1,720,985 research outputs found
Using the right words or using the words right? Re-conceptualizing Living Labs for systemic innovation in socio-ecological systems
Full text linkMediterranean rural systems, understood as socio-ecological systems (SES), often face complex sustainability
challenges arising from the structural coupling of ecological and socioeconomic processes, climatic pressures,
and weak adaptive capacities. Living labs are gradually gaining ground as an approach to tackling complex
sustainability challenges. However, the existing literature is urban-focused and little attention has been paid to
the implementation of living labs in rural contexts. This study fills this gap by addressing whether the
increasingly popular living lab approach is suitable for pursuing systemic innovation for sustainable development
in rural SES. Through a systematic review of the existing literature, this paper offers a contemporary perspective
on living labs as models to support systemic innovation and governance of rural SES, while also accounting for
previous interpretations of the concept. The paper then moves to a critical discussion of the main constraints on
living lab conceptualisation and operationalisation and provides several recommendations for more effective and
transparent use of living labs in rural SES. We argue that it is paramount to recognise living labs not solely as
laboratories to validate techno-scientific solutions, but also as living systems that can be designed as social
learning spaces to improve situations of complexity and uncertainty. In this sense, the success of living labs is
contingent upon the willingness and capacity of both stakeholders and researchers to remain actively engaged in
social learning and co-creation processes
Variation in soil C and microbial functions across tree canopy projection and open grassland microenvironments
No full textAbstract: This research was an attempt to study the effect of heavy metals lead and cadmium (0.05 mM and 0.3 mM) on growth and
antioxidant enzymes of seedlings of 2 mung bean genotypes (NM 19-19 and Azri mung-2006). Results revealed that germination
percentage and seedling length decreased when compared with the control for both genotypes. However, seedling length and
germination percentage was better in NM 19-19 as compared to Azri mung-2006. Elevated levels of protein were observed under metal
stress in both genotypes. Heavy metals induced oxidative stress in plants, causing membrane injury as observed by enhanced level of
malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Increase in antioxidant enzymes activity was detected for guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and catalase
(CAT). However, ascorbate (APX) activity decreased under stress for both genotypes. We observed more MDA content and GPX and
APX activity in Azri mung-2006 as compared to NM 19-19 when high concentrations of Pb and Cd were added. This revealed that NM
19-19 was tolerant whereas Azri mung-2006 was sensitive to Pb and Cd. It was further noticed that Cd imposed a more deleterious effect
than Pb on both genotypes
Functionalized gold nanoparticles for the detection of nitrates in water
No full textA rapid and sensitive colorimetric assay was developed using cysteamine modified gold nanoparticles for the direct detection of nitrates in water samples. Gold nanoparticles stabilized with citrate were modified with cysteamine that has excellent affinity for nitrates, and its capacity to capture nitrates was evaluated, in comparison with other anions. The presence of nitrates in water samples could be tracked by naked eye with a color variation of the colloidal suspension from red to gray, and these results were confirmed through ultraviolet–visible measurements within a nitrate concentration of 35 ppm. In field analysis was performed in underground water extracted from wells during the year 2012 in Arborea area (Italy), a nitrate vulnerable zone, and information of nitrate concentration in the range of the recommended nitrate level in water was studied. This simple assay can be used for onsite detection of nitrates in water without the need for skilled personnel, sample pretreatment or expensive instrumentatio
Erosione del suolo ed inquinamento da nitrati: valutazione integrata e partecipativa delle misure agro-ambientali.
No full textValutare l’impatto economico e produttivo dei cambiamenti climatici in una zona di agricoltura irrigua mediterranea soggetta a scarsità idrica
No full textDocumenting and Modeling the accretion of surface and subsoil organic carbon in agricultural inceptisols reclaimed from Mediterranean sea marshes in Sardinia
No full textEndogenous calcium mediates seedling growth and fluoride stress tolerance in four bean genotypes
Full text linkFluoride (F) pollution is a global environmental problem representing a severe risk for food and vegetables grown in contaminated soils. Phaseolus vulgaris L. is widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions and F-contaminated areas of the world. For that reason, F tolerance during germination and seedling growth was evaluated for four bean genotypes: Borlotto nano (commercial variety) and three African genotypes (Lyamungu 85, Lyamungu 90, and Jesca). Seeds were grown in sand enriched with NaF or KF at three different levels (0, 80, and 200 mg kg(-1)). NaCl was used as a benchmark to determine the potential effect of different Na levels in the plant. Total F content and mineral accumulation (Na, K, and Ca) in roots and shoots were measured. The translocation factor, growth ratio, and F tolerance index were evaluated to estimate plant-salt response. Germination rate decreased with increased F level. Borlotto was more F sensitive (0% germination with 200 mg kg(-1) of KF and NaF) than the African genotypes. Under the highest F concentration (200 mg kg(-1)), F preferentially accumulated in shoots (Jesca 75.7 mg kg(-1), Lyamungu 85 100.1 mg kg(-1), and Lyamungu 90 115.4 mg kg(-1)). Ca content in roots was negatively correlated to F absorption, suggesting its antagonistic role to F mobility. Based on these parameters, Jesca and Lyamungu 85 were the most tolerant species, recording a low F uptake and a high Ca content in the root. This study highlighted the central role of Ca as a key secondary messenger in regulating plant growth and development under F stress
Produzione di seme di leguminose annuali in tre ambienti italiani.
No full textThe seed production of 18 natural populations and varieties of annual forage legumes mainly collected in Central Italy have been evaluated in three Italian sites with contrasting climate and soil types. All species belonged to the genus Medicago and Trifolium
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