Search Results (112,860)

This study reflects the evidence-building journey for the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program. Colorado Kinnected expands the scope of services, resources, and supports offered to kinship families through an innovative approach that enhances an earlier Kinship Supports Demonstration Project. The Colorado Kinnected target population includes kinship caregivers caring for children and youth of any age with an open child welfare case. The primary purpose of the program is to reduce child welfare involvement by limiting traditional foster care and congregate care use when out-of-home placements are required. A randomized controlled trial was conducted from June to November 2020 to examine the impact of the Colorado Kinnected kinship navigator program on the kinship placement outcomes of 402 children and youth with an open child welfare case in seven Colorado counties. The initial study found that children and youth placed with kinship caregivers who received Colorado Kinnected services were significantly more likely to reunify with their parents after their kinship placements ended than were children and youth who received kinship supports as usual. The sustained effects study featured additional analyses of traditional foster and congregate care entry rates within six months of kinship placement for the same sample of children and youth. Children and youth in the intervention group were significantly less likely than children and youth in the control group to enter foster care or congregate care within six months after the end of their kinship placements. Overall, both analyses indicate that the Colorado Kinnected program promotes sustained permanency among children and youth in formal kinship placements. Data equity analyses to explore the contextual sensitivity of the intervention are detailed, and implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed. Full article

In order to explore the potential of biochar produced from poultry manure for sustainable waste utilization, carbon sequestration, and agricultural development, this study examines the impact of biochar on the growth of the halophyte plant Salicornia herbacea L., or glasswort. Because of their properties of morphological and chemical properties, biochar has been gaining interest as a potential solution to addressing both the concerns of climate change and unsustainable agriculture. In this study, the characteristics of biochar were analyzed and its impact on plant growth by stem length was measured over 15 weeks. Poultry-based biochar was created through pyrolysis at the temperatures of 400, 500, and 700 °C. Various amounts of biochar produced from pyrolysis at 500 °C were put to soil. However, the average surface area and average pore size values of poultry manure biochar produced from temperatures 400, 500, and 700 °C were similar enough to be negligible. The biochar sample produced from the pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C had an average pore size of 17.18 nm and a surface area of 18.06 m²/g. From weeks 4 to 15, all groups exhibited increased stem length, with the most significant differences observed between the biochar 0% (control) and biochar 10% groups, with biochar 0% and biochar 10% denoting 0% and 10% weight concentrations of biochar, respectively. While biochar 5% and biochar 7% groups showed minimal differences in stem length, biochar 10% demonstrated a significant increase, suggesting an optimal biochar percentage for enhancing plant growth. Carbon credit estimations have suggested that 1 ton of poultry manure biochar produced from pyrolysis at 500 C° equates to an estimate of 0.5248±0.0580 carbon credits, the highest of all three biochar samples. All three samples (biochar produced from 400, 500, and 700 °C pyrolysis temperatures) had increased heavy metal contents and a wider range of functional groups. The findings indicate that biochar can effectively improve soil health and plant performance overall, with biochar 10% showing the most significant impact on Salicornia growth. Full article

Numerous landslides occur in waste dumps due to unscientific placement. The behavior of waste dumps with different material layouts has yet to be understood when it comes to deformation and failure. In this research, several tests of base friction were carried out on mine waste dumps by considering various material layouts under self-weight loading conditions. The waste dump’s displacement was detected by the system composed with image-capture equipment. The findings indicate that the layout of waste materials greatly affected the way a waste dump fails and could be categorized into three types: crest-arced slip, bottom-arced slip, and composite overall slip. Sliding failure caused a gradual development of the slip surface from the dominant fine-gravel material stage to the adjacent waste dump stage. Three phases can be assigned to the waste dump’s failure process: the constant deformation phase, strain localization phase, and failed phase. The layout of waste materials exerts a significant influence on the moment that the waste dump’s deformation enters the three phases. The waste dump’s failure mechanism was explained by describing how maximum shear and volumetric strain developed and transmitted. To determine the most dominant impact during the tests by analyzing the relative degree of volumetric and shear influences on the waste dump, an effect coefficient was proposed. The stability of the waste dump was illustrated and comparatively analyzed based on a simplified approach, in which the moments of initial cracking and local failure were used as a failure index for the model tests. The design and stability analysis of mine waste dumps is strengthened by this study’s strong support, thereby minimizing the risk of landslides and promoting the sustainability of the mining industry. Full article

Over the past few decades, communication has evolved significantly, driven by new technologies and digital connections, with the Internet and mobile phones transforming traditional communication methods. This shift has also impacted disaster risk awareness-raising, requiring messages to adapt to modern digital platforms. This article describes an effort to engage younger generations with the issue of sea level rise, critical yet often overlooked despite its significant impact on global coastal areas, through the serious digital game “Inundation”. Presented for the first time, the game offers an engaging experience where players protect territories from coastal flooding while understanding rising seas’ causes, effects, and impacts. Feedback from student beta testers highlighted the game’s effectiveness in conveying scientific concepts and increasing awareness about this pressing issue. The game’s innovative design, particularly its visual representation of sea level rise at a pace more relatable to human perception, fills a gap in environmental education by making complex topics accessible and engaging. While evaluating the impact of such tools is challenging, initial feedback suggests that “Inundation” has significant potential to foster disaster preparedness and proactive safeguarding actions. Full article

Vegetable-oil-based polyurethane has become a promising sustainable candidate for controlled-release fertilizer based on green chemistry. The purpose of this study was to prepare a series of coatings from selective feedstocks including five vegetable oils with a high saturation degree, mono-unsaturation degree, or poly-unsaturation degree, considering that vegetable oil fatty acids played a key role in the synthesis of polyol and polyurethane. The effect of the type and proportion of fatty acids on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, and macro-properties of vegetable-oil-derived polyols and their resulting coatings was characterized and discussed. The position and number of the hydroxy groups were determined by the type and proportion of fatty acid, and polyol from linseed oil with a high poly-unsaturation degree and three carbon–carbon double bonds had a high hydroxyl value and functionality, whereas polyol from palm oil with a high saturation degree possessed the lowest hydroxyl value and functionality. The resultant coating from linseed-oil-based polyol had a good cross-linking density, and the nitrogen release longevity of coated urea was 56 days at a coating percentage of 3%, and its nitrogen use efficiency was increased by 27.15% compared with conventional urea. Although the palm-oil-based coating had good hydrophobicity, its coated urea was not ideal. Overall, this study has enriched theories of bio-based polyurethane coatings for controlled-release fertilizers; using vegetable oil with a poly-unsaturation degree, it is easy to obtain an excellent coating for controlled-release fertilizer, and this will help provide economic and environmental benefits. Full article

In the face of global environmental challenges, Malaysia, like many nations, is seeking to improve its environmental sustainability, and understanding how demographic factors influence individuals’ perceptions, attitudes, and readiness toward End-of-life Vehicle (ELV) management practices is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions. This study, which involved 630 participants of various age groups and employment backgrounds, examines the relationship between demographics and environmental awareness and readiness with a specific focus on the management of ELV. Significant findings reveal that younger individuals, particularly those aged 18 years, are actively engaged in environmental concerns, and the gender distribution is nearly equal, emphasizing a shared interest in ELV practices among men and females. Malays constitute the majority ethnic group, underlining the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive policies, and government employees exhibit greater knowledge about ELVs, while education levels positively correlate with awareness of ELVs. Positive attitudes are predominantly observed among private sector workers and government employees, with semi-government employees demonstrating the highest readiness for ELV initiatives, while the unemployed exhibit the lowest readiness. This research underscores the importance of demographic factors in shaping attitudes, knowledge and readiness concerning ELV management practices in Malaysia, highlighting the need for targeted strategies and interventions tailored to specific demographic groups, which are crucial for policy development and the promotion of sustainable practices, contributing to global environmental conservation efforts. Full article

Sustainable agriculture faces challenges balancing the need for increasing crop production with environmental protection. Straw mulching is widely used to improve crop productivity, while reducing nitrogen application is an effective strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the comprehensive evaluation of soil properties, GHG emissions, and soil quality under straw mulching conditions with different N application rates has not been extensively studied, especially in the Loess Plateau region of Central Gansu. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conducted, involving two tillage practices (CT: conventional tillage, CTS: conventional tillage + straw mulching) and three fertilization levels (LN: low nitrogen fertilizer, 55 kg N ha⁻¹; MN: medium nitrogen fertilizer, 110 kg N ha⁻¹ HN: high nitrogen fertilizer, 220 kg N ha⁻¹). Based on the greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI), the minimum data set (MDS) was constructed by principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and Norm value, and the weighted index method was applied to comprehensively evaluate the soil quality. Our results showed that compared with CT, CTS significantly increased crop yields and improved the content of soil nutrients, and it was more effective when applying moderate amounts of nitrogen fertilizer. Wheat field soil behaves as a nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission source and a methane (CH₄) absorption sink. CTS–MN and CTS–LN reduced N₂O emission by 52.95–87.76%, increased total CH₄ uptake by 16.69–43.60%, and slowed down global warming potential (GWP) by 35.70–48.17% compared with CTS–HN in 2021–2022. They also reduced GHGI. Furthermore, CTS enhanced soil quality at different nitrogen application levels compared with CT, with CTS–MN exhibiting the highest Soil Quality Index (SQI) over the two years. Consequently, considering both economic and environmental benefits, CTS–MN can be regarded as a key practice for the sustainable development of agroecosystems in the Loess Plateau region of Central Gansu. Full article

The use of sustainable energy sources is an alternative for fossil fuels, which can represent a positive factor to alleviate many current environmental issues. In that sense, not only sustainable industrial development is important, but also sustainable practices at the local level, including households. Specifically, heating and cooking are one of the most important activities that require energy in households, where the role of biomass could be of interest, as it can provide an energy source with lower environmental impact. However, there is room for improvement in biomass stoves, whose adaptability to specific wastes, as well as their improvement in efficiency, should be accomplished. The aim of this work was to assess the improvement of combustion performance of a domestic stove by the implementation of a programmable logic converter for a better adaptation to different biomass samples (holm oak, pear tree, poplar, and sugarcane bagasse pellets). This work provides further information about the current working protocol, being an alternative for better approaches that could be implemented in future works. Thus, the working regime of the stove was controlled, especially concerning the screw conveyor (to regulate pellet feeding) and flue gas fan (to change oxygen supply). As a result, better combustion performances were obtained, with heat capacities from 5.66 to 8.67 kW for the selected samples. Also, thermal capacities of the stove (1.43, 1.60, 2.22, and 1.83 kW for holm oak, pear tree, poplar, and sugarcane bagasse, respectively) were obtained, with a better combustion performance compared to previous studies (1600 and 120 ppm peak emissions for CO and NO_x, respectively, and 15% as the lowest O₂ concentration). On the other hand, different improvements of the combustion stove to avoid blockages, for instance, are proposed as further steps. Full article

This study examines the soil organic carbon (SOC) within Greek croplands, offering a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics. SOC, a cornerstone in soil health, nutrient cycling, and global carbon dynamics, assumes critical significance in sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation. Drawing on diverse soil properties, including pH, soil texture, and different drainage and slope categories, this research explores the nuanced relationships shaping SOC dynamics in the diverse agroecological landscape of Greece. The investigation transcends local boundaries, emphasizing SOC’s global role in climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon dioxide. Two maps were used as data sources: (1) the SOC stock baseline map (2010) by JRC, (2) and the SOC stock map (2021) by the Institute of Soil and Water Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA in collaboration with FAO. Greek croplands emerge as a mosaic of agroecological diversity, where anthropogenic activities wield transformative influences on SOC stock, demanding a delicate balance between agricultural productivity and soil health. This study unveils the influence of soil order, weaving a tapestry of SOC variability. Factors, from soil texture to cation exchange capacity, further shape SOC dynamics, emphasizing the role of clayey soils and coarse materials in carbon retention. Although soil organic carbon decreased from 2010 to 2021, the degree of carbon loss varied. This scientific endeavor synthesizes existing knowledge and unveils novel insights. More specifically, understanding SOC dynamics depends on multiple factors, including soil texture, pH, and landscape characteristics like slope. These variables collectively influence SOC retention, stabilization, and loss rates, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to studying SOC behavior across different environments. These findings contribute valuable insights for sustainable land management practices and climate change mitigation strategies, underscoring the importance of region-specific approaches in addressing global challenges. Full article

Under the new pattern of “double carbon” development, good ESG performance is the best way to promote the sustainable development of enterprises, and ESG investment strategies are directly affected by the strategic vision of managers. Based on the upper echelons theory and stakeholder theory, this paper selected Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022 as samples to empirically analyze the impact of managerial myopia on corporate ESG performance. The results show that managerial myopia significantly inhibits corporate ESG performance, mainly by inhibiting corporate green investment and green innovation sustainability. Furthermore, for state-owned enterprises (SOE), heavy polluting enterprises (HPE), and non-high-tech enterprises, the inhibitory effect of manager myopia on ESG performance is stronger. When the enterprise is in the growth stage, the above inhibition effect is more severe. For external governance, the greater the analyst attention and public environmental attention are, the more conducive they are to alleviating the restraining effect of managerial myopia on enterprise ESG performance. Therefore, effectively improving the cognition level of managers with regard to long- versus short-term profitability and strengthening external supervision are important measures for comprehensively optimizing ESG performance. Full article

Electric vehicles are an emerging topic in organizations and society. Access to economically and environmentally workable sustainable technologies has become a priority in the face of catastrophic climate change and the discussion surrounding it. This study examines the academic literature to shed light on factors, trends, emerging models, and critical perspectives on electric vehicles and their relationship to value creation, strategic management, and sustainability. This research uses a bibliometric analysis method to explore the dynamic interaction between these essential elements of the literature. The source is the Scopus database. The analysis uses VOSviewer software 1.6.20, focusing on the bibliographic coupling of documents, which was presented as a network visualization map. It emphasizes search terms proving the emerging need for innovation strategies in automotive industry organizations, consumers, and public entities to create value within a global sustainability logic. This study highlights the relationship between the electric vehicle industry and the value creation strategy and sustainability in a digital world. Full article

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) epitomize a promising class of resources in modern manufacturing, offering an enhanced strength-to-weight ratio and high-temperature performance which make them ideal for applications demanding over conventional metals. However, their machining presents significant challenges due to their inherent material properties. The conventional machining methods including turning, milling, drilling, shaping, and the grinding of MMCs pose several challenges, facing limitations in terms of sustainability and efficiency. This paper explores the current perspective and prospects of the conventional machining techniques applied to MMCs, emphasizing sustainable manufacturing practices. Key aspects include the challenges posed by MMCs’ inherent heterogeneity, the MMC materials used, the MMC manufacturing process, the cutting constraints employed, tool wear, surface unevenness, surface integrity, and high energy consumption throughout machining. The study also explores promising advancements in tooling materials, cutting parameters’ optimization, innovative machining techniques aimed at minimizing the environmental impact and maximizing material utilization, and the strategies developed to overcome these challenges. The paper concludes by highlighting optimizing tools, and processes, and adopting emerging optimization techniques and opportunities for further research aimed at the industry, allowing it to move towards more efficient, eco-friendly production methods. Full article

Climate change demands urgent action to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and explore methods for atmospheric carbon removal. Forest residues, a significant biomass resource, represent a readily available solution. With the use of life cycle assessment (LCA), this study investigates the environmental advantages of thermochemical processes utilizing forest residues to produce valuable energy-dense products, like syngas, bio-oil, and biochar, providing a carbon sink. While slow pyrolysis emphasizes biochar production for carbon sequestration, gasification focuses on bioenergy generation. This research evaluates the environmental performance of both techniques in terms of carbon sequestration and GHG emissions mitigation. This comprehensive analysis aims to identify critical factors influencing the environmental sustainability of thermochemical processes in forest management. The findings aim to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals by highlighting the environmental advantages of biochar in mitigating climate change. Full article

Over the past several decades, advancements in the treatment of BRAF-mutant melanoma have led to the development of BRAF inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitor combinations, anti-PD-1 therapy, and anti-CTLA4 therapy. Although these therapies have shown substantial efficacy in clinical trials, their sustained effectiveness is often challenged by the tumor microenvironment, which is a highly heterogeneous and complex milieu of immunosuppressive cells that affect tumor progression. The era of personalized medicine holds substantial promise for the tailoring of treatments to individual genetic profiles. However, tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion mechanisms contribute to the resistance to immunotherapy. Despite these challenges, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, as exemplified by lifileucel, has demonstrated notable efficacy against BRAF V600-mutant melanoma. Additionally, early response biomarkers, such as COX-2 and MMP2, along with FDG-PET imaging, offer the potential to improve personalized immunotherapy by predicting patient responses and determining the optimal treatment duration. Future efforts should focus on reducing the T-cell harvesting periods and costs associated with TIL therapy to enhance efficiency and accessibility. Full article

The presented research addresses a problem occurring in a biogas plant, which we know plays an important role in sustainable development. The sludge deposited on the walls of the digester’s heat exchanger impairs heat transfer to the substrate. It leads to a temperature drop inside the biogas plant and threatens its correct operation. The thickness of the sludge layer cannot be directly measured when the plant is operating. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop and then validate a method for estimating, based on the operating parameters of the exchanger, the thickness of the sludge layer and to give theoretical foundations for designing an automatic sludge monitoring system. Two mathematical models (and methods) were developed: one- and two-dimensional. The former model was solved analytically while the latter by the Trefftz method. The numerical results from these two approaches showed very good agreement with each other and with the actual measurement taken directly after removing the substrate from the fermentation chamber. According to the calculation results, the growth of the sludge layer was linear with time, and its rate was 0.0064 mm per day. Finally, a schematic diagram of an intended sludge monitoring system was proposed. It could optimize biogas plant operation and thus become a step towards more sustainable energy production. Full article