7141 research outputs found
Sort by
Navigating the Convergence of Global Competitiveness and Sustainable Development: A Multi-Level Analysis
Full text linkSustainable Development (SD) involves multiple factors and different perspectives that are critical to individuals, organizations, regions, countries, and the world. Even though relationships among Global Competitiveness, the Macroeconomic Environment, and SD dimensions, encompassing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are critical, for national and global policymaking, many of these relationships have not been studied systematically nor at different aggregation levels. Therefore, this study examines the relationships among the Global Competitiveness pillars (e.g., Institutions, Infrastructure, Education, Technology, Business Sophistication, and Innovation) and the Macroeconomic Environment and the SD dimensions (Social, Economic, and Environmental) using various models. Additionally, this study examined three country clusters (very-competitive, competitive, and less competitive). The PLS-SEM analysis used 11-year data from 128 countries. The results showed variability in the relationships studied as well as differences between country clusters and countries. The findings may be applicable for policymakers in reflecting and acting on the specificity of national SD, determining SD priorities for the future, as well as reflecting and acting on integrating national SD into global SD
A Study on Combined Effect of Monoterpenoid Essential Oils and Polyphenols from Grape Pomace on Selected Pathogenic and Probiotic Bacteria Strains
No full textIn the current study, the combined effects of essential oils (EOs) and polyphenols (PPs) were investigated as potential antibiotic alternatives. Thymol and carvacrol at a ratio of 1:1 was used as the EO due to their well-proven synergistic antimicrobial effect. The PPs were an extracted and freeze-dried product from grape pomace. The treatment solutions were prepared at the EO to PP ratios of 0:10, 3:7, 5:5, 7:3, and 10:0, at total concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 ppm. The minimum inhibition concentrations were examined on the pathogenic bacteria strains, namely Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and Enterococcus cloacae, and a probiotic bacterium, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. The mixed EOs and PPs exhibited varied levels of antibacterial effect against the tested pathogenic bacteria. The MIC of EO and the EO/PP ratio of 10:0 was the best, followed by 7:3 and 5:5 of EO/PP mixed ratios. For the probiotic bacterium, the PP and EO/PP mixed solutions exhibited promoting effects on the growth of L. plantarum at certain concentrations. The results have demonstrated that the combined EOs and PPs could maximize antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria while stimulating the growth of the tested probiotic bacterium. This finding will provide useful insights for developing antibiotic alternatives while minimizing the adverse effects on probiotic strains
Utilization of Industrial Hemp Biomass Waste (I): Stability of Cannabidiol in Pre and Post- Encapsulation States
No full textAfter cannabidiol was extracted from the hemp biomass using supercritical CO2 extraction, the residual could be utilized as a source of other valuable ingredients. The stability of the extracted CBD in pre- and post- encapsulation states were evaluated. Dynamic macerations with ethanol and hexane were compared for CBD extraction. The ethanol extract yielded 0.11% ± 0.10 CBD and 1.83% ± 0.00 cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), while the hexane extraction yielded 0.08% ± 0.04 CBD, 1.06% ± 0.04 CBDA, and 0.30% ± 0.04 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). Ethanol extraction was selected due to the low THC detection in the extract. The CBD extract was encapsulated using water soluble yellow mustard mucilage (WSM), maltodextrin (MD), gum Arabic (GA), and protein extracted from the hemp biomass waste (HBP) via freeze drying. The WSM-MD-GA 1:5 particle formulation exhibited superior thermal stability over 72 h, whereas the WSM-HBP-GA 1:5 formulation offered the most protection against UVa-induced degradation within the same duration. Incorporating hemp biomass protein as an encapsulation material enhanced protection against light exposure through UV absorption, although it did not grant thermal protection. These findings indicated that encapsulation significantly protects against CBD degradation when subjected to thermal and light conditions compared to non-encapsulated CBD
Identifying superior finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) landraces using the multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI)
No full textGenetic variability and selection are crucial for finger millet breeding programs to maximize genetic gain and productivity. This study evaluated 18 finger millet landraces cultivated in the mid-hills of Nepal, along with ‘Kavre Kodo 2’ as a check variety, assessing 14 agro-morphological traits. The objective was to identify superior finger millet landraces using a multivariate approach based on the multi-trait genotype– ideotype distance index (MGIDI). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Principal component analysis revealed that the first five components collectively accounted for 80.8% of the total variation, reflecting the genetic relatedness among the landraces. Broad-sense heritability (h2) ranged from 40.4% to 97.5%, with most traits exceeding 60%, indicating a strong genetic influence and promising prospects for effective selection. MGIDI identified ‘Seto Kodo’, ‘Larparey’, and ‘Dudhey’ as ideotype landraces with a selection intensity of 15%. These landraces exhibited positive gains across all traits studied, except for flag leaf area and the number of effective tillers. The strengths-weaknesses analysis emphasized their value for targeted improvement. Overall, the findings highlight MGIDI as an effective tool for selecting superior finger millet landraces and guiding breeding strategies to improve productivity