The major fiber crop cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) holds worldwide economic value yet its production faces increasing threats from the temperature rises caused by climate change. Heat stress, particularly during the reproductive phase, impairs floral development, boll retention, and fiber elongation, resulting in yield and quality losses. This study aimed to identify heat-tolerant upland cotton genotypes through the combined evaluation of morphological and physiological traits under field conditions reflecting regional thermal extremes. The experiment was conducted at the Cotton Research Station, Faisalabad, under both optimal and elevated temperature regimes. Significant genotypic variation was observed in yield-related parameters, including boll retention, number of bolls per plant, seed cotton yield, and plant height. High temperature reduced photosystem II efficiency and relative water content, while tolerant genotypes maintained higher chlorophyll stability, photosynthetic rate, and overall plant vigor. The results indicate that sustained photosynthetic efficiency and water balance under heat stress are key factors contributing to thermotolerance. Future studies involving biochemical assays, such as antioxidant enzyme activity and osmolyte accumulation, will be undertaken to validate the physiological basis of heat tolerance further and improve screening accuracy for resilient cotton cultivars. Hence, integrated approach is expected to provide reliable basis for selection of heat resilient cotton genotypes.

Earthquake Early Warning Systems (EEWs) provide seconds to tens of seconds of lead time by exploiting the faster propagation of P waves relative to the more damaging S waves. We study and test the performance of two EEW systems, the Earthquake Alarm Systems (ElarmS) and the Virtual Seismologist (VS). ElarmS is developed by the University of California, Berkeley, and is part of the U.S. west-coast-wide ShakeAlert EEW. It rapidly associates P-wave triggers across stations and uses early amplitude metrics (e.g., peak displacement) with empirical ground motion scaling relationships to estimate origin time, epicenter, and magnitude. VS is currently maintained by the Swiss Seismological Service at ETH Zurich and is using a Bayesian approach using observed picks and the earliest available ground motion amplitudes, based on predefined prior information and envelope attenuation relationships, in order to estimate earthquake magnitude, location, and the distribution of peak ground shaking. We have tuned, configured, and operated these two systems for the broader Greek region, also focusing on the Attica region and the Corinth Gulf, benchmarking alert latency, epicentral misfit, and magnitude residuals against the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) revised bulletin. Results include regional latency maps and accuracy statistics that elucidate speed–accuracy trade-offs and network geometry effects for operational EEW in Greece.

This study investigated the effects of cowbone biochar on the microbial properties of different textures at varying depths and land use. The experiment consists of 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial combinations of two biochar sources (Biochar (20g/4kg soil) and control), two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm), two land uses (cultivated and fallow), and two soil textures (sandy clay loam (SCL) and sandy loam (SL)) in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times. The data analyzed were microbial count (MC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), and microbial respiration (MR). The results showed that the alkaline nature of biochar was capable of influencing soil microbial activities. The application of biochar on fallow SCL soils had the highest significant effects on soil microbial properties. The least microbial properties were observed in the deeper depths (20-40) of cultivated SL soils, which were not amended with biochar (control). The MC, MBC, MBN, and MR of the topsoil were 66.2%, 11.1%, 26.6%, and 33.9% higher than the subsoil. The SCL textures were 42.8%, 25.0%, 78.5%, and 28.3% higher than SL. The cultivated soils were 29.4%, 16.4%, 41.1%, and 20.8% lower than the fallow soils, respectively. The application of bone biochar increased MC, MBC, and MR of the soils by 10.1%, 7.9% and 9.9% respectively. In conclusion, these findings underscore the potential of cow bone-derived biochar as a suitable soil amendment that not only recycles waste but also improves soil microbial functioning, particularly in sandy soils and degraded agroecosystems.

Green hydrogen has become a strategic energy vector for global decarbonization, and among the different production pathways, Chemical Looping (CLC, CLH, CLR) stands out for its high efficiency and intrinsic CO₂ capture capacity. This study presents a technological surveillance review of chemical looping processes for hydrogen production, with emphasis on oxygen carrier materials such as alumina (Al₂O₃), under a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) perspective following ISO 14040/14044 guidelines. The methodology consisted of a systematic literature review covering advances in chemical looping configurations, the role of solid oxygen carriers, and the use of LCA software such as SimaPro, GaBi, OpenLCA, and Aspen Plus to quantify environmental impacts. The results show that chemical looping enables hydrogen generation while inherently separating CO₂, minimizing the need for post-combustion treatments. Alumina-based carriers provide high thermal stability, durability, and reactivity support, yet their industrial production through the Bayer process is energy-intensive and associated with significant environmental burdens, including greenhouse gas emissions and the generation of red mud waste. LCA studies reveal that the choice of oxygen carrier significantly affects global warming potential, fossil resource depletion, and other environmental indicators, highlighting the need to optimize material performance and integrate renewable energy sources. In conclusion, chemical looping technologies represent a promising pathway for sustainable hydrogen production, provided that challenges related to economic scalability, environmental performance of oxygen carriers, and waste management are addressed. Incorporating LCA into process design is essential to ensure that the deployment of chemical looping effectively contributes to the transition towards cleaner energy systems.

Introduction

The Civil Protection System designed by Zamberletti has helped Italy to manage environmental crises by means of the implementation of a systematic vision in which the main strategy was prevention and on-site interventions. This is a well-performing system, but it could be optimized if the use of satellite data were integrated at all different hierarchical levels.

Currently, a major limitation in the use of public satellite data is data fragmentation in different repositories, as the volume of satellite data has increased significantly over the last twenty years, making it necessary to understand how data were collected and stored and how public and private users can exploit them.

Methods

The evolution of satellite data collection has been studied as a support for the development of a methodological approach to public satellite platforms data management by means of a data lifecycle model (DLM) that considers privacy, security and quality criteria.

Results

A framework has been defined for assessing the characteristics of an appropriate data management cycle, on the basis of which it is possible to identify how to address organizational, technical, and legal critical issues.

Conclusion

Prevention and intervention on site are now established practices, while a prediction strategy is still not completely adopted as a function of the Augustus Method of the Civil Protection Institution. An environmental satellite data DLM may allow for a shift from a prevention to a prediction policy.

For the future of Lunar colonization to become a reality, the ability to create structures incorporating the materials found locally must be explored. The most abundant material that can be used on the Moon is the lunar soil itself, present across the entire surface. This abundance has led to the belief amongst student and Space agency researchers of the possibility in using a Geopolymer mixture, to create concrete from the in-situ soil. This concrete would also have to be lightweight enough to justify the transfer of Geopolymer mixture to the Lunar construction site. Using a Lunar simulant as our soil, sodium hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide, Sodium Silicate, and hydrogen peroxide, our team has been able to formulate a mixture that incorporates the high silica and alum content of the lunar regolith. We have created samples that have consistently yielded lightweight lunar concrete with a density of 880kg/m^3, less dense than water, and with considerable strength. The other part that was addressed was the mix consistency, since due to the high silica content, the mixture would dry too quickly for the concrete to be molded into its desired shape. All of this has been properly addressed and solved through the mixture formulation. Currently, we are running strength tests to quantify its compressive and tensile strength, calculate its material properties, and calculate its feasibility to be used as a structure in a low gravity lunar environment.

Two-thirds of the world's population is expected to reside in metropolitan cities by 2050, placing an unprecedented burden on energy efficiency, environmental protection, and sustainable transportation. Southern European urban agglomerations, such as Naples (Italy), face specific challenges: a highly car-dependent culture, chaotic traffic, high air pollution, and a fragmented public transportation network. In this, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) promises to integrate heterogeneous modes into subscription bundles, promoting a switch to low-emission, low-resource transportation. Understanding how people perceive and set up MaaS bundles is crucial for assessing their environmental and operational feasibility. I designed a novel iOS-based tool for conducting dynamic stated preference surveys of MaaS, the first of its kind in the literature. Compared to conventional questionnaires, the app collects extensive travel diaries and socio-demographic details. It interactively guides respondents to customize MaaS packages, reconfiguring sequences of trips and budgets in real-time. A case study in Naples explores how the platform can capture behaviourally driven responses in a car-dependent, environmentally stressed metropolitan area. Initial survey results indicate the tool's capacity to generate fine-grained microdata on adoption propensity and sensitivity to service features. Data enable the estimation of MaaS take-up scenarios and related implications for energy consumption and emissions savings. The described methodology indicates how dynamic SP tools have the potential to support evidence-based design of MaaS schemes in complex cities. The Naples case offers lessons applicable elsewhere regarding how evidence-based approaches can inform sustainable, energy-efficient urban mobility policies in cities with challenging transportation and environmental conditions.

Background: Heat stress (HS) is one of the most challenging environmental conditions, responsible for impaired growth and reproduction in living systems. It also leads to altering the release of different biochemicals responsible for controlling the metabolic pathway.

Methods: Five White Wistar rats were exposed at 42±1℃ inside a closed chamber for the induction of hyperthermia. Their rectal temperature was recorded before and after heat exposure. The semi-digested food from the gut (colon) of sacrificed rats was collected under sterilized conditions for the isolation of gut bacteria on a nutrient agar plate at 50 ℃, 60 ℃, and 70 ℃. The sample was incubated for 24 hours, and isolates were further purified. The proteolytic, amylolytic, cellulolytic, and xylanolytic activities were measured via the plate assay, and the enzymatic index was calculated. Total protein and estimation of HSP70 were also quantified.

Results: Initially, the rats’ rectal temperature was 37.1±0.2 ℃, but after exposure to heat, the temperature was 40.8±0.2 ℃. The number of purified isolates was recorded, i.e., at 50 ℃ (04), at 60 ℃ (01), and at 70 ℃ (03). Among eight isolates, Bacillus licheniformis (50 ℃) showed all four enzymatic activities with a higher enzymatic index. Further, this novel isolate also exhibited maximum concentration of HSP70.

Conclusions: This study revealed the survival of a novel bacterium (B. licheniformis) capable of producing key metabolites, highlighting its significance in supporting host physiology and heart health. As a probiotic, it may serve as a potential therapeutic bridge connecting HSP70, cardiac function, and gut health.

Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, has a substantial, primarily positive impact on climate change by reducing material waste, in contrast to subtractive methods that remove material. Generally, AM processes necessitate less energy, particularly by eradicating the necessity for energy-intensive tooling, which is necessary in processes like injection molding. An additional factor contributing to reduced energy consumption is the emphasis on heating only the essential components. This technology reduces the need for long-distance transportation of components and products through localized on-demand production. As a result, conventional globalized supply chains and transportation logistics significantly reduce their carbon footprint. Furthermore, AM enables the development of intricate, lightweight designs that enhance structural performance, which are more energy-efficient and sustainable throughout the product's lifecycle.

However, AM is currently facing a limited number of challenges that necessitate attention. Certain AM processes have the potential to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a contributing factor to air pollution and require improved management. The potential of AM to promote a circular economy and reduce the overall environmental impact is contingent upon the continuing advancement of material recycling and scalability. As a result of the necessity for inert gases such as argon, powder metal processes can have a substantial environmental impact, demanding strategies to mitigate their use.

Despite these limitations, AM has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions, create greener built environments, and offer an opportunity to lower energy consumption while supporting global carbon neutrality goals.

The conventional synthesis of nanoparticles often relies on toxic synthetic chemicals, raising concerns regarding environmental sustainability and ecological impact. In response, green synthesis utilizing phytochemicals has emerged as a promising alternative, offering a renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally benign platform for nanomaterial fabrication.

This study reports a green synthesis of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) using an aqueous extract from the fruit shells of Strychnos pungens as an underutilized agro-waste product. The water-soluble phytochemicals present in the shell extract served as effective chelating and stabilizing agents during the chemical precipitation of magnesium ions, facilitating the formation of MgO NPs.

The structural and morphological properties of the biosynthesized nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the NPs, revealing a face-centered cubic structure with characteristic peaks at 2θ = 37.94°, 42.99°, 62.33°, 74.83°, and 78.76°. The average crystallite size was determined to be 9.8 nm and 18.59 nm via the Debye–Scherer and Williamson–Hall methods, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed an irregular morphology with microparticle aggregates ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 µm. Elemental composition analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the predominant presence of magnesium and oxygen, unequivocally verifying the successful formation of MgO.

This work not only demonstrates the successful green synthesis and characterization of MgO NPs but also highlights the potential of Strychnos pungens fruit shells as a valuable, sustainable resource for advanced nanomaterial production, aligning with the principles of circular economy and green chemistry.