bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Organo-Modifier and Metal Impurities of Commercial Nanoclays in the Photo- and Thermo-Oxidation of Polyamide 11 Nanocomposites
Authors: Ussia Martina , Curcuruto Giusy , Zampino Daniela , Dintcheva Nadka Tzankova , Filippone Giovanni , Mendichi Raniero , Carroccio Sabrina Carola
Published: May 2020

The photo-oxidative degradation processes of bio-based PA11 nanocomposites containing montmorillonite (MMT) and the organo-modified Cloisite®30B were investigated to discriminate the influence of organo-modified components on the polymer durability. Indeed, despite the extensive studies reported, there are still ambiguous points to be clarified from the chemical point of view. To this aim, UV-aged materials were analyzed by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This enabled determining changes in both chemical structure and Molar Masses (MMs) induced by light, heat and oxygen exposure. The addition of organo-modified nanoclays strongly affected the PA11 light durability, triggering the macromolecular chains scission due to the typical αH, Norrish I and II mechanisms. However, the main contribution in boosting the photo-oxidative degradation is induced by iron impurities contained into the clays. Conversely, thermo-oxidation process performed at 215 °C was unambiguously affected by the presence of the organo-modifiers, whose presence determined an enhancement of crosslinking reactions.
Effects of Selected Parameters on the Bonding Quality and Temperature Evolution Inside Plywood During Pressing
Authors: Bekhta Pavlo , Sedliačik Ján , Bekhta Nataliya
Published: May 2020

This research optimizes the process of plywood production to determine its effectiveness in reducing energy and adhesive consumption for more efficient production with the required quality. The influence of selected parameters including veneer treatment (non-densified and densified), plywood structure, temperature, time and pressure of pressing, on the bonding quality and temperature evolution within the veneer stacks during hot pressing was investigated. Rotary-cut, non-densified and densified birch veneers and phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive were used to manufacture plywood samples. The effect of pressure and time of pressing on bonding quality of the plywood was determined. Bonding quality was evaluated by determining the shear strength of the plywood samples. The temperature evolution inside the veneer stacks was measured for birch veneers for different pressing temperatures and pressures for different numbers of veneer layers. The heating rate of the veneer stacks increased as the pressing temperature increased and decreased markedly with an increasing number of veneer layers. At a high pressing pressure, the heating rate of the densified veneer stacks was faster than that of non-densified veneers at the same pressure. The use of densified veneers for the production of plywood can lead to a shorter pressing time (17–50% reduction), lower glue consumption (33.3% reduction) and a lower pressing pressure (22.2% reduction) without negatively impacting the bonding strength of the plywood.
A Highly Porous Nonwoven Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Polypropylene-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting by Human Walking
Authors: Oh Hyun Ju , Bae Jong Hyuk , Park Young Ki , Song Jinkyu , Kim Do Kun , Lee Woosung , Kim Minhee , Heo Ki Joon , Kim Yoonjin , Kim Seong Hun , Yeang Byeong Jin , Lim Seung Ju
Published: May 2020

: A highly porous nonwoven thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/Polypropylene (PP) triboelectric nanogenerator (N-TENG) was developed. To fabricate the triboelectric layers, the TPU nanofiber was directly electrospun onto the nonwoven PP at different basis weights (15, 30, and 50 g/m2). The surface morphologies and porosities of the nonwoven PP and TPU nanofiber mats were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and porosimetry. The triboelectric performance of the nonwoven TPU/PP based TENG was found to improve with an increase in the basis weight of nonwoven PP. The maximum output voltage and current of the TPU/PP N-TENG with 50% PP basis weight reached 110.18 ± 6.06 V and 7.28 ± 0.67 µA, respectively, due to high air volume of nonwoven without spacers. In order to demonstrate its practical application as a generator, a TPU/PP N-TENG-attached insole for footwear was fabricated. The N-TENG was used as a power source to turn on 57 light-emitting diodes through human-walking, without any charging system. Thus, owing to its excellent energy-conversion performance, simple fabrication process, and low cost, the breathable and wearable nonwoven fiber-based TENG is suitable for large-scale production, to be used in wearable devices.
A Polymeric Composite Material (rGO/PANI) for Acid Blue 129 Adsorption
Authors: Kukulski Tomasz , Wacławek Stanisław , Silvestri Daniele , Krawczyk Kamil , Padil Vinod V. T. , Fryczkowski Ryszard , Janicki Jarosław , Černík Miroslav
Published: May 2020

Over the years, polyaniline (PANI) has received enormous attention due to its unique properties. Herein, it was chosen to develop a new polymeric composite material: reduced graphene oxide/polyaniline (rGO/PANI). The composite was prepared by a simple and cost-effective fabrication method of formation by mixing and sonication in various conditions. The obtained materials were characterized and identified using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and ATR–FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The objective of the paper was to confirm its applicability for the removal of contaminants from water. Water could be contaminated by various types of pollutants, e.g., inorganics, heavy metals, and many other industrial compounds, including dyes. We confirmed that the Acid Blue 129 dyes can be substantially removed through adsorption on prepared rGO/PANI. The adsorption kinetic data were modeled using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models and the adsorption isotherm model was identified.
A General Stroke-Based Model for the Straightening Process of D-Type Shaft
Authors: Lu Hong , Zang Yue , Zhang Xinbao , Zhang Yongquan , Li Le
Published: May 2020

D-type shaft is widely used in precision machinery products such as motors and intelligent robots. The straightness of the D-type shaft is an important factor influencing its machining accuracy and dynamic performance, which is normally improved by the three-point pressure straightening process. This paper proposes a general stroke-based model to predict the relevant parameters for the straightening process of D-type shaft, considering the bending deformations in three dimensions. The distribution of stress and strain inside the D-type shaft during the straightening process in arbitrary position of the cross section and the bending moment are analyzed by using linear hardening material model. The relationship between deflection and the internal stress on the loading position is explored, and a straightening stroke model of D-type shaft is obtained. The correctness of the stroke-based straightening model has been validated by finite element method (FEM) simulation analysis and bending experiments. The results show that the proposed model can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the D-type shaft straightening process. Furthermore, it provides a novel method for the modelling of the straightening process regarding the special shaped bar stock.
Numerical Modeling of Transport Phenomena in the Horizontal Single Belt Casting (HSBC) Process for the Production of AA6111 Aluminum Alloy Strip
Authors: Niaz Usman , Isac Mihaiela Minea , Guthrie Roderick I. L.
Published: May 2020

In this research study, numerical modelling and experimental casting of AA6111 strips, 250 mm wide, 6 mm thick, was conducted. The velocity of the molten AA6111 alloy at the nozzle slot outlet was raised to 2 m/s, whilst the belt speed was kept at 0.3 m/s. The numerical model demonstrates considerable turbulence/fluctuations in the flow of the molten AA6111 alloy in the HSBC process, rendering its free surface highly non-uniform and uneven. These discontinuites in the flow resulted from the sudden impact of molten metal onto the inclined refractory plane, and then onto the slowly moving belt. However, it has been determined that these surface variations are rapidly damped, and as such are not detrimental to final strip surface quality. Any surface perturbations remaining can be eliminated via hot plastic deformation. The experimental findings are in accordance with the model predictions. Furthermore, at high metal heads inside the delivery launder, the molten metal was observed to be flowing inwards towards the center of the strip, thereby filling the centre depression region, formed otherwise. The model predictions were validated against experimental findings. A surface roughness and microstructural analysis was also conducted to determine the surface and bulk quality of the as-cast strip.
Polyphenol Content and Biological Activities of Ruta graveolens L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. in Northern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Elansary Hosam O. , Szopa Agnieszka , Kubica Paweł , Ekiert Halina , El-Ansary Diaa O. , A. Al-Mana Fahed , Mahmoud Eman A.
Published: May 2020

Natural populations of Ruta graveolens L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. in northern Saudi Arabia may be a rich source of natural polyphenols with potential biological activities. Therefore, tentative high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection was used to analyze the polyphenol contents of leaf extracts. R. graveolens mainly contained the phenolic acids chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid and the flavonoids rutoside and quercetin, whereas those of A. abrotanum mainly contained the phenolic acids isochlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid and the flavonoid quercetin. Leaf extracts of both species showed antioxidant activities due to the presence of quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and p-coumaric acid as well as antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against cancer cells, which may be attributed to necrotic cell accumulation during the early and late apoptotic periods. Both species also exhibited antibacterial activity, although the activity was higher in R. graveolens due to the high contents of quercetin and other polyphenols. Finally, both species exhibited antifungal activities, which were associated with specific polyphenols. This is the first study to confirm the richness of polyphenols and wide spectrum of biological activities in natural populations of R. graveolens and A. abrotanum in northern Saudi Arabia.
Catalytic Aquathermolysis of Boca de Jaruco Heavy Oil with Nickel-Based Oil-Soluble Catalyst
Authors: Vakhin Alexey V. , Aliev Firdavs A. , Mukhamatdinov Irek I. , Sitnov Sergey A. , Sharifullin Andrey V. , Kudryashov Sergey I. , Afanasiev Igor S. , Petrashov Oleg V. , Nurgaliev Danis K.
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates aquathermolysis of heavy oil in carbonate reservoir rocks from Boca de Jaruco, which is developed by the cyclic steam stimulation method. The nickel-based catalyst precursor was introduced in order to intensify the conversion processes of heavy oil components. The active form of such catalysts—nickel sulfides—are achieved after steam treatment of crude oil at reservoir conditions. The experiments were carried out on a rock sample extracted from the depth of 1900 m. Changes in composition and structure of heavy oil after the conversion were identified using SARA-analysis, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy of saturated fractions, FTIR spectroscopy of saturated fractions, and MALDI of resins. It is revealed that catalyst particles provide a reduction in the content of resins and asphaltenes due to the destruction of carbon-heteroatom bonds. Moreover, the destruction of C=Carom. bonds and interactions with aromatic rings are heightened. In contrast, the results of experiments in the absence of catalysts exposed polymerization and condensation of aromatic rings. The most remarkable result to emerge from the thermo-catalytic influence is the irreversible viscosity reduction of produced crude oil enhancing the oil recovery factor. Moreover, the introduction of catalysts increases the gas factor due to additional gas generation as a result of aquathermolysis reactions. The yield of methane gas is significantly high in the experimental runs with oil-saturated rocks rather than crude oil experiments. The gas factor reaches 45 m3/ton.
Production of Ethanol from Hemicellulosic Sugars of Exhausted Olive Pomace by Escherichia coli
Authors: López-Linares Juan Carlos , Gómez-Cruz Irene , Ruiz Encarnación , Romero Inmaculada , Castro Eulogio
Published: May 2020

Exhausted olive pomace (EOP) is the main residue generated in olive oil industries, after the extraction of the residual oil from olive pomace with hexane. This work studies the ethanol production from hemicellulosic sugars of EOP. The fermentability of the sugar solution, resulting from the acid pretreatment of EOP, was evaluated using Escherichia coli SL100, although a detoxification step was required before fermentation. Overliming and activated charcoal detoxification were tested to minimize the presence of inhibitory compounds in the hydrolysate and to achieve a fermentable medium. E. coli assimilated all sugars in both detoxified hydrolysates and achieved ethanol yields of about 90% of the theoretical one. However, the fermentation time was much shorter when the hydrolysate had been detoxified with activated charcoal (20 h versus 120 h).
Applications of Electrolyzed Water as a Sanitizer in the Food and Animal-By Products Industry
Authors: Ramírez Orejel Juan C. , Cano-Buendía José A.
Published: May 2020

Food demand is increasing every year and, usually animal-derived products are generated far from consumer-places. New technologies are being developed to preserve quality characteristics during processing and transportation. One of them is electrolyzed water (EW) that helps to avoid or decrease the development of foodborne pathogens, or losses by related bacteria. Initially, EW was used in ready-to-eat foods such as spinach, lettuce, strawberries, among others; however, its application in other products is under study. Every product has unique characteristics that require an optimized application of EW. Different sanitizers have been developed; unfortunately, they could have undesirable effects like deterioration of quality or alterations in sensory properties. Therefore, EW is gaining popularity in the food industry due to its characteristics: easy application and storage, no corrosion of work surfaces, absence of mucosal membrane irritation in workers handling food, and it is considered environmentally friendly. This review highlights the advantages of using EW in animal products like chicken, pork, beef, eggs and fish to preserve their safety and quality.
Comprehensive Screening of Drug Encapsulation and Co-Encapsulation into Niosomes Produced Using a Microfluidic Device
Authors: Joshi Sameer , White Roderica , Sahu Rajnish , Dennis Vida A. , Singh Shree R.
Published: May 2020

Microfluidics is a very facile and fast method of particulate production. Besides, it enables the manufacturing of size tuned particulate systems. Niosomes due to structural similarities have importance as alternative drug delivery systems to liposomes. Niosomes can be encapsulated or co-encapsulated with hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. The research presented here includes the optimization of method parameters for niosome production as well as evaluation of the efficiency of microfluidics to encapsulate and co-encapsulate the drugs. For this purpose, metformin (MET) and garcinol (GC) were the model drugs. Two different non-ionic surfactants (NIS), namely Tween-20 and Span-60 with significant difference in hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value, were chosen to analyze their efficiency to form niosomes and encapsulate one or more drugs.
Portable and Battery-Powered PCR Device for DNA Amplification and Fluorescence Detection
Authors: Jie Junyao , Hu Shiming , Liu Wenwen , Wei Qingquan , Huang Yizheng , Yuan Xinxin , Ren Lufeng , Tan Manqing , Yu Yude
Published: May 2020

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique for nucleic acid amplification, which has been widely used in molecular biology. Owing to the limitations such as large size, high power consumption, and complicated operation, PCR is only used in hospitals or research institutions. To meet the requirements of portable applications, we developed a fast, battery-powered, portable device for PCR amplification and end-point detection. The device consisted of a PCR thermal control system, PCR reaction chip, and fluorescence detection system. The PCR thermal control system was formed by a thermal control chip and external drive circuits. Thin-film heaters and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) were fabricated on the thermal control chip and were regulated with external drive circuits. The average heating rate was 32 °C/s and the average cooling rate was 7.5 °C/s. The disposable reaction chips were fabricated using a silicon substrate, silicone rubber, and quartz plate. The fluorescence detection system consisted a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera, an LED, and mirror units. The device was driven by a 24 V Li-ion battery. We amplified HPV16E6 genomic DNA using our device and achieved satisfactory results.
Radiation-Activated Pre-Differentiated Retinal Tissue Monitored by Acoustic Wave Biosensor
Authors: Cheran Alin , Thompson Michael
Published: May 2020

A thickness-shear mode acoustic wave biosensor operated within a flow-through system was used to examine the response of mouse retinal tissue to radiation. Control experiments conducted with respect to exposure of the bare gold electrodes of the device under various conditions of light intensity and bathing solution yielded reversible changes in resonant frequency (Fs) and motional resistance (Rm). The magnitude of transient changes was proportional to light intensity, but independent of solution type. These alterations in acoustic parameters were ascribed to acoustic coupling phenomena at the electrode-to-liquid interface. Pre-differentiated retina from mouse samples deposited on the thickness shear mode (TSM) electrode exposed to a high light intensity condition also exhibited reversible changes in both Fs and Rm, compared to control experiments involving a coating used to attach the tissue to the electrode. In this case, the radiation-instigated reversible responses for both acoustic parameters exhibited a reduction in magnitude. The changes are ascribed to the alteration in viscoelasticity of the retinal matrix on the TSM electrode surface. The precise biophysical mechanism responsible for the changes in Fs and Rm remains a challenge, given the complex make up of retinal tissue.
The Decline of Tourist Destinations: An Evolutionary Perspective on Overtourism
Authors: Benner Maximilian
Published: May 2020

The term overtourism has generated considerable attention both in academic discourse and public debate. The actual or perceived impact of overtourism on destinations has significant ecological, social, and cultural consequences. However, a crucial question remains unanswered: What does overtourism do to a destination’s tourism industry itself? At the core of this question is whether overtourism is a self-limiting phenomenon or a cumulative one, and how precisely overtourism shapes patterns of quantitative or qualitative decline of a destination’s tourism sector. This article offers a conceptual discussion of the impact of overtourism on a destination’s local tourism sector by refining the latter stages of Butler’s tourist area lifecycle through forms of path decline known from evolutionary economic geography. By combining these two theorical approaches and refining the typology of path decline from evolutionary economic geography to the case of tourism under an overtourism scenario, this article suggests that, in the absence of exogenous changes due to policy interventions or public pressure, under an overtourism scenario, a destination’s tourism sector might contract, downgrade, dislocate, and eventually even disappear. Further research should focus on how to prevent these forms of path decline.
The Impact of OFDI and Institutional Quality on Domestic Capital Formation at the Disaggregated Level: Evidence for Developed and Emerging Countries
Authors: Ameer Waqar , Sohag Kazi , Xu Helian , Halwan Musaad Mansoor
Published: May 2020

In this study, we investigate whether outbound foreign direct investment (OFDI) either augments or impedes domestic public and private investment, incorporating the role of institutional quality into the context of developed and emerging countries. To this end, we apply a cross-sectional-autoregressive-distributed lag (CS-ARDL) approach to analyze panel data from the period 1996–2017. Our empirical findings suggest that OFDI augments private capital formation for developed countries. Institutional quality (IQ) is found to be a driving factor that promotes private capital formation in the established economies of developed countries. However, OFDI has a negative association with the public capital formation in the established economies of developed countries, while IQ has a positive association with it. In the context of emerging economies, OFDI is found to be too insignificant to have an effect on private and public capital formation. Interestingly, IQ has a detrimental effect on both private and public capital formation in emerging economies. Our findings are robust. The empirical findings of this study imply that institutional quality should continue to be improved in developed countries, while it should surpass a certain threshold for emerging economies to promote domestic capital formation.
The Effect of Heat and Cold Waves on the Mortality of Persons with Dementia in Germany
Authors: Fritze Thomas
Published: May 2020

We investigated whether persons with dementia (PwD) are at particular risk of mortality when exposed to extreme temperatures and whether the temperature effect depends on long-term care (LTC) need and residency. German health claims data provide information on inpatient and outpatient sectors. Data from the German Meteorological Service were merged, and measures of immediate and delayed heat, cold, and normal temperature (Heat Index, Wind Chill Temperature Index) were calculated. Cox models were applied to explore the interaction of temperature, dementia, and LTC, as well as residency. Immediate and delayed effects of heat and cold were tested as compared to normal temperatures. Models were adjusted for age, sex, comorbidities, urban/rural living, and summer/winter climate zones. The 182,384 persons aged ≥65 contributed 1,084,111 person-years and 49,040 deaths between 2004 and 2010. At normal temperatures, PwD had a 37% (p-value < 0.001) increased mortality risk compared to persons without dementia (PwoD). Immediate heat effects further increased this effect by 11% (p = 0.031); no immediate heat effect existed for PwoD. The immediate heat effect was even greater for PwD suffering from severe or extreme physical impairment and for those living in private households and nursing homes. Immediate and delayed cold effects increased mortality independent of dementia. Care level and type of residency did not modify this effect among PwD. PwD revealed an increased vulnerability to immediate heat effects. Cold waves were risk factors for both groups. LTC need appeared to be an important intervening factor.
Mindfulness and Self-Regulation Strategies Predict Performance of Romanian Handball Players
Authors: Popa Daniela , Mîndrescu Veronica , Iconomescu Teodora-Mihaela , Talaghir Laurentiu-Gabriel
Published: May 2020

Previous studies on handball players’ performance are focused more on influence of physical, physiological factors and tactical strategies and less on the influence of cognitive, metacognitive and attentional regulation strategies. Performance can be achieved by attentional and emotional regulation alongside cognitive, metacognitive and procedural regulation strategies. This study explores the association between self-regulation strategies, mindfulness practice and performance. The sample consists of 288 Romanian handball players. The participants were 30% male and 70% female, with age between 12.01 and 14 years old, divided in three categories. The quantitative research design is descriptive and transversal. The method was survey based on questionnaires. There were interesting results found in different age categories and different performance levels. The variables (state mindfulness of body, self-monitoring, and self-efficacy) explained 87% of the variance in sports performance, in a hierarchical multiple regression. The research findings indicated that handball players with a high level of acceptance of one’s own thoughts and emotions, non-judging present-moment awareness, conscious monitoring the execution of movements, and confidence in their abilities to succeed could have more chances to achieve the desired performance.
Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Table Grape Production in Italy
Authors: Roselli Luigi , Casieri Arturo , de Gennaro Bernardo Corrado , Sardaro Ruggiero , Russo Giovanni
Published: May 2020

In recent years, the environmental sustainability of agri-food systems has become a crucial issue. Agri-food firms are increasingly concerned with the implementation of viable environmentally friendly production processes. The environmental impacts of the table grape sector, as well as other fresh and not transformed food products, involve mainly the farming phase rather than the subsequent conditioning, transportation, packaging, and distribution phases. The purpose of this study was to assess the environmental impacts and the economic viability of three table grapes production models (i.e., early harvesting, normal harvesting, and delayed harvesting), based on the Italian tendone system, during the entire life cycle. The environmental impact analysis was performed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, while the economic analysis was performed using the life cycle costing (LCC) approach. The results show that the early and the delayed production models generated the highest environmental burdens, but also the highest economic returns, compared to the normal harvesting production model. The main determinants of the environmental impacts and economic returns are discussed and some practical recommendations are given to improve the sustainability of all the surveyed production models, so to converge public and private interests.
A Charter for Sustainable Tourism after COVID-19
Authors: Chang Chia-Lin , McAleer Michael , Ramos Vicente
Published: May 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is highly infectious and contagious. The long-term consequences for individuals are as yet unknown, while the long-term effects on the international community will be dramatic. COVID-19 has changed the world forever in every imaginable respect and has impacted heavily on the international travel, tourism demand, and hospitality industry, which is one of the world’s largest employers and is highly sensitive to significant shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to investigate how the industry will recover after COVID-19 and how the industry can be made sustainable in a dramatically changed world. This paper presents a charter for tourism, travel, and hospitality after COVID-19 as a contribution to the industry.
Understanding Communities’ Disaffection to Participate in Tourism in Protected Areas: A Social Representational Approach
Authors: Sarr Birame , González-Hernández Matías Manuel , Boza-Chirino Jose , de León Javier
Published: May 2020

This manuscript uses a social-representational approach that allows for including social interactions, history and cultural background to explain and cluster resident attitudes to tourism in protected areas in developing countries. Based on the published evidence on the failure of community-based tourism programmes and projects that aim to achieve community engagement and benefits, and on scholars attributing those failures to the lack of consideration given to the perceptions and ambitions of the communities, that in turn are split into different groups that perceive tourism dissimilarly, we propose a pathway to encouraging community engagement and participation. Field work carried out throughout the settlements neighbouring the National Park of La Langue de Barbarie in northern Senegal allowed to identify three group profiles: The largest minority are reluctant to accept any type of tourism at all, a second minority actively supports another type of community-based tourism, more locally centred, and a third group consists of those mainly wanting to escape their unwanted existence and migrate. We conclude that, to achieve successful sustainable tourism development, interventions should capacitate the group that supports tourism to lead initiatives, seduce the reluctant ones, energise those who seek to migrate and negotiate with the external tourist agents to achieve more equitable tourism development in which locals actively participate.
Directions and Challenges in the Management of Municipal Sewage Sludge in Poland in the Context of the Circular Economy
Authors: Rosiek Ksymena
Published: May 2020

Landfilling was the main method of sewage sludge disposal in Poland for decades. After Poland’s accession to the European Union (EU), many investments have been made into providing better access to tap water as well as to collect and treat municipal sewage. However, sewage sludge treatment has not been treated as an integral part of the implementation of wastewater management obligations. Stricter European Union regulations regarding the management of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) pose new challenges for Poland. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the direction of the final management of municipal sewage sludge in Poland based on the analysis of strategic documents, regulations, literature, and available statistical data. The aim of the analysis was to search for directions to modify how sewage sludge is managed, given the approach promoted by the circular economy concept. The results prove that investments in wastewater treatment plants according to the EU sewage directive are not applied to the development of infrastructure that would enable the disposal of sewage sludge, which, for many years, has been stored (landfilling) or used directly in agriculture and ground reclamation. The introduction of stricter regulations in the area of sewage sludge usage and better wastewater treatment have increased the level of difficulties concerning sewage sludge management. Poland faces the challenge of defining sewage sludge management directions. The circular economy concept offers an approach that can be the basis for the creation of a new sewage sludge management strategy for Poland. The concept allows the combined goals of sewage sludge disposal and of energy and nutrients recovery to be achieved.
Regenerating Communities. New Life for a Local Railway: A Technological and Environmental Study
Authors: Corazza Maria Vittoria , Imbastaro Sandro , Pascucci Marco
Published: May 2020

Revamping abandoned railways is often associated with leisure functions and non-routine trips. When areas evolve from rural settlements to conurbations with mixed land use and high travel demand, the reuse of no-longer-operational rail services can prove to be appropriate to meet such new requirements. This is the case of an abandoned railway in central Italy, the Sangritana Line, whose rehabilitation could serve a former rural area, now under continuous development. The paper outlines operational features of the new service, starting from the available Sangritana infrastructure, in order to highlight the drivers and barriers associated with the reopening of operations. The goal is to provide scientific corroboration for similar feasibility studies and stress the relevance of rehabilitating railways in urban regeneration processes according to a vision called the Multiple Rs, which associates the new rail supply with the possibility of requalifying several components of the urban environment. To this end, along with the initial description of the status quo and the local constraints, the paper elaborates the methodology adopted for this feasibility study, the main operational findings, with a focus on the potential environmental benefits, and the implications according to the Multiple Rs approach.
Goal Framing as a Tool for Changing People’s Car Travel Behavior in Sweden
Authors: Westin Kerstin , Nordlund Annika , Jansson Johan , Nilsson Jonas
Published: May 2020

This paper reports on a study of car drivers’ assessment of a sustainability policy involving increased car parking fees in Swedish city centers. The aim of the study was to investigate how framing of information in text and pictures influences acceptance of increasing car parking fees and how values, general beliefs and norms as well as measure-specific beliefs influence the acceptability of the measure. Drawing on Goal Framing Theory, the acceptance of a parking fee policy was tested using three different goal frames (hedonic, gain and normative); the frames were compared with each other and a control message. The study was based on a survey directed to residents (18 to 75 years of age) in 51 larger municipalities in Sweden. The survey had an experimental design. Respondents were presented with a scenario of an increase in parking fees to promote environmental sustainability. The scenario was presented in three ways (manipulations), highlighting hedonic (e.g., emotional), gain, and normative aspects, respectively, in text and pictures. The results showed that the three message frames had different effects and were overall more effective than the control message in engendering the desired reduction in private car use and, thus, the intended environmental impact. Further, the degree of acceptability of the increased parking fee influenced the expected behavioral change in the groups receiving a goal framed message in relation to the parking fee measure. Implications from a sustainability perspective concern the importance of how environmental policies are framed when communicated to the public in order to increase acceptance and support.
Species Learning and Biodiversity in Early Childhood Teacher Education
Authors: Wolff Lili-Ann , Skarstein Tuula H.
Published: May 2020

To understand biodiversity, it is crucial to have knowledge of different species and their life conditions. Biodiversity learning for children starts with observing plants and animals in the neighbourhood. Therefore, it is important that early childhood (EC) teachers know the local nature. There are few studies on species knowledge among EC student teachers but results from a Norwegian study show that although EC student teachers had poor species knowledge when entering university, their knowledge increased remarkably during their studies. Based on these results, the current study investigates the implementation of species learning in an EC teacher education course in Finland. Our aim was to study the student teachers’ species identification skills, their views on the importance of species knowledge, and their experiences of species learning. The study used a mixed-methods approach and included species identification tests, a questionnaire, learning diaries, and focus group interviews. The results show that the student teachers were eager to learn about species. They found species learning important both for EC teachers and for sustainability, and they appreciated learning about species in a broad sense, from personal, educational, and social perspectives. Our conclusion is that implementing species knowledge in EC teacher education promotes an interest in the natural world and may form a significant contribution to nature and sustainability education for EC teachers.
Science–Policy Interfaces Related to Biodiversity and Nature Conservation: The Case of Natural Capital Germany—TEEB-DE
Authors: Leibenath Markus , Kurth Markus , Lintz Gerd
Published: May 2020

Responding to the UN programme “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB), TEEB-DE (2012–2018) was a science–policy interface (SPI) set up in Germany with the objective of mobilising scientific expertise for a better consideration of biodiversity and ecosystem services in political and corporate decision-making. The aim of this paper is to contribute to an assessment of TEEB-DE by analysing its objectives, structure, processes and outputs. The analysis is guided by a theoretical framework that takes credibility, relevance and legitimacy (CRELE) as normative criteria for examining SPIs. Methodologically, the paper relies on a fine-grained analysis of published documents and interviews with key figures of TEEB-DE. The results allow for a preliminary assessment of TEEB-DE in regard to CRELE and illuminate how its conceptual foundation—namely the ecosystem services concept—was discussed in the public realm. We also consider a number of trade-offs which the coordinators of TEEB-DE had to negotiate. In conclusion, we identify some proposals for designing future SPIs in the domain of biodiversity and nature conservation in Germany such as paying greater attention to policy windows, broadening the thematic scope beyond economics and providing better opportunities for debate and contestation.
Sustainability Claims and Perceived Product Quality: The Moderating Role of Brand CSR
Authors: van Doorn Jenny , Verhoef Peter C. , Risselada Hans
Published: May 2020

In this research, we focus on the presumed negative effect of a sustainability claim on product quality. We propose that a brands’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) can reduce this negative effect. We conduct an experiment to test our hypotheses for a newly introduced detergent brand with an ecolabel vs. without one for high and low brand CSR levels. The experiment was conducted among 304 participants. Our results show that the ecolabel of the detergent can indeed trigger quality concerns. These quality concerns are reduced for brands high in CSR. This suggests that a brand’s sustained commitment to sustainability is important in overcoming negative effects of sustainability claims on product quality.
Protocol for Post Occupancy Evaluation in Schools to Improve Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Efficiency
Authors: Cochran Hameen Erica , Ken-Opurum Bobuchi , Son Young Joo
Published: May 2020

Research has shown a strong correlation between the performance and health of young students and teachers, and the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of their schools. A post occupancy evaluation (POE) of a school’s IEQ can help stakeholders understand the current conditions of the building and their impact on occupant wellbeing and productivity. It can also provide pathways for building performance upgrades and resource allocation for school administrations. However, current research on POE in schools frequently omits the contexts of young students during evaluations. Furthermore, there is limited research on guidelines for performing POE and measurements in school facilities. This study adopted the National Environmental Assessment Toolkit (NEAT) and tailored qualitative methods to evaluate eight schools over an eight-year period. The methodology was refined throughout the study to develop a protocol for robust investigation of IEQ conditions in schools. The NEAT was developed by Carnegie Mellon University’s Centre for Building Performance and Diagnostics for measuring the IEQ of office buildings. The paper addresses the challenges that may occur during POE and measurements (POE+M) and the differences between POE+M for offices and schools. It also determines how the POE+M process can be efficiently implemented to include all primary stakeholders in order to improve data collection for IEQ and energy efficiency analysis.
Examining the Coordination Between Green Finance and Green Economy Aiming for Sustainable Development: A Case Study of China
Authors: Liu Nana , Liu Chuanzhe , Xia Yufei , Ren Yi , Liang Jinzhi
Published: May 2020

Green finance (GF) regards social responsibility and environmental protection interests as the core of development and has become a new growth point and a new engine for promoting the development of the green economy (GE). To more accurately grasp the coordination between GF and the GE, the selection of appropriate indicators and feasible methods is worth exploring. Aiming at sustainable development by evaluating the coupling coordination between GF and the GE by means of a comprehensive index system and an integrated approach, this study establishes a coupling coordination degree model based on panel data of 30 Chinese provinces over the period 2007–2016. Furthermore, it evaluates the spatial distribution difference and dynamic evolution trend of the coordination by introducing global/local spatial autocorrelation, a space Markov chain, and a local indicators of spatial association (LISA) Markov chain. According to the research results, the coupling coordination degrees of the provinces exhibit gradual upward trends, and most regions in China are in a barely coordinated state at present. The coordination degree of GF and the GE shows strong spatial dependence overall, and partially presents the characteristics of “high-high (HH)” and “low-low (LL)” clustering patterns. The forecast results show that the future coordination of GF and the GE will remain stable and be affected by the coordinated development of surrounding areas.
Analysis of Oil Import Risk and Strategic Petroleum Reserve: The Case of China
Authors: Guo Xiaodong , Hao Chen , Niu Shuwen
Published: May 2020

Based on the data of 17 countries along the “One Belt and One Road” from 2000 to 2016, this paper quantified China’s oil import risks, and proposed a quantitative model to cope with the oil disruption. According to the model, the optimized scales of strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) and alternative fuels were calculated. An analysis of China’s examples shows that Saudi Arabia and Russia were the countries with the least supply risks in 2000−2016, and 10 countries with the highest risk of marine transportation were mainly located in the Middle East. China’s oil imports from Iraq and Qatar were more vulnerable to supply risks, and oil imports from other oil-producing countries in the Middle East were less affected. In addition, China’s oil imports from Asian countries were more susceptible to transportation risks, and those from the Middle East countries were less or not affected. If only SPR is considered, the optimal scale of SPR is 77 “days of oil consumption” to cope with the once-in-a-decade disruption to oil supplies. Once both alternative fuels and SPR were considered, China’s optimal alternative fuels’ size is 10 “days oil consumption” and SPR size is 75 “days oil consumption” to cope with the once-in-a-decade oil disruption. When changing disruption size, the proportion of alternative fuel and SPR will also change. If disruption scale continues to increase, the alternative fuels’ size increases from 10 “days of oil consumption” to 25 “days of oil consumption”, then decreases to 0, and the SPR size increases from 75 “days of oil consumption” to 270 “days of oil consumption”. This indicates that the SPR is more important than alternative fuels when the disruption scale is large.
Stabilization/Solidification of Zinc- and Lead-Contaminated Soil Using Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3): An Environmentally Friendly Alternative
Authors: Reddy Vemula Anand , Solanki Chandresh H. , Kumar Shailendra , Reddy Krishna R. , Du Yan-Jun
Published: May 2020

Due to increased carbon emissions, the use of low-carbon and low-cost cementitious materials that are sustainable and effective are gaining considerable attention recently for the stabilization/solidification (S/S) of contaminated soils. The current study presents the laboratory investigation of low-carbon/cost cementitious material known as limestone-calcined clay cement (LC3) for the potential S/S of Zn- and Pb-contaminated soils. The S/S performance of the LC3 binder on Zn- and Pb-contaminated soil was determined via pH, compressive strength, toxicity leaching, chemical speciation, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses. The results indicate that immobilization efficiency of Zn and Pb was solely dependent on the pH of the soil. In fact, with the increase in the pH values after 14 days, the compressive strength was increased to 2.5–3 times compared to untreated soil. The S/S efficiency was approximately 88% and 99%, with increase in the residual phases up to 67% and 58% for Zn and Pb, respectively, after 28 days of curing. The increase in the immobilization efficiency and strength was supported by the XRPD analysis in forming insoluble metals hydroxides such as zincwoodwardite, shannonite, portlandite, haturite, anorthite, ettringite (Aft), and calcite. Therefore, LC3 was shown to offer green and sustainable remediation of Zn- and Pb-contaminated soils, while the treated soil can also be used as safe and environmentally friendly construction material.
Analyzing Financial Health of the SMES Listed in the AERO Market of Bucharest Stock Exchange Using Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Sabău-Popa Claudia Diana , Simut Ramona , Droj Laurențiu , Bențe Corneliu Cristian
Published: May 2020

In this paper we aimed to build a composite financial index for measuring the financial health of the companies listed in the AERO (Alternative exchange in Romania) market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange. We used a principal component analysis in order to build this composite financial index using the rates of return, liquidity and the management of 25 companies listed in the AERO market for the period 2011–2018. We conceived this composite indicator as a score function that established according to the numerical values that result from its application when a company was financially healthy, when it had a poor financial health and when it was financially stable. In order to test the financial health of the selected SMEs (small and medium enterprises), we used the one sample t-test under the model of the study and the three classifications of Z (Z < 0—companies with poor financial health, 0 ≤ Z ≤ 0.5—companies with good financial health and Z > 0.5—companies with very good financial health). In this study we also aimed to identify the possible correlations between the solvency rate and the financial health index and between solvency rate and the evolution of some economic and financial measures of the companies’ activities. The results of the regression analysis using panel data showed a positive and statistically significant relation between solvency and the three rates (rates of return, of liquidity and of management, respectively) determined using the analysis of the principal components. The former model of the solvency rate identified correctly 94.9% of the SMEs with poor financial health, 40% of the SMEs with stable financial health and 72.2% of the SMEs with good financial health.