Global Challenges最新文献

Sustainable Strategies for Converting Organic, Electronic, and Plastic Waste From Municipal Solid Waste Into Functional Materials (Global Challenges 4/2025)

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-04-16 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.1705

Abdelaziz Gouda, Nour Merhi, Mohamad Hmadeh, Teresa Cecchi, Clara Santato, Mohini Sain

引用次数: 0

From Lab to Field: Damp Heat Testing and its Implications for PV Module Service Lifetime

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-03-24 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400229

Abdulkerim Gok

{"title":"From Lab to Field: Damp Heat Testing and its Implications for PV Module Service Lifetime","authors":"Abdulkerim Gok","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400229","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400229","url":null,"abstract":"Damp heat testing, as outlined in the IEC 61215 standard, evaluates PV modules under prolonged humidity exposure. However, its effectiveness as a reliability test remains debated. This study maps damp heat testing times equivalent to a service lifetime of 30 years across Europe, highlighting the impact of local climate conditions. The activation energy of power degradation is key in determining testing times. For an activation energy of 0.6 eV, testing times range from over 2250 h in southern Europe to <750 h in northern Europe. In central Europe, testing times generally range from 1250 to 1750 h. Madrid and Rome stand out among major European capitals for their testing times, with Madrid having one of the shortest and Rome one of the longest. In Madrid, increasing the activation energy from 0.4 to 0.8 eV reduces the testing time from 5548 h to just 290 h. To ensure the standard testing time of 1000 h represents a service lifetime of 30 years across Europe, the activation energy should be at least 0.7 eV. These findings emphasize the need for customized testing protocols that consider regional climate differences and design factors, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400229","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

An In-Silico Study to Identify Relevant Biomarkers in Sepsis Applying Integrated Bulk RNA Sequencing and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analyses

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-03-13 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400321

Qile Ye, Yuhang Dong, Jingting Liang, Jingyao Lv, Rong Tang, Shuai Zhao, Guiying Hou

{"title":"An In-Silico Study to Identify Relevant Biomarkers in Sepsis Applying Integrated Bulk RNA Sequencing and Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Analyses","authors":"Qile Ye, Yuhang Dong, Jingting Liang, Jingyao Lv, Rong Tang, Shuai Zhao, Guiying Hou","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400321","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to discover sepsis-related biomarkers via in-silico analyses. The single-cell sequencing RNA (sc-RNA) data and metabolism-related genes are obtained from public databases and previous studies, respectively. Cell subpopulations are identified and annotated, followed by performing single-sample geneset enrichment analysis (ssGSEA and identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is applied to classify specific gene modules, and the key module is subjected to immune infiltration analysis. The communication between the subclusters of monocytes is visualized. Five cell subpopulations (subcluster C1-5) containing a relatively higher percentage of monocytes are identified, with subcluster C4 having the lowest enrichment score of metabolism-related genes. Genes with a higher expression in the subclusters are enriched for antigen processing and presentation of exogenous antigen, lymphocyte differentiation, and leukocyte activation. Subcluster C5 affected other subclusters through galectin 9 (LGALS9)-CD45 and LGALS9-CD44, while other subclusters affected subcluster C5 through MIF-(CD74+C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)) and MIF-(CD74+CD44). Six genes (F-Box Protein 4, FBXO4; Forkhead Box K1, FOXK1; MSH2 with MutS Homolog 2, MSH2; Nop-7-associated 2, NSA2; Transmembrane Protein 128, TMEM128; and SBDS) are determined as the hub genes for sepsis. The 6 hub genes are positively correlated with, among others, monocytes and NK cells, but negatively correlated with neutrophils. This study identifies accurate biomarkers for sepsis, contributing to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400321","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Recycling and Degradation Pathways of Synthetic Textile Fibers such as Polyamide and Elastane

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-03-13 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400163

Pilar Chavez-Linares, Sandrine Hoppe, Isabelle Chevalot

引用次数: 0

Multi-Criteria Analysis for Effective Rain Water Harvesting Site Identification in Konso Zone, Ethiopia 埃塞俄比亚 Konso 区雨水收集点有效识别的多重标准分析

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-03-07 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400333

Fitsum Tsehay Bereded, Yohannes Mehari Andiye, Tarun Kumar Lohani

{"title":"Multi-Criteria Analysis for Effective Rain Water Harvesting Site Identification in Konso Zone, Ethiopia","authors":"Fitsum Tsehay Bereded, Yohannes Mehari Andiye, Tarun Kumar Lohani","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400333","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400333","url":null,"abstract":"The Konso area of southern Ethiopia has limited resources and is highly vulnerable to climate change. Traditional agriculture practices in this region are adversely affected by water scarcity. The purpose of this study is to determine the most effective site for rainwater harvesting (RWH) through multi-criteria analysis combined with Geographic Information Sysytem. The decision-making criteria used in this study included rainfall, land cover, curve number, topographic wetness index, slope, distance from agriculture, lineament density, geology, and road and city distance. These criteria are categorized into five suitability levels based on their significance for rainwater harvesting using an analytical and hierarchical process (AHP). The study also mapped the restricted area, which includes the built-up area and water accounting for ≈6% of the total area. The area with very high suitability for RWH is ≈658 km2, representing 28.3% of the total area. The suitability model is validated by cross-checking existing RWH ponds with the appropriate map. It is found that most of the existing RWH ponds are located within high to moderately suitable zones, accounting for 92.6% of the total area. This research highlights the effectiveness of integrating MCA with GIS in identifying suitable RWH sites, especially in arid, semi-arid, and data-scarce areas. The weighted overlay process (WOP), available data, and methods are utilized to achieve this goal.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400333","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Sustainable Strategies for Converting Organic, Electronic, and Plastic Waste From Municipal Solid Waste Into Functional Materials

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-03-07 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400240

Abdelaziz Gouda, Nour Merhi, Mohamad Hmadeh, Teresa Cecchi, Clara Santato, Mohini Sain

{"title":"Sustainable Strategies for Converting Organic, Electronic, and Plastic Waste From Municipal Solid Waste Into Functional Materials","authors":"Abdelaziz Gouda, Nour Merhi, Mohamad Hmadeh, Teresa Cecchi, Clara Santato, Mohini Sain","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400240","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400240","url":null,"abstract":"The valorization of municipal solid waste permits to obtain sustainable functional materials. As the urban population burgeons, so does the volume of discarded waste, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity. Harnessing the materials and the latent energy within this solid waste not only addresses the issue of disposal but also contributes to the innovation of functional materials with applications in the energy, electronics, and environment sectors. In this perspective, technologies for converting, after sorting, municipal solid waste into valuable metals, chemicals, and fuels are critically analyzed. Innovative approaches to convert organic waste into functional carbon materials and to create, from plastic and electronic wastes, metal–organic frameworks for energy conversion, storage, and CO2 adsorption and conversion are proposed. Green hydrometallurgy routes that permit the recovery of precious metals avoiding noble metals’ oxidative leaching, thus avoiding their downcycling, are also highlighted. The reclaimed precious metals hold promise for use in optoelectronic devices.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400240","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

A Soil Monitoring Law for Europe

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-02-25 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400336

Panos Panagos, Arwyn Jones, Emanuele Lugato, Cristiano Ballabio

{"title":"A Soil Monitoring Law for Europe","authors":"Panos Panagos, Arwyn Jones, Emanuele Lugato, Cristiano Ballabio","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400336","url":null,"abstract":"Over 60% of European soils are unhealthy according to the Soil Mission board estimates and the indicators presented in the European Union (EU) Soil degradation dashboard. The situation may worsen if no policy interventions are taken. The unsustainable use of natural resources, in particular the degradation of soils, precipitates biodiversity loss, exacerbated by the climate crisis. In particular, in the EU alone, soil degradation costs over €50 billion per year due to the loss of essential services they provide and to the impact on human health. Here a more precise estimation of the soil degradation cost related to a set of soil degradation processes, ranging between €40.9 and 72.7 billion per year is presented. This newly updated estimate compared to the Impact assessment of the Soil Monitoring Law takes into account the costs of soil erosion, contamination, phosphorus losses, soil carbon losses, nitrogen losses, soil compaction, and soil sealing. However, this estimation might double if it is added to the costs of soil biodiversity loss, floods, droughts, off-site effects of soil erosion, and health consequences of soil contamination. Therefore, further research is needed to address this knowledge gap and estimate the missing costs. Soil degradation is a critical issue with transboundary implications that requires urgent attention and action at the EU level. The costs of soil degradation are substantial, both in terms of environmental impacts and economic consequences, highlighting the importance of investing in sustainable soil management practices and a harmonized EU soil monitoring system. By addressing soil degradation through the proposed Soil Monitoring Law, investing significant amounts for research and innovation in the Soil Mission, and promoting international cooperation, the EU can take solid steps toward protecting its soil resources and achieving a sustainable future for all.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400336","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143581879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Mitigating Urban Heat Islands (UHI) Through Vegetation Restoration: Insights From Mining Communities

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-02-25 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400288

Haoxuan Yu, Izni Zahidi, Chow Ming Fai

{"title":"Mitigating Urban Heat Islands (UHI) Through Vegetation Restoration: Insights From Mining Communities","authors":"Haoxuan Yu, Izni Zahidi, Chow Ming Fai","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400288","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400288","url":null,"abstract":"Vegetation restoration plays a critical role in mitigating urban heat island (UHI) effects and improving local climate conditions, particularly in mining-affected areas. This study analyzes vegetation cover changes and their impact on UHI from 2000 to 2020 in three locations: Dexing City and Qibaoshan Township in China, and Dartford Ebbsfleet Garden City in the UK, using satellite imagery and remote sensing data. In Dexing City, the transition from open-pit to underground mining, combined with reclamation efforts, maintained a stable fractional vegetation cover (FVC) of 0.88-0.91, reducing the UHI area from 1216.86 km² in 2000 to under 1000 km² by 2020. Qibaoshan Township saw an increase in FVC from 0.88 in 2000 to over 0.92 by 2020, resulting in a 26% reduction in UHI area. Dartford achieved a temporary peak FVC of 0.71 in 2002 through urban greening initiatives. The findings show that increased vegetation cover significantly lowers surface temperatures through evapotranspiration, shading, and albedo modification, with heavily vegetated areas maintaining temperatures up to 3°C lower than adjacent mining sites. The study demonstrates the importance of integrating ecological restoration with sustainable urban planning.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400288","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143581878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Synthesis and Evaluation of 3D Nitrogen Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide (3D N@rGO) Macrostructure for Boosted Solar Driven Interfacial Desalination of Saline Water

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-02-25 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400080

Fisseha A Bezza, Samuel A. Iwarere, Shepherd M. Tichapondwa, Hendrik G. Brink, Michael O. Daramola, Evans MN Chirwa

{"title":"Synthesis and Evaluation of 3D Nitrogen Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide (3D N@rGO) Macrostructure for Boosted Solar Driven Interfacial Desalination of Saline Water","authors":"Fisseha A Bezza, Samuel A. Iwarere, Shepherd M. Tichapondwa, Hendrik G. Brink, Michael O. Daramola, Evans MN Chirwa","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400080","url":null,"abstract":"Recently, there has been a growing interest in solar-driven interfacial desalination technology, which focuses on the localization of heat to the air-water interface. In this study, 3D nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (3D N@rGO) photothermal material is synthesized with a facile one-step hydrothermal process. The material exhibited richer porosity, high hydrophilicity for efficient water channeling, and all-directional solar absorption potential. The 3D N@rGO solar absorber attained up to ≈55 °C surface temperature rise and showed ≈134% photothermal conversion efficiency with 1.94 kg m−2 h−1 net freshwater generation rate under 1 sun solar illumination, owing to efficient latent heat recycle. On a high salinity desalination study performed using 10 and 20 wt.% salinity levels, the photothermal material showed 1.66 and 1.31 kg m−2 h−1 evaporation rates respectively. It sustained stable long-term desalination performance without visible salt accumulation on the surface up to a salinity level of 10 wt.%. In a three-day outdoor test carried out utilizing simulated seawater with a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, the 3D evaporator demonstrated an average freshwater production rate of 2.61 kg m−2 h−1, during the test the solar power density reached up to 1.1 kW m−2. The 3D solar absorber exhibited a promising potential for large-scale seawater desalination in water-scarce regions worldwide.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400080","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Comprehensive Assessment of Technological Challenges In Photovoltaic Waste Recovery In India Using Principal Component Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process Models 利用主成分分析和层次分析法模型全面评估印度光伏废物回收的技术挑战

IF 4.4 4区综合性期刊

Global Challenges Pub Date : 2025-02-24 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202400300

Dinesh Yadav, Sanjeev Kumar, Prabhu Paramasivam, Praveen Kumar Kanti, Rupesh Gupta, Mohamed Yusuf

{"title":"Comprehensive Assessment of Technological Challenges In Photovoltaic Waste Recovery In India Using Principal Component Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process Models","authors":"Dinesh Yadav, Sanjeev Kumar, Prabhu Paramasivam, Praveen Kumar Kanti, Rupesh Gupta, Mohamed Yusuf","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202400300","url":null,"abstract":"The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) technology has raised concerns about sustainable PV waste management, particularly in India, where inadequate infrastructure and technical limitations hinder effective recycling. Addressing these challenges is crucial for minimizing environmental risks and promoting a circular economy in the renewable energy sector. This study presents a smart multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach that integrates Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess technological challenges in PV waste management. PCA is applied to prioritize key challenges, while AHP evaluated their interrelationships through criteria weights. Despite the effectiveness of PCA and AHP, their combined application in PV waste recovery remains underexplored, particularly in the Indian context. Eight key challenges are identified, with hazardous recycling methods (83.2%) and low recycling potential (83.4%) ranking highest in PCA. AHP results highlighted the lack of advanced recycling technology (0.2298) and hazardous recycling methods (0.2084) as the most critical barriers. A multi-criteria utility function is developed to illustrate these interdependencies. This research bridges critical knowledge gaps by offering data-driven insights into PV waste recovery in India, contributing to sustainable waste management strategies and the development of an efficient recycling framework.","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/gch2.202400300","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143840767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0