bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanocomposite Furcellaran Films—the Influence of Nanofillers on Functional Properties of Furcellaran Films and Effect on Linseed Oil Preservation
Authors: Jamróz Ewelina , Kopel Pavel , Tkaczewska Joanna , Dordevic Dani , Jancikova Simona , Kulawik Piotr , Milosavljevic Vedran , Dolezelikova Kristyna , Smerkova Kristyna , Svec Pavel , Adam Vojtech
Published: December 2019

Nanocomposite films that were based on furcellaran (FUR) and nanofillers (carbon quantum dots (CQDs), maghemite nanoparticles (MAN), and graphene oxide (GO)) were obtained by the casting method. The microstructure, as well as the structural, physical, mechanical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of the films was investigated. The incorporation of MAN and GO remarkably increased the tensile strength of furcellaran films. However, the water content, solubility, and elongation at break were significantly reduced by the addition of the nanofillers. Moreover, furcellaran films containing the nanofillers exhibited potent free radical scavenging ability. FUR films with CQDs showed an inhibitory effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The nanocomposite films were used to cover transparent glass containers to study the potential UV-blocking properties in an oil oxidation test and compare with tinted glass. The samples were irradiated for 30 min. with UV-B and then analyzed for oxidation markers (peroxide value, free fatty acids, malondialdehyde content, and degradation of carotenoids). The test showed that covering the transparent glass with MAN films was as effective in inhibiting the oxidation as the use of tinted glass, while the GO and CQDs films did not inhibit oxidation. It can be concluded that the active nanocomposite films can be used as a desirable material for food packaging.
CCS Projects: How Regulatory Framework Influences Their Deployment
Authors: Romasheva Natalia , Ilinova Alina
Published: December 2019

Preventing the effects of climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of this century. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology takes up a promising position in the achievement of a low-carbon future. Currently, CCS projects are implemented not only for CO2 storage but also for its usage in industries, in conformity with the principles of a circular economy. To date, a number of countries have accumulated experience in launching and implementing CCS projects. At the same time, the peculiarities and pace of technology development around the world remain different. This paper attempts to identify key factors that, first, generally affect CCS projects deployment, and second, create favorable conditions for CCS technologies development. Based on an extensive literature review and the experience of different countries, classification and interpretation of these factors are offered, justifying their impact on CCS projects. As a result of this paper, the authors present an assessment of the maturity of policy incentives and regulations in the field of CCS for different countries with revealed dependence between the level and effectiveness of CCS projects’ implementation, confirming the adequacy of the offered approaches and identifying measures that ensure success in CCS. The methodology of this study includes case studies, a modified PEST analysis, system-oriented analysis, the checklist method, and regression analyses.
Mapping of Soil Total Nitrogen Content in the Middle Reaches of the Heihe River Basin in China Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing-Derived Variables
Authors: Zhou Tao , Geng Yajun , Chen Jie , Sun Chuanliang , Haase Dagmar , Lausch Angela
Published: December 2019

Soil total nitrogen (STN) is an important indicator of soil quality and plays a key role in global nitrogen cycling. Accurate prediction of STN content is essential for the sustainable use of soil resources. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides a promising source of data for soil monitoring because of its all-weather, all-day monitoring, but it has rarely been used for STN mapping. In this study, we explored the potential of multi-temporal Sentinel-1 data to predict STN by evaluating and comparing the performance of boosted regression trees (BRTs), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) models in STN mapping in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin in northwestern China. Fifteen predictor variables were used to construct models, including land use/land cover, multi-source remote sensing-derived variables, and topographic and climatic variables. We evaluated the prediction accuracy of the models based on a cross-validation procedure. Results showed that tree-based models (RF and BRT) outperformed SVM. Compared to the model that only used optical data, the addition of multi-temporal Sentinel-1A data using the BRT method improved the root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute error (MAE) by 17.2% and 17.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the combination of all predictor variables using the BRT model had the best predictive performance, explaining 57% of the variation in STN, with the highest R2 (0.57) value and the lowest RMSE (0.24) and MAE (0.18) values. Remote sensing variables were the most important environmental variables for STN mapping, with 59% and 50% relative importance in the RF and BRT models, respectively. Our results show the potential of using multi-temporal Sentinel-1 data to predict STN, broadening the data source for future digital soil mapping. In addition, we propose that the SVM, RF, and BRT models should be calibrated and evaluated to obtain the best results for STN content mapping in similar landscapes.
Use of Remote Sensing, Geophysical Techniques and Archaeological Excavations to Define the Roman Amphitheater of Torreparedones (Córdoba, Spain)
Authors: Monterroso-Checa Antonio , Teixidó Teresa , Gasparini Massimo , Peña José , Rodero Santiago , Moreno Juan , Morena José
Published: December 2019

Non-destructive techniques are widely used to explore and detect burial remains in archaeological sites. In this study, we present two sets of sensors, aerial and geophysics, that we have combined to analyze a 2 ha sector of ground in the Torreparedones Archaeological Park located in Cordoba, Spain. Aerial platforms were used in a first step to identify a Roman amphitheater located near the Roman city. To ensure greater reliability and to rule out geological causes, a geophysical survey was subsequently carried out. Magnetic gradiometer, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods were also used to confirm the existence of this structure, define the geometry and, to the greatest possible extent, determine the degree of preservation of this construction. The adverse conditions for data acquisition was one of the main constraints, since the area of interest was an almond plantation which conditioned geophysical profiles. In addition, due to the low dielectric and magnetic contrast between the structures and the embedding material, meticulous data processing was required. In order to obtain further evidence of this amphitheater and to corroborate the aerial images and the geophysical models, an archaeological excavation was carried out. The results confirmed the cross-validation with the predicted non-destructive models. Therefore, this work can serve as an example to be used prior to conservation actions to investigate the suburbs and landscapes near similar roman cities in Spain.
An Efficient Imaging Algorithm for GNSS-R Bi-Static SAR
Authors: Zhou Xin-kai , Chen Jie , Wang Peng-bo , Zeng Hong-cheng , Fang Yue , Men Zhi-rong , Liu Wei
Published: December 2019

Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) based Bi-static Synthetic Aperture Radar (BSAR) is becoming more and more important in remote sensing, given its low power, low mass, low cost, and real-time global coverage capability. Due to its complex configuration, the imaging for GNSS-R BSAR is usually based on the Back-Projection Algorithm (BPA), which is very time consuming. In this paper, an efficient and general imaging algorithm for GNSS-R BSAR is presented. A Two Step Range Cell Migration (TSRCM) correction is firstly applied. The first step roughly compensates the RCM and Doppler phase caused by the motion of the transmitter, which simplifies the SAR data into the quasi-mono-static case. The second step removes the residual RCM caused by the motion of the receiver using the modified frequency scaling algorithm. Then, a cubic phase perturbation operation is introduced to equalize the Doppler frequency modulation rate along the same range cell. Finally, azimuth phase compensation and geometric correction are completed to obtain the focused SAR image. A simulation and experiment are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm, showing that the proposed algorithm is more efficient than the BPA, without causing significant degradation in imaging quality.
Multi-Channel Real-Time Condition Monitoring System Based on Wideband Vibration Analysis of Motor Shafts Using SAW RFID Tags Coupled with Sensors
Authors: Caldero Pau , Zoeke Dominik
Published: December 2019

While there is a wide range of approaches to monitor industrial machinery through their static components, rotating components are usually harder to monitor, since sensors are difficult to be mounted on them and continuously read during operation. However, the characteristics of rotating components may provide useful information about the machine condition to be included in monitoring algorithms, specially for long-term data analysis. In this work, wireless vibration monitoring of rotating machine parts is investigated using surface acoustic wave (SAW) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags coupled with sensors. The proposed augmented transponder solution, combined with low-latency interrogation and signal processing, enables real-time identification and wideband vibration sensing. On top of that, a multi-channel interrogation approach is used to compensate motion effects. This approach enhances the signal-to-noise ratio of low-power high-frequency components present on the vibration signatures and enables discriminant information extraction from rotating machine parts. Final feasibility is evaluated with induction motors and vibration measurements on rotating shafts are verified. In addition, a condition classification algorithm is implemented in an experimental setup based on different motor states. The results of this work open the possibility to feed predictive maintenance algorithms using new features extracted in real-time from wideband vibration measurements on rotating components.
Characterizing Dielectric Permittivity of Nanoscale Dielectric Films by Electrostatic Micro-Probe Technology: Finite Element Simulations
Authors: Ren He , Sun Wei-Feng
Published: December 2019

Finite element simulations for detecting the dielectric permittivity of planar nanoscale dielectrics by electrostatic probe are performed to explore the microprobe technology of characterizing nanomaterials. The electrostatic force produced by the polarization of nanoscale dielectrics is analyzed by a capacitance gradient between the probe and nano-sample in an electrostatic detection system, in which sample thickness is varied in the range of 1 nm–10 μm, the width (diameter) encompasses from 100 nm to 10 μm, the tilt angle of probe alters between 0° and 20°, and the relative dielectric constant covers 2–1000 to represent a majority of dielectric materials. For dielectric thin films with infinite lateral dimension, the critical diameter is determined, not only by the geometric shape and tilt angle of detecting probe, but also by the thickness of the tested nanofilm. Meanwhile, for the thickness greater than 100 nm, the critical diameter is almost independent on the probe geometry while being primarily dominated by the thickness and dielectric permittivity of nanomaterials, which approximately complies a variation as exponential functions. For nanofilms with a plane size which can be regarded as infinite, a pertaining analytical formalism is established and verified for the film thickness in an ultrathin limit of 10–100 nm, with the probe axis being perpendicular and tilt to film plane, respectively. The present research suggests a general testing scheme for characterizing flat, nanoscale, dielectric materials on metal substrates by means of electrostatic microscopy, which can realize an accurate quantitative analysis of dielectric permittivity.
Portable Low-Cost Electronic Nose Based on Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for the Detection of BTX Vapors in Air
Authors: Matatagui Daniel , Bahos Fabio Andrés , Gràcia Isabel , Horrillo María del Carmen
Published: December 2019

A portable electronic nose based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors is proposed in this work to detect toxic chemicals, which have a great potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment or adversely affect the health of people. We want to emphasize that ferrite nanoparticles, decorated (Au, Pt, Pd) and undecorated, have been used as sensitive coatings for the first time in these types of sensors. Furthermore, the proposed electronic nose incorporates signal conditioning and acquisition and transmission modules. The electronic nose was tested to low concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene, exhibiting excellent performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and response time, indicating its potential as a monitoring system that can contribute to the detection of toxic compounds.
Design of a Human Evaluator Model for the Ride Comfort of Vehicle on a Speed Bump Using a Neural Artistic Style Extraction
Authors: Kim Donggyun , Jeong MyeonGyu , Bae ByungGuk , Ahn Changsun
Published: December 2019

The subjective evaluation of vehicle ride comfort is costly and time-consuming but is crucial for vehicle development. To reduce the cost and time, the objectification of subjective evaluation has been widely studied, and most of the approaches use a regression model between objective metrics and subjective ratings. However, the accuracy of these approaches is highly dependent on the selection of the objective metrics. In most of the methods, it is not clear that the selected metrics are sufficiently significant or whether all significant metrics are included in the selection. This paper presents a method to build a correlation model between measurements and subjective evaluations without using predefined features or objective metrics. A numerical representation of ride comfort was extracted from raw signals based on the idea of the artistic style transfer method. The correlation model was designed based on the extracted numerical representation and subjective ratings. The model has a much better accuracy than any other correlation models in the literature. This better accuracy is contributed to not only by using a neural network, but also by the extraction of the numerical representation of ride comfort using a pre-trained neural network.
A Graphene-Based Glycan Biosensor for Electrochemical Label-Free Detection of a Tumor-Associated Antibody
Authors: Kveton Filip , Blsakova Anna , Lorencova Lenka , Jerigova Monika , Velic Dusan , Blixt Ola , Jansson Bo , Kasak Peter , Tkac Jan
Published: December 2019

The study describes development of a glycan biosensor for detection of a tumor-associated antibody. The glycan biosensor is built on an electrochemically activated/oxidized graphene screen-printed electrode (GSPE). Oxygen functionalities were subsequently applied for covalent immobilization of human serum albumin (HSA) as a natural nanoscaffold for covalent immobilization of Thomsen-nouvelle (Tn) antigen (GalNAc-O-Ser/Thr) to be fully available for affinity interaction with its analyte—a tumor-associated antibody. The step by step building process of glycan biosensor development was comprehensively characterized using a battery of techniques (scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements, secondary ion mass spectrometry, surface plasmon resonance, Raman and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). Results suggest that electrochemical oxidation of graphene SPE preferentially oxidizes only the surface of graphene flakes within the graphene SPE. Optimization studies revealed the following optimal parameters: activation potential of +1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl, activation time of 60 s and concentration of HSA of 0.1 g L−1. Finally, the glycan biosensor was built up able to selectively and sensitively detect its analyte down to low aM concentration. The binding preference of the glycan biosensor was in an agreement with independent surface plasmon resonance analysis.
Detection of the Plant Pathogen Pseudomonas Syringae pv. Lachrymans on Antibody-Modified Gold Electrodes by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Cebula Zofia , Żołędowska Sabina , Dziąbowska Karolina , Skwarecka Marta , Malinowska Natalia , Białobrzeska Wioleta , Czaczyk Elżbieta , Siuzdak Katarzyna , Sawczak Mirosław , Bogdanowicz Robert , Nidzworski Dawid
Published: December 2019

The present work describes an impedimetric immunosensor for Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans (Psl) detection. This pathogen infects many crop species causing considerable yield losses, thus fast and cheap detection method is in high demand. In the assay, the gold disc electrode was modified with 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP), glutaraldehyde (GA), and anti-Psl antibodies, and free-sites were blocked with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Sensor development was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and antigen detection by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. Seven analyzed strains of Psl were verified as positive by the reference method (PCR) and this immunoassay, proving sensor specificity. Label-free electrochemical detection was in the linear range 1 × 103–1.2 × 105 CFU/mL (colony-forming unit) with an R2 coefficient of 0.992 and a detection limit (LOD) of 337 CFU/mL. The sensor did not interfere with negative probes like buffers and other bacteria. The assay was proven to be fast (10 min detection) and easy in preparation. The advantage was the simplicity and availability of the verified analyte (whole bacteria) as the method does not require sample pretreatment (e.g., DNA isolation). EIS biosensing technique was chosen as one of the simplest and most sensitive with the least destructive influence on the probes compared to other electrochemical methods.
Innovative Mobile Manipulator Solution for Modern Flexible Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Outón Jose Luis , Villaverde Iván , Herrero Héctor , Esnaola Urko , Sierra Basilio
Published: December 2019

There is a paradigm shift in current manufacturing needs that is causing a change from the current mass-production-based approach to a mass customization approach where production volumes are smaller and more variable. Current processes are very adapted to the previous paradigm and lack the required flexibility to adapt to the new production needs. To solve this problem, an innovative industrial mobile manipulator is presented. The robot is equipped with a variety of sensors that allow it to perceive its surroundings and perform complex tasks in dynamic environments. Following the current needs of the industry, the robot is capable of autonomous navigation, safely avoiding obstacles. It is flexible enough to be able to perform a wide variety of tasks, being the change between tasks done easily thanks to skills-based programming and the ability to change tools autonomously. In addition, its security systems allow it to share the workspace with human operators. This prototype has been developed as part of THOMAS European project, and it has been tested and demonstrated in real-world manufacturing use cases.
A Macro Lens-Based Optical System Design for Phototherapeutic Instrumentation
Authors: Choi Hojong , Choe Se-woon , Ryu Jae-Myung
Published: December 2019

Light emitting diode (LED) and ultrasound have been powerful treatment stimuli for tumor cell growth due to non-radiation effects. This research is the first preliminary study of tumor cell suppression using a macro-lens-supported 460-nm LED combined with high-frequency ultrasound. The cell density, when exposed to the LED combined with ultrasound, was gradually reduced after 30 min of induction for up to three consecutive days when 48-W DC, 20-cycle, and 50 Vp-p sinusoidal pulses were applied to the LEDs through a designed macro lens and to the ultrasound transducer, respectively. Using a developed macro lens, the non-directional light beam emitted from the LED could be localized to a certain spot, likewise with ultrasound, to avoid additional undesirable thermal effects on the small sized tumor cells. In the experimental results, compared to LED-only induction (14.49 ± 2.73%) and ultrasound-only induction (13.27 ± 2.33%), LED combined with ultrasound induction exhibited the lowest cell density (6.25 ± 1.25%). Therefore, our measurement data demonstrated that a macro-lens-supported 460-nm LED combined with an ultrasound transducer could possibly suppress early stage tumor cells effectively.
Artificial Marker and MEMS IMU-Based Pose Estimation Method to Meet Multirotor UAV Landing Requirements
Authors: Wu Yibin , Niu Xiaoji , Du Junwei , Chang Le , Tang Hailiang , Zhang Hongping
Published: December 2019

The fully autonomous operation of multirotor unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) in many applications requires support of precision landing. Onboard camera and fiducial marker have been widely used for this critical phase due to its low cost and high effectiveness. This paper proposes a six-degrees-of-freedom (DoF) pose estimation solution for UAV landing based on an artificial marker and a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) inertial measurement unit (IMU). The position and orientation of the landing maker are measured in advance. The absolute position and heading of the UAV are estimated by detecting the marker and extracting corner points with the onboard monocular camera. To achieve continuous and reliable positioning when the marker is occasionally shadowed, IMU data is fused by an extended Kalman filter (EKF). The error terms of the IMU sensor are modeled and estimated. Field experiments show that the positioning accuracy of the proposed system is at centimeter level, and the heading error is less than 0.1 degrees. Comparing to the marker-based approach, the roll and pitch angle errors decreased by 33% and 54% on average. Within five seconds of vision outage, the average drifts of the horizontal and vertical position were 0.41 and 0.09 m, respectively.
Kinematic and Dynamic Vehicle Model-Assisted Global Positioning Method for Autonomous Vehicles with Low-Cost GPS/Camera/In-Vehicle Sensors
Authors: Min Haigen , Wu Xia , Cheng Chaoyi , Zhao Xiangmo
Published: December 2019

Real-time, precise and low-cost vehicular positioning systems associated with global continuous coordinates are needed for path planning and motion control in autonomous vehicles. However, existing positioning systems do not perform well in urban canyons, tunnels and indoor parking lots. To address this issue, this paper proposes a multi-sensor positioning system that combines a global positioning system (GPS), a camera and in-vehicle sensors assisted by kinematic and dynamic vehicle models. First, the system eliminates image blurring and removes false feature correspondences to ensure the local accuracy and stability of the visual simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) algorithm. Next, the global GPS coordinates are transferred to a local coordinate system that is consistent with the visual SLAM process, and the GPS and visual SLAM tracks are calibrated with the improved weighted iterative closest point and least absolute deviation methods. Finally, an inverse coordinate system conversion is conducted to obtain the position in the global coordinate system. To improve the positioning accuracy, information from the in-vehicle sensors is fused with the interacting multiple-model extended Kalman filter based on kinematic and dynamic vehicle models. The developed algorithm was verified via intensive simulations and evaluated through experiments using KITTI benchmarks (A project of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago) and data captured using our autonomous vehicle platform. The results show that the proposed positioning system improves the accuracy and reliability of positioning in environments in which the Global Navigation Satellite System is not available. The developed system is suitable for the positioning and navigation of autonomous vehicles.
“I Don’t Have the Nerve to Tell These People That I Cannot Help Them!”: Vulnerability, Ethnography, and Good Intentions
Authors: Catela Joana
Published: December 2019

The nonprofit organization where this ethnography took place, driven by the maxim ”lending a hand”, was forced to reduce its efforts to what it considered essential, at a time when austerity was beginning to take shape in Portugal. The analysis of the logics employed to distribute food to the neediest proved to be critical to the understanding of the consequences of apparent beneficial actions in this context. The concept of ”vulnerable” is, therefore, discussed considering how it was produced by a legal instrument and how it was reproduced by a local institution, what were the consequences for the subjects involved in this research and also for the vulnerable ethnographer. This investigation was based on several months of intense fieldwork where different ethnographic methodologies were employed in order to grasp the complexities of vulnerability and good intentions, such as participants’ observations and semi-directive interviews. Although this paper focuses on the analysis of the distribution of food support during a later visit to the fieldwork site, it is not the purpose of this paper to discuss issues of food shortage, but to contribute to the debate of care in the context of deprivation and precariousness, anchored in an ethnography where these concepts intertwine with real situations.
Challenges and Prospects of Sustaining Donor-Funded Projects in Rural Cameroon
Authors: Muluh Gregory Nguh , Kimengsi Jude Ndzifon , Azibo Ngwa Kester
Published: December 2019

For more than five decades, developing countries (including Cameroon) have been primary beneficiaries of donor-funded projects targeting many sectors, including agriculture and rural development. Cameroon’s rural landscape witnessed a series of project interventions which emphasized sustainability. Although research efforts have been directed towards understanding the planning, implementation and impacts of donor-funded projects, not enough scientific information exists on the determinants, challenges and prospects of sustaining donor-funded projects in rural communities in Cameroon. For this study, the Investment Fund for Communal and Agricultural Micro-projects (FIMAC I) scheme, was used to diagnose the determinants, challenges and prospects for sustaining development projects in the North West Region (NWR) of Cameroon. A representative sample of 150 beneficiaries drawn from 20 farming groups in the NWR was conducted, to generate data which was complemented by interviews. The binary logistic regression results reveal the following: Although there is a significant change in the level of incomes for the FIMAC I project beneficiaries, its sustainability (mirrored through continuity) is dependent upon a myriad of socio-economic factors including family size, length of stay in the community, gender, education and the status of the beneficiary. Furthermore, the less transparent loan application process and the lack of collateral security were the main challenges faced by project beneficiaries. We argue that the introduction of soft loans with minimal demands for collateral security could increase beneficiary participation in projects, while beneficiary groups should further diversify their sources of capital and productive activities. The study does not only contribute to existing theoretical constructs on sustainable rural development, but also makes a succinct request for future studies to unbundle the conditions, under which donor-funded projects are rendered sustainable in rural contexts.
Antecedents of Entrepreneurial Intention among Young People: Model and Regional Evidence
Authors: Martínez-González José Alberto , Kobylinska Urszula , García-Rodríguez Francisco J. , Nazarko Lukasz
Published: December 2019

Entrepreneurial intentions determine to a large extent the entrepreneurial behavior; therefore, the study of those intentions and the factors that influence them constitute a valid research area. The purpose of this regional comparative study was to design a new causal model of the formation of the entrepreneurial intention among young adults in Spain and Poland. Using the Structural Equation Modeling (PLS) methodology, the results show that subjective variables (beliefs, social norms, values) initiate the chain of effects that influence the action variables (motivation, self-efficacy, intention). Attitude is the nexus variable between both groups of variables. It is verified that there are no significant differences in the responses to the items or in the causal relationships of the model between both countries. This confirms the relevance of a homogenizing generational approach at a global level that allows the application of policies to promote the entrepreneurial intention for the entire segment. The proposed model takes into account and complements the previous designs, and is practical because it can be used at different levels of the education sector and by institutions promoting entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Tax System of the Russian Federation: Current State and Steps towards Financial Sustainability
Authors: Tsindeliani Imeda , Kot Sebastian , Vasilyeva Evgeniya , Narinyan Levon
Published: December 2019

Achieving financial sustainability is the most important strategic task of the state in a turbulent global economic environment. The purpose of this study was to identify the patterns of development and peculiarities of the tax situation in Russia. The authors determined the most effective approaches for the formation of the tax system that would ensure the financial sustainability of the state in conditions of economic transition. This study examined the existing features and patterns of the formation of the Russian tax system. The ways and instruments to achieve financial stability were considered. As an example, it was decided to take into account the international practices of the most successful states in terms of tax (according to the Doing Business methodology)—namely, the USA, Ireland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Sweden and Norway. A list of conditions is proposed, the implementation of which might ensure the transformation of the Russian financial system in terms of sustainability. This article also demonstrates changes in the economic infrastructure of the Russian Federation and indicates possible scenarios for the development of the tax system. This study determines that the tax system is largely shaped by the information environment. Therefore, digitalization processes can serve as a catalyst for the achievement of financial sustainability by the state. The choice of tools for the internal reform of public finances is situational. However, strategic transformation (in terms of macro-level sustainability) can be achieved by performing a number of universal steps. The implementation of the latter creates not only a positive effect from the introduction of new approaches, but primarily minimizes the impact of existing negative phenomena and trends. The tax system of the Russian Federation can be optimized by consolidating sustainable development indicators in the legal acts. The latter is an important step towards achieving financial sustainability.
Sustainable Waste Management Drilling Process in Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Orazbayеv Batyr , Santeyeva Saya , Zhumadillayeva Ainur , Dyussekeyev Kanagat , Agarwal Ramesh K. , Yue Xiao-Guang , Fan Jiangchuan
Published: December 2019

Sustainable management issues of waste during drilling oil wells in marine conditions, the process of disposal of drill cuttings in the conditions of deficiency, and fuzzy initial information using fuzzy inference system are investigated. Based on the conducted system analysis, the main criteria for controlling the process of re-injection of suspended drill cuttings were analyzed and selected. We described the technology of preparation and injection of drill cuttings slurry into the underground horizon. The method of modeling and management of the process of disposal of drilling cuttings in the marine environment in a fuzzy environment with the use of fuzzy inference system, which helps to overcome the problems of scarcity and fuzziness of the original information due to the knowledge and experience of experts are proposed. The scheme and structure of the elements of the fuzzy inference system based on the Mamdani algorithm are given. The implementation of the fuzzy output system procedure was carried out in MatLab using Fuzzy Logic Toolbox. For the purpose of sustainable waste management in the process of oil production of marine fields, waste management tasks are formulated as a fuzzy mathematical programming problem, which takes into account economic and environmental criteria and many production constraints that may be fuzzy. Since the vector of such criteria is characterized by inconsistency, the developed methods for solving the set tasks of sustainable management are based on various tradeoff schemes modified to work in a fuzzy environment. The novelty and originality of the developed methods lies in the fact that, unlike the well-known methods of similar methods for solving fuzzy problems, they are set and solved without conversion to a system of equivalent deterministic problems, with-out losing the main part of the collected fuzzy information. This allows, through the full use of the original fuzzy information, to obtain a more adequate solution to the fuzzy problem of the real problem under production conditions.
Habitat Enhancement Solutions for Iberian Cyprinids Affected by Hydropeaking: Insights from Flume Research
Authors: Costa Maria João , Pinheiro António N. , Boavida Isabel
Published: December 2019

Due to peak electricity demand, hydropeaking introduces rapid and artificial flow fluctuations in the receiving river, which alters the river hydromorphology, while affecting the downstream ecological integrity. The impacts of hydropeaking have been addressed in flumes and in rivers. However, few studies propose mitigation solutions based on fish responses. The objective of this communication was to assemble the methods and outputs of flume research focused on Iberian cyprinids and to present recommendations to be used by freshwater scientists and hydropower producers. Emphasis was given to the critical role of integrating ecology and hydraulics to find the causal pathway between a flow change and a measurable fish response. The use of diverse behaviour quantification methods, flow sensing technologies, and statistical tools were decisive to strengthen the validity of the findings and to identify fish-fluid relationships, according to flow events. This communication encourages further research to identify flow thresholds for key life-cycle stages and complementary river studies to design and assess mitigation solutions for hydropeaking. Although the research focused on an Iberian cyprinid, the methods suggested have the potential to be extended to other fish species affected by hydropeaking.
Utilization of Crop Residue for Power Generation: The Case of Ukraine
Authors: Jiang Yongzhong , Havrysh Valerii , Klymchuk Oleksandr , Nitsenko Vitalii , Balezentis Tomas , Streimikiene Dalia
Published: December 2019

Renewable energy is expected to play a significant role in power generation. The European Union, the USA, China, and others, are striving to limit the use of energy crop for energy production and to increase the use of crop residue both on the field and for energy generation processes. Therefore, crop residue may become a major energy source, with Ukraine following this course. Currently in Ukraine, renewable power generation does not exceed 10% of total electricity production. Despite a highly developed agriculture sector, there are only a small number of biomass power plants which burn crop residues. To identify possibilities for renewable power generation, the quantity of crop residues, their energy potential, and potential electricity generation were appraised. Cluster analysis was used to identify regions with the highest electricity consumption and crop residue energy potential. The major crops (wheat, barley, rapeseed, sunflower, and soybean) were considered in this study. A national production of crop residue for energy production of 48.66 million tons was estimated for 2018. The availability of crop residues was analyzed taking into account the harvest, residue-to-crop ratio, and residue removal rate. The crop residue energy potential of Ukraine has been estimated at 774.46 PJ. Power generation technologies have been analyzed. This study clearly shows that crop residue may generate between 27 and 108 billion kWh of power. We have selected preferable regions for setting up crop residue power plants. The results may be useful for the development of energy policy and helpful for investors in considering power generation projects.
Identification and Location of a Transitional Zone between an Urban and a Rural Area Using Fuzzy Set Theory, CLC, and HRL Data
Authors: Biłozor Andrzej , Czyża Szymon , Bajerowski Tomasz
Published: December 2019

Changes in land use, which accompany the development of towns, generate a transitional zone on the border between areas of urban and rural use, which—due to its complex (unspecified, fuzzy) land use—cannot be identified either as a rural or an urban area. In order to prevent the unplanned development, it should go according to plan, in line with the spatial order principles, making a coherent whole, taking into account all functional, socio-economic, cultural, as well as aesthetic factors and requirements. This paper describes studies and analyses of the fuzzy set theory applicability in studies of land use in areas around towns. The main aim of the study was to present the methodology, which employs fuzzy logic to identify and locate a transitional zone between rural and urban areas. This study dealt with the transitional zone at the junction of the urban and rural area and its parameters, which affect the type of land use. The attributes of the transitional zone were defined based on an analysis of current land use methods in areas under direct urbanisation pressure. The study was conducted in the city of Olsztyn (Poland) and on its outskirts, directly exposed to the impact of the developing city, with an area of 202.4 km2, within an 8-km radius of the city centre. The study determined the impact of individual forms of land use on the development of urban or rural use. The degree of each type of use—urban or rural—allowed for developing a fuzzy town and country model, identifying the urban investment border and its spatial dispersion, as well as identifying and locating the transitional zone between urban and rural areas. Moreover, land cover models based on the Corine land cover (CLC) data as well as high-resolution layers (HRL) impervious and canopy data were developed. The borders of urban investment determined on the basis of the fuzzy set theory assumptions, CLC, and HRL data were also identified and verified.
Trees as a Shading System for Streets on the East–West Axis: Computer Simulations for the Selected Geometrical Proportions of Building Developments in Humid Continental Climate
Authors: Zielonko-Jung Katarzyna , Janiak Justyna
Published: December 2019

The study is aimed at investigating the possibilities for solar protection provided to the street canyon located on the E–W axis and with the following profiles: shallow (height/width (H/W) = 0.2, 0.6, and 1) and deep (H/W = 2) by two rows of trees located at a distance of 3 m away from southern and northern façades. The research was based on numerical simulation analyses conducted in the Rhinoceros® program, with the application of the Ladybug Tools environmental plugin for a street set in the city of Płock (52° 32′50″N 19°42′00″E) for the day characterized with the highest total intensity of insolation within the year, 7 June, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The research yielded no differences in terms of shading the surface of the southern façade of streets with low, medium, and high building developments. However, slight differences (40 m²) were noted for the model with highrise building developments (h = 60 m) characterized with a deep section (H/W = 2). The simulation also revealed that the H/W ratio parameter only slightly (0.88%–1.93%) affected the share trees have in shading the street floor, except in the case of very shallow profiles (H/W = 0.2).
Trusting the People and the System. The Interrelation Between Interpersonal and Institutional Trust in Collective Action for Agri-Environmental Management
Authors: de Vries Jasper R. , van der Zee Eva , Beunen Raoul , Kat Rianne , Feindt Peter H.
Published: December 2019

Agri-environmental schemes have been introduced in numerous countries to combat biodiversity loss in agrarian landscapes that are important for both food production and biodiversity. The successful operation of such schemes depends strongly upon trust between actors involved, as well as trust in institutions that govern these schemes. However, the interplay between interpersonal and institutional trust in the context of collective action for agri-environmental management is not well understood. To address this question, we explore the case of agri-environmental management in the province of Drenthe (in The Netherlands), where a new policy model was implemented. This case shows how both institutional design and institutional performance critically influence trust dynamics. Under the old policy model, farmers struggled with auditing and control, which fostered mistrust and hampered collective action. Under the new model, a landscape approach, more responsibilities were delegated to farmers, and more room was created for interaction, which fostered trust both between actors and in institutions. Based on our findings, we conclude that institutional designs that reflect trust in the actors can foster interpersonal and institutional trust that, in turn, facilitates collective action. However, old arrangements can also create path dependencies that limit trust development and impede collective action for agri-environmental management.
Towns as Safety Organizational Fields: An Institutional Framework in Times of Emergency
Authors: Troisi Roberta , Alfano Gaetano
Published: December 2019

According to the idea of safety structures as systemic, we developed a framework that emphasizes how the engagement of all relevant social agents could play an active role in the whole safety performance. The hypothesis of this paper is that a systemic approach should imply a precise shift of perspective from a unit of analysis embedded in a general environment, with mutual effects on a given safety performance, to a general analysis of a system where interdependent agents affect system performance. Through the lens of organizational field theory, safety performance is intended as the sum of the activities of multi-agents oriented by normative and cultural principles set out at the societal level, specifically within the urban area boundaries. In doing so, the analysis describes the key agents and their activities according to four different safety stages: Prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Institutional logics, distinguished as formal and informal, help to explain the behaviors and connections among agents. With the idea that a locally placed, organizational field reflects its peculiarity, we used four Italian towns located in two different areas of Campania, which live under the constant risk of a volcanic eruption, as examples. The results show how safety structures systems are contextual, characterized by locally embedded formal and informal rules, but not necessarily mutually aimed at orienting key agents to improve the safety performance. This contribution aims to support empirical analyses, natural experiments as well as qualitative studies to compare urban areas designed as safety-organizational fields from a multidisciplinary perspective. At the same time, we indicate some policy suggestions by emphasizing differences among organizational fields.
An Analysis of the Emission Reduction Targets of “Belt and Road” Countries Based on Their NDC Reports
Authors: Wu Jing , Kaixuan Guan , Zhu Qianting , Zheng Wang , Chang Yuanhua , Wen Xiong
Published: December 2019

The emission reduction targets articulated in the nationally determined contribution (NDC) reports of the “Belt and Road” countries, which have joined China in an international alliance to promote green development, are studied in this paper. Our findings indicate that the most commonly adopted emission reduction targets are relative to emissions in the base year and to baseline scenarios. Approximately half of these countries request technological and financial support from the international community in their NDC reports. Greenhouse gas inventory accounting, and data management, modeling, and tools are the most commonly identified technological needs. Moreover, the NDC reports indicate that $2.88 trillion of financial support is explicitly required, while a reliable international financial assistance and technology transfer would enable considerably higher emission reduction targets to be reached in Belt and Road countries. Our analysis of the top four emitters among these countries reveal a future decreasing trend for China and Russia and an increasing trend for India and Indonesia. China can effectively promote its Belt and Road green development initiative through measures such as capacity building in the areas of emission inventory accounting, constructing an “Internet Plus” platform for the use and management of low-carbon data, and technology exchanges aimed at strengthening low-carbon development.
SDGs and Innovation in the Business Context Literature Review
Authors: Cordova Maria Federica , Celone Andrea
Published: December 2019

On 25 October 2015 the United Nations approved The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). It is an important event from different points of view: clear judgment was expressed on the unsustainability of current development models, not only on the environmental level, but also on the economic and social ones. The implementation of the agenda requires a strong involvement of all members of society, especially business. The article aims to provide a literature overview on the relationships between innovation and sustainable development objectives in the industrial context. SDGs are also analyzed in terms of stakeholders involved, reactions of companies and citizens and metrics recently proposed by researchers of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). These preliminary results show that different stakeholders approach the SDGs differently, but also that the interest of companies toward SDGs is growing, confirming the considerations that emerged in literature. Furthermore, some SDGs appear to be more a prerequisite for achieving targets, than actual goals, while innovation has proven to be a driver for most SDGs.