bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Four Novel Bio-Based DES (Deep Eutectic Solvents) on Hardwood Fractionation
Authors: Torres Paulo , Balcells Mercè , Cequier Enrique , Canela-Garayoa Ramon
Published: May 2020

Using the basic principle of construction between a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and a hydrogen bond donor (HBD), four bio-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were prepared in a 1:2 molar ratio of HBA:HBD. 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl-1-triethylammonium chloride ([C9H22N+O2]Cl−) was synthesized from raw glycerol and used as an HBA. Lactic acid, urea, pure glycerol, and ethylene glycol were selected as HBD. Attempts to prepare DESs, using citric acid and benzoic acid as HBDs, were unsuccessful. All these DESs were characterized using FTIR and NMR techniques. Besides, physicochemical parameters such as pH, viscosity, density, and melting point were determined. The behavior of these DES to fractionate olive pomace was studied. Lignin recovery yields spanned between 27% and 39% (w/w) of the available lignin in olive pomace. The best DES, in terms of lignin yield ([C9H22N+O2]Cl− -lactic acid), was selected to perform a scale-up lignin extraction using 40 g of olive pomace. Lignin recovery on the multigram scale was similar to the mg scale (38% w/w). Similarly, for the holocellulose-rich fractions, recovery yields were 34% and 45% for mg and multi-gram scale, respectively. Finally, this DES was used to fractionate four fruit pruning samples. These results show that our novel DESs are alternative approaches to the ionic liquid:triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate and the widely used DES: choline chloride:lactic acid (1:10 molar ratio) for biomass processing.
Biocomposites of Bio-Polyethylene Reinforced with a Hydrothermal-Alkaline Sugarcane Bagasse Pulp and Coupled with a Bio-Based Compatibilizer
Authors: Ehman Nanci Vanesa , Ita-Nagy Diana , Felissia Fernando Esteban , Vallejos María Evangelina , Quispe Isabel , Area María Cristina , Chinga-Carrasco Gary
Published: May 2020

Bio-polyethylene (BioPE, derived from sugarcane), sugarcane bagasse pulp, and two compatibilizers (fossil and bio-based), were used to manufacture biocomposite filaments for 3D printing. Biocomposite filaments were manufactured and characterized in detail, including measurement of water absorption, mechanical properties, thermal stability and decomposition temperature (thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA)). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to measure the glass transition temperature (Tg). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to assess the fracture area of the filaments after mechanical testing. Increases of up to 10% in water absorption were measured for the samples with 40 wt% fibers and the fossil compatibilizer. The mechanical properties were improved by increasing the fraction of bagasse fibers from 0% to 20% and 40%. The suitability of the biocomposite filaments was tested for 3D printing, and some shapes were printed as demonstrators. Importantly, in a cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis of the biocomposites, we demonstrated that replacing fossil compatibilizer with a bio-based compatibilizer contributes to a reduction in CO2-eq emissions, and an increase in CO2 capture, achieving a CO2-eq storage of 2.12 kg CO2 eq/kg for the biocomposite containing 40% bagasse fibers and 6% bio-based compatibilizer.
Subcritical Water Extraction of Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Lie Jenni , Tanda Stefani , Liu Jhy-Chern
Published: May 2020

The leaching of valuable metals (Co, Li, and Mn) from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was studied using subcritical water extraction (SWE). Two types of leaching agents, hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ascorbic acid, were used, and the effects of acid concentration and temperature were investigated. Leaching efficiency of metals increased with increasing acid concentration and temperature. Ascorbic acid performed better than HCl, which was attributed to ascorbic acid’s dual functions as an acidic leaching agent and a reducing agent that facilitates leaching reactions, while HCl mainly provides acidity. The chemical analysis of leaching residue by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that Co(III) oxide could be totally leached out in ascorbic acid but not in HCl. More than 95% of Co, Li, and Mn were leached out from spent LIBs’ cathode powder by SWE using 0.2 M of ascorbic acid within 30 min at 100 °C, initial pressure of 10 bar, and solid-to-liquid ratio of 10 g/L. The application of SWE with a mild concentration of ascorbic acid at 100 °C could be an alternative process for the recovery of valuable metal in spent LIBs. The process has the advantages of rapid reaction rate and energy efficiency that may benefit development of a circular economy.
Sigma-1 Receptor Positron Emission Tomography: A New Molecular Imaging Approach Using (S)-(−)-[18F]Fluspidine in Glioblastoma
Authors: Toussaint Magali , Deuther-Conrad Winnie , Kranz Mathias , Fischer Steffen , Ludwig Friedrich-Alexander , Juratli Tareq A. , Patt Marianne , Wünsch Bernhard , Schackert Gabriele , Sabri Osama , Brust Peter
Published: May 2020

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most devastating primary brain tumour characterised by infiltrative growth and resistance to therapies. According to recent research, the sigma-1 receptor (sig1R), an endoplasmic reticulum chaperone protein, is involved in signaling pathways assumed to control the proliferation of cancer cells and thus could serve as candidate for molecular characterisation of GBM. To test this hypothesis, we used the clinically applied sig1R-ligand (S)-(−)-[18F]fluspidine in imaging studies in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM (U87-MG) as well as in human GBM tissue. A tumour-specific overexpression of sig1R in the U87-MG model was revealed in vitro by autoradiography. The binding parameters demonstrated target-selective binding according to identical KD values in the tumour area and the contralateral side, but a higher density of sig1R in the tumour. Different kinetic profiles were observed in both areas, with a slower washout in the tumour tissue compared to the contralateral side. The translational relevance of sig1R imaging in oncology is reflected by the autoradiographic detection of tumour-specific expression of sig1R in samples obtained from patients with glioblastoma. Thus, the herein presented data support further research on sig1R in neuro-oncology.
The Role of Extracting Solvents in the Recovery of Polyphenols from Green Tea and Its Antiradical Activity Supported by Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Koch Wojciech , Kukuła-Koch Wirginia , Czop Marcin , Helon Paweł , Gumbarewicz Ewelina
Published: May 2020

Green tea contains a variety of biologically active constituents that are widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Among them, simple catechins constitute a major group of compounds that is primarily responsible for the high biologic activity of green tea extracts. Therefore, the application of optimized extraction conditions may result in obtaining high value extracts. The main purpose of the study was to compare the content of polyphenols, mainly catechins, and the antioxidant activity of green tea extracts obtained by three different extraction methods: simple maceration, ultrasound extraction and accelerated solvent extraction using six various solvent systems. The quality of the extracts was evaluated by LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS methodologies and spectrophotometric determinations. The obtained results revealed that catechins’ extraction efficiency was identical for the three techniques studied. However, larger quantitative differences among the samples were observed when using different solvents. The total content of major catechins and gallic acid was within a very wide range of 10.2–842 mg/L. Ethyl acetate was by far the least effective extractant, regardless of the extraction technique used. After all, the solvent system composed of ethanol:water (1:1 v/v) was proven to be the best to recover catechins and to deliver extracts with the highest antiradical activity.
Prophylactic Intra-Uterine β-Cyclodextrin Administration during Intra-Uterine Ureaplasma parvum Infection Partly Prevents Liver Inflammation without Interfering with the Enterohepatic Circulation of the Fetal Sheep
Authors: Heymans Cathelijne , Heij Lara R. , Lenaerts Kaatje , den Dulk Marcel , Hadfoune Mhamed , van Heugten Chantal , Spiller Owen B. , Beeton Michael L. , Stock Sarah J. , Jobe Alan H. , Payne Matthew S. , Kemp Matthew W. , Kramer Boris W. , Plat Jogchum , van Gemert Wim G. , Wolfs Tim G.A.M.
Published: May 2020

Chorioamnionitis can lead to inflammation and injury of the liver and gut, thereby predisposing patients to adverse outcomes such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In addition, intestinal bile acids (BAs) accumulation is causally linked to NEC development. Plant sterols are a promising intervention to prevent NEC development, considering their anti-inflammatory properties in the liver. Therefore, we investigated whether an intra-amniotic (IA) Ureaplasma parvum (UP) infection affected the liver and enterohepatic circulation (EHC) and evaluated whether an IA administered plant sterol mixture dissolved in β-cyclodextrin exerted prophylactic effects. An ovine chorioamnionitis model was used in which liver inflammation and the EHC were assessed following IA UP exposure in the presence or absence of IA prophylactic plant sterols (a mixture of β-sitosterol and campesterol dissolved in β-cyclodextrin (carrier)) or carrier alone. IA UP exposure caused an inflammatory reaction in the liver, histologically seen as clustered and conflated hepatic erythropoiesis in the parenchyma, which was partially prevented by IA administration of sterol + β-cyclodextrin, or β-cyclodextrin alone. In addition, IA administration of β-cyclodextrin prior to UP caused changes in the expression of several hepatic BAs transporters, without causing alterations in other aspects of the EHC. Thereby, the addition of plant sterols to the carrier β-cyclodextrin did not have additional effects.
The Role of Preoperative Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Lakananurak Narisorn , Gramlich Leah
Published: May 2020

Malnutrition is associated with poor surgical outcomes, and therefore optimizing nutritional status preoperatively is very important. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature related to preoperative parenteral nutrition (PN) and to provide current evidence based guidance. A systemic online search of PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Databases from January 1990 to February 2020 was done. Sixteen studies were included in this narrative review, including four meta-analyses and twelve clinical trials. The majority of studies have demonstrated benefits of preoperative PN on postoperative outcomes, including reduced postoperative complications (8/10 studies) and postoperative length of stay (3/4 studies). Preoperative PN is indicated in malnourished surgical patients who cannot achieve adequate nutrient intake by oral or enteral nutrition. It can be seen that most studies showing benefits of preoperative PN often included patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (10/12 studies), which gastrointestinal problems are commonly seen and enteral nutrition may be not feasible. When preoperative PN is indicated, adequate energy and protein should be provided, and patients should receive at least seven days of PN prior to surgery. The goal of preoperative PN is not weight regain, but rather repletion of energy, protein, micronutrients, and glycogen stores. Complications associated with preoperative PN are rarely seen in previous studies. In order to prevent and mitigate the potential complications such as refeeding syndrome, optimal monitoring and early management of micronutrient deficiencies is required.
Reduced Screen Time is Associated with Healthy Dietary Behaviors but Not Body Weight Status among Polish Adolescents. Report from the Wise Nutrition—Healthy Generation Project
Authors: Myszkowska-Ryciak Joanna , Harton Anna , Lange Ewa , Laskowski Wacław , Wawrzyniak Agata , Hamulka Jadwiga , Gajewska Danuta
Published: May 2020

Screen time (ST) not only affects physical activity but can also be associated with dietary behaviors. Both of these factors determine the health and development of adolescents. The aims of the study were: 1. to analyze the relationship between ST and nutritional behaviors among adolescents; 2. to examine this association in relation to body weight status. Data on the ST duration and nutritional behaviors were collected using a questionnaire. Body mass status was assessed based on weight and height measurements. A total of 14,044 students aged 13–19 years old from 207 schools participated in the study. A significant relationship between ST and gender, age and type of school was observed, but not body weight status. The average ST duration increased with age (from 2.6 h among 13 years old to 3.2 h among 19 years old), and was significantly higher among boys in all age categories (2.7 h vs. 2.5 h in the youngest age group, and 3.5 h vs. 3.0 h in the oldest age group, respectively). The chance for meeting the recommendation for ST in a group of girls (regardless of age) was almost 50% higher compared to boys. Meeting ST recommendation (≤2 h) was associated with a greater odds ratio for favorable nutritional behaviors in the whole group, with exception of drinking milk or milk beverages, and significantly reduced the odds ratio of adverse dietary behaviors (drinking sweet beverages, consumption of sweets and fast food) in the whole group and by gender. More research is needed to clarify the possible cause-and-effect relationships between ST and dietary behaviors.
Adjuvant Drug-Assisted Bone Healing: Advances and Challenges in Drug Delivery Approaches
Authors: Rothe Rebecca , Hauser Sandra , Neuber Christin , Laube Markus , Schulze Sabine , Rammelt Stefan , Pietzsch Jens
Published: May 2020

Bone defects of critical size after compound fractures, infections, or tumor resections are a challenge in treatment. Particularly, this applies to bone defects in patients with impaired bone healing due to frequently occurring metabolic diseases (above all diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis), chronic inflammation, and cancer. Adjuvant therapeutic agents such as recombinant growth factors, lipid mediators, antibiotics, antiphlogistics, and proangiogenics as well as other promising anti-resorptive and anabolic molecules contribute to improving bone healing in these disorders, especially when they are released in a targeted and controlled manner during crucial bone healing phases. In this regard, the development of smart biocompatible and biostable polymers such as implant coatings, scaffolds, or particle-based materials for drug release is crucial. Innovative chemical, physico- and biochemical approaches for controlled tailor-made degradation or the stimulus-responsive release of substances from these materials, and more, are advantageous. In this review, we discuss current developments, progress, but also pitfalls and setbacks of such approaches in supporting or controlling bone healing. The focus is on the critical evaluation of recent preclinical studies investigating different carrier systems, dual- or co-delivery systems as well as triggered- or targeted delivery systems for release of a panoply of drugs.
Encapsulation of Oleuropein in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Biocompatibility and Antioxidant Efficacy in Lung Epithelial Cells
Authors: Huguet-Casquero Amaia , Moreno-Sastre Maria , López-Méndez Tania Belén , Gainza Eusebio , Pedraz Jose Luis
Published: May 2020

Oxidative damage has been linked to a number of diseases. Oleuropein (OLE), a natural occurring polyphenol from olive leaves (Olea europaea L.), is known to be a potent antioxidant compound with inherent instability and compromised bioavailability. Therefore, in this work, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were proposed for OLE encapsulation to protect and improve its antioxidant efficacy. The lipid matrix, composed of olive oil and Precirol, was optimized prior to OLE encapsulation. The characterization of the optimized oleuropein-loaded NLCs (NLC-OLE) showed a mean size of 150 nm, a zeta potential of −21 mV, an encapsulation efficiency of 99.12%, sustained release profile, and improved radical scavenging activity. The cellular in vitro assays demonstrated the biocompatibility of the NLCs, which were found to improve and maintain OLE antioxidant efficacy in the A549 and CuFi-1 lung epithelial cell lines, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest a promising potential of NLC-OLE to further design a pulmonary formulation for OLE delivery in lung epithelia.
Faraday’s Law and Magnetic Induction: Cause and Effect, Experiment and Theory
Authors: Kinsler Paul
Published: May 2020

Faraday’s Law of induction is often stated as “a change in magnetic flux causes an electro-motive force (EMF)”; or, more cautiously, “a change in magnetic flux is associated with an EMF”. It is as well that the more cautious form exists, because the first “causes” form can be shown to be incompatible with the usual expression V = − ∂ t Φ , where V is EMF, ∂ t is a time derivative, and Φ is the magnetic flux.This is not, however, to deny the causality as reasonably inferred from experimental observation—it is the equation for Faraday’s Law of induction which does not represent the claimed cause-and-effect relationship. Unusually, in this induction scenario, the apparent experimental causality does not match up with that of the mathematical model. Here we investigate a selection of different approaches, trying to see how an explicitly causal mathematical equation, which attempts to encapsulate the experimental ideas of “a change in magnetic flux causes an EMF”, might arise. We see that although it is easy to find mathematical models where changes in magnetic flux or field have an effect on the electric current, the same is not true for the EMF.
Effect of Double Substitution in Cationic Chitosan Derivatives on DNA Transfection Efficiency
Authors: Badazhkova Veronika D. , Raik Sergei V. , Polyakov Dmitry S. , Poshina Daria N. , Skorik Yury A.
Published: May 2020

Recently, much effort has been expended on the development of non-viral gene delivery systems based on polyplexes of nucleic acids with various cationic polymers. Natural polysaccharide derivatives are promising carriers due to their low toxicity. In this work, chitosan was chemically modified by a reaction with 4-formyl-n,n,n-trimethylanilinium iodide and pyridoxal hydrochloride and subsequent reduction of the imine bond with NaBH4. This reaction yielded three novel derivatives, n-[4-(n’,n’,n’-trimethylammonium)benzyl]chitosan chloride (TMAB-CS), n-[(3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-4-pyridine)methyl]chitosan chloride (Pyr-CS), and n-[4-(n’,n’,n’’-trimethylammonium)benzyl]-n-[(3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-4-pyridine)methyl]chitosan chloride (PyrTMAB-CS). Their structures and degrees of substitution were established by 1H NMR spectroscopy as DS1 = 0.22 for TMAB-CS, DS2 = 0.28 for Pyr-CS, and DS1 = 0.21, DS2 = 0.22 for PyrTMAB-CS. Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed that the new polymers formed stable polyplexes with plasmid DNA encoding the green fluorescent protein (pEGFP-N3) and that the particles had the smallest size (110–165 nm) when the polymer:DNA mass ratio was higher than 5:1. Transfection experiments carried out in the HEK293 cell line using the polymer:DNA polyplexes demonstrated that Pyr-CS was a rather poor transfection agent at polymer:DNA mass ratios less than 10:1, but it was still more effective than the TMAB-CS and PyrTMAB-CS derivatives that contained a quaternary ammonium group. By contrast, TMAB-CS and PyrTMAB-CS were substantially more effective than Pyr-CS at higher polymer:DNA mass ratios and showed a maximum efficiency at 200:1 (50%–70% transfected cells). Overall, the results show the possibility of combining substituent effects in a single carrier, thereby increasing its efficacy.
Recent Progress in the Development of Aromatic Polymer-Based Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: S. Raja Rafidah R. , W. Rashmi , M. Khalid , Y. Wong W. , J. Priyanka
Published: May 2020

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) play a pivotal role in fuel cells; conducting protons from the anode to the cathode within the cell’s membrane electrode assembles (MEA) separates the reactant fuels and prevents electrons from passing through. High proton conductivity is the most important characteristic of the PEM, as this contributes to the performance and efficiency of the fuel cell. However, it is also important to take into account the membrane’s durability to ensure that it canmaintain itsperformance under the actual fuel cell’s operating conditions and serve a long lifetime. The current state-of-the-art Nafion membranes are limited due to their high cost, loss of conductivity at elevated temperatures due to dehydration, and fuel crossover. Alternatives to Nafion have become a well-researched topic in recent years. Aromatic-based membranes where the polymer chains are linked together by aromatic rings, alongside varying numbers of ether, ketone, or sulfone functionalities, imide, or benzimidazoles in their structures, are one of the alternatives that show great potential as PEMs due totheir electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal strengths. Membranes based on these polymers, such as poly(aryl ether ketones) (PAEKs) and polyimides (PIs), however, lack a sufficient level of proton conductivity and durability to be practical for use in fuel cells. Therefore, membrane modifications are necessary to overcome their drawbacks. This paper reviews the challenges associated with different types of aromatic-based PEMs, plus the recent approaches that have been adopted to enhance their properties and performance.
Effect of Bis (2-Aminoethyl) Adipamide/Adipic Acid Segment on Polyamide 6: Crystallization Kinetics Study
Authors: Chen Yu-Hao , Ranganathan Palraj , Chen Chin-Wen , Lee Yi-Huan , Rwei Syang-Peng
Published: May 2020

The crystallization behavior of novel polyamide 6 (PA6) copolyamides with different amounts of bis (2-aminoethyl) adipamide/adipic acid (BAEA/AA) segment was investigated. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) results showed that as the amount of BAEA/AA segment increased to 10 mole%, the crystalline forms of all PA6 copolyamide were transferred from the stable α-form to the unstable γ-form because of the complex polymer structure. According to studies of crystallization kinetics, the Avrami exponent (n) values for all copolyamide samples ranged from 1.43 to 3.67 under isothermal conditions, implying that the crystallization is involved in the two- to three-dimensional growth at a high temperature of isothermal condition. The copolyamides provided a slower crystallization rate and higher crystallization activation energy (ΔEa) than neat PA6. Polyamide containing 10 mole% of BEAE/AA content exhibited a unique crystallization behavior in the coexistence of the α and γ forms. These results deepen our understanding of the relationship between BAEA/AA content, crystal structure, and its crystallization behavior in low-melting PA6, and they make these types of copolyamides useful for their practical application.
Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, and Phytosterol Composition of Seed Oil and Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Fresh Seeds from Three Dalbergia Species Grown in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thuy , Doan Lan Phuong , Trinh Thi Thu Huong , Tran Hong Ha , Pham Quoc Long , Pham Thi Hai Ha , Bach Long Giang , Matthäus Bertrand , Tran Quoc Toan
Published: May 2020

This research aimed to investigate the chemical composition of seed oils extracted from three Vietnamese Dalbergia species (D. tonkinensis, D. mammosa, and D. entadoides). The fatty acid profiles and contents of tocopherols and sterols of the seed oils, and total phenolic compounds extracted from the fresh seeds were characterized using different methods. Among the examined samples, D. tonkinensis seed oils showed high contents of linoleic acid (64.7%), whereas in D. mammosa, oleic acid (51.2%) was predominant. In addition, α- and γ-tocopherol and β-sitosterol were major ingredients in the seed oils, whereas ferulic acid and rosmarinic acid are usually predominant in the seeds of these species. Regarding sterol composition, the D. entadoides seed oil figured for remarkably high content of Δ5,23-stigmastadienol (1735 mg/kg) and Δ7-stigmastenol (1298 mg/kg). In addition, extracts with methanol/water (80:20, v/v) of seeds displayed significant in vitro antioxidant activity which was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay.
Interannual Variations of TOA Albedo over the Arctic, Antarctic and Tibetan Plateau in 2000–2019
Authors: Wu Dong L. , Lee Jae Nyung , Kim Kyu-Myong , Lim Young-Kwon
Published: May 2020

Recent changes in Earth’s climate system have significantly affected the radiation budget and its year-to-year variations at top of the atmosphere (TOA). Observing high-latitude TOA fluxes is still challenging from space, because spatial inhomogeneity of surface/atmospheric radiative processes and spectral variability can reflect sunlight very differently. In this study we analyze the 20-year TOA flux and albedo data from CERES and MISR over the Arctic, the Antarctic, and Tibetan Plateau (TP), and found overall great consistency in the TOA albedo trend and interannual variations. The observations reveal a lagged correlation between the Arctic and subarctic albedo fluctuations. The observed year-to-year variations are further used to evaluate the reanalysis data, which exhibit substantial shortcomings in representing the polar TOA flux variability. The observed Arctic flux variations are highly correlated with cloud fraction (CF), except in the regions where CF > 90% or where the surface is covered by ice. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis shows that the first five EOFs can account for ~50% of the Arctic TOA variance, whereas the correlation with climate indices suggests that Sea Ice Extent (SIE), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and 55°N–65°N cloudiness are the most influential processes in driving the TOA flux variabilities.
Evaluating the Properties of a Coating Material with Polycaprolactone-Degradable Fluorinated Silicon-Containing Waterborne Polyurethane
Authors: Hsu Yao-Tang , Wang Wen-Hsin , Hung Wei-Hsi
Published: May 2020

This study successfully synthesized fluorinated silicon-containing waterborne polyurethanes (FSWPUs) by using polycaprolactone (PCL) diol, 2,2,3,3-Tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol, and [3-(2-Aminoethylamino)propyl] trimethoxysilane (AEAPTES ). The FSWPU’s particle size was examined using dynamic light scattering. After the FSWPUs were processed into a dry film, their molecular weight and basic properties were analyzed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Additionally, the thermal stability of the FSWPUs was inspected by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The tensile strength and elongation at the break of the FSWPUs before and after hydrolysis were also analyzed, using a tensile testing machine. Subsequently, FSWPU emulsions were cast between the tiles, and hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, and surface tension were then measured on a contact-angle measurement instrument. The tensile testing machine was again employed to test the sheer strength of the FSWPUs between the tiles, and a tape test was conducted to analyze their adhesion to the tiles. The results revealed that AEAPTES functional groups can reinforce the thermal stability, tensile strength, and water resistance of FSWPUs. Moreover, the AEAPTES functional groups increased the adhesion of FSWPUs to the tiles and reduced the surface energy of the tiles.
Sustainability Assessment of a Single-Use Plastics Ban
Authors: Herberz Timo , Barlow Claire Y. , Finkbeiner Matthias
Published: May 2020

Governments around the world are introducing single-use plastics bans to alleviate plastic marine pollution. This paper investigates whether banning single-use plastic items is an appropriate strategy to protect the environment. Product life cycle assessment was conducted for single-use plastic and single-use non-plastic alternatives. The life cycle impacts of the two product categories were compared and scaled according to EU consumption of 2016. The results show that a single-use plastics ban would decrease plastic marine pollution in the EU by 5.5% which equates to a 0.06% decrease globally. However, such a ban would increase emissions contributing to marine aquatic toxicity in the EU by 1.4%. This paper concludes that single-use items are harmful to the environment regardless of their material. Therefore, banning or imposing a premium price on single-use items in general and not only single-use plastic items is a more effective method of reducing consumption and thereby pollution. The plastics ban only leads to a small reduction of global plastic marine pollution and thus provides only a partial solution to the problem it intends to solve.
Analysis and Projection of Land-Use/Land-Cover Dynamics through Scenario-Based Simulations Using the CA-Markov Model: A Case Study in Guanting Reservoir Basin, China
Authors: Ruben Gebdang B. , Zhang Ke , Dong Zengchuan , Xia Jun
Published: May 2020

Understanding the rate and process of land-use/land-cover (LULC) change in a watershed is essential for managing natural resources and achieving sustainable development. Therefore, this study aims to analyze historical LULC change from 1980 to 2010 and project future changes in 2030, 2060, and 2090 in the Guanting Reservoir Basin (GRB), China, a critical water-supplying watershed for China’s capital Beijing, through scenario-based simulations. Two LULC scenarios, ‘business-as-usual’ and ‘governance’ (Gov), were projected using the Cellular Automata-Markov (CA–Markov) model. Historical LULC trend analysis shows that built-up land increased from 2.6% in 1980 to 5.26% in 2010, while cropland, grassland, and water body decreased. LULC conversion analysis indicates that, in general, grassland, cropland, and woodland were converted to built-up area from 1980 to 2010. The BAU scenario projects a dramatic increase in built-up area, rising from 2296.98 km2 (5.26%) in 2010 to 11,757.35 km2 (26.93%) in 2090 at the expense of cropland and grassland areas. Conversely, the Gov scenario predicts an increase in water body, woodland, and grassland, encouraging sustainable development. Overall, these results provide useful inputs to the LULC planners and water resources managers to elaborate on eco-friendly policies and regulations for GRB.
Integrated BIM-Based LCA for the Entire Building Process Using an Existing Structure for Cost Estimation in the Swiss Context
Authors: Naneva Anita , Bonanomi Marcella , Hollberg Alexander , Habert Guillaume , Hall Daniel
Published: May 2020

The building sector has a significant potential to reduce the material resource demand needed for construction and therefore, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Digitalization can help to make use of this potential and improve sustainability throughout the entire building’s life cycle. One way to address this potential is through the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into the building process by employing Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM can reduce the effort needed to carry out an LCA, and therefore, facilitate the integration into the building process. A review of current industry practice and scientific literature shows that companies are lacking the incentive to apply LCA. If applied, there are two main approaches. Either the LCA is performed in a simplified way at the beginning of the building process using imprecise techniques, or it is done at the very end when all the needed information is available, but it is too late for decision-making. One reason for this is the lack of methods, workflows and tools to implement BIM-LCA integration over the whole building development. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to develop an integrated BIM-LCA method for the entire building process by relating it to an established workflow. To avoid an additional effort for practitioners, an existing structure for cost estimation in the Swiss context is used. The established method is implemented in a tool and used in a case study in Switzerland to test the approach. The results of this study show that LCA can be performed continuously in each building phase over the entire building process using existing Building Information Modeling (BIM) techniques for cost estimation. The main benefit of this approach is that it simplifies the application of LCA in the building process and therefore gives incentives for companies to apply it. Moreover, the re-work caused by the need for re-entering data and the usage of many different software tools that characterize most of the current LCA practices is minimized. Furthermore, decision-making, both at the element and building levels, is supported.
Vulnerability and Resilience Analysis of the Air Traffic Control Sector Network in China
Authors: Wang Xinglong , Miao Shangfei , Tang Junqing
Published: May 2020

Sustainability and its component resilience have become an important issue that cannot be neglected in airspace planning and development. Resilience, as an emerging system concept, is critical to sustainability in many fields. With the rapidly growing demand in China’s air transportation sector, airspace congestion and flight delays have become a major issue in the fast development of this sector, and threatens the sustainability and resilience of air traffic control (ATC) systems such as waste of resources, air pollution, etc. Sectors, the basic units of an ATC system, play a significant role in ensuring the safe and smooth operations of day-to-day flights. In this paper, we apply the complex network theory to establish a model of China’s air sector network (CASN) and examine a series of characteristic parameters with an empirical analysis on its vulnerability and resilience. Through a simulation-based approach, the CASN’s resilience was quantitatively assessed with a resilience indicator (RI) in different scenarios to identify the optimal recovery strategy for building higher system resilience. The results show that the CASN has a lengthy average shortest path and a small clustering coefficient, which demonstrates a hybrid topological feature. We have also found that betweenness has the greatest impact on the resilience and has managerial implications to understand the relationship between vulnerability and resilience in CASN, so as to achieve the resilience and sustainability of CASN.
A Review of Practice and Implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) for Smallholder Agriculture
Authors: Antony Anish Paul , Leith Kendra , Jolley Craig , Lu Jennifer , Sweeney Daniel J.
Published: May 2020

In order to feed a growing global population projected to increase to 9 billion by 2050, food production will need to increase from its current level. The bulk of this growth will need to come from smallholder farmers who rely on generational knowledge in their farming practices and who live in locations where weather patterns and seasons are becoming less predictable due to climate change. The expansion of internet-connected devices is increasing opportunities to apply digital tools and services on smallholder farms, including monitoring soil and plants in horticulture, water quality in aquaculture, and ambient environments in greenhouses. In combination with other food security efforts, internet of things (IoT)-enabled precision smallholder farming has the potential to improve livelihoods and accelerate low- and middle-income countries’ journey to self-reliance. Using a combination of interviews, surveys and site visits to gather information, this research presents a review of the current state of the IoT for on-farm measurement, cases of successful IoT implementation in low- and middle-income countries, challenges associated with implementing the IoT on smallholder farms, and recommendations for practitioners.
The Future of Smallholder Farming in India: Some Sustainability Considerations
Authors: Bisht Ishwari Singh , Rana Jai Chand , Pal Ahlawat Sudhir
Published: May 2020

The biodiverse, predominantly crop-livestock mixed-farming in India is key to ensuring resilience to climate change and sustainability of smallholder farming agroecologies. Farmers traditionally grow diverse crops as polyculture, and agriculture is mainly organic/biodynamic with spirituality in food systems deeply ingrained. Job-driven out-migration of rural youths, the family labor force, and globalization of contemporary food choices under corporate industrial agriculture both adversely affect sustainability of traditional farming landscapes and compromise the nutrition and health of rural farming communities. Besides documenting information on general agri-food system policy inputs, our paper presents the results of an exploratory study of four crucial community-level initiatives conducted in four distinct agroecological landscapes of India, aimed at bringing sustainability to traditional farming and food systems. The driving force for fundamental change in agri-food system, and in society, is the question of sustainability. The organic and local food movements are but specific phases of the larger, more fundamental sustainable agri-food movement. While it is very critical to increase farmer livelihood, it is even more important to increase overall rural economy. It was found that four important interventions viz. linking organic agriculture to community-supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives; linking small-holder farming to school meal (MDM) programmes; enhanced market access and value chain development for local agricultural produce; and creation of employment opportunities at community level for rural youths and reducing over-dependence of rural population on agriculture as source of income can make traditional farming more profitable and sustainable. The transition to more sustainable methods of farming by selling the farm produce “locally” helps both consumers and farmers alike and is considered a future strength of smallholder Indian agriculture.
Art Inheritance: An Education Course on Traditional Pattern Morphological Generation in Architecture Design Based on Digital Sculpturism
Authors: Xu Chong , Huang Yi , Dewancker Bart
Published: May 2020

Cultural communication and art heritage represent a repository of highly condensed information of past time that depends not only on the expansion of emerging digital media but also on the transformation of language and knowledge. In this course, students try to extract single elements from the traditional Chinese cultural patterns and redesign them, then combine them into existing buildings, attempting to balance the coherence, heterogeneity of space, and the uniqueness of projects. It provides favorable conditions in the new era for the traditional patterns to be re-activated. It is a combination of technology and art. The purpose of this course is not to discover new theories or new technologies but to provide morphological possibilities under the existing digital techniques in cultural symbols. We try to build new ideas and innovative digital expressions for traditional Chinese patterns, realize the collision of culture and technology from experimental trials on the existing architectures in other unimagined forms. It is not only the research reproduction of traditional patterns but also brings new vitality and fresh ideas for architecture design.
Full Implementation of the River Chief System in China: Outcome and Weakness
Authors: Li Yinghong , Tong Jiaxin , Wang Longfei
Published: May 2020

Despite having explored various modes of water management over the past three decades, the water crisis persists and the Chinese government has been required to revolutionize river management from the top down. The River Chief System (RCS), which evolved from small scale, local efforts to manage rivers starting in 2007, is an innovative system that coordinates between existing ‘fragmented’ river/lake management and pollution control systems, to clearly define the responsibilities of all concerned departments. The system was promoted from an emergent policy to nationwide action in 2016, and ever since, has undergone steady development. We have analyzed recent developments in the system from the perspectives of functional expansion, implementation strategies, legislative processes, and public outreach after the full implementation of the RCS. By collecting data over the past several years, the changes in the water quality of representative watersheds in China were evaluated to assess the outcomes of RCS implementation. Finally, a summary of the weaknesses and outstanding problems of the system is presented, putting forward a multi-channel strategy for the long-term stability and effectiveness of river/lake chiefs, and promoting the RCS as a suitable solution to the collaborative and jurisdictional issues in water management in China.
How to Teach Pre-Service Teachers to Make a Didactic Program? The Collaborative Learning Associated with Mobile Devices
Authors: Soler Costa Rebeca , Mauri Medrano Marta , Lafarga Ostáriz Pablo , Moreno-Guerrero Antonio-José
Published: May 2020

Today, pedagogical proposals are increasingly moving away from purely traditional approaches, with a proliferation of active methodologies in the teaching–learning processes. This research aims to find out the effectiveness of the collaborative method in mobile learning, as opposed to traditional methodology, for university students in the learning of the didactic program. The research methodology is quantitative, applying a quasi-experimental design with a control group and experimental group. The results show that the collaborative learning teaching method associated with mobile learning mainly increases motivation, the relationships between teachers and students, the relationships between students and content, the relationships between students and students, autonomy in learning, pedagogical collaboration between students, problem-solving, and the sense of time in the training process. It is concluded that the collaborative learning method associated with mobile learning is more effective for learning didactic programming than the traditional method.
A Review of Further Directions for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning in Smart Logistics
Authors: Woschank Manuel , Rauch Erwin , Zsifkovits Helmut
Published: May 2020

Industry 4.0 concepts and technologies ensure the ongoing development of micro- and macro-economic entities by focusing on the principles of interconnectivity, digitalization, and automation. In this context, artificial intelligence is seen as one of the major enablers for Smart Logistics and Smart Production initiatives. This paper systematically analyzes the scientific literature on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning in the context of Smart Logistics management in industrial enterprises. Furthermore, based on the results of the systematic literature review, the authors present a conceptual framework, which provides fruitful implications based on recent research findings and insights to be used for directing and starting future research initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) in Smart Logistics.
Digital Transformation Supporting Transport Decarbonisation: Technological Developments in EU-Funded Research and Innovation
Authors: Tsakalidis Anastasios , Gkoumas Konstantinos , Pekár Ferenc
Published: May 2020

The European Commission’s Communication on a European Green Deal sets out the objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, which will require a reduction in transport emissions. To this aim, digital technologies, together with connectivity and automation, are transforming traditional concepts of mobility, with a potential impact towards transport decarbonisation. New business models are emerging and giving rise to innovative mobility services including new online platforms for car-pooling, car or bicycle sharing services, freight operations, or smartphone applications offering real-time travel information and other analytics. This study provides an overview of the European Union (EU) funded research and innovation (R&I) and related technologies that are influencing the uptake of digital transformation in transport and identifies issues and challenges from a European perspective. To that end, it follows a two-tier approach that examines policy and legislative initiatives from the European Commission, highlighting possible challenges and enablers. Moreover, it analyses transport technology developments in Europe, focusing on the technology maturity from EU R&I framework programmes, using the European Commission’s Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS). The technology analysis provides insights that aid policy decisions related to funding allocation in future R&I framework programmes.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Precision Agriculture Management Systems in Mediterranean Small Farms
Authors: Loures Luís , Chamizo Alejandro , Ferreira Paulo , Loures Ana , Castanho Rui , Panagopoulos Thomas
Published: May 2020

While the world population continues to grow, increasing the need to produce more and better-quality food, climate change, urban growth and unsustainable agricultural practices accelerate the loss of available arable land, compromising the sustainability of agricultural lands both in terms of productivity and environmental resilience, and causing serious problems for the production-consumption balance. This scenario highlights the urgent need for agricultural modernization as a crucial step to face forthcoming difficulties. Precision agriculture techniques appear as a feasible option to help solve these problems. However, their use needs to be reinvented and tested according to different parameters, in order to define both the environmental and the economic impact of these new technologies not only on agricultural production, but also on agricultural sustainability. This paper intends, therefore, to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of precision agriculture through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)/remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) techniques in small Mediterranean farms. We present specific data obtained through the application of the aforementioned techniques in three farms located along the Portuguese-Spanish border, considering three parameters (seeding failure, differentiated irrigation and differentiated fertilization) in order to determine not only the ecological benefits of these methods, but also their economic and productivity aspects. The obtained results, based on these methods, highlight the fact that an efficient combination of UAV/RPAS and NDVI techniques allows for important economic savings in productivity factors, thus promoting a sustainable agriculture both in ecological and economic terms. Additionally, contrary to what is generally defended, even in small farms, as the ones assessed in this study (less than 50 ha), the costs associated with the application of the aforementioned precision agriculture processes are largely surpassed by the economic gains achieved with their application, regardless of the notorious environmental benefits introduced by the reduction of crucial production inputs as water and fertilizers.