bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Literature Review of the Effect of Layered Double Hydroxides on the Mechanical Properties of Rubber
Authors: van Tonder Louise , Labuschagné Frederick Johannes Willem Jacobus
Published: October 2021

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted interest as reinforcing fillers in elastomers due to their ease of synthesis and customisability. A systematic review was performed on the effect of LDHs on the mechanical properties of elastomers using the Scopus database. Of the 61 articles relevant to the search criteria, the majority were published on polyurethane (PU) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). Mg-Al LDH was used in most of the studies and Zn-Al LDH was used second most common. LDH can act as a reinforcing filler, typically increasing tensile strength even at low concentrations, so it could be used as an alternative to traditional reinforcing fillers for elastomers. LDH can also be made a functional filler by selecting the right metals and interlayer anions. It was found that Mg-Al LDH and Zn-Al LDH can both participate in crosslinking reactions and can replace MgO and ZnO, respectively. Less Zn ions are required for crosslinking when LDH is used than when ZnO is used, making LDH more environmentally friendly. Organic modification is usually required to improve compatibility with the elastomer matrix, especially in non-polar elastomers. It enables exfoliation of the LDH and intercalation of polymer chains into the LDH interlayer to occur. Organic modifiers can also be used to functionalise the LDH. Stearic acid used in crosslinking systems can be replaced by stearate anions from stearate-modified LDH.
Surface Modification of Poly(lactic acid) Film via Cold Plasma Assisted Grafting of Fumaric and Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Abdulkareem Asma , Kasak Peter , Nassr Mohammed G. , Mahmoud Abdelrahman A. , Al-Ruweidi Mahmoud Khatib A. A. , Mohamoud Khalid J. , Hussein Mohammed K. , Popelka Anton
Published: October 2021

Plant-based materials have found their application in the packaging with a yearly growing production rate. These naturally biodegradable polymers are obtained from renewable and sustainable natural resources with reduced environmental impact and affordable cost. These materials have found their utilization in fully-renewable plant-based packaging products, such as Tetra Pak®-like containers, by replacing commonly-used polyethylene as the polymer component. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the representative plant-based polymers because of its eco-friendliness and excellent chemical and mechanical properties. In this work, a PLA surface was modified by various food additives, namely ascorbic acid (ASA) and fumaric acid (FA), using plasma-initiated grafting reactions in order to improve the surface and adhesion properties of PLA. Various analytical and microscopic techniques were employed to prove the grafting process. Moreover, the improved adhesion of the modified PLA foil to aluminum (Al) foil in a laminate configuration was proven by peel resistance measurements. The peel resistance of modified PLA increased by 74% and 184% for samples modified by ASA and FA, respectively, compared with untreated PLA.
A Brief Introduction to the Polyurethanes According to the Principles of Green Chemistry
Authors: Brzeska Joanna , Piotrowska-Kirschling Agnieszka
Published: October 2021

Polyurethanes are most often called “green” when they contain natural, renewable additives in their network or chemical structure, such as mono- and polysaccharides, oils (mainly vegetable oils), polyphenols (e.g., lignins, tannins), or various compounds derived from agro-waste white biotechnology (Principle 7). This usually results in these polyurethanes obtained from less hazardous substrates (Principle 4). Appropriate modification of polyurethanes makes them susceptible to degradation, and the use of appropriate processes allows for their recycling (Principle 10). However, this fulfilment of other principles also predisposes them to be green. As in the production of other polymer materials, the synthesis of polyurethanes is carried out with the use of catalysts (such as biocatalysts) (Principle 9) with full control of the course of the reaction (Principle 11), which allows maximization of the atomic economy (Principle 2) and an increase in energy efficiency (Principle 6) while minimizing the risk of production waste (Principle 1). Moreover, traditional substrates in the synthesis of polyurethanes can be replaced with less toxic ones (e.g., in non-isocyanate polyurethanes), which, at the same time, leads to a non-toxic product (Principle 3, Principle 5). In general, there is no need for blocking compounds to provide intermediates in the synthesis of polyurethanes (Principle 8). Reasonable storage of substrates, their transport, and the synthesis of polyurethanes guarantee the safety and the prevention of uncontrolled reactions (Principle 12). This publication is a summary of the achievements of scientists and technologists who are constantly working to create ideal polyurethanes that do not pollute the environment, and their synthesis and use are consistent with the principles of sustainable economy.
Indirect Relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous Spirituality and Their Hopelessness: The Role of Meaning in Life, Hope, and Abstinence Duration
Authors: Wnuk Marcin
Published: October 2021

Spiritual growth is a significant factor in Alcoholics Anonymous treatment process. In the literature, there is an observable lack of research regarding spiritual mechanisms of recovery in alcohol addicted individuals who are participants of self-help groups. The study purpose was to examine the potential mechanisms indirectly influencing participants of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and to determine the effects of spiritual experiences on their feelings of hopelessness through finding meaning in life, improving hope, and longer abstinence duration. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. Participants were AA meeting attenders from Poland. According to the obtained results, the relationship between spiritual experiences and feelings of hopelessness was indirect through meaning in life, hope, and abstinence duration. Additionally, the moderated mediation effect was positively verified. Meaning in life moderated the relationship between hope and feelings of hopelessness. In a group of AA participants with less-than-average and average levels of meaning in life, hope protected against feelings of hopelessness. Among AA participants with higher-than-average meaning in life, hope was not related to their depression symptoms. The spiritual mechanisms, which led to reduced feelings of hopelessness among AA participants, and the role of meaning in life, hope, and duration of abstinence were confirmed.
“A World in a Grain of Sand”: The Book of Nature and Restoration Theology
Authors: Kelson Aaron Robert
Published: October 2021

Augustine (354–430) is considered to be the first Christian scholar to refer to the Creation’s witness of God as the Book of Nature. For centuries, in conjunction with scripture, the Book of Nature was considered in Christianity to be a second witness of God. These two witnesses were also stressed in Judaism, beginning with the Torah’s account of the Creation. The Book of Nature was prominent in Islam as the faith emerged in the 7th century. However, by the 16th century reliance on the Book of Nature began to wane for all these traditions as allegorical interpretation of the natural world gave way to scriptural literalism, partially in response to emerging scientific advances. The appearance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a self-identified restoration theology in the early nineteenth century should arguably reopen and clarify the Book of Nature in the faith. However, contemporary Latter-day Saint hermeneutics have limited the Creation’s status in the faith’s ontology. The Latter-day Saint theological ideal, supported by the scriptural canon of the faith, counters contemporary neglect, inviting greater attention to and respect for the Book of Nature among the Latter-day Saint community.
Quadrotor Autonomous Navigation in Semi-Known Environments Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Ou Jiajun , Guo Xiao , Lou Wenjie , Zhu Ming
Published: October 2021

In the application scenarios of quadrotors, it is expected that only part of the obstacles can be identified and located in advance. In order to make quadrotors fly safely in this situation, we present a deep reinforcement learning-based framework to realize autonomous navigation in semi-known environments. Specifically, the proposed framework utilizes the dueling double deep recurrent Q-learning, which can implement global path planning with the obstacle map as input. Moreover, the proposed framework combined with contrastive learning-based feature extraction can conduct real-time autonomous obstacle avoidance with monocular vision effectively. The experimental results demonstrate that our framework exhibits remarkable performance for both global path planning and autonomous obstacle avoidance.
Research of the Dual-Band Log-Linear Analysis Model Based on Physics for Bathymetry without In-Situ Depth Data in the South China Sea
Authors: Zhu Weidong , Ye Li , Qiu Zhenge , Luan Kuifeng , He Naiying , Wei Zheng , Yang Fan , Yue Zilin , Zhao Shubing , Yang Fei
Published: October 2021

The current widely used bathymetric inversion model based on multispectral satellite imagery mostly relies on in-situ depth data for establishing a liner/non-linear relationship between water depth and pixel reflectance. This paper evaluates the performance of a dual-band log-linear analysis model based on physics (P-DLA) for bathymetry without in-situ depth data. This is done using WorldView-2 images of blue and green bands. Further, the pixel sampling principles for solving the four key parameters of the model are summarized. Firstly, this paper elaborates on the physical mechanism of the P-DLA model. All unknown parameters of the P-DLA model are solved by different types of sampling pixels extracted from multispectral images for bathymetric measurements. Ganquan Island and Zhaoshu Island, where accuracy evaluation is performed for the bathymetric results of the P-DLA model with in-situ depth data, were selected to be processed using the method to evaluate its performance. The root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the Ganquan Island and Zhaoshu Island results are 1.69 m and 1.74 m with the mean relative error (MREs) of 14.8% and 18.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the bathymetric inversion is performed with in-situ depth data using the traditional dual-band log-linear regression model (DLR). The results show that the accuracy of the P-DLA model bathymetry without in-situ depth data is roughly equal to that of the DLR model water depth inversion based on in-situ depth data. The results indicate that the P-DLA model can still obtain relatively ideal bathymetric results despite not having actual bathymetric data in the model training. It also demonstrates underwater microscopic features and changes in the islands and reefs.
Measurement of Soil Tillage Using UAV High-Resolution 3D Data
Authors: Rebelo Carla , Nascimento João
Published: October 2021

Remote sensing methodologies could contribute to a more sustainable agriculture, such as monitoring soil preparation for cultivation, which should be done properly, according to the topographic characteristics and the crop’s nature. The objectives of this work are to (1) demonstrate the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in the acquisition of 3D data before and after soil tillage, for the quantification of mobilised soil volume; (2) propose a methodology that enables the co-registration of multi-temporal DTMs that were obtained from UAV surveys; and (3) show the relevance of quality control and positional accuracy assessment in processing and results. An unchanged-area-matching method based on multiple linear regression analysis was implemented to reduce the deviation between the Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) to calculate a more reliable mobilised soil volume. The production of DTMs followed the usual photogrammetric-based Structure from Motion (SfM) workflow; the extraction of fill and cut areas was made through raster spatial modelling and statistical tools to support the analysis. Results highlight that the quality of the differential DTM should be ensured for a reliable estimation of areas and mobilised soil volume. This study is a contribution to the use of multi-temporal DTMs produced from different UAV surveys. Furthermore, it demonstrates the potential of UAV data in the understanding of soil variability within precision agriculture.
A New Microwave Sensor Based on the Moore Fractal Structure to Detect Water Content in Crude Oil
Authors: Abdulsattar Russul Khalid , Elwi Taha A. , Abdul Hassain Zaid A.
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a microwave sensor based on a two-ports network for liquid characterizations. The proposed sensor is constructed as a miniaturized microwave resonator based on Moore fractal geometry of the 4th iteration. The T-resonator is combined with the proposed structure to increase the sensor quality factor. The proposed sensor occupies an area of 50 × 50 × 1.6 mm3 printed on an FR4 substrate. Analytically, a theoretical study is conducted to explain the proposed sensor operation. The proposed sensor was fabricated and experimentally tested for validation. Later, two pans were printed on the sensor to hold the Sample Under Test (SUT) of crude oil. The frequency resonance of the proposed structure before loading SUT was found to be 0.8 GHz. After printing the pans, a 150 MHz frequency shift was accrued to the first resonance. The sensing part was accomplished by monitoring the S-parameters in terms of S12 regarding the water concentration change in the crude oil samples. Therefore, 10 different samples with different water percentages were introduced to the proposed sensor to be tested for detecting the water content. Finally, the measurements of the proposed process were found to agree very well with their relative simulated results.
A Versatile Multiple-Pass Raman System for Industrial Trace Gas Detection
Authors: Shen Chunlei , Wen Chengwei , Huang Xin , Long Xinggui
Published: October 2021

The fast and in-line multigas detection is critical for a variety of industrial applications. In the present work, we demonstrate the utility of multiple-pass-enhanced Raman spectroscopy as a unique tool for sensitive industrial multigas detection. Instead of using spherical mirrors, D-shaped mirrors are chosen as cavity mirrors in our design, and 26 total passes are achieved in a simple and compact multiple-pass optical system. Due to the large number of passes achieved inside the multiple-pass cavity, experiments with ambient air show that the noise equivalent detection limit (3σ) of 7.6 Pa (N2), 8.4 Pa (O2) and 2.8 Pa (H2O), which correspond to relative abundance by volume at 1 bar total pressure of 76 ppm, 84 ppm and 28 ppm, can be achieved in one second with a 1.5 W red laser. Moreover, this multiple-pass Raman system can be easily upgraded to a multiple-channel detection system, and a two-channel detection system is demonstrated and characterized. High utilization ratio of laser energy (defined as the ratio of laser energy at sampling point to the laser output energy) is realized in this design, and high sensitivity is achieved in every sampling position. Compared with single-point sampling system, the back-to-back experiments show that LODs of 8.0 Pa, 8.9 Pa and 3.0 Pa can be achieved for N2, O2 and H2O in one second. Methods to further improve the system performance are also briefly discussed, and the analysis shows that similar or even better sensitivity can be achieved in both sampling positions for practical industrial applications.
Shopping When You Are Deafblind: A Pre-Technology Test of New Methods for Face-to-Face Communication—Deafblindness and Face-to-Face Communication
Authors: Vincent Claude , Wittich Walter , Bergeron François , Hotton Mathieu , Achou Bertrand
Published: October 2021

This article presents the first-year results of a project that aimed to explore the feasibility of using a braille display and a smartphone in society to improve face-to-face communication for a person living with deafblindness, using a simulated communication situation. An applied experimental development design was implemented, followed by a pre-test in the community. Two clinicians and an engineer conducted communication tests with three communication partners with normal vision in a shopping mall. A blind clinician acting as deafblind bought an iPhone case and asked for the location of two stores. Communication partners did not report any difficulties, understood the exchanges, and were proud to have helped a person living with deafblindness. No communication breakdowns or keyboard input incidents occurred. Speech turns were not optimal but can be improved. Clinicians proposed a sequence of three training modules: (1) prior knowledge (basic operations for iPhone, software, and braille display), (2) methods for preparing a face-to-face discussion, and (3) processes during a face-to-face discussion. Results demonstrate the feasibility of using a tactile technological solution coupled with a smartphone to interact with unknown interlocutors. Technology trials form the groundwork for a 9-month case study, involving two individuals with deafblindness.
Policies for Rapid Mitigation of the Crisis’ Effects on Agricultural Supply Chains: A Multi-Criteria Decision Support System with Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Baležentis Tomas , Morkūnas Mangirdas , Žičkienė Agnė , Volkov Artiom , Ribašauskienė Erika , Štreimikienė Dalia
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes an integrated approach towards rapid decision-making in the agricultural sector aimed at improvement of its resilience. Methodologically, we seek to devise a framework that is able to take the uncertainty regarding policy preferences into account. Empirically, we focus on the effects of COVID-19 on agriculture. First, we propose a multi-criteria decision-making framework following the Pugh matrix approach for group decision-making. The Monte Carlo simulation is used to check the effects of the perturbations in the criteria weights. Then, we identify the factors behind agricultural resilience and organize them into the three groups (food security, agricultural viability, decent jobs). The expert survey is carried out to elicit the ratings in regard to the expected effects of the policy measures with respect to dimensions of agricultural resilience. The case of Lithuania is considered in the empirical analysis. The existing and newly proposed agricultural policy measures are taken into account. The measures related to alleviation of the financial burden (e.g., credit payment deferral) appear to be the most effective in accordance with the expert ratings.
The Distinct Role of Physical Education in the Context of Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals: An Explorative Review and Suggestions for Future Work
Authors: Fröberg Andreas , Lundvall Suzanne
Published: October 2021

Agenda 2030 is a universal call to action which emphasises that all sectors of society should mobilise to create an inclusive and equal society and improve the lives of people world-wide. Education, physical activity and sport are recognised as critical means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); therefore, it makes sense that school physical education (PE) also has the potential to contribute to the visions set out by Agenda 2030. A critical question is how sustainability can be understood, framed and integrated in PE. In this explorative paper, we, therefore, performed a review regarding the distinct role of PE in the context of Agenda 2030 and its SDGs. The overall research question that guided this paper is as follows: what perspectives related to PE in the context of Agenda 2030 and its SDGs have been discussed in the research literature? To identify relevant papers, five electronic databases (Education Research Complete, ERIC, Education database, SportDiscus, and Scopus) were systematically searched with search strings developed in an effort to identify research that supports the SDGs. The search resulted in about 4300 papers published between 2015 and 2021. Three unique papers met the inclusion criteria. We conclude that, so far, Agenda 2030 is a largely unexplored area of research in the field of PE, and that more research is needed to understand how sustainability can be understood, framed and integrated in PE. Based on the findings, we conclude the paper by providing suggestions for future work.
Nature Is for Trees, Culture Is for Humans: A Critical Reading of the IPCC Report
Authors: Matus Claudia , Bussenius Pascale , Herraz Pablo , Riberi Valentina , Prieto Manuel
Published: October 2021

In this article, we problematize conventional views regarding culture presented in the assessment report entitled Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. This report is a contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). We posit that when culture is seen as a stable category and imagined as a space composed of humans—and, more precisely, only certain humans—an epistemological, ontological, and ethical order is reproduced in which (a) nature is framed as a passive and apolitical “out there”, (b) knowledge based on this division is misleading and partial (e.g., social scientists study culture and natural scientists study nature), and (c) dominant humanist assumptions become common-sense explanations for inequalities. We conduct a critical discourse analysis of the IPCC report to better understand which assumptions produce the conceptualization of culture as a stable category. In our conclusion, we offer an example of a semiotic-meaning intervention of a section of the report to demonstrate the vitality of the concepts presented in this document. Subsequently, we discuss the consequences of omitting the vital traffic between the biological, social, and cultural realms from discussions on climate change to reexamine the production and reproduction of inequalities.
Study on Green Utilization Efficiency of Urban Land in Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Lin Qiaowen , Ling Huiting
Published: October 2021

Based on the panel data of 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2006–2018, this paper constructed an index system of measuring green urban land use efficiency (green land use efficiency), including input-expected output-unexpected output (input-expected output-unexpected output) and used the unexpected output-SBM model to calculate the green land use efficiency of the region. The spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of urban land green use efficiency in this area were studied by the Dagum Gini coefficient, decomposition, and exploratory spatial data analysis. The results show that (1) the temporal evolution characteristics of green land use efficiency in the whole region of the Yangtze River Delta, provinces (municipalities directly under the central government), and cities all show an upward trend of fluctuation. Among them, the green land use efficiency of the whole region is between 0.258 and 0.377, the gap in the green land use efficiency of the provinces (municipalities directly under the central government) is accelerating, and the green land use efficiency of the cities is gradually advancing to the middle and high efficiency areas. (2) Spatial evolution: On the one hand, the spatial difference in the green use efficiency of urban land in this region is gradually expanding. On the other hand, the green use efficiency of urban land in this region has a significant positive spatial correlation, the agglomeration pattern is dominated by high agglomeration and low agglomeration, and the low high agglomeration is supplemented.
Can Financial Development Curb Carbon Emissions? Empirical Test Based on Spatial Perspective
Authors: Liu Xueyang , Liu Xiaoxing
Published: October 2021

To respond to global climate change and achieve a “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality” as soon as possible has become a common goal around the world. Economic growth relies heavily on financial development; indeed, low-carbon economic development is inseparable from financial support. This paper studies the impact of financial development on carbon emission intensity and its mechanism from both theoretical and empirical aspects. Based on the 2005–2018 data on Chinese cities and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) research results, this paper finds that: (1) Financial development has significantly reduced China’s carbon emission intensity overall. After considering spatial effects, financial development increases local carbon emission intensity, although it may lead to a more significant decrease in the surrounding area. (2) The analysis of heterogeneity shows that only the financial development in the eastern region has a substantial detrimental impact on total carbon emission intensity and the carbon emission intensity of neighboring cities. The financial development in the central and western regions has no significant effect on carbon emission intensity. (3) The mechanism test shows that financial development mainly reduces carbon emission intensity through technological innovation and structural optimization, with the effect of technological innovation being 9.5%, and the effect of structural optimization being 12.15%. The expansion of the consumption effects of financial development has no significant impact on carbon emission intensity. Accordingly, this article believes that it is necessary to further support financial development, build large-scale financial centers, continue to optimize the structure of financial products, and encourage the development of green finance.
Development of an Industry 4.0-Based Analytical Method for the Value Stream Centered Optimization of Demand-Driven Warehousing Systems
Authors: Dobos Péter , Cservenák Ákos , Skapinyecz Róbert , Illés Béla , Tamás Péter
Published: October 2021

In real life situations, the material handling strategy of on-site storage systems is usually determined during the design of the storage system, which is no longer reviewed later. The strategy is typically determined by the person(s) designing the storage system, without the use of scientific methods, based on previous experience. Without a thorough periodic review of operational strategy, most companies’ warehousing systems have significant logistical losses (e.g., unnecessary material handling, waiting, operations), which also negatively affects the sustainability of the logistics operations. Therefore, eliminating these losses can increase both the competitiveness and the sustainability of companies. For this reason, the aim of this publication is to introduce a gap-filling test method that allows the selection of an optimal material handling strategy covering the total value stream in a demand-driven storage environment, using the opportunities offered by the Industry 4.0 concept, in particular in the field of big data analysis. This integrated approach has so far not emerged in the study of warehouse material handling strategies. Beyond the obvious economic benefits, the application of this method can clearly help companies to achieve a higher level of sustainability in their logistics operations, as it allows storage systems to operate more efficiently while minimizing material handling losses, ultimately resulting in a lesser demand for energy and raw materials. Moreover, this can also result in a reduction in the human and machine resources required to perform the tasks.
Urban Rehabilitation, Social Innovation, and New Working Spaces in Lisbon
Authors: Morgado Sofia
Published: October 2021

This study brings together three subjects: urban rehabilitation, social innovation, and new working spaces, envisaging an intersectoral viewpoint, focusing on a European city, Lisbon, arguing that the public sector holds the capacity to consistently drive positive achievements in this respect. This study involves analyzing policy, governance, and urban planning documents in force, observation and spatial analysis using open-source databases, and stakeholder interviews. The result is in line with the primary research plea applied to the case study, and conclusions show that public intervention, whenever applied systematically from the city vision to local plans, resorting to close bonds between the sites and the communities in a participatory and collaborative way, may lead to urban rehabilitation and social innovation through the inception and development of new working spaces. The study was designed while researching as a member of COST CA18214 (The Geography of New Working Spaces and the Impact on the Periphery).
The Perceived Importance and Intended Purchasing Patterns of Sustainable Foods in Australian University Students
Authors: Kent Katherine , Visentin Denis , Peterson Corey , Primo Carmen , Elliott Catherine , Otlowski Margaret , Murray Sandra
Published: October 2021

Although there has been considerable research on consumers’ opinions about sustainable foods and purchasing behaviors, the experience of university students remains unclear. This study aims to characterize university students’ perceptions of the importance of sustainable foods and determine the relationship between perceptions and the frequency of purchasing sustainable foods. In a non-random sample of university students, a cross-sectional, online survey determined students’ perceptions of the importance of locally grown food and sustainable foods, and the self-reported frequency of purchasing sustainable foods. Multivariate binary logistic regression was conducted. Survey respondents (n = 1858; 71% female; 80% domestic enrolled; 43% aged 18–24 y; 38% food insecure) perceived locally grown food (77%) and sustainable food (84%) as important, and 68% reported buying sustainable foods frequently. Students who purchased sustainable foods frequently were more likely to be female, older and food insecure, and also were significantly more likely to perceive sustainable foods as important (OR: 7.317; 95%-CI: 5.538–9.667; SE: 0.142; p < 0.001). Our results demonstrate that university students perceive sustainable foods as important and a relationship between perceptions and actions for purchasing sustainable foods is evident. Our results should inform the development of strategies within universities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including improving access to locally grown and sustainable foods on campus to reflect student preferences, particularly for food insecure students.
Sustainability Performance of Port Infrastructure—A Case Study of a Quay Wall
Authors: Taneja Poonam , van Rhede van der Kloot Godert , van Koningsveld Mark
Published: October 2021

Ports form a vital link in the global maritime supply chain, and adherence to the UN sustainable goals in each port development and operation is all-important. Improving the sustainability performance of port infrastructure requires identifying all relevant aspects of sustainability, defining suitable performance measures, applying tools for quantification, and proposing intervention measures if needed. We present a framework for assessing and managing the sustainability performance of port infrastructure incorporating these elements. We apply the framework to quay walls in the Port of Rotterdam (PoR); however, the information to assess only four out of fourteen sustainability themes was available. This fact underlines the need for sustainability monitoring and reporting. We also present a case study of a quay wall in PoR. Based on the vision of PoR and literature, the sustainability theme ‘air pollutants’ was given priority, the selected performance measure being the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Dubocalc was chosen as a quantification tool and estimated a total emission of 1.9 kt of CO2eq for a 100-m length of quay wall over a 100-year lifecycle. The measures proposed to achieve climate neutrality in 2050 include using renewable energy for the Impressed Current Cathodic Protection and the temporary drainage systems, electrified transport and machinery, hydrogen as dredging fuel, and steel with hydrogen as a reduction-agent in the future. These could result in a total GHG reduction of 86% by the year 2050.
Ecological Footprint of Residential Buildings in Composite Climate of India—A Case Study
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Singh Pardeep , Kapoor Nishant Raj , Meena Chandan Swaroop , Jain Kshitij , Kulkarni Kishor S. , Cozzolino Raffaello
Published: October 2021

Buildings are accountable for waste generation, utilization of natural resources, and ecological contamination. The construction sector is one of the biggest consumers of resources available naturally and is responsible for significant CO2 emissions on the planet. The effects of the buildings on the environment are commonly determined using Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). The investigation and comparison of the Life Cycle Ecological Footprint (LCEF) and Life Cycle Energy (LCE) of five residential buildings situated in the composite climatic zone of India is presented in this study. The utilization of resources (building materials) along with developing a mobile application and a generic model to choose low emission material is the uniqueness of this study. The utilization of eco-friendly building materials and how these are more efficient than conventional building materials are also discussed. In this investigation, the two approaches, (a) Life Cycle Energy Assessment (LCEA) and (b) Life Cycle Ecological Footprint (LCEF), are discussed to evaluate the impacts of building materials on the environment. The energy embedded due to the materials used in a building is calculated to demonstrate the prevalence of innovative construction techniques over traditional materials. The generic model developed to assess the LCEA of residential buildings in the composite climate of India and the other results show that the utilization of low-energy building materials brings about a significant decrease in the LCEF and the LCE of the buildings. The results are suitable for a similar typology of buildings elsewhere in different climatic zone as well. The MATLAB model presented will help researchers globally to follow-up or replicate the study in their country. The developed user-friendly mobile application will enhance the awareness related to energy, environment, ecology, and sustainable development in the general public. This study can help in understanding and thus reducing the ecological burden of building materials, eventually leading towards sustainable development.
Dynamic Intercorrelations between Transport/Traffic Infrastructures and Territorial Systems: From Economic Growth to Sustainable Development
Authors: Raicu Serban , Costescu Dorinela , Popa Mihaela , Dragu Vasile
Published: October 2021

The correlations between investments in transport infrastructure and territorial development continue to concern public authorities. They are responsible for optimising the allocation of financial resources, and they are interested in the correct short- and long-term estimations of investments in transport infrastructure’s consequences for development. The direct and indirect effects of transport infrastructure are present in the socio-economic assessment methodologies of projects. Despite the recorded progress, uncertainties remain in technical assessments, especially socio-economic ones, and they do not remove decision-makers’ concerns regarding the necessity and appropriateness of investments. Based on these aspects, this paper aimed to clarify the effects of new infrastructure on socio-economic development.
The Role of Metaheuristics as Solutions Generators
Authors: Raoui Hanane El , Cabrera-Cuevas Marcelino , Pelta David A.
Published: October 2021

Optimization problems are ubiquitous nowadays. Many times, their corresponding computational models necessarily leave out of consideration several characteristics and features of the real world, so trying to obtain the optimum solution can not be enough for a problem solving point of view. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the role of metaheuristics as solutions’ generators in a basic problem solving framework. Metaheuristics become relevant in two modes: firstly because every run (in the case of population based techniques) allows to obtain a set of potentially good solutions, and secondly, if a reference solution is available, one can set up a new optimization problem that allows to obtain solutions with similar quality in the objectives space but maximally different structure in the design space. Once a set of solutions is obtained, an example of an a posteriori analysis to rank them according with decision maker’s preferences is shown. All the problem solving framework steps, emphasizing the role of metaheuristics are illustrated with a dynamic version of the tourist trip design problem (for the first mode), and with a perishable food distribution problem (for the second one). These examples clearly show the benefits of the problem solving framework proposed. The potential role of the symmetry concept is also explored.
Green Synthesis of Homogeneous Gold Nanoparticles Using Sargassum spp. Extracts and Their Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Organic Dyes
Authors: López-Miranda J. Luis , Molina Gustavo A. , Esparza Rodrigo , González-Reyna Marlen Alexis , Silva Rodolfo , Estévez Miriam
Published: October 2021

Sargassum species-based extracts were used to carry out the synthesis of homogeneous gold nanoparticles. Various techniques were used to determine the characteristics and composition of the nanoparticles. The UV-Vis results showed that the 50% water/ethanol extract had the most reducing agents and stabilizers. Therefore, this type of extract was used to synthesize nanoparticles and for their subsequent characterization. Crystallinity and crystal size were evaluated using X-ray diffraction. Size and morphology were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, showing that the gold nanoparticles were mostly spherical, with a size range of 15–30 nm. The catalytic activity of the gold nanoparticles was evaluated through the degradation of organic dyes: methylene blue, methyl orange, and methyl red. The degradation rates were different, depending on the nature of each dye, the simplest to degrade was methylene blue and methyl red was the most difficult to degrade. The results indicated that the use of Sargassum spp. for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles has potential in the remediation of water that is contaminated with organic dyes. Moreover, given the recent serious environmental and economic problems caused by the overpopulation of Sargassum spp. in the Mexican Caribbean, the findings hold promise for their practical and sustainable use in the synthesis of nanomaterials.
Hyperons in Neutron Stars
Authors: Logoteta Domenico
Published: October 2021

I review the issues related to the appearance of hyperons in neutron star matter, focusing in particular on the problem of the maximum mass supported by hyperonic equations of state. I discuss the general mechanism that leads to the formation of hyperons in the core of neutron stars and I review the main techniques and many-body methods used to construct an appropriate equation of state to describe the strongly interacting system of hadrons hosted in the core of neutron stars. I outline the consequences on the structure and internal composition of neutron stars and also discuss the possible signatures of the presence of hyperons in astrophysical dynamical systems like supernova explosions and binary neutron star mergers. Finally, I briefly report about the possible important role played by hyperons in the transport properties of neutron star matter and on the consequences of neutron star cooling and gravitational wave instabilities induced by the presence of hyperons.
High Individual Heterogeneity of Neutralizing Activities against the Original Strain and Nine Different Variants of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Jaafar Rita , Boschi Celine , Aherfi Sarah , Bancod Audrey , Le Bideau Marion , Edouard Sophie , Colson Philippe , Chahinian Henri , Raoult Didier , Yahi Nouara , Fantini Jacques , La Scola Bernard
Published: October 2021

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have sequentially emerged. In France, most cases were due to spike D641G-harbouring viruses that descended initially from the Wuhan strain, then by the variant of B.1.160 lineage we called Marseille-4 since the summer of 2020, which was followed by the Alpha and Beta variants in early 2021, then the Delta variant currently. Methods: We determined the neutralising antibody (nAb) titres in sera from convalescent individuals previously infected by these four major local variants and from vaccine recipients to the original Wuhan strain and nine variants, including two recent circulating Delta isolates. Results: The results show high inter-individual heterogeneity in nAbs, especially according to the variant tested. The major variations among nAbs are based on the genotype responsible for the infection. Patients previously infected with the beta and B.1.160 variants had the lowest nAb titres. We show that this heterogeneity is well explained by spike protein mutants modelling using in silico approaches. The highest titres were observed in individuals vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, even against the delta variant. Conclusions: Immunity acquired naturally after infection is highly dependent on the infecting variant, and, unexpectedly, mRNA-based vaccine efficacy was shown to be often better than natural immunity in eliciting neutralising antibodies.
Macrophages and Monocytes: “Trojan Horses” in COVID-19
Authors: Percivalle Elena , Sammartino Josè Camilla , Cassaniti Irene , Arbustini Eloisa , Urtis Mario , Smirnova Alexandra , Concardi Monica , Belgiovine Cristina , Ferrari Alessandro , Lilleri Daniele , Piralla Antonio , Baldanti Fausto
Published: October 2021

We aimed to explore whether variants of SARS-CoV-2 (Chinese-derived strain (D614, lineage A), Italian strain PV10734 (D614G, lineage B.1.1) and Alpha strain (lineage B.1.1.7)) were able to infect monocytes (MN) and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and whether these infected cells may, in turn, be vectors of infection. For this purpose, we designed an in vitro study following the evolution of MN and MDM infection at different time points in order to confirm whether these cells were permissive for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Finally, we investigated whether, regardless of viral replication, the persistent virus can be transferred to non-infected cells permissive for viral replication. Thus, we co-cultured the infected MN/MDM with permissive VERO E6 cells verifying the viral transmission. This is a further in vitro demonstration of the important role of MN and MDM in the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 and evolution of the COVID-19 disease.
Stability of Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored Vaccines (ChAdOx1 and ChAdOx2) in Liquid and Lyophilised Formulations
Authors: Berg Adam , Wright Daniel , Dulal Pawan , Stedman Anna , Fedosyuk Sofiya , Francis Michael J. , Charleston Bryan , Warimwe George M. , Douglas Alexander D.
Published: October 2021

Adenovirus vectored vaccines have entered global use during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are in development for multiple other human and veterinary applications. An attraction of the technology is the suitability of the vaccines for storage at 2–8 °C for months. Widely used COVID-19 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (University of Oxford/AstraZeneca) is based on a species E simian adenovirus. Species E simian serotypes have been used in a wide range of other development programs, but the stability of such vectors has not been extensively described in the peer-reviewed literature. Here, we explore the stability of two candidate vaccines based on two species E serotypes: a Rift Valley fever vaccine based upon the ChAdOx1 vector (Y25 serotype) used in ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and a rabies vaccine based upon a ChAdOx2 vector (AdC68 serotype). We describe each vector’s stability in liquid and lyophilised formulations using in vitro and in vivo potency measurements. Our data support the suitability of liquid formulations of these vectors for storage at 2–8 °C for up to 1 year, and potentially for nonrefrigerated storage for a brief period during last-leg distribution (perhaps 1–3 days at 20 °C—the precise definition of acceptable last-leg storage conditions would require further product-specific data). Depending upon the level of inprocess potency loss that is economically acceptable, and the level of instorage loss that is compatible with maintenance of acceptable end-of-storage potency, a previously reported lyophilised formulation may enable longer term storage at 20 °C or storage for a number of days at 30 °C.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a City with Free Choice and Sufficient Doses
Authors: Wong Martin C. S. , Wong Eliza L. Y. , Cheung Annie W. L. , Huang Junjie , Lai Christopher K. C. , Yeoh Eng Kiong , Chan Paul K. S.
Published: October 2021

Background: Vaccine hesitancy represents one of the major global health issues around the world. We examined the perception, attitude, perceived barriers and facilitation measures of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in a Chinese population with free vaccine choices (Sinovac [Coronavac] vs. BioNTech/Fosun [Comirnaty]) and adequate doses. Method: We conducted a random telephone survey of the general population in 1195 subjects aged 18 years or above from 23 April 2021 to 8 May 2021 after two months of vaccine rollout. A descriptive analysis of the levels of enabling factors, obstacles and perception of COVID-19 vaccination was conducted using ANOVA and Chi-square tests for trend. Results: Only 10.1% and 13.5% had received one and two COVID-19 vaccine doses, respectively. Among those who had not received any COVID-19 vaccine (75.4%), only 25.1% expressed their intention to receive in the coming 6 months. The barriers with the highest scores included “having heard of cases with serious adverse events or death after vaccination” (score: 8.17 out 10, 95% C.I. 7.99, 8.35), “lack of confidence on governmental recommendations” (7.69, 95% C.I. 7.47, 7.91), and “waiting for a better vaccine” (7.29, 95% C.I. 7.07, 7.52). The highest score for the impact of various incentives for vaccination was for “vaccine passports for overseas travel” (4.44, 95% C.I. 4.18, 4.71). Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy is commonly observed in this Chinese population despite adequate provision of vaccine doses and choices. No single incentive is strong enough to promote vaccination, and multiple facilitation measures for different groups of population are needed to encourage vaccine uptake. Active clarification and promotion by medical professionals together with a variety of incentives are needed to drive vaccine uptake.
New Technology for Degradation of Wastewater Containing High Concentrations of COD and Boron Based on Manganese-Iron Oxide Catalytic Support
Authors: Yang Ya-Fei
Published: October 2021

The existing methods for simultaneous treatment of wastewater containing high concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and boron are too cumbersome and require a relatively long treatment time. The traditional oxidation method is easy to cause a large amount of sludge and other secondary pollution. Therefore, in this research, the wastewater was oxidized by the self-synthesized manganese-iron oxide catalytic support. This oxidation and adsorption combined method significantly increased the efficiency of wastewater treatment, reduced the treatment time and the replacement frequency of consumables. The efficiency in degradation of high-concentration COD (25,250 mg/L) was more than 90%, which could be reached within 40 min, while that of boron (500 mg/L) could reach above 95% within 20 min. After optimization of the parameters (daily treatment capacity: 5CMD) was combined to treat high-concentration wastewater containing high concentrations of COD (14,700 mg/L) and boron (486 mg/L), with treatment efficiency approaching 100% within 20 min. As proved by the research results, after being treated by the new manganese-iron oxide catalytic support and activated carbon, the wastewater has reached the emission standard and can be discharged directly. This combined method provides a new way for the treatment of wastewater containing high concentrations of COD and boron.