Coordination and integration among farms within agri-food chains are crucial to tackle the issue of fragmentation within the primary sector, both at the European and national level. The Italian agri-food system still complains about the need to aggregate supply to support market dynamics, especially for niche and quality products that characterize the Made in Italy. It is well known that the Italian agri-food sector is closely linked to the relationship between agriculture on one hand and culture/tradition on the other, which is reflected in the high number of quality products that have obtained EU PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) recognition. The development of vertical forms of coordination has found significant support in recent years from the integrated supply chain design approach, which is increasingly becoming an essential tool for implementing rural development policies. In this context, the study provides a comparison between companies that have joined the Integrated Supply Chain Projects of the Rural Development Program and those that have not applied. The aim is to highlight any differences in order to understand policy impact. The analysis is based on the Emilia-Romagna region Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data, and the sample consists of more than 2 thousand farms. The statistical analysis conducted compares treated and non-treated using the Welch-t-test for independent unmatched samples. The main results show higher values for treated farms when structural variables are analyzed, like the utilized agricultural area or the agricultural work unit. In general, higher balance sheet performances emerged for treated farms. In conclusion, this study shows that the Integrated Supply Chain Projects represent a worthwhile tool both to increase cooperation, food quality, and to enhance a competitive agricultural sector.

Nanomaterials stand as transformative elements across diverse domains, ranging from biotechnology, aircraft, aviation, and space exploration to medicine, health, environmental preservation, resources, energy, and aerospace. This issue, comprising nine original research articles and two insightful reviews, we embark on a journey to unravel the multifaceted uses of nanomaterials, with a special emphasis on their contributions to environmental protection and medicine. Delving into the unique traits of various nanomaterials, our aim is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding that transcends conventional boundaries, fostering a deeper appreciation for the impact of nanomaterials.

The Nevado de Toluca Flora and Fauna Protection Area presents a constant fragmentation of its forests. The objective of the research was to identify the processes of forest deterioration and the role of local stakeholders in its conservation. Geographic information systems were used as a basis for the generation of thematic maps, in addition to the application of a flow diagram that defines the problems of the forest and another that describes and analyzes them for the search of solutions. The results show that the main factors affecting deterioration are forest fires, immoderate logging, pests and diseases. Finally, strategies and scenarios for forest management are proposed based on the articulation of local stakeholders.

For five different regions in Kırklareli province, heavy metals; such as Pb, Ni, Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, Co, Zn, Mo, and Fe in the mixture of leaves and flowers from linden trees (Tilia tomentosa L.) were analyzed by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy after the samples were dissolved with microwave method. Also, organochloride pesticides; such as ∑BHC: [α-BHC, β-BHC, γ-BHC, and δ-BHC], ∑DDT: [4,4’-DDD, 4,4’-DDE, and 4,4’-DDT], α-Endosulfan, β-Endosulfan, Endosulfan sulfate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor-endo-epoxide, Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin aldehyde, Endrin ketone, Endrin and Methoxychlor in these samples were determined by utilizing gas chromatography mass spectroscopy after the samples were prepared for analyses by using QuEChERS method. The metal concentrations in the samples were in the range of 45.3 to 268 mg/kg for Mn, 0.25 to 18.8 mg/kg for Cu, 11.5 to 46.1 mg/kg for Zn, 128 to 1310 mg/kg for Fe, 10.4 to 38.6 mg/kg for Mo, 0.82 to 1.34 mg/kg for Cd, 0 to 6.45 mg/kg for Ni, 0 to 19.2 mg/kg for Pb, and 0 to 8.25 mg/kg for Cr. Moreover, the concentrations of organochloride pesticides in samples were usually determined to be lower than their maximum residue level values given the pesticide residue limit regulation of Turkish Food Codex.