The interest in smart grids and new technologies is growing around the world. Countries are investing in the development of new technologies that will help achieve environmental goals, energy supply efficiency, improve energy efficiency and increase consumer involvement in the energy generation. One of such technology is a blockchain. It is believed that the blockchain, combined with a smart grid, provides an opportunity to integrate the activities of all stakeholders, including: generators, distributors and consumers of electricity. The aim of the article is to identify the key research areas discussed by the researchers of both the smart grid and the blockchain issues. An analysis of the Scopus database from 2015 to 2023 was conducted. Using a created bibliometric query, a systematic literature review was conducted. 476 scientific publications relating to the issues addressed were identified. Using the VOSviewer software, a bibliometric analysis was performed using the author’s keywords. The bibliometric maps obtained allowed for the identification of key research areas. The article also presents potential future directions of scientific considerations, which should be focused on the issue of green smart grid and green blockchain. The results presented in the article can inspire researchers looking for research gaps or describing the current state of knowledge in the field of the smart grid and the blockchain issues.

The main objective of this article is to analyze the relationship between increases in freight costs and inflation in the markets due to the increases reflected in the prices of the products in some economies in destination ports such as the United States, Europe, Japan, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and South Korea. We use fractionally integrated methods and Granger causality test to calculate the correlation between these indicators. The results indicate that, after a significant drop in inflation in 2020, probably due to the confinement caused by the pandemic, the increases observed in inflation and freight costs are expected to be transitory given their stationary behavior. We also find a close correlation between both indicators in Europe, the United States and South Africa.

Alginate-silver nanocomposites in the form of spherical beads and films were prepared using a green approach by using the aqueous extract of Ajwa date seeds. The nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ reduction and gelation by ionotropic crosslinking using calcium ions in solution. The rich phytochemicals of the date seed extract played a dual role as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was studied using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and a distinct surface plasmon resonance peak at 421 nm characteristic of silver nanoparticles confirmed the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The morphology of the nanocomposite beads and film was compact, with an even distribution of silver nanoclusters. The catalytic property of the nanocomposite beads was evaluated for the degradation of 2-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. The degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics with a rate constant of 1.40 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at 23 ℃ and an activation energy of 18.45 kJ mol⁻¹. The thermodynamic parameters, such as changes in enthalpy and entropy, were evaluated to be 15.22 kJ mol⁻¹ and −197.50 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The nanocomposite exhibited properties against three clinically important pathogens (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria).

The obtaining of new data on the transformation of parent materials into soil and on soil as a set of essential properties is provided on the basis of previously conducted fundamental studies of soils formed on loess-like loams in Belarus (15,000 numerical indicators). The study objects are autochthonous soils of uniform granulometric texture. The basic properties without which soils cannot exist are comprehensively considered. Interpolation of factual materials is given, highlighting the essential properties of soils. Soil formation is analyzed as a natural phenomenon depending on the life activity of biota and the water regime. Models for differentiation of the chemical profile and bioenergy potential of soils are presented. The results of the represented study interpret the available materials taking into account publications on the biology and water regime of soils over the past 50 years into three issues: the difference between soil and soil-like bodies; the soil formation as a natural phenomenon of the mobilization of soil biota from the energy of the sun, the atmosphere, and the destruction of minerals in the parent materials; and the essence of soil as a solid phase and as an ecosystem. The novelty of the article study is determined by the consideration of the priority of microorganisms and water regime in soil formation, chemical-analytical identification of types of water regime, and determination of the water regime as a marker of soil genesis.