bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential and Future Prospects of Geothermal Energy in Space Conditioning of Buildings: India and Worldwide Review
Authors: Aggarwal Vivek , Meena Chandan Swaroop , Kumar Ashok , Alam Tabish , Kumar Anuj , Ghosh Arijit , Ghosh Aritra
Published: October 2020

This paper presents modern trends in geothermal energy utilization, mainly focusing on ground source heat (GSH) pumps for space conditioning in buildings. This paper focuses on India along with a general review of studies around the world. Space conditioning of a building contributes to about 40–50% of the total energy consumed in buildings and has an adverse impact on the environment and human health. The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) estimates that the demand for electricity for heating and cooling of buildings will increase by over 700% in India at current levels by 2047 with an additional 800 GW of power generation capacity needed just to meet heating and cooling needs by 2050, of which about 70% is required for the residential sector only. It further intensifies as the demand for peak electric load sharply increases in summer because of the extensive use of building air conditioning systems. Researchers across the globe have tried different cooling systems and found that some systems can offer a certain amount of energy-efficient performance, and also occupant comfort. Therefore, this article examines the geothermal potential in buildings for space conditioning by critically reviewing experimental and numerical studies along with the future prospects of GSH pumps.
Will ICMT Access and Use Support URM Students’ Online Learning in the (Post) COVID-19 Era?
Authors: Kim Sunha , Rosenblith Suzanne , Chang Yunjeong , Pollack Shira
Published: October 2020

In view of the United Nations’ (UN’s) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for education (SDG4), this study explored how information and communications and media technology (ICMT) access and uses for learning have influenced students’ perceived success during the COVID-19 pandemic era and the differential effects of ICMT access and use on underrepresented minority (URM) and non-URM students. This study applied structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis using data from students who experienced online transition in one large public university in the United States. The results showed that ICMT uses for learning benefitted URM students but lack of ICMT access had a negative effect on online learning among URM students. We discussed the implications of these findings in the context of online education, digital inclusion, and the UN’s SDG4.
Accuracy Assessment of the FROM-GLC30 Land Cover Dataset Based on Watershed Sampling Units: A Continental-Scale Study
Authors: Guo Zitian , Wang Chunmei , Liu Xin , Pang Guowei , Zhu Mengyang , Yang Lihua
Published: October 2020

Land cover information plays an essential role in the study of global surface change. Multiple land cover datasets have been produced to meet various application needs. The FROM-GLC30 (Finer Resolution Observation and Monitoring of Global Land Cover) dataset is one of the latest land cover products with a resolution of 30 m, which is a relatively high resolution among global public datasets, and the accuracy of this dataset is of great concern in many related researches. The objective of this study was to calculate the accuracy of the FROM-GLC30 2017 dataset at the continental scale and to explore the spatial variation differences of each land type accuracy in different regions. In this study, the visual interpretation land cover results at 20,936 small watershed sampling units based on high-resolution remote sensing images were used as the reference data covering 65 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The reference data were verified by field survey in typical watersheds. Based on that, the accuracy assessment of the FROM-GLC30 2017 dataset was carried out. The results showed (1) the area proportion of different land cover types in the FROM-GLC30 2017 dataset was generally consistent with that of the reference data. (2) The overall accuracy of the FROM-GLC30 2017 dataset was 72.78%, and was highest in West Asia–Northeast Africa, and lowest in South Asia. (3) Among all the seven land cover types, the accuracy of bareland and forest was relatively higher than that of others, and the accuracy of shrubland was the lowest. The accuracy for each land cover type differed among regions. The results of this work can provide useful information for land cover accuracy assessment researches at a large scale and promote the further practical applications of the open-source land cover datasets.
Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations
Authors: Song Xingqiang , Carlsson Christel , Kiilsgaard Ramona , Bendz David , Kennedy Helene
Published: October 2020

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming an increasingly important environmental systems analysis tool in the construction sector for the identification of measures and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of buildings throughout the whole value chain. Geotechnical processes, such as earthworks, ground improvement and foundation construction, are often energy- and resource-intensive. Geotechnical works can thus play an important role in moving towards more sustainable building construction practices. This article reviews recent applications of LCA of buildings, including foundations as the focus or part of the system studied, based on the ISO 14040/44 standards. The system boundaries of geotechnical works are defined and a conceptual model for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction is proposed. The results of the literature review showed that the application of LCA to the building substructure is currently under development, but still in a fragmented state. There is a need for a unified framework for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction, especially regarding the definition of the functional unit, the choice of system boundaries, the appropriateness of inventory data, and the selection of impact categories. The conceptual model focuses on the demonstration of inventory flows and system boundaries and can serve as a basis for scope definition in future LCA studies of geotechnical works in building construction. It may also support effective communication between different actors and stakeholders regarding environmental sustainability in the construction sector.
Eco-Efficient Mobility in Smart City Scenarios
Authors: Sanchez-Iborra Ramon , Bernal-Escobedo Luis , Santa José
Published: October 2020

Cooperative-Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS) have brought a technological revolution, especially for ground vehicles, in terms of road safety, traffic efficiency, as well as in the experience of drivers and passengers. So far, these advances have been focused on traditional transportation means, leaving aside the new generation of personal vehicles that are nowadays flooding our streets. Together with bicycles and motorcycles, personal mobility devices such as segways or electric scooters are firm sustainable alternatives that represent the future to achieve eco-friendly personal mobility in urban settings. In a near future, smart cities will become hyper-connected spaces where these vehicles should be integrated within the underlying C-ITS ecosystem. In this paper, we provide a wide overview of the opportunities and challenges related to this necessary integration as well as the communication solutions that are already in the market to provide these moving devices with low-cost and efficient connectivity. We also present an On-Board Unit (OBU) prototype with different communication options based on the Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) paradigm and several sensors to gather environmental information to facilitate eco-efficiency services. As the attained results suggest, this module allows personal vehicles to be fully integrated in smart city environments, presenting the possibilities of LoRaWAN and Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication technologies to provide vehicle connectivity and enable mobile urban sensing.
Residents’ Quality of Life in Smart Tourism Destinations: A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Santos-Júnior Adalberto , Almeida-García Fernando , Morgado Paulo , Mendes-Filho Luiz
Published: October 2020

The objective of this research is to propose a theoretical model based on studies on residents’ quality of life in smart tourism destinations. Smart tourism destinations are territories based on information and communication technologies (ICT), which improve travelers’ tourist experiences as well as affect the quality of life of residents. To know the context of the relationships between tourism and quality of life, main studies and theories regarding these two phenomena are analyzed. Likewise, the relationship between smart places and quality of life is also studied. Therefore, a theoretical model on residents’ quality of life in smart tourism destinations is proposed based on a systematized analysis of the literature. From the theoretical model, it is perceived that residents’ overall life satisfaction results from the relationship between perceived tourism impacts and satisfaction with specific life factors, and they are measured by qualitative indicators. Also, it is identified that the quality of life of residents is clearly influenced by the impacts of tourism and ICTs. In addition, it is understood that the residents’ overall life satisfaction corroborates for the further development of the smart tourism destination. Finally, we understand that the knowledge of residents’ perception and satisfaction of their quality of life contribute to formulation and implementation of urban and tourism development policies in smart tourism destinations.
Not So Much about Informality: Emergent Challenges for Urban Planning and Design Education
Authors: Silva Paulo
Published: October 2020

This paper addresses the challenges faced by planning and design education programmes when focusing on more sustainable ways of dealing with global changes. While the dominant discourse addresses the fact that planning programmes discuss the Global South through the lens of planning theory and practice from the Global North, the proposal is to shift the debate and recognise that, from a complexity perspective, planning problems are not so different from region to region. The argument is that, although the theory has moved on, when discussing conceptual aspects of planning, spatial planning practice is still focused on objects rather than the relationship between them (be they buildings, streets, neighbourhoods or even cities). Assuming that urban territories are not objects and do not develop in a linear way, but rather evolve, the proposal is to reflect on how planning and design education addresses urban evolution. This paper suggests a revision of planning and design approaches to informality, given the participation in recent years of a joint studio in Bandung, Indonesia. The alternative perspective offered here involves a re-examination of concepts and deconstruction of dichotomies. The main findings rely on the interpretation of formalisation processes (in the Global North) through the lens of complexity theory, which has facilitated understanding of today’s informal settlements (in the Global South). It suggests the deconstruction of dichotomies, such as informal versus formal, thus, positing the need for a major shift on planning and design rules that focus less on objects and more on the relationship between them.
Spatial Econometric Analysis of the Relationship between Urban Land and Regional Economic Development in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Coordinated Development Region
Authors: Tang Zhanzhong , Zhang Zengxiang , Zuo Lijun , Wang Xiao , Hu Shunguang , Zhu Zijuan
Published: October 2020

Against the background of coordinated development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, it is of great significance to quantitatively reveal the contribution rate of the influencing factors of urban land for optimizing the layout of urban land across regions and innovating the inter-regional urban land supply linkage. However, the interaction effects and spatial effects decomposition have not been well investigated in the existing research studies on this topic. In this study, based on the cross-sectional data in 2015 and using the spatial lag model, spatial error model and spatial Durbin model, we analyzed the relationship between urban land and regional economic development at the county level in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. The results show that: (1) there are endogenous interaction effects of urban land, and the growth of urban land in a county will drive the corresponding growth of urban land in neighboring counties; (2) the local population, average wages, highway mileage density, and actual utilization of foreign capital have positive effects on the scale of urban land in local and neighboring counties; local GDP in the secondary/tertiary sector and the urbanization rate have positive effects on local urban land scale, but negative effects on the urban land scale of neighboring counties; (3) the contribution degree of the direct effect is ranked as follows: GDP in the secondary/tertiary sector > total population > urbanization rate. The order of factors with a significant spatial spillover effect on the scale of urban land in neighboring counties is as follows: average wages > total population > highway mileage density. The GDP in secondary/tertiary sector, population, and urbanization rate are the main influencing factors for the scale of urban land at the county level in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. It is an important finding that average wages are the most prominent among the spatial spillovers. We should attach importance to the spillover effect of geographic space and construct an urban spatial pattern coordinated with economic development.
Consideration of the Door Opening Process in Pedestrian Flow: Experiments on Door Opening Direction, Door Handle Type, and Limited Visibility
Authors: Son Jong-Yeong , Bae Young-Hoon , Kim Young-Chan , Oh Ryun-Seok , Hong Won-Hwa , Choi Jun-Ho
Published: October 2020

The door is a section prone to bottlenecks and is an important element in the study of pedestrian flow. Therefore, characteristics of doors (e.g., width, location, and the distance between doors) have been taken into consideration in the existing literature related to doors. According to several previous studies, it appears likely that the door opening process (DOP) influences pedestrian flow. However, the number of studies examining the DOP remains small. Therefore, to enhance understanding of pedestrian flow, we examined two door characteristics that could affect the DOP (opening direction (swing door: push or pull) and handle type (knob, lever, and panic bar)) and limited visibility. We conducted a walking experiment to take all variables (10 cases; 10 participants per case) into account. Statistical analysis was performed on the difference in movement times, and the results were as follows: (1) inclusion of the DOP affected pedestrian flow; (2) when visibility was limited, movement times with DOP inclusion increased significantly regardless of the door opening direction and handle type; (3) when the door opening direction was ‘push’, regardless of limited visibility and door handle type, movement times with DOP inclusion were significantly lower; and (4) the door handle type did not result in any significant difference in movement times with DOP inclusion. In addition, we calculated the delay time based on the experiment results, to include the DOP in pedestrian flow (push 1.96–2.88 s, pull 3.91–4.43 s; limited visibility: push 7.38–12.56 s, and pull 12.88–16.35 s). The results of this study could be used as basic data for the development of codes/regulations, engineering guidance, and egress models for doors.
Advancing Revolving Funds for the Sustainable Development of Rural Regions
Authors: Wasser Nils-Magnus , Ruhstorfer Philipp , Kurzrock Björn-Martin
Published: October 2020

Financing measures and incentive schemes for (existing and new) building owners can promote the sustainable settlement development of rural regions or municipalities and, in a wider sense, entire countries or cross-border regions. In order to be used on a broad scale, the concept of revolving funds must continue to be further developed. In this research, the concept of an advanced revolving housing fund (ARF) for building owners to support the sustainable development of rural regions and potential mechanisms are introduced. The ARF is designed to reflect impacts and challenges with regard to rural regions in Germany, Europe and beyond. Based on New Institutional Economics, the Theory of Spatial Organisms, an expert workshop, interviews and discussions and further literature research, the fundamentals for incentive schemes and the essential mechanisms and design aspects of the ARF are derived. This includes the principal structure and governance of a holding fund and several regional funds. Based on this, input parameters for the financial modelling of an ARF are presented as well as guiding elements for empirical testing to promote more research in this area. It is found that the ARF should have a regional focus and must be a comprehensive instrument of settlement development with additional informal and formal measures. The developed concept promises new impulses, in particular, for rural regions. It is proposed to test the concept by means of case studies in pioneer regions of different countries.
Primary Education Truancy and School Performance in Social Exclusion Settings: The Case of Students in Cañada Real Galiana
Authors: Lázaro Santa , Urosa Belén , Mota Rosalía , Rubio Eva
Published: October 2020

Academic studies show that one of the main predictors of early school dropout at secondary education is student truancy behaviour, usually beginning at primary education. This is a problem that gets worse in socially vulnerable environments. This study analyses the prevalence and types of truancy in a population of students with high social risk in Madrid city, studying the relationship between truancy and their school performance. A questionnaire was answered by mentor teachers of students at the preschool and primary stages (N = 120), who reported information from a total of 433 students from 12 different schools. Results showed a high level of prevalence in the different types of truancy (Active and Passive). Among these behaviours, 46.86% of students skipped entire days without a valid excuse and 42.51% did not usually do their homework. Overall, 60% showed underachievement and great rates of curricular gap. In 6th grade, the last year of primary school, 74.42% of students had repeated one grade and 27.91% more than one. Moreover, significant correlations were found between truancy and school performance. The detection and early action against truancy in primary education with this type of student will reduce early dropouts and make school a key actor for the development of these students.
Novel Integration of Geopolymer Pavers, Silva Cells and Poplar Trees for In-Situ Treatment of Car-Wash Wastewater
Authors: Gupta Rishi , Sharma Neeta Raj , Valeo Caterina , Garg Mohit , Sharma Ashutosh , Aneja Sakshi , Prasher Shiv O. , Constabel C. Peter
Published: October 2020

This paper presents an eco-friendly, low-impact development (LID) approach, developed and implemented at a car wash site for a cleaner and greener environment. In this approach, the contaminated water discharged after car washing is treated as it is directed through an engineered, ecology-based water-management design. The design involves poplar (Populus deltoides) trees, Silva Cells®, and Fly-ash based Geopolymer concrete pavers working collectively to minimize the percolation of contaminants into the soil. In this novel system, each component has a vital role. For instance, the extensive roots of the poplar trees enable water filtration owing to phytoremediation effect; while the Silva Cells® promote stormwater management, planting of poplar trees and serve as a foundation for paver blocks. Lastly, the paver blocks made from industrial waste allow it to withstand urban load and infiltrate water runoff, thereby reducing runoff quantities. To evaluate the efficacy of contaminant uptake by this system, pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity, which are indicators of water quality levels, were monitored pre- and post-treatment. The percentage change in total dissolved solids indicates the potential of this treatment system for effective treatment of the contaminated car wash water.
A Prolongation of the Service Life of Cement-Based Composites by Controlling the Development of Their Strength and Volume Changes
Authors: Briatka Peter , Makýš Peter , Gašparík Jozef
Published: October 2020

As several studies and authors have already proved, the curing of fresh concrete affects the development of its strength and volume changes, which goes hand in hand with the durability and service life of concrete structure. Several studies concerning internal curing (IC) have also been published. They were dedicated to identifying the action of IC by Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), especially for mixes with low w/c ratios. Some studies have presented various approaches for the design of mixes with IC. Some discrepancies between conventional designs and reality have been identified. A significant one is the calculation of water losses. The initial (conventional) approach defined water losses based on Menzel’s equation. However, in reality, it is valid for only the first few hours. As water losses are essential to an appropriate design of IC, we will demonstrate in this paper the effect of IC on the development of changes in the volume and strength of cement-based composites. Both parameters come into mutual interaction during actual construction and affect the internal stresses of the structure/matrix, which may lead to the formation and development of cracks. The general goal is to mitigate cracks and, thus, prolong the concrete’s service life, which may be achieved by controlling the development of changes in volume along with the development of strength, e.g., by IC.
Sectoral Decomposition of Korea’s Energy Consumption by Global Value Chain Dimensions
Authors: Jin Taeyoung , Choi Bongseok
Published: October 2020

This paper analyzed the annual trends in energy consumption of 14 industries in Korea from 2000 to 2014 using an extended log mean Divisia index (LMDI) method that embedded global value chain (GVC) divisions in the standard LMDI decomposition. Using a world input–output table, we calculated foreign value-added share in the GVC activities for each industry. Based on a Cobb–Douglas production technology, we embedded GVC divisions in the ordinary LMDI factor decomposition. The key findings indicate that the production effect mainly drives energy consumption, while energy consumption has decreased by both the foreign-structure effects and the foreign-intensity effects. Together with a decline in the domestic energy intensity effects, both of the GVC effects have improved energy efficiency. Energy-intensive industries have consumed more energy than other industries, while they have more incentive to save energy costs because these costs are a large proportion of total import costs. The opposite pattern occurred in other industry groups. Industries that do not naturally depend on energy tend to consume more energy and became more energy-intensive.
A Sustainable Evaluation Method for a Tourism Public Wayfinding System: A Case Study of Shanghai Disneyland Resort
Authors: Zhang Wenying , Zhu Lian , Zhang Zixuan , Zhang Zhan , Lu Linjun
Published: October 2020

The traditional method of designing wayfinding systems has been used in tourism management for decades. However, the absence of quantitative evaluations for the wayfinding system at tourist resorts may affect information transmission and cause visitors to feel lost. This article proposes a quantitative approach and applies it to the wayfinding system at the Shanghai Disneyland Resort from 2017 to 2019, where the layouts and the contents of wayfinding signboards are systematically evaluated. The analytic hierarchy process is used in conjunction with expert advice to rank 11 elements of content design, and four reasonable indices are calculated to explore the spatial–topological relationships at the tourism resort. According to both the field and expert investigation and tourists’ responses to designed questionnaires, the results show that this method containing content and layout evaluation can enhance tourist satisfaction in certain aspects, thus helping to improve tourism management by considering important indices in wayfinding signage design and modification.
A Mixture of Piper Leaves Extracts and Rhizobacteria for Sustainable Plant Growth Promotion and Bio-Control of Blast Pathogen of Organic Bali Rice
Authors: Luh Suriani Ni , Ngurah Suprapta Dewa , Nazir Novizar , Made Susun Parwanayoni Ni , Agung Ketut Darmadi Anak , Andya Dewi Desy , Sudatri Ni Wayan , Fudholi Ahmad , Sayyed R. Z. , Syed Asad , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Bahkali Ali H. , El Enshasy Hesham Ali , Dailin Daniel Joe
Published: October 2020

Rice is a crop that is consumed as a staple food by the majority of the people in the world and therefore failure in rice crops, due to any reason, poses a severe threat of starvation. Rice blast, caused by a fungus Pyricularia oryzae, has been ranked among the most threatening plant diseases of rice and it is found wherever rice is grown. All of the rice blast disease management strategies employed so far have had limited success and rice blast has never been eliminated from rice fields. Hence, there is a need to look for the best remedy in terms of effectiveness, sustainability, and organic nature of the method. This study was aimed at determining the plant growth-promoting and fungicidal effects of a mixture of Piper caninum and Piper betle var. Nigra leaves extracts and rhizobacteria. Gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) analysis of a mixture of leaves extracts of these plants revealed the presence of new bioactive compounds such as alpha.-gurjunene, gamma.-terpinene, and ethyl 5-formyl 3-(2-ethoxycarbonyl) in a mixture of leaves extracts of P. caninum and P. betle var. Nigra. The mixture of these extracts reduced the intensity of blast disease, inhibited P. oryzae, and improved the growth, yield, and quality of Bali rice. All treatments comprising of different concentrations of a mixture of leaves extracts of P. caninum and P. betle var. Nigra plus rhizobacteria exhibited biocontrol and bioefficacy. However, a 2% concentration of a mixture of these leaves extracts with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) exhibited potent inhibition of growth of P. oryzae, a significant reduction in the intensity of blast disease, and a maximum increase in growth, yield, and quality of Bali rice. In the 15th week, the intensity of blast disease decreased from 80.18% to 7.90%. The mixture of leaves extract + PGPR also improved the height of the plant, the number of tillers, number of leaves, number of grains per panicle, number of heads per panicle, and the full-grain weight per clump. Applications of various concentrations of a mixture of leaves extracts + PGPR resulted in improvement in the potential yield of rice, however, the application of 2% extracts + PGPR gave the highest potential yield of 5.61 tha−1 compared to the low yields in the control and other treatments. The high grain yield observed with the treatment was caused by the low intensity of blast disease. This treatment also strengthened the stem and prevented the drooping of the plant and improved the quality of rice grain.
Let the Game Begin: Enhancing Sustainable Collaboration among Actors in Innovation Ecosystems in a Playful Way
Authors: Roukouni Anastasia , Lukosch Heide , Verbraeck Alexander , Zuidwijk Rob
Published: October 2020

Logistics and transport systems are complex systems for which sustainable innovations are urgently needed. Serious games are an acknowledged tool for training, learning, and decision making, as well as for helping to introduce innovative concepts for complex systems. Technological innovations for the transport domain that can improve sustainability are usually heavily dependent on the collaboration among actors. A simulation gaming approach can help these actors in understanding the challenges involved, and in finding solutions in a playful, interactive way. Our research approach includes a thorough literature review on games for innovation and collaboration in transport networks, and the development of two dedicated simulation games addressing sustainability innovations for the Port of Rotterdam, the largest seaport in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The two innovation cases are truck platooning and multi-sided digital platforms for barge transportation, both improving the sustainability of hinterland transportation. The games serve as instruments to reveal interactions and tensions among actors, contribute to the interpretation of their behavior, and eventually help all parties to reach a better understanding on how innovation adoption can be fostered, using an innovation ecosystem perspective. We are convinced that serious gaming, by providing a better understanding of the innovation process, will help the implementation of sustainability innovations in complex systems.
Bio-Inspired Approaches for Smart Energy Management: State of the Art and Challenges
Authors: Nguyen Tri-Hai , Nguyen Luong Vuong , Jung Jason J. , Agbehadji Israel Edem , Frimpong Samuel Ofori , Millham Richard C.
Published: October 2020

Sustainable energy development consists of design, planning, and control optimization problems that are typically complex and computationally challenging for traditional optimization approaches. However, with developments in artificial intelligence, bio-inspired algorithms mimicking the concepts of biological evolution in nature and collective behaviors in societies of agents have recently become popular and shown potential success for these issues. Therefore, we investigate the latest research on bio-inspired approaches for smart energy management systems in smart homes, smart buildings, and smart grids in this paper. In particular, we give an overview of the well-known and emerging bio-inspired algorithms, including evolutionary-based and swarm-based optimization methods. Then, state-of-the-art studies using bio-inspired techniques for smart energy management systems are presented. Lastly, open challenges and future directions are also addressed to improve research in this field.
Investigating the Unintended Consequences of the High School Equalization Policy on the Housing Market
Authors: Cho Gyeongcheol , Choi Younyoung , Kim Ji-Hyun
Published: October 2020

Owing to its potentially far-reaching impact on a large population, an educational policy may lead to unintended consequences beyond the educational area. The High School Equalization Policy (HSEP), introduced into South Korea in the mid-1970s, is representative of such a policy. HSEP prohibits high school entrance exams and randomly assigns students to a high school near their residence. Despite its aim of ensuring equal opportunities in education for all students regardless of socio-economic status, a frequent criticism was that HSEP could prompt students’ families to move to a region near traditional elite high schools, which, in turn, would widen the gap in house prices between different regions. Thus, we conducted an empirical study to examine the secondary influence of the HSEP on the housing market via a difference-in-differences (DD) analysis. We used house price data from the Gangwon province, as the partial introduction of HSEP into the province allowed for a quasi-experimental study on the effect of HSEP. The result revealed that, contrary to expectations, the HSEP in Gangwon had the opposite spillover effect of reducing the gap of the average house prices by 5%~9% across regions.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Sustainability Practices: A Comparative Automated Content Analysis Approach of Theory and Practice
Authors: Roblek Vasja , Thorpe Oshane , Bach Mirjana Pejic , Jerman Andrej , Meško Maja
Published: October 2020

(1) Background: The article provides a methodologically coherent analysis of technological development in the context of the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0 and its impact on changes in sustainable development policy. (2) Methods: Using a Comparative Automated Content Analysis (ACA) approach, the article compares recent scientific work on sustainable development and the fourth industrial revolution with the discourse in the news media on sustainable development and industry 4.0. (3) Results: The scientific literature focuses more on changes in business models, production processes, and technologies that enable sustainable development. Newspaper and magazine articles write more about sustainable or green investments, sustainable standards, and sustainable reporting. The focus is on topics that are directly relevant to current sustainable business development and the promotion of research and development of clean and smart technologies and processes. (4) Conclusions: The ACA allows a more systematic comparison of different data sources. The article provides a starting point for sustainable development professionals to gain useful insights into a specific context with the help of the ACA.
Matter Accretion Versus Semiclassical Bounce in Schwarzschild Interior
Authors: Bronnikov Kirill , Bolokhov Sergey , Skvortsova Milena
Published: October 2020

We discuss the properties of the previously constructed model of a Schwarzschild black hole interior where the singularity is replaced by a regular bounce, ultimately leading to a white hole. We assume that the black hole is young enough so that the Hawking radiation may be neglected. The model is semiclassical in nature and uses as a source of gravity the effective stress-energy tensor (SET) corresponding to vacuum polarization of quantum fields, and the minimum spherical radius is a few orders of magnitude larger than the Planck length, so that the effects of quantum gravity should still be negligible. We estimate the other quantum contributions to the effective SET, caused by a nontrivial topology of spatial sections and particle production from vacuum due to a nonstationary gravitational field and show that these contributions are negligibly small as compared to the SET due to vacuum polarization. The same is shown for such classical phenomena as accretion of different kinds of matter to the black hole and its further motion to the would-be singularity. Thus, in a clear sense, our model of a semiclassical bounce instead of a Schwarzschild singularity is stable under both quantum and classical perturbations.
Keeping It Together: Structures, Functions, and Applications of Viral Decoration Proteins
Authors: Dedeo Corynne L. , Teschke Carolyn M. , Alexandrescu Andrei T.
Published: October 2020

Decoration proteins are viral accessory gene products that adorn the surfaces of some phages and viral capsids, particularly tailed dsDNA phages. These proteins often play a “cementing” role, reinforcing capsids against accumulating internal pressure due to genome packaging, or environmental insults such as extremes of temperature or pH. Many decoration proteins serve alternative functions, including target cell recognition, participation in viral assembly, capsid size determination, or modulation of host gene expression. Examples that currently have structures characterized to high-resolution fall into five main folding motifs: β-tulip, β-tadpole, OB-fold, Ig-like, and a rare knotted α-helical fold. Most of these folding motifs have structure homologs in virus and target cell proteins, suggesting horizontal gene transfer was important in their evolution. Oligomerization states of decoration proteins range from monomers to trimers, with the latter most typical. Decoration proteins bind to a variety of loci on capsids that include icosahedral 2-, 3-, and 5-fold symmetry axes, as well as pseudo-symmetry sites. These binding sites often correspond to “weak points” on the capsid lattice. Because of their unique abilities to bind virus surfaces noncovalently, decoration proteins are increasingly exploited for technology, with uses including phage display, viral functionalization, vaccination, and improved nanoparticle design for imaging and drug delivery. These applications will undoubtedly benefit from further advances in our understanding of these versatile augmenters of viral functions.
Taking the Scenic Route: Polyomaviruses Utilize Multiple Pathways to Reach the Same Destination
Authors: Mayberry Colleen L. , Maginnis Melissa S.
Published: October 2020

Members of the Polyomaviridae family differ in their host range, pathogenesis, and disease severity. To date, some of the most studied polyomaviruses include human JC, BK, and Merkel cell polyomavirus and non-human subspecies murine and simian virus 40 (SV40) polyomavirus. Although dichotomies in host range and pathogenesis exist, overlapping features of the infectious cycle illuminate the similarities within this virus family. Of particular interest to human health, JC, BK, and Merkel cell polyomavirus have all been linked to critical, often fatal, illnesses, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying viral infections that result in the onset of these diseases. As there are significant overlaps in the capacity of polyomaviruses to cause disease in their respective hosts, recent advancements in characterizing the infectious life cycle of non-human murine and SV40 polyomaviruses are key to understanding diseases caused by their human counterparts. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which different polyomaviruses hijack cellular processes to attach to host cells, internalize, traffic within the cytoplasm, and disassemble within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), prior to delivery to the nucleus for viral replication. Unraveling the fundamental processes that facilitate polyomavirus infection provides deeper insight into the conserved mechanisms of the infectious process shared within this virus family, while also highlighting critical unique viral features.
The Unconventional Viruses of Ichneumonid Parasitoid Wasps
Authors: Volkoff Anne-Nathalie , Cusson Michel
Published: October 2020

To ensure their own immature development as parasites, ichneumonid parasitoid wasps use endogenous viruses that they acquired through ancient events of viral genome integration. Thousands of species from the campoplegine and banchine wasp subfamilies rely, for their survival, on their association with these viruses, hijacked from a yet undetermined viral taxon. Here, we give an update of recent findings on the nature of the viral genes retained from the progenitor viruses and how they are organized in the wasp genome.
14-year-old Schoolchildren can Consent to Get Vaccinated in Tyrol, Austria: What do They know about Diseases and Vaccinations?
Authors: Kreidl Peter , Breitwieser Maria-Magdalena , Würzner Reinhard , Borena Wegene
Published: October 2020

In Austria, consent to receiving vaccines is regulated at the federal state level and in Tyrol, children aged 14 years are allowed to consent to receiving vaccination. In August 2017, we investigated determinants associated with vaccine hesitancy, having been vaccinated against measles and human papillomavirus (HPV) and the intention to vaccinate among schoolchildren born in 2002 and 2003. Those who consider measles and HPV a severe disease had a significantly higher intention to be vaccinated (prevalence ratio (PR) of 3.5 (95% CI 1.97–6.32) for measles and a PR of 3.2 (95% CI 1.62–6.35) for HPV). One-third of the participants (32.4%; 95% CI 27.8–37.4) were not aware that they are allowed to consent to receiving vaccines. The most common trusted source reported by respondents (n = 311) was the medical doctor (80.7%; 95% CI 75.7–84.7). The main finding related to the aim of the study was that the proportion of objectors is below 4% and therefore it should still be possible to reach measles elimination for which a 95% uptake is necessary. Although the proportion of objectors is not higher compared to adults, we recommend to intensify health education to increase health literacy.
Influenza Vaccination and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Cohort of Health Workers
Authors: Martínez-Baz Iván , Trobajo-Sanmartín Camino , Arregui Irati , Navascués Ana , Adelantado Marta , Indurain Juan , Fresán Ujué , Ezpeleta Carmen , Castilla Jesús
Published: October 2020

Vaccines may induce positive non-specific immune responses to other pathogens. This study aims to evaluate if influenza vaccination in the 2019–2020 season had any effect on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed infection in a cohort of health workers. During the first SARS-CoV-2 epidemic wave in Spain, between March and May 2020, a cohort of 11,201 health workers was highly tested by RT-qPCR and/or rapid antibody test when the infection was suspected. Later in June, 8665 of them were tested for total antibodies in serum. A total of 890 (7.9%) health workers were laboratory-confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 infection by any type of test, while no case of influenza was detected. The adjusted odds ratio between 2019–2020 influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 confirmed infection was the same (1.07; 95% CI, 0.92–1.24) in both comparisons of positive testers with all others (cohort design) and with negative testers (test-negative design). Among symptomatic patients tested by RT-qPCR, the comparison of positive cases and negative controls showed an adjusted odds ratio of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.68–1.08). These results suggest that influenza vaccination does not significantly modify the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The development of specific vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 is urgent.
New Journal Takes Readers Back to Nature; A Review of Deep Wild, Volume 1, 2019
Authors: McCarthy Teresa
Published: October 2020

Deep Wild: Writing from the Backcountry is a brand new literary journal that invites writers and artists with an enthusiasm for the outdoors to offer accounts of exploring the natural world through poetry, nonfiction narratives, and a few miscellaneous genre pieces. This first volume was published in 2019, and plans are to publish annually. This journal embraces a balance of appealing to a deeply formed community of backcountry explorers yet provides pieces that are able to resonate with city-dwellers (like myself) who will find beauty in escaping from the scenes of everyday life. For the contributors and potential readers of this journal, these mountaintop moments are not a respite from the real world. These exploratory experiences are as real as it gets, and it is this authenticity that drives the artful success of Deep Wild.
Clever Collaboration Highlights Israeli Experience; A Review of The Ilanot Review, Fall 2019, The Collaborative Issue: Translations of Granta Hebrew
Authors: Tibbitts Katharine
Published: October 2020

For two journals that have only been established in the last decade, Ilanot Review and Granta Hebrew pack a century’s worth of grief and wisdom into their awe-inspiring collaborative issue for Fall 2019. This collaboration, published under the title The Ilanot Review: The Collaborative Issue, represents a break from routine for both journals, as The Ilanot Review is known for its compelling thematic issues and Granta Hebrew for its Hebrew and Arabic extension of the illustrious London-based Granta—the Magazine of New Writing. The editors have compiled a brilliant whirlwind of poetry, prose, and memoir that pulls pieces from the earliest archives of Granta Hebrew, resulting in an issue that is outstanding for its ability to express facets of the Israeli experience. Seek out this magazine wherever you can find it; come for the aching prose pieces about individual culture clashes and identity crises, and stay for the poetry cataloguing the pain and beauty of Israeli history. This magazine is a beautiful example of the wonder that can happen when two modern journals join forces, and I’m here for every word of it.
A Journal that Serves “To Provide a Home for Creative Work Inspired by Journeys to Places Where There Are No Roads”: A Chat with Rick Kempa, Editor of Deep Wild
Authors: Kempa Rick , McCarthy Teresa
Published: October 2020

Deep Wild: Writing from the Backcountry, is a not-for-profit journal, published annually, whose mission is to provide a home for creative work inspired by journeys to places where there are no roads. The second issue, forthcoming this summer, will include work by 41 writers and 2 artists, representing five countries.
"Our Little Publication Brings the Kind of Understanding and Acceptance that Is Much Needed When Those Feelings of Isolation and Shame Kick In”" A Conversation with Célia Schouteden, Editor of peculiars magazine
Authors: Schouteden Célia , Douglas Asha
Published: October 2020

Célia Schouteden is the founder and editor-in-chief of peculiars magazine (@peculiarsmag). Her contribution to the artistic world has also been expressed through her passion for film photography. She is originally from Belgium, and currently attends university there to study Psychology. Her efforts to promote mental health awareness have reached all corners of the world.
“One of My Favorite Parts … Is When I Help to Pair Up Writers and Architects to Create Pieces Together”: A Chat with Joseph Altshuler, Editor of Soiled
Authors: Altshuler Joseph , Gray Caroline
Published: October 2020

SOILED positions itself between a literary journal and a design magazine. Produced an artist-led team of four and published by a Chicago-based design practice, the journal publishes themed issues, the most recent of which focuses on children’s stories.
Because Literature Promotes Justice: A Roundup of The Review Review’s Coverage of Litmags and Editors Addressing Important Social Issues
Authors: Dodd Jeffrey
Published: October 2020

When, in early 2019, we began the process of transitioning The Review Review leadership, I was struck by how well Founding Editor Becky Tuch and her team had balanced their mission to provide writers, readers, editors, and students a phenomenal resource for understanding and appreciating the world of litmags, with their clear understanding that all artforms always have political implications. Fast forward eighteen months.
L’édition génomique des bovins : une opportunité, mais pas à n’importe quel prix
Authors: Schibler Laurent
Published: October 2020

L’édition génomique représente une opportunité pour l’élevage bovin, permettant par exemple l’introgression d’allèles d’intérêt d’une race dans une autre en évitant les multiples générations de croisement, ou la création de nouveaux variants pour conférer une résistance à des pathogènes. Par ailleurs, l’organisation collective mise en place pour l’amélioration génétique des ruminants garantit la maitrise de la génétique par les éleveurs et assure la traçabilité des animaux, faisant de la filière génétique un cadre solide pour tester ces technologies avant d’envisager un éventuel déploiement en élevage. Mais cette technologie peut également être utilisée pour intégrer des portions d’ADN exogènes et franchir ainsi la barrière d’espèce, ou produire des organismes capables de s’autoéditer (« forçage génétique »). Une telle capacité d’intervention sur le vivant soulève des interrogations et l’utilisation de ces technologies fait actuellement l’objet de débats au sein de la filière génétique, avec pragmatisme et réalisme.