everything stochastic, from material parameters, over geometries, up to forces. Consequently, the results of engineering simulations should reflect this randomness. Many methods have been developed for uncertainty quantification for linear elastic material behavior. However, real-life structure often exhibit inelastic material behavior such as visco-plasticity. Inelastic material behavior is described by additional internal variables with accompanying differential equations. This increases the complexity for the computation of stochastic quantities, e.g., expectation and standard deviation, drastically. The time-separated stochastic mechanics is a novel method for the uncertainty quantification of inelastic materials. It is based on a separation of all fields into a sum of products of time-dependent but deterministic and stochastic but time-independent terms. Only a low number of deterministic finite element simulations are then required to track the effect of (in)homogeneous material fluctuations on stress and internal variables. Despite the low computational effort the results are often indistinguishable from reference Monte Carlo simulations for a variety of boundary conditions and loading scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First-year engineering students are often introduced to the engineering design process through project-based learning situated in a concrete design context. Design contexts like mechanical engineering are commonly used, but students and teachers may need more options. In this article, we show how sustainable building design can serve as an alternative for students of diverse backgrounds and with various interests. The proposed Net Zero Energy Challenge is an engineering design project in which students practice the full engineering design cycle to create a virtual house that generates renewable energy on-site, with the goal to achieve net zero energy consumption. Such a design challenge is made possible by Aladdin, an integrated tool that supports building design, simulation, and analysis within a single package. A pilot study of the Net Zero Energy Challenge at a university in Mid-Atlantic United States suggests that around half of the students were able to achieve the design goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levulinic acid is acknowledged as a significant high-value product derived from lignocellulosic biomass. Its acquisition involves acid hydrolysis, resulting in a challenging separation and purification process due to the formation of a dilute azeotropic mixture. This complexity renders separation costly and presents a hurdle for large-scale production. Various purification methods, including hybrid and intensified systems, have been proposed to address this issue. However, a systematic synthesis methodology incorporating multi-objective optimization considering economic and environmental factors has yet to be applied to this mixture. Hence, this study employs such a methodology to derive sustainable and thermodynamically feasible intensified designs. The optimization algorithm employed is differential evolution with a tabu list. Two objectives are considered: total annual cost as the economic criterion and the eco-indicator 99 as the environmental index. The intensified design, incorporating thermal coupling, presents the best results of the designs studied, with a total annual cost value of $13.9 million and 4.21 × 109 environmental points per year. This represents an economic saving of $4.6 million per year and reduces environmental impact by 1.15 × 109 points compared to the reference design, providing a sustainable alternative for purifying levulinic acid at a cost of $0.261 per kilogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an industrial solid waste generated during the preparation of phosphoric acid, which is produced in large quantities and stockpiled or discharged into the sea. This study aims to design sustainable pavement base materials constituting significant PG content. The physical and chemical properties of the raw materials were first tested. The optimum moisture content and maximum dry density of specimens were determined by compaction tests. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS), split tensile strength (STS), freeze-thaw cycles, and shrinkage tests were used to evaluate the mechanical performance of phosphogypsum pavement base material (PPBM). Furthermore, the interaction mechanism was investigated by applying scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) tests. The results showed that the 7-day UCS of PPBM with cement content 8%–12% was greater than 3 MPa. The specimens retained 91.3% unconfined compressive strength over five freeze-thaw cycles. Unlike traditional semirigid base materials, the PPBM exhibited no shrinkage strain, which is manifested by the growth of expansion strain with increasing amounts of PG. Through microscopic observation, the PPBM produced ettringite (AFt) and calcium-silicate-hydrate (CSH) with the extension of curing time, which is consistent with the analysis of FTIR spectrums. The crystallized water in the PG participates in the hydration reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance training (RT) programs for older adults typically involve manipulating variables such as load, volume of sets, frequency, and exercise selection. Overall, these variables may affect motivation, enjoyment, and adherence in older adults. Therefore, understanding the affective responses of older adults to these RT variables is crucial to designing effective and sustainable exercise programs. We aimed to investigate systematically the affective responses across different RT variables in older adults. We searched observational and experimental studies on MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, SPORTSDiscus, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and LILACS. Eligibility criteria were: (a) older adults (≥ 60 years); (b) experimental or observational study design (e.g., cross-sectional study, prospective cohort, etc.); (c) studies that investigated RT as exercise mode; and (d) studies that explored the affective responses (i.e., feeling, enjoyment) of older adults to RT variables (e.g., load, cadence, exercise order). Our main findings revealed that the load variable has received more attention in research. There was a trend among older adults favoring low-load RT protocols over high-load ones. In addition, most of studies showed that these preferences were associated with more positive affective responses, suggesting that individualized exercise programs aligned with older adults' preferences may enhance the effectiveness of RT regimens. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the importance of considering the load variable in resistance training for older adults. We found a preference for low-load protocols, linked to more positive emotional responses. Exercise programs to individual preferences may enhance the effectiveness of resistance training regimens in this demographic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing roofing system in tropical climates is not adapting to the worsening climate, along with the demand for sustainable building design; this study introduced a pioneering cool roof system to reform the traditional roofing system. The pioneering cool roof system is composed of white reflective coating, hollow foamed concrete roof (HFCR) tile, and a sustainable active reflective insulation (RI) system. Despite the complex integrated roof technologies, the study adopted 3D CFD numerical simulation for an in-depth and frontier thermal distribution analysis and fluid flow presentation. The outcomes of the numerical model were compared with field measurements for validation purposes, which resulted in just a 3.31 % error. The internal attic was 35.64 °C despite the roof exterior achieving 54.59 °C after receiving an average 680 W/m2 solar radiation source. After the heat flux was hugely terminated by the HFCR tile and sustainable active RI system, the heat flux magnitude attained in the internal attic was 1.0822 W/m2, and the active RI system removed 96.29 % of heat flux excellently. Meanwhile, the proposed roofing design's energy-saving performance was 27.5 %. [Display omitted] • A numerical model for a pioneering cool roof system was developed, validated, and evaluated based on temperature distribution and fluid analysis. • The developed numerical model produced a low percentage error (3.31 %) with the field measurement. • The developed numerical model explained the efficiency of a sustainable active reflective insulation system. • Adopting the pioneering cool roof system could save 27.5 % of building energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete is the most commonly used construction material. However, its production leads to high carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and energy consumption. Therefore, developing waste-substitutable concrete components is necessary. Improving the sustainability and greenness of concrete is the focus of this research. In this regard, 899 data points were collected from existing studies where cement, slag, fly ash, superplasticizer, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregate were considered potential influential factors. The complex relationship between influential factors and concrete compressive strength makes the prediction and estimation of compressive strength difficult. Instead of the traditional compressive strength test, this study combines five novel metaheuristic algorithms with extreme gradient boosting (XGB) to predict the compressive strength of green concrete based on fly ash and blast furnace slag. The intelligent prediction models were assessed using the root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), and variance accounted for (VAF). The results indicated that the squirrel search algorithm-extreme gradient boosting (SSA-XGB) yielded the best overall prediction performance with R2 values of 0.9930 and 0.9576, VAF values of 99.30 and 95.79, MAE values of 0.52 and 2.50, RMSE of 1.34 and 3.31 for the training and testing sets, respectively. The remaining five prediction methods yield promising results. Therefore, the developed hybrid XGB model can be introduced as an accurate and fast technique for the performance prediction of green concrete. Finally, the developed SSA-XGB considered the effects of all the input factors on the compressive strength. The ability of the model to predict the performance of concrete with unknown proportions can play a significant role in accelerating the development and application of sustainable concrete and furthering a sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to empirically examine how much traditional attributes and green attributes characterize products within design-oriented firms. Further, we explored how these attributes relate to the perceived level of innovation of the firms. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory research was carried out in 86 Italian manufacturing companies that are members of the Industrial Design Association. Using the questionnaire method, the entrepreneurs' perceptions have been analyzed. Data have been treated with hierarchical cluster analysis. Findings: The analysis shows that environmental sustainability is the least important attribute of a design product and four clusters of highly design-oriented firms differ by design-product attributes. Further, the least green firms are also the least innovative in terms of incremental and general innovation. Research limitations/implications: The small size of the sample and the provenance of firms from a single country imply limited generalizability, and further research on the topic is recommended. Practical implications: Design-driven innovation based on traditional design attributes provides many competitive advantages to firms. However, given the growing concern about environmental challenges, investing in green attributes in design products allows for remaining competitive and more effective in innovation. Originality/value: This study, for the first time, reveals the heterogeneity among design-oriented firms, particularly regarding the presence and assortment of traditional design attributes, as well as the incorporation of environmentally friendly attributes in their products. Moreover, the study uncovers the relationship between varying levels of green attributes in the offerings and the perception of the firm's innovativeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to build energy-efficient commercial buildings in bustling urban centers and utilize passive means such as natural ventilation and natural lighting as much as possible to improve indoor environmental quality, the author proposes a green environment design optimization algorithm based on artificial intelligence. Taking Building A as an example, simulation technology was used to optimize the performance of the enclosure structure, anti condensation in the glass atrium, and natural ventilation during the transition season. The sunlight and shadow simulation software BSAT was used to simulate the mutual occlusion and self occlusion of the building. It was found that external rolling shutters were not required for shading the facade between axes L2-L5 and 3-9. Using DeST-C, the energy consumption and investment of south facing, east facing, and west facing envelope structures were compared when using different types of glass. Combining economic efficiency and energy-saving effects, the optimal southbound enclosure structure scheme for this building is to use Low-e membrane coated hollow double glass with ten horizontal louvers for external shading; It is recommended to adopt the scheme of hollow double glass (Low-e membrane) or hollow double glass (Lowe membrane)+external roller shutter in the east-west direction. It is worth noting that for east-west oriented glass, the Lowe film should be low permeability, mainly to improve the thermal performance in winter and reduce the radiation heat gain in summer. Using DeST-C for simulation 2 calculation, it was found that when the thermal performance of windows increased from 3.0W/(m². K), shading coefficient 0.7 to 2.0W/(m º K), and shading coefficient 0.5, the maximum cold and heat load of the building and the cumulative consumption of cold and heat throughout the year were significantly reduced, providing an effective reference for solving problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable humanitarian supply chain (SHSC) management enables effective and efficient responses to natural and human-made disasters. Existing literature falls short of offering decision support (DS) models to address the barriers and strategies to designing SHSC. To this end, this study develops a DS model that identifies and prioritizes the barriers to SHSC and determines optimal strategies for mitigating those barriers. This study adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches. As part of the qualitative approach, a field study was applied using in-depth interviews to determine the barriers and corresponding strategies, while under the quantitative approach, a quality function deployment (QFD) integrated optimization technique was used to prioritize barriers and determine optimal strategies to mitigate the SHSC barriers. The study found that a lack of contingency planning, the prevalence of corruption and political interference, and a lack of social and environmental awareness are the most important barriers, while logistics outsourcing, supply chain (SC) performance management, and SC flexibility are the most essential strategies. We also found that our DS model is highly flexible and can be adapted under different scenarios, which makes the model applicable to different contexts. This study has a significant contribution to literature and practice. We developed a novel decision model that captured cost savings and leveraged both cost and time savings from interrelated strategies to determine the best optimal strategy while applying QFD-integrated optimization modeling. The paper's findings will assist humanitarian SC managers in designing an effective, efficient, and sustainable humanitarian SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Transitions of care after cancer treatment pose a major challenge for patient safety as adverse events and unplanned healthcare utilization occur frequently. At this point, patient and family engagement (PFE) is particularly valuable since patients and their families experience various challenges along this pathway, such as changing roles and recurrent needs to navigate across structural gaps between different services. However, there is currently a lack of evidence on the impact of PFE on patient safety in transitions after cancer treatment. Objective: To systematically review and synthesize evidence on effects of different PFE interventions on patient safety in the transition of care after cancer treatment. Methods: This protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis follows PRISMA-P guidelines. A comprehensive database search will be conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and APA PsycInfo. Trial registries and grey literature will be searched, forward and backward citation tracking will be performed. Trials with prospective, longitudinal, interventional study designs will be included if they evaluate PFE interventions on patient safety outcomes (primary outcomes: healthcare utilization, patient harm, adherence, patient experience; secondary: quality of life, distress); eligible studies need to survey patients with any oncological disease during or after transition following cancer treatment. Results will be synthesized narratively and meta-analytically using a random-effects model. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 and revised JBI critical appraisal tool. The certainty of evidence will be judged according to the GRADE approach. Discussion: Robust evidence of effectiveness is needed to establish PFE interventions for patient safety in care transitions for oncological patients. This review will allow evidence-based conclusions about types and effects of different PFE interventions for transitional safety in oncology care and inform stakeholders in designing sustainable PFE activities. Trial registration: PROSPERO (CRD42024546938), OSF (doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9XAMU). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysing the entire project life cycle is a new trend in sustainability assessment in the construction sector. Research on sustainability issues in the construction sector started with issues related to buildings, while research for other structures such as infrastructure projects and bridges was not originally an integral part of the research. Therefore, the findings, knowledge and practical applications for buildings are more comprehensive than for infrastructure projects. This paper deals with the assessment of the sustainability of bridges throughout their life cycle and emphasises the importance of life cycle analysis of bridges in the early stages of planning and design. The study provides an overview of existing life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methodologies for environmental (Life Cycle Assessment LCA), economic (Life Cycle Cost LCC) and social (Social Life Cycle Assessment S-LCA) aspects. This paper provides a critical overview of the current state of the art in the field of LCSA of bridges. To identify knowledge gaps, a review of the literature on LCSA of bridges, which performs a comparative life cycle analysis of different variants or components of the load-bearing structure of bridges is provided. The main objective of the paper is to provide recommendations for conducting LCSA of bridges and to identify research directions for design criteria for sustainable bridges of the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food lifestyle has evolved from the regional differences that were previously shaped by different geographic locations to the pluralistic complexity of food styles that are now influenced by different user consciousnesses. The field of food design has assumed a greater social responsibility, while also facing the challenge of sustainable development. Consequently, it is of paramount importance to devise or refine the methodology of food design innovation. This study makes a significant contribution to the field of sustainable food design by combining design methodology with sociological concepts such as "Field and Habitus" to construct the "F-U-BVF" food lifestyle analysis framework. This study examines the applicability of the F-U-BVF analytical framework, exemplified by tofu, through the refinement and translation of user needs, among other methods. The objective is to guide users toward sustainable lifestyles based on a design methodology, thereby creating multiple values conducive to food sustainability. At the same time, the deconstruction of the structural relationship, process, and methodology of sustainable food design based on the F-U-BVF analytical framework is intended to break through the barriers of traditional design science. This is to provide a new systematic research paradigm for sustainable food design, as well as to provide a new perspective on the experience and interactive relationship between people and food. Finally, it is also to provide effective food design innovation solutions for relevant multistakeholders. This is of great significance for the development of sustainable food design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation and migration of photoexcited holes are of crucial importance to the enhanced photocatalytic performance of composite. To arouse much more concern about them, the efficient and steady CaCO3/g-C3N4 composites with different mass percents of CaCO3 were innovatively designed by a green approach for environmental remediation in the present study. The crystalline structure, band structure, micromorphology and heterojunction structure of these prepared samples were synergistically characterized by employing different technologies. An obviously improved visible-light catalytic performance of CO2 reduction and RhB oxidation for the composite was possessed in comparison with bare g-C3N4. The perfect CaCO3 ratio among these composites was 20%. The heterojunction constructed in the system and negatively charged CaCO3 as a highly effective holes transfer promoter accelerate the holes migration from the valance band of g-C3N4 to that of CaCO3. Accordingly, these bring about efficient carriers separation and boosted photocatalytic performance of the composite. This work can not only offer valuable insights into the design of other novel composites with efficient holes transfer, but also provide a method to solve the undesirable photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 in the application domain of renewable energy and ecological governance. The enhanced performance of the composite is primarily attributed to the highly efficient charge separation in the CaCO3/g-C3N4 system, because the heterojunction constructed between them and negatively charged CaCO3 accelerate the fast transfer of photoinduced h+ from VB of g-C3N4 to that of CaCO3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streets and roads have been constantly identified as key spaces to improve walkability and—by extension—the entire urban environment. Such improvements lie on planning and design theories that are often supported by qualitative evidence and as such, tend to remain highly speculative on how street design influences walkability in more deterministic ways. Drawbacks in further exploring this street-walkability correlation are partly defined by an explicit rejection to 'spatial determinism' in urban morphology and social sciences, but also because combining differing epistemological approaches for understanding social processes linked to the physical aspects of the space is complex. In this paper, it is proposed that qualitative (social-based) theories of the space and quantitative (positivist) understandings of people's behaviour can complement each other to elaborate upon 'spatial determinism' with focus on streetscapes and pedestrian behaviour. By using Agent-Based Modelling (ABMs), morphological components of streets linked to population characteristics are analysed to understand walkability from the perspective of spatial determinism. The findings suggest that the street settings directly affect pedestrian behaviour, and that changes in the built environment result in changes on walkability patterns. Ultimately, the modelling exercise shed light on street design and walkability, but also on wider debates on how urban design and social processes correlate in more deterministic and, therefore, predictable ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In performance-based approaches and quality assessment protocols used both in the technological design of architecture and the environmental design of the built habitat, the concept of psycho-physical wellbeing is usually defined in purely quantitative human-techno-centric or eco-techno-centric terms. However, in socio-technical-environmental realities in continuous transition, wellbeing extends to areas that cannot be confined within the notions of comfort or healthiness because it involves material and immaterial, cultural and technical, aesthetic and performative, real and virtual aspects. Method: The aim of this article emerges from studies being conducted as part of Ex-Mind research. The working hypothesis is to broaden performance-based approaches in a technological-environmental sense to avoid reducing the goal of psycho-physical wellbeing just to the compliance with technical-constructive aspects. It could be possible combining the material and quantifiable dimensions with other aspects that extend the project to sensorial, perceptive, and emotional interactions. Important theoretical-scientific evidence is already emerging on this dichotomy to be overcome from areas of project evaluation responsive to the new paradigms of sustainability such as resilience, inclusive placemaking, and wellbeing according to the flourish model. Characteristics such as dimensions, proportions, shapes, colors, scents and immaterial aspects of spaces, for example, should be evaluated with respect to the complex physical and mental comfort conditions that they can produce. Results: In the technological-environmental vision of the human habitat project, the objective of psycho-physical wellbeing should be a function of the dynamic balance between the constantly evolving users'/inhabitants' needs and the variability of context factors and agents. The concept of wellbeing therefore takes on a scalar and expanded declination. Considering the technological-environmental approach, a possible element of originality emerges in the integrated and balanced human-environmental centered vision aimed at broadening the framework of the qualitative-quantitative references of the project of the human habitat. This could be an alternative bio-psycho-socio-technological methodological vision starting from the determinants of wellbeing in a broad sense, including natural, cultural and socioeconomic environmental factors, social and collective networks of relationships and participation, individual behavioral, physical, and functional factors of people. Added to these determinants are the different technological-environmental interface systems with which the project is able to define, in a bio-psycho-socio-technological sense, multiple and variable regulatory conditions of wellbeing, at a building, urban, and territorial level. Discussion: The possible outcomes of this alternative and integrated hypothesis are related to the reconnection with the production and regeneration processes of the built material, to the reorganization and reinvention of spatial and perceptual relationships between individuals, communities, technologies, environment, and to the integration of non-directly quantifiable subjective variables into the design of the built environment. The proposed integrated bio-psycho-socio-technological vision may open for developments concerning the expansion of the determinants of psycho-physical wellbeing through new performative descriptors and the definition of agile tools, procedures, and metrics to integrate wellbeing assessments, including consensus-based approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rapid growth in renewable energy installations and increasingly severe consumption issues, this paper designs a 100% green electricity supplied zero-carbon integrated energy station. It aims to analyze its configuration focusing on the following three core features: zero carbon emissions, 100% green electricity supply, and a centralized–distributed system structure. It discusses equipment selection and provides models for configuring upstream green electricity resources, power generation, energy storage, transformer, and energy conversion. The study examines the synergy between lithium-ion battery storage and modular molten salt thermal storage, along with the virtual energy storage characteristics formed by thermal load inertia, supported by mathematical models. Based on the data from a green electricity system in an Eastern Chinese city and typical load profiles, the paper validates a specific configuration for a 100% green electricity supplied zero-carbon integrated energy station, confirming model accuracy and calculating the required scale of upstream green electricity resources. It proves that establishing an electro-thermal storage synergy system is crucial for addressing the significant fluctuations in renewable energy output. It also argues that leveraging thermal load inertia to create virtual storage can reduce the investment in energy storage system construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A primary driving force of today's urban environment is the development or enhancement of building stock with a focus on minimizing its environmental footprint, eliminating its dependence on fossil fuels, enforcing its energy efficiency and self-sufficiency, and helping alleviate climate change. Therefore, in the present study, an up-to-date review regarding the passive building retrofitting techniques for sustainable and energy efficiency design is conducted. Numerous passive building solutions and design concepts are thoroughly examined in terms of innovation and energy-saving potential. The examined techniques include novel thermal insulation materials, innovative windows systems, high thermal mass technologies, optically advanced coatings appropriate for cooling abatement, and various energy-efficient bioclimatic designs, for instance, shading techniques, mechanical ventilation in combination with heat recovery, and green roofs and façades. The scope of the present review is to thoroughly and comparatively investigate passive building energy retrofit solutions as presented in the recent scientific literature mainly within the last five or up to ten years. The passive, energy-mitigating solutions are examined in terms of energy savings primarily in residential buildings, but also in tertiary buildings, as well as of specific investment costs. Lastly, an extensive discussion evaluating the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the examined passive envelope technologies is conducted, allowing a comprehensive and multilevel comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research into green technologies is driven by the worldwide push for eco‐friendly materials and energy solutions. The focus is on synergies that prioritize sustainability and environmental benefits. This study explores the potential of abundant, non‐toxic, and sustainable resources such as paper, lignin‐enriched paper, and cork for producing laser‐induced graphene (LIG) supercapacitor electrodes with improved capacitance. A single‐step methodology using a CO2 laser system is developed for fabricating these electrodes under ambient conditions, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional carbon sources. The resulting green micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) achieve impressive areal capacitance (≈7–10 mF cm−2) and power and energy densities (≈4 μW cm‐2 and ≈0.77 µWh cm−2 at 0.01 mA cm−2). Stability tests conducted over 5000 charge–discharge cycles demonstrate a capacitance retention of ≈80–85%, highlighting the device durability. These LIG‐based devices offer versatility, allowing voltage output adjustment through stacked and sandwich MSCs configurations (parallel or series), suitable for various large‐scale applications. This study demonstrates that it is possible to create high‐quality energy storage devices based on biodegradable materials. This development can lead to progress in renewable energy and off‐grid technology, as well as a reduction in electronic waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycerol is a simple and important polyol in both biological and industrial field. To produce glycerol in an eco‐friendly manner, we established a one‐pot cascade reaction by fructose‐6‐phosphate aldolase (FSA) and aldehyde reductase (ALR) from formaldehyde (FALD) and its dimerized form glycolaldehyde (GALD) via L‐glyceraldehyde. For this, we characterized two FSAs at various conditions. Among them, FSA from Gilliamella apicola (GaFSA) has shown the higher L‐glyceraldehyde production activity in the phosphate buffer than the well‐known FSA from Escherichia coli (EcFSA) by more than 2 times. We also characterized two ALRs (xylose reductase from Candida tenuis; CtXR, the annotated DL‐glyceraldehyde reductase from Hypocrea jecorina; HjGLD) that specifically reduce L‐glyceraldehyde into glycerol. Bioproduction of glycerol from FALD and GALD was performed using GaFSA and CtXR, which produced ~8.8 mM glycerol from 25 mM of FALD and GALD (conversion yield of ~35 %). This suggested that a simple process would help in designing a green production of glycerol from a wasteful one‐carbon chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an electrokinetic-based (EK) reactor was coupled with a biodegradation process to improve the performance of treatment facilities in cold regions. Subsequently, the effects of electric current density (CD) and temperature on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nutrient removal were investigated in a series of EK bioreactors. Moreover, the potential electro-stimulation of microbial biomass was evaluated. In this experiment, the treatment of synthetic wastewater at different operational temperatures (8, 13, and 20 °C), CD ranging between 1 and 2 mA/cm2, and electrical exposure regimes were performed. The results indicated that, at the lower temperature of 8 °C, the EK-based bioreactor with a CD of 1.5 mA/cm2 at 60 s–ON/180 s–OFF contact mode achieved superior removal efficiencies of impurities over the control bioreactor. The removal of COD, NH 4 + - N , and PO 4 - P was higher than the control bioreactor by 32.6%, 75.9%, and 77% respectively. The outcomes also demonstrated that a CD of 1 mA/cm2 with an operation mode of 60 s-ON/300 s-OFF was very effective in impurities removal at 20 °C leading to lower energy consumption and treatment costs. Furthermore, it was suggested that the adequate CD application induced microbial biomass responsible for COD and NH 4 + bio-utilization. Overall, the alternative EK approach presented in this work could improve the degradation rate by electrically stimulated biomass and optimize the performance of existing treatment plants operated at cold temperatures. Finally, this work establishes a viable approach for either retrofitting existing processes or constructing new wastewater facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study offers an in-depth structural analysis of the threading mechanism in a motorized leg-lengthening nail, a key device used in bone-lengthening surgeries. The primary aim is to assess the structural integrity and performance of the nail during the lengthening process. The paper starts with a comprehensive overview of the nail's design, historical background, and functionality, emphasizing the critical components of the lengthening mechanism. The methodology section details the structural analysis approach, incorporating both finite element analysis (FEA) and manual calculations. FEA simulations are employed to analyze the nail's behavior under compressive loads, considering realistic conditions such as the 95th percentile of human body weight. The analysis focuses on stress concentrations, deflections, and overall structural stability to pinpoint the potential weaknesses. Due to budget limitations that prevented the creation of physical prototypes, manual calculations were utilized to validate the FEA results. The findings identify stress concentrations, especially in the areas where male and female threads engage, leading to the design of recommendations to enhance strength and reliability. Experimental results corroborate the accuracy of the FEA simulations. The study concludes with suggestions for improving thread design, emphasizing safety, durability, and functionality. These recommendations aim to guide the future iterations of the motorized leg-lengthening nail, thereby promoting the development of safer and more effective devices for bone-lengthening surgeries. This structural analysis significantly contributes to understanding the mechanical behavior of the motorized leg-lengthening nail, playing a crucial role in advancing medical devices for bone-lengthening procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has led to a significant increase in the construction of tall buildings in Canada. The design of tall buildings must ensure structural integrity in withstanding lateral loads, such as wind and earthquakes. The tendency for a specific lateral load to govern building design varies based on the building characteristics, building height, and location of the building. There is a need to identify the governing lateral load (i.e., wind or earthquake) for use in the preliminary design and city-scale assessment. This study examines the governing lateral loads for tall buildings across different Canadian regions through a parametric analysis of a typical high-rise building based on the Commonwealth Advisory Aeronautical Council (CAARC) building. This research evaluates varying building heights, structural systems, and geographic locations under the guidelines of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC). The analysis identifies the dominant lateral load, providing insights into assessing the existing infrastructure and optimal design strategies for enhancing building sustainability and resilience. Our findings highlight the critical role of geographic location in determining lateral load impacts and the necessity of context-specific design to promote long-term structural performance and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite an emerging emphasis on the role of engineers in achieving the SDGs, there is still a lack of agreement on which competencies should be prioritised to prepare them to tackle future sustainability challenges. By formulating a theoretical framework of key sustainable competencies based on prior studies, this study investigated engineering students’ subjective views on which competencies they considered as the most important to support them in becoming sustainable engineers/designers. Using Q methodology, views were collected from 26 master students in a Sustainable Design programme in a Danish systemic problem- and project-based (PBL) context. Three key competencies were identified: collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and systemic thinking. Competences within the ‘doing’ and ‘being’ dimensions were represented the strongest. There is a hierarchy between the competencies, with collaboration being the highest level, as it demonstrates that it is transversal to the others. These results emphasised the role of PBL in developing competencies for sustainability and in reinforcing the value of Education for Sustainable Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold catalysis has emerged as a groundbreaking field in synthetic chemistry, revolutionizing numerous organic transformations. Despite the significant achieved advancements, the mechanistic understanding behind many gold‐catalyzed reactions remains elusive. This Concept article covers the so‐called "self‐activating" Au(I) complexes, sorting out their pivotal role in gold catalysis. We comment on how Au(I) complexes can undergo self‐activation, triggering diverse catalytic transformations without the need for external additives. The most important examples reported so far that underlie the catalytic activity of these species are discussed. This intrinsic reactivity represents a paradigm shift in gold catalysis, offering new avenues for the design of efficient and sustainable catalytic systems. Furthermore, we explore the factors influencing the stability, reactivity, and selectivity of these Au(I) complexes, providing insights into their synthetic utility and potential applications. This area of research not only advances our fundamental understanding of gold catalysis but also paves the way for the development of novel catalytic strategies with broad implications in organic synthesis and the chemical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the solid‐state lighting technologies, OLEDs occupy a prominent position for the high efficiencies associated with the low CO2 emissions. In line with the recent studies aimed at designing sustainable and biodegradable devices, herein we report on the synthesis of a series of iridium(III) complexes featuring, as β‐diketone ligands, curcumin and 6‐dehydrogingerdione, two natural compounds found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale. To improve the solubility of both the ligands and prevent the aggregation of the complexes, oleoyl residues were inserted on the phenolic −OH groups. The resulting complexes exhibited a green emission with quantum yields as high as 2.8 % (relative to fluorescein). OLED devices were fabricated by using, as emitting layer, a host‐guest blend of the iridium complex in 4,4'‐bis(N‐carbazolyl)‐1,1'‐biphenyl (CBP). The morphological analysis revealed that thin films of the emitting layer were homogeneous. The devices fabricated with iridium complexes from 6‐dehydrogingerdione exhibited higher luminance, efficiency and power efficiency with respect to the corresponding devices obtained from curcumin; also the functionalization of the β‐diketone unit with the oleoyl residue proved to increase significantly the performance of the device. Overall, these data suggest that aggregation is a key factor that compromise the performances of the corresponding OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable seismic design (SSD) is the first step towards next-generation earthquake engineering. SSD of mixed multiple seismic systems (MMSSs), in which more than one earthquake-resisting structure is used, is a challenging structural engineering issue. Seismic sustainability implies survivability during and after an earthquake, preceded by post-earthquake realignment and repairs (PERR). Purpose-specific MMSSs are ideally suited for SSD. However, contemporary codes address neither the sequences nor the failure mechanisms of the earthquake-resisting structures of MMSSs. The difference between conventional design and SSD is their approach to expected behaviour during and after an earthquake. Earthquakes are natural and dynamic occurrences, whereas PERR is a manual and static process. SSD does not favour unreal detailing or oversimplifying assumptions; it is a multi-faceted effort that involves realistic structural analysis and planned manual operations. In this context, design implies operability with a view to PERR and requires a change from damageability assessment and performance-based seismic design to performance control and reparability-based design, including the development of new analytic tools and purpose-specific details. This article presents graphical solutions and theoretical principles to help achieve practical SSD for MMSSs. These new techniques may be used for practical reliability, economy and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the carbon emissions for society's sustainable development and satisfy customers' personalized delivery service, this paper addresses the cap-and-trade policy and multiple service levels into a p-hub median problem. In the hub network designing, single-assignment patterns between hubs and demand nodes, the choice of transportation mode for each O-D pair and the uncertainties of carbon emission and price are taken into account. Based on a fuzzy chance-constrained programming approach, a fuzzy mathematical model under an expected cost-minimization context with some fuzzy constraints is first presented. Then a two-phase approach is proposed to solve the proposed model. Finally, in view of the comparative analysis with small- and large-scale Turkish instances, serval managerial insights are finally obtained for government and logistics companies in the reduction of carbon emission and the hub network's total designing cost for the sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) fertilization plays a pivotal role in the nitrogen transport process and yield formation of field-grown Tibetan barley (Hordeum vulgare L., qingke in Chinese); however, little is known about its interaction with irrigation regimes. Here, we performed a control experiment to investigate the effects of irrigation regimes (primary irrigation and double irrigation, mentioned as W1 and W2) and N levels (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha−1, mentioned as N0, N9, N12, and N15) on the nitrogen accumulation, translocation, and utilization of Tibetan barley in the Tibetan Plateau during the spring barley seasons in 2022. The results showed that the highest yield (6242.28 kg ha−1) and aboveground biomass (12,354.13 kg ha−1 for anthesis; 15,827.9 kg ha−1 for maturity) were achieved in W2N15 as compared to other treatments. The maximum grain N accumulation (117.66 kg ha−1), the N translocation (54.16 kg ha−1), and the post-anthesis N accumulation (63.5 kg ha−1) were achieved in the W1N15 treatment. The N utilization efficiency increased with irrigation frequency and decreased with N application; however, the conclusion given by the N agronomic efficiency is contrary to this trend. The grain yield had significant positive correlations with the grain N accumulation (W1: r = 0.98; W2: r = 0.97) and N translocation (W1: r = 0.84; W2: r = 0.94), but significant negative correlations with the N harvest index (W1: r = −0.95; W2: r = −0.95) and N utilization efficiency (W1: r = −0.9; W2: r = −0.85). The path analysis revealed that the factors related to N utilization (β = 0.875) and the factors related to N translocation (β = −1.426) were the significant direct contributors towards grain yield. The influence of N application (total effect = 0.922) on the grain yield was much stronger than that of the irrigation regime (total effect = 0.324). Our findings can guide future efforts in designing sustainable water and N fertilizer management strategies for Tibetan barley in the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high consumption of packaging has led to a massive production of waste, especially in the form of nonbiodegradable polymers that are difficult to recycle. Microbial cellulose is considered a biodegradable, low-cost, useful, ecologically correct polymer that may be joined with other biomaterials to obtain novel characteristics and can, therefore, be used as a raw material to produce packaging. Bagasse, a waste rich in plant cellulose, can be reprocessed and used to produce and reinforce other materials. Based on these concepts, the aim of the current research was to design sustainable packaging material composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB), employing an innovative shredding and reconstitution method able to avoid biomass waste. This method enabled creating a uniform structure with a 0.10-cm constant thickness, classified as having high grammage. The developed materials, particularly the 0.7 BC/0.3 SCB [70% (w/w) BC plus 30% (w/w) SCB] composite, had considerable tensile strength (up to 46.22 MPa), which was nearly thrice that of SCB alone (17.43 MPa). Additionally, the sorption index of the 0.7 BC/0.3 SCB composite (235.85 ± 31.29 s) was approximately 300-times higher than that of SCB (0.78 ± 0.09 s). The packaging material was also submitted to other analytical tests to determine its physical and chemical characteristics, which indicated that it has excellent flexibility and can be folded 100 times without tearing. Its surface was explored via scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the presence of fibers measuring 83.18 nm in diameter (BC). Greater adherence after the reconstitution process and even a uniform distribution of SCB fibers in the BC matrix were observed, resulting in greater tear resistance than SCB in its pure form. The results demonstrated that the composite formed by BC and SCB is promising as a raw material for sustainable packaging, due to its resistance and uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indacaterol, is an ultra-long-acting β2 agonist, glycopyrronium is a long-acting muscarinic-antagonist and mometasone is a synthetic corticosteroid. They were used recently in combination for the treatment of severe asthma symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this work, it was the first time to develop a green and environment friendly ultra-performance liquid chromatographic method using design expert program for the analysis of the three drugs in their combined dosage form. Also, the method was bioanalytically validated for the analysis of the three drugs in spiked human plasma samples. The method was linear in range from 0.50 to 100.0 μg mL−1 for indacaterol and mometasone and from 1.0 to 150.0 μg mL−1 for glycopyrronium. It showed high accuracy where, the % recovery for indacaterol, glycopyrronium and mometasone in plasma were ranged from 94.27 to 97.86%, 96.43 to 98.75% and 96.86 to 98.43%, respectively. Also, it was precise where, the % relative standard deviation for the inter-day precision was ranged from 2.571 to 3.484%, 3.180 to 4.123% and 3.150 to 3.984% and the intra-day precision was ranged from 2.351 to 3.125%, 2.512 to 3.544% and 2.961 to 3.983% for indacaterol, glycopyrronium and mometasone, respectively. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification for indacaterol and mometasone were 0.03 and 0.10 μg mL−1 while for glycopyrronium, they were 0.16 and 0.50 μg mL−1. Highlights Analytical quality by design and green chemistry combined approach. Analytical quality by design using central composite design model for the optimization of the chromatographic conditions with the least number of runs. The first developed RP-UPLC green method for the simultaneous determination of indacterol, glycopyrronium and mometasone. The method was applied for their analysis in spiked plasma samples and combined dosage form. The method greenness was determined by analytical eco-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apixaban (APX) is a novel anti-coagulant drug approved by USFDA. According to referred literature, numerous chromatographic methods such as RP-HPLC and high-performance thin-layer chromatography have been published for the stability study of APX. But these chromatographic methods have been developed using toxic organic solvents that are hazardous to the environment and unsafe for analysts. Hence, green and sustainable analytical chemistry-driven chromatographic method has been developed for the stability study of APX using safe organic solvents for the safety of analysts and the protection of the environment. APX was subjected to forced degradation for the development of a stability-indicating assay method. The method development was carried out by the implementation of chemometric and DoE approaches for minimizing solvent wastage. Principal component analysis was applied for the identification of critical method risk variables (MRVs) and method performance attributes. DoE-based response surface modelling was applied for the optimisation of critical MRVs. The greenness profile scales of published and developed chromatographic methods have been assessed by NEMI and AGREE methods for the estimation of APX. The developed method was found to be more eco-friendly and robust than the published chromatographic methods for the estimation of APX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering design and construction teams commonly use decision tools, such as rating systems, to manage the complexity of infrastructure projects. However, these systems often focus predominantly on environmental dimensions, potentially overlooking the holistic economic and social aspects of sustainability. This can hinder decision-makers from recognizing the benefits, thereby inadvertently impeding optimal sustainability performance. This research explores a potential solution: reframing the goals of credits on rating systems to explicitly highlight the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and financial dimensions. The aim was to amplify engineers' motivation towards higher levels of sustainability performance. The study examined the effect of the goal-framed credits by comparing the sustainability scores between engineering professionals (n=42) who used the original Envision system and the reframed version when evaluating a case project. The control group participants averaged a score of 95.4 Envision points (37%), while the intervention group averaged 121.8 Envision points (48%). The reframed credits significantly increased engineering professionals' sustainability goal setting. Emphasizing financial and social objectives on credits from the Envision rating system, rather than solely focusing on the existing environmental goals, had a favorable influence on professionals' sustainable design choices. This reframing, by emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and financial dimensions of each decision, appears to amplify the awareness, motivation, and selection of higher levels of sustainability achievement, thereby increasing their perceived value and leading to a shift in sustainability-oriented decision-making. The findings suggest that reframing rating systems to better emphasize the interconnectedness of the environmental, social, and financial dimensions of each decision can serve to help engineering teams set higher goals for sustainable performance. Practical Applications: For infrastructure project managers, architects, and designers, this research highlights the significance of considering economic and social aspects alongside environmental concerns. By doing so, it can further empower stakeholders to make more well-rounded and sustainable decisions that benefit both their projects and the communities they serve. Small changes in how decision tools are worded, or framed, can have a significant effect on project goal setting. A better understanding of how framing affects design cognition can also help inform how project managers, architects, and designers present information to their clients. Subtle changes in the decision tools and the way information about projects is expressed cost little compared to the actual cost of infrastructure, offering inexpensive and easy to implement strategies to influence and nudge project teams toward setting higher sustainability goals during the design and construction of infrastructure projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate evaluation of green innovation efficiency is a critical prerequisite for enterprises to achieve sustainable development goals and improve environmental performance and economic efficiency. This paper evaluates the green innovation efficiency of 72 new-energy enterprises by using a hybrid method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and a random forest model. The non-parametric DEA model is combined with the parametric SFA model to analyze the real green innovation efficiency on the basis of removing environmental factors and random factors. Then, the random forest model based on a nonlinear relationship is used to evaluate factors impacting green innovation efficiency. This paper proposes a comprehensive evaluation method designed to assess the green innovation efficiency of new-energy enterprises. By applying this method, companies can gain a comprehensive understanding of the current performance in green innovation, facilitating informed decision-making and accelerating sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palestine is water-stressed and prone to possible shocks in water supply. However, about one-third to one-half of the delivered water in the Palestinian territories is lost in the distribution network, highlighting the necessity of a cost-effective supply policy that also minimizes corrosion and health-related risks by achieving a maximum level of water quality. There must be a decision-making system to help managers review and measure the status quo and develop optimal allocation decisions to resolve the potential problems with supply and quality as much as possible. This research presents optimal resource allocation for the drinking water supply system (DWSS) to minimize the unit cost of supply in the system and the chloride concentration of the water supplied simultaneously. A bespoke biobjective mixed-integer linear programming (BOMILP) model was developed. The weighted sum method (WSM) based on the positive ideal solution (PIS) approach is utilized to tackle the biobjectiveness of the model in a Pareto sense. The model was implemented and validated using a case study of Gaza. The results suggest that the share of desalinated water resources in the supply network will increase by about 50% in the 2030–2035 period. Furthermore, we found that the unit cost of supply is highly sensitive to a decrease in resource capacities. Finally, the average quality of water supplied can deteriorate rapidly if demand surges. The model can successfully handle the complexity of effective utilization of resources and yield optimal decisions for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of green energy is critical for addressing the environmental pollution and saving aquatic life in future by reducing the greenhouse gas. Green energy is generated using sources like wind, water, sun, living plants, and so on. These sources are essential for long‐term efforts to mitigate climate change. The large‐scale use of green energies will contribute to sustainable development which ensure access to reliable, and chemical free energy to power up the portable devices. This research article proposes design of green rechargeable and regenerative battery for brighter future. The proposed battery is not only rechargeable and eco‐friendly but also non‐flammable and can survive at extreme weather conditions T = 70°C (V = 1.52 V, I = 75.5 μA) and T = −65°C (V = 1.52 V, I = 55.2 μA). The electric current of the designed battery also depends on shaking/rotation. The proposed battery can charge 80% to 90% of its initial value within 30 to 40 minutes which makes it a favorable candidate where faster recharging is needed. The designed battery does not show any heating effect even at T = 70°C. Since, battery is free from any chemical, it is therefore does not release any hazardous chemicals once dispose of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the mounting global challenges associated with climate change and resource depletion, achieving sustainable development is paramount. Focusing on cities as vital scenarios for pursuing sustainability, this research measured urban sustainability and identified its obstacles. Employing the DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) framework, we establish a metric system with 25 indicators to assess the urban sustainability of six innovation zones in China and identify their developmental impediments to sustainability with an obstacle model. The core findings of the study are as follows: First, over the five-year period, all six cities demonstrated a consistent increase in their urban sustainability levels except for Shenzhen, which experienced a decline from its top position among these cities due to a decrease in its score from 0.44296 to 0.36942 in 2017. Second, there was consistent urban sustainability progress in five cities, with the exception of Shenzhen, from 2016 to 2020. Third, inadequate government response emerges as a primary obstacle across all six cities, marked by shortcomings in public expenditure, R&D investment, and healthcare. Every year, all six cities experienced more than 60% obstacle degrees in terms of response, with the exception of Shenzhen in 2016. The urban sustainability pursuit model we developed bridges urban sustainability theory with practical interventions, promoting adaptive governance. In addition, this study provides scholars and policymakers with a comprehensive approach to gauging urban sustainability, recognizing obstacles, and designing strategies for a sustainable urban future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the correlation between polymer melt viscosity, tensile properties, and injection molding energy consumption for three grades of polypropylene: a virgin grade, a recycled grade, and a modified recycled grade. Cold runner and hot runner molds are considered. The experiments focus on characterizing the thermal and mechanical energy drawn by the injection molding machine during the cycle. The data collected from the experiments are used to calculate the embodied energy as a function of the polymer viscosity and processing conditions. The analysis of the relationship between polymer rheology and processing provided guidelines for the molded parts' embodied energy and mechanical characteristics. These guidelines and estimation techniques will support sustainable design for manufacturing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an experimental investigation that used a full factorial design to study the main effects and the interaction effect of layer thickness and compaction thickness on the green part density in the binder jetting additive manufacturing of silicon carbide. A two-variable, two-level full factorial design was employed. The results show that the green part density was higher at the low level of layer thickness and at the high level of compaction thickness. These results can be useful in selecting the values of printing variables, enabling the fabrication of green parts with a desirable density that is crucial for advanced ceramic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hylurgus ligniperda invaded Shandong, China, through imported forest timber, posing a threat to China's forest health. Exotic insects with broad environmental tolerance, including low temperatures, may have a better chance of surviving the winters and becoming invasive. Understanding the cold-tolerance strategies of H. ligniperda may help to design sustainable pest management approaches. In this study, we aim to investigate the cold-tolerance ability and relevant physiological indicators in overwintering H. ligniperda adults to determine any possible overwintering strategies. Supercooling points (SCPs) for adults H. ligniperda differed significantly across months and reached the lowest level in the mid- and post-overwintering period, the minimum SCPs −6.45 ± 0.18 °C. As the cold exposure temperature decreased, the survival rate of adults gradually decreased, and no adult survived more than 1 day at −15 °C, and the LLT50 for 1 day was −7.1 °C. Since H. ligniperda adults can survive internal ice formation, they are freeze-tolerant insects. Throughout the overwintering period, the SCPs and the water, protein, sorbitol, and glycerol content in adults decreased initially and then increased. We reported significant correlations between total protein, sorbitol, trehalose, and glycerol content in the beetles and SCPs. Glycogen, lipid, protein, trehalose, and sorbitol content in adult beetles may directly affect their cold-tolerance capacity and survival during winter. This study provides a physiological and biochemical basis for further study of metabolism and cold-tolerance strategies in H. ligniperda adults, which may help predict population dynamics and distribution potential of pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the concept of resilience is becoming a criterion in planning, water utilities are seeking support and practical guidance to enhance their conventional risk-based planning processes. This paper presents a resilience framework for urban water supply systems planning during the transition towards integrated water resources management. Based on a synthesis of literature across engineering, ecological and social sciences, resilient system performance is defined using crossings of fail-safe and safe-fail thresholds as key indicators. System performance curves conceptually illustrate the capabilities withstanding, absorptive, restorative, adaptive, transformative, and anticipative (WARATA), during sudden and gradual disruptions. Sustainability goals are explicitly considered in the resilience framework, and the role of transformative and anticipative capabilities to facilitate transitions is discussed. Specifically, the desirability of physical design and predicted community consequences from performance impact and collapse can be used in resilience management to prioritize between fail-safe and safe-fail system capacities. Finally, key considerations for operationalizing the framework are summarized, including how issues related to social justice can be addressed when simulating performance and deriving metrics. While this paper focuses on urban water supply, the framework could be applied to other service-providing infrastructure where resilience-based planning supported by quantitative evidence is required to inform investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling the number of oxygen vacancies (Vos) in metal‐oxide nanoparticles (MO NPs; TiO2, SnO2, and CeO2) using Li‐ions has been shown to endow MO NPs with improved photocatalytic and electrocatalytic properties. Increasing the number of Vos in nanostructures provides a foundation for efficient multi‐use catalyst designs that facilitate biomass oxidation reactions and improve electrocatalytic activity. Herein, the trends in the properties of MO‐based catalysts are investigated with varying amounts of Vos achieved by Li‐ion deposition. The controlled introduction of Vos into MO NPs tunes the band structures and surface chemistry, leading to enhanced activities of the NPs as photocatalysts for the selective oxidation of 2,5‐hydroxymethylfurfural and as electrocatalysts for acidic hydrogen evolution. It is believed that Li‐ion deposition in the MO matrix provides a novel approach for optimizing oxide‐based catalyst defect engineering, thereby enabling more efficient biomass conversion and water splitting. These findings contribute significantly to the field of multi‐purpose catalysis and are expected to inspire new catalyst designs for a more sustainable future. The results provide a pathway for the facile and efficient engineering of surface defect structures on catalytic metal oxide NPs toward designing high‐performance photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]