bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food Security Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Evidence from a Cohort of Adults in Vermont during the First Year
Authors: McCarthy Ashley C. , Belarmino Emily H. , Bertmann Farryl , Niles Meredith T.
Published: March 2022

This study assessed changes in household food insecurity throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a cohort of adults in the state of Vermont, USA, and examined the socio-demographic characteristics associated with increased odds of experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic. We conducted three online surveys between March 2020 and March 2021 to collect longitudinal data on food security, use of food assistance programs, and job disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food security was measured using the USDA six-item module. Among the 441 respondents, food insecurity rates increased significantly during the pandemic and remained above pre-pandemic levels a year after the start of the pandemic. Nearly a third (31.6%) of respondents experienced food insecurity at some point during the first year of the pandemic, with 53.1% of food-insecure households being classified as newly food-insecure. The odds of experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic varied based on socio-demographic factors. Households with children (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.782–16.936, p < 0.01), women (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.777–36.647, p < 0.05), BIPOC/Hispanic respondents (OR 11.8, 95% CI 1.615–85.805, p < 0.05), and households experiencing a job disruption (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.583–16.005, p <0.01) had significantly higher odds of experiencing food insecurity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, while respondents with a college degree (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.025–0.246; p < 0.001) and household income of ≥USD 50,000 (OR 0.01; 95% CI 0.003–0.038; p < 0.001) had lower odds of experiencing food insecurity. These findings indicate that food insecurity continued to be a significant challenge one year after the start of the pandemic, which is important, given the adverse health impacts associated with food insecurity and health disparities among certain socio-demographic groups.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs of General Practitioners from North-Eastern Italy (2021)
Authors: Riccò Matteo , Ferraro Pietro , Peruzzi Simona , Zaniboni Alessandro , Ranzieri Silvia
Published: March 2022

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a lead cause of morbidity and hospitalizations in infants. RSV vaccines are currently under development, and preventive options are limited to monoclonal antibodies (mAb). We assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices for RSV in a sample of general practitioners (GPs) from north-eastern Italy (2021), focusing on the risk perception for infants (age < 8 years) and its potential effectors. We administered an internet survey to 543 GPs, with a response rate of 28.9%. Knowledge status was unsatisfactory, with substantial knowledge gaps found on the epidemiology of RSV and its prevention through mAb. The main effectors of risk perception were identified as having a background in pediatrics (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 55.398 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 6.796–451.604), being favorable towards RSV vaccines when available (aOR: 4.728, 95% CI: 1.999–11.187), while having previously managed an RSV case (aOR: 0.114, 95% CI: 0.024–0.552) and previously recommended hospitalization for cases (aOR: 0.240, 95% CI: 0.066–0.869) were identified as negative effectors. In summary, the significant extent of knowledge gaps and the erratic risk perception, associated with the increasing occurrence in RSV infections, collectively stress the importance of appropriate information campaigns among primary care providers.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Early Flowering Signals in ‘Royal’ Flax
Authors: House Megan A. , Young Lester W. , Robinson Stephen J. , Booker Helen M.
Published: March 2022

Canada is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of flax seed, with most production occurring in the Prairie Provinces. However, reduced season length and risk of frost restricts production in the northern grain belt of the Canadian Prairies. To expand the growing region of flax and increase production in Canada, flax breeders need to develop earlier-flowering varieties capable of avoiding the risk of abiotic stress. A thorough understanding of flowering control of flax is essential for the efficient breeding of such lines. We identified 722 putative flax flowering genes that span all major flowering-time pathways. Frequently, we found multiple flax homologues for a single Arabidopsis flowering gene. We used RNA sequencing to quantify the expression of genes in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) at 10, 15, 19, and 29 days after planting (dap) using the ‘Royal’ cultivar. We observed the expression of 80% of putative flax flowering genes and the differential expression of only 30%; these included homologues of major flowering regulators, such as SOC1, FUL, and AP1. We also found enrichment of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in transcription factor (TF) families involved in flowering. Finally, we identified the candidates’ novel flowering genes amongst the uncharacterized flax genes. Our transcriptomic dataset provides a useful resource for investigating the regulatory control of the transition to flowering in flax and for the breeding of northern-adapted varieties.
Effects of Light Quality on Colonization of Tomato Roots by AMF and Implications for Growth and Defense
Authors: Saha Haymanti , Kaloterakis Nikolaos , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Van der Putten Wim H. , Biere Arjen
Published: March 2022

Beneficial soil microbes can enhance plant growth and defense, but the extent to which this occurs depends on the availability of resources, such as water and nutrients. However, relatively little is known about the role of light quality, which is altered during shading, resulting a low red: far-red ratio (R:FR) of light. We examined how low R:FR light influences arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF)-mediated changes in plant growth and defense using Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and the insect herbivore Chrysodeixis chalcites. We also examined effects on third trophic level interactions with the parasitoid Cotesia marginiventris. Under low R:FR light, non-mycorrhizal plants activated the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS), resulting in enhanced biomass production. However, mycorrhizal inoculation decreased stem elongation in shaded plants, thus counteracting the plant’s SAS response to shading. Unexpectedly, activation of SAS under low R:FR light did not increase plant susceptibility to the herbivore in either non-mycorrhizal or mycorrhizal plants. AMF did not significantly affect survival or growth of caterpillars and parasitoids but suppressed herbivore-induced expression of jasmonic acid-signaled defenses genes under low R:FR light. These results highlight the context-dependency of AMF effects on plant growth and defense and the potentially adverse effects of AMF under shading.
Effects of the Powder from Hoggery Desulfurization Tanks on the Salinity Resistance of Lettuce
Authors: Chang Yao-Tsung , Lin Yong-Hong , Wang Wei-Jia
Published: March 2022

Lettuce is an important vegetable cultivated worldwide, even in regions with highly saline soils. A large amount of research discusses the application of sulfur on the increase of antioxidation in plants. The powder from hoggery desulfurization tanks contained high amounts of sulfur and small amounts of other nutrients for plants. This powder can be added to liquid fertilizer to create high-sulfur liquid fertilizer (HSLF). This study observed the cell morphologies of lettuce root apices under salt stress after the application of HSLF. Lettuce plants were cultivated in hydroponic solutions containing one of two NaCl (0 and 40 mM) and three HSLF (0.0, 1.5, and 3.0 g L−1) concentrations. Salinity reduced the K+/Na+ ratio in the plant leaves; however, this reduction was smaller in the HSLF-treated plants. Except for phosphate and potassium, nutrient absorption is inhibited under conditions of high salinity. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed apices more integrated on cell roots after increasing HSLF supplement under non-salt-stressed conditions. In addition, the cells were repaired after increasing the supplement of HSLF under the condition of 40 mM NaCl. Although salt stress reduced plant growth, the reductions were minimized in the HSLF-treated plants. The application of HSLF potentially alleviated salt injury in lettuce root apices and was probably associated with the improvement of phosphorus and potassium absorption and increasing K+/Na+ ratios in lettuce plants.
Growth Promotion of Phaseolus vulgaris and Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings by Streptomycetes Volatile Compounds
Authors: Pérez-Corral Daniel Alonso , Ornelas-Paz José de Jesús , Olivas Guadalupe Isela , Acosta-Muñiz Carlos Horacio , Salas-Marina Miguel Ángel , Berlanga-Reyes David Ignacio , Sepulveda David Roberto , Mares-Ponce de León Yericka , Rios-Velasco Claudio
Published: March 2022

Streptomyces are recognized as antipathogenic agents and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacities of four antifungal Streptomyces strains to: produce the substances that are involved in plant growth; solubilize phosphates; and fix nitrogen. The effects of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted by these strains on the growth promotion of Arabidopsis thaliana and Phaseolus vulgaris L. (var. Pinto Saltillo) seedlings were also tested. All of the Streptomyces strains produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (10.0 mg/L to 77.5 mg/L) and solubilized phosphates, but they did not fix nitrogen. In vitro assays showed that the VOCs from Streptomyces increased the shoot fresh weights (89–399%) and the root fresh weights (94–300%) in A. thaliana seedlings; however, these effects were less evident in P. vulgaris. In situ experiments showed that all the Streptomyces strains increased the shoot fresh weight (11.64–43.92%), the shoot length (11.39–29.01%), the root fresh weight (80.11–140.90%), the root length (40.06–59.01%), the hypocotyl diameter (up to 6.35%), and the chlorophyll content (up to 10.0%) in P. vulgaris seedlings. 3-Methyl-2-butanol had the highest effect among the ten pure VOCs on the growth promotion of A. thaliana seedlings. The tested Streptomyces strains favored biomass accumulation in A. thaliana and P. vulgaris seedlings.
Effect of Squid Cartilage Chitosan Molecular Structure on the Properties of Its Monofilament as an Absorbable Surgical Suture
Authors: Tan Yongxin , Rajoka Muhammad Shahid Riaz , Ke Zekai , Mehwish Hafiza Mahreen , Deng Wenjing , Li Jiaying , Qin Wenqian , Zhao Liqing , Wu Yiguang
Published: March 2022

Suture is an important part of surgery, and wounds closing after surgery remains a challenge for postoperative care. Currently, silk, linen fiber, and cotton are available in the market as non-absorbable suture biomaterials. So, there is an urgent need to develop a novel suture with advantageous characteristics compared to the ones available on the market. In present study, a series of ultra-high molecular weight chitosan with different DD and MV were prepared from squid cartilage by alkaline treatment and ultrasonic degradation. The corresponding chitosan monofilaments were prepared by a wet spinning process and were characterized as sutures. The effects of the DD and MV of chitosan on the properties of its monofilament were studied, including surface morphology, mechanical property, swelling ratio, ash content, in vitro enzymatic degradation, and in vitro cytotoxicity. According to the results, AS-85 was chosen to be the best suitable as an absorbable surgical suture, which was spun from squid cartilage chitosan with DD~85% and MV~1.2 × 106. The outcome of the present study might derive tremendous possibilities for the utilization of squid cartilage β-chitin for biomedical applications.
The Effect of Cross-Linking Type on EPDM Elastomer Dynamics and Mechanical Properties: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Wang Yajian , Liu Huifang , Li Pengpeng , Wang Linbing
Published: March 2022

The cross-linking structure of the Ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) is made up of a number of cross-linking types, including carbon atoms from the main chain or monomer and ether crosslinks formed during degradation. Through molecular dynamic simulations, the contribution of each type of cross-linked structure to the dynamics and mechanical properties of EPDM, the study’s focus, were investigated. Cross-linking between the tertiary carbons of two main chains, cross-linking at the monomer’s unsaturated position, ether cross-linking after oxidation, and other combinations of target cross-linked carbon atoms from different positions, totaling eight types of cross-linked types, were mixed with EPDM free chains in a 1:1 ratio to form eight types of cross-linked EPDMs. These varieties of cross-linked EPDMs were then compared to an uncross-linked EPDM in terms of density, radius of gyration, free volume, mean square displacement, and uniaxial tensile stress-strain curves. It was found that the cross-linking was always proven to have a favorable influence on mechanical characteristics; however, the relaxation inhibition effect varied. The cross-linking between the diene monomer at the C9 position resulted in a more flexible molecular shape and was more than double the free volume of the uncross-linked EPDM, resulting in an improved diffusion ability. The ether cross-linking produced by the oxidation of the side chain cross-linking improved the positive contribution to stiffness and enhanced the inhibitory impact on diffusion properties, whereas the main chain cross-linking had the opposite effect. The research presented in this study leads to a better knowledge of the microscopic aspects underlying EPDM performance.
Investigation of the Polymer Coextrusion Process: A Review
Authors: Agassant Jean-François , Demay Yves
Published: March 2022

A review of the different coextrusion processes and the related processing problems is presented. A one-dimensional bilayer coextrusion Poiseuille flow model is first developed with Newtonian and shear-thinning rheological behaviors. A transitory computation at the convergence between the two independent polymer layers shows that stationary interface position and velocity profile are established after a short distance of the order of the die gap which justifies the validity of the 1D stationary model. This model is then applied to multilayer temperature dependent coextrusion flows which correspond to realistic industrial coextrusion conditions. Marked interface instabilities may be observed depending on the rheology of the coextruded polymers and of their flow rate ratios. Experiments point clearly out that these instabilities may be amplified along the die land. Convective stability analysis as well as direct numerical computation discriminate flow situations which amplify or damp down instabilities. These 1D models are unable to account for the complex feedblock coat-hanger die geometries. A thin layer coextrusion model is then developed, based on the Hele-Shaw lubrication approximations already used for single layer extrusion problems. It allows to predict the location of the interfaces between the different layers in the whole die, and especially at die exit. This represents a major issue in feedblock die coextrusion. These thin layer approaches are unable to address the encapsulation of one polymer by the other in these complex die geometries with important gap thicknesses. Experiments conducted in dies of square section allow identifying the dynamics of encapsulation. 3D models are required to account for this phenomenon but the management of the sticking contact at the die wall poses difficult numerical problems.
Durability and Degradation of PVC-P Roofing Membrane—Example of Dynamic Fatigue Testing
Authors: Ivanič Andrej , Lubej Samo
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a study of PVC-P waterproofing membrane Specimens. The Specimens were taken from different segments of a flat roof after a service life of 11 years. The reason for analysing the condition of the Specimens was the apparent degradation of the waterproofing, which no longer guaranteed the watertightness of the roof. The analysis of the performance of the Specimens was based on the control of the mechanical properties, which were compared with the declared values. The mechanical properties of the degraded PVC-P waterproofing membranes with a polyester mesh backing, which are prescribed by the standards, do not usually deviate from the declared properties. This often poses a problem for liability and warranty claims due to the poor quality of the waterproofing membrane. There may be several causes of degradation of PVC-P. For this reason, in this paper, we present the possibility of controlling the properties of PVC-P waterproofing membranes using cyclic dynamic fatigue, microstructure analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the cause of the deterioration of the PVC-P waterproofing membranes is often related to dehydrochlorination of the polymer. However, the deterioration of the mechanical properties of the PVC-P waterproofing membranes can be successfully demonstrated by cyclic dynamic fatigue.
Biodegradable Microparticles for Regenerative Medicine: A State of the Art and Trends to Clinical Application
Authors: Sherstneva Anastasia A. , Demina Tatiana S. , Monteiro Ana P. F. , Akopova Tatiana A. , Grandfils Christian , Ilangala Ange B.
Published: March 2022

Tissue engineering and cell therapy are very attractive in terms of potential applications but remain quite challenging regarding the clinical aspects. Amongst the different strategies proposed to facilitate their implementation in clinical practices, biodegradable microparticles have shown promising outcomes with several advantages and potentialities. This critical review aims to establish a survey of the most relevant materials and processing techniques to prepare these micro vehicles. Special attention will be paid to their main potential applications, considering the regulatory constraints and the relative easiness to implement their production at an industrial level to better evaluate their application in clinical practices.
Effect of Adding Pyrolysis Carbon Black (CBp) on Soft Friction and Metal Wear during Mixing
Authors: Pan Yiren , Pan Yi , Wang Zhilin , Han Shuang , Han Wenwen , Bian Huiguang
Published: March 2022

In the cracking process of waste tires, pyrolysis carbon black (CBp), as a solid product, accounts for about 35% of the total tire rubber content. Here, the treated CBp has been gradually applied to the tire formula to improve the recycling efficiency of waste tires. This study elucidated the influence of adding CBp during the tire mixing process on soft friction and metal wear. Compared with industrial carbon black (I-CB), the friction coefficient of CBp was smaller at different mixing stages, and the ripple caused by adhesion friction was not evident. After the modified CBp (M-CBp) was obtained by implementing the surface activation of common CBp (C-CBp), the friction coefficient between M-CBp and metal increased by 10%, while the filler dispersion and comprehensive mechanical properties showed an upward trend. The wear rate of metal was higher than that observed after adding I-CB during the same mixing mode; thus, it was necessary to strengthen the wear resistance of the inner-wall surface of the mixing chamber. The –OH group on the M-CBp surface can also participate in the silane coupling reaction and aggravate the metal wear of the mixer chamber wall. Through a comparison of results, the mixing friction coefficient can reflect the strength of filler–rubber interaction, which in turn can preliminarily represent the dispersion effect and comprehensive properties, reveal the reason behind the poor performance of CBp, and highlight the need for modification from the perspective of tribology.
Biodegradation of PBSA Films by Elite Aspergillus Isolates and Farmland Soil
Authors: Chien Hsiao-Lin , Tsai Yi-Ting , Tseng Wei-Sung , Wu Jin-An , Kuo Shin-Liang , Chang Sheng-Lung , Huang Shu-Jiuan , Liu Chi-Te
Published: March 2022

Plastic films are widely used in current agricultural practices; however, most mulch films used are discarded and buried in the land after harvest, having adverse environmental impacts. To solve this environmental problem, the demand for biodegradable mulch has been increasing in recent years. Polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA) is a biodegradable polymer with good ductility and can be used for packaging and mulching. In this study, we isolated two elite fungal strains for PBSA degradation from farmlands, i.e., Aspergillus fumigatus L30 and Aspergillus terreus HC, and the latter showed better degradation ability than the former. It is noteworthy that biodegradation of PBSA by A. terreus is reported for the first time, which revealed unique characteristics. In the soil burial test, even the soil with relatively poor degradation ability could be improved by the addition of elite fungal mycelia. In substrate specificity analyses of soil samples, PBSA could induce the synthesis of lipolytic enzymes of indigenous microbes to degrade substrates with medium and long carbon chains in soil. Furthermore, PBSA residues or fungal mycelia supplementation in soils had no adverse effect on the seed germination rate, seedling growth, or mature plant weight of the test green leafy vegetable. Taken together, the results of this study not only advance our understanding of the biodegradation of PBSA films by filamentous fungi but also provide insight into improving the efficiency of biodegradation in soil environments.
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of the Recycled and Virgin PET—Part I
Authors: Celik Yasemin , Shamsuyeva Madina , Endres Hans Josef
Published: March 2022

In various countries, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) represents one of the plastics with a very high recycling rate. Since currently there is no analytical method enabling direct distinction between recycled PET (rPET) and virgin PET (vPET), there are various attempts to differentiate these materials indirectly. One of these approaches claims that the recycling of PET leads to polymer chain degradation, which is reflected in changed thermal, mechanical and crystalline properties, and testing of these properties can therefore be used to distinguish rPET and vPET. However, there are many sources leading to changes in the molecular structure and consequently to the changes of the above-mentioned properties of the PET. The purpose of this study is to analyze the glass transition and melting temperature, degree of crystallinity as well as bending and impact properties of 20 different commercially available PET recyclates from 14 suppliers and evaluate the results with respect to the literature values for vPET. The main results of this study show that the range of vPET properties is so broad that all of the corresponding properties of the tested rPET lie within this range.
Crack Initiation and Growth Behavior of HVOF Stellite-6 Coatings under Bending Loading
Authors: Sadeghi Behzad , Cavaliere Pasquale , Perrone Angelo , Silvello Alessio
Published: March 2022

Stellite-6 powders were sprayed on Ni-Al bronze in order to produce coatings via high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF). The microstructural observations revealed the main mechanisms taking place for the substrate–coating adhesion. It was revealed that tungsten-rich particles are very active in improving the coating adhesion as well as the mechanical properties. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the coating material showed pronounced peak broadening, revealing high residual stresses related to excellent bonding to the substrate. As expected, the coating procedure led to an increase in surface hardness. The surface properties of the coatings were evaluated through cyclic three-point bending tests at different maximum loads. It was demonstrated that the main part of the fatigue life is spent in the crack initiation stage, with a short propagation stage. Obviously, this behavior decreases as the maximum cyclic stress increases. The micro-mechanisms taking place during cyclic loading were evaluated through fracture surface observations via scanning electron microscopy.
Advanced Dynamics Processes Applied to an Articulated Robot
Authors: Petrescu Florian Ion Tiberiu
Published: March 2022

The paper presents the dynamics of a 2R planar articulated robot, developed by two original methods. One is the classical “Lagrangian” adapted by the author, and the second method is absolutely original. The dynamics of the robot are based in both cases on the variation of the inertial forces in the mechanism, or practically on the influence of the masses of the moving elements of the robot. The influence of external loads, weights and the load to be transported is also taken into account. Another original element of the work is the choice of speeds in such a way that they correspond to an optimum necessary for the inverse kinematics imposed on the robot. For this reason, the dynamic operation will be quiet and without large variations or vibrations. If the speeds of the two electric motors (preferably stepper motors) areadapted to those recommended by the author, the controller (PID) used will have a very light load. It is even possible to eliminate it if the adjustment of the two stepper motors (actuators) is performed according to the speeds indicated by the author of the paper. The kinematic motion imposed by the indicated optimal speeds is dynamically and successfully checked by both methods used.
An Open Trial on the Feasibility and Efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention with Psychoeducational Elements on Atopic Eczema and Chronic Itch
Authors: Harfensteller Julia
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are psychological group interventions conducted over several weeks. Their effects on reducing stress and improving physical and psychological health have been proven in various clinical populations. Growing evidence suggests that MBIs might be beneficial for dermatology patients. This article reports on a novel Mindfulness-based Training for chronic Skin Conditions (MBTSC) with psychoeducational elements that was developed with the goal of improving self-regulation including stress management and emotion regulation in patients and to help in coping with disease symptoms such as itch and scratching. The intervention was tested in a pilot efficacy trial in order to examine feasibility and to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of the intervention on disease severity including itch perception and on psychological distress in an atopic dermatitis (AD) sample. (2) Methods: Following an uncontrolled pre-test-post-test design based on standardized self-report measures, nine adult AD patients were recruited from a dermatology clinic. Data were collected at baseline, post-treatment and 3 month follow-up. Patients completed questionnaires assessing disease severity, itch perception, stress, anxiety and depression, mindfulness and intervention acceptability. The 7 week intervention included seven weekly sessions and a daily home-practice requirement, supported by guided audio-meditations and reading material. (3) Results: Quantitative data showed improvements in disease severity, itch perception and stress levels with small to medium effect sizes. Psychological distress increased at post-treatment—significantly in the case of depression. Qualitative data highlighted the mixed effects of MBTSC on symptoms. Treatment acceptability was high and 100% of the participants completed the intervention; (4) Conclusions: These data indicate that MBTSC is feasible and that it might be a useful tool as adjunct therapy for AD. Further studies with larger samples and control groups are needed.
Religious Education and Its Interaction with the Spiritual Dimension of Childhood: Teachers’ Perceptions, Understanding and Aspirations
Authors: Hill Ellie , Woolley Richard
Published: March 2022

In England, religious education (RE) is a part of the basic curriculum mandatory for all pupils in the compulsory years of schooling. This paper explores how RE and spirituality interact and whether one can contribute to the effective delivery of the other. It explores the experience of a small group of subject leaders working in schools in one local authority area in the West Midlands of England, drawn from schools with a religious affiliation and those without. Using in service training activities, questionnaires and reflective processes, it seeks to elicit their aspirations for the interaction between RE and spirituality (also referred to as meaning-making). The findings suggest the subject leaders have an intention to develop both activity to promote learning and activity to apply that learning to real life experience. This suggests that developing a spiritual dimension to religious education requires a move from the abstract or theoretical and from knowledge acquisition towards increased engagement, making a personal response and considering what difference can be made as a result. As such, a spiritual dimension to learning cannot be passive. The project has the potential to impact policy and practice on both national and international levels, given its focus on values and pedagogy rather than specific curriculum content.
Mechanical Design and Analysis of a Novel Three-Legged, Compact, Lightweight, Omnidirectional, Serial–Parallel Robot with Compliant Agile Legs
Authors: Feller David , Siemers Christian
Published: March 2022

In this work, the concept and mechanical design of a novel compact, lightweight, omnidirectional three-legged robot, featuring a hybrid serial–parallel topology including leg compliance is proposed. The proposal focusses deeply on the design aspects of the mechanical realisation of the robot based on its 3D-CAD assembly, while also discussing the results of multi-body simulations, exploring the characteristic properties of the mechanical system, regarding the locomotion feasibility of the robot model. Finally, a real-world prototype depicting a single robot leg is presented, which was built by highly leaning into a composite design, combining complex 3D-printed parts with stiff aluminium and polycarbonate parts, allowing for a mechanically dense and slim construction. Eventually, experiments on the prototype leg are demonstrated, showing the mechanical model operating in the real world.
How Does Sample Labeling and Distribution Affect the Accuracy and Efficiency of a Deep Learning Model for Individual Tree-Crown Detection and Delineation
Authors: Hao Zhenbang , Post Christopher J. , Mikhailova Elena A. , Lin Lili , Liu Jian , Yu Kunyong
Published: March 2022

Monitoring and assessing vegetation using deep learning approaches has shown promise in forestry applications. Sample labeling to represent forest complexity is the main limitation for deep learning approaches for remote sensing vegetation classification applications, and few studies have focused on the impact of sample labeling methods on model performance and model training efficiency. This study is the first-of-its-kind that uses Mask region-based convolutional neural networks (Mask R-CNN) to evaluate the influence of sample labeling methods (including sample size and sample distribution) on individual tree-crown detection and delineation. A flight was conducted over a plantation with Fokienia hodginsii as the main tree species using a Phantom4-Multispectral (P4M) to obtain UAV imagery, and a total of 2061 manually and accurately delineated tree crowns were used for training and validating (1689) and testing (372). First, the model performance of three pre-trained backbones (ResNet-34, ResNet-50, and ResNet-101) was evaluated. Second, random deleting and clumped deleting methods were used to repeatedly delete 10% from the original sample set to reduce the training and validation set, to simulate two different sample distributions (the random sample set and the clumped sample set). Both RGB image and Multi-band images derived from UAV flights were used to evaluate model performance. Each model’s average per-epoch training time was calculated to evaluate the model training efficiency. The results showed that ResNet-50 yielded a more robust network than ResNet-34 and ResNet-101 when the same parameters were used for Mask R-CNN. The sample size determined the influence of sample labeling methods on the model performance. Random sample labeling had lower requirements for sample size compared to clumped sample labeling, and unlabeled trees in random sample labeling had no impact on model training. Additionally, the model with clumped samples provides a shorter average per-epoch training time than the model with random samples. This study demonstrates that random sample labeling can greatly reduce the requirement of sample size, and it is not necessary to accurately label each sample in the image during the sample labeling process.
Mapping Land Cover Types for Highland Andean Ecosystems in Peru Using Google Earth Engine
Authors: Pizarro Samuel Edwin , Pricope Narcisa Gabriela , Vargas-Machuca Daniella , Huanca Olwer , Ñaupari Javier
Published: March 2022

Highland Andean ecosystems sustain high levels of floral and faunal biodiversity in areas with diverse topography and provide varied ecosystem services, including the supply of water to cities and downstream agricultural valleys. Google (™) has developed a product specifically designed for mapping purposes (Earth Engine), which enables users to harness the computing power of a cloud-based solution in near-real time for land cover change mapping and monitoring. We explore the feasibility of using this platform for mapping land cover types in topographically complex terrain with highly mixed vegetation types (Nor Yauyos Cochas Landscape Reserve located in the central Andes of Peru) using classification machine learning (ML) algorithms in combination with different sets of remote sensing data. The algorithms were trained using 3601 sampling pixels of (a) normalized spectral bands between the visible and near infrared spectrum of the Landsat 8 OLI sensor for the 2018 period, (b) spectral indices of vegetation, soil, water, snow, burned areas and bare ground and (c) topographic-derived indices (elevation, slope and aspect). Six ML algorithms were tested, including CART, random forest, gradient tree boosting, minimum distance, naïve Bayes and support vector machine. The results reveal that ML algorithms produce accurate classifications when spectral bands are used in conjunction with topographic indices, resulting in better discrimination among classes with similar spectral signatures such as pajonal (tussock grass-dominated cover) and short grasses or rocky groups, and moraines, agricultural and forested areas. The model with the highest explanatory power was obtained from the combination of spectral bands and topographic indices using the random forest algorithm (Kappa = 0.81). Our study presents a first approach of its kind in topographically complex Cordilleran terrain and we show that GEE is particularly useful in large-scale land cover mapping and monitoring in mountainous ecosystems subject to rapid changes and conversions, with replicability and scalability to other areas with similar characteristics.
Driving Climatic Factors at Critical Plant Developmental Stages for Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Alpine Grassland Productivity
Authors: Zhai Dechao , Gao Xizhang , Li Baolin , Yuan Yecheng , Jiang Yuhao , Liu Yan , Li Ying , Li Rui , Liu Wei , Xu Jie
Published: March 2022

Determining the driving climatic factors at critical periods and potential legacy effects is crucial for grassland productivity predictions on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). However, studies with limited and ex situ ground samples from highly heterogeneous alpine meadows brought great uncertainties. This study determined the key climatic factors at critical plant developmental stages and the impact of previous plant growth status for interannual aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) variations in different QTP grassland types. We hypothesize that the impact of climatic factors on grassland productivity varies in different periods and different vegetation types, while its legacy effects are not great. Pixel-based partial least squares regression was used to associate interannual ANPP with precipitation and air temperature at different developmental stages and prior-year ANPP from 2000 to 2019 using remote sensing techniques. Results indicated different findings from previous studies. Precipitation at the reproductive stage (July–August) was the most prominent controlling factor for ANPP which was also significantly affected by precipitation and temperature at the withering (September–October) and dormant stage (November–February), respectively. The influence of precipitation was more significant in alpine meadows than in alpine steppes, while the differentiated responses to climatic factors were attributed to differences in water consumption at different developmental stages induced by leaf area changes, bud sprouting, growth, and protection from frost damage. The prior-year ANPP showed a non-significant impact on ANPP of current year, except for alpine steppes, and this impact was much less than that of current-year climatic factors, which may be attributed to the reduced annual ANPP variations related to the inter-annual carbon circulation of alpine perennial herbaceous plants and diverse root/shoot ratios in different vegetation types. These findings can assist in improving the interannual ANPP predictions on the QTP under global climate change.
Effects of Elemental Sulfur on Soil pH and Growth of Saskatoon Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Beaked Hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) Seedlings
Authors: Sun Xuehui , Zhang Wenqing , Vassov Robert , Sherr Ira , Du Ning , Zwiazek Janusz J.
Published: March 2022

The land disturbed by open-pit oil sands mining must be restored to support the survival and growth of native boreal plants. Because tailings sand and sodic shale overburden are commonly used as an underlying parent substrate that is capped by boreal forest cover soils, the soil pH in reclamation sites is often higher compared with undisturbed boreal forest soil. Sulfur is a major byproduct of oil sands refining and could potentially be used as an amendment to lower the soil pH on reclamation sites. In this study, we examined the effects of soil pH and elemental sulfur on growth and physiological responses in Saskatoon berry and beaked hazelnut seedlings. We found that elemental sulfur was effective in lowering soil pH. However, addition of elemental sulfur to a forest soil of pH 5.7 lowered the soil pH to around 3, which impaired the growth and physiological performance of both plant species. The addition of 5 and 25 g kg−1 elemental sulfur to the pH 8.5 soil did not substantially improve the examined growth and physiological parameters in Saskatoon berry and beaked hazelnut seedlings. Further, excess addition of elemental sulfur in high pH soil could reduce the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium in Saskatoon berry. The results demonstrate that the amount of sulfur applied to the soil would need to be carefully determined for different soil types and pH levels to avoid potential toxicity effects.
A Systematic Review of Financial Literacy Research in Latin America and The Caribbean
Authors: Méndez Prado Silvia Mariela , Zambrano Franco Marlon José , Zambrano Zapata Susana Gabriela , Chiluiza García Katherine Malena , Everaert Patricia , Valcke Martin
Published: March 2022

Several well-known studies have remarked on the low financial literacy (FL) levels in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), which represent a problem in an economic context of change and uncertainty. This fact gives us the opportunity to evaluate the current state of literature related to FL in the region. The main list of identified keywords allowed the PRISMA methodology to guide the systematic literature review and analysis procedure. During 2016–2022, the FL search yielded around 4500 FL manuscripts worldwide, but only 65 articles were related to the scope of our analysis (which involved looking at LAC countries). Being the first review from an LAC country about all LAC countries, the findings highlight a lack of FL research focus on regional needs, gender gaps affecting women, and conceptual frameworks used to develop efficient educational program interventions. Most studies in this review build on the OECD definition of FL, but the financial attitude dimension often seems to be omitted from the analyses. These findings open the discussion about efficient policy design concerning FL development in LAC.
Correction: Kakar et al. The Mediating Role of Person-Job Fit between Work-Life Balance (WLB) Practices and Academic Turnover Intentions in India’s Higher Educational Institutions. Sustainability 2021, 13, 10497
Authors: Kakar Abdul Samad , Saufi Roselina Ahmad , Devadhasan Babin Dhas , Meyer Natanya , Vetrivel Seetharampalayam Chettiannan , Magda Róbert
Published: March 2022

The authors would like to make the following corrections about the published paper [1]:(1)Addition of authors [...]
Marble Dust Effect on the Air Quality: An Environmental Assessment Approach
Authors: Iqbal Qaiser , Musarat Muhammad Ali , Ullah Najeeb , Alaloul Wesam Salah , Rabbani Muhammad Babar Ali , Al Madhoun Wesam , Iqbal Shahid
Published: March 2022

All over the world, increasing anthropogenic activities, industrialization, and urbanization have intensified the emissions of various pollutants that cause air pollution. Marble quarries in Pakistan are abundant and there is a plethora of small- and large-scale industries, including mining and marble-based industries. The air pollution caused by the dust generated in the process of crushing and extracting marble can cause serious problems to the general physiological functions of plants and it affects human life as well. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess the air quality of areas with marble factories and areas without marble factories, where the concentration of particulate matter in terms of total suspended particles (TSP) was determined. For this purpose, EPAM-5000 equipment was used to measure the particulate levels. Besides this, a spectrophotometer was used to analyze the presence of PM2.5 and PM10 in the chemical composition of marble dust. It was observed that the TSP concentrations in Darmangi and Malagori areas of Peshawar, Pakistan—having marble factories—were 626 µg/m3 and 5321 µg/m3 respectively. The (PM2.5, PM10) concentration in Darmangi was (189 µg/m3, 520 µg/m3) and in Malagori, it was recorded as (195 µg/m3, 631 µg/m3), which was significantly higher than the non-marble dust areas and also exceeded WHO recommended standards. It was concluded that the areas with the marble factories were more susceptible to air pollution as the concentration of TSP was significantly higher than the recommended TSP levels. It is recommended that marble factories should be shifted away from residential areas along with strict enforcement. People should be instructed to use protective equipment and waste management should be ensured along with control mechanisms to monitor particulate levels.
Food Recommendations for Reducing Water Footprint
Authors: Gallo Ignazio , Landro Nicola , La Grassa Riccardo , Turconi Andrea
Published: March 2022

Most existing food-related research efforts focus on recipe retrieval, user preference-based food recommendation, kitchen assistance, or nutritional and caloric estimation of dishes, ignoring personalized and conscious food recommendations resources of the planet. Therefore, in this work, we present a personalized food recommendation scheme, mapping the ingredients to the most resource-friendly dishes on the planet and in particular, selecting recipes that contain ingredients that consume as little water as possible for their production. The system proposed here is able to understand the user’s behavior and to suggest tailor-made recipes with lower water quantity used in production. By continuously using the system, the user can gradually reduce their water footprint and benefit from a healthier diet. The proposed recommendation system was compared with the results of two papers available in the literature that represent the state of the art, obtaining similar results. Therefore, the results of the presented recommendation system can be considered reliable.
Categories and Design Properties of Inherited Long-Lasting Products
Authors: Frahm Lea Becker , Laursen Linda Nhu , Tollestrup Christian
Published: March 2022

As a counter-reaction to the increasing speed at which products are consumed, companies have embraced the idea of designing products that last longer. To understand characteristics of long-lasting products, this paper examines the product categories and design properties of products that are inherited, and thus have a prolonged product lifetime. Based on previous research, we propose a theoretical framework with product categories and design properties for inherited products. We then deploy this framework on an empirical dataset of 175 inherited products that are identified through participants’ self-assessments. These are then analyzed in respect to 18 product categories and three overall groups of design properties: emotional properties (memories and brand), functional properties (functions), and aesthetic properties (colors and materials). Our study shows that the most inherited product categories are kitchenware (24%), furniture (21%), home decoration (14%) and jewelry (12%); it also shows that the reasons for keeping inherited products differ across product categories. However, inherited products commonly display honest and/or gracefully aging material, colors that reflect the material choice, single functions, and functional independency—that is, they do not rely on other products to function.
Allocation of Decision Rights and CSR Disclosure: Evidence from Listed Business Groups in China
Authors: Cui Rumeng , Ma Zhong , Wang Longfeng
Published: March 2022

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research has recently begun to focus on the CSR performance of business groups, with the scope shifting from group members to business groups in general. This paper focuses on whether business groups with centralized decision rights tend to disclose more CSR information and investigates the heterogeneous effect of the number of subsidiaries. Using a dataset for listed groups in China from 2010 to 2020, our empirical test discovered that centralized decision rights could promote group CSR disclosure. For groups with many subsidiaries, centralization makes a more significant contribution to promoting CSR disclosure. The mechanism test revealed that this positive relationship between centralization and disclosure relies on efficient internal capital market allocation, a reduction in rent-seeking behavior of subsidiaries, and reputational concerns. Furthermore, we observed that the centralized decision rights influence on disclosure varies across different aspects of CSR, with a negative impact on “Social Contribution” and a positive impact on “Shareholder Responsibility”, “Employee Responsibility”, “Supplier, Customer, and Consumer Responsibility” and “Environmental Responsibility”. Centralized decision rights promote more CSR disclosures with voluntary disclosures, while regulatory disclosures have no significant effect. We research the allocation of decision rights and group CSR disclosure.