Olive production is threatened by a fungal pathogen, Armillaria mellea (Vahl. Fr.) P. Kumm.,causing decline in trees worldwide. Effectiveness of once and twice applications of fungicides hexaconazole, propicoconazole and thiophanate-methyl and application of biological agent (Trichoderma harzianum) to control A. mellea was studied at orchard scale during four years. T. harzianum inhibited the pathogen growth on agar media. This antagonistic fungus provided a 25% control efficiency of A. mellea on olive trees younger than 15 years which was the same as control efficiency of once application of hexaconazole. Control efficiencies as perfect as 100% were determined on younger (<15 years old) diseased olive trees treated with once applications of thiophanate-methyl and hexaconazole, and twice applications of thiophanate-methyl. Moreover, olive tree age was significantly effective on fungicidal control efficiency. Hence, this four-year research advanced our understanding of sustainable olive production in study region and other geographical areas with similar agro-ecological characteristics.

The paper analyzes the corporate carbon emissions and GDP contributions of the top ten companies by turnover for 2020–2023 in Germany, South Korea, China and the United Kingdom. Focusing on Scope 1, 2, and 3, the study explores the contribution of these companies to carbon intensity across different sectors and economies. The analysis shows that there are significant gaps in carbon efficiency, with the UK’s and Germany’s firms emitting the lowest emissions per unit of GDP contribution, followed by China and South Korea. Additionally, the study further examines the impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty on both firm carbon intensity and economic productivity. While EPU is positively associated with GDP contributions, its impact on emissions is nuanced. Firms apparently respond to policy uncertainty by increasing energy efficiency in direct (Scope 1) and energy-related (Scope 2) emissions but find it more difficult to manage supply chain emissions (Scope 3) in that case. The results point out the critical role of comprehensive ESG reporting frameworks in enhancing transparency and addressing Scope 3 emissions, which remain the largest and most volatile component of corporate carbon footprints. The paper then emphasizes the importance of standardized ESG reporting and bespoke policy intervention for promoting sustainability, especially in carbon-intensive industries. This research contributes to the understanding of how industrial and policy frameworks affect carbon efficiency and economic growth in different national contexts.

In this study, we utilized a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on microscopic images encompassing the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the protozoan parasite “plasmodium falciparum” (causing of malaria in humans), the bacterium “vibrio cholerae” (which produces the cholera disease) and non-infected samples (healthy persons) to effectively classify and predict epidemics. The findings showed promising results in both classification and prediction tasks. We quantitatively compared the obtained results by using CNN with those attained employing the support vector machine. Notably, the accuracy in prediction reached 97.5% when using convolutional neural network algorithms.

The regularity and variability of the composition distribution of the pyrolysis products of corn stover fermentation residue and phenolic resin with the pyrolysis temperature were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and lyser-gas/mass spectrometer (Py-GC/MS). The results show that toluene, phenol and methyl phenol are the main common components of the two systems, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, alkoxy compounds and a small amount of carboxylic acid are the unique components in the pyrolysis products of corn straw fermentation residue, while dimethyl phenol, 9H-xanthene and other components in the phenolic. This is a reflection of the differences in the composition and structure of the two raw materials.

Ecuador acknowledges the need to improve infrastructure and resources for educational inclusion, but it faces challenges in effective implementation compared to developed countries that have made advancements in this area. The objective of this research was to map the regulations and practices related to the implementation of inclusive infrastructure and educational resources at the international level, identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities for adaptation in Ecuador. An exploratory theoretical review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, using searches in academic databases and official documents. Qualitative and regulatory studies from the United States, Finland, Canada, and Japan were selected, analyzing 16 scientific articles and 11 official documents. The results reveal that Ecuador faces challenges in the implementation of inclusive regulations, particularly in infrastructure and resources, highlighting the need to establish national accessibility standards, invest in assistive technologies, and offer continuous teacher training to enhance educational inclusion. The research uncovered a negative cycle where the lack of effective implementation of inclusive regulations perpetuates inequality and reinforces institutional inertia. For successful reform, the regulatory structure, resource management, and educational culture in Ecuador must be addressed simultaneously.