Rapid urban expansion gives rise to smart cities which pose immense logistical and supply chain challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the holistic system identified by Zhao et al. in 2021. The system encompasses logistics and supply chain integral to the concept of smart cities, with a focus on sustainability. This transformation requires an in-depth study on challenges of a common framework of policies for smart cities in countries comprising the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The study employs an extensive literature analysis for the period 2020–2022. an approach which contextualizes the model. The model identifies the causes, impact, and spillovers of new trends in logistics and supply, including the sustainability of adopted technologies. The study includes the variables involved, and barriers to creating a shared model. The results reveal that the two elements affecting the supply chain and transport in smart cities are Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies supporting specific sectors. The resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises positively impacts the sustainability of large urban centres. The study presents both factors that help and hinder the adoption of environmental, social, and economic sustainability technologies.

This study investigates the influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance Disclosures (ESGD) on the profitability of firms, using a sample of 385 publicly listed companies on the Thai Stock Exchange. Data from 2018 to 2022 is sourced from the Bloomberg database, focusing on ESGD scores as indicators of companies’ ESG commitments. The study utilizes a structural equation model to examine the relationships between independent variables; ESGD, Earnings Per Share (EPS), Debt to Assets ratio (DA), Return on Investment Capital (ROIC), Total Assets (TA), and dependent variables Tobin’s Q (TBQ) and Return on Assets (ROA). The analysis reveals a positive relationship between ESGD and TBQ, but not with ROA. Further exploration is conducted to determine if different ESGD levels (high, medium, low) yield consistent effects on TBQ. The findings indicate discrepancies: high and medium ESGD levels are associated with a negative impact on TBQ when EPS increased, whereas low ESGD levels correlate with an increase in TBQ with rising EPS. This nuanced approach challenges the conventional uniform treatment of ESGD in previous research and provides a deeper understanding of how varying commitments to ESG practices affect a firm’s market valuation and profitability. These insights are crucial for firm management, highlighting the importance of ESGD in relation to other financial variables and their effects on market value. This study offers a new perspective on ESGD’s impact, emphasizing the need for differentiated strategies based on ESG commitment levels.

We report a method for effectively and homogeneously incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the form of double-wall (DWCNTs) and multi-wall (MWCNTs) structures into commercial paints without the use of additives, surfactants, or chemical processes. The process involves the physical mixing of the nanotubes and polymers using the cavitation energy of an ultrasonic bath. It is a simple, fast method that allows for uniform distribution of carbon nanotube bundles within the polymer for direct application. Due to the hydrophobic properties of the carbon nanotubes as grown, we used paint samples containing 0.3% by mass of both types of CNTs and observed an improvement in waterproofing through wettability and water absorption through immersion tests on the samples. Different solvents such as water, formaldehyde, and glycerin were used, and the results showed an increase in paint impermeability of 30% and 25% with the introduction of DWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively. This indicates a promising, economically viable, and revolutionary method for applying nanotechnology in the polymer industry.

The food industry progressively requires innovative and environmentally safe packaging materials with increased physical, mechanical, and barrier properties. Due to its unique properties, cellulose has several potential applications in the food industry as a packaging material, stabilizing agent, and functional food ingredient. A coffee pod is a filter of cellulosic, non-rigid, ready-made material containing ground portions and pressed coffee prepared in dedicated machines. In our study, we obtained, with homogenization and sonication, cellulose micro/nanoparticles from three different coffee pods. It is known that nanoparticulate systems can enter live cells and, if ingested, could exert alterations in gastrointestinal tract cells. Our work aims to investigate the response of HT-29 cells to cellulose nanoparticles from coffee pods. In particular, the subcellular effects between coffee-embedded nanocellulose (CENC) and cellulose nanoparticles (NC) were compared. Finally, we analysed the pathologic condition (Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) from Campylobacter jejuni) on the same cells conditioned by NC and CENC. We evidenced that, for the cellular functional features analysed, NC and CENC pre-treatments do not worsen cell response to the C. jejuni CDT, also pointing out an improvement of the autophagic flux, particularly for CENC preconditioning.

This study aims to elucidate the impact of marketing investment dimensions (MTS, MTOE, ROMI) on profitability indicators (ROA, ROE, GPM, OPM) and sustainable growth indicators (SGR, ARG) for service companies. The study population consisted of 135 service companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. A purposive sample of 55 companies was selected from this population. Financial reports and statements from 2018–2022 for these companies were analyzed to achieve the study objectives, employing appropriate statistical methods like multiple regression to test hypotheses. Previous literature shows conflicting results regarding the relationship between marketing investment dimensions and profitability/sustainable growth. Some studies found positive impacts, while others did not. This study contributes to this debate by providing statistical evidence. The results show that higher MTS, MTOE, and ROMI have a positive impact on SGR, OPM and ROA but a negative impact on GPM, ARG, and ROE. This underscores that marketing investments should be viewed in conjunction with overall operating expenses. Companies that control other expenses and increase the marketing investment proportion of total operating expenses may achieve better financial performance. Marketing investment metrics can serve as useful diagnostics and measures of effectiveness for improving marketing profitability, financial performance, and growth. In summary, this study statistically demonstrates the nuanced impacts of marketing investments on service company profitability and sustainable growth indicators. The results emphasize analyzing marketing spends in context of broader expenses and overall company financial health.

This research delves into the urgent requirement for innovative agricultural methodologies amid growing concerns over sustainable development and food security. By employing machine learning strategies, particularly focusing on non-parametric learning algorithms, we explore the assessment of soil suitability for agricultural use under conditions of drought stress. Through the detailed examination of varied datasets, which include parameters like soil toxicity, terrain characteristics, and quality scores, our study offers new insights into the complexities of predicting soil suitability for crops. Our findings underline the effectiveness of various machine learning models, with the decision tree approach standing out for its accuracy, despite the need for comprehensive data gathering. Moreover, the research emphasizes the promise of merging machine learning techniques with conventional practices in soil science, paving the way for novel contributions to agricultural studies and practical implementations.