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Agar/Carboxymethyl cellulose blended films with green-synthesised silver nanoparticles as a sustainable alternative for food packaging applications
No full textThe shelf life of food can be affected by storage and transport conditions. The development of a biodegradable, eco-friendly active bioplastic for food packaging could delay food deterioration during these stages, while minimising the environmental impact of non-degradable conventional plastics. In this study, blended films of agar with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were integrated with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were produced by a green synthesis method. The incorporation of silver nanoparticles into the blended films increased the stiffness of the film and improved the water vapour barrier and hydrophobicity. The thermal stability and the Fourier transform infrared spectra of the films were not affected by the different concentrations of AgNPs incorporated. The film microstructure was affected by the concentration of AgNPs and resulted in an increase in the film’s pore size. Films with the highest concentration of AgNPs showed antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli, and provided the material with the highest UV protection and bio-disintegration in soil and simulated seawater environments compared to the other developed films. The developed agar/CMC blended films with improved physicochemical properties present a viable alternative to conventional plastics in active food packaging applications
Cyclically sheared colloidal gels: structural change and delayed failure time
Get PDFWe present experiments and simulations on cyclically sheared colloidal gels, and probe their behaviour on several different length scales. For experimental gels formed by colloid–polymer mixtures, the shearing induces structural changes, which are quantified by the topological cluster classification, bond-order parameters, and the pore size distribution. These results are mirrored in computer simulations of a model gel-former: for cyclic shear with amplitudes up to 4%, local structural analysis shows that the material evolves down the energy landscape under shearing, and the average pore size increases. We also analyze mechanical responses including the stress and the dissipation rate, revealing a crossover between elastic and plastic responses as the strain amplitude is increased. Depending on the parameters, we observe both increased compliance after shearing (thixotropy), and reduced compliance (strain hardening). We simulate creeping flow under constant shear stress, for gels that were previously subject to cyclic shear, showing that strain-hardening also increases gel stability. This response depends on the orientation of the applied shear stress, revealing that the cyclic shear imprints anisotropic structural features into the gel
Norms as instruments of non-violent rivalry? Russian views on the promotion of renewable energy
Get PDFConstructivists argue that international norms represent shared understandings of appropriate behaviour which become universally accepted after their successful internalisation. However, studies of norm contestation, localisation and death suggest that many norms having originated in the West are perceived elsewhere as instruments used by states to promote their interests abroad. This paper examines whether norms can be a vehicle for non-violent rivalry between states based on a study of the norm on the sustainable energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Interviews with representatives of the Russian government, O&G industry and media show that there is a lot of scepticism surrounding this norm because it is geopolitically advantageous to the West and damaging to Russia. The theoretical findings reveal that although grafting a diplomatic initiative onto a mature norm could be effective, this does not mean that norms can easily be created to gain the upper hand in punctual disputes
Geopolitical risks, institutional environment, and food price inflation
Get PDFAbstract: This study investigates the relationship between heightened geopolitical risks and food price inflation using a panel data model that includes 33 countries from 2001 to 2020. Key findings show that geopolitical risks significantly raise the level of food price inflation, with a more pronounced effect observed in developing countries, and a reduced effect in countries characterized by high levels of individualism and masculinity. Furthermore, the effect of geopolitical risks on food inflation is moderated during economic booms and amid climate change concerns. In addition, we find that countries with strong connections to major food producers experience less impact from geopolitical risks. The study concludes that geopolitical risks are a crucial factor in food price inflation, particularly for vulnerable countries, suggesting that they should incorporate geopolitical considerations into their economic policies and strengthen ties with major food producers to mitigate this risk
Marine insurance in the modern age: the way forward following the Insurance Act 2015 and AI's disruption of the insurance sector
No full textThe impact of social media exposure and online peer networks on green purchase behavior
Get PDFGreen purchase behavior has grown significantly to promote sustainable living and minimize the environmental impacts of increasing consumption. There are limited research investigating the impact of green digital interaction influence customers’ pro-environmental practices. Drawing from customer value theory, the objective of the present study is to investigate the mediating role of perceived values in the relationship between green digital interaction and green purchase intention. A total of 308 participants were recruited to complete a survey regarding green purchases in China. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used, and the findings provided empirical evidence that emotional value is a central concept that mediates the relationship between green digital interaction and other value dimensions. The study provides significant findings for organizations and marketers to implement more effective digital marketing strategies to promote green products
The structure of Borneo vortices and their relationship with cold surges, the Madden–Julian oscillation and equatorial waves
Get PDFThe Borneo vortex (BV) is a synoptic-scale vorticity feature found in the SouthChina Sea near Borneo during extended Boreal winter, which can bring heavyrain to the region. Predicting this rainfall is difficult. Therefore, a better under-standing of the structure of these vortices and their interaction with equatorialwaves could aid forecasters. Here we divide the BVs found from 41-years ofOctober–March ERA5 data into five clusters based on their tracks identifiedusing relative vorticity maxima. These clusters capture distinct phenomena: vor-tices moving westwards across the South China Sea, vortices tracking along thenorth and northwest sides of Borneo, vortices sitting on the west side of Borneo,and vortices that initiate on the northwest side of Borneo, cross the equator andtrack eastwards along the south coast of Borneo. These clusters have a strongseasonal dependence related to the strength and southward propagation of thenortheasterly flow and therefore cold-surge type. The Madden–Julian oscilla-tion (MJO) is considerably less important than the cold surge for modulatingvortex frequency but has a similar order of magnitude impact on vortex rainfall.Kelvin waves strongly modulate rainfall from all BVs. Westward-moving mixedRossby–gravity (WMRG) and Rossby n = 1 (R1) waves modify frequency, rainfall,and vorticity through modification of environmental vorticity and northeast-erly flow. These properties are highest when the BV is within or on the leadingedge of the positive vorticity phase of R1 waves (in the northern hemisphere) orWMRG waves. Westward-moving vortices north of 4◦ N are often embedded inand move with R1 or WMRG waves. Examining case studies in detail, we findBVs typically extend upward to 500–400 hPa but can reach to 300 hPa, and thosenear the equator may not always have closed streamlines. Under vertical windshear they may tilt, usually to the west
The challenges and future of environmental archaeology in Mauritius
Get PDFThis paper considers the value of past and prospective applications of key environmental archaeological and earth science fields relating to the historical ecology of Mauritius and the Mascarene islands more broadly: palaeoecology, geoarchaeology, zooarchaeology and climate studies. The contribution of each sub-field is outlined with the aim of demonstrating the potential value of an integrated environmental archaeological approach for developing a long-term understanding of the human ecology of Mauritius and its associated islands. The paper considers the potential and limitations of existing approaches and data, as well as future challenges. Beyond solely reconstructing the nuances of anthropogenic impact on the environment in relation to the island’s history of settlement, we argue that environmental archaeology can contribute to an understanding of ‘biocultural diversity’ as an integral element of Mauritian heritage, bridging the divide between cultural and natural heritage
Motivation science can improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trainings
No full textRecent reviews of efforts to reduce prejudice and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace have converged on the conclusion that prejudice is resistant to change and that merely raising awareness of the problem is not enough. There is growing recognition that DEI efforts may fall short because they do not effectively motivate attitudinal and behavioral change, especially the type of change that translates to reducing disparities. Lasting change requires sustained effort and commitment, yet insights from motivation science about how to inspire this are missing from the scientific and practitioner literatures on DEI trainings. Herein, we leverage evidence from two complementary approaches to motivating change and reducing defensiveness: self-determination theory, a metatheory of human motivation, and motivational interviewing, a clinical approach for behavior change, to tackle the question of how to improve DEI efforts. We distill these insights for researchers, teachers, practitioners, and leaders wanting to apply motivational principles to their own DEI work. We highlight challenges of using this approach and recommend training takes place alongside larger structural and organizational changes. We conclude that motivation is a necessary (but insufficient) ingredient for effective DEI efforts that can energize personal commitment to DEI