Implementation of Circular Economy in a Developing Economy's Mining Industry Using Institutional Theory: The Case of Namibia.

Despite the global focus on sustainability, transitioning from linear to circular production systems is slow in the mining sector of most developing economies like Namibia. However, mining plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of local communities. Furthermore, existing literature indicates that the potential for regenerative production systems using the remanufacture and recycle approach remains low and limited within the mining and developing economies. Institutional theory can help reveal the reasons for the slow take-up of the regenerative circular economy models in mining. This study uses a unique dataset of 40 semi-structured interviews with key players in the mining sector of Namibia to understand the current phase of circular economy adoption and the role played by institutional pressures in the process of institutional isomorphism, when companies would display a similar level of practices within a shared institutional environment. The findings reveal: (1) 72.5% of participants believe that Namibian mines are adoption-decision phase-a beginning stage of circular economy adoption; (2) companies are reliant on heavy government participation through policy/legislation and tax incentives is recommended; (3) the ranked order-coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures-describes their significance among key actors, for the successful adoption; and (4) proactive implementation and a mindset shift towards circularity is needed to meet emerging expectations on social and environmental concerns in mining.

Factors affecting the adoption of circular economy in mining companies of developing economies - A Namibian stakeholder perspective.

The factors influencing the adoption and implementation of CE in developing countries are not yet fully examined. By focusing on the Namibian mining sector, this study highlights the perspectives of local stakeholders on CE adoption in a developing country. The mine managers recognized that waste is problematic and that CE practices are beneficial for mining companies and Namibia at large. Our findings also indicated that stronger academic institutions providing CE training and helping develop CE solutions, public awareness campaigns, financial support for CE practices, cooperation among industry stakeholders, and clear CE policy would all help drive the implementation of CE.

The social and environmental responsibility of informal artisanal and small-scale mining in Ghana: An Akan philosophical perspective.

Informal artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) continues to grow globally, raising both challenges and opportunities in terms of economic, social, and environmental impacts. The ASM literature explores the formalization and transfer of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices from larger firms as the pathway to minimize negative impacts and maximize benefits. But we know very little about environmental and social responsibilities of informal mining operations (and informal economy actors in general, who are often portrayed as devoid of these responsibilities). This paper aims to theorize and empirically explore principles and practices of social and environmental responsibility in informal mining. We combine elements of relational stakeholder theory with Ghana's Akan philosophy to develop our theoretical framework. Through a qualitative research process involving thematic analysis - of field notes from field observations and 81 interviews with ASM miners, community leaders/residents and executive members of Small-Scale Mining Association-Prestea Branch in Ghana - and pattern-matching technique, we find that: a) informal ASM is culturally and relationally motivated to be socially and environmentally responsible, b) there is a model of informal social and environmental responsibility (ISER) that is characterized by commonality, solidarity, tradition, and human-nature interdependencies, and c) social and environmental responsibilities are interpreted in a distinctive, non-Western way and comply with two main informal norms: gifting for social responsibilities and taboos for environmental responsibility. We conclude by suggesting that governments should collaborate with traditional authorities to promote ISER practices as cultural norms.

Serum Cytokines as Biomarkers in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Sleep Apnea: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently co-occur and this comorbidity represents a separate phenotype of HFpEF. While many research attempts are focused on biomarkers of HFpEF, currently, there is a lack of validated biomarkers of HFpEF and OSA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate prognostic significance of several serum cytokines in patients with HFpEF and OSA. The patients with HFpEF and OSA were recruited from the Sleep Apnea Center of Novosibirsk, Russian Federation and followed up for 12 months. The main analyzed outcomes were five-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The analyzed cytokines were circulating IL-6, IL-10, and VEGF measured at baseline. We recruited 77 male patients with HFpEF and OSA, the data of 71 patients were available for analyses. Patients who developed MACE had four-fold elevated concentrations of serum IL-10. There was no association between baseline cytokine levels and longitudinal changes in 6MWT. Circulating IL-10 levels are positively associated with MACE in men with HFpEF and OSA and thus may be a potential prognostic biomarker in this subgroup of patients. These results should be confirmed in larger studies encompassing both males and females.

Study protocol: International joint research project 'climate change resilience of Indigenous socioecological systems' (RISE).

BACKGROUND: Anthropogenic changes in the environment are increasingly threatening the sustainability of socioecological systems on a global scale. As stewards of the natural capital of over a quarter of the world's surface area, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), are at the frontline of these changes. Indigenous socioecological systems (ISES) are particularly exposed and sensitive to exogenous changes because of the intimate bounds of IPs with nature. Traditional food systems (TFS) represent one of the most prominent components of ISES, providing not only diverse and nutritious food but also critical socioeconomic, cultural, and spiritual assets. However, a proper understanding of how future climate change may compromise TFS through alterations of related human-nature interactions is still lacking. Climate change resilience of indigenous socioecological systems (RISE) is a new joint international project that aims to fill this gap in knowledge. METHODS AND DESIGN: RISE will use a comparative case study approach coupling on-site socioeconomic, nutritional, and ecological surveys of the target ISES of Sakha (Republic of Sakha, Russian Federation) and Karen (Kanchanaburi, Thailand) people with statistical models projecting future changes in the distribution and composition of traditional food species under contrasting climate change scenarios. The results presented as alternative narratives of future climate change impacts on TFS will be integrated into a risk assessment framework to explore potential vulnerabilities of ISES operating through altered TFS, and possible adaptation options through stakeholder consultation so that lessons learned can be applied in practice. DISCUSSION: By undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the socioeconomic and nutritional contributions of TFS toward the sustainability of ISES and projecting future changes under alternative climate change scenarios, RISE is strategically designed to deliver novel and robust science that will contribute towards the integration of Indigenous issues within climate change and sustainable agendas while generating a forum for discussion among Indigenous communities and relevant stakeholders. Its goal is to promote positive co-management and regional development through sustainability and climate change adaptation.

Analysis of the Circular Economic Production Models and Their Approach in Agriculture and Agricultural Waste Biomass Management.

As of now, circular economic production models of the circular economy (CEPMs), which include circular economy, bioeconomy, and circular bioeconomy, are among the main tools characterizing development policies in different countries. During the last five years, policies and strategies regarding CEPMs have promoted and contributed to the development of research on this topic. The evolution and most relevant aspects of the three CEPMs previously mentioned have been analyzed from a sample of 2190 scientific publications obtained from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analysis has been used to evaluate the approach of these models in agriculture and to introduce the ways in which they address the management of agricultural waste biomass (AWB). Results show that the circular economy is the most studied and prioritized model in China and most European countries, with the UK leading the way. Germany leads in topics related to the bioeconomy. The management policies and strategies of the circular bioeconomy are key to promoting research focused on AWB valorization since bioenergy and/or biofuel production continue to be a priority.

Corrigendum: Mineral supply for sustainable development requires resource governance.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/nature21359.

Mineral supply for sustainable development requires resource governance.

Successful delivery of the United Nations sustainable development goals and implementation of the Paris Agreement requires technologies that utilize a wide range of minerals in vast quantities. Metal recycling and technological change will contribute to sustaining supply, but mining must continue and grow for the foreseeable future to ensure that such minerals remain available to industry. New links are needed between existing institutional frameworks to oversee responsible sourcing of minerals, trajectories for mineral exploration, environmental practices, and consumer awareness of the effects of consumption. Here we present, through analysis of a comprehensive set of data and demand forecasts, an interdisciplinary perspective on how best to ensure ecologically viable continuity of global mineral supply over the coming decades.

The phenomenon of released-activity. Reply on comment on Don et al.: Dose-dependent antiviral activity of released-active form of antibodies to interferon-gamma against influenza A/California/07/09(H1N1) in murine model.

This text is aimed to provide the readers with detailed information about phenomenon of released-activity and reply on the specific risen questions.

Dose-dependent antiviral activity of released-active form of antibodies to interferon-gamma against influenza A/California/07/09(H1N1) in murine model.

The assessment of dose-response is an essential part of drug development in terms of the determination of a drug's effective dose, finding the safety endpoint, estimation of the pharmacokinetic profile, and even validation of drug activity, especially for therapeutic agents with a principally novel mechanism of action. Drugs based on released-active forms of antibodies are a good example of such a target. In this study, the efficacy of the antiviral drug Anaferon for children (released-active form of antibodies to interferon-gamma) was tested in a dose-dependent manner (at doses of 0.13, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 ml/mouse/day) in a murine model of acute pneumonia induced by influenza virus pandemic strain A/California/07/09 (H1N1). Administration of the drug at the two highest doses led to: a reduction in the virus infectious titer in lung tissue up to 4.2 lgEID50/20 mg of tissue; infected animals' life prolongation up to 6.7 days; an increase in the survival rate of up to 40% and a decrease in morphological signs of inflammation when compared to the control animals. In this study, the dose-response effect of Anaferon for Children was demonstrated on mice for the first time. This finding is especially important for drugs with a principally novel mechanism of action like drugs based on released-active forms of antibodies. J. Med. Virol. 89:759-766, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Laccase and Mn-peroxidase production by Coriolus hirsutus strain 075 in a jar fermentor.

The white-rot fungus Coriolus hirsutus strain 075 excretes considerable amounts of laccase and Mn-peroxidase into culture broth over a brief production time. The effects of agitation speed, temperature, aeration and inoculum amount on laccase production using a 10-l fermentor were studied. The optimum fermentation conditions were a 15% inoculum, an aeration rate of 0.88 vvm, an agitation speed of 160 rpm, and a temperature of 28 degrees C. By optimizing the fermentation conditions, the laccase activity reached 80+/-3 U/ml in 3 d and the purified enzyme output was 30 mg/l. The laccase and Mn-peroxidase were purified by means of isoelectrofocusing and ion-exchange chromatography. The pIs of the laccase isoenzymes were 4.2 and 4.5. Mn-peroxidase had only one isoenzyme with a pI of 3.2. The optimum pH was 4.5 for laccase with syringaldazine as the substrate and 5.0-5.3 for Mn-peroxidase with Mn(+2) and H2O2 as the substrates. The laccase and Mn-peroxidase retained 50% of their activities at 50 degrees C after 55 h and 12 h of incubation time, respectively.