bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Need for an Evidence-Based Program in Sweden to Support Parents to Create Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors from the Start of Life—Parental Perceptions
Authors: Henström Maria , Müssener Ulrika , Campbell Karen J. , Hesketh Kylie D. , Rosell Magdalena , Delisle Nyström Christine
Published: December 2020

In Sweden, there have been no interventions promoting the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors starting in infancy. Thus this paper aims to: (i) investigate Swedish parents’ experiences regarding feeding of solid foods, screen time, and physical activity in healthy infants; (ii) investigate parents’ needs and perceptions regarding information/support provided in primary child healthcare (CHC) and (iii) explore whether a parenting program focused on child diet and active play would be relevant and utilized. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 parents. These were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Seven themes emerged: Feeling excited to enter a new phase; Parents’ responsibility of doing it “right” can be stressful; Motivated to learn during specific time windows; Information to trust; The importance of social support from peers; Experiences of support received from CHC; and the Infant, Feeding, Activity, and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) for a Swedish context. Parents were excited to enter new phases in their child’s development. However, this came with worry they were doing things “right”, leading parents to want more information/support. Overall, Swedish parents were very positive about the prospects of engaging in a primary CHC delivered program to support them to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors from birth and felt this could complement the care currently provided.
Prototype Gluten-Free Breads from Processed Durum Wheat: Use of Monovarietal Flours and Implications for Gluten Detoxification Strategies
Authors: Pilolli Rosa , De Angelis Maria , Lamonaca Antonella , De Angelis Elisabetta , Rizzello Carlo Giuseppe , Siragusa Sonya , Gadaleta Agata , Mamone Gianfranco , Monaci Linda
Published: December 2020

In this investigation, we reported the production of prototype breads from the processed flours of three specific Triticum turgidum wheat genotypes that were selected in our previous investigation for their potential low toxic/immunogenic activity for celiac disease (CD) patients. The flours were subjected to sourdough fermentation with a mixture of selected Lactobacillus strains, and in presence of fungal endoproteases. The breads were characterized by R5 competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in order to quantify the residual gluten, and the differential efficacy in gluten degradation was assessed. In particular, two of them were classified as gluten-free (<20 ppm) and very low-gluten content (<100 ppm) breads, respectively, whereas the third monovarietal prototype retained a gluten content that was well above the safety threshold prescribed for direct consumption by CD patients. In order to investigate such a genotype-dependent efficiency of the detoxification method applied, an advanced proteomic characterization by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was performed. Notably, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first proteomic investigation which benefitted, for protein identification, from the full sequencing of the Triticum turgidum ssp. durum genome. The differences of the proteins’ primary structures affecting their susceptibility to hydrolysis were investigated. As a confirmation of the previous immunoassay-based results, two out of the three breads made with the processed flours presented an exhaustive degradation of the epitopic sequences that are relevant for CD immune stimulatory activity. The list of the detected epitopes was analyzed and critically discussed in light of their susceptibility to the detoxification strategy applied. Finally, in-vitro experiments of human gastroduodenal digestion were carried out in order to assess, in-silico, the toxicity risk of the prototype breads under investigation for direct consumption by CD patients. This approach allowed us to confirm the total degradation of the epitopic sequences upon gastro-duodenal digestion.
Comparison of Different Dietary Indices as Predictors of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Intestinal Microbiota in Middle-Aged and Elderly Subjects
Authors: Ruiz-Saavedra Sergio , Salazar Nuria , Suárez Ana , de los Reyes-Gavilán Clara G. , Gueimonde Miguel , González Sonia
Published: December 2020

During the last decades the gut microbiota has been identified as a key mediator in the diet-health interaction. However, our understanding on the impact of general diet upon microbiota is still limited. Dietary indices represent an essential approach for addressing the link between diet and health from a holistic point of view. Our aim was to test the predictive potential of seven dietary ratings on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and on the composition and metabolic activity of the intestinal microbiota. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 73 subjects aged >50 years with non-declared pathologies. Dietary inflammatory index (DII), Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (EDII), Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Mediterranean adapted Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), Modified Mediterranean Diet Score (MMDS) and relative Mediterranean Diet Score (rMED) were calculated based on a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Major phylogenetic types of the intestinal microbiota were determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by gas chromatography. While DII, HEI, DQI-I and MMDS were identified as predictors of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels, AHEI and MMDS were negatively associated with Lactobacillus group. HEI, AHEI and MMDS were positively associated with fecal SCFAs. In addition, DII and EDII explained lipoperoxidation level and Mediterranean scores the serum IL-8 concentrations. The lower detection of IL-8 in individuals with higher scores on Mediterranean indices may be partially explained by the increased levels of the anti-inflammatory bacterium F. prausnitzii in such individuals.
Porcine Circovirus 2 Genotypes, Immunity and Vaccines: Multiple Genotypes but One Single Serotype
Authors: Franzo Giovanni , Segalés Joaquim
Published: December 2020

Identified for the first time in the 1990s, Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) should not be considered an emerging virus anymore. Nevertheless, many aspects of its biology and epidemiology are still controversial. Particularly, its high evolutionary rate has caused the emergence of several variants and genotypes, alternating on the worldwide proscenium. The biological and practical implications of such heterogenicity are unfortunately largely unknown. The effectiveness of currently available vaccines against new genotypes that have emerged over time has been the topic of an intense debate and often inconclusive or contradictory results between experimental, field, and epidemiological studies have been gathered. The challenge in establishing an effective PCV-2 disease model, the peculiarities in experimental design and settings and the strains involved could justify the observed differences. The present work aims to summarize and critically review the available knowledge on PCV-2 genetic heterogeneity, immunity, and vaccine efficacy, organizing and harmonizing the available data from different sources, shedding light on this complex field and highlighting current knowledge gaps and future perspectives. So far, all vaccines in the market have shown great efficacy in reducing clinical signs associated to diseases caused by PCV-2, independently of the genotype present in the farm. Moreover, experimental data demonstrated the cross-protection of PCV-2a vaccines against the most widespread genotypes (PCV-2a, PCV-2b, and PCV-2d). Therefore, despite the significant number of genotypes described/proposed (PCV-2a to PCV-2i), it seems one single PCV-2 serotype would exist so far.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Increase Cisplatin, Paclitaxel, and Doxorubicin Efficacy against Human Cervix Cancer Cells
Authors: Robledo-Cadena Diana Xochiquetzal , Gallardo-Pérez Juan Carlos , Dávila-Borja Víctor , Pacheco-Velázquez Silvia Cecilia , Belmont-Díaz Javier Alejandro , Ralph Stephen John , Blanco-Carpintero Betsy Alejandra , Moreno-Sánchez Rafael , Rodríguez-Enríquez Sara
Published: December 2020

This study shows that the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) celecoxib and its non-cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) analogue dimethylcelecoxib (DMC) exert a potent inhibitory effect on the growth of human cervix HeLa multi-cellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) when added either at the beginning (“preventive protocol”; IC50 = 1 ± 0.3 nM for celecoxib and 10 ± 2 nM for DMC) or after spheroid formation (“curative protocol”; IC50 = 7.5 ± 2 µM for celecoxib and 32 ± 10 µM for DMC). These NSAID IC50 values were significantly lower than those attained in bidimensional HeLa cells (IC50 = 55 ± 9 µM celecoxib and 48 ± 2 µM DMC) and bidimensional non-cancer cell cultures (3T3 fibroblasts and MCF-10A mammary gland cells with IC50 from 69 to >100 µM, after 24 h). The copper-based drug casiopeina II-gly showed similar potency against HeLa MCTS. Synergism analysis showed that celecoxib, DMC, and casiopeinaII-gly at sub-IC50 doses increased the potency of cisplatin, paclitaxel, and doxorubicin to hinder HeLa cell proliferation through a significant abolishment of oxidative phosphorylation in bidimensional cultures, with no apparent effect on non-cancer cells (therapeutic index >3.6). Similar results were attained with bidimensional human cervix cancer SiHa and human glioblastoma U373 cell cultures. In HeLa MCTS, celecoxib, DMC and casiopeina II-gly increased cisplatin toxicity by 41–85%. These observations indicated that celecoxib and DMC used as adjuvant therapy in combination with canonical anti-cancer drugs may provide more effective alternatives for cancer treatment.
Facing Immersive “Post-Truth” in AIVR?
Authors: Aliman Nadisha-Marie , Kester Leon
Published: December 2020

In recent years, prevalent global societal issues related to fake news, fakery, misinformation, and disinformation were brought to the fore, leading to the construction of descriptive labels such as “post-truth” to refer to the supposedly new emerging era. Thereby, the (mis-)use of technologies such as AI and VR has been argued to potentially fuel this new loss of “ground-truth”, for instance, via the ethically relevant deepfakes phenomena and the creation of realistic fake worlds, presumably undermining experiential veracity. Indeed, unethical and malicious actors could harness tools at the intersection of AI and VR (AIVR) to craft what we call immersive falsehood, fake immersive reality landscapes deliberately constructed for malicious ends. This short paper analyzes the ethically relevant nature of the background against which such malicious designs in AIVR could exacerbate the intentional proliferation of deceptions and falsities. We offer a reappraisal expounding that while immersive falsehood could manipulate and severely jeopardize the inherently affective constructions of social reality and considerably complicate falsification processes, humans may neither inhabit a post-truth nor a post-falsification age. Finally, we provide incentives for future AIVR safety work, ideally contributing to a future era of technology-augmented critical thinking.
Patent Technology Network Analysis of Machine-Learning Technologies and Applications in Optical Communications
Authors: Chang Shu-Hao
Published: December 2020

As the Internet of Things (IoT) develops, applying machine learning on optical communications has become a prospective field of research. Scholars have mostly concentrated on algorithmic techniques or specific applications but have been unable to address the distribution of machine-learning technologies and the development of its applications in optical communications from a macro perspective. Therefore, in this paper, machine-learning patents in optical communications are taken as the analytical basis for constructing a patent technology network. The study results revealed that key technologies were primarily in data input and output devices, data-processing methods, wireless communication networks, and the transmission of digital information in optical communications. Such technologies were also applied to perform measurement for diagnostic purposes and medical diagnoses. The technology network model proposed in this paper explores the technological development trends of machine learning in optical communications and serves as a reference for allocating research and development resources.
Induction, Multiplication, and Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Polyalthia bullata Callus, a Woody Medicinal Plant
Authors: Kamarul Zaman Munirah Adibah , Azzeme Azzreena Mohamad , Ramle Illy Kamaliah , Normanshah Nurfazlinyana , Ramli Siti Nurhafizah , Shaharuddin Noor Azmi , Ahmad Syahida , Abdullah Siti Nor Akmar
Published: December 2020

Polyalthia bullata is an endangered medicinal plant species. Hence, establishment of P. bullata callus culture is hoped to assist in mass production of secondary metabolites. Leaf and midrib were explants for callus induction. Both of them were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) containing different types and concentrations of auxins (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), picloram, and dicamba). The callus produced was further multiplied on MS and WPM supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D, NAA, picloram, dicamba, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) media. The quantification of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant capacity was further carried out on P. bullata callus, and the results were subjected to correlation analysis. Among the media, the WPM + 16.56 µM picloram (53.33 ± 22.06%) was the best for callus induction while MS + 30 µM dicamba was the best for callus multiplication. The TPC, TFC, and EC50 of DPPH scavenging activity were determined at 0.657 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g FW, 0.491 ± 0.03 mg QE/g, and 85.59 ± 6.09 µg/mL in P. bullata callus, respectively. The positive correlation between DPPH scavenging activity with TPC was determined at r = 0.869, and that of TFC was at r = 0.904. Hence, the P. bullata callus has an ability to accumulate antioxidants. It therefore can be a medium for secondary metabolites production.
Compositional Analyses Reveal Relationships among Components of Blue Maize Grains
Authors: Nankar Amol N. , Scott M Paul , Pratt Richard C.
Published: December 2020

One aim of this experiment was to develop NIR calibrations for 20-grain components in 143 pigmented maize samples evaluated in four locations across New Mexico during 2013 and 2014. Based on reference analysis, prediction models were developed using principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS). The predictive ability of calibrations was generally low, with the calibrations for methionine and glycine performing best by PCR and PLS. The second aim was to explore the relationships among grain constituents. In PCA, the first three PCs explained 49.62, 22.20, and 6.92% of the total variance and tend to align with nitrogen-containing compounds (amino acids), carbon-rich compounds (starch, anthocyanin, fiber, and fat), and sulfur-containing compounds (cysteine and methionine), respectively. Correlations among traits were identified, and these relationships were illustrated by a correlation network. Some relationships among components were driven by common synthetic origins, for example, among amino acids derived from pyruvate. Similarly, anthocyanins, crude fat, and fatty acids all share malonyl CoA in their biosynthetic pathways and were correlated. In contrast, crude fiber and starch have similar biosynthetic origins but were negatively correlated, and this may have been due to their different functional roles in structure and energy storage, respectively.
Dentin Bond Integrity of Hydroxyapatite Containing Resin Adhesive Enhanced with Graphene Oxide Nano-Particles—An SEM, EDX, Micro-Raman, and Microtensile Bond Strength Study
Authors: AlFawaz Yasser F. , Almutairi Basil , Kattan Hiba F , Zafar Muhammad S. , Farooq Imran , Naseem Mustafa , Vohra Fahim , Abduljabbar Tariq
Published: December 2020

The aim was to synthesize and characterize an adhesive incorporating HA and GO nanoparticles. Techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS), and micro-Raman spectroscopy were employed to investigate bond durability, presence of nanoparticles inside adhesive, and dentin interaction. Control experimental adhesive (CEA) was synthesized with 5 wt% HA. GO particles were fabricated and added to CEA at 0.5 wt% (HA-GO-0.5%) and 2 wt% GO (HA-GO-2%). Teeth were prepared to produce bonded specimens using the three adhesive bonding agents for assessment of μTBS, with and without thermocycling (TC). The adhesives were applied twice on the dentin with a micro-brush followed by air thinning and photo-polymerization. The HA and GO nanoparticles demonstrated uniform dispersion inside adhesive. Resin tags with varying depths were observed on SEM micrographs. The EDX mapping revealed the presence of carbon (C), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) in the two GO adhesives. For both TC and NTC samples, HA-GO-2% had higher μTBS and durability, followed by HA-GO-0.5%. The representative micro-Raman spectra demonstrated D and G bands for nano-GO particles containing adhesives. HA-GO-2% group demonstrated uniform diffusion in adhesive, higher μTBS, adequate durability, and comparable resin tag development to controls.
Nonwoven Materials Produced by Melt Electrospinning of Polypropylene Filled with Calcium Carbonate
Authors: Malakhov Sergey N. , Dmitryakov Petr V. , Pichkur Evgeny B. , Chvalun Sergey N.
Published: December 2020

Nowadays, polypropylene-based nonwovens are used in many areas, from filtration to medicine. One of the methods for obtaining such materials is melt electrospinning. In some cases, it is especially interesting to produce composite fibers with a high degree of filling. In this work, the influence of the filling degree of isotactic polypropylene with calcium carbonate on the structure and properties of nonwoven materials obtained by melt electrospinning was studied. It was shown that electrospinning is possible, even at a filler content of 50%, while the average diameter of the fibers increases with the growth in the content of calcium carbonate. The addition of sodium stearate significantly reduces the diameter of the fibers (from 10–65 to 2–10 microns) due to reducing viscosity and increasing the electrical conductivity of the melt. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy reveal that the initial polymer and composites are characterized by the presence of stable α-form crystals, while nonwovens show a predominance of smectic mesophase. The addition of calcium carbonate leads to an increase in the hydrophobicity of the composite films, the addition of sodium stearate results in a decrease of hydrophobicity, while all nonwovens demonstrate superhydrophobic properties.
Controlled Preparation of Different Proportions of Metal Fe-Mn from Waste Mn Ferrite by Molten Salt Electrolysis
Authors: Liu Shiyuan , Wang Lijun
Published: December 2020

A novel method for efficiently recovering Fe and Mn from waste Mn ferrite by molten salt electrolysis is firstly proposed. The electrolysis of molten salt (MnCl2 (1.06 wt%)-FeCl3 (2.69 wt%)-NaCl-KCl) was performed at 800 °C. The phase of product at 2.0 V was metal Fe while metal Fe and Mn were obtained by molten salt electrolysis at 2.3 V. The Fe/Mn mass ratio of electrodeposited products at 2.0 V and 2.3 V were 687 and 3.2, respectively. The different proportions of metal Fe-Mn were prepared by controlling the electrolytic voltages. This new method can realize direct transformation of waste Mn ferrite to Fe-Mn alloy.
Integration and Evaluation of Intra-Logistics Processes in Flexible Production Systems Based on OEE Metrics, with the Use of Computer Modelling and Simulation of AGVs
Authors: Foit Krzysztof , Gołda Grzegorz , Kampa Adrian
Published: December 2020

The article presents the problems connected with the performance evaluation of a flexible production system in the context of designing and integrating production and logistics subsystems. The goal of the performed analysis was to determine the parameters that have the most significant influence on the productivity of the whole system. The possibilities of using automated machine tools, automatic transport vehicles, as well as automated storage systems were pointed out. Moreover, the exemplary models are described, and the framework of simulation research related to the conceptual design of new production systems are indicated. In order to evaluate the system’s productivity, the use of Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) metrics was proposed, which is typically used for stationary resources such as machines. This paper aims to prove the hypothesis that the OEE metric can also be used for transport facilities such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). The developed models include the parameters regarding availability and failure of AGVs as well as production efficiency and quality, which allows the more accurate mapping of manufacturing processes. As the result, the Overall Factory Efficiency (OFE) and Overall Transport Efficiency (OTE) metrics were obtained. The obtained outcomes can be directly related to similar production systems that belong to World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or World Class Logistics (WCL), leading to the in-depth planning of such systems and their further improvement in the context of the Industry 4.0.
Smart Designs of Anti-Coking and Anti-Sintering Ni-Based Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane: A Recent Review
Authors: Gao Xingyuan , Ashok Jangam , Kawi Sibudjing
Published: December 2020

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction has drawn much interest due to the reduction of greenhouse gases and production of syngas. Coking and sintering have hindered the large-scale operations of Ni-based catalysts in DRM reactions at high temperatures. Smart designs of Ni-based catalysts are comprehensively summarized in fourth aspects: surface regulation, oxygen defects, interfacial engineering, and structural optimization. In each part, details of the designs and anti-deactivation mechanisms are elucidated, followed by a summary of the main points and the recommended strategies to improve the catalytic performance, energy efficiency, and utilization rate.
Co-Pyrolysis of Low-Density Polyethylene and Motor Oil—Investigation of the Chemical Interactions between the Components
Authors: Rimez Bart , Breyer Sacha , Vekemans Odile , Haut Benoit
Published: December 2020

In this work, different thermal analysis methods have been used to study the co-pyrolysis of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and motor oil. Two kinds of motor oil were considered, a fresh one and a used one. Through the comparison of experimental curves and so-called “theoretical curves”, high-resolution thermogravimetry experiments allowed highlighting interactions between the LDPE and each of the two oils, when they are co-pyrolyzed. While thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry did not give any insights into these interactions, pyrolysis coupled to gaseous chromatograph and mass spectrometry allowed identifying aldehydes in the products of the co-pyrolysis of LDPE and each of the two oils. These aldehydes were not observed during the pyrolysis of the LDPE or the oils alone. On the basis of these results, various explanations for the formation of these aldehydes are proposed.
Yoga and White Public Space
Authors: Putcha Rumya S.
Published: December 2020

This article connects recent work in critical race studies, museum studies, and performance studies to larger conversations happening across the humanities and social sciences on the role of performance in white public spaces. Specifically, I examine the recent trend of museums such as the Natural History Museum of London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, to name but a few, offering meditation and wellness classes that purport to “mirror the aesthetics or philosophy of their collections.” Through critical ethnography and discursive analysis I examine and unpack this logic, exposing the role of cultural materialism and the residue of European imperialism in the affective economy of the museum. I not only analyze the use of sound and bodily practices packaged as “yoga” but also interrogate how “yoga” cultivates a sense of space and place for museum-goers. I argue that museum yoga programs exhibit a form of somatic orientalism, a sensory mechanism which traces its roots to U.S. American cultural-capitalist formations and other institutionalized forms of racism. By locating yoga in museums within broader and longer processes of racialization I offer a critical race and feminist lens to view these sorts of performances.
Comparing Nurses’ and Patients’ Comfort Level with Spiritual Assessment
Authors: Giske Tove , Cone Pamela
Published: December 2020

This paper presents and compares similarities and differences between nurses’ and patients’ reports on comfort levels with spiritual assessment. Spiritual care is a part of nurses’ professional responsibilities; however, nurses continue to report that they are poorly prepared for this. There is limited research on patients’ expectations or perspectives on spiritual care. For the original mixed-method, two-phased study, a 21-item survey with 10 demographic variables, and some open-ended questions related to the comfort level of assessing/being assessed in the spiritual domain were distributed to 172 nurses and 157 hospitalised patients. SPSS was used to analyse and compare the results from nurses and patients; thematic analysis was used to examine the open-ended questions. Nurses reported a higher high degree of comfort with spiritual assessment than patients reported towards being assessed spiritually. Both nurses and patients saw respect and trust as key to building a relationship where open questions related to spirituality can be used as a helpful way to assess patients spiritually. Increased understanding of the best approach toward a patient must be based on the beliefs, values, and practices of that patient so that spiritual care can be individually tailored, and nurses can help patients move along the path to healing.
Development of an Automatic Robotic Procedure for Machining of Skull Prosthesis
Authors: Castelli Kevin , Carnevale Marco , Giberti Hermes
Published: December 2020

The project presented in this paper develops within the field of automation in the medical-surgical sector. It aims at automating the process for the realization of prosthetic devices for the skull in cranioplasty, following a craniotomy intervention for brain tumor removal. The paper puts emphasis on the possibility to create the prosthetic device in run-time during the surgery, in order to ease the work that surgeons have to do during the operation. Generally, a skull prosthesis is realized before the day of the intervention, based on the plan of the medical operation, on the results of computed tomography, and through image processing software. However, after the surgery is performed, a non-negligible geometrical uncertainty can be found between the part of the skull actually removed and the cut planned during the preliminary analysis, so that the realized prosthesis (or even the skull, at worse) may need to be retouched. This paper demonstrates the possibility to introduce a fully automated process in a hospital environment, to manufacture in runtime the prosthetic operculum, relying on the actual geometry of the incision of the skull detected during the intervention. By processing a 3D scan of the skull after the craniectomy, a digital model of the prosthesis can be created and then used as an input to generate the code to be run by a robotic system in charge of the workpiece machining. Focusing on this second step, i.e., the manufacturing process, the work describes the way the dimensions of the raw material block are automatically selected, and the way robot trajectories for milling operation are automatically generated. Experimental validation demonstrates the possibility to complete the prosthesis within the surgery time, thus increasing the accuracy of the produced prosthesis and consequently reducing the time needed to complete the operation.
A Taxonomy for Mobile Robots: Types, Applications, Capabilities, Implementations, Requirements, and Challenges
Authors: Jahn Uwe , Heß Daniel , Stampa Merlin , Sutorma Andreas , Röhrig Christof , Schulz Peter , Wolff Carsten
Published: December 2020

Mobile robotics is a widespread field of research, whose differentiation from general robotics is often based only on the ability to move. However, mobile robots need unique capabilities, such as the function of navigation. Also, there are limiting factors, such as the typically limited energy, which must be considered when developing a mobile robot. This article deals with the definition of an archetypal robot, which is represented in the form of a taxonomy. Types and fields of application are defined. A systematic literature review is carried out for the definition of typical capabilities and implementations, where reference systems, textbooks, and literature references are considered.
A Machine Learning Approach for Mapping Forest Vegetation in Riparian Zones in an Atlantic Biome Environment Using Sentinel-2 Imagery
Authors: Furuya Danielle Elis Garcia , Aguiar João Alex Floriano , Estrabis Nayara V. , Pinheiro Mayara Maezano Faita , Furuya Michelle Taís Garcia , Pereira Danillo Roberto , Gonçalves Wesley Nunes , Liesenberg Veraldo , Li Jonathan , Marcato Junior José , Prado Osco Lucas , Ramos Ana Paula Marques
Published: December 2020

Riparian zones consist of important environmental regions, specifically to maintain the quality of water resources. Accurately mapping forest vegetation in riparian zones is an important issue, since it may provide information about numerous surface processes that occur in these areas. Recently, machine learning algorithms have gained attention as an innovative approach to extract information from remote sensing imagery, including to support the mapping task of vegetation areas. Nonetheless, studies related to machine learning application for forest vegetation mapping in the riparian zones exclusively is still limited. Therefore, this paper presents a framework for forest vegetation mapping in riparian zones based on machine learning models using orbital multispectral images. A total of 14 Sentinel-2 images registered throughout the year, covering a large riparian zone of a portion of a wide river in the Pontal do Paranapanema region, São Paulo state, Brazil, was adopted as the dataset. This area is mainly composed of the Atlantic Biome vegetation, and it is near to the last primary fragment of its biome, being an important region from the environmental planning point of view. We compared the performance of multiple machine learning algorithms like decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and normal Bayes (NB). We evaluated different dates and locations with all models. Our results demonstrated that the DT learner has, overall, the highest accuracy in this task. The DT algorithm also showed high accuracy when applied on different dates and in the riparian zone of another river. We conclude that the proposed approach is appropriated to accurately map forest vegetation in riparian zones, including temporal context.
On the Feasibility of Seafloor Topography Estimation from Airborne Gravity Gradients: Performance Analysis Using Real Data
Authors: Yang Junjun , Luo Zhicai , Tu Liangcheng , Li Shanshan , Guo Jingxue , Fan Diao
Published: December 2020

Compared with airborne gravimetry, a technique frequently used to infer the seafloor topography at places inaccessible to ship soundings due to the presence of ice shelf or ice mélange, airborne gravity gradiometry inherently could achieve higher spatial resolution, thus it is promising for improved inference of seafloor topography. However, its estimation capability has not been demonstrated by real projects. Theoretical analysis through admittance shows that compared with gravity disturbance, gravity gradient is more sensitive to the short-wavelength seafloor topography but diminishes faster with the increase of the distance between the seafloor and airplane, indicating its superiority is recovering short-wavelength topographic features over shallow waters. We present the first numerical experiment that estimates seafloor topography from a 0.4-km resolution, real airborne gravity gradients. It is shown that airborne gravity gradiometry can recover smaller topographic features than typical airborne gravimetry, but the estimation accuracy is only ±17 m due to the presence of subsurface density variations. The long-wavelength effect of the subsurface density variations can be removed with the aid of constraining bathymetry inside the study area, whereas the short wavelengths cannot. This study expands the applications of airborne gravity gradiometry, and helps glaciologists understand its performance in seafloor topography estimation.
Universalists or Utilitarianists? The Social Representation of COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil
Authors: Joia Luiz Antonio , Michelotto Flavia
Published: December 2020

A fierce debate arose in Brazil on how to manage and mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—a debate derived from a dissonant perception by society about the actual significance of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Brazilian population has divided into two contrasting philosophical approaches: the universalism—understanding life as an asset of infinite value and, therefore, more important than the country’s economic preservation—and the utilitarianism—where the focus is on the mitigation of the COVID 19 pandemic-enabled economic crisis, due to its potential devastating effect on people’s lives, thereby leaving health issues in the background. The main cause for these different sensemakings is associated with the lack of a monosemic definition for the “COVID-19 pandemic” construct. Thus, the objective of this article is to investigate the social representation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil through the Social Representation Theory operationalized by the word’s evocation technique. The results show that Brazilian society privileged prophylaxis and health, via social isolation, to the detriment of the country’s economic preservation. In addition, trends emphasized by experts, such as a post-pandemic “new-normal” and the digital transformation of society, played a peripheral role in the social representation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.
Participatory Planning through Flexible Approach: Public Community Facilities in Seoul’s Urban Regeneration Project
Authors: Baek Seon Gyeong , Kwon Hyun-Ah
Published: December 2020

Since the 2000s, urban regeneration projects have been actively implemented to address urban problems in Seoul. These projects not only help improve the environment but also make the community sustainable. Accordingly, a number of public community facilities have been created through public participation. In Seoul, since there are few existing communities that have been active in relation to public projects, there are many cases in which the government must find residents who could participate in such projects, form a new organization, and induce participation. This study analyzes such cases and identifies related characteristics. In particular, flexibly planning community participation can increase sustainability under these conditions in various communities within cities. Planning from a flexible perspective assumes that the occurrence and impact of participation may not be sequential and allows and induces community change. This study is useful in preparing planning strategies under similar conditions in the future.
Financing Energy Innovation: The Need for New Intermediaries in Clean Energy
Authors: In Soh Young , Monk Ashby H. B. , Knox-Hayes Janelle
Published: December 2020

This study aims to advance the understanding of and address the valley of death that is significantly widening in the clean energy domain due to its financing challenges. We conduct a case study on three new investment vehicles in the US energy sector (First Look Fund by Activate, Prime Impact Fund by Prime Coalition, and Aligned Climate Capital), which set their missions to contribute to bridging the valley of death in clean energy. While three cases focus on different technological development phases, they raise a consistent point that investment opportunities (and risks) are not assigned to the appropriate investors. We argue that current financial intermediaries have failed to effectively channel funding sources to entrepreneurs, as we evidence network fragmentation and information asymmetries among investor groups and companies. Therefore, we propose three intermediary functions that can facilitate intelligent and effective information flow among investors throughout the entire energy technology development cycle. Our findings highlight the emergence of collaborative platforms as critical pillars to address financing issues among new energy ventures.
Erratum: Porterfield, K.K., et al. Upcycling Phosphorus Recovered from Anaerobically Digested Dairy Manure to Support Production of Vegetables and Flowers. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1139
Authors: Porterfield Katherine K. , Joblin Robert , Neher Deborah A. , Curtis Michael , Dvorak Steve , Rizzo Donna M. , Faulkner Joshua W. , Roy Eric D.
Published: December 2020

The authors would like to make the following correction for the published paper [...]
Mycological Indicators in Evaluating Conservation Status: The Case of Quercus spp. Dehesas in the Middle-West of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain)
Authors: García Jiménez Prudencio , Fernández Ruiz Abel , Sánchez Sánchez José , Rodríguez de la Cruz David
Published: December 2020

The use of bioindicators to assess the conservation status of various ecosystems is becoming increasingly common, although fungi have not been widely used for this purpose. The aim was to use the analysis of the macromycetes fruiting bodies in the area of a natural reserve and the degree of preservation of its different zones combined with the use of geographical information systems (GIS). For this purpose, quantitative and qualitative fungal samples were carried out in plots of the middle-west of the Iberian Peninsula previously delimited and characterised thanks to GIS during the springs and autumns of the 2009–2012 period. In addition, the lifestyles of the fungal species were analysed as well as the influence of the main meteorological parameters on fungal fruiting. A total of 10,125 fruiting bodies belonging to 148 species were counted on 20 plots with four vegetation units (holm oak dehesas, mixed holm oaks and Pyrenean oak dehesas with different abundance and grasslands). The distribution of the different species, their lifestyles and the number of fruiting bodies in the different plots of the reserve indicated that the eastern part was best conserved, showing that the combination of fungal diversity studies and the use of GIS could be useful in the management of areas with environmental relevance.
Investigating the Relation between Walkability and the Changes in Pedestrian Policy through Wearable Sensing
Authors: Yoon Jihwan , Chun Jaeyoul , Kim Hyunsoo
Published: December 2020

Since the enhancement of pedestrian rights, various pedestrian-related laws and policies have been implemented to enhance walkability. However, although laws and policies have been implemented to improve walkability, the quantitative measurement of walkability was insufficient in previous studies. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the walkability of three experimental sites with different built periods using a wearable sensor. This study aims to overcome the limitations of previous studies and to confirm the applicability of pedestrian-related laws and policies. Accordingly, 30 subjects were recruited to participate in the experiment. Gait data were collected using the inertial measurement unit sensor of a smartphone. Based on the collected data, a similarity index was calculated by comparing the reference gait with the gait at each experimental site using dynamic time warping. The closer the calculated result is to 0, the higher is the similarity, that is, the walkability is high. The results of this study can be used as both a monitoring tool for pedestrian policy and an actual condition survey tool. Moreover, these results are expected to contribute to a pedestrian evaluation system using citizen sensing in smart cities in the future.
Sustainability Study of Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini) in Indramayu Waters
Authors: Anna Zuzy , Hindayani Purna , Suryana Asep Agus Handaka , Ihsan Yudi Nurul , Salsabila Asia
Published: December 2020

Hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) population decline is a global problem experienced by various ocean basins worldwide, including Indramayu waters. As the regency known by its fishery barn that supplies 65% of captured fisheries in West Java, Indonesia, illegal fishing practices towards this protected species is inevitable. In 2017, 2869 tons of sharks were landed in Indramayu with the production value of IDR 44.01 billion, which hammerhead shark catch reaches 268 tons. This research aimed to observe the sustainability of hammerhead shark in Indramayu waters using a bio-economic model of Gordon Schaefer (GS) and Gompertz. The results showed the overfishing of hammerhead shark in Indramayu waters on actual conditions in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, both in the GS and Gompertz models. The abundant number of hammerhead sharks started to deplete from 2015 to 2018, and the highest depletion was found in 2017, with a depletion value of 16 tons and depreciation value of IDR 164 million. The depletion rate suffered the most significant decline in 2011 to 2012 for all types of sharks, including hammerhead. The prohibition of consistent fishing and more pronounced law enforcement for hammered shark fishing are needed to maintain the sustainability of this resource.
The Role of Standards in the Development and Delivery of Sustainable Products: A Research Framework
Authors: Castka Pavel
Published: December 2020

The progress towards sustainable development could be accelerated by the adoption of progressive technologies and the development of new “green” products. The anecdotal evidence suggests that the acceptance of these products is, in part, affected by the development and acceptance of new standards as well as by the management of standardization in firms. Yet, there is a lack of a clearly focused research agenda that would systematically address the management of standardization in firms–particularly from a sustainability perspective. This paper addresses this gap and develops a research framework that is organized in three areas—intrafirm capabilities (the role of standards in the development of firms’ capabilities in—and through—standardization-related activities), interorganizational relationships (the role of standards in the development of interorganizational relationships) and accountability (the role of standards for accountability in firms and supply chains). Each area provides a set of representative research questions for future research. The paper also aims to encourage scholars in the field to address standardization from a strategic perspective, to develop an understanding about the complex nature of the management of standardization and trace its economic and sustainability consequences.
Energy-Saving of Battery Electric Vehicle Powertrain and Efficiency Improvement during Different Standard Driving Cycles
Authors: Sayed Khairy , Kassem Ahmed , Saleeb Hedra , Alghamdi Ali S. , Abo-Khalil Ahmed G.
Published: December 2020

This article focuses on the energy-saving of each driving distance for battery electric vehicle (BEV) applications, by developing a more effective energy management strategy (EMS), under different driving cycles. Fuzzy logic control (FLC) is suggested to control the power management unit (PMU) for the battery management system (BMS) for BEV applications. The adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is a modeling technique that is mainly based on data. Membership functions and FLC rules can be improved by simply training the ANFIS with real driving cycle data gathered from the MATLAB/SIMULINK program. Then, FLC console blocks are rewritten by enhanced membership functions by ANFIS traineeship. Two different driving cycles are chosen to check the improvement in the efficiency of this proposed system. The suggested control system is validated by simulation and comparison with the traditional proportional-integral (PI) control. The optimized FLC shows better energy-saving.
Effect of Fiber and Cement Additives on the Small-Strain Stiffness Behavior of Toyoura Sand
Authors: Safdar Muhammad , Newson Tim , Schmidt Colin , Sato Kenichi , Fujikawa Takuro , Shah Faheem
Published: December 2020

The disposal of 2011 Japan earthquake waste has become an important issue in Japan and it is not realistic or economical to send all of these wastes to landfill sites, due to limited space, high costs, and related environmental issues. In sustainable geotechnical applications, mixing of the separated soils from disaster wastes with additives (e.g., cement and fiber) is required to improve their strength and stiffness characteristics. In this study, monotonic triaxial drained compression tests are performed on medium dense specimens of Toyoura sand-cement-fiber mixtures with different percentages of fiber and cement (e.g., 0–3%) additives. The experimental results indicate that behavior of the mixtures is significantly affected by the concentration of fiber and cement additives. Based on a comprehensive set of test results, modifications to the series of equations were developed that can be used to evaluate the shear modulus and mobilized stress curves at small-strain levels. The experimental results and model comparison show that the elastic threshold strain (γe), reference strain (γr), increases with fiber and cement additives. In addition, the range of curvature parameter, from 0.88 to 1.0, provides a good comparison with the results of small-strain measurements. Overall, the comparison of the results and model shows that the small-strain measurements obtained using local strain transducers fall within the range of model upper and lower bound curves. The results of the unreinforced, fiber, and cemented sand shows a close agreement with the model mean curve, but fiber-reinforced cemented sand shows a good comparison with model upper bound.