bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Employees’ Problem-Solving Skills in Technology-Rich Environments in Japan and Korea
Authors: Jyung Chyul-Young , Lee Yoowoo , Park Sunyoung , Cho Eunhye , Choi Romi
Published: August 2020

This study conducts an analysis about the impact of basic background, cultural capital, skill use, and participation in training on employees’ problem-solving proficiency in Japan and Korea based on data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies Survey (PIAAC). This research compared four clusters (basic background, cultural capital, participation in training, skill usage) to determine the factors affecting problem-solving skills in technology-rich environments (PSTRE) in Japan and Korea. In addition, we examined whether aging moderate the relationship between skill usage and participation in training and PSTRE. The finding shows that PSTRE is associated with the basic background, cultural capital, and skill usage. Moreover, the interaction effect between the use of skill at home and age is statistically significant in Japan. Our results provide new insights for vocational psychology and work-life research in the context of employers, employees, as well as policymakers.
The “Eco-Effectiveness” of Agritourism Dynamics in Italy and Spain: A Tool for Evaluating Regional Sustainability
Authors: Belliggiano Angelo , Garcia Eugenio Cejudo , Labianca Marilena , Valverde Francisco Navarro , De Rubertis Stefano
Published: August 2020

Rural tourism has commonly been identified as one of the main areas of application of the principles of sustainable tourism, but the literature has typically focused solely on the ecological dimension, particularly when referring to agritourism. This study presents a new approach to assessing the “eco-effectiveness” of the evolutionary dynamics of agritourism, as applied in a study of NUTS-2 regions in two European countries (Spain and Italy) that have implemented similar rural development strategies. To this end, a synthetic sustainability index was developed using the Index Decomposition Analysis (IDA) technique. The last period of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) 2007–2013 was chosen for the study in order to analyze the outcomes of a programming cycle focusing on the diversification of agriculture through tourism. The results show that the sustainability of agritourism growth is not homogeneous and has specific features in different regions of the same country. In some cases, there were more similarities with regions from other countries. This tool could help evaluate the impact of agritourism and facilitate comparisons between different regions, in this way supporting the process of transition from a linear to a circular economy.
An Investigation of Pro-Environmental Behaviour and Sustainable Development in Malaysia
Authors: Yusliza Mohd Yusoff , Amirudin Amirudin , Rahadi Raden Aswin , Nik Sarah Athirah Nik Afzan , Ramayah Thurasamy , Muhammad Zikri , Dal Mas Francesca , Massaro Maurizio , Saputra Jumadil , Mokhlis Safiek
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to examine the role of environmental commitment, environmental consciousness, green lifestyle, and green self-efficacy in influencing pro-environmental behaviour. Data were obtained through a survey of 72 students at one of the training centers in Malaysia. The hypothesized relationships were tested using partial least squares (PLS) methodology. Results showed that environmental commitment, environmental consciousness, green lifestyle, and green self-efficacy positively influenced pro-environmental behaviour, thereby providing new insights to existing literature on environmental sustainability. The results may be used by educational institutions, the government, and private agencies to strengthen students’ knowledge, attitude, and behaviour that support environment-based education. The scope of the study was limited to students at a training center, so the results may not be generalizable to different settings. Another limitation was that the study used limited contextual elements. The novelty of this study is that it examined the role of environmental commitment, environmental consciousness, green lifestyle, and green self-efficacy as determinants of pro-environmental behaviour among students in an educational setting in Malaysia.
Integral Application of Chemical Mass Balance and Watershed Model to Estimate Point and Nonpoint Source Pollutant Loads in Data-Scarce Little Akaki River, Ethiopia
Authors: Angello Zelalem Abera , Behailu Beshah M. , Tränckner Jens
Published: August 2020

The quality of Little Akaki River in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) is deteriorating significantly due to uncontrolled waste released from point and diffuse sources. In this study, pollution load from these sources was quantified by integrating chemical mass balance analysis (CMB) and the watershed model of pollution load (PLOAD) for chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solid, total nitrogen, nitrate, and phosphate. Water samples monitored bimonthly at 15 main channel monitoring stations and 11-point sources were used for estimation of pollutant load using FLUX32 software in which the flow from the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model calibration, measured instantaneous flow, and constituent concentration were used as input. The SWAT simulated the flow quite well with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.78 and 0.82 and Nash-Sutcliff (NSE) of 0.76 and 0.80 during calibration and validation, respectively. The uncharacterized nonpoint source load calculated by integrating CMB and PLOAD showed that the contribution of nonpoint source prevails at the middle and downstream segments of the river. Maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) load from uncharacterized nonpoint sources was calculated at the monitoring station located below the confluence of two rivers (near German Square). On the other hand, high organic pollution load, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) load, was calculated at a station upstream of Aba Samuel Lake, whereas annual maximum total dissolved solid (TDS), total nitrogen (TN), and phosphate load (PO4-P) from the nonpoint source in Little Akaki River (LAR) were found at a river section near Kality Bridge and maximum NOX load was calculated at station near German Square. The integration of the CMB and PLOAD model in this study revealed that the use of area-specific pollutant export coefficients would give relatively accurate results than the use of mean and median ECf values of each land use.
Ecological Benefit Spillover and Ecological Financial Transfer of Cultivated Land Protection in River Basins: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China
Authors: Zhang Junfeng , Zhang Anlu , Song Min
Published: August 2020

The ecological benefit of cultivated land is the non-market value or ecological service value created by cultivated land protection. Based on the trinity concept of comprehensive protection of quantity, quality, and ecology of cultivated land, this study calculates the ecological benefits of cultivated land protection in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Through the theory of ecological supply and demand balance, the study estimated the ecological benefit spillover of cultivated land protection in the basin. The amounts and paths of ecological financial transfers for cultivated land are then examined by balancing the protection responsibilities and financial power of cultivated land. We found that overall the ecological benefits of cultivated land protection in the Yangtze River Economic Belt increased, reaching 773.224 billion RMB in 2017. Therein the upper, middle, and lower reaches compose 20.81%, 53.89%, and 25.30% of the ecological benefits. There are significant differences in the ecological benefits, respectively. There are significant differences in the ecological benefits and their variations of cultivated land within the River Basins. The ecological benefits of cultivated land in the Yangtze River Economic Belt demonstrated spatial spillovers within and between the upper, middle, and lower reaches. The middle reaches of the economic belt are the main ecological surplus areas of cultivated land. The ecological deficit areas of cultivated land are mainly distributed in the lower reaches. The spillover effect of the ecological benefits is evident between provinces. The increase of regional economy and ecological compensation policy for cultivated land can effectively stimulate the ecological benefits whereas the pressure of cultivated land protection and power spillovers are adverse to cultivated land ecological protection. The vertical and horizontal fiscal transfers in 2017 respectively amounted to 230.14 billion RMB and 27.24 billion RMB. Particularly, the upper, middle, and lower reaches received 13.07%, 58.41% and 28.52% of the ecological fiscal transfers, respectively. It is important to strengthen spatial spillovers and improve the horizontal and vertical ecological fiscal transfers for protecting ecology of cultivated land.
Towards a Sustainable Leader-Follower Relationship: Constructive Dissensus, Organizational Virtuousness and Happiness at Work (HAW)
Authors: Salas-Vallina Andrés
Published: August 2020

This paper examines how leaders and followers can interact positively under complex and bounded conditions. For this purpose, this paper conceptualizes and measures the concept of constructive dissensus. Constructive dissensus relates to a mutual understanding leading to a situation of coregulation. In addition, the relationship between constructive dissensus and happiness at work is examined on the basis of affective events theory. Furthermore, the mediating role of organizational virtuousness is assessed. Through structural equation modeling, a multilevel analysis was performed. Data from 130 bank branches and 606 employees were gathered. The results reveal a direct effect of constructive dissensus on employees’ happiness at work. Moreover, a partial mediation effect of organizational virtuousness was found in the relationship between constructive dissensus and happiness at work.
Mind the Gap: Management System Standards Addressing the Gap for Ontario’s Municipal Drinking Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Ecosystem of Regulations
Authors: Tovilla Edgar
Published: August 2020

The research finds evidence in support of and wide recognition of the practical value of management system standards (MSS) by assisting municipalities in meeting their human health protection, environmental objectives, addressing environmental and property damage risks, and providing an additional mechanism of public accountability and transparency. Semi-structured interviews were applied to assess perceptions with practitioners and environmental non-governmental organizations on whether a similar approach to the legally required drinking water quality management standard (DWQMS) could be applied for the municipal wastewater and stormwater sectors. Twelve Ontario municipalities have adopted or are in the process of adopting an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) standard for their wastewater and/or stormwater systems, which represents 66% of Ontario’s population. With the large urban centres (e.g., Toronto, York Region, Durham Region, Halton Region and Peel Region) adopting the standard, this is likely to influence small to medium-sized cities to follow a similar approach. Although, resources might be a factor preventing the cohort of smaller utilities voluntarily taking this path. Regulations governing Ontario’s municipal drinking water, wastewater and stormwater utilities were compared via gap analysis. Gaps on management of the system, performance monitoring, auditing and having minimum design criteria left the municipal wastewater and stormwater sectors behind in comparison with recently updated (2004–2008) regulatory framework for the drinking water sector. Based on the identification and review of significant gaps in wastewater and stormwater regulation (compared with the drinking water sector), environmental MSS should be incorporated to strengthen the regulatory framework of these sectors. These phenomena also depict a form of sustainable governance with the use of MSS, which are initiated, developed and regulated by non-state actors, recognizing the value of non-state rule instruments in the water, wastewater and stormwater sectors.
Sustainable HRM through Improving the Measurement of Employee Work Engagement: Third-Person Rating Method
Authors: Xu Feng Zeng , Zhang Yun , Yang Huixin , Wu Bob T.
Published: August 2020

The purpose of the paper is to present the survey findings of two alternative methods (self-rating (SR) and third-person rating (TPR)) of measuring employee work engagement (EWE). The potential impacts of gender, job tenure, position, and work condition on TPR vs. SR were also investigated. A sample of 649 of hotel service workers, supervisors, and managers in China participated in the study. An accurate measure of employee work engagement serves as a leading indicator of turnover intention and an early diagnostic tool for sustainable human resource management. Despite its popularity as a work engagement measure, SR method has many limitations. This research attempted to demonstrate that TPR is a viable and better alternative measure of EWE. The results indicated that TPR does possess desirable measurement characteristics, such as convergent validity, nomological validity, and structure invariant. TPR also provides a more conservative, and perhaps more accurate as well, measure of EWE. The difference in mean EWE scores as measured by SR vs. TPR was found to be affected by the specific dimension under study, with the least observable absorption dimension the most affected. The difference was also found to be significantly higher for males than for females, bigger as an employee’s position moves higher, and larger as the length of job tenure increases. Additionally, the difference in satisfaction–EWE correlations, as measured by TPR vs. SR, were much higher when the work conditions were poor. For practitioners, the importance of this study lies in the fact that TPR, as a conservative measure of EWE, can play an important role in detecting early signs of employee troubles sooner and lead management to take timely actions, making human resource management more sustainable. For academics, the results that SR and TPR of EWE generally result in similar pattern of findings offer strong encouragement to build future research on EWE through the TPR method.
Exploring Determinants of Innovation Capability in Manufacturing Companies Operating in Poland
Authors: Sudolska Agata , Łapińska Justyna
Published: August 2020

The innovation capability of a company is considered the determinant of its competitiveness in the long-term. Therefore, it is of increasing importance to understand the critical variable behind a firm’s innovation capability. The paper explores these issues and contributes to the research on the factors that drive a company’s innovation capability. The aim of the paper is to identify which factors determine the innovation capability of manufacturing enterprises operating in Poland. In the theoretical part, it provides an overview of recent contributions to the literature on a company’s innovation capability enhancers. The empirical contribution of the paper refers to recognising the relationship between the certain practices pursued by Polish manufacturing enterprises and their innovation capability measured by innovation output. Using a model for panel data, the study finds that that the factors driving innovation capability of manufacturing enterprises operating in Poland are the following: inter-organisational cooperation, hiring employees in research and development (R&D) activities as well as firms’ internal expenditures on R&D. The study is based on the data from publications of the Central Statistical Office of Poland, which contain information on the activities of manufacturing enterprises and reports presenting the results of research on the innovation capability of enterprises.
Performance-Based Building Design of High-Rise Residential Buildings in Indonesia
Authors: Astarini Sulfiah Dwi , Utomo Christiono
Published: August 2020

The complexity of the design and completion of buildings poses a challenge for the construction industry in terms of meeting user needs. Performance-based building design (PBBD) is a design concept that describes these needs as performance requirements, designing buildings according to an iterative process of translating and evaluating the performance requirements of the buildings. PBBD is a concept that is used to produce buildings with high performance. This study aims to identify which PBBD factors are applied by architect and engineers in the planning and design of high-rise residential building in Surabaya, Indonesia. Primary data were collected by a survey using observation. A questionnaire was distributed to designers who were involved in design processes. A total of 68 respondents responded to the questionnaire. A descriptive analysis through a scatter plot was used to rank the application of PBBD. Factor analysis was used for the application of the PBBD concept. Four factors were identified: the interests of occupants, building management, process of design collaboration and risk of loss. Future research is needed to measure the success model of PBBD and to integrate PBBD into BIM (building information modeling) to allow interoperability.
The Church Tower of Santiago Apóstol in Montilla: An Eco-Sustainable Rehabilitation Proposal
Authors: Calvo-Serrano M. Araceli , Castillejo-González Isabel L. , Montes-Tubío Francisco , Mercader-Moyano Pilar
Published: August 2020

Is it possible to carry out eco-sustainable rehabilitations on specially protected buildings? This is the main question and starting point for this research. We will use the tower of the Church of “Santiago Apóstol” in Montilla as a case study; with its most remote antecedents in the 15th century, it is an emblematic building of one of the most important cities in the Cordovan countryside and is listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural or BIC) as of 2001. The application of eco-efficiency criteria in the rehabilitation of this type of building might stimulate the reactivation of the construction sector in the rural area, positively impacting the promotion of a circular economy. To this end, a general methodology has been established for carrying out eco-sustainable renovations on this type of building, which defines indicators for evaluating the eco-sustainability of such interventions. This methodology is applied to the case study of this important building in Montilla to ensure that a feasible intervention has been proposed, aligned with three basic pillars of sustainability that considers its environmental, economic, and social impact.
Eco-innovation Capability and Sustainability Driven Innovation Practices in Romanian SMEs
Authors: Ceptureanu Sebastian Ion , Ceptureanu Eduard Gabriel , Popescu Doina , Anca Orzan Olguta
Published: August 2020

This study examines the influence of eco-innovation capability on sustainability driven innovation practices in SMEs. In this study, eco-innovation capability is represented by four factors—internal setting, strategies, operations and structure—while sustainability driven innovation practices are represented by three types of practices—process, organizational and product. The direct relationship between eco-innovation capability and sustainability driven innovation practices is statistically tested by using a sample of 397 Romanian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises using PLS–SEM and SmartPLS software. The results show that the development of eco-innovation capability has a direct and positive effect on sustainability driven innovation practices employed in manufacturing SMEs by encouraging them to get involved in cleaner production practices, waste handling and recycling on a regular basis or integrate eco-efficiency into their operations, develop new channels for sustainable products or integrate customers’ suggestions or complaints, implement environment management systems, use eco-friendly raw materials or focus on new product development, for instance. Therefore, the paper extends the literature dedicated to eco-innovation by shedding some light on what to focus on when building eco-innovation capability.
Investigating Factors Influencing the Behavioral Intention of Online Duty-Free Shop Users
Authors: Choi Yu-Jin , Park Jin-Woo
Published: August 2020

Korean duty-free shops sales rank first among duty-free shops around the world (Generation Research, 2018) and have become a target of interest for academics and industry observers. In particular, attention has been focused on variables affecting the shopping behavior of this fast-growing segment of online duty-free shop users. In this research, the main variables of the technology innovation acceptance model and the target-oriented behavior model are added. Focus is placed on the decomposed theory of planned behavior, and the variables affecting the behavioral intention are identified. A survey is conducted with users of online duty-free shops (Internet, mobile) as targets, and an analysis of the structural equation model is utilized. Among the technology innovation acceptance variables, the factors affecting attitude are compatibility and perceived usefulness. It is determined that only perceived behavioral control has a significant effect on behavioral intention, which is a dependent variable of the decomposed theory of planned behavior, and the attitude and subjective norms are found to have a significant effect on both desire and behavioral intention. Thus, it is confirmed that attitude is a key variable in explaining this research model. This research has academic implications because it examines variables affecting the behavioral intention of online duty-free shop users by integrating the theory of technology innovation acceptance and the decomposed theory of planned behavior, with the addition of a desire variable. Moreover, there are practical implications in that online duty-free shop operators have provided meaningful basic data to establish differentiated marketing strategies from offline duty-free shops with the goal of expanding use. The results of this study are expected to serve as basic data for increasing the behavioral intention of online duty-free shop users and promoting the sustainable development of online duty-free shops in South Korea.
Geosites for Geotourism, Geoheritage, and Geoconservation of the Khnefiss National Park, Southern Morocco
Authors: Mirari Saїd , Aoulad-Sidi-Mhend Ali , Benmlih Abdelouahed
Published: August 2020

Khnefiss National Park has a very unique advantage of presenting three landscape morphologies of high quality: the coastal band, where the sea, dunes and cliffs mix; the lagoon zone, with its multiple interlacing water, algae and sand; and the vast desert, with its regs, hamadas, krebs, and dune extensions. It is unique and original at the world level for a protected area to retain in a single perimeter these three major ecosystems, which therefore gives this national park an exceptional quality. Khnefiss national park faces numerous natural, human-induced, institutional, organizational, and legal constraints. Hence, there is a need for a practical tool that would reconcile the imperatives of conservation, the demands of the local population, and tourism, and at the same time positively address the constraints that hamper the management of this geosite. Indeed, we will highlight a reflection that aims at clarifying the sense of this new trajectory in which Morocco is positioned in terms of interest development of geological heritage, the emergence of consumption of natural assets, and potentialities phenomenon according to regions. Therefore, all actions are based on values of citizenship, participative, responsibility, ethicality, and fairness. Indeed, the geosites have small to large scale characteristics (from ten meters to more than 10 km). The geosite inventory is based on the geoconservation strategy. Qualitative and quantitative assessments were carried out on the basis of geoheritage values of international significance. Thene, geoconservation efforts should be made in all these geosites for many reasons, such as valorization of academic research, preservation of natural resources, and promotion of geotourism in Khnefiss national park.
Self-Learning Algorithm to Predict Indoor Temperature and Cooling Demand from Smart WiFi Thermostat in a Residential Building
Authors: Huang Kefan , Hallinan Kevin P. , Lou Robert , Alanezi Abdulrahman , Alshatshati Salahaldin , Sun Qiancheng
Published: August 2020

Smart WiFi thermostats have moved well beyond the function they were originally designed for; namely, controlling heating and cooling comfort in buildings. They are now also learning from occupant behaviors and permit occupants to control their comfort remotely. This research seeks to go beyond this state of the art by utilizing smart WiFi thermostat data in residences to develop dynamic predictive models for room temperature and cooling/heating demand. These models can then be used to estimate the energy savings from new thermostat temperature schedules and estimate peak load reduction achievable from maintaining a residence in a minimum thermal comfort condition. Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), and Encoder-Decoder LSTM dynamic models are explored. Results demonstrate that LSTM outperforms BPNN and Encoder-Decoder LSTM approach, yielding and a MAE error of 0.5 °C, equal to the resolution error of the measured temperature. Additionally, the models developed are shown to be highly accurate in predicting savings from aggressive thermostat set point schedules, yielding deep reduction of up to 14.3% for heating and cooling, as well as significant energy reduction from curtailed thermal comfort in response to a high demand event.
Construction and Evaluation of the Integrated Perception Ecological Environment Indicator (IPEEI) Based on the DPSIR Framework for Smart Sustainable Cities
Authors: Liu Yingbing , Du Wenying , Chen Nengcheng , Wang Xiaolei
Published: August 2020

Ecological environment evaluation is of great significance to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote the harmonious development of economy, society, and environment. To evaluate environmental SDGs, single environmental indicators have been analyzed at national or large regional scale in some literature, while the urban integrated environment is ignored. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically and quantically evaluate the sustainability of ecological environment integrating the water, soil, and air environment at the urban scale. This study aims to construct the Integrated Perception Ecological Environment Indicator (IPEEI) based on the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to solve the above-mentioned problems. The IPEEI model was proposed based on the three-level association mechanism of the Domain-Theme-Element, and the DPSIR framework conforming to the relevant standards for indicator determination. Moreover, the multi-dimensional, multi-thematic, and multi-urban quantitative evaluations were conducted using the entropy weight method, and the comprehensive evaluation grades by the Jenks natural breaks classification method of the geospatial analysis. Nine cities in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area were selected as the experimental areas. The results were consistent with the Ecological Index and local government’s planning and measures, which demonstrated that IPEEI can be effectively verified and applied for the evaluation of urban ecological environment sustainability.
Characterizing Farmers and Farming System in Kilombero Valley Floodplain, Tanzania
Authors: Gebrekidan Bisrat Haile , Heckelei Thomas , Rasch Sebastian
Published: August 2020

Recognizing the diversity of farmers is crucial for the success of agricultural, rural, or environmental programs and policies aimed at the sustainable use of natural resources. In this study, based on survey data collected in the Kilombero Valley Floodplain (KVF) in Tanzania, we design a typology of farmers to describe the range of farm types and farming systems systematically, and to understand their livelihood and land use behavior. The KVF is the largest, low-altitude, seasonally-flooded, freshwater wetland in East Africa. Despite its values, KVF is a very fragile ecosystem threatened by current and future human interventions. We apply multivariate statistical analysis (a combination of principal component analysis and cluster analysis) to identify farm groups that are homogenous within and heterogeneous between groups. Three farm types were identified: “Monocrop rice producer”, “Diversifier”, and “Agropastoralist”. Monocrop rice producers are the dominant farm types, accounting for 65 percent of the farm households in the valley, characterized by more than 80 percent of the land allocated to rice, showing strong market participation and high utilization of labor. Diversifiers, on the other hand, allocate more land to maize and vegetables. Agropastoralists account for 7 percent of the surveyed farmers and differ from the other two groups by, on average, larger land ownership, a combination of livestock and crop production, and larger household sizes. This typology represents the diversity of farmers in KVF concerning their land use and livelihood strategy, and will allow to target policy interventions. Besides, it may also inform further research about the diverse landscape of floodplain farming, through the classification and interpretation of different socio-economic positions of farm households.
Women in Environmental Sciences (WiES) and The UN SDGs: A Catalyst for Achieving a Sustainable Future for All
Authors: Medupin Cecilia
Published: August 2020

Women can serve as catalysts needed to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development agenda by 2030. The Women in Environmental Sciences network engaged women from culturally and professionally diverse backgrounds at two workshops held in the UK in 2018 and 2019. The interdisciplinary environmental sciences’ meeting included presentations by leading women in academic and non-academic organizations. Through breakout sessions, effective interaction, and discussions between professionals and grassroots, an atmosphere of “leaving no one behind” was created. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 55 years and more than 65% of the participants were under 35 years old, representing the productive working group. The mixed group of young and the old, academic and non-academic women provided a basis for insightful and lively discussions needed to bridge the gap between information disseminated to professionals and non-professionals, to students, and early career researchers. In this article, the following information are presented: Relevant literature in view of gender equality and environmental aspects, summary of the talks and discussions, how the talks aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and sub-targets, issues identified and avenues for change, evaluation and some quotations from the participants. The article showcases the opportunity for the implementation of SDGs in all organizations through the promotion of integrated discussions on environmental science aspects, gender, equality, diversity, inclusion, partnerships needed to inform effective policy changes at local, national, or global levels. This article provides insights to professionals/non-professionals, governmental, non-governmental organizations, higher education institutions, and local communities and women. By providing a summary of the talks and their alignment with SDGs, the Women in Environmental Sciences provide new ways of engagement required at these times to develop applied and strategic research, and open a dimension of how the SDGs can be implemented to cope with changing environmental conditions.
Fertigation of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) with Fe-Glutamate Confers Better Plant Performance and Drought Tolerance in Comparison with FeSO4
Authors: Ali Qasim , Shahid Sumreena , Ali Shafaqat , El-Esawi Mohamed A. , Hussain Abdullah I. , Perveen Rashida , Iqbal Naeem , Rizwan Muhammad , Nasser Alyemeni Mohammed , El-Serehy Hamed A. , Al-Misned Fahad A.
Published: August 2020

Shortage of fresh water limits crop yield. Different ways including the use of chemicals are being employed for the improvement in yield through induction of plant performance. In the present study, ajwain plants grown under water stress and normal irrigation conditions were fertigated with Fe-chelated glutamate (Fe-Glu), as a foliar spray for the induction of plant performance in comparison with FeSO4. Water shortage adversely affected the plant growth and seed yield, associated with decreased uptake of water and nutrients, along with perturbations in different physio-biochemical attributes. On the other hand, Fe-Glu and FeSO4 fertigation improved plant performance under water stress and normal irrigation conditions. Fe-Glu and FeSO4 fertigation ameliorated the adverse effects of water stress on biomass and seed production, improved water and nutrients uptake, increased the accumulation of essential amino acids, leaf chlorophyll and carotenoids, and reduced the lipid peroxidation due to the induction of antioxidative mechanisms. Fertigation of Fe-Glu and FeSO4 also improved Fe uptake and conferred better mobility and availability of Fe for plants when applied in chelated form. Overall, a significant improvement in ajwain performance under water stress and normal irrigation conditions was recorded due to the fertigation of Fe-Glu as compared with FeSO4.
Investigating Useful Properties of Four Streptomyces Strains Active against Fusarium graminearum Growth and Deoxynivalenol Production on Wheat Grains by qPCR
Authors: Colombo Elena Maria , Kunova Andrea , Gardana Claudio , Pizzatti Cristina , Simonetti Paolo , Cortesi Paolo , Saracchi Marco , Pasquali Matias
Published: August 2020

Streptomyces spp. can be exploited as biocontrol agents (BCAs) against plant pathogens such as Fusarium graminearum, the main causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) and against the contamination of grains with deoxynivalenol (DON). In the present research, four Streptomyces strains active against F. graminearum in dual plate assays were characterized for their ability to colonize detached wheat grains in the presence of F. graminearum and to limit DON production. The pathogen and BCA abundance were assessed by a quantitative real-time PCR, while DON production was assessed by HPLC quantification and compared to ergosterol to correlate the toxin production to the amount of fungal mycelium. Fungal growth and mycotoxin production were assessed with both co-inoculation and late inoculation of the BCAs in vitro (three days post-Fusarium inoculation) to test the interaction between the fungus and the bacteria. The level of inhibition of the pathogen and the toxin production were strain-specific. Overall, a higher level of DON inhibition (up to 99%) and a strong reduction in fungal biomass (up to 71%) were achieved when streptomycetes were co-inoculated with the fungus. This research enabled studying the antifungal efficacy of the four Streptomyces strains and monitoring their development in DON-inducing conditions.
Discrepancies between Vaccine Documentation and Serologic Status for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Hepatitis B in Internationally Adopted Children
Authors: Bechini Angela , Boccalini Sara , Rancan Ilaria , Galli Luisa , Zanella Beatrice , Chiappini Elena
Published: August 2020

Internationally Adopted Children (IAC) often show suboptimal immunisation coverage, but available data are discordant. Data at the first evaluation of 2073 IAC (median age: 6 years) referred to the Meyer Children’s University Hospital (Florence, Italy) in 2009–2019 were analysed in order to evaluate their immunisation status against diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B. Negative antibody titres were observed in 11.5% of the IAC for diphtheria, 18.6% for tetanus, and 39.0% for hepatitis B. At multivariate analysis, originating from Africa was an independent risk factor for seronegativity for the three diseases (p < 0.001), while age below four years was an independent factor associated with protective immunity, only considering hepatitis B (p < 0.001). Vaccine documentation was an additional factor independently associated with protective immunity. However, a discrepancy between documentation (indicating previous vaccinations) and serology (showing negative antibody titres) was evidenced in 3.8% of the children for diphtheria, 12.6% for tetanus, and 29.6% for hepatitis B. This finding suggests that although vaccine documentation may reflect the presence of protective antibody titres, it should not be accepted as absolute evidence of protective immunity, underlining the importance of a complete assessment of immunisation status in IAC, particularly in those originating from Africa and aged over four years.
Sensitivity and Interdependency Analysis of the HBV Conceptual Model Parameters in a Semi-Arid Mountainous Watershed
Authors: Ouatiki Hamza , Boudhar Abdelghani , Ouhinou Aziz , Beljadid Abdelaziz , Leblanc Marc , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: August 2020

Hydrological models, with different levels of complexity, have become inherent tools in water resource management. Conceptual models with low input data requirements are preferred for streamflow modeling, particularly in poorly gauged watersheds. However, the inadequacy of model structures in the hydrologic regime of a given watershed can lead to uncertain parameter estimation. Therefore, an understanding of the model parameters’ behavior with respect to the dominant hydrologic responses is of high necessity. In this study, we aim to investigate the parameterization of the HBV (Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavedelning) conceptual model and its influence on the model response in a semi-arid context. To this end, the capability of the model to simulate the daily streamflow was evaluated. Then, sensitivity and interdependency analyses were carried out to identify the most influential model parameters and emphasize how these parameters interact to fit the observed streamflow under contrasted hydroclimatic conditions. The results show that the HBV model can fairly reproduce the observed daily streamflow in the watershed of interest. However, the reliability of the model simulations varies from one year to another. The sensitivity analysis showed that each of the model parameters has a certain degree of influence on model behavior. The temperature correction factor (ETF) showed the lowest effect on the model response, while the sensitivity to the degree-day factor (DDF) highly depends on the availability of snow cover. Overall, the changes in hydroclimatic conditions were found to be mostly responsible for the annual variability of the optimal parameter values. Additionally, these changes seem to actuate the interdependency between the parameters of the soil moisture and the response routines, particularly Field Capacity (FC), the recession coefficient K0, the percolation coefficient (KPERC), and the upper reservoir threshold (UZL). The latter combines either to shrink the storage capacity of the model’s reservoirs under extremely high peak flows or to enlarge them under overestimated water supply, mainly provoked by abundant snow cover.
Program Outcomes of Payments for Watershed Services in Brazilian Atlantic Forest: How to Evaluate to Improve Decision-Making and the Socio-Environmental Benefits
Authors: Monteiro dos Santos Flávio , Coelho-Junior Marcondes , Chaves Cardoso Jéssica , Basso Vanessa , de Paula Marques André , Ribeiro da Silva Eliane
Published: August 2020

In 2014, the Paraíba do Sul River Basin Integration Committee (CEIVAP) established its Pilot Program of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES), focusing on water resources. The projects from this program share the same goal: to disseminate the use of PES as a tool for land management in watersheds. Contemplating 11 municipalities, including 84 landowners, conserving 718.63 ha and restoring 188.58 ha, this program was concluded in April 2020. Reviewing its historical and contextualizing features, we have observed that the outcomes from this program extend beyond these numbers. Here, we propose an evaluation methodology comparing the efficiency, performance, and impact of the PES projects. Based on new indicators that are easy to measure, we have identified key elements that have asymmetrically affected the projects. The complexity of the project scope and the execution of high-cost, and risky interventions on rural properties, have resulted in expensive projects with little tangible outputs. Our results support the upgrade of public policy for investment in ecosystem services by CEIVAP in the Paraíba do Sul watershed. In addition, our results can be more successful by improving the decision-making processes for similar projects in other watersheds.
Enhancing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal by Applying Effective Microorganisms to Constructed Wetlands
Authors: Li Xiaotian , Guo Qizhong , Wang Yintang , Xu Junzeng , Wei Qi , Chen Lina , Liao Linxian
Published: August 2020

Rainfall occurs frequently in South China and results in recurring of drainage/discharge of nitrogen and phosphorus-rich water from paddy fields, which may cause serious non-point source pollution of receiving waters such as rivers. Moreover, time intervals between individual rainfall events are short (often only several days). Thus, not only is the treatment of discharge water needed, but a more rapid form of treatment is desired as well. On the basis of the literature, constructed wetlands could remove nitrogen and phosphorous from paddy field drainage/outflow, and effective microorganisms (EM) could also be added to enhance the removals. A field experiment was conducted to demonstrate the wetland effectiveness and EM enhancement. The experiment was conducted from June to October in 2016. By applying EM to constructed wetlands, after 8 days, concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3 −-N), and total phosphorus (TP) were reduced by 88%, 91%, 89%, and 50%, respectively. Within the first 4 days, TN and TP concentrations were reduced by 78% and 40%, respectively, with EM application, in comparison to 50% and 20%, respectively, without EM application, representing additional respective reductions of 28% and 20% by applying EM. The results from the field experiment indicated a significant improvement of phosphorus and nitrogen removals by applying effective microorganisms.
Validation of Sample Preparation Methods for Microplastic Analysis in Wastewater Matrices—Reproducibility and Standardization
Authors: Al-Azzawi Mohammed S. M. , Kefer Simone , Weißer Jana , Reichel Julia , Schwaller Christoph , Glas Karl , Knoop Oliver , Drewes Jörg E.
Published: August 2020

There is a growing interest in monitoring microplastics in the environment, corresponding to increased public concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on ecosystems. Monitoring microplastics in the environment is difficult due to the complex matrices that can prevent reliable analysis if samples are not properly prepared first. Unfortunately, sample preparation methods are not yet standardized, and the various efforts to validate them overlook key aspects. The goal of this study was to develop a sample preparation method for wastewater samples, which removes natural organic matter without altering the properties of microplastics. Three protocols, based on KOH, H2O2, and Fenton reactions, were chosen out of ten protocols after a literature review and pre-experiments. In order to investigate the effects of these reagents on seven polymers (PS, PE, PET, PP, PA, PVC, and PLA), this study employed µFTIR, laser diffraction-based particle size analysis, as well as TD-Pyr-GC/MS. Furthermore, the study discussed issues and inconsistencies with the Fenton reactions reported in the literature in previous validation efforts. The findings of this study suggest that both H2O2 and Fenton reactions are most effective in terms of organic matter removal from microplastic samples while not affecting the tested polymers, whereas KOH dissolved most PLA and PET particles.
Optimization-Based Water-Salt Dynamic Threshold Analysis of Cotton Root Zone in Arid Areas
Authors: Wu Hui , Kang Shaozhong , Li Xiaojuan , Guo Ping , Hu Shunjun
Published: August 2020

Threshold levels of soil moisture and salinity in the plant root zone can guide crop planting and farming practices by providing a baseline for adjusting irrigation and modifying soil salinity. This study describes a method of soil water and salinity control based on an optimized model for growing cotton in an arid area. Experiments were conducted in Akesu Irrigation District, southern Xinjiang, northwest China, to provide data for cotton yield and soil water content and salinity in the root zone at different growth stages. The sensitivity of cotton to soil water content and salinity was predicted for different growth periods using a modified Jensen model. An optimization model with 480 boundary conditions was created, with the objective of maximizing yield, to obtain the dynamically varying water and salt threshold levels in the root zone for scenarios that included three initial soil moisture content values (W0), eight irrigation quantities (M), five initial soil salt content values (S0), and four irrigation water salinity levels (K). Results showed that the flowering–boll stage is the crucial period for cotton yield, and the threshold levels of soil water content and salinity in the cotton root zone varied with the boundary conditions. The scenario chosen for the research area in this study was W0 = 0.85θfc (θfc is field capacity), S0 = 4 g kg−1, M = 400 mm, K = 0 g L−1. The predicted threshold levels of soil water for different growth stages (seedling, bud, flowering–boll, and boll-opening) were respectively 0.75–0.85θfc, 0.65–0.75θfc, 0.56–0.65θfc, and 0.45–0.56θfc. Corresponding threshold levels of salt were 4–4.16, 4.16–4.39, 4.39–4.64, and 4.64–4.97 g kg−1 when no action was taken to remove salt from the root zone. This study provides an innovation method for the determination of dynamically varying soil water content and salt thresholds.
Monitoring the Hydraulic Performance of Sewers Using Fibre Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing
Authors: Kechavarzi Cedric , Keenan Philip , Xu Xiaomin , Rui Yi
Published: August 2020

The hydraulic performance of sewers is a major public concern in industrialised countries. In this study, fibre optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is used to monitor the discharge of wastewater for three months to assess the performance of a long underground foul sewer in a village in the UK. DTS cables were installed in the invert of sewer pipes to obtain distributed temperature change data along the sewer network. DTS generates a series of two-dimensional data sets (temperature against distance) that can be visualised in waterfall plots to help identify anomalies. The spatial and temperature resolutions are 2 m and 0.2–0.3 °C, respectively. The monitoring data clearly identify high-temperature plumes, which represent the flow of household wastewater in the sewer. Based on the analysis of the waterfall plots, it is found that the flow velocity is about 0.14 m/s under normal conditions. When continuous moderate rain or heavy rain occurs, water backs up from the water treatment plant to upstream distances of up to 400 m and the water flow velocity in the sewer decreases sharply to about 0.03 m/s, which demonstrates the ability of the DTS to localise anomalies in the sewer network.