bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Neural Substructure Development during Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Treatment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Fajardo Jerome , Milthorpe Bruce K. , Santos Jerran
Published: July 2020

Stem cells are highly important in biology due to their unique innate ability to self-renew and differentiate into other specialised cells. In a neurological context, treating major injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke is a strong basis for research in this area. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a strong candidate because of their accessibility, compatibility if autologous, high yield and multipotency with a potential to generate neural cells. With the use of small-molecule chemicals, the neural induction of stem cells may occur within minutes or hours. Isobutylmethyl xanthine (IBMX) has been widely used in cocktails to induce neural differentiation. However, the key molecular mechanisms it instigates in the process are largely unknown. In this study we showed that IBMX-treated mesenchymal stem cells induced differentiation within 24 h with the unique expression of several key proteins such as Adapter protein crk, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, DNA topoisomerase 2-beta and Cell division protein kinase 5 (CDK5), vital in linking signalling pathways. Furthermore, the increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in treated cells promotes phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and GTPase–Hras interactions. Bioinformatic and pathway analyses revealed upregulation in expression and an increase in the number of proteins with biological ontologies related to neural development and substructure formation. These findings enhance the understanding of the utility of IBMX in MSC neural differentiation and its involvement in neurite substructure development.
Femtosecond Laser-Based Integration of Nano-Membranes into Organ-on-a-Chip Systems
Authors: Bakhchova Liubov , Jonušauskas Linas , Andrijec Dovilė , Kurachkina Marharyta , Baravykas Tomas , Eremin Alexey , Steinmann Ulrike
Published: July 2020

Organ-on-a-chip devices are gaining popularity in medical research due to the possibility of performing extremely complex living-body-resembling research in vitro. For this reason, there is a substantial drive in developing technologies capable of producing such structures in a simple and, at the same time, flexible manner. One of the primary challenges in producing organ-on-chip devices from a manufacturing standpoint is the prevalence of layer-by-layer bonding techniques, which result in limitations relating to the applicable materials and geometries and limited repeatability. In this work, we present an improved approach, using three dimensional (3D) laser lithography for the direct integration of a functional part—the membrane—into a closed-channel system. We show that it allows the freely choice of the geometry of the membrane and its integration into a complete organ-on-a-chip system. Considerations relating to sample preparation, the writing process, and the final preparation for operation are given. Overall, we consider that the broader application of 3D laser lithography in organ-on-a-chip fabrication is the next logical step in this field’s evolution.
“DIY” Silica Nanoparticles: Exploring the Scope of a Simplified Synthetic Procedure and Absorbance-Based Diameter Measurements
Authors: Tabisz Łukasz , Stanek Jerzy , Łęska Bogusława
Published: July 2020

In this study, the classical Stöber silica synthesis protocol was used to test the limits of simplification in the preparation and size determination of nanoparticles. The scope of three-ingredient, one-pot synthesis was established in conditions of regular 96% and 99.8% ethanol as solvent, with aqueous ammonia as the only source of base and water. Particles with diameters in the 15–400 nm range can be reliably obtained with this straightforward approach, and the direct relationship between the size and the product of concentrations of water and ammonia is evidenced. Furthermore, the idea of a linear approximation for Mie scattering in particular conditions is discussed, using experimental data and theoretical calculations. A simple, fast method for particle size determination utilizing a UV-Vis spectrophotometer—an easily accessible instrument—is explained, and shows a level of error (<0.5 SD) that can be acceptable for less rigorous laboratory use of nanoparticles or serve as a quick means for testing the influence of minor alterations to known synthetic protocols. This work aims to show that nanoparticle synthesis can (and should) become a regular occurrence, even in non-specialized labs, facilitating research into their new applications and inspiring outside-the-box solutions, while discussing the drawbacks of a more relaxed synthetic regimen.
Holography and Coherent Diffraction Imaging with Low-(30–250 eV) and High-(80–300 keV) Energy Electrons: History, Principles, and Recent Trends
Authors: Latychevskaia Tatiana
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we present the theoretical background to electron scattering in an atomic potential and the differences between low- and high-energy electrons interacting with matter. We discuss several interferometric techniques that can be realized with low- and high-energy electrons and which can be applied to the imaging of non-crystalline samples and individual macromolecules, including in-line holography, point projection microscopy, off-axis holography, and coherent diffraction imaging. The advantages of using low- and high-energy electrons for particular experiments are examined, and experimental schemes for holography and coherent diffraction imaging are compared.
How Do Orodispersible Tablets Behave in an In Vitro Oral Cavity Model: A Pilot Study
Authors: Desai Neel , Redfearn Andrew , MacLeod Graeme , Tuleu Catherine , Hanson Ben , Orlu Mine
Published: July 2020

Orodispersible tablets (ODTs) offer rapid disintegration of the dosage form when placed on the tongue, which leads to fast release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Despite increased use in diverse patient populations, there have been numerous challenges associated with ODTs. One such concern is the lack of standardised assessment of disintegration behaviour. In the European Pharmacopoeia, ‘orodispersibles’ are defined as such if disintegration time is faster than 3 min. Common in vitro measurement methods only provide single time point data and have limited physiological accuracy. To determine more bio-predictive disintegration kinetics, a bench-top in vitro oral cavity model (OCM) was modified and piloted to assess disintegration of three ODTs of differing hardness. All ODTs disintegrated similarly within the OCM—surface breakdown/swelling, initial ‘wash away’ and final ‘wash away’. The distinct advantage presented within this pilot study using the OCM is the opportunity to ascertain disintegration behaviour profiles of ODTs by evaluating changes in the observable area during simulated oral processing. The model could be implemented as a decision-support tool during the early stages of the drug design process to improve acceptability and further understand ODT disintegration behaviour.
Marketing the Prosthesis: Supercrip and Superhuman Narratives in Contemporary Cultural Representations
Authors: Fahn Chia Wei
Published: July 2020

This paper examines prosthetic technology in the context of posthumanism and disability studies. The following research discusses the posthuman subject in contemporary times, focusing on prosthetic applications to deliberate how the disabled body is empowered through prosthetic enhancement and cultural representations. The disability market both intersects and transcends race, religion, and gender; the promise of technology bettering the human condition is its ultimate product. Bionic technology, in particular, is a burgeoning field; our engineering skills already show promise of a future where physical impediment will be almost obsolete. I aim to cross-examine empowering marketing images and phrases embedded in cinema and media that emphasize how disability becomes super-ability with prosthetic enhancement. Though the benefits of biotechnology are most empowering to the disabled population, further scrutiny raises a number of paradoxical questions exposed by the market’s advance. With all these tools at our disposal, why is it that the disabled have yet to reap the rewards? How are disabled bodies, biotechnology, and posthuman possibilities commodified and commercialized? Most importantly, what impact will this have on our society? This paper exemplifies empowering and inclusive messages emphasized in disabled representation, as well as raising bioethical concerns that fuel the ongoing debate of the technological haves and have-nots. Furthermore, this paper challenges the ideals of normative bodies while depicting the disabled as an open, embodied site where technology, corporeality, and sociology interact. To conclude, I believe that an interdisciplinary approach that balances the debate between scientific advance, capital gain, and social equality is essential to embracing diverse forms of embodiment.
Non-Isothermal Crystallisation Kinetics of Polypropylene at High Cooling Rates and Comparison to the Continuous Two-Domain pvT Model
Authors: Alms Jonathan , Hopmann Christian , Wang Jian , Hohlweck Tobias
Published: July 2020

The modelling of the correlation between pressure, specific volume and temperature (pvT) of polymers is highly important for applications in the polymer processing of semi-crystalline thermoplastics, especially in injection moulding. In injection moulding, the polymer experiences a wide range of cooling rates, for example, 60 °C/min near the centre of the part and up to 3000 °C/min near the mould walls. The cooling rate has a high influence on the pvT behaviour, as was shown in the continuous two-domain pvT model (CTD). This work examined the Hoffman–Lauritzen nucleation and growth theory used in the modified Hammami model for extremely high cooling rates (up to 300,000 °C/min) by means of Flash differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) measurements. The results were compared to those of the empirical continuous two-domain pvT model. It is shown that the Hammami model is not suitable to predict the crystallisation kinetics of polypropylene at cooling rates above 600 °C/min, but that the continuous two-domain pvT model is well able to predict crystallisation temperatures at high cooling rates.
Lycopene Inhibit IMQ-Induced Psoriasis-Like Inflammation by Inhibiting ICAM-1 Production in Mice
Authors: Shih Chun-Ming , Hsieh Chi-Kun , Huang Chien-Yu , Huang Chun-Yao , Wang Kuo-Hsien , Fong Tsorng-Harn , Trang Nguyen Thi Thu , Liu Kuan-Ting , Lee Ai-Wei
Published: July 2020

Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid in tomatoes, which has been identified to have the properties of anti-inflammation in addition to the capability to inhibit the expression of adhesion molecules. Intercellular adhesion molecules play a critical role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Here, we report that the topical use of a lycopene decreased imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like inflammatory responses, the progress of which was based on adhesion molecules. In vitro analysis showed that lycopene decreased keratinocyte and monocyte adhesion. Evidence suggests that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is a main mediator of psoriasis pathogenesis. Therefore, it will be interesting to investigate the factors that contribute to the lycopene-mediated inhibition of ICAM-1 expression in psoriasis. We expect that lycopene will with potential value in the treatment of psoriasis.
Double-Exposure Method with Synchrotron White X-ray for Stress Evaluation of Coarse-Grain Materials
Authors: Suzuki Kenji , Shiro Ayumi , Toyokawa Hidenori , Saji Choji , Shobu Takahisa
Published: July 2020

Stress measurements of coarse-grained material are difficult using synchrotron X-ray diffraction because the diffraction patterns of coarse-grained materials are spotty. In addition, the center of the diffraction pattern is unknown for the transmitted X-ray beam. Here, a double-exposure method is proposed as the countermeasure against this issue. In the experiment, we introduce a CdTe pixel detector. The detector is a newly developed area detector and can resolve high-energy X-rays. The strains of the coarse-grained material can be measured using a combination of the double-exposure method, white synchrotron X-ray, and the CdTe pixel detector. The bending stress in an austenitic stainless steel plate was measured using the proposed technique. As a result, the measured stress corresponded to the applied bending stress.
Interseismic Coupling beneath the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya Constrained by GPS Measurements and Its Implication for Strain Segmentation and Seismic Activity
Authors: Li Shuiping , Tao Tingye , Gao Fei , Qu Xiaochuan , Zhu Yongchao , Huang Jianwei , Wang Qi
Published: July 2020

The Sikkim–Bhutan seismic gap has witnessed a long earthquake quiescence since the 1714 M7.5~8.5 earthquake. The state of stress accumulation beneath the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya and its spatial correlation with seismicity remains unclear due to the lack of geodetic measurements and the low levels of seismic activity. We compile Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements in southern Tibet with the available velocities in the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya to reveal the characteristics of strain buildup on the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). We correct non-tectonic hydrological loading effects in a GPS time series to accurately determine the Three-Dimensional (3D) velocities of each continuous station. Extensive GPS measurements yield convergence rates of 16.2~18.5 mm/y across the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya, which is quite consistent with that observed elsewhere in the Himalaya. Based on a double-ramp structure of the MHT, a refined 3D coupling image is inverted using a dense network of GPS velocities. The result indicates significant along-strike variations of fault coupling beneath the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya. The locking width (coupling > 0.5) of western Bhutan reaches ~100 km, which is 30~40% wider than Sikkim and eastern Bhutan. An obvious embayment of decoupling zone near the border between Sikkim and western Bhutan is recognized, and coincides spatially with the rupture terminates of the 1934 Mw8.2 and the 1714 M7.5~8.5 earthquakes, indicating that the large megathrust earthquakes along the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya are largely segmented by the spatial variation of frictional properties on the MHT. Using a new compilation of seismic records in the Sikkim–Bhutan Himalaya, we analyze the spatial correlation between fault coupling and seismic activity. The result suggests that the seismicity in the Bhutan Himalaya is broadly distributed, instead of restricted in the lower edge of the interseismic locking zone. This implies that the seismic activity in the Bhutan Himalaya is not uniquely controlled by the stress accumulation at the downdip end of the locked portion of the MHT.
Wheat Yield Estimation from NDVI and Regional Climate Models in Latvia
Authors: Vannoppen Astrid , Gobin Anne , Kotova Lola , Top Sara , De Cruz Lesley , Vīksna Andris , Aniskevich Svetlana , Bobylev Leonid , Buntemeyer Lars , Caluwaerts Steven , De Troch Rozemien , Gnatiuk Natalia , Hamdi Rafiq , Reca Remedio Armelle , Sakalli Abdulla , Van De Vyver Hans , Van Schaeybroeck Bert , Termonia Piet
Published: July 2020

Wheat yield variability will increase in the future due to the projected increase in extreme weather events and long-term climate change effects. Currently, regional agricultural statistics are used to monitor wheat yield. Remotely sensed vegetation indices have a higher spatio-temporal resolution and could give more insight into crop yield. In this paper, we (i) evaluate the possibility to use Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series to estimate wheat yield in Latvia and (ii) determine which weather variables impact wheat yield changes using both ALARO-0 and REMO Regional Climate Models (RCM) output. The integral from NDVI series (aNDVI) for winter and spring wheat fields is used as a predictor to model regional wheat yield from 2014 to 2018. A correlation analysis between weather variables, wheat yield and aNDVI was used to elucidate which weather variables impact wheat yield changes in Latvia. Our results indicate that high temperatures in June for spring wheat and in July for winter wheat had a negative correlation with yield. A linear regression yield model explained 71% of the variability with a residual standard error of 0.55 Mg/ha. When RCM data were added as predictor variables to the wheat yield empirical model a random forest approach resulted in better results compared to a linear regression approach, the explained variance increased up to 97% and the residual standard error decreased to 0.17 Mg/ha. We conclude that NDVI time series and RCM output enabled regional crop yield and weather impact monitoring at higher spatio-temporal resolutions than regional statistics.
Analyses of the Prądnik riverbed Shape Based on Archival and Contemporary Data Sets—Old Maps, LiDAR, DTMs, Orthophotomaps and Cross-Sectional Profile Measurements
Authors: Szombara Stanisław , Lewińska Paulina , Żądło Anna , Róg Marta , Maciuk Kamil
Published: July 2020

Analyses of riverbed shape evolution are crucial for environmental protection and local water management. For narrow rivers located in forested, mountain areas, it is difficult to use remote sensing data used for large river regions. We performed a study of the Prądnik River, located in the Ojców National Park (ONP), Poland. A multitemporal analysis of various data sets was performed. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-based data and orthophotomaps were compared with classical survey methods, and 78 cross-sectional profiles were done via GNSS and tachymetry. In order to add an extra time step, the old maps of this region were gathered, and their content was compared with contemporary data. The analysis of remote sensing data suggests that they do not provide sufficient information on the state and changes of riverbanks, river course or river depth. LiDAR data sets do not show river bottoms, and, due to plant life, do not document riverbanks. The orthophotomaps, due to tree coverage and shades, cannot be used for tracking the whole river course. The quality of old maps allows only for general shape analysis over time. This paper shows that traditional survey methods provide sufficient accuracy for such analysis, and the resulted cross-sectional profiles can and should be used to validate other, remote sensing, data sets. We diagnosed problems with the inventory and monitoring of such objects and proposed methods to refine the data acquisition.
Effect of Lockdown Measures on Atmospheric Nitrogen Dioxide during SARS-CoV-2 in Spain
Authors: Mesas-Carrascosa Francisco-Javier , Pérez Porras Fernando , Triviño-Tarradas Paula , García-Ferrer Alfonso , Meroño-Larriva Jose Emilio
Published: July 2020

The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected many countries and regions. In order to contain the spread of infection, many countries have adopted lockdown measures. As a result, SARS-CoV-2 has negatively influenced economies on a global scale and has caused a significant impact on the environment. In this study, changes in the concentration of the pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) within the lockdown period were examined as well as how these changes relate to the Spanish population. NO2 is one of the reactive nitrogen oxides gases resulting from both anthropogenic and natural processes. One major source in urban areas is the combustion of fossil fuels from vehicles and industrial plants, both of which significantly contribute to air pollution. The long-term exposure to NO2 can also cause severe health problems. Remote sensing is a useful tool to analyze spatial variability of air quality. For this purpose, Sentinel-5P images registered from January to April of 2019 and 2020 were used to analyze spatial distribution of NO2 and its evolution under the lockdown measures in Spain. The results indicate a significant correlation between the population’s activity level and the reduction of NO2 values.
The Reliability of Global Remote Sensing Evapotranspiration Products over Amazon
Authors: Wu Jie , Lakshmi Venkataraman , Wang Dashan , Lin Peirong , Pan Ming , Cai Xitian , Wood Eric F. , Zeng Zhenzhong
Published: July 2020

As a key component of terrestrial water cycle, evapotranspiration (ET), specifically over the Amazon River basin, is of high scientific significance. However, due to the sparse observation network and relatively short observational period of eddy covariance data, large uncertainties remain in the spatial-temporal characteristics of ET over the Amazon. Recently, a great number of long-term global remotely sensed ET products have been developed to fill the observation gap. However, the reliabilities of these global ET products over the Amazon are unknown. In this study, we assessed the consistency of the magnitude, trend and spatial pattern of Amazon ET among five global remotely sensed ET reconstructions. The magnitudes of these products are similar but the long-term trends from 1982 to 2011 are completely divergent. Validation from the eddy covariance data and water balance method proves a better performance of a product grounded on local measurements, highlighting the importance of local measurements in the ET reconstruction. We also examined four hypotheses dealing with the response of ET to brightening, warming, greening and deforestation, which shows that in general, these ET products respond better to warming and greening than to brightening and deforestation. This large uncertainty highlights the need for future studies focusing on ET issues over the Amazon.
Learning to Classify Structures in ALS-Derived Visualizations of Ancient Maya Settlements with CNN
Authors: Somrak Maja , Džeroski Sašo , Kokalj Žiga
Published: July 2020

Archaeologists engaging with Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data rely heavily on manual inspection of various derived visualizations. However, manual inspection of ALS data is extremely time-consuming and as such presents a major bottleneck in the data analysis workflow. We have therefore set out to learn and test a deep neural network model for classifying from previously manually annotated ancient Maya structures of the Chactún archaeological site in Campeche, Mexico. We considered several variations of the VGG-19 Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to solve the task of classifying visualized example structures from previously manually annotated ALS images of man-made aguadas, buildings and platforms, as well as images of surrounding terrain (four classes and over 12,000 anthropogenic structures). We investigated how various parameters impact model performance, using: (a) six different visualization blends, (b) two different edge buffer sizes, (c) additional data augmentation and (d) architectures with different numbers of untrainable, frozen layers at the beginning of the network. Many of the models learned under the different scenarios exceeded the overall classification accuracy of 95%. Using overall accuracy, terrain precision and recall (detection rate) per class of anthropogenic structure as criteria, we selected visualization with slope, sky-view factor and positive openness in separate bands; image samples with a two-pixels edge buffer; Keras data augmentation; and five frozen layers as the optimal combination of building blocks for learning our CNN model.
Study on Strain Characterization and Failure Location of Rock Fracture Process Using Distributed Optical Fiber under Uniaxial Compression
Authors: Xu Shiang , Wang Shuangming , Zhang Pingsong , Yang Duoxing , Sun Binyang
Published: July 2020

A rock fracture test is a very important method in the study of rock mechanics. Based on the Mechanics Test System (MTS), the dynamic strain response of the failure process of cylindrical granite specimens under uniaxial compression was observed by using distributed optical fiber strain sensors. Two groups of tests were designed and studied for rock sample fracturing. The main comparison and analysis were made between the distributed optical fiber testing technology and the MTS testing system in terms of the circumferential strain response curve and the evolution characteristics of strain with time. The strain characterization of distributed optical fiber in the process of rock fracturing was obtained. The results show that the ring strains measured by the distributed optical fiber sensor and the circumferential strain gauge were consistent, with a minimum ring strain error of 1.27%. The relationship between the strain jump or gradient band of the distributed optical fiber and the crack space on the sample surface is clear, which can reasonably determine the time of crack initiation and propagation, point out the location of the rock failure area, and provide precursory information about rock fracture. The distributed optical fiber strain sensor can realize the linear and continuous measurement of rock mass deformation, which can provide some reference for the study of macro damage evolution and the fracture instability prediction of field engineering rock mass.
Power Supply Solution for Ultrahigh Speed Hyperloop Trains
Authors: Lafoz Marcos , Navarro Gustavo , Torres Jorge , Santiago Álvaro , Nájera Jorge , Santos-Herran Miguel , Blanco Marcos
Published: July 2020

The paper analyses the alternatives for the power supply of a Hyperloop type railway transport. The particular case of the technology of the Spanish company ZELEROS was studied. Based on previous technical specifications related to both the first prototype and a commercial system, different options were analyzed. We selected the use of a linear motor driven by a single power electronic converter, a distribution scheme comprising different sections along the acceleration area of the track, and an energy storage system based on supercapacitors for the energy supply. The power/energy ratio and the cycle capability are the reasons to become a feasible and competitive solution. A preliminary design methodology for the energy storage requirements is presented in the paper. Once the type of linear motor was selected, the power supply scheme was presented, based on a motor-side power electronic converter and a DC/DC converter which connects to the energy storage devices. An additional low power grid-tie converter for the recharge of the energy storage system was also used. Different track sections were defined, connected to the power electronic converter through corresponding switches, being supplied sequentially when the capsule presence is detected along the track. The particular characteristics of this application, with relatively short traction track area, as well as the high energy recuperation ratio due to the low losses, make more suitable the use of energy storage systems as the source of power supply than the direct connection to the grid.
Big Data Analytics in Australian Local Government
Authors: Watson Richard B. , Ryan Peter J.
Published: July 2020

Australian governments at all three levels—local (council), state, and federal—are beginning to exploit the massive amounts of data they collect through sensors and recording systems. Their aim is to enable Australian communities to benefit from “smart city” initiatives by providing greater efficiencies in their operations and strategic planning. Increasing numbers of datasets are being made freely available to the public. These so-called big data are amenable to data science analysis techniques including machine learning. While there are many cases of data use at the federal and state level, local councils are not taking full advantage of their data for a variety of reasons. This paper reviews the status of open datasets of Australian local governments and reports progress being made in several student and other projects to develop open data web services using machine learning for smart cities.
A Review on Handicap Sections and Situations to Improve Driving Safety of Automated Vehicles
Authors: Roh Chang-Gyun , Im I-Jeong
Published: July 2020

An automated vehicle performs self-driving by utilizing information gathered through sensors attached to the vehicle. Sensor accuracy is thus mentioned as the major technology for enhancing driving safety. However, since urban centers are replete with sections and situations that handicap driving such as sensor recognition limitations and failures, it is necessary to conduct a study that prepares for driving handicaps. As such, this study aims to derive the sections and situations where driving safety is depreciated and review those problems via an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis on driving handicap factors. The analysis result showed that the importance of these handicap situations is high, and it was confirmed that it is necessary to first review off-road sections, environmental factors (heavy rain or snow), merge sections, and sections with poor lane conditions. The result of this research has significance in reviewing road sections and potential situations that require primary verification for securing the driving safety of automated vehicles. It is expected to be utilized in the relevant studies as a basic study.
Farming Influence on Physical-Mechanical Properties and Microstructural Characteristics of Backfilled Loess Farmland in Yan’an, China
Authors: Ma Lina , Qi Shengwen , Zheng Bowen , Guo Songfeng , Huang Qiangbing , Yu Xinbao
Published: July 2020

A gigantic project named Gully Land Consolidation (GLC) was launched in the hill-gully region of the Chinese Loess Plateau in 2011 to cope with land degradation and create new farmlands for cultivation. However, as a particular kind of remolded loess, the newly created and backfilled farmland may bring new engineering and environmental problems because the soil structure was disturbed and destroyed. In this study, current situations and characteristics of GLC are introduced. Test results show that physical-mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of backfilled loess of one-year and five-year farmland are significantly affected by the Gully Land Consolidation project. Compared to natural loess, the moisture content, density, and internal friction angle of backfilled loess increase. On the contrary, the porosity, plasticity index, particle size index, and cohesion index decrease. Through SEM tests, it is observed that the particles of backfilled loess are rounded, with large pores filled with crushed fine particles, which results in skeleton strength weakness among particles and pores. The pore size distribution (PSD) of the four types of loess (Q3 loess, Q2 loess, one-year farmland, and five-year farmland) was measured using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests, showing that the pore size of Q3 loess is mainly mesopores 4000–20,000 nm in size, accounting for 67.5%. The Q2, five-year, and one-year farmland loess have mainly small pores 100–4000 nm in size, accounting for 52.5%, 51.7%, and 71.7%, respectively. The microscopic analysis shows that backfill action degrades the macropores and mesopores into small pores and micropores, leading to weak connection strength among soil particles, which further affects the physical-mechanical properties of loess. The disturbance of backfilled loess leads to an obvious decrease in cohesion and a slight increase in internal friction compared to natural loess. The farming effect becomes prominent with increased backfill time, while the loess soil moisture content increases gradually. Both the cohesion and internal friction of the backfilled loess soil decrease to different degrees. This study is helpful to investigate sustainable land use in the Chinese Loess Plateau and similar areas.
Influence of Family Income Level on Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes in Spain
Authors: Ballesta-Castillejos Ana , Gómez-Salgado Juan , Rodríguez-Almagro Julián , Hernández-Martínez Antonio
Published: July 2020

For pregnant women, having a low family income status is associated with late prenatal attendance and an increased risk of adverse outcomes during pregnancy, delivery, and immediately after delivery. However, the influence of the socioeconomic level on maternal and child health may be minimal as long as the health system model is able to neutralise health inequity. For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine the relationship between the socioeconomic level assessed through monthly household income and obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the Spanish Health System, where midwives play a relevant role. To meet this objective, a cross-sectional observational study aimed at women who have been mothers between 2013 and 2018 in Spain was developed. The final study population was 5942 women. No statistically significant differences with linear trend were found between income level and obstetric and perinatal outcomes after the adjustment by confounding factors (pregnancy composite morbidity, p = 0.447; delivery composite morbidity, p = 0.590; perinatal composite morbidity, p = 0.082; postpartum composite morbidity, p = 0.407). The main conclusion is that, in the current Spanish health system, household income as an indicator of socioeconomic status is not related to perinatal outcomes after the adjustment by confounding factors. These results are likely due to the public model of our health system that serves all citizens on equal footing, although other social and individual factors may have influenced these results
Review of Online Food Delivery Platforms and their Impacts on Sustainability
Authors: Li Charlene , Mirosa Miranda , Bremer Phil
Published: July 2020

During the global 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, the advantages of online food delivery (FD) were obvious, as it facilitated consumer access to prepared meals and enabled food providers to keep operating. However, online FD is not without its critics, with reports of consumer and restaurant boycotts. It is, therefore, time to take stock and consider the broader impacts of online FD, and what they mean for the stakeholders involved. Using the three pillars of sustainability as a lens through which to consider the impacts, this review presents the most up-to-date research in this field, revealing a raft of positive and negative impacts. From an economic standpoint, while online FD provides job and sale opportunities, it has been criticized for the high commission it charges restaurants and questionable working conditions for delivery people. From a social perspective, online FD affects the relationship between consumers and their food, as well as influencing public health outcomes and traffic systems. Environmental impacts include the significant generation of waste and its high carbon footprints. Moving forward, stakeholders must consider how best to mitigate the negative and promote the positive impacts of online FD to ensure that it is sustainable in every sense.
Postural Risk in Manual Planting Operations of Poplar: Two Options Compared
Authors: Marogel-Popa Tiberiu , Marcu Marina Viorela , Borz Stelian Alexandru
Published: July 2020

Poplar forests are cultivated worldwide on extended areas, contributing to the provision of wood for industries. Their management is intensive, especially in planting operations which are done, in many parts of the world, by the use of manual labor. This situation raises the question on their sustainability from an ergonomics point of view. Particularly, the postural risk is in question, as uncomfortable work postures may cause musculo-skeletal disorders. Two types of planting operations (large cutting—CP and bare-root seedling—SP) were selected as representatives for the evaluation of postural risks which was carried out for 14 subjects. Based on the analysis of approximately 14,500 images (approximately 67 h of field study), the postural risk indexes were estimated at 259 and 250 for the CP and SP, respectively. No significant differences were found between the operations, but the high share of effective planting tasks and their associated postural risk indexes generated these concerning results. The main conclusion is that these kinds of planting operations need postural improvement and ways for doing so should be researched in the future.
Sound-Absorption Properties of Materials Made of Esparto Grass Fibers
Authors: Arenas Jorge P. , del Rey Romina , Alba Jesús , Oltra Roberto
Published: July 2020

Research on sound-absorbing materials made of natural fibers is an emerging area in sustainable materials. In this communication, the use of raw esparto grass as an environmentally friendly sound-absorbing material is explored. Measurements of the normal-incidence sound-absorption coefficient and airflow resistivity of three different types of esparto from different countries are presented. In addition, the best-fit coefficients for reasonable prediction of the sound-absorption performance by means of simple empirical formulae are reported. These formulae require only knowledge of the airflow resistivity of the fibrous material. The results presented in this paper are an addition to the characterization of available natural fibers to be used as alternatives to synthetic ones in the manufacturing of sound-absorbing materials.
BIM and LCA Integration: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Potrč Obrecht Tajda , Röck Martin , Hoxha Endrit , Passer Alexander
Published: July 2020

To foster sustainable development, the environmental impacts of the construction sector need to be reduced substantially. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the established methodology for the quantification of environmental impacts, and therefore has been increasingly applied to assess the environmental performance of buildings. By coupling LCAs with digital design tools, e.g., building information modeling (BIM), the identification of environmental hotspots and their mitigation is possible during the design process. The objective of the study is to identify the current integration approaches, and determine the pros and cons of the integration process from different viewpoints, namely, technical, informational, organizational and functional issues. Therefore, a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) was performed. We identified 60 relevant BIM-LCA case studies and analyzed the applied BIM-LCA workflows in detail. A total of 16 of the reviewed studies applied LCA during the early design stage. These studies used a manual or semiautomatic data exchange between the BIM models and LCA tools. In most cases, contemporary BIM-LCA workflows utilized conventional spreadsheets (e.g., Excel sheets in 16 cases). However, the analysis shows that an automated link between LCA and BIM can be achieved when overcoming the technical, organizational and informational issues discussed in the paper. This could enable the streamlining of LCA applications in design practice, and thus support the necessary improvements in the environmental performance of buildings.
Towards a Revised Framework for Participatory Planning in the Context of Risk
Authors: Rizzi Paola , Porębska Anna
Published: July 2020

Community participation is widely acknowledged to be crucial in both mitigation and reconstruction planning, as well as in community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) and community-based disaster mitigation (CBDM) processes. However, despite decades of experience, an efficient framework that is acceptable for all actors and suitable for all different phases of the process—ranging from planning to post-disaster recovery—is lacking. The examples presented in this paper shed light on the different dynamics of participatory design processes and compare situations in which participatory design and community planning were introduced before, during, or after a disastrous or potentially disastrous event. Others emphasize the consequences of participation not being introduced at all. Analysis of these processes allows the authors to speculate on a revised, universal model for participatory planning in vulnerable territories and in the context of risk. By emphasizing intrinsic relations of different elements of the process, particularly the responsibility that different actors are prepared—or forced—to take, this article offers insight towards a framework for post-2020 participatory planning.
Hybrid Logical Security Framework for Privacy Preservation in the Green Internet of Things
Authors: Batra Isha , Verma Sahil , Malik Arun , Kavita  , Ghosh Uttam , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , Nguyen Gia Nhu , Hosen A. S. M. Sanwar , Mariappan Vinayagam
Published: July 2020

Lately, the Internet of Things (IoT) has opened up new opportunities to business and enterprises; however, the cost of providing security and privacy best practices is preventing numerous organizations from adopting this innovation. With the proliferation of connecting devices in IoT, significant increases have been recorded in energy use, harmful contamination and e-waste. A new paradigm of green IoT is aimed at designing environmentally friendly protocols by reducing the carbon impact and promote efficient techniques for energy use. There is a consistent effort of designing distinctive security structures to address vulnerabilities and attacks. However, most of the existing schemes are not energy efficient. To bridge the gap, we propose the hybrid logical security framework (HLSF), which offers authentication and data confidentiality in IoT. HLSF uses a lightweight cryptographic mechanism for unique authentication. It enhances the level of security and provides better network functionalities using energy-efficient schemes. With extensive simulation, we compare HLSF with two existing popular security schemes, namely, constrained application protocol (CoAP) and object security architecture for IoT (OSCAR). The result shows that HLSF outperforms CoAP and OSCAR in terms of throughput with low computational, storage and energy overhead, even in the presence of attackers.
A New Climate Nowcasting Tool Based on Paleoclimatic Data
Authors: Varotsos Costas , Mazei Yuri , Novenko Elena , Tsyganov Andrey N. , Olchev Alexander , Pampura Tatiana , Mazei Natalia , Fatynina Yulia , Saldaev Damir , Efstathiou Maria
Published: July 2020

Atmospheric pollutants and environmental indicators are often used to reconstruct historic atmospheric pollution from peat, as it accumulates over time by decomposing plant material, thus recording a history of air pollution. In the present study, three key parameters related to the peat bogs’ surface wetness dynamics in European Russia during the Holocene were investigated using modern statistical analysis. These parameters are: (i) the water table depth (WTD) in relation to the surface, which is reconstructed based on the community structure of the subfossil testate amoeba assemblages; (ii) the peat humification estimated as absorption of alkaline extract that directly reflects moisture at which the peat was formed; (iii) the Climate Moisture Index (CMI) and the Aridity Index derived from pollen-based reconstructions of the mean annual temperature and precipitation and classifying moisture conditions as the ratio between available annual precipitation and potential land surface evapotranspiration. All these parameters provide useful information about the paleoclimate (atmospheric moisture component) dynamics. High values of WTD and peat humification appear to comply with Gutenberg–Richter law. It is noteworthy that this law also seems to reproduce the high values of the modeled climate moisture and aridity indices. The validity of this new result is checked by replacing “conventional time” with “natural time”. On this basis, a new nowcasting tool is developed to more accurately estimate the average waiting time for the extreme values of these climate parameters. This will help to understand climate variability better to address emerging development needs and priorities by implementing empirical studies of the interactions between climatic effects, mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable growth.
Assessing the Degree of Sustainability Integration in Canadian Public Sector Procurement
Authors: Da Ponte Monica , Foley Megan , Cho Charles H.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the current state of sustainability integration into Canadian government procurement and make recommendations on how to deepen current integration in order to accelerate the advancement of existing sustainability goals. We reviewed 50 publicly available Requests for Proposals (RFPs) issued between 2016 and 2019 and evaluated the significance of sustainability integration and the expanse of considerations using two measurement schemes. Our analysis suggests that sustainability integration into RFPs is currently superficial with limited integration into the evaluation process. We also found that the integration of sustainability was narrow with significant gaps in the breadth of environmental and social impact areas that were considered. As such, we provide insights and recommendations that will enable governments to accelerate the advancement of sustainability through the use of procurement.
How the Dead Storage of Consumer Electronics Creates Consumer Value
Authors: Nøjgaard Mikkel , Smaniotto Cristiano , Askegaard Søren , Cimpan Ciprian , Zhilyaev Dmitry , Wenzel Henrik
Published: July 2020

Consumers across the globe tend to store their small electronic devices when they reach their end of life instead of disposing of them. This is a problem because if end-of-life devices are not recovered from consumers’ homes, the devices cannot be re-used or recycled, leading to increased production. We study what motivates consumers to store their end-of-life devices by looking at how storage creates consumer value. Applying a practice-based understanding of value, we find that storage is a social practice that generates value by protecting consumers from four different kinds of risk: practical risks, existential risks, environmental risks, and moral risks. Storage gives consumers a sense of security in their everyday lives and thus generates what we call ‘security value’. This notion implies that even though end-of-life devices sit idle in consumers’ homes, their value generating capacity remains active. The findings have implications for the role of consumers in reverse logistics strategies for sustainable systems.
An Approach to Prospective Primary School Teachers’ Concept of Environment and Biodiversity through their Design of Educational Itineraries: Validation of an Evaluation Rubric
Authors: Morón-Monge Hortensia , Morón-Monge María del Carmen , Abril-López Daniel , Daza Navarro María Paula
Published: July 2020

The aim of this work is to promote outdoor activities to bring students closer to the environment and the biodiversity of their surroundings. In this sense, educational itineraries are a very good educational resource that promotes skills developing (scientific, cartographic, educational, etc.) which are necessary for the appropriate design of teaching proposals. The present study is carried out with the prospective primary teachers from the Universities of Sevilla and Huelva (Spain). Firstly, the purpose is to analyse what type of educational itineraries they can design after an outdoor activity. Secondly, a rubric is validated as an instrument of analysis and evaluation immersed in a qualitative methodology. The results show what kind of itineraries are designed, and what knowledge and conceptual difficulties the students display. Most of them do not recognize the minimal of elements making up the itineraries, and have difficulties in understanding the environment as a complex system. In summary, we think that the students’ lacking of knowledge about the environment and its biodiversity, the poor geographic-cartographic competencies that they have, together with their maintenance of traditional conceptions of teaching, do not allow them to design proposals of interest for teaching-learning processes.