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The primary objective of this paper is to develop a hybrid grey box model that integrates air and thermal dynamics to improve accuracy in both domains. The methodology involved developing four grey box models to estimate ventilation airflows using indoor CO2 concentration data and six thermal models to estimate thermal properties and heat gains using indoor temperature data. To ensure accurate parameterization, measurements of outdoor conditions, occupancy, and HVAC operations were incorporated. The results revealed that models treating infiltration and mechanical ventilation as mutually exclusive (IAQ-3 and IAQ-4) and those integrating ventilation heat gains from estimated airflows (T-6) performed most effectively. This hybrid approach underscores the benefits of incorporating ventilation heat loos or gains, based on airflow estimation derived from indoor air quality (IAQ) models, into thermal modelling, significantly improving accuracy and reducing parameter variability. The findings demonstrate the potential of this methodology for applications in ventilation management and HVAC optimization. By enhancing energy efficiency and improving indoor air quality, this approach supports the development of healthier, more sustainable indoor environments. This research was supported by a predoctoral contract grant (reference no. PRE2021-099606) as part of the research and development project IAQ4EDU (reference no. PID2020-117366RB-I00), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, and is part of the project BINAFET (reference no. TED2021-130047B-C22), funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union “NextGenerationEU”/PRTR. Moreover, this study was supported by the Catalan agency AGAUR through its research group support programme (2021 SGR 00341).

AbstractTomato residues are a form of solid waste that can be converted into methane through anaerobic digestion (AD). However, methane production is often limited due to incomplete hydrolysis caused by the high lignocellulosic content of tomato waste. Enzymatic pretreatments represent a promising approach to enhance methane yields by facilitating substrate hydrolysis. This study evaluated four commercial enzymatic blends – Celluclast 1.5 L, Maxoliva HC L, Viscozyme, and Novozym 435 – using biomethane potential (BMP) tests with two operational strategies: (i) preincubation of enzymes with tomato waste prior to AD, and (ii) direct addition of enzymes to the anaerobic digester. Maxoliva achieved the highest methane yield (348 ± 20 mL CH4 g−1 volatile solids (VS)) under preincubation, representing 99.5% of the theoretical BMP and a 90% increase in comparison with the control. Kinetic analysis using the modified Gompertz equation revealed that Maxoliva also exhibited the highest maximum methane production rate (RMAX = 5.5 ± 0.2 mL CH4 g−1 VS day−1) with direct addition. Conversely, Viscozyme showed limited effectiveness, reaching only 47% of the theoretical BMP value. The enhanced methane production observed with certain enzymatic blends is likely attributable to cellulase activity, which facilitates the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into easily biodegradable polysaccharides.

A one-pot fuel cell for specific, enzyme-catalysed organic synthesis, with continuous monitoring of rate and reaction progress, combines an electrode catalysing rapid, reversible and diffusion-controlled interconversion of NADP+ and NADPH with a Pt electrode catalysing 2H+/H2 interconversion.

Abstract While it is generally accepted that our fossil fuel-dominated energy systems must undergo a sustainable transition, researchers have often neglected the potential impacts of this on water and land systems. However, if unintended environmental impacts from this process are to be avoided, understanding its implications for land use and water demand is of crucial importance. Moreover, developed countries may induce environmental stress beyond their own borders, for instance through extensive imports of bioenergy. In this paper, Germany serves as an example of a developed country with ambitious energy transformation targets. Results show that in particular, the politically-driven aspiration for more organic farming in Germany results in a higher import quota of biomass, especially biofuels. These imports translate into land demand, which will exceed the area available in Germany for bioenergy by a factor of 3–6.5 by 2050. As this will likely bring about land stress in the respective exporting countries, this effect of the German energy transformation ought to be limited as much as possible. In contrast, domestic water demand for the German energy system is expected to decrease by over 80% through 2050 due to declining numbers of fossil-fuelled power plants. However, possible future irrigation needs for bioenergy may reduce or even counterbalance this decreasing effect. In addition, energy policy targets specific to the transport sector show a high sensitivity to biomass imports. In particular, the sector-specific target for greenhouse gas reductions will seemingly promote biomass imports, leading to the above-described challenges in the pursuit of sustainability.

Climate change is altering ecosystems worldwide. While shifting environmental conditions are complex, it has been hypothesised that the impact of climate change are directly leading to increases in fungal infections across the globe. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are thought to be driving the adaptation of fungal pathogens to new climates, expanding their geographical range and posing a growing threat to human health and agriculture. This review highlights how climate change may impact key pathogens, including Candida auris, Candida orthopsilosis, Cryptococcus deuterogattii, and resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, which have emerged as significant public health concerns. Their spread is accelerated by globalisation, urbanisation, and the intensifying use of agricultural fungicides, which further increase antifungal resistance. The growing prevalence of resistant strains and emergence of novel fungal pathogens is likely linked to anthropogenic climate change, underscoring the urgent need for action and for more robust data collection.

AbstractThis study describes the relationships between climate change and the concept of a circular economy, outlining the need for synergies within a company's context. It reports on a bibliometric analysis of the relations between climate change and circular economy, and it provides evidence and assessments based on a sample of 11 large companies in the chemical industry. The results show that there is a concern in the academic literature to discuss circular economy efforts to combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, strengthen the supply chain, assess the life cycle of products, their environmental impact, and waste management, and identify barriers to implementing the circular economy. In addition, there is a close association between the CE concept and tackling climate change in how organisations report their practices to the stakeholders, in considering concepts of recycling, reusing, adopting renewable energy, seeking resource efficiency, and rethinking strategies. The study concludes by providing some suggestions that may assist companies in intensifying their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, combining them with more circular business models. Efforts from interested stakeholders must focus on defining CE in a more detailed manner, as well as its implementation at the different stages of production and consumption, especially in operations for which no uniform approach or common practice can be established. In this context, implications for positive social and environmental impacts by promoting a faster and more proactive climate transition in the chemical sector are presented. The novelty of this paper relies on the fact that it advances knowledge on matters related to the circular economy under a climate change context, identifying current trends and suggesting some measures which may optimise current business practices of the chemical sector.

AbstractThe Homeless Heritage project took place across two English cities (Bristol and York) between 2010 and 2014. The project sought to use a range of participatory heritage practices to engage contemporary homeless people in documenting their perspectives on each city. Drawing on data gathered over three and a half years this paper reflects on how collaborative cultural heritage practices can be useful in recording diverse stakeholder perspectives which can become catalysts for social change. It is further argued that two interactive exhibitions that resulted from the Homeless Heritage project contributed to the democratisation of knowledge, aiding negotiation of the complicated politics of contemporary homelessness in valuable ways.