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Alarming environmental changes and the threat of natural fuel resource extinction are concerning issues in human development. This has increased scientists' efforts to phase out traditional energy resources and move on to environmentally friendly biofuels. In this study, non-edible castor oil was transesterified with methanol using a manganese-doped zinc oxide (Mn-doped ZnO) nanocatalyst. A heterogeneous nanocatalyst was prepared by means of the the sonochemical method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize these nanocatalysts. The transesterification reaction was studied under different temperature conditions, different ratios of methyl alcohol to castor oil, and different amounts of the catalyst to identify optimum conditions in which the maximum yield of biodiesel was produced. The maximum biodiesel yield (90.3%) was observed at 55 °C with an oil-to-methanol ratio of 1:12, and with 1.2 g of nanocatalyst. The first-order kinetic model was found to be the most suitable. Several thermodynamic parameters were also determined, such as activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy. We found that this transesterification was an endergonic and entropy-driven reaction. The results showed that the Mn-doped ZnO nanocatalyst could be a suitable catalyst for the heterogeneous catalytic transesterification process, which is essential for biodiesel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online gaming is consistently changing with the use of new technologies and seen as making an impact on consumers' sustainable lifestyles. The gaming avatars have influenced low avatar identification players to engage in physical and learning activities through massively multiplayer online (MMO) game genre. The fundamental purpose of the study is to classify the association of an avatar with consumer's behavioural intention for exercise and to consume healthy food. This study incorporates three theories: social cognitive theory (SCT), social determination theory (SDT) and player-avatar identification (PAI) theory to determine its four dimensions' impact on exercise and healthy food intention to attain a sustainable healthy lifestyle. SCT is related to human cognitive behaviour in the light of immersive experience, self-presence, and enjoyment. SDT related to the physical aspects of consumers that are exercise intention and consumption of healthy food. The results have shown that immersive experience, self-presence and enjoyment do impact the consumer's behavioural intention towards an individual's sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In low and middle-income countries, equids (donkeys, horses, and mules) play a critical role in supporting people's livelihoods. In Karachi, donkey carts are used to transport building materials, commercial produce and garbage. However, to date the role of donkeys in waste management has received little attention. This study therefore aimed to articulate the role and welfare of donkeys used in waste management. Interviews were conducted with donkey owners, households that use donkey carts to collect their waste and key informants. We found that the collection of waste was the primary source of income for 89% of donkey owners interviewed; of those working in waste management, 62% were under 18 years of age. Households reported removal of waste by donkey cart as their preferred waste management option, and reported that there would be a huge garbage build-up if donkey carts became unavailable. A number of animal welfare concerns were documented; 52.9% of donkeys had a body condition score of two. Muzzle mutilation was extremely high (78.4%) and 66.7% of donkeys had superficial knee lesions. We recommend that appropriate public resources are allocated to improve the welfare of both donkeys and people working in waste management in Pakistan. Equine ownership is a common income-generating strategy in Pakistan. In Karachi, donkey carts are used to transport building materials, commercial produce and garbage. This study aimed to articulate the role and welfare of donkeys used in waste management. We conducted interviews with donkey owners (n = 200), households which use donkey carts for waste collection (n = 50) and key informants (n = 14). To assess the welfare of donkeys, the Standardised Equine-Based Welfare Assessment Tool (SEBWAT) was used (n = 204). Collection of waste was the primary source of income for 89% of owners interviewed. Of those directly involved in waste collection, 62% were found to be under 18 years of age. During interviews with donkey cart customers the majority reported that there would be a huge garbage build-up if donkey carts were not available. Welfare assessments demonstrated that 52.9% of donkeys had a body condition score of two. Muzzle mutilation was extremely high (78.4%) and 66.7% of donkeys had superficial knee lesions. This is the first study that has explored the role of donkey carts in waste management in Pakistan. The data demonstrate the sizable role that donkey-owning communities play in waste management and the important livelihood option this offers, as well as considerable animal welfare concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]