bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Energy Consumption Inequalities in the One Belt and One Road Region: Implications for the Environment
Authors: Hafeez Muhammad , Yuan Chunhui , Khelfaoui Issam , Sultan Musaad O Almalki , Waqas Akbar Muhammad , Jie Liu
Published: April 2019

Additional energy demand is needed to accomplish the mega-projects of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). As energy consumption is one of the prime determinants of environmental degradation, the present study investigates the impact of energy inequalities on environmental degradation along with financial development. The entropy approach is applied to quantify the three energy consumption inequalities; average, between, and total energy consumption inequality respectively. The energy consumption inequality of BRI economies follows an uprising temporal trend. The estimates reveal that East Asia and South Asia have the highest and lowest energy consumption inequality among the BRI regions. Within regions, it is found that Central Asia has the lowest, and East Asia has the highest energy inequality among the BRI regions, respectively. Based on bootstrapping, the generalized least square (GLS) is applied to quantify the impact of energy consumption inequalities on environmental degradation along financial development. The energy inequalities have a statistically positive impact on environmental degradation in BRI regions, East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and North African region (MENA), and Southeast Asia respectively. In contrast, South Asian economies are sustaining environmental quality despite the energy consumption inequalities. Financial development also has a significantly major impact on environmental degradation in BRI, and its regions except for Central Asia, and MENA.
Increased Incidence of Thyroid Cancer among World Trade Center First Responders: A Descriptive Epidemiological Assessment
Authors: Tuminello Stephanie , van Gerwen Maaike A. G. , Genden Eric , Crane Michael , Lieberman-Cribbin Wil , Taioli Emanuela
Published: April 2019

An increased incidence of thyroid cancer among 9/11 rescue workers has been reported, the etiology of which remains unclear but which may, at least partly, be the result of the increased medical surveillance this group undergoes. This study aimed to investigate thyroid cancer in World Trade Center (WTC) responders by looking at the demographic data and questionnaire responses of thyroid cancer cases from the Mount Sinai WTC Health Program (WTCHP). WTCHP thyroid cancer tumors were of a similar size (p = 0.4), and were diagnosed at a similar age (p = 0.2) compared to a subset of thyroid cancer cases treated at Mount Sinai without WTC exposure. These results do not support the surveillance bias hypothesis, under which smaller tumors are expected to be diagnosed at earlier ages. WTCHP thyroid cancer cases also reported a past history of radiation exposure and a family history of thyroid conditions at lower rates than expected, with higher than expected rates of previous cancer diagnoses, family histories of other cancers, and high Body Mass Indexes (BMIs). Further research is needed to better understand the underlying risk factors that may play a role in the development of thyroid cancer in this group.
Rural Public Health Workforce Training and Development: The Performance of an Undergraduate Internship Programme in a Rural Hospital and Healthcare Centre
Authors: Dos Santos Luis Miguel
Published: April 2019

Workforce shortages in the field of public health and healthcare are significant. Due to the limitations of career opportunities and compensation, rural hospitals and healthcare centres usually have on-going career openings for all departments. As a result, university departments of public health and healthcare management, and rural hospitals and health centres may need to establish internship and training programmes for undergraduate senior-year students in order to provide opportunities and human resource opportunities for both students and public health professions. The research examined the performance, feedback, and opinions of a university-based one-year-long on-site internship training programme between a university public health and healthcare undergraduate department and a regional hospital and healthcare centre in a rural region in the United States. Individual interview data were collected from management trainees and focus group activities data were collected from hospital departmental supervisors who have completed this one-year-long on-site internship training programme. The results offered an assessment of performance and evaluation of how a one-year-long internship programme could be beneficial to hospitals and health centres in the areas of human resources, manpower management, and skill training to prospective professionals in rural and regional communities. Also, the study provided a blueprint and alternative for universities and partnered sites to redesign and improve their current internship programmes which may better fit their needs for their actual situations.
Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soil by Switchgrass: A Comparative Study Utilizing Different Composts and Coir Fiber on Pollution Remediation, Plant Productivity, and Nutrient Leaching
Authors: Shrestha Paliza , Bellitürk Korkmaz , Görres Josef H.
Published: April 2019

We investigated the effects of organic amendments (thermophilic compost, vermicompost, and coconut coir) on the bioavailability of trace heavy metals of Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, and Ni from heavy metal-spiked soils under laboratory conditions. To test switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a potential crop for phytoremediation of heavy metal from soil, we investigated whether the addition of organic amendments promoted switchgrass growth, and consequently, uptake of metals. Compost is a valuable soil amendment that supplies nutrients for plant establishment and growth, which is beneficial for phytoremediation. However, excess application of compost can result in nutrient leaching, which has adverse effects on water quality. We tested the nutrient leaching potential of the different organic amendments to identify trade-offs between phytoremediation and water quality. Results showed that the amendments decreased the amount of bioavailable metals in the soils. Organic amendments increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil nutrient status. Switchgrass shoot and root biomass was significantly greater in the amended soils compared to the non-amended control. Amended treatments showed detectable levels of heavy metal uptake in switchgrass shoots, while the control treatment did not produce enough switchgrass biomass to measure uptake. Switchgrass uptake of certain heavy metals, and concentrations of some leachate nutrients significantly differed among the amended treatments. By improving soil properties and plant productivity and reducing heavy metal solubility that can otherwise hamper plant survival, organic amendments can greatly enhance phytoremediation in heavy metal-contaminated soils.
No Man is an Island: The Impact of Neighborhood Disadvantage on Mortality
Authors: Gaskin Darrell J. , Roberts Eric T. , Chan Kitty S. , McCleary Rachael , Buttorff Christine , Delarmente Benjo A.
Published: April 2019

This study’s purpose is to determine if neighborhood disadvantage, air quality, economic distress, and violent crime are associated with mortality among term life insurance policyholders, after adjusting for individual demographics, health, and socioeconomic characteristics. We used a sample of approximately 38,000 term life policyholders, from a large national life insurance company, who purchased a policy from 2002 to 2010. We linked this data to area-level data on neighborhood disadvantage, economic distress, violent crime, and air pollution. The hazard of dying for policyholders increased by 9.8% (CI: 6.0–13.7%) as neighborhood disadvantage increased by one standard deviation. Area-level poverty and mortgage delinquency were important predictors of mortality, even after controlling for individual personal income and occupational status. County level pollution and violent crime rates were positively, but not statistically significantly, associated with the hazard of dying. Our study provides evidence that neighborhood disadvantage and economic stress impact individual mortality independently from individual socioeconomic characteristics. Future studies should investigate pathways by which these area-level factors influence mortality. Public policies that reduce poverty rates and address economic distress can benefit everyone’s health.
Measurement of Dioxin Emissions from a Small-Scale Waste Incinerator in the Absence of Air Pollution Controls
Authors: Zhang Gang , Huang Xiangxuan , Liao Wenbo , Kang Shimin , Ren Mingzhong , Hai Jing
Published: April 2019

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) emissions from basic small-scale waste incinerators (SWI) may cause health risks in nearby people and are thus subject to stringent regulations. The aim of this study was to evaluate PCDD/F emission and reduction of a basic SWI in the absence of air pollution controls (APCs). The results indicated that the stack gas and fly ash presented average PCDD/F levels and emission factors of 3.6 ng international toxic equivalent (I-TEQ)/Nm3 and 189.31µg I-TEQ/t and 6.89 ng I-TEQ/g and 137.85µg I-TEQ/t, respectively, much higher than those from large municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWI). PCDD/Fs congener fingerprints indicated that de novo synthesis played a dominant role in the low-temperature post-combustion zone and increased the presence of high-chlorine substituted congeners. On the basis of the emission factor 327.24 µg I-TEQ/t-waste, approximately 3000 g I-TEQ dioxins might be generated in total through basic SWIs and open burning. After refitting an SWI by adding activated carbon injection with a bag filter (ACI+BG), the PCDD/F emissions decreased to mean values of 0.042 ng I-TEQ/Nm3, far below the standard of 0.1 ng I-TEQ/Nm3, and the removal efficiency reached 99.13% in terms of I-TEQ. Therefore, it is entirely feasible to considerably reduce PCDD/F emissions by refitting basic SWI, which is positive for the future development of rural solid waste (RSW (RSW) disposal by SWI.
Plasma Metabolites Associated with Brain MRI Measures of Neurodegeneration in Older Adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities–Neurocognitive Study (ARIC-NCS)
Authors: Li Danni , Misialek Jeffrey R. , Jack Clifford R. , Mielke Michelle M. , Knopman David , Gottesman Rebecca , Mosley Tom , Alonso Alvaro
Published: April 2019

Background: Plasma metabolites are associated with cognitive and physical function in the elderly. Because cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and neurodegeneration are common causes of cognitive and physical function decline, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the associations of six plasma metabolites (two plasma phosphatidylcholines [PCs]: PC aa C36:5 and PC aa 36:6 and four sphingomyelins [SMs]: SM C26:0, SM [OH] C22:1, SM [OH] C22:2, SM [OH] C24:1) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of cerebral SVD and neurodegeneration in older adults. Methods: This study included 238 older adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study at the fifth exam. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association of each metabolite (log-transformed) in separate models with MRI measures except lacunar infarcts, for which binary logistic regression was used. Results: Higher concentrations of plasma PC aa C36:5 had adverse associations with MRI features of cerebral SVD (odds ratio of 1.69 [95% confidence interval: 1.01, 2.83] with lacunar infarct, and beta of 0.16 log [cm3] [0.02, 0.30] with log [White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH) volume]) while higher concentrations of 3 plasma SM (OH)s were associated with higher total brain volume (beta of 12.0 cm3 [5.5, 18.6], 11.8 cm3 [5.0, 18.6], and 7.3 cm3 [1.2, 13.5] for SM [OH] C22:1, SM [OH] C22:2, and SM [OH] C24:1, respectively). Conclusions: This study identified associations between certain plasma metabolites and brain MRI measures of SVD and neurodegeneration in older adults, particularly higher SM (OH) concentrations with higher total brain volume.
Systems of Variational Inequalities with Nonlinear Operators
Authors: Ceng Lu-Chuan , Yuan Qing
Published: April 2019

In this work, we concern ourselves with the problem of solving a general system of variational inequalities whose solutions also solve a common fixed-point problem of a family of countably many nonlinear operators via a hybrid viscosity implicit iteration method in 2 uniformly smooth and uniformly convex Banach spaces. An application to common fixed-point problems of asymptotically nonexpansive and pseudocontractive mappings and variational inequality problems for strict pseudocontractive mappings is also given in Banach spaces.
Peel and Penetration Resistance of Porous Polyethylene Terephthalate Material Produced by CO2-Assisted Polymer Compression
Authors: Aizawa Takafumi
Published: April 2019

CO2-assisted polymer compression (CAPC) involves adhering fiber sheets without impurities at room temperature and producing porous materials suitable for use in medical and skin-contactable products. The mechanical strength of the resultant porous material has not yet been reported. The penetration resistance of the CAPC material, which is a laminated material comprising fibrous polymer sheets, was measured, and this increased gradually with the density. Additionally, a T-type peel test was performed on the CAPC material, and the peel resistance increased rapidly with the density. The peel resistance enhancement is effectively explained by the cross-sectional analysis model.
A Cell-Based Strategy for Bioactivity Determination of Long-Acting Fc-Fusion Recombinant Human Growth Hormone
Authors: Yao Wenrong , Yu Lei , Fan Wenhong , Shi Xinchang , Liu Lan , Li Yonghong , Qin Xi , Rao Chunming , Wang Junzhi
Published: April 2019

The long-acting growth hormone (LAGH) is a promising alternative biopharmaceutical to treat growth hormone (GH) deficiency in children, and it was developed using a variety of technologies by several pharmaceutical companies. Most LAGH preparations, such as Fc fusion protein, are currently undergoing preclinical study and clinical trials. Accurate determination of bioactivity is critical for the efficacy of quality control systems of LAGH. The current in vivo rat weight gain assays used to determine the bioactivity of recombinant human GH (rhGH) in pharmacopoeias are time-consuming, expensive, and imprecise, and there are no recommended bioassays for LAGH bioactivity in pharmacopoeias. Therefore, we developed a cell-based bioassay for bioactivity determination of therapeutic long-acting Fc-fusion recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH-Fc) based on the luciferase reporter gene system, which is involved in the full-length human GH receptor (hGHR) and the SG (SIE and GAS) response element. The established bioassay was comprehensively validated according to the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) Q2 (R1) guidelines and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and is highly precise, time-saving, simple, and robust. The validated bioassay could be qualified for bioactivity determination during the research, development, and manufacture of rhGH-Fc, and other LAGH formulations.
Coralmycin Derivatives with Potent Anti-Gram Negative Activity Produced by the Myxobacteria Corallococcus coralloides M23
Authors: Kim Bo-Min , Minh Nguyen Van , Choi Ha-Young , Kim Won-Gon
Published: April 2019

Seven new coralmycin derivatives, coralmycins C (1), D (2), E (3), F (4), G (5), H (6), and I (7), along with three known compounds, cystobactamids 891-2 (8), 905-2 (9), and 507 (10), were isolated from a large-scale culture of the myxobacteria Corallococcus coralloides M23. The structures of these compounds, including their relative stereochemistries, were elucidated by interpretation of their spectroscopic and CD data. The structure-activity relationships of their antibacterial and DNA gyrase inhibitory activities indicated that the para-nitrobenzoic acid unit is critical for the inhibition of DNA gyrase and bacterial growth, while the nitro moiety of the para-nitrobenzoic acid unit and the isopropyl chain at C-4 could be important for permeability into certain Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and the β-methoxyasparagine moiety could affect cellular uptake into all tested bacteria. These results could facilitate the chemical optimization of coralmycins for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Screen-printed Microsensors Using Polyoctyl-thiophene (POT) Conducting Polymer As Solid Transducer for Ultratrace Determination of Azides
Authors: Galal Eldin Ahmed , E. Amr Abd El-Galil , H. Kamel Ayman , S. M. Hassan Saad
Published: April 2019

Two novel all-solid-state potentiometric sensors for the determination of azide ion are prepared and described here for the first time. The sensors are based on the use of iron II-phthalocyanine (Fe-PC) neutral carrier complex and nitron-azide ion-pair complex (Nit-N3−) as active recognition selective receptors, tetradodecylammonium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl) borate (ETH 500) as lipophilic cationic additives and poly(octylthiophene) (POT) as the solid contact material on carbon screen-printed devices made from a ceramic substrate. The solid-contact material (POT) is placed on a carbon substrate (2 mm diameter) by drop-casting, followed, after drying, by coating with a plasticized PVC membrane containing the recognition sensing complexes. Over the pH range 6-9, the sensors display fast (< 10 s), linear potentiometric response for 1.0 × 10−2–1.0 × 10−7 M azide with low detection limit of 1.0 × 10−7 and 7.7 × 10−8 M (i.e., 6.2–4.8 ng/ml) for Fe-PC/POT/and Nit-N3−/POT based sensors, respectively. The high potential stability and sensitivity of the proposed sensors are confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and constant-current chronopotentiometry measurement techniques. Strong membrane adhesion and absence of delamination of the membrane, due to possible formation of a water film between the recognition membranes and the electron conductor are also verified. The proposed sensors are successfully applied for azide quantification in synthetic primer mixture samples. Advantages offered by these sensors are the robustness, ease of fabrication, simple operation, stable potential response, high selectivity, good sensitivity and low cost.
A Ferroelectric-Photovoltaic Effect in SbSI Nanowires
Authors: Mistewicz Krystian , Nowak Marian , Stróż Danuta
Published: April 2019

A ferroelectric-photovoltaic effect in nanowires of antimony sulfoiodide (SbSI) is presented for the first time. Sonochemically prepared SbSI nanowires have been characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and optical diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS). The temperature dependences of electrical properties of the fabricated SbSI nanowires have been investigated too. The indirect forbidden energy gap EgIf = 1.862 (1) eV and Curie temperature TC = 291 (2) K of SbSI nanowires have been determined. Aligned SbSI nanowires have been deposited in an electric field between Pt electrodes on alumina substrate. The photoelectrical response of such a prepared ferroelectric-photovoltaic (FE-PV) device can be switched using a poling electric field and depends on light intensity. The photovoltage, generated under λ = 488 nm illumination of Popt = 127 mW/cm2 optical power density, has reached UOC = 0.119 (2) V. The presented SbSI FE-PV device is promising for solar energy harvesting as well as for application in non-volatile memories based on the photovoltaic effect.
Rosmarinic and Sinapic Acids May Increase the Content of Reduced Glutathione in the Lenses of Estrogen-Deficient Rats
Authors: Zych Maria , Wojnar Weronika , Dudek Sławomir , Kaczmarczyk-Sedlak Ilona
Published: April 2019

Oxidative stress is believed to be associated with both postmenopausal disorders and cataract development. Previously, we have demonstrated that rosmarinic and sinapic acids, which are diet-derived antioxidative phenolic acids, counteracted some disorders induced by estrogen deficiency. Other studies have shown that some phenolic acids may reduce cataract development in various animal models. However, there is no data on the effect of phenolic acids on oxidative stress markers in the lenses of estrogen-deficient rats. The study aimed to investigate whether administration of rosmarinic acid and sinapic acid affects the antioxidative abilities and oxidative damage parameters in the lenses of estrogen-deficient rats. The study was conducted on three-month-old female Wistar rats. The ovariectomized rats were orally treated with rosmarinic acid at doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg or sinapic acid at doses of 5 and 25 mg/kg, for 4 weeks. The content of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione and amyloid β1-42, as well as products of protein and lipid oxidation, were assessed. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and some glutathione-related enzymes in the lenses were determined. Rosmarinic and sinapic acids in both doses resulted in an increase in the GSH content and glutathione reductase activity. They also improved parameters connected with protein oxidation. Since GSH plays an important role in maintaining the lens transparency, the increase in GSH content in lenses after the use of rosmarinic and sinapic acids seems to be beneficial. Therefore, both the investigated dietary compounds may be helpful in preventing cataract.
Age-Related Medicine
Authors: Wahlich John , Orlu Mine , Mair Alpana , Stegemann Sven , van Riet-Nales Diana
Published: April 2019

A meeting organised by the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences focussed on the challenges of developing medicines for older adults. International experts discussed the complexity introduced by polypharmacy and multiple morbidities and how the risk–benefit ratio of a medicine changes as an individual ages. The way in which regulatory authorities are encouraging the development of age-appropriate medicines was highlighted. Examples were provided of the difficulties faced by the older population with some medicinal products and suggestions given as to how the pharmaceutical scientist can build the requirements of the older population into their development of new medicines, as well as improvements to existing ones.
Simulating the Hydrological Impact of Green Roof Use and an Increase in Green Areas in an Urban Catchment with i-Tree: A Case Study with the Town of Fontibón in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Bautista David , Peña-Guzmán Carlos
Published: April 2019

Urbanization has produced various social, environmental, and hydrological impacts, such as reduced biodiversity, increased urban temperatures, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution, changes to hydrological processes, groundwater recharge alterations, increased prevalence of floods, vegetation removal, and potential increases in unstable soils. Finding solutions to mitigate the impacts of urbanization is of vital importance in the development and planning of cities, and particularly so for developing countries. One strategy gaining momentum is the use of green roofs and larger green areas (greater green cover under trees, with the purpose of increasing the permeable area) for runoff control. In this study, a simulation was carried out using the i-Tree Hydro software that involved the urban basin in the Fontibón area of Bogotá, Colombia, with the aim of observing the hydrological benefits of trees, green areas, and permeable zones. Five scenarios were proposed in which green roof coverage was implemented (20% and 50% increases in green areas in Scenarios 1 and 2), coverage under existing trees was enhanced (50% and 100% increase in Scenarios 4 and 5), and finally a complete removal of green zones in Fontibón was simulated (Scenario 3). The town is relatively susceptible to a reduction in its existing green areas, with an increase in total flow of more than 50% for one scenario considered. Thus, an increase in the permeable coverage under trees (50% and 100% increased coverage under existing trees) provided the best strategy for mitigating the impacts of urbanization by reducing the total, maximum, and average impervious flow by 3%, 4%, and 8%, respectively. Finally, an increase in permeable zones corresponding to plants was proposed via the implementation of green roofs. However, this strategy showed a response to the reduction in the lowest total flow at 1%.
Using CYGNSS Data to Monitor China’s Flood Inundation during Typhoon and Extreme Precipitation Events in 2017
Authors: Wan Wei , Liu Baojian , Zeng Ziyue , Chen Xi , Wu Guiping , Xu Liwen , Chen Xiuwan , Hong Yang
Published: April 2019

NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission, launched in 2016, is a small satellite constellation designed to measure the ocean surface wind speed in hurricanes and tropical cyclones. To explore its additional capabilities for applications on the land surface, this study investigated the advantages and limitations of using CYGNSS data to monitor flood inundation during typhoon and extreme precipitation events in southeast China in 2017. The results showed that despite the lack of quantitative evaluation, the CYGNSS-derived surface reflectivity (SR) and flood inundation area was qualitatively consistent with the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)-derived precipitation and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP)/Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS)-derived total brightness temperature at circular polarization ( T b C ). The results provide supporting evidence for further designation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) reflectometry (GNSS-R) constellations to monitor land surface hydrology.
Development of a Pattern Recognition Methodology with Thermography and Implementation in an Experimental Study of a Boiler for a WHRS-ORC
Authors: Paz Concepción , Suárez Eduardo , Concheiro Miguel , Diaz Antonio
Published: April 2019

Waste heat dissipated in the exhaust system in a combustion engine represents a major source of energy to be recovered and converted into useful work. A waste heat recovery system (WHRS) based on an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a promising approach, and it gained interest in the last few years in an automotive industry interested in reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Understanding the thermodynamic response of the boiler employed in an ORC plays an important role in steam cycle performance prediction and control system design. The aim of this study is, therefore, to present a methodology to study these devices by means of pattern recognition with infrared thermography. In addition, the experimental test bench and its operating conditions are described. The methodology proposed identifies the wall coordinates, traces the paths, and tracks the wall temperature along them in a way that can be exported for subsequent post-processing and analysis. As for the results, through the wall temperature paths on both sides (exhaust gas and working fluid), it was possible to quantitatively estimate the temperature evolution along the boiler and, in particular, the beginning and end of evaporation.
Assessing Understory Complexity in Beech-dominated Forests (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Central Europe—From Managed to Primary Forests
Authors: Willim Katharina , Stiers Melissa , Annighöfer Peter , Ammer Christian , Ehbrecht Martin , Kabal Myroslav , Stillhard Jonas , Seidel Dominik
Published: April 2019

Understory vegetation influences several ecosystem services and functions of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests. Despite this knowledge on the importance of understory vegetation, it is still difficult to measure its three-dimensional characteristics in a quantitative manner. With the recent advancements in terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), we now have the means to analyze detailed spatial patterns of forests. Here, we present a new measure to quantify understory complexity. We tested the approach for different management types, ranging from traditionally and alternatively managed forests and national parks in Germany to primary forests of Eastern Europe and the Ukraine, as well as on an inventory site with more detailed understory reference data. The understory complexity index (UCI) was derived from point clouds from single scans and tested for its relationship with forest management and conventional inventory data. Our results show that advanced tree regeneration is a strong driver of the UCI. Furthermore, the newly developed index successfully measured understory complexity of differently managed beech stands and was able to distinguish scanning positions located on and away from skid-trails in managed stands. The approach enables a deeper understanding of the complexity of understory structures of forests and their drivers and dependents.
How Do Farmers Respond to Water Resources Management Policy in the Heihe River Basin of China?
Authors: Li Guifang , Zhou Dingyang , Shi Minjun
Published: April 2019

Reducing agricultural water use is an inevitable choice to alleviate water shortage in arid and semi-arid regions, and high-efficiency irrigation technologies provide conditions for water conservation. However, without unified water resources management policy to redistribute the saved agricultural water, farmers’ behavior will lead to water rebound and large-scale expansion of cultivated areas, especially on the edge of oasis regions. To solve these issues and promote the sustainable development of water resources, it makes sense to explore the impact of unified water resources management policy from the perspective of farmers’ behavior. This study takes the typical irrigation zone in the Heihe River Basin as a case to discuss the response of farmers’ economic behavior to transferring irrigation water and restricting land reclamation, i.e., the unified water resources management policy with the technical efficiency of crop irrigation improved based on the bio-economic model. The results show that in the case of loosening land constraints, farmers will reuse all the saved water for agricultural production by reclaiming unused land or increasing the area of water-intensive crops (vegetables). Although the policy of restricting land reclamation can restrict land expansion, it cannot avoid water rebound caused by adjusting the crop-planting structure. Farmers’ land-expansion behavior can be largely restricted by transferring the saved irrigation water to non-agricultural sectors in irrigation zones with inadequate water, but to contain land-expansion behavior in irrigation zones with surplus water, the policy of restricting land reclamation must be implemented simultaneously. The study also reveals that farmers will choose to grow more cash crops (seed maize, vegetables, tomato, seed watermelon, potato, and rapeseed) and fewer food crops (wheat, maize) to increase the profit per unit of water in the scenario of loosening land constraints or transferring agricultural water. Furthermore, the study indicates that farmers’ economic income can be decreased or at least not increased with the transfer of agricultural water. Both benefit compensation from non-agricultural sectors and increased non-agricultural income can compensate farmers’ economic loss. Therefore, it is necessary to improve water rights trading systems and increase employment opportunities for surplus agricultural labor to promote economic development in rural areas.
Diagnosing the Climatic and Agronomic Dimensions of Rain-Fed Oat Yield Gaps and Their Restrictions in North and Northeast China
Authors: Wang Chong , Liu Jiangang , Li Shuo , Zhang Ting , Shi Xiaoyu , Zeng Zhaohai , Lei Yongdeng , Chu Qingquan
Published: April 2019

Confronted with the great challenges of globally growing populations and food shortages, society must achieve future food security by increasing grain output and narrowing the gap between potential yields and farmers’ actual yields. This study attempts to diagnose the climatic and agronomic dimensions of oat yield gaps and further to explore their restrictions. A conceptual framework was put forward to analyze the different dimensions of yield gaps and their limiting factors. We quantified the potential yield (Yp), attainable yield (Yt), experimental yield (Ye), and farmers’ actual yield (Ya) of oat, and evaluated three levels of yield gaps in a rain-fed cropping system in North and Northeast China (NC and NEC, respectively). The results showed that there were great differences in the spatial distributions of the four kinds of yields and three yield gaps. The average yield gap between Yt and Ye (YG-II) was greater than the yield gap between Yp and Yt (YG-I). The yield gap between Ye and Ya (YG-III) was the largest among the three yield gaps at most sites, which indicated that farmers have great potential to increase their crop yields. Due to non-controllable climatic conditions (e.g., light and temperature) for obtaining Yp, reducing YG-I is extremely difficult. Although YG-II could be narrowed through enriching soil nutrients, it is not easy to improve soil quality in the short term. In contrast, narrowing YG-III is the most feasible for farmers by means of introducing high-yield crop varieties and optimizing agronomic managements (e.g., properly adjusting sowing dates and planting density). This study figured out various dimensions of yield gaps and investigated their limiting factors, which should be helpful to increase farmers’ yields and regional crop production, as long as these restrictions are well addressed.
Can Pay-As-You-Go, Digitally Enabled Business Models Support Sustainability Transformations in Developing Countries? Outstanding Questions and a Theoretical Basis for Future Research
Authors: Ockwell David , Atela Joanes , Mbeva Kennedy , Chengo Victoria , Byrne Rob , Durrant Rachael , Kasprowicz Victoria , Ely Adrian
Published: April 2019

This paper examines the rapidly emerging and rapidly changing phenomenon of pay-as-you-go (PAYG), digitally enabled business models, which have had significant early success in providing poor people with access to technologies relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (e.g., for electricity access, water and sanitation, and agricultural irrigation). Data are analysed based on literature review, two stakeholder workshops (or “transformation labs”), and stakeholder interviews (engaging 41 stakeholders in total). This demonstrates the existing literature on PAYG is patchy at best, with no comprehensive or longitudinal, and very little theoretically grounded, research to date. The paper contributes to existing research on PAYG, and sustainability transformations more broadly, in two key ways. Firstly, it articulates a range of questions that remain to be answered in order to understand and deliver against the current and potential contribution of PAYG in affecting sustainability transformations (the latter we define as achieving environmental sustainability and social justice). These questions focus at three levels: national contexts for fostering innovation and technology uptake, the daily lives of poor and marginalised women and men, and global political economies and value accumulation. Secondly, the paper articulates three areas of theory (based on emerging critical social science research on sustainable energy access) that have potential to support future research that might answer these questions, namely: socio-technical innovation system-building, social practice, and global political economy and value chain analysis. Whilst recognising existing tensions between these three areas of theory, we argue that rapid sustainability transformations demand a level of epistemic pragmatism. Such pragmatism, we argue, can be achieved by situating research using any of the above areas of theory within the broader context of Leach et al.’s (2010) Pathways Approach. This allows for exactly the kind of interdisciplinary approach, based on a commitment to pluralism and the co-production of knowledge, and firmly rooted commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice that the SDGs demand.
Sustainable Investment: Interrelated among Corporate Governance, Economic Performance and Market Risks Using Investor Preference Approach
Authors: Tseng Ming-Lang , Tan Phan , Jeng Shiou-Yun , Lin Chun-Wei , Negash Yeneneh , Darsono Susilo
Published: April 2019

Prior studies are lacking on the drivers of sustainable investment. Hence, this study examines the relationship between the social aspects, environmental aspects, economic benefits, market conditions, and corporate governance issues on sustainable investment. Sustainable investment has been rising since the last decade. However, sustainable investment is preceded by ethical investment, green investment, and socially responsible investment. In order to understand the sustainability of an investment before decision-making, it proposed a set of attributes to measure its sustainability using investor’s linguistics preferences. The proposed attributes are interrelated and based on investor’s linguistic preferences. The study employs the fuzzy set theory to handle the uncertainty resulting from the vagueness of linguistic terms and applies decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to determine the nature of interrelationships among sustainable investment attributes. The result indicates that corporate governance, economic performance, and market risks are the causal aspects of sustainable investment. In addition, this study found that transparency, anti-corruption, and board diversity were the two most important criteria of corporate governance. Furthermore, the three most important criteria of economic performance presented the model were excess return, market value, and shareholder loyalty. The theoretical and practical implications of sustainable investment are discussed.
Options for Removing Refractory Organic Substances in Pre-Treated Process Water from Hydrothermal Carbonization
Authors: Fettig Joachim , Austermann-Haun Ute , Meier Jan-Felix , Busch Anna , Gilbert Eva
Published: April 2019

Granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption, as well as ozonation in combination with biodegradation was investigated in order to remove refractory organics from biologically pre-treated process waters (PW) produced by the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of spent grains and fine mulch. Kinetic tests revealed that the organics in spent grains PW had much lower molecular weights than organics in fine mulch PW. Moreover, isotherms showed that they were more strongly adsorbable. This was confirmed in GAC column experiments, where the breakthrough curves could be predicted fairly well by a dynamic adsorption model. On the other hand, ozonation had a stronger effect on fine mulch PW with respect to an enhancement of the aerobic degradability. Thus, the type of input material determines the properties of soluble reaction products from the carbonization process that must be accounted for when selecting the most suitable post-treatment method for HTC PW. However, adsorption on granular activated carbon should always be the final stage.
Caracterização ambiental espaço-temporal da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Pontal no Estado de Pernambuco
Authors: Lopes Iug , Ramos Clovis Manoel Carvalho , Leal Brauliro Gonçalves , Silva Douglas Alberto De Oliveira
Published: April 2019

As zonas rurais e urbanas estão passando por transformações do uso do solo de forma significativa. Estas mudanças têm afetado o uso da terra, principalmente nas áreas marginas às urbanas. É ao longo destas áreas onde o processo de expansão urbana entra em conflito com o uso da terra para fins agrícolas. Um recurso inestimável neste contexto é o sensoriamento remoto, que aparece como uma ferramenta de avaliação dos processos de transformação territórial. Técnicas de observação de dados adquiridos por satélites em variação temporal e espacial possuem potencial de detectar, identificar e mapear as mudanças no uso da terra. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar uma caracterização atual do uso da terra e análise espaço-temporal das modificações ao longo dos períodos de 2000 a 2010, 2010 a 2015 e 2000 a 2015, na Bacia do Rio Pontal, usando dados Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que na região estudada houve um crescimento considerável de área destinada à agricultura irrigada, redução das áreas de caatinga densa ou substituição da mesma por caatinga aberta e solo exposto e por fim se observou a redução dos corpos hídricos da região.
Produção de coentro submetidos a diferentes arranjos espaciais no estado de Alagoas
Authors: Silva Telliane Santos Salgueiro , Silva Wyllyam Emanuell da , Neto Antônio Lucrécio Dos Santos , Ferro Maria Gilberlândia Ferreira , Silva Douglas Alberto De Oliveira , Silva Ricardo Rafaell da
Published: April 2019

O coentro (Coriandrum sativum L.) é uma das olerícolas de maior importância no Brasil, principalmente por ser uma planta de fácil adaptação às condições tropicais, proporcionando assim seu cultivo em todo o país. No entanto, há poucos estudos voltados para cultura do coentro, principalmente no que diz respeito ao espaçamento e a densidade de plantas, o que pode implicar na queda da produtividade. O objetivo do trabalho foi de avaliar o desenvolvimento e produção da cultura do coentro em função de diferentes arranjos espaciais. O experimento foi conduzido no Campus Arapiraca da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, no período de março a de junho de 2016. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4x2, avaliando-se diferentes espaçamentos entre fileiras duplas (10; 12,5; 15 e 17,5 cm) e desbaste (com e sem). Foram realizadas as seguintes análises: teor de clorofila, peso fresco das folhas, peso fresco da haste, peso fresco total, número de plantas, peso fresco de 20 plantas, peso seco das folhas, peso seco da haste. Os resultados mostram houve efeito significativo para ambos os fatores, desbaste e espaçamento, em quase todas as variáveis analisadas. As variáveis peso fresco da haste (PFH), peso seco da folha (PSF) e peso seco da haste (PSH) apresentaram melhor desempenho quando realizado o desbaste. De acordo com os resultados, a cultura do coentro apresentou melhor desempenho com espaçamento de 17,5 cm.
Armazenamento e conservação de sementes de Pau Ferro nativo da Caatinga alagoana
Authors: Silva Ricardo Barros , Santos Igor Gledson De Oliveira , Albuquerque Kênia Almeida Diniz , Neto Antônio Lucrécio Dos Santos , Santos Wellington Manoel dos , Oliveira José Dailson Silva de
Published: April 2019

O Instituto de Conservação Internacional do Brasil estima uma redução da Caatinga de 90% no estado de Alagoas. Logo, o reflorestamento surge como uma medida para recuperação destas áreas. No entanto, sabe-se que a época de coleta das sementes de plantas nativas é muito variável. Dessa forma, o armazenamento de sementes surge como um processo imprescindível em programas de reflorestamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a interferência de um período de armazenamento de seis meses em diferentes embalagens (plástico grosso e papel kraft) e dois locais (laboratório e condições controladas de temperatura e umidade) sob sementes de Pau Ferro. O trabalho foi realizado no Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal do Campus Arapiraca da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. As variáveis estudadas visando obter a qualidade das sementes após o armazenamento foram: porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, plântulas normais, anormais e sementes dormentes e mortas. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizados na montagem dos testes de germinação, com oito repetições, sendo 25 sementes por repetição, os dados obtidos foram submetidos a análise de variância por programa estatístico e quando significativos pelo teste F (p<0,05), tiveram suas médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). De maneira geral, o ambiente sob condições controladas de temperatura e umidade mostrou-se superior ao ambiente laboratorial. O plástico grosso mostra-se como uma alternativa mais viável para o acondicionamento de sementes e armazenamento.
Desain Kemasan Tradisional Dalam Konteks Kekinian
Authors: Noviadji Benny Rahmawan
Published: April 2019

The diversity of traditional food is a part of the Indonesian nation's wealth . Along with the development of technology and lifestyle , traditional food packaging community naturally becoming obsolete due to packaging impressed judged to be synonymous with cheap and dirty , unhygienic and impractical . Then slowly replaced with materials such as plastic , cans and Styrofoam are prone to pollute the environment .Several types of traditional packaging using natural ingredients . But it is not designed as a serious and still serves as a container or wrapper only, not so into consideration in terms of increased sales , image enhancement , local identity , not even thought about issues such as environmentally friendly recycle , reduce, and reuse . The role of the designer is to maintain the existence of the traditional packaging that still exist and more appreciated by giving traditional packaging solutions in creating more dynamic in terms of several aspects when faced with the current conditions , among others, in terms of novelty designs that are more innovative and unique selling points high given the increasing number of products on the market . A touch of unique design will be able to make traditional packaging into an exclusive packaging . Traditional packaging was also created to be able to maintain the characteristic of local culture without ignoring local identity to represent the local culture . More important consideration also needs to pay attention to in terms of eco-friendly , considering the waste problem is now starting to bloom voiced , so it should be easy to traditional packaging for recycling . Present context is intended to things above solving traditional packaging design solutions to some of the conditions existing problems.
Desain Souvenir Bergaya Lowpoly "BWS Coy" Untuk Mengenalkan Objek Wisata di Kab. Bondowoso Melalui Metode Design Thinking
Authors: Hendrawan Angga , Noviadji Benny Rahmawan , Wijaya Youngky Kurniawan
Published: April 2019

Bondowoso adalah salah satu kabupaten yang berada di Provinsi Jawa Timur, kabupaten ini memiliki beragam destinasi wisata mulai dari sejarah hingga wisata alam. Perancangan ini bertujuan menghasilkan desain suvenir khas Kab. Bondowoso menggunakan gaya lowpoly, penggunaan gaya desain ini dimaksudkan untuk memberikan keunikan dan pembeda dari suvenir-suvenir yang sudah ada sebelumnya. Metode yang digunakan dalam perancangan ini adalah design thinking yang diajukan oleh Gavin Ambrose dan Paull Harris. Perancangan ini menghasilkan nama merek BWS COY, logo, gambar illustrasi dan pantun untuk diterapkan pada beragam bentuk suvenir. Desain diimplementasikan pada beberapa contoh media, seperti: tote bag, tshirt dan mug. Perancangan ini perlu ditingkatkan pada tahap research dengan mengumpulkan data primer melalui teknik wawancara atau observasi, serta peningkatan pada tahap implement untuk mengetahui kelayakan produksi.
PENERAPAN ALGORITMA GENETIK UNTUK OPTIMASI POLA PENYUSUNAN BARANG DALAM RUANG TIGA DIMENSI
Authors: Setyoadi Eddy Triswanto
Published: April 2019

Melakukan optimasi dalam pola penyusunan barang di dalam ruang tiga dimensi harus dapat dilakukan untuk menekan biaya seperti biaya pengiriman, biaya sewa gudang dan sebagainya. Algoritma Genetik sebagai metode pencarian solusi yang berpatokan pada seleksi alam untuk mendapatkan sebuah individu dengan susunan gen-gen terbaik, mampu memberikan solusi bagaimana pola susunan barang dioptimalkan melalui proses iterasi sampai beberapa generasi dengan operatornya yaitu crossover dan mutasi. Dengan menginputkan spesifikasi ruang dan barang-barang beserta nilai parameter Algoritma Genetik, proses opotimasi akan menemukan pola susunan barang dengan fitness terbaik, yaitu semakin sedikit ruang kosong yang tersisa.