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An analysis of sustainability and performance indicators in Eco-Conscious trainers’ brands
Abstract The fashion industry is known for its negative environmental and social impacts globally. Sustainability has become a priority for governmental agendas and concerned consumers. However, achieving sustainability remains a challenge for the industry due to its complex supply chains and systems. Specifically, the footwear industry accounts for 1.4% of global carbon emissions, with trainers being one of the most popular types of footwear among consumers. Recent studies have highlighted their ecological footprint, prompting companies to implement various actions to address this issue. Nevertheless, the environmental impact of this sector continues to pose significant challenges. This paper conducts a content analysis to examine and classify the actions taken by 13 Sustainable Trainers’ Brands according to five categories: Sustainable Materials, Sustainable Manufacturing, Sustainable Distribution, End-of-Life Recovery, and Eco-Design. Results show that Sustainable Materials is the most frequently adopted approach for sustainability, while Eco-Design is the least emphasised area. Additionally, the indicators used to assess sustainability in this sector primarily focus on the Environmental Sphere, with Sustainable Materials being the most prominently coded category. This study identifies Eco-Design as an area that requires further attention in future developments to address sustainability from a broader perspective.
Fusing satellite imagery and ground-based observations for PM2.5 air pollution modeling in Iran using a deep learning approach
Synthesis and characterization of biobased capsules formed from interpenetrating networks of alginate and poly(ethylene glycol) for the encapsulation of blue dye
Osimertinib plus chemotherapy versus osimertinib for patients with advanced NSCLC with concomitant EGFR and TP53 mutations: a prospective cohort study
Variable selection strategies for genomic prediction of growth and carcass related traits in experimental Nellore cattle herds under different selection criteria
Identification and validation of key target genes of penning formula for treating rat chronic endometritis model
Eyes on hold: motion task difficulty jointly delays microsaccade and pupil responses
Citizen science substantiates jellyfish occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea
Abstract In recent decades, gelatinous plankton blooms have attracted media attention due to their damaging effects on fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, human health and power/desalination plants. The scientific community often failed to recognize the rise of jellyfish, due to difficulties in monitoring their appearances and disappearances. In Italian waters, a citizen science approach was employed to monitor the presence and distribution of gelatinous zooplankton over wide spatio-temporal scales. From 2009 to March 2016, citizens identified 27 jellyfish taxa and documented their geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence across the Italian Seas. The main blooming species was Pelagia noctiluca (30% of total sightings), mainly distributed in the western Mediterranean, followed by Rhizostoma pulmo (28% of total sightings), showing a more widespread distribution. Mnemiopsis leidyi, the main Non-Indigenous Species (NIS), initially reported in the western Mediterranean, since 2016 expanded its distribution to the east. Jellyfish blooms were recorded year-round, mainly between late spring and autumn. Jellyfish hotspots were identified in the northern and southern Tyrrhenian, Ligurian Sea, and northern Adriatic regions. Citizen Science enables the detection of phenomena that can be studied more in-depth by professional scientists, leading to the discovery of previously unknown species and a better understanding of the occurrence of bloom events.
High efficiency of laser energy conversion with cavity pressure acceleration
Biased birth sex ratios of mammals and birds in zoos
Abstract Birth sex ratio biases can amplify extinction risks, especially in small, zoo-maintained populations which is of particular concern in species under threat of extinction. Thus, understanding the drivers of such biases is critical for conservation outcomes. We analysed birth records from 129 avian and 324 mammalian species in zoos worldwide between 1980 and 2021. Using Bayesian phylogenetic models, we found a phylogenetic signal in birth sex ratios (BSR), with substantial variation across clades. Penguins, falcons, and parrots showed slightly male-biased BSRs; ungulates showed female-biased BSR, and primates male-biased BSR. Across birds, variation in BSRs was predicted by sexual size dimorphism and clutch size, whereas in mammals, mating system was the main predictor of BSR. We identified 30 conservation flagship species with significantly biased BSRs, raising concern for the demographic sustainability of their captive populations. These results highlight the role of both evolutionary history and life-history traits in shaping sex ratio variation across taxa. Our findings underscore the importance of integrating phylogenetic and biological predictors into conservation planning and breeding program design. They also call for further research into the biological and management processes—that include sexual selection, parental investment, housing, and sexing practices—that may contribute to sex ratio variation in zoo populations.