bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of ZIF@ADH/NAD-MSN/LDH Core Shell Nanocomposites for the Enhancement of Coenzyme Catalyzed Double Enzyme Cascade
Authors: Wang Le , Sun Pengxue , Yang Yiyu , Qiao Hanzhen , Tian Hailong , Wu Dapeng , Yang Shuoye , Yuan Qipeng , Wang Jinshui
Published: August 2021

The field of enzyme cascades in limited microscale or nanoscale environments has undergone a quick growth and attracted increasing interests in the field of rapid development of systems chemistry. In this study, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) immobilized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) were successfully immobilized on the zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). This immobilized product was named ZIF@ADH/NAD-MSN/LDH, and the effect of the multi-enzyme cascade was studied by measuring the catalytic synthesis of lactic acid. The loading efficiency of the enzyme in the in-situ co-immobilization method reached 92.65%. The synthesis rate of lactic acid was increased to 70.10%, which was about 2.82 times that of the free enzyme under the optimal conditions (40 °C, pH = 8). Additionally, ZIF@ADH/NAD-MSN/LDH had experimental stability (71.67% relative activity after four experiments) and storage stability (93.45% relative activity after three weeks of storage at 4 °C; 76.89% relative activity after incubation in acetonitrile-aqueous solution for 1 h; 27.42% relative activity after incubation in 15% N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solution for 1 h). In summary, in this paper, the cyclic regeneration of coenzymes was achieved, and the reaction efficiency of the multi-enzyme biocatalytic cascade was improved due to the reduction of substrate diffusion.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 as a Potential Biomarker for Improved Locomotion and Olfaction Detection Ability after Weight Reduction in Obese Mice
Authors: Power Guerra Nicole , Parveen Alisha , Bühler Daniel , Brauer David Leon , Müller Luisa , Pilz Kristin , Witt Martin , Glass Änne , Bajorat Rika , Janowitz Deborah , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Vollmar Brigitte , Kuhla Angela
Published: August 2021

Obesity is one of the most challenging diseases of the 21st century and is accompanied by behavioural disorders. Exercise, dietary adjustments, or time-restricted feeding are the only successful long-term treatments to date. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) plays a key role in dietary regulation, but FGF21 resistance is prevalent in obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate in obese mice whether weight reduction leads to improved behaviour and whether these behavioural changes are associated with decreased plasma FGF21 levels. After establishing a model for diet-induced obesity, mice were subjected to three different interventions for weight reduction, namely dietary change, treadmill exercise, or time-restricted feeding. In this study, we demonstrated that only the combination of dietary change and treadmill exercise affected all parameters leading to a reduction in weight, fat, and FGF21, as well as less anxious behaviour, higher overall activity, and improved olfactory detection abilities. To investigate the interrelationship between FGF21 and behavioural parameters, feature selection algorithms were applied designating FGF21 and body weight as one of five highly weighted features. In conclusion, we concluded from the complementary methods that FGF21 can be considered as a potential biomarker for improved behaviour in obese mice after weight reduction.
Potential Role of Probiotics for Inflammaging: A Narrative Review
Authors: Jukic Peladic Nikolina , Dell’Aquila Giuseppina , Carrieri Barbara , Maggio Marcello , Cherubini Antonio , Orlandoni Paolo
Published: August 2021

Background and aims: Inflammaging, a chronic, low-grade inflammation (LGI), is one of the mechanisms of adaptation of an organism to aging. Alterations in the composition of gut microbiota and gut permeability are among the main sources of LGI. They may be modulated by supplementation with live microorganisms, i.e. probiotics. This narrative review was performed with the aim to critically examine the current evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the effects of probiotics on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy older subjects. Methodology: RCTs on the effects of probiotics on inflammatory parameters in subjects older than 65 years published in English and Italian from 1990 to October 2020 were searched in PubMed. Studies that were not RCTs, those using probiotics together with prebiotics (synbiotics), and studies performed in subjects with acute or chronic diseases were excluded. The findings of RCTs were reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: A total of nine RCTs met the eligibility criteria and were included in this narrative review. Four articles reported that probiotic supplementation significantly affected inflammatory parameters, respectively, by reducing TGF-β1 concentrations, IL-8, increasing IL-5 and Il-10, and IFN-γ and IL-12. Conclusions: Based on this narrative review, probiotic supplementation showed a limited effect on inflammatory markers in healthy individuals older than 65 years. Besides being few, the studies analyzed have methodological limitations, are heterogeneous, and provide results which are incomparable.
Fine Carbohydrate Structure of Dietary Resistant Glucans Governs the Structure and Function of Human Gut Microbiota
Authors: Romero Marcia Arianna D. , Yao Tianming , Chen Ming-Hsu , Oles Renee E. , Lindemann Stephen R.
Published: August 2021

Increased dietary fiber consumption has been shown to increase human gut microbial diversity, but the mechanisms driving this effect remain unclear. One possible explanation is that microbes are able to divide metabolic labor in consumption of complex carbohydrates, which are composed of diverse glycosidic linkages that require specific cognate enzymes for degradation. However, as naturally derived fibers vary in both sugar composition and linkage structure, it is challenging to separate out the impact of each of these variables. We hypothesized that fine differences in carbohydrate linkage structure would govern microbial community structure and function independently of variation in glycosyl residue composition. To test this hypothesis, we fermented commercially available soluble resistant glucans, which are uniformly composed of glucose linked in different structural arrangements, in vitro with fecal inocula from each of three individuals. We measured metabolic outputs (pH, gas, and short-chain fatty acid production) and community structure via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We determined that community metabolic outputs from identical glucans were highly individual, emerging from divergent initial microbiome structures. However, specific operational taxonomic units (OTUs) responded similarly in growth responses across individuals’ microbiota, though in context-dependent ways; these data suggested that certain taxa were more efficient in competing for some structures than others. Together, these data support the hypothesis that variation in linkage structure, independent of sugar composition, governs compositional and functional responses of microbiota.
Impact of Newborn Screening and Early Dietary Management on Clinical Outcome of Patients with Long Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency and Medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency—A Retrospective Nationwide Study
Authors: Rücklová Kristina , Hrubá Eva , Pavlíková Markéta , Hanák Petr , Farolfi Martina , Chrastina Petr , Vlášková Hana , Kousal Bohdan , Smolka Vratislav , Foltenová Hana , Adam Tomáš , Friedecký David , Ješina Pavel , Zeman Jiří , Kožich Viktor , Honzík Tomáš
Published: August 2021

Long chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHADD/MTPD) and medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) were included in the expanded neonatal screening program (ENBS) in Czechia in 2009, allowing for the presymptomatic diagnosis and nutritional management of these patients. The aim of our study was to assess the nationwide impact of ENBS on clinical outcome. This retrospective study analysed acute events and chronic complications and their severity in pre-ENBS and post-ENBS cohorts. In total, 28 children (12 before, 16 after ENBS) were diagnosed with LCHADD/MTPD (incidence 0.8/100,000 before and 1.2/100,000 after ENBS). In the subgroup detected by ENBS, a significantly longer interval from birth to first acute encephalopathy was observed. In addition, improvement in neuropathy and cardiomyopathy (although statistically non-significant) was demonstrated in the post-ENBS subgroup. In the MCADD cohort, we included 69 patients (15 before, 54 after ENBS). The estimated incidence rose from 0.7/100,000 before to 4.3/100,000 after ENBS. We confirmed a significant decrease in the number of episodes of acute encephalopathy and lower proportion of intellectual disability after ENBS (p < 0.0001). The genotype–phenotype correlations suggest a new association between homozygosity for the c.1528C > G variant and more severe heart involvement in LCHADD patients.
Healthy Schoolhouse 2.0 Health Promotion Intervention to Reduce Childhood Obesity in Washington, DC: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Hawkins Melissa , Belson Sarah Irvine , McClave Robin , Kohls Lauren , Little Sarah , Snelling Anastasia
Published: August 2021

Childhood obesity prevalence trends involve complex societal and environmental factors as well as individual behaviors. The Healthy Schoolhouse 2.0 program seeks to improve nutrition literacy among elementary school students through an equity-focused intervention that supports the health of students, teachers, and the community. This five-year quasi-experimental study follows a baseline–post-test design. Research activities examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a professional development series in the first program year to improve teachers’ self-efficacy and students’ nutrition literacy. Four elementary schools in Washington, DC (two intervention, two comparison) enrolled in the program (N = 1302 students). Demographic and baseline assessments were similar between schools. Teacher participation in professional development sessions was positively correlated with implementing nutrition lessons (r = 0.6, p < 0.001, n = 55). Post-test student nutrition knowledge scores (W = 39985, p < 0.010, n = 659) and knowledge score changes (W = 17064, p < 0.010, n = 448) were higher among students in the intervention schools. Students who received three nutrition lessons had higher post knowledge scores than students who received fewer lessons (H(2) =22.75, p < 0.001, n = 659). Engaging teachers to implement nutrition curricula may support sustainable obesity prevention efforts in the elementary school environment.
Disease-Related Malnutrition and Sarcopenia Predict Worse Outcome in Medical Inpatients: A Cohort Study
Authors: Ballesteros-Pomar María D. , Gajete-Martín Luisa Mercedes , Pintor-de-la-Maza Begoña , González-Arnáiz Elena , González-Roza Lucía , García-Pérez María Pilar , González-Alonso Verónica , García-González María Ascensión , de Prado-Espinosa Rocío , Cuevas María José , Fernández-Perez Esther , Mostaza-Fernández José Luis , Cano-Rodríguez Isidoro
Published: August 2021

(1) Background: Both sarcopenia and disease-related malnutrition (DRM) are unfortunately underdiagnosed and undertreated in our Western hospitals, which could lead to worse clinical outcomes. Our objectives included to determine the impact of low muscle mass (MM) and strength, and also DRM and sarcopenia, on clinical outcomes (length of stay, death, readmissions at three months, and quality of life). (2) Methodology: Prospective cohort study in medical inpatients. On admission, MM and hand grip strength (HGS) were assessed. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were used to diagnose DRM and EWGSOP2 for sarcopenia. Assessment was repeated after one week and at discharge. Quality of life (EuroQoL-5D), length of stay (LoS), readmissions and mortality are reported. (3) Results: Two hundred medical inpatients, median 76.0 years-old and 68% with high comorbidity. 27.5% met GLIM criteria and 33% sarcopenia on admission, increasing to 38.1% and 52.3% on discharge. Both DRM and sarcopenia were associated with worse QoL. 6.5% died and 32% readmission in 3 months. The odds ratio (OR) of mortality for DRM was 4.36 and for sarcopenia 8.16. Readmissions were significantly associated with sarcopenia (OR = 2.25) but not with DRM. A higher HGS, but not MM, was related to better QoL, less readmissions (OR = 0.947) and lower mortality (OR = 0.848) after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity. (4) Conclusions: In medical inpatients, mostly polymorbid, both DRM but specially sarcopenia are associated with poorer quality of life, more readmissions, and higher mortality. Low HGS proved to be a stronger predictor of worse outcomes than MM.
LRP1B: A Giant Lost in Cancer Translation
Authors: Príncipe Catarina , Dionísio de Sousa Isabel J. , Prazeres Hugo , Soares Paula , Lima Raquel T.
Published: August 2021

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B) is a giant member of the LDLR protein family, which includes several structurally homologous cell surface receptors with a wide range of biological functions from cargo transport to cell signaling. LRP1B is among the most altered genes in human cancer overall. Found frequently inactivated by several genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, it has mostly been regarded as a putative tumor suppressor. Still, limitations in LRP1B studies exist, in particular associated with its huge size. Therefore, LRP1B expression and function in cancer remains to be fully unveiled. This review addresses the current understanding of LRP1B and the studies that shed a light on the LRP1B structure and ligands. It goes further in presenting increasing knowledge brought by technical and methodological advances that allow to better manipulate LRP1B expression in cells and to more thoroughly explore its expression and mutation status. New evidence is pushing towards the increased relevance of LRP1B in cancer as a potential target or translational prognosis and response to therapy biomarker.
Valorization of Aquatic Weed and Agricultural Residues for Innovative Biopolymer Production and Their Biodegradation
Authors: Ungprasoot Prapaipan , Muanruksa Papasanee , Tanamool Varavut , Winterburn James , Kaewkannetra Pakawadee
Published: August 2021

In this work, water hyacinths, bagasse and rice straw were valorized to produce an innovative biopolymer. Serial steps of extraction, bleaching and conversion of cellulose to be carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as well as the last steps of blending and molding were performed. The CMC was mixed with tapioca starch solution by a ratio of 9:18, and a plastic sizer of glycerol was varied at 2%, 4% and 6% by volume. In addition, bioplastic sheets were further determined in their properties and biodegradation. The results revealed that bioplastics with 6% glycerol showed a high moisture content of 23% and water solubility was increased by about 47.94% over 24 h. The effect of temperature on bioplastic stability was found in the ranges of 146.28–169.25 °C. Furthermore, bioplastic sheets with 2% glycerol could maintain their shape. Moreover, for texture analysis, the highest elastic texture in the range of 33.74–38.68% with 6% glycerol was used. Moreover, bioplastics were then tested for their biodegradation by landfill method. Under natural conditions, they degraded at about 10.75% by weight over 24 h after burying in 10 cm soil depth. After 144 h, bioplastics were completely decomposed. Successfully, the application of water, weed and agricultural wastes as raw materials to produce innovative bioplastic showed maximum benefits for an environmentally friendly product, which could also be a guideline for an alternative to replace synthetic plastics derived from petroleum.
Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Stabilized with Organic Ligands and Their Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Jardón-Maximino Noemi , Pérez-Alvarez Marissa , Cadenas-Pliego Gregorio , Lugo-Uribe Luis E. , Cabello-Alvarado Christian , Mata-Padilla José M. , Barriga-Castro Enrique Díaz
Published: August 2021

In this work, we report the synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs), employing the chemical reduction method in an aqueous medium. We used copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O) as a metallic precursor; polyethylenimine (PEI), allylamine (AAM), and 4-aminobutyric acid (AABT) as stabilizing agents; and hydrated hydrazine as a reducing agent. The characterization of the obtained nanoparticles consisted of X-ray, TEM, FTIR, and TGA analyses. Through these techniques, it was possible to detect the presence of the used stabilizing agents on the surface of the NPs. Finally, a zeta potential analysis was performed to differentiate the stability of the nanoparticles with a different type of stabilizing agent, from which it was determined that the most stable nanoparticles were the Cu NPs synthesized in the presence of the PEI/AAM mixture. The antimicrobial activity of Cu/PEI/AABT toward P. aeruginosa and S. aureus bacteria was high, inhibiting both bacteria with low contact times and copper concentrations of 50–200 ppm. The synthesis method allowed us to obtain Cu NPs free of oxides, stable to oxidation, and with high yields. The newly functionalized Cu NPs are potential candidates for antimicrobial applications.
Improving the Treatment Efficiency and Lowering the Operating Costs of Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Muddemann Thorben , Neuber Rieke , Haupt Dennis , Graßl Tobias , Issa Mohammad , Bienen Fabian , Enstrup Marius , Möller Jonatan , Matthée Thorsten , Sievers Michael , Kunz Ulrich
Published: August 2021

Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOP®) are promising technologies for the decentralized treatment of water and will be important elements in achieving a circular economy. To overcome the drawback of the high operational expenses of EAOP® systems, two novel reactors based on a next-generation boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a stainless steel cathode or a hydrogen-peroxide-generating gas diffusion electrode (GDE) are presented. This reactor design ensures the long-term stability of BDD anodes. The application potential of the novel reactors is evaluated with artificial wastewater containing phenol (COD of 2000 mg L−1); the reactors are compared to each other and to ozone and peroxone systems. The investigations show that the BDD anode can be optimized for a service life of up to 18 years, reducing the costs for EAOP® significantly. The process comparison shows a degradation efficiency for the BDD–GDE system of up to 135% in comparison to the BDD–stainless steel electrode combination, showing only 75%, 14%, and 8% of the energy consumption of the BDD–stainless steel, ozonation, and peroxonation systems, respectively. Treatment efficiencies of nearly 100% are achieved with both novel electrolysis reactors. Due to the current density adaptation and the GDE integration, which result in energy savings as well as the improvements that significantly extend the lifetime of the BDD electrode, less resources and raw materials are consumed for the power generation and electrode manufacturing processes.
RSM-Based Preparation and Photoelectrocatalytic Performance Study of RGO/TiO2 NTs Photoelectrode
Authors: Zuo Jinlong , Yuan Siying , Li Yiwen , Tan Chong , Xia Zhi , Yang Shaodong , Yu Shiyou , Li Junsheng
Published: August 2021

In this paper, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was prepared by a modified Hummers method and chemical reduction method, and an RGO/TiO2 NTs (RGO/TiO2 nanotubes) photoelectrode was prepared by the electrochemical deposition method. The as-prepared RGO/TiO2 NTs were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and their photocatalytic activities were investigated by measuring the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under simulated solar light irradiation. The SEM and XRD results indicated that the original tubular structure of TiO2-NTs was not changed after RGO modification. The surface of the TiO2 NTs photoelectrode was covered with a non-uniform, flake-shaped reduced graphene oxide film. The thickness of the RGO/TiO2 NTs was increased to about 22.60 nm. The impedance of the RGO/TiO2 NTs was smaller than that of the TiO2 NT photoelectrode. The optimal preparation conditions of RGO/TiO2 NT photoelectrodes were investigated by using a single factor method and response surface method. The best preparation conditions were as follows: deposition potential at 1.19 V, deposition time of 10.27 min, and deposition temperature at 24.94 °C.
From China to Japan and Back Again: An Energetic Example of Bidirectional Sino-Japanese Esoteric Buddhist Transmission
Authors: Bahir Cody R.
Published: August 2021

Sino-Japanese religious discourse, more often than not, is treated as a unidirectional phenomenon. Academic treatments of pre-modern East Asian religion usually portray Japan as the passive recipient of Chinese Buddhist traditions, while explorations of Buddhist modernization efforts focus on how Chinese Buddhists utilized Japanese adoptions of Western understandings of religion. This paper explores a case where Japan was simultaneously the receptor and agent by exploring the Chinese revival of Tang-dynasty Zhenyan. This revival—which I refer to as Neo-Zhenyan—was actualized by Chinese Buddhist who received empowerment (Skt. abhiṣeka) under Shingon priests in Japan in order to claim the authority to found “Zhenyan” centers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, and even the USA. Moreover, in addition to utilizing Japanese Buddhist sectarianism to root their lineage in the past, the first known architect of Neo-Zhenyan, Wuguang (1918–2000), used energeticism, the thermodynamic theory propagated by the German chemist Freidrich Wilhelm Ostwald (1853–1932; 1919 Nobel Prize for Chemistry) that was popular among early Japanese Buddhist modernists, such as Inoue Enryō (1858–1919), to portray his resurrected form of Zhenyan as the most suitable form of Buddhism for the future. Based upon the circular nature of esoteric transmission from China to Japan and back to the greater Sinosphere and the use of energeticism within Neo-Zhenyan doctrine, this paper reveals the sometimes cyclical nature of Sino-Japanese religious influence. Data were gathered by closely analyzing the writings of prominent Zhenyan leaders alongside onsite fieldwork conducted in Taiwan from 2011–2019.
Coherent Mortality Forecasting for Less Developed Countries
Authors: Li Hong , Lu Yang , Lyu Pintao
Published: August 2021

This paper proposes a coherent multi-population approach to mortality forecasting for less developed countries. The majority of these countries have witnessed faster mortality declines among the young and the working age populations during the past few decades, whereas in the more developed countries, the contemporary mortality declines have been more substantial among the elders. Along with the socioeconomic developments, the mortality patterns of the less developed countries may become closer to those of the more developed countries. As a consequence, forecasting the long-term mortality of a less developed country by simply extrapolating its historical patterns might lead to implausible results. As an alternative, this paper proposes to incorporate the mortality patterns of a group of more developed countries as the benchmark to improve the forecast for a less developed one. With long-term, between-country coherence in mind, we allow the less developed country’s age-specific mortality improvement rates to gradually converge with those of the benchmark countries during the projection phase. Further, we employ a data-driven, threshold hitting approach to control the speed of this convergence. Our method is applied to China, Brazil, and Nigeria. We conclude that taking into account the gradual convergence of mortality patterns can lead to more reasonable long-term forecasts for less developed countries.
On the Utility of Longwave-Infrared Spectral Imaging for Remote Botanical Identification
Authors: Tratt David M. , Buckland Kerry N. , Keim Eric R. , Hall Jeffrey L. , Adams Paul M. , Johnson Patrick D.
Published: August 2021

A multi-year airborne field investigation of remote botanical species identification was conducted involving multiple curated botanical collections. The purpose of the study was to better constrain the observational conditions that most favor remote identification by longwave-infrared spectral imaging and assess the degree to which confidence metrics developed for remote chemical composition determination could be adapted to botanical species classification. Identification success was examined as a function of spatial resolution and viewing obliquity. A key aim was to articulate a procedure for validating inferred species identifications and evaluating the retrieval methodology’s performance for alleviating confusion between species exhibiting spectral similarity at the foliar scale. It was found that several confounding factors degrade confidence in the species identifications to levels that render the approach impractical in the general case. A number of taxa, predominantly evergreen, were nevertheless identified that are amenable to the technique and for which utility may be viable.
Underway Hyperspectral Bio-Optical Assessments of Phytoplankton Size Classes in the River-Influenced Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Verma Neeharika , Lohrenz Steven , Chakraborty Sumit , Fichot Cédric G.
Published: August 2021

High inflows of freshwater from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers into the northern Gulf of Mexico during spring contribute to strong physical and biogeochemical gradients which, in turn, influence phytoplankton community composition across the river plume–ocean mixing zone. Spectral features representative of bio-optical signatures of phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) were retrieved from underway, shipboard hyperspectral measurements of above-water remote sensing reflectance using the quasi-analytical algorithm (QAA_v6) and validated against in situ pigment data and spectrophotometric analyses of phytoplankton absorption. The results shed new light on sub-km scale variability in PSCs associated with dynamic and spatially heterogeneous environmental processes in river-influenced oceanic waters. Our findings highlight the existence of localized regions of dominant picophytoplankton communities associated with river plume fronts in both the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers in an area of the coastal margin that is otherwise characteristically dominated by larger microphytoplankton. This study demonstrates the applicability of underway hyperspectral observations for providing insights about small-scale physical-biological dynamics in optically complex coastal waters. Fine-scale observations of phytoplankton communities in surface waters as shown here and future satellite retrievals of hyperspectral data will provide a novel means of exploring relationships between physical processes of river plume–ocean mixing and frontal dynamics on phytoplankton community composition.
Improvement of Workflow for Topographic Surveys in Long Highwalls of Open Pit Mines with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Structure from Motion
Authors: Zapico Ignacio , Laronne Jonathan B. , Sánchez Castillo Lázaro , Martín Duque José F.
Published: August 2021

Conducting topographic surveys in active mines is challenging due ongoing operations and hazards, particularly in highwalls subject to constant and active mass movements (rock and earth falls, slides and flows). These vertical and long surfaces are the core of most mines, as the mineral feeding mining production originates there. They often lack easy and safe access paths. This framework highlights the importance of accomplishing non-contact high-accuracy and detailed topographies to detect instabilities prior to their occurrence. We have conducted drone flights in search of the best settings in terms of altitude mode and camera angle, to produce digital representation of topographies using Structure from Motion. Identification of discontinuities was evaluated, as they are a reliable indicator of potential failure areas. Natural shapes were used as control/check points and were surveyed using a robotic total station with a coaxial camera. The study was conducted in an active kaolin mine near the Alto Tajo Natural Park of East-Central Spain. Here the 140 m highwall is formed by layers of limestone, marls and sands. We demonstrate that for this vertical landscape, a facade drone flight mode combined with a nadir camera angle, and automatically programmed with a computer-based mission planning software, provides the most accurate and detailed topographies, in the shortest time and with increased flight safety. Contrary to previous reports, adding oblique images does not improve accuracy for this configuration. Moreover, neither extra sets of images nor an expert pilot are required. These topographies allowed the detection of 93.5% more discontinuities than the Above Mean Sea Level surveys, the common approach used in mining areas. Our findings improve the present SfM-UAV survey workflows in long highwalls. The versatile topographies are useful for the management and stabilization of highwalls during phases of operation, as well closure-reclamation.
Monitoring Vegetation Change and Its Potential Drivers in Inner Mongolia from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Kang Yao , Guo Enliang , Wang Yongfang , Bao Yulong , Bao Yuhai , Mandula Naren
Published: August 2021

Inner Mongolia in China is a typically arid and semi-arid region with vegetation prominently affected by global warming and human activities. Therefore, investigating the past and future vegetation change and its impact mechanism is important for assessing the stability of the ecosystem and the ecological policy formulation. Vegetation changes, sustainability characteristics, and the mechanism of natural and anthropogenic effects in Inner Mongolia during 2000–2019 were examined using moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data. Theil–Sen trend analysis, Mann–Kendall method, and the coefficient of variation method were used to analyze the spatiotemporal variability characteristics and sustained stability of the NDVI. Furthermore, a trend estimation method based on a Seasonal Trend Model (STM), and the Hurst index was used to analyze breakpoints and change trends, and predict the likely future direction of vegetation, respectively. Additionally, the mechanisms of the compound influence of natural and anthropogenic activities on the vegetation dynamics in Inner Mongolia were explored using a Geodetector Model. The results show that the NDVI of Inner Mongolia shows an upward trend with a rate of 0.0028/year (p < 0.05) from 2000 to 2019. Spatially, the NDVI values showed a decreasing trend from the northeast to the southwest, and the interannual variation fluctuated widely, with coefficients of variation greater than 0.15, for which the high-value areas were in the territory of the Alxa League. The areas with increased, decreased, and stable vegetation patterns were approximately equal in size, in which the improved areas were mainly distributed in the northeastern part of Inner Mongolia, the stable and unchanged areas were mostly in the desert, and the degraded areas were mainly in the central-eastern part of Inner Mongolia, it shows a trend of progressive degradation from east to west. Breakpoints in the vegetation dynamics occurred mainly in the northwestern part of Inner Mongolia and the northeastern part of Hulunbuir, most of which occurred during 2011–2014. The future NDVI trend in Inner Mongolia shows an increasing trend in most areas, with only approximately 10% of the areas showing a decreasing trend. Considering the drivers of the NDVI, we observed annual precipitation, soil type, mean annual temperature, and land use type to be the main driving factors in Inner Mongolia. Annual precipitation was the first dominant factor, and when these four dominant factors interacted to influence vegetation change, they all showed interactive enhancement relationships. The results of this study will assist in understanding the influence of natural elements and human activities on vegetation changes and their driving mechanisms, while providing a scientific basis for the rational and effective protection of the ecological environment in Inner Mongolia.
Remote Sensing Approach for Monitoring Coastal Wetland in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Change Trends and Their Driving Forces
Authors: Dang An T. N. , Kumar Lalit , Reid Michael , Nguyen Ho
Published: August 2021

Coastal wetlands in the Mekong Delta (MD), Vietnam, provide various vital ecosystem services for the region. These wetlands have experienced critical changes due to the increase in regional anthropogenic activities, global climate change, and the associated sea level rise (SLR). However, documented information and research on the dynamics and drivers of these important wetland areas remain limited for the region. The present study aims to determine the long-term dynamics of wetlands in the south-west coast of the MD using remote sensing approaches, and analyse the potential factors driving these dynamics. Wetland maps from the years 1995, 2002, 2013, and 2020 at a 15 m spatial resolution were derived from Landsat images with the aid of a hybrid classification approach. The accuracy of the wetland maps was relatively high, with overall accuracies ranging from 86–93%. The findings showed that the critical changes over the period 1995/2020 included the expansion of marine water into coastal lands, showing 129% shoreline erosion; a remarkable increase of 345% in aquaculture ponds; and a reduction of forested wetlands and rice fields/other crops by 32% and 73%, respectively. Although mangrove forests slightly increased for the period 2013/2020, the overall trend was also a reduction of 5%. Our findings show that the substantial increase in aquaculture ponds is at the expense of mangroves, forested wetlands, and rice fields/other crops, while shoreline erosion significantly affected coastal lands, especially mangrove forests. The interaction of a set of environmental and socioeconomic factors were responsible for the dynamics. In particular, SLR was identified as one of the main underlying drivers; however, the rapid changes were directly driven by policies on land-use for economic development in the region. The trends of wetland changes and SLR implicate their significant effects on environment, natural resources, food security, and likelihood of communities in the region sustaining for the long-term. These findings can assist in developing and planning appropriate management strategies and policies for wetland protection and conservation, and for sustainable development in the region.
Simultaneous Quantification of Diarylheptanoids and Phenolic Compounds in Juglans mandshurica Maxim. by UPLC–TQ-MS
Authors: Yang Hong , Wang Li-Bo , Guo Ya-Ping , Wang Ya-Li , Chen Xiao-Xiang , Huang Jian , Yang Lu , Zhang Ke , Wang Jin-Hui
Published: August 2021

The immature epicarps of Juglans mandshurica and Juglans regia have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of cancer in China. Other parts of the J.mandshurica plant, including leaves, branches, barks, and stems, have reported antitumor activities. We previously found that various diarylheptanoids and phenolic compounds isolated from J. mandshurica epicarps show significant antitumor activities. However, there are no reports of quantitative analysis of diarylheptanoids and phenolic compounds of J. mandshurica. In this study, a validated quantitative method, based on ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, was employed to determine the contents of eight diarylheptanoids and seven phenolic compounds in the epicarps of J. mandshurica during different growth periods, in different parts of the plant, and in the epicarps of two Juglans species. The most successful J. mandshurica epicarp harvesting time fell between Day 12 and Day 27. The leaves of J. mandshurica showed potential for medical use as they had the highest content of the 15 compounds (3.399 ± 0.013 mg/g). We showed for the first time that the total content of diarylheptanoids in J. mandshurica is higher than that in J. regia, though, conversely, J. regia has higher contents of phenolic compounds. The method developed in this study is practical and simple and can be applied for quantitative analysis for evaluating the intrinsic quality of J. mandshurica.
Does Slack Buffer? Market Performance after Environmental Shock
Authors: Li Xiaoxiang , Zhang Shuhan
Published: August 2021

Slack is a resource held by a firm but exceeds its needs. It is crucial for a firm to raise more attention on slack when facing environmental shocks, which are one of the causes of unsustainability. Based on agency theory and behavioral theory, this paper analyzes the buffer effect of slack on market performance under different periods and degrees of environmental shocks. Taking two major earthquakes that occurred in China as the natural experimental background and the listed firms in hit areas as the sample, we find that environmental shock is exposed to acts as a positive contingency for the impact of unabsorbed slack on market performance, and as a negative contingency for absorbed slack’s effect. The severity of environmental shock promotes the unabsorbed slack to act as a buffer in the immediate post-shock period and absorbed slack in the during-shock period. These findings contribute to answering the question of how to configure slack to protect firms and even achieve sustainable development when facing environmental shock.
The Transition of the Agro-Food System: Lessons from Organic Farming in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area
Authors: Salavisa Isabel , Ferreiro Maria Fátima , Bizarro Sofia
Published: August 2021

The paper presents a study on the transition of the agro-food system in Portugal through the analysis of case studies in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The theoretical framework draws on the literature on the transition of sociotechnical systems, taking into account the multidimensional nature of the food system (ecological, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural). Social and institutional innovation, technological innovation, public policy impact, and the interactions with the dominant regime are the main dimensions guiding the study of the organic farming initiatives. We identified the supportive policy measures, the role of producers’ networks, the relevance of values, and the obstacles and challenges these initiatives face in their growth process. While the results are in line with the theoretical debate, they also provide new insights on the selection environment, the networks’ dual nature and the existence of different development paths within the organic food niche. One of the main conclusions is that organic farmers perceive the regulatory framework as unfair relative to that of conventional agriculture. Therefore, it is crucial to change this framework to speed up the transition of the agro-food system in Portugal and at the European level.
Evaluation of Classification Algorithms to Predict Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Occurrence
Authors: Kim Zhonghyun , Shim Taeyong , Ki Seo Jin , Seo Dongil , An Kwang-Guk , Jung Jinho
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to evaluate classification algorithms to predict largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) occurrence in South Korea. Fish monitoring and environmental data (temperature, precipitation, flow rate, water quality, elevation, and slope) were collected from 581 locations throughout four major river basins for 5 years (2011–2015). Initially, 13 classification models built in the caret package were evaluated for predicting largemouth bass occurrence. Based on the accuracy (>0.8) and kappa (>0.5) criteria, the top three classification algorithms (i.e., random forest (rf), C5.0, and conditional inference random forest) were selected to develop ensemble models. However, combining the best individual models did not work better than the best individual model (rf) at predicting the frequency of largemouth bass occurrence. Additionally, annual mean temperature (12.1 °C) and fall mean temperature (13.6 °C) were the most important environmental variables to discriminate the presence and absence of largemouth bass. The evaluation process proposed in this study will be useful to select a prediction model for the prediction of freshwater fish occurrence but will require further study to ensure ecological reliability.
Energy Distribution Modeling for Assessment and Optimal Distribution of Sustainable Energy for On-Grid Food, Energy, and Water Systems in Remote Microgrids
Authors: Chamberlin Michele J. , Sambor Daniel J. , Karenzi Justus , Wies Richard , Whitney Erin
Published: August 2021

Food, energy, and water (FEW) are essential for human health and economic development. FEW systems are inextricably interlinked, yet individualized and variable. Consequently, an accurate assessment must include all available and proposed FEW components and their interconnections and consider scale, location, and scope. Remote Alaska locations are examples of isolated communities with limited infrastructure, accessibility, and extreme climate conditions. The resulting challenges for FEW reliability and sustainability create opportunities to obtain practical insights that may apply to other remote communities facing similar challenges. By creating energy distribution models (EDMs), a methodology is proposed, and a tool is developed to measure the impacts of renewable energy (RE) on small FEW systems connected to the microgrids of several Alaska communities. Observing the community FEW systems through an energy lens, three indices are used to measure FEW security: Energy–Water (EW), Energy–Food (EF), and Sustainable Energy (SE). The results indicate the impacts of RE on FEW infrastructure systems are highly seasonal, primarily because of the natural intermittence and seasonality of renewable resources. Overall, there is a large potential for RE integration to increase FEW security as well as a need for additional analysis and methods to further improve the resiliency of FEW systems in remote communities.
Development of a Methodology for Estimating the Availability of ADAS-Dependent Road Infrastructure
Authors: Peiris Sujanie , Berecki-Gisolf Janneke , Newstead Stuart , Chen Bernard , Fildes Brian
Published: August 2021

Advanced driver assist systems are being promoted with the expectation that enhanced driver support will mitigate road trauma. While these technologies are optimised for certain road and traffic conditions, not all roads across Australasia are equipped with ADAS-supportive infrastructure. This study developed a desk-top methodology for using road classes (disaggregated by remoteness levels) to estimate the presence of quality roads, road delineation and speed signage in Victoria, Australia. Aerial imagery and mapping data were used to assess a number of random locations based on a developed protocol. The methodology demonstrated that in Victoria, major and arterial roads across all remoteness levels had high-quality sealed surfaces but 42% of all remote roads were unsealed. Delineation (crucial for lane support systems) were absent across 73% of sub-arterial roads independent of remoteness, and absent across 96% of sub-arterial roads in regional and remote areas. Speed sign availability across remote and regional areas was sparse, with only 65% of all roads assessed having signage. Results are reflective of Victoria’s road funding model and consistent with on-road audits conducted by other researchers. This methodology enables the proportion ADAS-ready roads to be estimated so the benefits of ADAS technologies can be quantified and investments into ADAS-supportive infrastructure be readily allocated.
Impact Resistance and Sodium Sulphate Attack Testing of Concrete Incorporating Mixed Types of Recycled Plastic Waste
Authors: Abu-Saleem Mahmoud , Zhuge Yan , Hassanli Reza , Ellis Mark , Rahman Md Mizanur , Levett Peter
Published: August 2021

Impact resistance, water transport properties and sodium sulphate attack are important criteria to determine the performance of concrete incorporating mixed types of recycled plastic waste. Nine mixes were designed with different combinations of the three plastic types; Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), High density polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP). The plastic partially substituted the coarse aggregate (by volume) at various replacement ratios; 10%, 15%, 20% and 30%. The impact resistance and water transport properties were evaluated for nine mixes while sodium sulphate attack test was performed for three mixes. The results showed that the addition of mixed recycled plastic in concrete improved the impact resistance. The highest impact resistance improvement was achieved by R8 (PET + HDPE + PP) at 30% replacement which was 4.5 times better than the control mix. Water absorption results indicated a slight increase in all plastic mixes while contradictory results were observed for sorptivity test. Analysis of sodium sulphate attack results showed that incorporating 30% mixed plastic reduced the sodium sulphate resistance slightly due to the collective effect of plastic entrapping of sulphate ions after 80 cycles. This study has shown some positive results relating to the impact performance of Mixed Recycled Plastic Concrete (MRPC) which enhances its use in a sustainable way.
Citizen Science and the Sustainable Development Goals in Low and Middle Income Country Cities
Authors: Pateman Rachel , Tuhkanen Heidi , Cinderby Steve
Published: August 2021

Progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is monitored using a set of targets and indicators. Gaps in official datasets have led to calls for the inclusion of data generated through citizen science (CS) and allied approaches. Co-benefits of CS mean these approaches could also contribute to localising, defining, and achieving the SDGs. However, mapping of current and potential contributions is needed, as well as an understanding of the challenges these approaches present. We undertake a semi-systematic review of past and current CS projects and assess them against dimensions of CS—spatial, temporal, thematic, process, and management—and their value for the SDGs set out by Fritz et al. in 2019, focusing on low and middle income country (LMIC) cities as key environments in the battle for sustainability. We conduct interviews with project leaders to further understand the challenges for CS in these contexts. We find opportunities for projects to monitor and achieve a wide range of goals, targets, and indicators. However, we find fewer projects in low income countries when compared with middle income countries. Challenges include balancing local needs with national monitoring requirements and a lack of long-term funding. Support is needed for LMICs to achieve the potential of CS.