Global Challenges最新文献

{"title":"Harnessing Cattail Biomass for Sustainable Fibers and Engineered Bioproducts: A Review","authors":"Mahmuda Parvin,&nbsp;Md Shadhin,&nbsp;Marzia Dulal,&nbsp;Mashiur Rahman","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400183","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400183","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cattail (<i>Typha</i>), a wetland plant, is emerging as a sustainable materials resource. While most of the <i>Typha</i> species are proven to be a fiber-yielding crop, <i>Typha latifolia</i> exhibits the broadest leaf size (5–30 mm), yields highest amount of fiber (≈190.9 g), and captures maximum CO₂ (≈1270 g). Alkaline retting is the most efficient degumming process for cattail fibers to achieve maximum fiber yield (30%–46%). Cattail leaves exhibit a distinctive bionic structural model consisting of epidermis and leaf blade at macro level and non-diaphragm aerenchyma, fiber cables, partitions, and diaphragms at micro level. Cattail fibers hold promise to be utilized as a high-performance composite part and as efficient energy storage devices in clean energy vehicles. The former is attributed to their lower density (≈1.26–1.39 gm/cm³) and higher tensile modulus (≈66.1 GPa after treatment), while the latter is attributed to their porous structure and chemical stability. Therefore, integrating the knowledge of plant biology and materials chemistry is crucial for enhancing fiber characteristics and producing engineered bioproducts. The environmental benefits of cattails, degumming methods, leaf and fiber structures, their properties and applications is reviewed. Finally, it discussed future research directions aimed at developing bioengineered, biodegradable products from it with minimal environmental impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11717672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142970441","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}

{"title":"Fungal Biorefinery: Mushrooming Opportunities","authors":"Mitchell P. Jones,&nbsp;Alexander Bismarck","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400315","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400315","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;Fungal biorefinery is a research area that has evolved very rapidly over the past decade. Historically, materials research relating to fungi has addressed topics with largely negative implications for society: most often relating to wood decay that would invariably compromise structures and infrastructure. Over the past decade, we have witnessed and contributed to an unexpected rise in fungal-derived materials research that instead capitalizes on the positive characteristics of fungi to create novel materials and processes. We are pleased to present this special issue on fungal biorefinery, showcasing some of the most recent research in a field that just a couple of decades ago would, in the words of most mycologists, have been considered unlikely at best.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fungal biorefinery contributes practical solutions to many &lt;i&gt;Global Challenges&lt;/i&gt; objectives. Filamentous fungal growth (hyphae) can be used to bind agricultural and forestry residue together in a natural heterotrophic process that has captured the imagination of academics and industry alike (&lt;b&gt;Figure&lt;/b&gt; 1). This process is now used to create foam-like materials for packaging and thermal and acoustic insulation for non-structural and semi-structural applications by an ever-increasing number of start-up companies and academics across the globe. While the scalability of these materials remains to be proven, their material properties do for the most part meet the requirements for such applications. These materials provide opportunities for waste upcycling, bio-based manufacturing and (depending on the process variables) may represent low-energy manufacturing, carbon sequestration, and generation of biodegradable materials that are highly relevant to sustainability, climate change, and environmental protection goals.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fungal (nano)materials, typically produced as sheets of micro- to nanoscale (hyphae) fibrils in the form of as-grown or engineered, e.g., through papermaking processes, networks also capitalize on the mechanical properties of chitin-β-glucan complex present in hyphal cell walls and can be tuned to exhibit high-strength or toughness. Conversion of fungal chitin to chitosan lends ion chelation and biomedical properties to the network, which endows them with potential applications in water safety and healthcare. Notable hydrophobic surface properties (although not affecting moisture sorption) exhibited by some fungal nanomaterials coupled with tuneable thermal decomposition and electrical conductivities achieved through biomineralization within hyphal structures add to the versatility of these materials and enable applications in energy storage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The scope achieved by this special issue is broad: It provides perspective on the influence of genetics, nutrition, and environmental conditions on the properties of fungal materials (2300140, 2300197). Although limited by inherent genetic constraints, the quantity and properties of fungal mycelium are greatly influenced b","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11717660/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142970437","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}

{"title":"Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye using PANI-CuFe2O4 Nano Composite","authors":"Tisa Rani Saha,&nbsp;Md. Ahsan Habib,&nbsp;S. M. Imran Ali,&nbsp;Jannatul Naime,&nbsp;Md. Mahiuddin,&nbsp;Shaheen M. Sarkar,&nbsp;Md. Abu Rayhan Khan,&nbsp;Kaykobad Md Rezaul Karim","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400179","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400179","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The present perspective accentuates the synthesis of PANI-CuFe₂O₄ (PCF) nanocomposite, and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using a synthesized composite. The stable PCF is confirmed and characterized by analytical techniques, namely, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) analysis. The synthesized PCF nanocomposites are significantly crystalline in nature, having magnetic saturation of 10.47 emu g⁻¹, and monoclinic crystalline structure as well as the size of nanocomposite is 39.54 nm verified by XRD pattern. SEM analysis revealed a regular porous and rough surface of nanocomposite. In addition, the nanocomposite divulged the remarkable efficient elimination of MB dye with maximum removal of 96% with good fitting of Langmuir isotherm, indication of monolayer formation on the catalyst surface through the interaction between nanocomposite and dye molecule. The adsorption kinetics bolstered the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting the adsorption process proceeded by chemisorption. The most notable feature of the nanocomposite is the reusability and good stability after several cycles, maintaining 90% after five cycles.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637778/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827896","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}

{"title":"Promising Pharmacological Interventions for Posterior Capsule Opacification: A Review","authors":"Yuxuan Liu,&nbsp;Xiaoming Dong,&nbsp;Bin Wu,&nbsp;Zhigang Cheng,&nbsp;Jinsong Zhang,&nbsp;Jing Wang","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400181","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400181","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation is the primary treatment for cataract. Although this treatment strategy benefits patients with cataracts, posterior capsule opacification (PCO) remains a common complication that impairs vision and affects treatment outcomes. The pathogenesis of PCO is associated with the proliferation, migration, and fibrogenesis activity of residual lens epithelial cells, with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) serving as a key mechanism underlying the condition. Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) is a major promotor of EMT, thereby driving PCO development. Most studies have shown that drugs and miRNAs mitigate EMT by inhibiting, clearing, or eliminating LECs. In addition, targeting EMT–related signaling pathways in TGF-β2–stimulated LECs has garnered attention as a research focus. This review highlights potential treatments for PCO and details the mechanisms by which drugs and miRNAs counter EMT.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142828168","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}

{"title":"IoT-Based Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring System and Validation of Its Effectiveness in Hospital Environments","authors":"Ju-Yu Wu,&nbsp;Yi-Chun Lin,&nbsp;Shu-Yuan Lee,&nbsp;Cheng-Pin Chen,&nbsp;Shu-Hsing Cheng,&nbsp;Chien-Yu Cheng,&nbsp;Congo Tak Shing Ching,&nbsp;Hui-Min David Wang,&nbsp;Chu-Chun Yeh,&nbsp;Wei J. Chen,&nbsp;Wei-Wen Chen,&nbsp;Lun-De Liao","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400124","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400124","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is the most common adverse medical event that affects patients. Internationally, healthcare workers (HCWs) are monitored for hand hygiene compliance to reduce HAI risk. While direct observation is considered the gold standard for monitoring, it has several disadvantages. To address this, the study focused on developing a comprehensive hand hygiene system that integrates the Internet of Things (IoT) hand hygiene with soap and water (HHW) and alcohol-based formulation (HHA) monitoring, incorporates real-time data visualization on a web interface to track HCWs' hand hygiene practices, and provides instant calculations of compliance and accuracy rates. This IoT system uses Bluetooth for HCW positioning and HHW detection, ultrasonic sensors for handwashing duration, and pressure sensors for HHA detection. Furthermore, a cloud server, database, and website are established to manage and display the data received by the IoT devices. To reduce HAI in Taiwan, hospitals must provide both HHW and HHA systems, and HCWs can choose either method when hand hygiene is necessary. The system achieved 72% accuracy in clinical practice within an adult intensive care unit (ICU).</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827778","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}

{"title":"Building a Circular Economy for Lithium: Addressing Global Challenges","authors":"Alessandra Zanoletti,&nbsp;Bianca Maria Bresolin,&nbsp;Elza Bontempi","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400250","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400250","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As countries worldwide race toward a green transition, the demand for electric vehicles is surging, and with it comes a growing need for batteries. However, the push for increased domestic mining to secure these materials raises significant concerns about environmental sustainability. Even with stringent regulations, the environmental impact of mining can be profound, posing risks such as biodiversity loss, water pollution, and broader ecological damage. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions could arise as countries whose economic interests are threatened by these initiatives may react adversely. Local communities might also resist mining projects due to concerns over environmental degradation, health risks, and disruptions to their livelihoods. Given the critical importance of metals in the ecological transition, this challenge must be approached with the same urgency and global coordination as a pandemic response. Just as the world mobilized unprecedented resources to tackle COVID-19, a similarly robust approach is necessary to ensure the availability of critical metals for a sustainable future. This paper suggests potential pathways for academic, technological, and societal advancements within the framework of a circular economy for lithium, aiming to secure a sustainable supply of this essential resource.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827634","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}

{"title":"Future Energy Breakthroughs: Implications for the Hydrocarbon Economies of the Arabian Gulf","authors":"Logan Cochrane,&nbsp;Dhabia Al Mohannadi,&nbsp;Sa'd Shannak,&nbsp;Yoshihide Wada,&nbsp;Esra Al Eisa,&nbsp;Mohamad Hejazi","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400151","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400151","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Countries in the Arabian Gulf are reliant upon hydrocarbons for revenues, exports, industries and funding services. It is largely assumed that the global energy transition will be gradual, as reflected in planning and strategy documents. However, energy breakthroughs can change the global energy system. This Perspective article seeks to provoke a discussion about potential energy breakthroughs, the plausibility of their rapid expansion at scale, and the implications they may have for the hydrocarbon economies in the Arabian Gulf. Based upon feasibility, scalability, and adoption potential energy breakthroughs are outlined, their probability are assessed, and potential impacts on the hydrocarbon economics of the region are evaluated. The calls to actions are concluded with aim to support the region to be better prepared to track breakthroughs, and be proactively engaged to benefit from them. These include: 1) annual regional research-policy interface meetings, 2) tailored research and development funding that fosters regional collaboration, 3) investment into breakthrough technologies and energy transition inputs, and 4) seeking synergy in economic diversification regionally to avoid duplication and counterproductive competition.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637773/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827765","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}

{"title":"Evaluation of Groundwater Potential Zones Using GIS-Based Machine Learning Ensemble Models in the Gidabo Watershed, Ethiopia","authors":"Mussa Muhaba Mussa,&nbsp;Tarun Kumar Lohani,&nbsp;Abunu Atlabachew Eshete","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400137","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400137","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The main objective of this study is to map and evaluate groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) using advanced ensemble machine learning (ML) models, notably Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). GWPZs are identified by considering essential factors such as geology, drainage density, slope, land use/land cover (LULC), rainfall, soil, and lineament density. This is combined with datasets used for training and validating the RF and SVM models, which consisted of 75 potential sites (boreholes and springs), 22 non-potential sites (bare lands and settlement areas), and 20 potential sites (water bodies). Each dataset is randomly partitioned into two sets: training (70%) and validation (30%). The model's performance is evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). The AUC of the RF model is 0.91, compared to 0.88 for the SVM model. Both models classified GWPZs effectively, but the RF model performed slightly better. The classified GWPZ map shows that high GWPZs are typically located within water bodies, natural springs, low-lying regions, and forested areas. In contrast, low GWPZs are primarily found in shrubland and grassland areas. This study is vital for decision-makers as it promotes sustainable groundwater use and ensures water security in the studied area.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827637","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}

{"title":"Waste to Energy: Combustion, Performance, and Emission Characteristics of Waste Animal Fats/Diesel Blends Premixed with Various Alcohols as Port Fuels","authors":"T. Sathish,&nbsp;Jayant Giri,&nbsp;R. Saravanan,&nbsp;Ümit Ağbulut","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400189","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400189","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Animal flesh is a major food source with economic and industrial value for consumer demand. These meats produced biowaste during and after preparation and use. Chicken intestines make up most of the waste thrown away after processing or frying. This study considers it a biodiesel source. Transesterification turns chicken intestine waste fat oil into biodiesel. This oil is used in compression ignition (CI) engines but performs poorly compared to diesel. Diesel, the base fuel, is mixed with 20% biodiesel. The remaining 10% and 20% of butanol and pentanol are port fuels, improving combustion and lowering emissions in the 5.2 kW, 1500 rpm CI engine. 20% pentanol premixing outperformed butanol premixing, blending, and engine CIWFOB operation. The greater heating value improves combustion, therefore 20% pentanol premixing with blend produces 32.76% BTE, 10.57% more than diesel. It produced 55.18% less CO and 50.92% less smoke than diesel, which has a greater heat release rate (48.86 J/CAD) and peak pressure (64.76 bar). This premixing costs NOx emissions. The CIWFOB blend with 20% pentanol premixing improves engine performance. For SDGs 7, 9, 12, and 13, this study is supported.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637774/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142828172","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}

{"title":"Time-Quantile and Frequency Response of Green Growth to Energy Vulnerability, Energy Uncertainty, and Geopolitical Risks","authors":"Emmanuel Uche","doi":"10.1002/gch2.202400225","DOIUrl":"10.1002/gch2.202400225","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The study explains the time-quantile-frequency adjustments of green growth to energy vulnerability, energy uncertainties, and geopolitical risks (GPR) in the United States (US). Novel insights with notable policy implications emerged following the empirical analysis of monthly data spanning 2000 m1–2022 m12. The study implemented the Wavelet Quantile Correlation (WQC), Wavelet Quantile Granger Causality, and the Rolling Windows Wavelet Quantile Granger Causality to understand the dynamics among the variables. Evidence from WQC divulged time-specific positive and negative interactions between green growth and its determinants. Specifically, energy vulnerability dampened green growth more profoundly in the immediate and medium terms. However, in the long term, green growth prospers amidst energy vulnerability. This outcome reflects some policy effectiveness that reduced the negative effects of energy vulnerability for green growth. The effects of energy uncertainties are similar to that of energy vulnerability, with more profound damaging effects in the lower medium horizon of the distributions. GPR dampened green growth in the short run and enhanced it in the medium term, but it reduced green growth more profoundly in the long run. The pleasant effects of energy efficiency and digitalization are observed mostly in the long run, with notable green growth-reducing effects mainly in the short run.</p>","PeriodicalId":12646,"journal":{"name":"Global Challenges","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11637780/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142828170","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}