The increase in average annual temperature due to greenhouse gases emission is posing threat to the agriculture sector across the globe. Pakistan is labor abundant agrarian country that heavily depends on the agriculture sector for food, employment, and raw material for industries. This study is a preliminary investigation that explores the effect of increasing average annual temperature on the competitiveness of 24 major agricultural exports from 2003 to 2020. The revealed export advantage (RXA) is used to explore the competitive performance of selected agricultural exports, which is then normalized to examine the effect of increasing average annual temperature along with official exchange rate, urbanization, and globalization. The panel fixed-effect model with heteroscedasticity consistent robust standard error recommended by White (Econometrica 48(4):817–838, 1980) is used to explore model estimates, whereas the robustness check has been performed by using heteroscedasticity and multicollinearity consistent robust standard error model of Driscoll and Kaary (Rev Econ Stat 80(4):549–559, 1998). The estimated result reveals that the increasing average annual temperature has a negative but insignificant impact on the export competitiveness of selected agricultural exports. While, urbanization and exchange rate deprecation show a significant negative effect of higher intensity, respectively. Globalization, however, reveals a significant positive impact on the competitiveness of selected agricultural exports. This study, therefore, urges for the development of the agriculture sector by adopting SDGs proposed by the United Nations for sustainable economic growth and development.

The issue of natural resources and environment are a matter of clashing argument in recent studies. An increase in natural resources raises economic growth which in turn increases carbon emission, that is a challenge for environmental sustainability. There is a lack of research on weather innovations playing any important role by acquiring renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and boosting economic growth by lowering the use of natural resources to raise environmental quality. Consequently, this study investigates the effect of natural resources, innovations, economic growth, and renewable energy consumption on carbon dioxide emission in 39 Belt and Road Initiative countries from 1981 to 2019. OLS, fixed effect, and generalized method of moments models were used for analysis, where the results indicate that natural resources, innovations, and economic growth significantly increase carbon dioxide emission, while renewable energy reduces emission and raises environmental quality. The square term of natural resources is negative; thus, it indicates that natural resource use reduces emission when it reaches a certain level. Likewise, our results validate the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis in the Belt and Road initiative countries. The findings have considerable policy implications for the Belt and Road countries regarding natural resource use, innovations, and renewable energy consumption.

The antagonistic side effects of chemical medications led to the search for safe strategies such as biogenic agents. Correspondingly, this study aims to create biogenic, appropriate, auspicious and innovative therapeutic agents like Galaxaura elongata {GE}, Turbinaria ornata {TO} and Enteromorpha flexuosa {EF} macroalgae-based silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). The Ag⁺ reduction and the creation of Ag[GE]-NPs, Ag[TO]-NPs and Ag[EF]-NPs have been validated using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and zeta potential analysis, and the chemical composition of macroalgae crude extracts was estimated through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Further, macroalgae-based Ag-NPs were tested for their free radical scavenging activity DPPH, ABTS, anticancer activity in human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell line, distinctive inflammation forms and elevated α-amylase. Results showed that the biosynthesized Ag-NPs have unique mechanical and physicochemical characters attributed to their high relative surface area, nanosized dimensions and spherical shape. At dose of 200 µg/mL, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity was maximized with Ag[TO]-NPs (67.26%); however, Ag[EF]-NPs was the most potent as ABTs scavenger (97.74%). Additionally, Ag[GE]-NPs had the maximum proteinase inhibitory action with 59.78%. The 1000 µg/mL of Ag[GE]-NPs, Ag[TO]-NPs and Ag[EF]-NPs revealed significant inhibitions of cell growth of HepG2 resulting in cell viabilities 5.92%, 4.44% and 11.33%, respectively. These findings suggest that macroalgae bio-capped Ag-NPs have magnificent biological potentials for safe biomedical applications.

As persistent and ubiquitous contaminants in water, iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) pose a non-negligible risk to the environment and human health. In this study, we investigated the adsorption behavior of two typical ICM compounds, iohexol (IOH) and amidotrizoic acid (DTZ), on magnetic activated carbon. Theoretical investigations, using density functional theory, identified the molecule structures and calculated the molecular diameters of IOH (1.68 nm) and DTZ (1.16 nm), which revealed that ICM could be adsorbed by mesopores and larger micropores. Therefore, magnetic activated carbon with a porous structure was prepared by the co-precipitation method to investigate the adsorption mechanism of IOH and DTZ. MAC-­5 (magnetic activated carbon with a theoretical iron oxide content of 37%) showed the best adsorption ability for both IOH and DTZ, with maximum adsorption capacities of 86.05 and 43.00 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm models were applied to explore the mechanisms involved, and the effects of solution pH, initial concentration, temperature, ionic strength, and natural organic matter were also investigated. The pore filling effect, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interaction, were found to be the main adsorption mechanisms. The co-adsorption data showed that competition may occur in ICM coexisting environments. Interestingly, the used MAC-­5 could be successfully regenerated and its adsorption efficiency did not decrease significantly after five cycles, indicating that it is a promising adsorbent for ICM. The results from this study provide some new insights for the treatment of water containing ICM.

This study is the first attempt to examine the effects of changing climate and financial development on rice cultivation in the context of agrarian economy like Thailand from 1969 to 2016. The current study also uses other important variables, such as cultivated area, organic fertilizers usage, and rural labor to determine the long-term connection amid variables. In this study, we applied several econometric techniques, for instance the autoregressive distributive lag–error correction model (ARDL–ECM), vector error correction model (VECM), impulse response functions (IMFs), and variance decomposition (VARD) method to estimate the most reliable and robust outcomes. The empirical results showed that in the long- and short-run, there is a reduction in rice cultivation as temperature increase. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) positively affects rice cultivation in the long-run, while this association is negative in the short-run. The findings further revealed that in the long- and short-run, domestic credit provided by the financial sector significantly positive improved rice cultivation, while domestic credit to private sector by banks negatively affects rice cultivation. The important input factors, including cultivated area, organic fertilizers usage, and rural labor significantly positive contributed toward rice cultivation in the long- and short-run. The calculated long-run causal connection of all the studied variables with rice cultivation is validated. The estimated short-run causal relationship is unidirectional among temperature, CO₂ emissions, financial development, rural labor, and rice cultivation. In addition, our outcomes are robust and also verified by IMFs and VARD method. The study offers some important policy suggestions to increase rice production with the help of sound and well-developed financial systems and climate controls.

Phosphorus, a limiting element, is essential for living organisms, but the total amount available is decreasing with its increasing use. This problem can be solved by studying the methods of phosphorus recovery from waste. Phosphorus (P₂O₅, 13.75%) is abundantly present in cattle manure bottom ash (CMBA), indicating its potential as a source for phosphorus recovery. Herein, phosphorus recovery from CMBA was investigated by acid extraction and precipitation methods. The optimum concentration of sulfuric acid for extraction was 1.4 M, which eluted approximately 90% of the phosphorus contained in CMBA. In the precipitation method, sodium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate (CSH, CaSiO₃∙nH₂O) were used to adjust the solution pH to 4 and 8, where more than 99% of the eluted phosphorus was recovered when the pH was adjusted to 8 using CSH alone. The chemical composition and crystal forms of the recovered precipitates were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence and an X-ray powder diffractometer. The results indicated monetite and brushite were the main crystal forms of precipitates at pH 4, and struvite, hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate were the main crystal forms at pH 8. The availability of phosphorus in the precipitates was also evaluated by quinoline gravimetric analysis using water and 2% citric acid, and the water-soluble precipitate was less than 35%, whereas it ranged from 65 to 97% in 2% citric acid. This study suggests that CMBA can be used as a promising source to recover phosphorus via acid extraction and precipitation processes.

Green innovation has become a norm and crucial element of success for modern firms. Manufacturing firms come up with alternative ideas to achieve green innovation. This study proposes that green innovation can be enhanced by amalgamating green business strategies and mastering green competencies within a firm. It isolates itself from previous research by focusing on inherent internal competencies, which could bolster green innovation performance. This integration not only helps firms achieve green innovation but could also improve green value co-creation. Meanwhile, green value co-creation will also mediate the relationship between integrated competencies and green innovation. Data has been collected from the managers of original equipment manufacturers within Pakistan via survey. A total of 319 responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling, and empirical results support the proposed hypotheses. The study’s findings suggest that green competencies coupled with green business strategy positively influence green value co-creation and green innovation. Moreover, green value co-creation elevates firms’ green performance and help firms to achieve green innovation. Consequently, theoretical and managerial implications are presented, which adds to this study’s significance under the dynamic capability view.

Throughfall (TF) deposition of sulfur (SO₄²⁻ as S) and inorganic nitrogen (N as NO₃⁻ + NH₄⁺) are key drivers to stream acidification in base-poor regions of eastern United States (US). Significant declines in acid deposition over the past 20 years have occurred in this region, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). GRSM has long studied impacts of acid deposition on stream water quality since 1991; however, the last park-wide TF S and N deposition survey was completed in 2000. This study updates TF S and N depositions in GRSM where TF S deposition ranged between 1.6 and 5.5 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ compared with 2000 data reported as between 6.5 and 33.6 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, and TF N deposition ranged between 2.6 and 11.6 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ compared with 2000 data as between 4.8 and 25.0 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Elevation largely influenced these ranges, where annual TF S and N depositions increased with increasing elevation. However, TF deposition for base cations (BC) slightly declined with increasing elevation. Annual precipitation volumes were greater at the higher elevation sites, and influenced TF ion depositions. However, TF depositions for N (NH₄⁺) and BC (K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) appeared to be regulated primarily by forest canopy exchange. BC canopy exchange and limited supply from bulk deposition at higher elevations may be a factor to continued stream acidification at higher elevations. It appears forest composition as classified as coniferous, deciduous, and mix did not influence TF ion depositions. Findings from this study provide necessary data for biogeochemical modeling efforts to predict the recovery period of stream water quality from acidification and have implications to the possible environmental effects of climate change.

We investigate the impact of renewable energy and green practices (RE), transportation services and infrastructure (T.S.), GDP growth (GDP), and forestry and natural resources (AFF) on the sustainable tourism development in the Eastern European Countries (EECs). The study employed cross-sectional dependence and and CIPS unit root test to check stationarity along with the dynamic common correlated effect (DCCE) model proposed by Chudik and Pesaran (2015) to test parameters for ensuring robustness. The outcome of DCCE method suggests that renewable energy (RE), Transport Services (T.S.), Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (AFF), and economic growth (GDP) have a significantly positive impact on international tourism in the sampled countries of Europe. Our findings could be insightful for policymakers and understanding the impact of renewable energy and transportation services on tourism development, and thereby help in taking appropriate policy measures in the sampled countries.

The efficiency of nitrogenous fertilizers in South Asia is on a declining trajectory due to increased losses. Biochar (BC) and slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizers (SRNF) have been found to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in certain cases. However, field-scale studies to explore the potential of BC and SRNF in south Asian arid climate are lacking. Here we conducted a field experiment in the arid environment to demonstrate the response of BC and SRNF on cotton growth and yield quality. The treatments were comprised of two factors, (A) nitrogen sources, (i) simple urea, (ii)neem-coated urea, (iii)sulfur-coated urea, (iv) bacterial coated urea, and cotton stalks biochar impregnated with simple urea, and (B) nitrogen application rates, N₁=160 kg ha⁻¹, N₂ = 120 kg ha⁻¹, and N₃ = 80 kg ha⁻¹. Different SRNF differentially affected cotton growth, morphological and physiological attributes, and seed cotton yield (SCY). The bacterial coated urea at the highest rate of N application (160 kg ha⁻¹) resulted in a higher net leaf photosynthetic rate (32.8 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), leaf transpiration rate (8.10 mmol s⁻¹), and stomatal conductance (0.502 mol m⁻² s⁻¹), while leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), and seed cotton yield (4513 kg ha⁻¹) were increased by bacterial coated urea at 120 kg ha⁻¹ than simple urea. However, low rate N application (80 kg ha⁻¹) of bacterial coated urea showed higher nitrogen use efficiency (39.6 kg SCY kg⁻¹ N). The fiber quality (fiber length, fiber strength, ginning outturn, fiber index, and seed index) was also increased with the high N application rates than N2 and N3 application. To summarize, the bacterial coated urea with recommended N (160 kg ha⁻¹) and 75% of recommended N application (120 kg ha⁻¹) may be recommended for farmers in the arid climatic conditions of Punjab to enhance the seed cotton yield, thereby reducing nitrogen losses.