Thermo-hydro-mechanical responses of the host rock in the context of geological nuclear waste disposal

Deep geological disposal facility has been considered as the most appropriated solution for the safe longterm management of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). Geologic disposal solution consists of isolating the radioactive waste from the biosphere. Argillaceous rock has been selected in several countries as host formation due to its favorable properties to isolate radionuclides and chemical contaminants (very low permeability, stable, high retention capacity, self-sealing, etc). Clays in their natural state is usually saturated. Disposal of the exothermic waste packages in the repository leads to an increase in temperature within the host rock, which induces the pore pressure build-up due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the pore water and the solid skeleton. The excess pore pressure generally leads to a decrease in the effective stress and can provoke thermally hydraulic fracturing or shear failure. Therefore, understanding the thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) responses of the saturated host rock due to the heat generated form waste packages is a key issue to assess the feasibility of the repository. This paper aims at presenting coupled THM constitutive equations for a saturated porous medium and its finite element (FEM) discretization and solution. The solution is validated against analytical solution and other numerical results from a benchmark within an international project. FEM program is then used to describe the THM behavior of the host rock around a HLW repository (i.e. near field responses). Sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate effect of material anisotropy and hydraulic condition on the micro-tunnel wall

Soil fertility regulates invasive herbivore performance and top-down control in tropical agroecosystems of Southeast Asia

In terrestrial ecosystems, changes in soil nutrient availability, plant growth or natural enemies can generate important shifts in abundance of organisms at various trophic levels. In agroecosystems the performance of (invasive) herbivores and their impacts on crops is of particular concern. Scientists are presently challenged with making reliable inferences on invader success, natural enemy performance and efficacy of biological control, particularly in tropical agroecosystems. In this study, we assess how trophic regulatory forces (bottom-up vs. top down) influence the success of three globally important pests of cassava. We examine the mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) of differing host breadth and invasion history: Phenacoccus manihoti, Paracoccus marginatus, and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi. Potted plant fertilizer trials were combined with a regional survey in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia of 65 cassava fields of similar size and age, but with varying soil fertility. Relative abundance of each mealybug invader was mapped along a soil fertility gradient, and contrasted with site-specific measures of parasitism. Potted plant trials revealed strong bottom-up effects for P. manihoti, such that impacts of nitrogen and potassium additions were propagated through to higher trophic levels and substantially boost development and fitness of its specialist parasitoid, Anagyrus lopezi (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Field surveys indicate that mealybug performance is highly species-specific and context-dependent. For example, field-level abundance of P. jackbeardsleyi and P. marginatus, was related to measures of soil fertility parameters, soil texture and plant disease incidence. Furthermore, for P. manihoti, in-field abundance is equally associated with soil texture (i.e., silt content). Principal component analysis (PCA) and regression suggested that P. manihoti and P. marginatus are disproportionately favored in low-fertility conditions, while P. jackbeardsleyi prospers in settings with high organic carbon and phosphorus. Parasitism of P. manihoti by A. lopezi varied greatly with field and soil fertility conditions, and was highest in soils with intermediate fertility levels and where management practices include the addition of fertilizer supplements. Our characterization of the relative performance of invasive mealybugs and strength of parasitism across variable soil fertility conditions will help guide parasitoid release programs and soil management practices that enhance mealybug biological control

Вплив екоінновацій та ринкової невизначеності на зелений маркетинг та ефективність бізнесу

Метою цього дослідження є вивчення впливу екоінновацій на ефективність бізнесу в рамках інституціональної теорії та принципів сталого розвитку. Зокрема, стаття аналізує вплив екоінновацій на ефективність бізнесу та зелений маркетинг. У рамках дослідження побудовано фреймворк, який встановлює зв'язок між екологічними інноваціями, ринковою нестабільністю, зеленим маркетингом та корпоративною ефективністю. Дослідження використовує концептуальні основи ресурсної теорії (Resource Based View, RBV), щоб оцінити потенційний вплив екоінновацій на функціонування компанії в умовах непередбачуваних ринкових динамік. Визначено, що для розвитку позитивного зв'язку між корпоративною ефективністю та екоінноваціями важливо мати всебічне розуміння конкурентного середовища. На відміну від інших галузей, фармацевтичний сектор має можливість вирішувати екологічні питання завдяки унікальним рішенням, адаптованим до його конкретного контексту, а саме його послуг. Ця стаття розглядає вплив ринкової нестабільності та аналізує екоінновації як реакцію на них. Крім того, використовується голістичний підхід зеленого маркетингу для отримання конкурентних переваг та підвищення ефективності бізнесу. Згідно з опитуванням фармацевтичного бізнесу Пакистану, емпіричні результати вказують на те, що конкурентне середовище спонукає галузь впроваджувати голістичну зелену стратегію. Екоінновації слугують посередником між зеленим маркетингом та ефективністю бізнесу. Знайдені результати можуть бути використані менеджерами компаній у процесі прийняття рішень щодо використання екоінновацій для досягнення цілей сталого розвитку, а також впровадження голістичних стратегій зеленого маркетингу. Крім того, ринкова нестабільність пом'якшує вплив екоінновацій на ефективність бізнесу, водночас підсилюючи їх внесок у зв'язок між зеленим маркетингом та ефективністю. Авторами обґрунтовано та описано майбутні напрямки дослідження ролі екоінновацій в Пакистані.This study aims to contribute to the literature by investigating the impact of eco-innovation on business performance within the institutional theory framework and from a resource-based perspective. Specifically, this paper explores the influence of eco-innovation on business performance by adopting a green marketing orientation. This study builds a complete framework that establishes a connection between environmental innovation, market uncertainty, green market orientation, and corporate performance. The current investigation uses the conceptual underpinnings of the resource-based view (RBV) to evaluate the potential mitigating impact that a company's eco-innovation attempts may have in the setting of unpredictable market dynamics. It is widely held that to develop a positive correlation between corporate performance and eco-innovation, it is vital to possess a comprehensive understanding of the environment. In contrast to several other industries, the pharmaceutical sector has the capacity to address environmental concerns through the implementation of unique solutions tailored to its specific context, namely, its services. This article addresses the moderating influence of market uncertainty and analyses eco-innovations as a reaction to their green marketing-oriented holistic approach to achieving competitive advantages and business performance. It examines eco-innovations as a reaction to their green marketing orientation and holistic approach to achieving competitive advantages and business performance. The integration of institutional theory and green marketing theory is also included, as is an examination of the moderating effect of market uncertainty. According to a survey of Pakistan's pharmaceutical business, the empirical findings reveal that a competitive environment strongly urges the industry to adopt a holistic green strategy. Eco-innovation serves as a mediator between green marketing orientation and business performance and directly impacts business performance. The findings will assist management and corporate leaders in their decision-making process on using eco-innovation to achieve sustainability objectives. This study addresses the existing theoretical and empirical knowledge gap by providing insights that can assist corporate leaders in effectively leveraging and attaining improved outcomes by implementing holistic green marketing strategies. This approach aims to enhance their understanding of the mediating and moderating elements. Furthermore, market uncertainty mitigates the effect of eco-innovation on business performance while amplifying its contribution to the link between green marketing orientation and performance. Future research directions, ramifications, and consequences for eco-innovation studies in the Pakistani context are considered

Perceptions of wood-processing industries on FLEGT implementation: Insights from Vietnam

This paper analyses timber and wood processing companies' views on opportunities and challenges for FLEGT implementation in Vietnam based on a literature review, online surveys with 56 timber and wood processing companies, in-depth interviews with 26 stakeholders from different institutions, and a consultation workshop involving 94 participants. Our paper shows that FLEGT has received increasing attention and political support from the Government of Vietnam, which has issued new policies on sustainable forest management, forest certification and financial incentives to enable timber and wood processing companies to participate in FLEGT. The active presence of civil society organizations has helped improve forest governance, which is a key aspect of FLEGT. Perceiving FLEGT as a global market trend able to generate higher profits, timber and wood processing companies see opportunities to benefit from this timber trading initiative, and are therefore more willing to comply with FLEGT requirements. However, these companies also highlight challenges to implementing FLEGT on the ground, including unclear and inconsistent policies, weak monitoring and evaluation, high transaction costs, companies' limited access to information, unclear tenure and erratic land-use planning, and the weak capacity of household and small-scale enterprises. Effective implementation of FLEGT requires regulatory changes, improved law enforcement and translation of policies on the ground, enhanced information exchange between stakeholders, and addressing underlying problems relating to land tenure and forest governance

Hierarchically structured LaFeO3 with hollow core and porous shell as efficient sensing material for ethanol detection

Hollow LaFeO3 (LFO-HS) was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method with the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Its structural, morphological, microstructural and textual characterizations were performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. The gas-sensing performance of LFO-HS sensor was studied towards different gases, including ammonia (NH3), ethanol (C2H5OH), acetone (CH3COCH3), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The LFO-HS sensor exhibited p-type gas sensing behavior and enhanced sensing performance towards ethanol gas as compared with bulk LaFeO3 sensor. A rapid, high, and stable response was seen at 300 °C. Meanwhile, a linear response and low limit of detection (1 ppb) to ethanol was observed. After the investigation on sensitivity to different reducing gases, our results revealed that the LFO-HS sensor exhibited good selectivity to ethanol and suggested it being a promising sensor candidate for future practical use in trace ethanol detection

Knowledge, attitude, and practice on and willingness to pay for human papillomavirus vaccine: A cross-sectional study in Hanoi,Vietnam

10.2147/PPA.S165357Patient Preference and Adherence12945-95

2,3-Butanediol catalytic dehydration for renewable butadiene: development of a new processing route

SSCI-VIDE+ECI2D+MHU:EBL:JMIInternational audienceNon

Slaughterhouse Pigs Are a Major Reservoir of Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Capable of Causing Human Infection in Southern Vietnam

Streptococcus suis is a pathogen of major economic significance to the swine industry and is increasingly recognized as an emerging zoonotic agent in Asia. In Vietnam, S. suis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adult humans. Zoonotic transmission is most frequently associated with serotype 2 strains and occupational exposure to pigs or consumption of infected pork. To gain insight into the role of pigs for human consumption as a reservoir for zoonotic infection in southern Vietnam, we determined the prevalence and diversity of S. suis carriage in healthy slaughterhouse pigs. Nasopharyngeal tonsils were sampled from pigs at slaughterhouses serving six provinces in southern Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City area from September 2006 to November 2007. Samples were screened by bacterial culture. Isolates of S. suis were serotyped and characterized by multi locus sequence typing (MLST) and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles and associated genetic resistance determinants, and the presence of putative virulence factors were determined. 41% (222/542) of pigs carried S. suis of one or multiple serotypes. 8% (45/542) carried S. suis serotype 2 which was the most common serotype found (45/317 strains, 14%). 80% of serotype 2 strains belonged to the MLST clonal complex 1, which was previously associated with meningitis cases in Vietnam and outbreaks of severe disease in China in 1998 and 2005. These strains clustered with representative strains isolated from patients with meningitis in PFGE analysis, and showed similar antimicrobial resistance and virulence factor profiles. Slaughterhouse pigs are a major reservoir of S. suis serotype 2 capable of causing human infection in southern Vietnam. Strict hygiene at processing facilities, and health education programs addressing food safety and proper handling of pork should be encourage