SHAPE Probing to Screen Computationally Designed RNA.

RNA design is a major challenge for the future development of synthetic biology and RNA-based therapy. The development of efficient and accurate RNA design pipelines is based on trial and error strategies. The fast progression of such algorithms requires assaying the properties of many RNA sequences in a short time frame. High throughput RNA structure chemical probing technologies such as SHAPE-MaP allow for assaying RNA structure and interaction rapidly and at a very large scale. However, the promiscuity of the designed sequences that may differ only by one nucleotide requires special care. In addition, it necessitates the analysis and evaluation of many experimental results that may reveal to be very tedious. Here we propose an experimental and analytical workflow that eases the screening of thousands of designed RNA sequences at once. In particular, we have developed shapemap tools a customized software suite available at https://github.com/sargueil-citcom/shapemap-tools .

Combining slow-release fertilizer and plastic film mulching reduced the carbon footprint and enhanced maize yield on the Loess Plateau.

Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production. Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region. Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity. Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas. However, the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage (SOCS), carbon footprint (CF), and economic benefits has received limited research attention. Therefore, we conducted an eight-year study (2015-2022) in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments [urea supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-U), slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-S), urea supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-U), and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-S)] on soil fertility, economic and environmental benefits. The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions (≥71.97%). Compared to other treatments, PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%, water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%, nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%, and net return by 6.21%-29.57%. Furthermore, PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31% and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%. After eight years, PM-S increased SOCS (0-40 cm) by 2.46%, while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%. These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility, economic gains, and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau, underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.

Carbon emissions in China's steel industry from a life cycle perspective: Carbon footprint insights.

China is the most important steel producer in the world, and its steel industry is one of the most carbon-intensive industries in China. Consequently, research on carbon emissions from the steel industry is crucial for China to achieve carbon neutrality and meet its sustainable global development goals. We constructed a carbon dioxide (CO2) emission model for China's iron and steel industry from a life cycle perspective, conducted an empirical analysis based on data from 2019, and calculated the CO2 emissions of the industry throughout its life cycle. Key emission reduction factors were identified using sensitivity analysis. The results demonstrated that the CO2 emission intensity of the steel industry was 2.33 ton CO2/ton, and the production and manufacturing stages were the main sources of CO2 emissions, accounting for 89.84% of the total steel life-cycle emissions. Notably, fossil fuel combustion had the highest sensitivity to steel CO2 emissions, with a sensitivity coefficient of 0.68, reducing the amount of fossil fuel combustion by 20% and carbon emissions by 13.60%. The sensitivities of power structure optimization and scrap consumption were similar, while that of the transportation structure adjustment was the lowest, with a sensitivity coefficient of less than 0.1. Given the current strategic goals of peak carbon and carbon neutrality, it is in the best interest of the Chinese government to actively promote energy-saving and low-carbon technologies, increase the ratio of scrap steel to steelmaking, and build a new power system.

Enhanced machining of Al 10%SiCmicro 1%SiCnano hybrid composite using rotary tool rotary workpiece EDM with bio dielectrics and treated tools.

A sustainable approach was proposed to address environmental pollution, carbon footprint and economic efficiency challenges in Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). This approach involved the use of Bio-dielectric such as biodiesel and Bio fuel (distilled water with 10% ethanol). The EDM process performance was further optimized by experimenting with both electrodes' rotation (i.e., in same direction, opposite direction, no rotation) and the use of treated tools (no treatment, heat treatment, cryogenic treatment). Biodiesel as a bio-dielectric showed promise by delivering the highest Material Removal Rate (MRR) and the lowest Tool Wear Rate (TWR). Bio-fuel (distilled water with 10% ethanol) resulted in the lowest Surface Roughness (SR) and cleaner machined surface with least carbon deposition. Additionally, electrode rotation improved flushing and enhanced performance parameters, with opposite direction rotation yielding the highest MRR and the lowest SR. However, no rotation of electrodes resulted in the lowest TWR. The use of treated tools, specifically heat-treated and cryogenically treated tools, also improved performance and reduced energy consumption, with cryogenic treatment providing the highest MRR, heat treatment giving least SR, and no treatment providing least TWR. Certain interactions between factors significantly impacted performance parameters. Grey relational analysis revealed that using distilled water with 10% ethanol as a dielectric, employing cryogenically treated copper tools, and having no rotation of both electrodes yielded the best performance parameters.

Environmental impact of intravenous versus oral administration materials for acetaminophen and ketoprofen in a French university hospital: an eco-audit study using a life cycle analysis.

PURPOSE: The combination of acetaminophen with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is the cornerstone of perioperative multimodal analgesia. These drugs can be administered intravenously or orally as premedication, consistent with the concept of pre-emptive and preventive analgesia. We aimed to assess the environmental impact of their intravenous and oral administration in a French university hospital. METHODS: We carried out a life cycle assessment to determine the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of water resources resulting from the oral vs intravenous administration of 1 g acetaminophen and 50 mg ketoprofen. We assessed two schemes of intravenous administration, depending on the use of the same or a different infusion set for each drug. RESULTS: At our centre, the intravenous administration of both drugs was associated with the emission of 444-556 g CO2 equivalent (CO2e), and with 9.8-12.2 L of water waste. The oral administration of both drugs generated 8.36 g of CO2e emissions and consumed 1.16 L of water. At a national level, the switch from intravenous to oral premedication of the drugs could avoid the emission of 2,900-3,700 tons of CO2e and the waste of 58,000-74,000 m3 of water each year. CONCLUSION: This eco-audit indicates that oral administration of acetaminophen and ketoprofen results in significantly lower carbon emissions and water consumption than intravenous administration. These findings highlight the importance of using the oral route for most patients, limiting intravenous administration for those with specific needs because of higher environmental impact and cost.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'association de l'acétaminophène et d'un anti-inflammatoire non stéroïdien constitue la pierre angulaire de l'analgésie multimodale périopératoire. Ces médicaments peuvent être administrés par voie intraveineuse ou orale en prémédication, conformément au concept d'analgésie préemptive et préventive. Notre objectif était d'évaluer l'impact environnemental de leur administration intraveineuse et orale dans un hôpital universitaire français. MéTHODE: Nous avons réalisé une analyse du cycle de vie pour déterminer la quantité d'émissions de gaz à effet de serre et l'épuisement des ressources en eau résultant de l'administration orale vs intraveineuse de 1 g d'acétaminophène et de 50 mg de kétoprofène. Nous avons évalué deux schémas d'administration intraveineuse, en fonction de l'utilisation du même dispositif de perfusion ou d'un dispositif différent pour chaque médicament. RéSULTATS: Dans notre centre hospitalier, l'administration intraveineuse des deux médicaments a été associée à l'émission de 444 à 556 g d'équivalent CO2 (CO2e) et de 9,8 à 12,2 L d'eaux usées. L'administration orale des deux médicaments a généré 8,36 g de CO2e et consommé 1,16 L d'eau. Au niveau national, le passage de la prémédication intraveineuse à la prémédication orale des médicaments pourrait éviter l'émission de 2900 à 3700 tonnes de CO2e et l'épargne de 58 000 à 74 000 m3 d'eau chaque année. CONCLUSION: Cet éco-audit indique que l'administration orale d'acétaminophène et de kétoprofène entraîne une réduction significative des émissions de carbone et de la consommation d'eau par rapport à une administration par voie intraveineuse. Ces résultats soulignent l'importance d'utiliser la voie orale pour la plupart des patient·es, limitant l'administration intraveineuse pour celles et ceux qui ont des besoins spécifiques en raison de l'impact environnemental et du coût plus élevés.

Bio-organic substitution in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) cultivation: Optimum strategy to lower carbon footprint and boost net ecosystem economic benefit.

The partial substitution of organic manure for chemical nitrogen fertilizers, known as organic substitution, is widely regarded as a cleaner and more sustainable production strategy. However, few studies have quantified greenhouse gas emissions, product income and net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB) using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, particularly for typical tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) production. Here, we quantified the yield and quality of a typical tobacco production in Qujing, Yunnan, China, through field experiments and calculated its carbon footprint and NEEB using the LCA approach. Four organic substitution strategies were established with equal nitrogen inputs, including synthesized chemical fertilizer (SN), farmyard organic manure (NF), commercial organic manure (NC), and bio-organic (Trichoderma viride Pers.) manure (NT), each substituting 15% of synthesized nitrogen fertilizer. Compared to the SN strategy, the NT strategy significantly increased yield and income by 10.3% and 9.6%, respectively. In contrast, the NF strategy significantly reduced income, while the NC strategy showed no significant difference. Both the NC and NT strategies significantly reduced N2O cumulative emissions (by 15.9% and 8.0%, respectively), increased δSOC (by 38.4% and 15.0%, respectively), and decreased carbon footprint compared to the SN strategy. However, the NF strategy significantly increased the income-scaled carbon footprint, even though it also notably reduced N2O cumulative emissions (by 22.6%) and increased δSOC (by 7.9%). The NT strategy achieved a win-win scenario of low environmental risk and high economic returns of tobacco production with significantly increased NEEB (by 10.6%) compared to the SN strategy (37.60 × 103 CNY yr-1). This suggests that the bio-organic Trichoderma manure substituting 15% synthesized nitrogen fertilizer is the best organic substitution strategy for sustainable tobacco production.

Choice architecture promotes sustainable choices in online food-delivery apps.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the food system constitute about one-third of the global total, hence mitigation in this sphere of human activity is a vital goal for research and policy. This study empirically tests the effectiveness of different interventions to reduce the carbon footprint of food choices made on food-delivery apps, using an incentive-compatible online randomized controlled trial with 4,008 participants. The experiment utilized an interactive web platform that mimics popular online food-delivery platforms (such as Just Eat) and included three treatment conditions: a sign-posted meat tax, a carbon-footprint label, and a choice-architecture intervention that changed the order of the menu so that the lowest carbon-impact restaurants and dishes were presented first. Results show that only the choice-architecture nudge significantly reduced the average meal carbon footprint-by 0.3 kg/CO2e per order (12%), driven by a 5.6 percentage point (13%) reduction in high-carbon meal choices. Moreover, we find evidence of significant health and well-being co-benefits. Menu repositioning resulted in the average meal order having greater nutritional value and fewer calories, whilst significantly increasing self-reported satisfaction with the meal choice. Simple back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that menu repositioning would be a highly cost-effective policy instrument if implemented at scale, with the return on investment expected to be in the range of £1.28 to £3.85 per metric ton of avoided CO2 emissions, depending on implementation costs.

Effect of Cage Material and Size on Fusion Rate and Subsidence Following Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

OBJECTIVE: Biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) is an emerging, minimally invasive technique performed under biportal endoscopic guidance. However, concerns regarding cage subsidence and sufficient fusion during BE-TLIF necessitate careful selection of an appropriate interbody cage to improve surgical outcomes. This study compared the fusion rate, subsidence, and other radiographic parameters according to the material and size of the cages used in BE-TLIF. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients who underwent single-segment BE-TLIF between April 2019 and February 2023 were divided into 3 groups: group A, regular-sized three-dimensionally (3D)-printed titanium cages; group B, regular-sized polyetheretherketone cages; and group C, large-sized 3D-printed titanium cages. Radiographic parameters, including lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, anterior and posterior disc heights, disc angle, and foraminal height, were measured before and after surgery. The fusion rate and severity of cage subsidence were compared between the groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in the demographic data or radiographic parameters between the groups. The fusion rate on 1-year postoperative computed tomography was comparable between the groups. The cage subsidence rate was significantly lower in group C than in group A (41.9% vs. 16.7%, p=0.044). The severity of cage subsidence was significantly lower in group C (0.93±0.83) than in groups A (2.20±1.84, p=0.004) and B (1.79±1.47, p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Cage materials did not affect the 1-year postoperative outcomes of BE-TLIF; however, subsidence was markedly reduced in large cages. Larger cages may provide more stable postoperative segments.

Habitat quality outweighs the human footprint in driving spatial patterns of Cetartiodactyla in the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau.

The Human Footprint (HFP) and Habitat Quality (HQ) are critical factors influencing the species' distribution, yet their relation to biodiversity, particularly in mountainous regions, still remains inadequately understood. This study aims to identify the primary factor that affects the biodiversity by comparing the impact of the HFP and HQ on the species' richness of Cetartiodactyla in the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau and four protected areas: The Pamir Plateau Wetland Nature Reserve, Taxkorgan Wildlife Nature Reserve, Middle Kunlun Nature Reserve and Arjinshan Nature Reserve through multi-source satellite remote sensing product data. By integrating satellite data with the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST)HQ model and utilizing residual and linear regression analysis, we found that: (1) The Wildness Area (WA) predominantly underwent a transition to a Highly Modified Area (HMA) and Intact Area (IA), with a notable 12.02% rise in stable regions, while 58.51% rather experienced a negligible decrease. (2) From 1985 to 2020, the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau has seen increases in the forestland, water, cropland and shrubland, alongside declines in bare land and grassland, denoting considerable land cover changes. (3) The HQ degradation was significant, with 79.81% of the area showing degradation compared to a 10.65% improvement, varying across the nature reserves. (4) The species richness of Cetartiodactyla was better explained by HQ than by HFP on the Kunlun-Pamir Plateau (52.99% vs. 47.01%), as well as in the Arjinshan Nature Reserve (81.57%) and Middle Kunlun Nature Reserve (56.41%). In contrast, HFP was more explanatory in the Pamir Plateau Wetland Nature Reserve (88.89%) and the Taxkorgan Wildlife Nature Reserve (54.55%). Prioritizing the restoration of degraded habitats areas of the Kunlun Pamir Plateau could enhance Cetartiodactyla species richness. These findings provide valuable insights for the biodiversity management and conservation strategies in the mountainous regions.

Strategies for managing corn crop residue in the context of greenhouse gas emissions.

Food production is one of the most important sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both in primary production and in processing and the logistics chain. The most problematic and risky is the optimization of environmental effects in the stage of primary production. This is due to the significant influence of factors related to climate and soil that are difficult to predict. The scientific literature offers much information on the impact of crop residue management, but the context for assessing the impact of crop residue management in corn production on the carbon footprint is still unclear. The effectiveness of using organic additives like biochar, compost, corn, or straw to maintain soil productivity is well acknowledged. Information about the effects of particular crop residue management strategies on soil carbon sequestration, soil quality, and crop yield in corn cultivation is currently scarce. The research aimed to assess the potential for optimizing corn production through modifications in crop residue management, with a focus on the efficiency indicator being the level of greenhouse gas emissions per functional unit of the product. A 3-year growing experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different corn crop residue management strategies. The modifications of the corn cultivation technology in terms of the crop residue management strategy had a significant impact on the yield of plants and the amount of GHG emissions. The conversion of corn straw to biochar and its introduction into the soil reduced the GHG emissions from corn cultivation per functional unit, despite the energy expenditure related to straw transport and biochar production. From a 3-year time perspective, a beneficial effect of biochar addition on the size of the commercial yield of plants was observed. In variants with biochar and a reduced level of nitrogen fertilization, no reduction in yields was observed. This confirmed the hypothesis that biochar could be a useful material for the production of slow-acting fertilizers.

Nitrous Oxide Manifold and Other Reduction of Emissions (NoMoreGas): a multicentre observational study evaluating pre-utilisation loss of nitrous oxide.

BACKGROUND: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to the healthcare sector's carbon footprint. Pre-utilisation losses of N2O are up to 95%. Decommissioning manifolds can reduce these losses. METHODS: Hospitals in our Greater London research network with at least one active N2O manifold were included in the Nitrous Oxide Manifold and Other Reduction of Emissions (NoMoreGas) study. N2O utilisation data were collected continuously over 5 days and extrapolated over a year, in addition to collecting procurement records from the preceding financial year. The primary outcome was the discrepancy between clinically utilised N2O and the quantity procured by hospitals, referred to as the 'N2O gap'. Secondary outcomes included anaesthetists' self-reported utilisation of N2O and their opinions on manifold decommissioning. RESULTS: Eighteen of 53 hospitals were included. In total, 6 487 200 L of N2O were procured with a median (IQR) of 304 200 (183 600-473 400) L per site. During the 5-day data collection period, sites utilised a median (IQR) of 501 (42-1409) L of N2O. Extrapolating over a year resulted in a median (IQR) annual utilisation of 36 573 (3066-102 857) L per site and a total of 1 175 348 L. This represented an estimated 18% of the N2O procured, suggesting pre-utilisation losses of 5 311 852 L. Among surveyed anaesthetists, 70% (n=309) reported using N2O within the previous year, with one-third (n=97) using it once a week or more. There was widespread support for decommissioning manifolds. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with other reports, the data demonstrate a substantial discrepancy between the quantities of N2O procured and utilised clinically, indicative of significant pre-utilisation losses. Our findings support the decommissioning of N2O manifolds for environmental and economic benefits.

A comparative analysis of the carbon footprint in green building materials: a case study of Norway.

This paper critically examines the carbon cycle and environmental impacts associated with building materials, encompassing diverse impact categories for both midpoint and endpoint scenarios. The research encompasses a comparative analysis of five distinct scenarios, contrasting the environmental performance of green against conventional counterparts. Notably, previous research endeavors did not investigate the effects of varying percentages with and without phase change materials (PCM). The primary objective is to assess the impact of integrating phase change materials (PCM) with varying percentages of fly ash (20% and 35%) on energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly in cold climates like Norway. The study employs the ReCiPe2016 Midpoint (E) method, which offers a robust life cycle assessment (LCA) framework aligned with European standards, making it particularly suitable for this context. Energy Plus, within the Design Builder software, was used to simulate and calculate the impact of PCM on energy efficiency. The findings underscore those environmental impacts attributed to green buildings amount to 9.79 × 104 kg of CO2 equivalent, while conventional buildings account for 1.04 × 105 kg of CO2 equivalent. Furthermore, among the cases studied, the optimal scenario pertains to a green building utilizing 35% wind ash cement and PCM, resulting in the equivalent of 9.68 × 104 kg of CO2 emissions. Remarkably, the best-case scenario involves a green building boasting a robust steel interior structure and aluminum windows, whereas the worst-case scenario entails a typical building devoid of PCM implementation. Furthermore, energy consumption analysis indicates that scenario 5, which utilizes PCM and 35% fly ash, achieves a 15% reduction in cooling energy and a 6.9% reduction in heating energy compared to scenario 3, resulting in an annual energy consumption of 97,453.09 kWh.

Case study of the environmental impacts and benefits of a PBF-LB additively manufactured optimized filtrate nozzle.

In this paper, we present a comprehensive case study of a laser-based powder bed fusion-manufactured optimized filtrate nozzle, focusing on environmental impacts and benefits. The scope of the study covers the raw material production, part manufacturing and use phases. We compare the results for similar components manufactured by conventional, mainly material-removing manufacturing technologies. Primary data, measured from processes, are utilized for life cycle assessment calculations, which are completed with database data when necessary. The results show that by exploiting the design freedom of additive manufacturing, it is possible to achieve positive environmental benefits, namely, a 40% reduction in the carbon footprint during the use phase, although the manufacturing phase per se requires a similar amount or even more resources than the conventional manufacturing route. In addition to environmental benefits, we present here some other potential benefits for using optimized, additively manufactured parts.

Enhancing the performance of microalgal-bacterial systems with sodium bicarbonate: A step forward to carbon neutrality of municipal wastewater treatment.

The microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) process, enhanced with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), offers a sustainable alternative for wastewater treatment aiming for carbon neutrality. This study demonstrates that NaHCO3, which can be derived from the flue gases and alkaline textile wastewater, significantly enhances pollutant removal and biomass production. Optimal addition of NaHCO3 was found to achieve an inorganic-to-organic carbon ratio of 1.0 and a total carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 5.0. Metagenomic analysis and structural equation modeling showed that NaHCO3 addition increased dissolved oxygen concentrations and pH levels, creating a more favorable environment for key microbial communities, including Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Cyanobacteria. Confocal laser scanning microscopy further confirmed enhanced interactions between Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria/Chloroflexi, facilitating the MBGS process. These microbes harbored functional genes (gap2, GLU, and ppk) critical for removing organics, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Carbon footprint analysis revealed significant reductions in CO2 emissions by the NaHCO3-added MBGS process in representative countries (China, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Morocco), compared to the conventional activated sludge process. These findings highlight the effectiveness of NaHCO3 in optimizing MBGS process, establishing it as a key strategy in achieving carbon-neutral wastewater treatment globally.

Combining large language models with enterprise knowledge graphs: a perspective on enhanced natural language understanding.

Knowledge Graphs (KGs) have revolutionized knowledge representation, enabling a graph-structured framework where entities and their interrelations are systematically organized. Since their inception, KGs have significantly enhanced various knowledge-aware applications, including recommendation systems and question-answering systems. Sensigrafo, an enterprise KG developed by Expert.AI, exemplifies this advancement by focusing on Natural Language Understanding through a machine-oriented lexicon representation. Despite the progress, maintaining and enriching KGs remains a challenge, often requiring manual efforts. Recent developments in Large Language Models (LLMs) offer promising solutions for KG enrichment (KGE) by leveraging their ability to understand natural language. In this article, we discuss the state-of-the-art LLM-based techniques for KGE and show the challenges associated with automating and deploying these processes in an industrial setup. We then propose our perspective on overcoming problems associated with data quality and scarcity, economic viability, privacy issues, language evolution, and the need to automate the KGE process while maintaining high accuracy.

A preliminary study on the stability of bare footprint linear measurements in four motion states.

In some crime scenes, there may be bare footprints. Analyzing and testing the linear measurements of bare footprints in crime scenes can play an important role in personal analysis and individual identification. However, the linear measurements of bare footprints may be influenced by different motion states, leading to changes in length and width or even significant deviations. Previous studies focused on the linear differences between static and dynamic footprints, and failed to take the speed factor into consideration. This paper studied the stability and change regularities of the linear measurements of bare footprints in four different motion states: standing, normal walking, fast walking and trotting. Dust footprints of the right feet were collected from 80 healthy young adults under these four motion states. Seven linear measurements were obtained for each footprint using the Reel method, totaling 2240 data sets. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess the measurement variations across the four states. The results showed that there were statistically significant variances in the length measurements (A1-A5) between the standing state and other motion states, whereas no statistically significant variances were observed between the three dynamic states. It was found that the mean values of the five length measurements (A1-A5) increased from static to dynamic state, and then gradually decreased slightly as the walking speed increased. Additionally, no significant differences were found in the two width measurements (MPJ Width and Calc Width) between the four motion states. As a preliminary study, this study can provide a reference for the analysis of bare footprints in different motion states extracted from crime scenes.

Minimizing energy footprint of seawater desalination system via wind power generation in coastal areas.

Wind power has become an essential direction for transforming energy structures in energy-intensive seawater desalination under the dual goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. In this study, the energy footprint of the case project is analyzed by combining the hybrid life cycle analysis and environmentally extended input-output modeling, which is compared with the traditional thermal desalination processes from the whole life cycle perspective. The analysis revealed that the total energy consumption of the seawater desalination driven by wind power generation can be reduced by 79.77% compared with the traditional thermal drive mode under the same water production scale. Although the energy consumption in the construction phase accounts for 24.97% of the total, the energy consumption per unit of water production can be reduced by about 80% after adopting wind power technologies. The payback period is 7.2 years, that is, the energy consumption can be balanced after around 7 years during the operation phase. The results showed that the wind-driven seawater desalination system can significantly decrease the energy consumption of the project, which attempts to provide implications for the upgrading of energy-intensive seawater desalination in coastal areas towards low-carbon transition.

Spatial effects of renewable and fossil energy consumption on the ecological footprint for the EU Countries.

This study examines the spillover of pollution among the 26 European Union (EU) countries from 1995 to 2020. In order to quantify pollution spillovers among the countries, we estimated the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) using spatial econometric methods. Our research is unique in that it investigates ecological footprint spillovers for EU countries. This study also considers the direct and indirect effects of renewable and fossil energy consumption and globalization on environmental degradation in EU countries. The empirical results favor the validity of the EKC hypothesis. Our results support the presence of positive and significant ecological footprint spillovers among EU countries. Our spatial estimates also reveal the significant spillover impact of explanatory variables on the ecological footprint. The ecological footprint of the local country is declining owing to the consumption of renewable energy in neighboring countries. Furthermore, the fossil energy consumption of the local and neighboring countries has a positive impact on the ecological footprint. Evidence obtained from our spatial estimates provides useful insights to policymakers in developing appropriate environmental policies to combat climate change.

Environmental impacts of extensive beef production in Colombia by life cycle assessment: a case study.

The increase in the negative effects of global change promotes the search for alternatives to supply the demand for food worldwide aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure food security. Animal protein, which is a main source of nutrients in the diet of today's society, especially beef, which is one of the most demanded products nowadays, has been criticized not only for its high water consumption and land occupation for production but also for the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) from enteric methane generated in the fermentation process within the bovine rumen and deforestation for the adaptation of pastures. This study is mainly motivated by the lack of quantifiable scientific information in Colombia on the environmental impacts of beef production. Therefore, it is intended to estimate some of the impacts of beef production in extensive systems using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method under a particular scenario considering all the production phases (from raw material to fattening, where the cattle are ready to be slaughtered). The study was conducted with data supplied by a farm in Antioquia, Colombia, and the functional unit (FU) was defined as 1 kg of live weight (LW). The scope of this study was gate-to-gate. "The 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories" (IPCC  2006; IPCC 2019) was used to calculate methane and nitrous oxide emissions. LCA modeling was developed with Ecoinvent database v3.8 and the Umberto LCA + software. It was found that the most affected category of damage was ecosystem quality, which represents 77% of the total, followed by human health at 17% and resources at 6%. The category impact of agricultural land occupation is the one that represents the most significant contribution to the ecosystem quality endpoint, with a percentage of 87%, due to the soil's compaction and the loss of the soil's properties. Additionally, the obtained carbon footprint for the system was 28.9 kg of CO2-eq/kg LW.