bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Hyperthermia Evaluation of Electrospun Polymer Composite Fibers Loaded with Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Zárate Ignacio A. , Aguilar-Bolados Héctor , Yazdani-Pedram Mehrdad , Pizarro Guadalupe del C. , Neira-Carrillo Andrónico
Published: November 2020

Electrospun meshes (EM) composed of natural and synthetic polymers with randomly or aligned fibers orientations containing 0.5% or 1% of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) were prepared by electrospinning (ES), and their hyperthermia properties were evaluated. EM loaded with and without TrGO were irradiated using near infrared radiation (NIR) at 808 nm by varying the distance and electric potential recorded at 30 s. Morphological, spectroscopic, and thermal aspects of EM samples were analyzed by using SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and NIR radiation response. We found that the composite EM made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), natural rubber (NR), and arabic gum (AG) containing TrGO showed improved hyperthermia properties compared to EM without TrGO, reaching an average temperature range of 42–52 °C. We also found that the distribution of TrGO in the EM depends on the orientation of the fibers. These results allow infering that EM loaded with TrGO as a NIR-active thermal inducer could be an excellent candidate for hyperthermia applications in photothermal therapy.
Large Eddy Simulation of Film Cooling with Triple Holes: Injectant Behavior and Adiabatic Film-Cooling Effectiveness
Authors: Baek Seung Il , Ahn Joon
Published: November 2020

This study investigated the effect of adding two sister holes placed downstream the main hole on film cooling by employing large eddy simulation. Here, film-cooling flow fields from a triple-hole system inclined by 35° to a flat plate at blowing ratios of M = 0.5 and unity were simulated. Each sister hole supplies a cooling fluid at a flow rate that is a quarter of that for the main hole. The simulations were conducted using the Smagorinsky–Lilly model as the subgrid-scale model, and the results were compared with those for a single-hole system for the same amount of total cooling air and same cross-sectional area of the holes. Relative to the single-hole system, the spanwise-averaged film-cooling effectiveness in the triple-hole configuration at M = 1.0 increased by as much as 345%. The subsequent proper orthogonal decomposition analysis showed that the kinetic energy of a counter-rotating vortex pair in the triple-hole system dropped by 30–40% relative to that of the single-hole system. This indicates that the additional sister holes promoted the suppression of the mixing of the coolant jet with the mainstream flow, thus keeping the temperature of the latter low. Cross-sectional views of the root-mean-square temperature contours were also analyzed; with the results confirming that the effect of the sister holes on the jet trajectory greatly contributes in promoting film-cooling effectiveness as compared to the effect of the reduced mixing.
Heat Transfer Improvement in MHD Natural Convection Flow of Graphite Oxide/Carbon Nanotubes-Methanol Based Casson Nanofluids Past a Horizontal Circular Cylinder
Authors: Hamarsheh Abdulkareem Saleh , Alwawi Firas A. , Alkasasbeh Hamzeh T. , Rashad Ahmed M. , Idris Ruwaidiah
Published: November 2020

This numerical investigation intends to present the impact of nanoparticles volume fraction, Casson, and magnetic force on natural convection in the boundary layer region of a horizontal cylinder in a Casson nanofluid under constant heat flux boundary conditions. Methanol is considered as a host Casson fluid. Graphite oxide (GO), single and multiple walls carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) nanoparticles have been incorporated to support the heat transfer performances of the host fluid. The Keller box technique is employed to solve the transformed governing equations. Our numerical findings were in an excellent agreement with the preceding literature. Graphical results of the effect of the relevant parameters on some physical quantities related to examine the behavior of Casson nanofluid flow were obtained, and they confirmed that an augmentation in Casson parameter results in a decline in local skin friction, velocity, or temperature, as well as leading to an increment in local Nusselt number. Furthermore, MWCNTs are the most efficient in improving the rate of heat transfer and velocity, and they possess the lowest temperature.
Soka Gakkai International in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Dessì Ugo
Published: November 2020

This paper analyzes the activities of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) in South Africa, a largely Christian country with the presence of very strong African Independent and Pentecostal churches, where Buddhism has mostly attracted the attention of a small minority of white middle-class people interested in meditational practices. By focusing on SGI South Africa, which has been able to reach out to a significant number of black, and, to a lesser extent, Coloured and Indian/Asian members, this ethnographic study aims to contribute to the understanding of Buddhism’s interplay with a broader cross-section of post-apartheid South African society, and, secondarily, to add to the existing literature on this Japanese new religious movement overseas. After a brief overview of the historical development of SGI in South Africa, my analysis focuses on SGI South Africa’s main ritual, social, and missionary activities; its interplay with local religions; its attempts to establish a meaningful link with South African culture; and, finally, on the religious experiences and narratives of SGI’s South African members.
Monitoring Wheat Leaf Rust and Stripe Rust in Winter Wheat Using High-Resolution UAV-Based Red-Green-Blue Imagery
Authors: Heidarian Dehkordi Ramin , El Jarroudi Moussa , Kouadio Louis , Meersmans Jeroen , Beyer Marco
Published: November 2020

During the past decade, imagery data acquired from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), thanks to their high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions, have attracted increasing attention for discriminating healthy from diseased plants and monitoring the progress of such plant diseases in fields. Despite the well-documented usage of UAV-based hyperspectral remote sensing for discriminating healthy and diseased plant areas, employing red-green-blue (RGB) imagery for a similar purpose has yet to be fully investigated. This study aims at evaluating UAV-based RGB imagery to discriminate healthy plants from those infected by stripe and wheat leaf rusts in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), with a focus on implementing an expert system to assist growers in improved disease management. RGB images were acquired at four representative wheat-producing sites in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Diseased leaf areas were determined based on the digital numbers (DNs) of green and red spectral bands for wheat stripe rust (WSR), and the combination of DNs of green, red, and blue spectral bands for wheat leaf rust (WLR). WSR and WLR caused alterations in the typical reflectance spectra of wheat plants between the green and red spectral channels. Overall, good agreements between UAV-based estimates and observations were found for canopy cover, WSR, and WLR severities, with statistically significant correlations (p-value (Kendall) < 0.0001). Correlation coefficients were 0.92, 0.96, and 0.86 for WSR severity, WLR severity, and canopy cover, respectively. While the estimation of canopy cover was most often less accurate (correlation coefficients < 0.20), WSR and WLR infected leaf areas were identified satisfactorily using the RGB imagery-derived indices during the critical period (i.e., stem elongation and booting stages) for efficacious fungicide application, while disease severities were also quantified accurately over the same period. Using such a UAV-based RGB imagery method for monitoring fungal foliar diseases throughout the cropping season can help to identify any new disease outbreak and efficaciously control its spread.
Anthropogenic Heat Flux Estimation Based on Luojia 1-01 New Nighttime Light Data: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Lin Zhongli , Xu Hanqiu
Published: November 2020

With the rapid process of urbanization, anthropogenic heat generated by human activities has become an important factor that drives the changes in urban climate and regional environmental quality. The nighttime light (NTL) data can aptly reflect the spatial distribution of social-economic activities and energy consumption, and quantitatively estimate the anthropogenic heat flux (AHF) distribution. However, the commonly used DMSP/OLS and Suomi-NPP/VIIRS NTL data are restricted by their coarse spatial resolution and, therefore, cannot exhibit the spatial details of AHF at city scale. The 130 m high-resolution NTL data obtained by Luojia 1-01 satellite launched in June 2018 shows a promise to solve this problem. In this paper, the gridded AHF spatial estimation is achieved with a resolution of 130 m using Luojia 1-01 NTL data based on three indexes, NTLnor (Normalized Nighttime Light Data), HSI (Human Settlement Index), and VANUI (Vegetation Adjusted NTL Urban Index). We chose Jiangsu, a fast-developing province in China, as an example to determine the best AHF estimation model among the three indexes. The AHF of 96 county-level cities of the province was first calculated using energy-consumption statistics data and then correlated with the corresponding data of three indexes. The results show that based on a 5-fold cross-validation approach, the VANUI power estimation model achieves the highest R2 of 0.8444 along with the smallest RMSE of 4.8277 W·m−2 and therefore has the highest accuracy among the three indexes. According to the VANUI power estimation model, the annual mean AHF of Jiangsu in 2018 was 2.91 W·m−2. Of the 96 cities, Suzhou has the highest annual mean AHF of 7.41 W·m−2, followed by Wuxi, Nanjing, Changzhou and Zhenjiang, with the annual mean of 3.80–5.97 W·m−2, while the figures of Suqian, Yancheng, Lianyungang, and Huaian, the cities in northern Jiangsu, are relatively low, ranging from 1.41 to 1.59 W·m−2. This study has shown that the AHF estimation model developed by Luojia 1-01 NTL data can achieve higher accuracy at city-scale and discriminate the spatial detail of AHF effectively.
Mapping Species at an Individual-Tree Scale in a Temperate Forest, Using Sentinel-2 Images, Airborne Laser Scanning Data, and Random Forest Classification
Authors: Plakman Veerle , Janssen Thomas , Brouwer Nienke , Veraverbeke Sander
Published: November 2020

Detailed information about tree species composition is critical to forest managers and ecologists. In this study, we used Sentinel-2 imagery in combination with a canopy height model (CHM) derived from airborne laser scanning (ALS) to map individual tree crowns and identify them to species level. Our study area covered 140 km2 of a mainly mixed temperate forest in the Veluwe area in The Netherlands. Ground truth data on tree species were acquired for 2460 trees. Tree crowns were automatically delineated from the CHM model. We identified the delineated tree crowns to species and phylum level (angiosperm vs. gymnosperm) using a random forest (RF) classification. The RF model used multitemporal spectral variables from Sentinel-2 and crown structural variables from the CHM and was validated using an independent dataset. Different combinations of variables were tested. After feature reduction from 25 to 15 features, the RF model identified tree crowns with an overall accuracy of 78.5% (Kappa value 0.75) for tree species and 84.5% (Kappa value 0.73) for tree phyla whilst using the combination of all variables. Adding crown structural and multitemporal spectral information improved the RF classification compared to using only a Sentinel image from one season as input data. The producer’s accuracies varied between 43.8% for Norway spruce (Picea abies) to 95.3% for Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). The RF model was extrapolated to generate a tree species map over a study area (140 km2). The map showed high abundances of common oak (Quercus robur; 35.5%) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris; 22.8%) and low abundances of Norway spruce (Picea abies; 1.7%) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii; 2.8%). Our results indicate a high potential for individual tree classification based on Sentinel-2 imagery and automatically derived tree crowns from canopy height models.
Comparing Measured Incoming Shortwave and Longwave Radiation on a Glacier Surface with Estimated Records from Satellite and Off-Glacier Observations: A Case Study for the Forni Glacier, Italy
Authors: Senese Antonella , Manara Veronica , Maugeri Maurizio , Diolaiuti Guglielmina Adele
Published: November 2020

The development of methods for quantifying meltwater from glaciated areas is very important for better management of water resources and because of the strong impact of current and expected climate change on the Alpine cryosphere. Radiative fluxes are the main melt-drivers, but they can generally not be derived from in situ measures because glaciers are usually located in remote areas where the number of meteorological stations is very low. For this reason, focusing, as a case study, on one of the few glaciers with a supraglacial automatic weather station (Forni Glacier), we investigated methods based on both satellite records and off-glacier surface observations to estimate incoming short- and long-wave radiation at the glacier surface (SWin and LWin). Specifically, for SWin, we considered CM SAF SARAH satellite gridded surface solar irradiance fields and data modeled by cloud transmissivity parametrized from both CM SAF COMET satellite cloud fractional cover fields and daily temperature range observed at the closest off-glacier station. We then used the latter two data sources to derive LWin too. Finally, we used the estimated SWin and LWin records to assess the errors obtained when introducing estimated rather than measured incoming radiation data to quantify glacier melting by means of an energy balance model. Our results suggest that estimated SWin and LWin records derived from satellite measures are in better agreement with in situ observations than estimated SWin and LWin records parametrized from observations performed at the closest off-glacier station. Moreover, we find that the former estimated records permit a significantly better quantification of glacier melting than the latter estimated ones.
When Design Fiction Meets Geospatial Sciences to Create a More Inclusive Smart City
Authors: Blacutt Andrée-Anne , Roche Stéphane
Published: November 2020

Smart cities are especially suited for improving urban inclusion by combining digital transition and social innovation. To be smart, a city has to provide every citizen with urban spaces, public services, and common goods that are effectively affordable, whatever the citizen’s gender, culture, origin, race, or impairment. Based on two design workshops, the “Vibropod” and the “Pointe-aux-Lièvres”, this paper aims at highlighting the contributions of design fiction to the improvement of the spatial capability of hearing impaired people. This research draws its originality from both its conceptual framework, built on an interdisciplinary and intersectoral composition of arts and sciences, and its operational approach, based on the use of the DeafSpace markers and the TRIZ theory (Russian acronym for Inventive Problem Solving Theory) principles. The two design fiction workshops demonstrate that considering the singularity of the human being as an actual acoustic material constitutes an innovative opportunity to improve the role of universal design in a smart city project. By reversing the classic posture, and defining disability by looking at characteristics of the environment rather than as limits of the people themselves (their bodies or their senses), this research proposes an innovative way of addressing smart city inclusivity issues. This paper shows how increasing spatial enablement and having better control of spatial skills can offer deaf people new skills to improve the use of technology in support of urban mobility, as well as give them tools for feeling safer in urban environments.
Integrating ESG Analysis into Smart Beta Strategies
Authors: Ielasi Federica , Ceccherini Paolo , Zito Pietro
Published: November 2020

Smart beta strategy is an increasingly frequent approach to investment analysis for portfolio selection and optimization and it can be combined with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. In order to verify the impact of the integration between ESG and smart beta analysis, first we apply a portfolio rebalancing based on ESG scores on securities selected according to different smart beta strategies (ex-post ESG rebalancing approach). Secondly, we apply different smart beta approaches to sustainable portfolios, screened according to the issuers’ ESG scores (ex-ante ESG screening approach). We find that ESG rebalancing and screening are able to impact both on return and risk statistics, but with a different level of efficiency for each smart beta strategy. ESG rebalancing proves to be particularly efficient when it is applied to a “Value” portfolio. On the other hand, when smart beta is applied to ESG-screened portfolios, “Growth” is the strategy which shows the highest increase in risk-adjusted performance, particularly in the US. Minimum volatility proves to be the most efficient smart beta strategy for sustainable portfolios. In general, the increase in the level of sustainability does not deteriorate the risk-adjusted performances of most smart beta strategies.
Runway Veer-Off Risk Analysis: An International Airport Case Study
Authors: Di Mascio Paola , Cosciotti Marco , Fusco Raffaella , Moretti Laura
Published: November 2020

Runway excursions are the main risk for runway safety: operational protection areas mitigate the effects of events classified as veer-off, overrun, and undershoot. This paper presents a methodology for the quantitative risk assessment of runway veer-off in an international airport whose name will not be revealed for privacy reasons. The proposed methodology is based on similar principles adopted in other aviation risk analyses. The Real Level of Safety (RLS) related to the veer-off accident was calculated through the implementation of a retrospective analysis that permits to define a frequency model, a location model and a consequence model. Instead, Target Level of Safety (TLS) was defined through the risk matrix and acceptability criteria present in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Management Manual. Finally, the risk of veer-off accidents in the airport under evaluation was determined by using primary data provided by the airport management body. Risk values were calculated in more than 1300 points around the runway and they were used to assess the current level of safety. The authors present a risk map that allows identifying the areas in the strip with the highest risk of a veer-off accident. The obtained results demonstrate that the developed methodology represents a useful tool to define TLS and to assess whether infrastructural and operational modification need to obtain the required level of safety.
Food for People in Place: Reimagining Resilient Food Systems for Economic Recovery
Authors: Dombroski Kelly , Diprose Gradon , Sharp Emma , Graham Rebekah , Lee Louise , Scobie Matthew , Richardson Sophie , Watkins Alison , Martin-Neuninger Rosemarie
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated response have brought food security into sharp focus for many New Zealanders. The requirement to “shelter in place” for eight weeks nationwide, with only “essential services” operating, affected all parts of the New Zealand food system. The nationwide full lockdown highlighted existing inequities and created new challenges to food access, availability, affordability, distribution, transportation, and waste management. While Aotearoa New Zealand is a food producer, there remains uncertainty surrounding the future of local food systems, particularly as the long-term effects of the pandemic emerge. In this article we draw on interviews with food rescue groups, urban farms, community organisations, supermarket management, and local and central government staff to highlight the diverse, rapid, community-based responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings reveal shifts at both the local scale, where existing relationships and short supply chains have been leveraged quickly, and national scale, where funding has been mobilised towards a different food strategy. We use these findings to re-imagine where and how responsibility might be taken up differently to enhance resilience and care in diverse food systems in New Zealand.
On the Effectiveness of the Measures in Supermarkets for Reducing Contact among Customers during COVID-19 Period
Authors: Xu Qiancheng , Chraibi Mohcine
Published: November 2020

The spread of the COVID-19 virus had a huge impact on human life on the global scale. Many control measures devoted to decrease contact among people have been adopted to slow down the transmission of the disease. A series of measures have been taken in supermarkets, which include restricting the number of customers, keeping social distance, and entering with a shopping cart. In this work, we investigate with numerical simulations the effectiveness of these measures in reducing the contact among customers. Several scenarios with different control measures are designed for numerical analysis. The movements of customers in a supermarket are simulated by a microscopic model for pedestrian dynamics. Moreover, an index based on the distance between customers is defined to measure the degree of contact and therefore evaluate it quantitatively. The effect of these measures on the average contact degree of each customer is explored, and the spatial distribution of the contact among customers in the supermarket is shown in a qualitative way. Simulation results show that except shopping cart measure, the other two measures are effective in reducing contact among customers.
Mapping Social Impact: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Baraibar-Diez Elisa , Luna Manuel , Odriozola María D. , Llorente Ignacio
Published: November 2020

Social dimension is a fundamental element in the evaluation of initiatives and policies that are demanded and promoted by public and private organizations as well as society as a whole. Thus, there is a thriving interest in social impact research, especially from the point of view of its measurement and valuation. In this work, we explored the rising attention on the concept of social impact to identify salient agents in the field and categorize the conceptual structure of research. To achieve this, we used evaluative and relational techniques combining traditional bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and a text mining analysis based on natural processing language (NLP) to search for documents with the term “social impact” in the title. The documents were extracted from the database Web of Science (WoS) for the period of 1938–2020. As a result, we mapped the concept of social impact from up to 1677 documents, providing an overview of the topics in which the concept was used (e.g., health, finance, environment and development, etc.) and the trends of research. This work seeks to serve as a roadmap that reflects not only the evolution of social impact but also future lines of research that require attention.
Review and Meta-Analysis of EVs: Embodied Emissions and Environmental Breakeven
Authors: Dillman Kevin Joseph , Árnadóttir Áróra , Heinonen Jukka , Czepkiewicz Michał , Davíðsdóttir Brynhildur
Published: November 2020

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often considered a potential solution to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from personal transport vehicles, but this has also been questioned due to their high production emissions. In this study, we performed an extensive literature review of existing EV life-cycle assessments (LCAs) and a meta-analysis of the studies in the review, extracting life-cycle GHG emission data combined with a standardized methodology for estimating GHG electrical grid intensities across the European Economic Area (EEA), which were used to estimate a set of environmental breakeven points for each EEA country. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed to provide sensitivity analysis. The results of the review suggest a need for greater methodological and data transparency within EV LCA research. The meta-analysis found a subset of countries across the EEA where there is a potential that EVs could lead to greater life-cycle GHG emissions than a comparable diesel counterpart. A policy discussion highlights how EV policies in countries with contrasting GHG electric grid intensities may not reflect the current techno-environmental reality. This paper emphasizes the importance for researchers to accurately depict life-cycle vehicle emissions and the need for EEA countries to enact policies corresponding to their respective contextual conditions to avoid potentially enacting policies that could lead to greater GHG emissions.
A Behavioral Change Intervention System to Support the Hydration Habits of Nurses in Hospital Wards
Authors: Purvis Owen , Evans Richard
Published: November 2020

This paper reports on the design and development of a Behavior Change Intervention (BCI) device and service provision aimed at supporting the personal hydration habits of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) ward-based nurses. A conceptual solution is proposed that has been developed using an iterative design process, following an adapted version of the double-diamond approach, over a seven-month time period from 11 October 2019–13 May 2020. The research was completed in collaboration with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. A thematic review of related literature was completed to identify key research questions. Consultation with a senior long-serving NHS nurse and a real-time observation study was completed in an NHS ward to answer these questions within the research scope. Collected data were analyzed and insights into the behaviors of nurses and the contextual factors influencing them were provided. Reusable BCI devices and a habit formation program, incorporating a smart fob watch and water station, are proposed inside of a cradle-to-cradle system. Finally, the parameters of the developed solution are defined, and the device and user experience are visualized using computer renders and storyboards. Aspects of the device functionality and feasibility have been proven and visualized using graphic devices, and their use for data collection to inform healthcare management and improvements is discussed.
Effect of Parent Concrete on the Performance of Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Authors: Pani Luisa , Francesconi Lorena , Rombi James , Mistretta Fausto , Sassu Mauro , Stochino Flavio
Published: November 2020

Recycling concrete construction waste is a promising way towards sustainable construction. Indeed, replacing natural aggregates with recycled aggregates obtained from concrete waste lowers the environmental impact of concrete constructions and improves natural resource conservation. This paper reports on an experimental study on mechanical and durability properties of concretes casted with recycled aggregates obtained from two different parent concretes, belonging to two structural elements of the old Cagliari stadium. The effects of parent concretes on coarse recycled aggregates and on new structural concretes produced with different replacement percentages of these recycled aggregates are investigated. Mechanical properties (compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and splitting tensile strength) and durability properties (water absorption, freeze thaw, and chloride penetration resistance) are experimentally evaluated and analyzed as fundamental features to assess structural concrete behavior. The results show that the mechanical performance of recycled concrete is not related to the parent concrete characteristics. Furthermore, the resistance to pressured water penetration is not reduced by the presence of recycled aggregates, and instead, it happens for the chloride penetration resistance. The resistance to frost–thawing seems not related to the recycled aggregates replacement percentage, while an influence of the parent concrete has been assessed.
Impact of COVID-19 on Urban Everyday Life in Greece. Perceptions, Experiences and Practices of the Active Population
Authors: Vatavali Fereniki , Gareiou Zoi , Kehagia Fotini , Zervas Efthimios
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in early 2020 has affected the everyday life, the practices, and the perceptions of the global population significantly. The aim of this paper is to investigate the perceptions, experiences, and practices of the active population regarding everyday urban life (working conditions, mobility, urban space, etc.) in the context of the first wave of the pandemic, by focusing on people who live and work in Greek cities. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire addressed to an active population. The majority of respondents declared that their personal and family lives were affected by the lockdown, with significant effects on their professional life and economic activities. Stress and fear were two feelings that increased. As far as mobility was concerned, the majority of respondents were unwilling to change their commuting practices. Although most of our findings presented a homogenous distribution in our sample, some changes in perceptions, experiences, and practices were correlated with the gender, age, and family status of the respondents. The results of the analysis provide useful information to policy makers and show that it is necessary to radically rethink aspects of urban space and urban mobility, in relation to the multiple problems and dynamics of the active population.
Characterization of Sewage Sludge and Food Waste-Based Biochar for Co-Firing in a Coal-Fired Power Plant: A Case Study in Korea
Authors: Jeong Yoonah , Lee Ye-Eun , Kim I-Tae
Published: November 2020

Biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants has been widely accepted to reduce the environmental burden. In this study, food waste (FW) and sewage sludge (SS), which are the main types of municipal organic waste, were selected as solid refuse fuel (SRF). To compensate for the limitations of FW and SS, a mixture of FW and SS with varying ratios was processed using pyrolysis and desalination. The fuel properties such as the calorific value, chlorine content, alkali and alkaline earth metallic species (AAEMs) content, and heavy metal content were determined. The calorific values of all biochars were greater than 12.6 MJ/kg, which satisfies the national threshold of Bio-SRF in Korea. Chlorine and AAEMs contents exhibited clear trends for the FW ratio and pyrolysis temperature. Increasing concentrations of heavy metals were observed with increasing SS ratio and pyrolysis temperature. These results provide important insights into the practical application of municipal waste-based biochar in coal-fired plants, as well as the influence of mixing ratio and pyrolysis temperature.
Harnessing the Potential of Storytelling and Mobile Technology in Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Case Study in Early Childhood Education in Sustainability
Authors: Tzima Stavroula , Styliaras Georgios , Bassounas Athanasios , Tzima Maria
Published: November 2020

Digital storytelling can offer multiple benefits both to students and teachers, and new media provide multimodal ways to produce, transmit and communicate stories. In parallel, the need to engage preschool children with the creative use of technology emerges in order to address concerns that arise from the modern way of life and the need to safeguard intangible cultural heritage and to communicate its value for sustainable development. The current study presents an example of digital storytelling utilization in a preschool class to raise awareness on sustainability issues. A linear digital storytelling was created, representing a local myth about watermills, then an educational intervention was conducted, where the myth’s digital representation was used as an educational tool to raise awareness on local cultural heritage and sustainability issues and also as an example to inspire and guide teachers and students to create their own stories. Results showed that the digital storytelling was an effective educational tool to the acquisition of new knowledge and the motivation of preschool children’s interest about the cultural asset of watermills and that the production of digital storytelling is feasible in the class context. These findings prove the potential of digital storytelling and mobile technology by using low-cost devices and applying simple techniques in preschool education.
Manor Parks in Poland—Costly Heritage or Potential for the Development of Rural Communes
Authors: Rosłon-Szeryńska Edyta , Łukaszkiewicz Jan , Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz Beata
Published: November 2020

Historical parks, as an inseparable element of manors and landowners’ palaces, constitute a valuable cultural heritage, commemorating the times of the Polish nobility. From among the 16,000 manor houses existing before 1939, only 3433 objects remained, including 1965 of them are residential parks without the dominant feature in the form of a building. Numerous studies and activities are carried out to protect, restore, maintain and adapt these facilities to current needs. They are general, often theoretical, or individual concern objects, or only mansions or palaces, excluding parks, which makes it difficult to assess the problem objectively. The aim of this study is a comprehensive assessment of the distribution (in terms of spatial, social and administrative terms), the state of preservation (in terms of area size, technical, phytosanitary and original composition) and the use of the potential of historical parks in manor or palace complexes. The authors examined the distribution of these objects using relative indicators and descriptive statistics. The economic potential of the parks was explored in comparison to the facilities based on their sale offers, using the analysis of variance and the Tukey test. The results show the detailed distribution, state of preservation and problems related to the current and potential use of post-manor parks, manor and palace parks in 16 voivodeships of the country.
Domestic Gardens Mitigate Risk of Exposure of Pollinators to Pesticides—An Urban-Rural Case Study Using a Red Mason Bee Species for Biomonitoring
Authors: Šlachta Martin , Erban Tomáš , Votavová Alena , Bešta Tomáš , Skalský Michal , Václavíková Marta , Halešová Taťána , Edwards-Jonášová Magda , Včeláková Renata , Cudlín Pavel
Published: November 2020

Domestic gardens supply pollinators with valuable habitats, but the risk of exposure to pesticides has been little investigated. Artificial nesting shelters of a red mason bee species (Osmia bicornis) were placed in two suburban gardens and two commercial fruit orchards to determine the contamination of forage sources by pesticides. Larval pollen provisions were collected from a total of 14 nests. They consisted mainly of pollen from oaks (65–100% weight/sample), Brassicaceae (≤34% w/s) and fruit trees (≤1.6% w/s). Overall, 30 pesticides were detected and each sample contained a mixture of 11–21 pesticide residues. The pesticide residues were significantly lower in garden samples than in orchard samples. The difference was attributed mainly to the abundant fungicides pyrimethanil and boscalid, which were sprayed in fruit orchards and were present on average at 1004 ppb and 648 ppb in orchard samples, respectively. The results suggested that pollinators can benefit from domestic gardens by foraging from floral sources less contaminated by pesticides than in adjacent croplands.
Effects of Soil Amendments on Heavy Metal Immobilization and Accumulation by Maize Grown in a Multiple-Metal-Contaminated Soil and Their Potential for Safe Crop Production
Authors: Wang Fayuan , Zhang Shuqi , Cheng Peng , Zhang Shuwu , Sun Yuhuan
Published: November 2020

Soil amendments have been proposed for immobilizing metallic contaminants, thus reducing their uptake by plants. For the safe production of crops in contaminated soil, there is a need to select suitable amendments that can mitigate heavy metal uptake and enhance crop yield. The present experiment compared the effects of three amendments, hydroxyapatite (HAP), organic manure (OM), and biochar (BC), on plant growth and heavy metal accumulation by maize in an acidic soil contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Zn, and their potential for safe crop production. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to evaluate the effectiveness and mechanisms of heavy metal immobilization by the amendments. The results showed that shoot and root biomass was significantly increased by HAP and 1% OM, with an order of 1% HAP > 0.1% HAP > 1% OM, but not changed by 0.1% OM and BC (0.1% and 1%). HAP significantly decreased Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in both shoots and roots, and the effects were more pronounced at the higher doses. OM decreased the shoot Cd and Pb concentrations and root Zn concentrations, but only 1% OM decreased the shoot Zn and root Pb concentrations. BC decreased the shoot Cd and Pb concentrations, but decreased the shoot Zn and root Pb concentrations only at 1%. HAP decreased the translocation factors (TFs) of Cd, Pb, and Zn (except at the 0.1% dose). OM and BC decreased the TFs of Cd and Zn, respectively, at the 1% dose but showed no significant effects in other cases. Overall, plant P, K, Fe, and Cu nutrition was improved by HAP and 1% OM, but not by 0.1 OM and BC. Soil pH was significantly increased by HAP, 1% OM, and 1% BC, following an order of 1% HAP > 1% OM > 0.1% HAP > 1% BC. The TCLP levels for Cd, Pb, and Zn were significantly reduced by HAP, which can be partly attributed to its liming effects and the formation of sparingly soluble Cd-, Pb-, and Zn-P-containing minerals in the HAP-amended soils. To some extent, all the amendments positively influenced plant and soil traits, but HAP was the optimal one for stabilizing heavy metals, reducing heavy metal uptake, and promoting plant growth in the contaminated soil, suggesting its potential for safe crop production.
The MyToolbox EU–China Partnership—Progress and Future Directions in Mycotoxin Research and Management
Authors: Leslie John , Poschmaier Birgit , Egmond Hans van , Malachová Alexandra , de Nijs Monique , Bagi Ferenc , Zhou Jing , Jin Zhen , Wang Songxue , Suman Michele , Schatzmayr Gerd , Krska Rudolf
Published: November 2020

Affordable and practical tools for farmers and food processors along the chain are required to efficiently reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination of crops, feeds and foods. Developing new tools and enhancing existing ones was the mission of MyToolBox—a four-year EU-project that included important Chinese partners and joint research efforts. To identify future directions in mycotoxin research and management in China and their role in China–EU relations, a unique stakeholder workshop including group discussions was organized in Beijing. Six related topics: biocontrol, forecasting, sampling and analysis, silo management, detoxification, and the development of safe use options for contaminated materials were covered. The discussions clearly identified a critical need for smart, integrated strategies to address mycotoxin issues to attain safer food and feed, and to minimize losses and export rejections. Managing data on when, where and the size of mycotoxin contamination events and identifying the institution(s) to manage them are complex issues in China. Studies of microbes and novel, genetically-altered enzymes to limit pre-harvest contamination and to manage post-harvest product detoxification and alternate uses of contaminated materials are in the early stages in China. Further efforts are needed to increase the visibility of mycotoxin problems beyond the scientific and research communities.
Transcriptional Immune Signatures of Alveolar Macrophages and the Impact of the NLRP3 Inflammasome on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Replication
Authors: Hicks Julie A. , Yoo Dongwan , Liu Hsiao-Ching
Published: November 2020

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is a contagious viral (PRRSV) disease in pigs characterized by poor reproductive health, increased mortality, and reductions in growth rates. PRRSV is known to implement immuno-antagonistic mechanisms to evade detection and mute host responses to infection. To better understand the cellular immunosignature of PRRSV we have undertaken transcriptome and immunomodulatory studies in PRRSV-infected porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). We first used genome-wide transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq) to elucidate PRRSV-induced changes in the PAM transcriptome in response to infection. We found a number of cellular networks were altered by PRRSV infection, including many associated with innate immunity, such as, the NLRP3 inflammasome. To further explore the role(s) of innate immune networks in PRRSV-infected PAMs, we used an NLRP3-specific inhibitor, MCC950, to identify the potential functionality of the inflammasome during PRRSV replication. We found that PRRSV does quickly induce expression of inflammasome-associated genes in PAMs. Treatment of PAMs with MCC950 suggests NLRP3 inflammasome activation negatively impacts viral replication. Treatment of PAMs with cell culture supernatants from macrophages subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome activation (via polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) transfection), prior to PRRSV infection resulted in significantly reduced viral RNA levels compared to PAMs treated with cell culture supernatants from macrophages subjected to NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition (MCC950 treatment/poly I:C transfection). This further supports a role for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the innate macrophagic anti-PRRSV immune response and suggests that PRRSV is sensitive to the effects of NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Taken together, these transcriptome and immunoregulatory data highlight the complex changes PRRSV infection induces in the molecular immune networks of its cellular host.
Current State and Challenges in Developing Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines
Authors: Biagi Carlotta , Dondi Arianna , Scarpini Sara , Rocca Alessandro , Vandini Silvia , Poletti Giulia , Lanari Marcello
Published: November 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main cause of acute respiratory tract infections in infants and it also induces significant disease in the elderly. The clinical course may be severe, especially in high-risk populations (infants and elderly), with a large number of deaths in developing countries and of intensive care hospitalizations worldwide. To date, prevention strategies against RSV infection is based on hygienic measures and passive immunization with humanized monoclonal antibodies, limited to selected high-risk children due to their high costs. The development of a safe and effective vaccine is a global health need and an important objective of research in this field. A growing number of RSV vaccine candidates in different formats (particle-based vaccines, vector-based vaccines, subunit vaccines and live-attenuated vaccines) are being developed and are now at different stages, many of them already being in the clinical stage. While waiting for commercially available safe and effective vaccines, immune prophylaxis in selected groups of high-risk populations is still mandatory. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art of the RSV vaccine research and its implications for clinical practice, focusing on the characteristics of the vaccines that reached the clinical stage of development.
Occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in Donkey Milk Collected in Northern Italy
Authors: Altafini Alberto , Tassinari Marco , Guerrini Alessandro , Roncada Paola
Published: November 2020

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a well-known mycotoxin that can be found in the milk of animals that have ingested feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In Italy, the development of donkey farms is mainly due to growing request of donkey milk, which is considered an incomparable substitute for human mother’s milk for its chemical composition and organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of AFM1 in donkey milk produced in a farm in Northern Italy, also in view of the few data available about the presence of this mycotoxin in this type of milk. Therefore, 63 milk samples were collected and analyzed using a fast and sensitive HPLC and fluorescence detection (FLD) method previously optimized and validated. None of the milk samples collected were found to be contaminated at a level above the limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.0125 ng/mL), while only one sample showed traces of the mycotoxin at a concentration between the limit of detection (LOD) and LOQ (0.0044 ng/mL), well below the legal limit established for infant milk and follow-on milk (0.025 ng/mL). These results are in line with those of the few similar surveys carried out on donkey milk and seem to indicate a low risk of AFM1 contamination for this food.
Prekarizasyon Bağlamında Öğretmenlik
Authors: DAĞ Nilgün
Published: November 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı, öğretmenlik mesleğini prekarizasyon olgusu bağlamında incelemektir. Çalışma mevcut literatürün, fikirlerin ve bilgilerin taranmasına, özetlenmesine, değerlendirilmesine ve yorumlayıcı analizine dayanan bir eleştirel inceleme ve felsefî çözümleme denemesidir. “Prekarizasyon” ve “öğretmenlik”, çalışmanın ana tartışma izleğini oluşturan olgulardır. Prekarizasyon tam zamanlı, öngörülebilir, güvenceli ve istikrarlı geçim kaynaklarının erozyonu ile ilişkili genel bir güvensizlik durumunu imleyen; etkileri bakımından küresel, ulusal, toplumsal ve bireysel ölçekli sosyal, siyasal ve ekonomik temelli bir meseledir. Hemen her ülkede ticaretten sağlığa, basından eğitime kadar neredeyse her sektörde tesiri yüksek oranda hissedilen ve giderek de kötüleşen bir sorundur. Son birkaç on yıldaki makroekonomik değişiklikler, çalışma hayatındaki güvencesizliğe ve istikrarsızlığa karşı hiçbir mesleğin bağışık olmadığını göstermektedir. Dünya genelinde yaşanan küresel kriz ve ekonomik durgunluğun ortak etkisiyle zayıflayan uzun dönemli iş güvencesi, her meslek kadar öğretmenliği de tesiri altına almaktadır. Öğretmenlerin “koç” olarak konumlandırılmaları, suni performans ölçümleriyle standardize bir eğitim yapmak durumunda bırakılmaları, “öğretmensiz eğitim” ve “öğretmensiz sınıf”ların hızla çoğalması, atama bekleyen öğretmen sayısının artarak devam etmesi gibi çeşitli vesilelerle öğretmenlik mesleği bir yandan yeni bir anlam ve biçim kazanmakta bir yandan da güvencesizlikle karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Toplumların yükselmesinde hayati bir role sahip olan, saygın bir toplumsal statüsü bulunan ve özel bir emek formu olarak nitelenen öğretmenlik, ne yazık ki prekarizasyon sürecinin mağduru bir meslek hâline gelmektedir.