bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Use for the Treatment of Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Pivotal Clinical Trials vs. the Real-World Setting: A Population-Based Study from Southern Italy
Authors: Ingrasciotta Ylenia , Fontana Andrea , Mancuso Anna , Ientile Valentina , Sultana Janet , Uomo Ilaria , Pastorello Maurizio , Calabrò Paolo , Andò Giuseppe , Trifirò Gianluca
Published: March 2021

Patients enrolled into pivotal randomized controlled trials (RCTs) may differ substantially from those treated in a real-world (RW) setting, which may result in a different benefit–risk profile. The aim of the study was to assess the external validity of pivotal RCT findings concerning direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) by comparing patients recruited in RCTs to those treated with DOACs registered in a southern Italian local health unit (LHU) in the years 2013–2017. The Palermo LHU claims database was used to describe the baseline characteristics of incident DOAC users (washout > 1 year) with NVAF compared with those of enrolled patients in DOAC pivotal RCTs. In the RW, DOAC treatment discontinuation was calculated during the follow-up and compared with DOAC treatment discontinuation of enrolled patients in DOAC pivotal RCTs. Rates of effectiveness and safety outcomes during the follow-up were calculated in an unmatched and in a simulated RCT population, by matching individual incidental RW and RCT DOAC users (excluding edoxaban users) on age, sex, and CHADS2 score. Overall, 42,336 and 7092 incident DOAC users with NVAF were identified from pivotal RCTs and from the RW setting, respectively. In RCTs, DOAC use was more common among males (62.6%) compared with an almost equal sex distribution in the RW. RCT patients were younger (mean age ± standard deviation: 70.7 ± 9.2 years) than RW patients (76.0 ± 8.6 years). Compared with RCTs, a higher proportion of RW dabigatran users (30.4% vs. 19.6%) and a lower proportion of RW apixaban (15.9% vs. 25.3%) and rivaroxaban (20.4% vs. 23.7%) users discontinued the treatment during the follow-up (p-value < 0.001). The rate of ischemic stroke was lower in RW high-dose dabigatran users (unmatched/-matched population: 0.40–0.11% per year) than in the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) population (0.93% per year). Major bleeding rates were lower in RW users than in RCT users. In conclusion, except for dabigatran, a lower proportion of DOAC discontinuers was observed in the real-world than in pivotal RCT settings. This study provides reassurance to practicing physicians that DOAC use appears to be effective in stroke prevention and is likely safer in RW patients than in RCT enrolled patients. These results may be related to a lower burden of comorbidities despite more advanced age in the RW population compared to the pivotal RCT population.
Design and Synthesis of Novel Symmetric Fluorene-2,7-Diamine Derivatives as Potent Hepatitis C Virus Inhibitors
Authors: Mousa Mai H. A. , Ahmed Nermin S. , Schwedtmann Kai , Frakolaki Efseveia , Vassilaki Niki , Zoidis Grigoris , Weigand Jan J. , Abadi Ashraf H.
Published: March 2021

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an international challenge. Since the discovery of NS5A direct-acting antivirals, researchers turned their attention to pursue novel NS5A inhibitors with optimized design and structure. Herein we explore highly potent hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitors; the novel analogs share a common symmetrical prolinamide 2,7-diaminofluorene scaffold. Modification of the 2,7-diaminofluorene backbone included the use of (S)-prolinamide or its isostere (S,R)-piperidine-3-caboxamide, both bearing different amino acid residues with terminal carbamate groups. Compound 26 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against HCV genotype (GT) 1b (effective concentration (EC50) = 36 pM and a selectivity index of >2.78 × 106). Compound 26 showed high selectivity on GT 1b versus GT 4a. Interestingly, it showed a significant antiviral effect against GT 3a (EC50 = 1.2 nM). The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis revealed that picomolar inhibitory activity was attained with the use of S-prolinamide capped with R- isoleucine or R-phenylglycine residues bearing a terminal alkyl carbamate group.
Mixed Pluronic—Cremophor Polymeric Micelles as Nanocarriers for Poorly Soluble Antibiotics—The Influence on the Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Tănase Maria Antonia , Raducan Adina , Oancea Petruţa , Diţu Lia Mara , Stan Miruna , Petcu Cristian , Scomoroşcenco Cristina , Ninciuleanu Claudia Mihaela , Nistor Cristina Lavinia , Cinteza Ludmila Otilia
Published: March 2021

In this work, novel polymeric mixed micelles from Pluronic F127 and Cremophor EL were investigated as drug delivery systems for Norfloxacin as model antibiotic drug. The optimal molar ratio of surfactants was determined, in order to decrease critical micellar concentration (CMC) and prepare carriers with minimal surfactant concentrations. The particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency were determined for both pure and mixed micelles with selected composition. In vitro release kinetics of Norfloxacin from micelles show that the composition of surfactant mixture generates tunable extended release. The mixed micelles exhibit good biocompatibility against normal fibroblasts MRC-5 cells, while some cytotoxicity was found in all micellar systems at high concentrations. The influence of the surfactant components in the carrier on the antibacterial properties of Norfloxacin was investigated. The drug loaded mixed micellar formulation exhibit good activity against clinical isolated strains, compared with the CLSI recommended standard strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922). P. aeruginosa 5399 clinical strain shows low sensitivity to Norfloxacin in all tested micelle systems. The results suggest that Cremophor EL-Pluronic F127 mixed micelles can be considered as novel controlled release delivery systems for hydrophobic antimicrobial drugs.
Evaluation and Comparison of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) as Vectors to Develop Hydrochlorothiazide Effective and Safe Pediatric Oral Liquid Formulations
Authors: Mura Paola , Maestrelli Francesca , D’Ambrosio Mario , Luceri Cristina , Cirri Marzia
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was the optimization of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) in terms of physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties, to develop effective and stable aqueous liquid formulations of hydrochlorothiazide, suitable for paediatric therapy, overcoming its low-solubility and poor-stability problems. Based on solubility studies, Precirol® ATO5 and Transcutol® HP were used as solid and liquid lipids, respectively. The effect of different surfactants, also in different combinations and at different amounts, on particle size, homogeneity and surface-charge of nanoparticles was carefully investigated. The best formulations were selected for drug loading, and evaluated also for entrapment efficiency and release behaviour. For both SLN and NLC series, the use of Gelucire® 44/14 as surfactant rather than PluronicF68 or Tween® 80 yielded a marked particle size reduction (95–75 nm compared to around 600–400 nm), and an improvement in entrapment efficiency and drug release rate. NLC showed a better performance than SLN, reaching about 90% entrapped drug (vs. 80%) and more than 90% drug released after 300 min (vs. about 65%). All selected formulations showed good physical stability during 6-month storage at 4 °C, but a higher loss of encapsulated drug was found for SLNs (15%) than for NLCs (<5%). Moreover, all selected formulations revealed the absence of any cytotoxic effect, as assessed by a cell-viability test on Caco-2 cells and are able to pass the intestinal epithelium as suggested by Caco-2 uptake experiments.
Assessment of Lipophilicity Descriptors of Selected NSAIDs Obtained at Different TLC Stationary Phases
Authors: Starek Małgorzata , Plenis Alina , Zagrobelna Marta , Dąbrowska Monika
Published: March 2021

Lipophilicity study of selected NSAIDs, the group of the bioactive compounds usually used in humans and animals medicine, with the use of experimental and calculation methods was evaluated. LogP values are proposed and compared as descriptors of the lipophilicity of eleven compounds (from oxicams and coxibs). Obtained data were designated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) in various chromatographic conditions, with stationary phases with different properties. The mobile phase systems were prepared by mixing the respective amounts of water and organic modifier, methanol and acetone, in the range of 30 to 80% (v/v) in 5% increments. Retention parameters (RF, RM and RM0) were calculated and statistically evaluated to establish correlations. All experimentally determined RM0 values were compared with partition coefficients obtained by computational methods using linear regression analysis. Moreover, in order to extract information about the lipophilicity of compounds from large retention datasets, two chemometric approaches, namely principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were carried out. Established models of lipophilicity may have the potential to predict the biological activity of a number of drugs. The presented knowledge may also be of use during drug discovery processes, broadening the knowledge of potential ways to modify the physicochemical properties of chemical compounds.
Plasma-Assisted Synthesis of Multicomponent Nanoparticles Containing Carbon, Tungsten Carbide and Silver as Multifunctional Filler for Polylactic Acid Composite Films
Authors: Boonyeun Nichapat , Rujiravanit Ratana , Saito Nagahiro
Published: March 2021

Multicomponent nanoparticles containing carbon, tungsten carbide and silver (carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles) were simply synthesized via in-liquid electrical discharge plasma, the so-called solution plasma process, by using tungsten electrodes immersed in palm oil containing droplets of AgNO3 solution as carbon and silver precursors, respectively. The atomic ratio of carbon:W:Ag in carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles was 20:1:3. FE-SEM images revealed that the synthesized carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles with particle sizes in the range of 20–400 nm had a spherical shape with a bumpy surface. TEM images of carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles showed that tungsten carbide nanoparticles (WCNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with average particle sizes of 3.46 nm and 72.74 nm, respectively, were dispersed in amorphous carbon. The carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles were used as multifunctional fillers for the preparation of polylactic acid (PLA) composite films, i.e., PLA/carbon-WC-Ag, by solution casting. Interestingly, the coexistence of WCNPs and AgNPs in carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles provided a benefit for the co-nucleation ability of WCNPs and AgNPs, resulting in enhanced crystallization of PLA, as evidenced by the reduction in the cold crystallization temperature of PLA. At the low content of 1.23 wt% carbon-WC-Ag nanoparticles, the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of PLA/carbon-WC-Ag composite films were increased to 25.12% and 46.08%, respectively. Moreover, the PLA/carbon-WC-Ag composite films possessed antibacterial activities.
Changes of Meranti, Padauk, and Merbau Wood Lignin during the ThermoWood Process
Authors: Kačíková Danica , Kubovský Ivan , Gaff Milan , Kačík František
Published: March 2021

Thermal modification is an environmentally friendly process in which technological properties of wood are modified using thermal energy without adding chemicals, the result of which is a value-added product. Wood samples of three tropical wood species (meranti, padauk, and merbau) were thermally treated according to the ThermoWood process at various temperatures (160, 180, 210 °C) and changes in isolated lignin were evaluated by nitrobenzene oxidation (NBO), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). New data on the lignins of the investigated wood species were obtained, e.g., syringyl to guaiacyl ratio values (S/G) were 1.21, 1.70, and 3.09, and molecular weights were approx. 8600, 4300, and 8300 g·mol−1 for meranti, padauk, and merbau, respectively. Higher temperatures cause a decrease of methoxyls and an increase in C=O groups. Simultaneous degradation and condensation reactions in lignin occur during thermal treatment, the latter prevailing at higher temperatures.
Cotton Wastes Functionalized Biomaterials from Micro to Nano: A Cleaner Approach for a Sustainable Environmental Application
Authors: Rizal Samsul , H. P. S. Abdul Khalil , Oyekanmi Adeleke A. , Gideon Olaiya N. , Abdullah Che K. , Yahya Esam B. , Alfatah Tata , Sabaruddin Fatimah A. , Rahman Azhar A.
Published: March 2021

The exponential increase in textile cotton wastes generation and the ineffective processing mechanism to mitigate its environmental impact by developing functional materials with unique properties for geotechnical applications, wastewater, packaging, and biomedical engineering have become emerging global concerns among researchers. A comprehensive study of a processed cotton fibres isolation technique and their applications are highlighted in this review. Surface modification of cotton wastes fibre increases the adsorption of dyes and heavy metals removal from wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have demonstrated high adsorption capacity for the removal of recalcitrant pollutants in wastewater. Cotton wastes fibres have found remarkable application in slope amendments, reinforcement of expansive soils and building materials, and a proven source for isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Several research work on the use of cotton waste for functional application rather than disposal has been done. However, no review study has discussed the potentials of cotton wastes from source (Micro-Nano) to application. This review critically analyses novel isolation techniques of CNC from cotton wastes with an in-depth study of a parameter variation effect on their yield. Different pretreatment techniques and efficiency were discussed. From the analysis, chemical pretreatment is considered the most efficient extraction of CNCs from cotton wastes. The pretreatment strategies can suffer variation in process conditions, resulting in distortion in the extracted cellulose’s crystallinity. Acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid is the most used extraction process for cotton wastes-based CNC. A combined pretreatment process, such as sonication and hydrolysis, increases the crystallinity of cotton-based CNCs. The improvement of the reinforced matrix interface of textile fibres is required for improved packaging and biomedical applications for the sustainability of cotton-based CNCs.
Lived Religion among Montreal’s Grey Nuns during the Vatican II Era: A Subject of Debate
Authors: Laperle Dominique
Published: March 2021

This article deals with changes in the devotional practices of the Grey Nuns of Montreal in the context of the Second Vatican Council. This apostolic Congregation, active since the 18th century, has preserved the prayers and devotions instituted by its foundress, Marguerite d’Youville, in its daily religious practice. Under the effects of the decree Perfectæ caritatis and the motu proprio Ecclesiae Sanctæ, the general chapters of the ad experimentum period became the theatre of exchanges and debates around this heritage. Between the desire to adapt and the fear of losing popular and spiritual traditions, these consecrated women testify to their ability to make choices, to make necessary changes, and to preserve a delicate balance between the past and the present in their lived religion.
Prediction of Soil Organic Carbon under Different Land Use Types Using Sentinel-1/-2 Data in a Small Watershed
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhang Xin , Wu Wei , Liu Hongbin
Published: March 2021

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key property for evaluating soil quality. SOC is thus an important parameter of agricultural soils and needs to be regularly monitored. The aim of this study is to explore the potential of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery (Sentinel-1), optical satellite imagery (Sentinel-2), and digital elevation model (DEM) data to estimate the SOC content under different land use types. The extreme gradient boosting (XGboost) algorithm was used to predict the SOC content and evaluate the importance of feature variables under different land use types. For this purpose, 290 topsoil samples were collected and 49 features were derived from remote sensing images and DEM. Feature selection was carried out to prevent data redundancy. Coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), percent root mean squared error (%RMSE), ratio of performance to interquartile range (RPIQ), and corrected akaike information criterion (AICc) were employed for evaluating model performance. The results showed that Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data were both important for the prediction of SOC and the prediction accuracy of the model differed with land use types. Among them, the prediction accuracy of this model is the best for orchard (R2 = 0.86 and MSE = 0.004%), good for dry land (R2 = 0.74 and MSE = 0.008%) and paddy field (R2 = 0.66 and MSE = 0.009%). The prediction model of SOC content is effective and can provide support for the application of remote sensing data to soil property monitoring.
Effects of Land Use-Land Cover Thematic Resolution on Environmental Evaluations
Authors: Pelorosso Raffaele , Apollonio Ciro , Rocchini Duccio , Petroselli Andrea
Published: March 2021

Land use/land cover (LULC) maps are a key input in environmental evaluations for the sustainable planning and management of socio-ecological systems. While the impact of map spatial resolution on environmental assessments has been evaluated by several studies, the effect of thematic resolution (the level of detail of LU/LC typologies) is discordant and still poorly investigated. In this paper, four scenarios of thematic resolutions, corresponding to the four levels of the CORINE classification scheme, have been compared in a real case study of landscape connectivity assessment, a major aspect for the biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision. The PANDORA model has been employed to investigate the effects of LULC thematic resolution on Bio-Energy Landscape Connectivity (BELC) at the scale of the whole system, landscape units, and single land cover patches, also in terms of ecosystem services. The results show different types of impacts on landscape connectivity due to the changed spatial pattern of the LULC classes across the four thematic resolution scenarios. Moreover, the main priority areas for conservation objectives and future sustainable urban expansion have been identified. Finally, several indications are given for supporting practitioners and researchers faced with thematic resolution issues in environmental assessment and land use planning.
Using UAV Imagery to Detect and Map Woody Species Encroachment in a Subalpine Grassland: Advantages and Limits
Authors: Oddi Ludovica , Cremonese Edoardo , Ascari Lorenzo , Filippa Gianluca , Galvagno Marta , Serafino Davide , Cella Umberto Morra di
Published: March 2021

Woody species encroachment on grassland ecosystems is occurring worldwide with both negative and positive consequences for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Remote sensing and image analysis represent useful tools for the monitoring of this process. In this paper, we aimed at evaluating quantitatively the potential of using high-resolution UAV imagery to monitor the encroachment process during its early development and at comparing the performance of manual and semi-automatic classification methods. The RGB images of an abandoned subalpine grassland on the Western Italian Alps were acquired by drone and then classified through manual photo-interpretation, with both pixel- and object-based semi-automatic models, using machine-learning algorithms. The classification techniques were applied at different resolution levels and tested for their accuracy against reference data including measurements of tree dimensions collected in the field. Results showed that the most accurate method was the photo-interpretation (≈99%), followed by the pixel-based approach (≈86%) that was faster than the manual technique and more accurate than the object-based one (≈78%). The dimensional threshold for juvenile tree detection was lower for the photo-interpretation but comparable to the pixel-based one. Therefore, for the encroachment mapping at its early stages, the pixel-based approach proved to be a promising and pragmatic choice.
Multi-Year NDVI Values as Indicator of the Relationship between Spatiotemporal Vegetation Dynamics and Environmental Factors in the Qaidam Basin, China
Authors: Lou Junpeng , Xu Guoyin , Wang Zhongjing , Yang Zhigang , Ni Sanchuan
Published: March 2021

The Qaidam Basin is a unique and complex ecosystem, wherein elevation gradients lead to high spatial heterogeneity in vegetation dynamics and responses to environmental factors. Based on the remote sensing data of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS), we analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of vegetation dynamics and responses to precipitation, accumulative temperature (AT) and soil moisture (SM) in the Qaidam Basin from 2001 to 2016. Moreover, the contribution of those factors to vegetation dynamics at different altitudes was analyzed via an artificial neural network (ANN) model. The results indicated that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values in the growing season showed an overall upward trend, with an increased rate of 0.001/year. The values of NDVI in low-altitude areas were higher than that in high-altitude areas, and the peak values of NDVI appeared along the elevation gradient at 4400–4600 m. Thanks to the use of ANN, we were able to detect the relative contribution of various environmental factors; the relative contribution rate of AT to the NDVI dynamic was the most significant (35.17%) in the low-elevation region (<2900 m). In the mid-elevation area (2900–3900 m), precipitation contributed 44.76% of the NDVI dynamics. When the altitude was higher than 3900 m, the relative contribution rates of AT (39.50%) and SM (38.53%) had no significant difference but were significantly higher than that of precipitation (21.97%). The results highlight that the different environmental factors have various contributions to vegetation dynamics at different altitudes, which has important theoretical and practical significance for regulating ecological processes.
PCAN—Part-Based Context Attention Network for Thermal Power Plant Detection in Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Yin Wenxin , Diao Wenhui , Wang Peijin , Gao Xin , Li Ya , Sun Xian
Published: March 2021

The detection of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) is a meaningful task for remote sensing image interpretation. It is a challenging task, because as facility objects TPPs are composed of various distinctive and irregular components. In this paper, we propose a novel end-to-end detection framework for TPPs based on deep convolutional neural networks. Specifically, based on the RetinaNet one-stage detector, a context attention multi-scale feature extraction network is proposed to fuse global spatial attention to strengthen the ability in representing irregular objects. In addition, we design a part-based attention module to adapt to TPPs containing distinctive components. Experiments show that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods and can achieve 68.15% mean average precision.
Review of Recent Microwave Planar Resonator-Based Sensors: Techniques of Complex Permittivity Extraction, Applications, Open Challenges and Future Research Directions
Authors: Alahnomi Rammah Ali , Zakaria Zahriladha , Yussof Zulkalnain Mohd , Althuwayb Ayman Abdulhadi , Alhegazi Ammar , Alsariera Hussein , Rahman Norhanani Abd
Published: March 2021

Recent developments in the field of microwave planar sensors have led to a renewed interest in industrial, chemical, biological and medical applications that are capable of performing real-time and non-invasive measurement of material properties. Among the plausible advantages of microwave planar sensors is that they have a compact size, a low cost and the ease of fabrication and integration compared to prevailing sensors. However, some of their main drawbacks can be considered that restrict their usage and limit the range of applications such as their sensitivity and selectivity. The development of high-sensitivity microwave planar sensors is required for highly accurate complex permittivity measurements to monitor the small variations among different material samples. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review recent research on the development of microwave planar sensors and further challenges of their sensitivity and selectivity. Furthermore, the techniques of the complex permittivity extraction (real and imaginary parts) are discussed based on the different approaches of mathematical models. The outcomes of this review may facilitate improvements of and an alternative solution for the enhancement of microwave planar sensors’ normalized sensitivity for material characterization, especially in biochemical and beverage industry applications.
Emotion and Stress Recognition Related Sensors and Machine Learning Technologies
Authors: Kyamakya Kyandoghere , Al-Machot Fadi , Haj Mosa Ahmad , Bouchachia Hamid , Chedjou Jean Chamberlain , Bagula Antoine
Published: March 2021

Intelligent sociotechnical systems are gaining momentum in today’s information-rich society, where different technologies are used to collect data from such systems and mine this data to make useful insights about our daily activities [...]
Effect of Static Posture on Online Performance of P300-Based BCIs for TV Control
Authors: Heo Dojin , Kim Minju , Kim Jongsu , Choi Yun-Joo , Kim Sung-Phil
Published: March 2021

To implement a practical brain–computer interface (BCI) for daily use, continuing changes in postures while performing daily tasks must be considered in the design of BCIs. To examine whether the performance of a BCI could depend on postures, we compared the online performance of P300-based BCIs built to select TV channels when subjects took sitting, recline, supine, and right lateral recumbent postures during BCI use. Subjects self-reported the degrees of interference, comfort, and familiarity after BCI control in each posture. We found no significant difference in the BCI performance as well as the amplitude and latency of P300 and N200 among the four postures. However, when we compared BCI accuracy outcomes normalized within individuals between two cases where subjects reported relatively more positively or more negatively about using the BCI in a particular posture, we found higher BCI accuracy in those postures for which individual subjects reported more positively. As a result, although the change of postures did not affect the overall performance of P300-based BCIs, the BCI performance varied depending on the degree of postural comfort felt by individual subjects. Our results suggest considering the postural comfort felt by individual BCI users when using a P300-based BCI at home.
Perceptions and Social Values Regarding the Ecosystem Services of Beaches and Coastal Dunes in Yucatán, Mexico
Authors: Mendoza-González Gabriela , Paredes-Chi Arely , Méndez-Funes Dalia , Giraldo María , Torres-Irineo Edgar , Arancibia Eliana , Rioja-Nieto Rodolfo
Published: March 2021

The ecosystem services (ESs) approach has been used as a powerful tool for the analysis of socio-ecological systems to investigate the relationship between society and the environment. The aim of this article is to analyze the social perceptions of stakeholders, forms of use (sociocultural and economic), and the conservation of beaches and coastal dunes in Yucatán, Mexico. Interviews were held with focus groups to analyze the forms of use, social perceptions of stakeholders, and the conservation of beaches and coastal dunes in Yucatán, Mexico. The results indicate that these ecosystems are important to different types of activities related to regulating, provisioning, and cultural services. However, degradation is identified as a consequence of contamination and land-use change. The main identified threats are natural phenomena, followed by the presence of garbage, human presence in natural environments, infrastructure construction, and privatization of beaches. The opinions (e.g., conservation, ecosystem services provision, drivers of change), emotions (e.g., joy, fear, sadness), and knowledge of the local community and tourists with respect to these ecosystems were evidenced. In general, there is an absence of conservation and sustainable management projects. However, community perceptions provide an opportunity to outline public conservation strategies in which the community, as a component of these socio-ecosystems, can be fully involved in their implementation.
Sustainable Management of Online to Offline Delivery Apps for Consumers’ Reuse Intention: Focused on the Meituan Apps
Authors: Choi Yongrok , Zhang Lige , Debbarma Jahira , Lee Hyoungsuk
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our daily life, especially in the food industry. This study aims to examine the sustainable factors that influence the reuse intention in China’s online-to-offline (O2O) food delivery industry, using “Meituan Waimai” app users as the objects of investigation. Meituan had great success in the initial stage of business due to the rapid urbanization of the major Chinese cities, and thus it is planning to enter the second and third level of cities in China. However, this may not be sustainable because beginner’s luck does not hold unless it is supported by sustainable governance. To evaluate the online and offline governance of O2O business, we used five service quality factors (convenience, safety, economy, accuracy, and speed) in a structural equation model. Customer satisfaction and reuse intention are used as mediating and dependent variables, respectively. The main findings are as follows. First, among the service characteristics, economy and speed factors did not perfectly mediate satisfaction, implying that the initial stage of success may not be sustainable. O2O service providers in China should put more effort into customizing economic incentives as well as making an appropriate impression regarding the delivery speed. Second, satisfaction is fully supported by other factors, implying that O2O service providers should take into account feedback from the people in the market and consumers.
Contribution of Higher Education Institutions to Social Innovation: Practices in Two Southern European Universities
Authors: Monteiro Sílvia , Isusi-Fagoaga Rosa , Almeida Leandro , García-Aracil Adela
Published: March 2021

The interactions between the higher education sector and society and industry have been attracting increased attention in terms of ways to develop social innovation solutions to societal problems. Despite calls from politicians and the existence of some guidelines, we know little about how higher education could incorporate social innovation activities into its structure and missions. This study examines some practice experiences in two southern European public universities in Portugal and Spain. We show that the third mission of universities, which includes social innovation, is both linked to the first two missions of teaching and research, depending on the university’s historical and social context. The high dependence of higher education institutions on economic returns increases the importance of political action to drive the development of social innovation activities. This conditioning factor seems to be intrinsic to some of the barriers that have been identified, such as lack of legitimization and recognition of social innovation practices at the formal governmental level.
Successful Application of Eucalyptus Camdulensis Biochar in the Batch Adsorption of Crystal Violet and Methylene Blue Dyes from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Amin Muhammad Tahir , Alazba Abdulrahman Ali , Shafiq Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Eucalyptus camdulensis biochar (Ec-bio) was used to adsorb crystal violet (CV) and methylene blue (MB) dyes, which was optimized and further evaluated using different isotherm and kinetic models. Microscopy and spectroscopy techniques showed the interactions of the dyes with the surface functional groups of the Ec-bio, resulting in the removal of the dyes from aqueous solution. Both dyes were immediately uptaken, with equilibrium reached in 60 min, with a higher sorption efficiency of CV compared to MB. Thermodynamic parameters showed endothermic adsorption and the nonspontaneous adsorption of both dyes onto the Ec-bio. Both the adsorption capacity and percentage removal increased with the increasing solution pH from 2.0 to 4.0 and to 10 for CV and MB. An increase in adsorption capacity was observed upon increasing the initial concentrations, with a corresponding decrease in the percentage removal. The pseudo-second-order (PSO) and Elovich kinetic models (nonlinear approach) were a good fit to the data of both dyes, confirming a chemisorptive adsorption process. The Langmuir isotherm fitted well to the CV data, supporting its monolayer adsorption onto the Ec-bio, while the Freundlich isotherm was a good fit to the MB dye data, suggesting the surface heterogeneity of the Ec-bio. The Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm was a good fit to the adsorption CV data compared with the MB dye, suggesting the physisorption of both dyes onto the Ec-bio due to its mean free energy of adsorption of <8 kJ mol−1.
Fish Stock Assessment for Data-Poor Fisheries, with a Case Study of Tropical Hilsa Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in the Water of Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Mohammed Shahidul , Liu Qun , Nabi Md. Rashed-Un- , Al-Mamun Md. Abdullah
Published: March 2021

The anadromous tropical Hilsa shad formed the largest single-species fishery in Bangladesh, making the highest contribution to the country’s total fish production (14%) and nearly 83% of the global Hilsa catch in 2018. However, increased fishing pressure made the fishery vulnerable, and hence, information on the stock condition and its response to the current degree of removal is essential to explore the future potential for sustainable exploitation. This study carried out a rigorous assessment based on three different methodological approaches (traditional length-frequency based stock assessment method for fishing mortality and exploitation, Froese’s length-based indicators for fishing sustainability, and a surplus production-based Monte Carlo method-CMSY, for fisheries reference points estimation) for the best possible estimates of the Hilsa stock status in the water of Bangladesh. The present findings revealed that the stock is likely to be overfished due to over-exploitation. Depending on the outputs, this study recommended a lower length limit for the catch (>33 cm), distinguished a selectivity pattern (mesh size limit ≥ 8 cm), and proposed a yearly landing limit (within the range of 263,000–315,000 tons) for the sustainable management of the Hilsa fishery in Bangladesh.
Backyard Agricultural and Farm Activity as an Option of Socioeconomic and Food Improvement in the Rural Towns of the Municipality of Guasave, Sinaloa
Authors: González-Félix Griselda Karina , Guevara Víctor Manuel-Peinado , Peinado-Guevara Héctor José , Cuadras-Berrelleza Aldo Alán , Herrera-Barrientos Jaime , López-López José de Jesús , Guadalupe Zúñiga-Espinoza Nicolás
Published: March 2021

The analysis of the economic problems of the population in Latin America in the face of unemployment and inflation, which have become permanent in these economies, gives rise to the generation of proposals for the solution of social deficiencies, as well as sustainable factors that govern the behavior and culture of production today. The objective was to establish the importance and contribution that backyard activities can have to reach positive socioeconomic and nutritional levels in the rural area of the municipality of Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. An exploratory analysis was carried out, to diagnose the problem, applying interviews to describe the socioeconomic and backyard perspectives, finding that more than 70% of those consulted carry out this activity in relation to livestock and/or agricultural dynamics. Two variables with positive economic effects stand out: self-consumption and commercialization, which are relevant socioeconomic aspects in the relationship between production and family economy, as well as the promotion of self-employment and preservation of family traditions in rural communities.
Structural Performance and Reinforcement Improvement of Structural Walls Using Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites
Authors: Kim Hyeong-Ki , Cho Chang-Geun , Lee Sun-Ju , Lee Young Hak , Kim Taehoon
Published: March 2021

Reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls are effective in improving lateral stiffness and load-carrying capacity under earthquake and wind loads. According to the level of seismic design, however, the spacing of reinforcing steel bars should be very narrow and complicated, with tight spacing of tied bars, as is the case with seismically special RC shear wall design. The purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs) in structural walls in order to improve structural performance as well as the complications with reinforcement details. The SHCC was mixed, and mechanical tests showed that the SHCC exhibited high ductile tensile strains above 2.0%, while sustaining the tensile stress after cracks and developing multiple microcracks, avoiding crack localizations. Six specimens of RC and reinforced SHCC structural walls were designed and manufactured with varying reinforcement details, and experiments on wall specimens were carried out under transverse wall-loading tests. These experiments demonstrated that the use of SHCC in structural walls, despite minimum use of reinforcement ratios, showed improved responses to minimize damage and failure caused by localized cracks under bending and shear to compared with the use of normal reinforcement ratios in RC walls.
Residential Property Behavior Forecasting in the Metropolitan City of Milan: Socio-Economic Characteristics as Drivers of Residential Market Value Trends
Authors: Morena Marzia , Cia Genny , Baiardi Liala , Rodríguez Rojas Juan Sebastián
Published: March 2021

The phenomenon of urbanization of cities has been the subject of numerous studies and evaluation protocols proposing to analyze the degree of economic and social sustainability of development projects. Through careful research and synthesis of the theoretical framework regarding residential properties’ performance measurement and forecasting, this paper goes deeper into the proposition of property development as an asset class that represents the biggest share of the Italian property market and yet is avoided by the big portfolios. The analysis model was applied to the city of Milan and its Metropolitan Area. The method is based on the development of correlation indices to evaluate different behaviors, through time and a Geographic Information System (GIS) based on the Hedonic Price Method (HPM). Results from a hedonic model estimated for several recent years suggest that, depending on the particular view, the relation between the rent/price performance and the different external and intrinsic variables can represent a useful parameter for evaluating the feasibility of different real estate investments.
Pedagogical Translanguaging to Create Sustainable Minority Language Practices in Kindergarten
Authors: Kleemann Carola
Published: March 2021

The coastal areas of Finnmark have deep Sámi roots. With the Norwegian assimilation policy—Norwegianization—the transition to the Norwegian language has been extensive here, placing the region outside Sámi core areas. Nevertheless, indigenous Sea Sámi identity still exists, and language vitalization and raising awareness of culture are shown in Sámi institution building. Within these frames, kindergarten teachers with Sámi backgrounds work to strengthen their local Sámi language and culture in a Sámi department of a kindergarten outside the core Sámi areas. This article aims to shed light on how the use of their bilingual resources in pedagogical translanguaging practices can build sustainable language practices for North Sámi. With children and adults, we explored how culturally aware, situated outdoors activities, such as building a campfire and gathering berries, encouraged children’s use of North Sámi. Both children and adults recorded these activities with GoPro cameras. The material was transcribed and analyzed using Conversation Analysis and translanguaging. For this article, I chose three episodes in which kindergarten teachers used their bilingual language register to interact with children in different pedagogical practices to give children input in North Sámi. Pedagogical translanguaging with young language learners in an emergent bilingual situation could help strengthen North Sámi language and culture outside Sámi core areas.
Towards Sustainable Development: Building’s Retrofitting with PCMs to Enhance the Indoor Thermal Comfort in Tropical Climate, Malaysia
Authors: Al-Absi Zeyad Amin , Hafizal Mohd Isa Mohd , Ismail Mazran , Ghazali Azhar
Published: March 2021

Building sector is associated with high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Sustainable development emphasizes any actions to reduce climate change and its effect. In Malaysia, half of the energy utilized in buildings goes towards building cooling. Thermal comfort studies and adaptive thermal comfort models reflect the high comfort temperatures for Malaysians in naturally conditioned buildings, which make it possible to tackle the difference between buildings’ indoor temperature and the required comfort temperature by using proper passive measures. This study investigates the effectiveness of building’s retrofitting with phase change materials (PCMs) as a passive cooling technology to improve the indoor thermal environment for more comfortable conditions. PCM sheets were numerically investigated below the internal finishing of the walls. The investigation involved an optimization study for the PCMs transition temperatures and quantities. The results showed significant improvement in the indoor thermal environment, especially when using lower transition temperatures and higher quantities of PCMs. Therefore, the monthly thermal discomfort time has decreased completely, while the thermal comfort time has increased to as high as 98%. The PCM was effective year-round and the optimum performance for the investigated conditions was achieved when using 18mm layer of PCM27-26.
Biochar Improves Maize Growth but Has a Limited Effect on Soil Properties: Evidence from a Three-Year Field Experiment
Authors: Medyńska-Juraszek Agnieszka , Latawiec Agnieszka , Królczyk Jolanta , Bogacz Adam , Kawałko Dorota , Bednik Magdalena , Dudek Michał
Published: March 2021

Biochar application is reported as a method for improving physical and chemical soil properties, with a still questionable impact on the crop yields and quality. Plant productivity can be affected by biochar properties and soil conditions. High efficiency of biochar application was reported many times for plant cultivation in tropical and arid climates; however, the knowledge of how the biochar affects soils in temperate climate zones exhibiting different properties is still limited. Therefore, a three-year-long field experiment was conducted on a loamy Haplic Luvisol, a common arable soil in Central Europe, to extend the laboratory-scale experiments on biochar effectiveness. A low-temperature pinewood biochar was applied at the rate of 50 t h−1, and maize was selected as a tested crop. Biochar application did not significantly impact the chemical soil properties and fertility of tested soil. However, biochar improved soil physical properties and water retention, reducing plant water stress during hot dry summers, and thus resulting in better maize growth and higher yields. Limited influence of the low-temperature biochar on soil properties suggests the crucial importance of biochar-production technology and biochar properties on the effectiveness and validity of its application in agriculture.
Vegetarianism/Veganism: A Way to Feel Good
Authors: Simons Johannes , Vierboom Carl , Klink-Lehmann Jeanette , Härlen Ingo , Hartmann Monika
Published: March 2021

Previous studies have identified health, the environment and animal welfare as key motivations for becoming and remaining vegetarian/vegan. However, the idea of vegetarianism/veganism appears to have interesting facets that go beyond those drivers. This paper describes and examines this attraction. Twenty-six in depth interviews and two group discussions were conducted using the Morphological Psychology approach, which allows the revelation of conscious as well as unconscious drivers based on the detailed narrations of the interviewees. We conclude that the attractiveness of vegetarianism/veganism cannot only be explained by the classical and conscious motivations of a meatless or animal-free diet such as improving health and animal welfare. It also comprises less conscious or unconscious drivers of vegetarianism/veganism such as empowerment and enrichment, regaining autonomy and creating identity and superiority in addition to and partly through liberation from a meat production system which is perceived as destructive and threatening.
Assessing Environmental Attitudes and Cognitive Achievement within 9 Years of Informal Earth Education
Authors: Baierl Tessa-Marie , Johnson Bruce , Bogner Franz X.
Published: March 2021

Given the multitude of attitude scales, we examined the relationship between the 2-Major Environmental Values model (2-MEV) and the New Environmental Paradigm scale (NEP) based on a 6585 child sample over a 9-year period. The students participated in a three-day outdoor earth education program at field centers in three different US states (Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana). We further investigated the scales’ sensitivity to program effects, relating cognitive achievement and attitude with respect to a pro-environmental indicator of behavior (Y key). The NEP and Preservation correlated highly, while the subscales Utilization and Preservation showed a strong inverse relationship. Based on further reliability and validity scores, and in line with the literature, this pointed to a unidimensional Preservation of Nature scale as a concise attitude measurement. In structural equation modelling, Preservation related to knowledge gains and the Y key, and effects from Preservation on knowledge held true for all three states. This suggests Preservation as one factor influencing cognitive achievement and environmentally conscious performance. Regarding program effects, the Earthkeepers program seemed to induce pro-environmental shifts based on knowledge gains and attitude changes (Preservation increasing and Utilization decreasing). Pro-environmental shifts were most prominent for those who received the Y key.